Author: Jorge Pichard
Date: 12:52:21 03/18/03
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On March 18, 2003 at 15:47:53, Jorge Pichard wrote: >This is a very difficult position for most chess programs. > >[D]8/8/6k1/2p1p3/2P1P1K1/3N4/8/b7 w - - 0 1 > >This position was given by Pachman in the third volume of his "Complete >Chess Strategy" trilogy to illustrate a position where a computer >would have great difficulty finding the right idea. In fairness, >it might be added that most humans would fail this particular test; >indeed in the game Pachman grabbed the pawn. 1.Kxc5? > >This obvious, materialistic move throws away the win' "White's >c-pawn cannot be advanced to the queening square without the help of >the king, but this allows Black to counter by attacking the e-pawn"- >Pachman. > > >Supposing it were instead Black to move, the following variation is >enlightening: > >1... Bd4 2. Ne1 Bf2 3. Nf3 Kf6 or 3...Bd4 4. Kh4+ Kf6 5. Kf5 >4. Kh5 Bg3 5. Nh4 Bf2 6. Nf5 Bg1 7. Nh6 Bd4 8. Ng4+ Ke6 9. Kg6 > >[D]8/8/4k1K1/2p1p3/2PbP1N1/8/8/8 b - - 0 9 > >White will now play Kf6-h7-g5+, etc and win easily. However, >if there were no black pawn on c5, then Black would have sufficient >counterplay to hold the draw, since his King could use the c5-square >to attack White's pawns. > >Thus in our start position, White should NOT take the c-pawn, but >instead make progress on the kingside by manoeuvering his knight. > >[D]8/8/6k1/2p1p3/2P1P1K1/3N4/8/b7 w - - 0 1 > >Pichard.
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