Chess
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.This first-prize winning study by Leonid Kubbel features some splendidly rich play from remarkably few pieces. It is White to play and draw.
The h-pawn must have an important role to play, but 1.h7 is met by a discovered check, 1...c2+, the black pawn promotes first and Black wins comfortably. So let's begin 1.Bf2+ when 1...Kf1 allows mate with Bc4, so Black is forced to play 1...Kh1. At least now after 2.h7 White threatens to promote the pawn with check, but 2...c2+ is still a problem. None of 3.Kg4 Nf6+, or 3.Kf4 c1=Q+, or 3.Kh4 c1=Q 4.hxg8=Q 5.Qf4+ offers White any hope of salvation. More subtlety is needed, so play continues 3.Be3! Rxe3+ 4.Kf2. Now White threatens to mate by promoting the pawn on h8, so Black must continue 4...Rh3 but what now? After 5.hxg8=Q Black plays 5...Rh2+! then queens his pawn. White's queen then does not even have a single check. But if White cannot queen his pawn, how can he stay in the game?
The answer is surprising: 5.Bd5+! cxd5 (5...Kh2?? loses to 6.hxg8=Q) 6.hxg8=Q Rh2+ 7.Kf3 c1=Q 8.Qg2+!! Rxg2 with a draw by stalemate.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments