Computer Challenge 01

Here's the position, which actually occurred in a high-level game:

To get a feel for the problems that White is faced with, you can try winning the game from the above position. You can move the white pieces and the diagram will defend for Black.

1.Nxb6+? does not win, as you will quickly see. After 1...cxb6 the position is completely locked and White would have to sacrifice his queen to open it up.

How about using the h3 square for the queen to penetrate? 2.h4!? But Black plays 2...gxh4 and then 3...h3 to lock up the position. You may consider sacrificing the queen on a5, but Black can easily block the passed b-pawn and hold the draw. So what to do?

You can analyse the position comprehensively in the following replay window:

Here you can start the engine (fan icon) and enter variations. If you come up with a solution, you can download the full analysis you have done (disk icon below the notation) as a PGN file. You can also simply download the PGN as is and use your favourite engine to search for the solution.

Please submit your analysis in PGN to puzzle2@chessbase.com. The subject should be "Computer Challenge 01". Please give your name and your place of residence!

Magical Chess Endgames Vol. 1 & 2 + The magic of chess tactics

In over 4 hours in front of the camera, Karsten Müller presents to you sensations from the world of endgames - partly reaching far beyond standard techniques and rules of thumb - and rounds off with some cases of with own examples.

Links

• The Iniyan challenge
• Study of the Month - Reflections on Ionchev's pattern
• Endgames from New Delhi