Author: Jaco van Tonder
Date: 12:40:22 10/01/03
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The solution to the position starts with 1) Nc6+ (as a clue) for those still struggling. If you want more info, read on..... I've tried all the main strong engines I've got (Ruffian 1.0.1, Shredder 6 Paderborn and The King 2.23 amongst others) and all of them were pretty much nowhere after 30 minutes of thought per engine. The engine that found the key move (with evals going from the -4.00 to 0.00 within 6 seconds!) was Aristarch 4.21!!! Even after entering the key move for some of the other engines, they still struggle. I'm not sure why was able to Aristarch spot it so quickly..... White's idea is that after 1) Nc6+ Kb7 2) Na5+ Kb6 3) Bf2+! Kxa5 white can queen the pawn with 4) e8Q!!, as the knight fork Nc7+ now leads to loss of material or mate for black after 5) Kd6 Nxe8 6)Kc5 and now white is threatening mate with Be1!!! So now follows 6) ... d2 7) Bd4 d1N 8)Be5 Bh3 9)Bf4 Nc3 10) Bd3 and mate is unavoidable. (there are probably other defenses as well, but I've not had time to go down them - most programs spot that Nc7+ loses). Most computer programs I've tried agree that after 4) e8Q black must play Kb4, and they all continued to rate the position as at least a 2 pawn advantage for white. I've not analysed this position after 4) ..... Kb4 enough to understand the complications and whether white is truely winning, but I have a feeling it will revolve around white at least picking up material while checking the King around the board with his Queen. Interesting position though. I see on the Chessbase website that Tal, after having been shown the position by Plaskett, solved it in his head while on a stroll. Amazing..... Regards, Jaco
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