M9

Certainly is a delicate dance .

Yes mate, and some how this puzzle reminds me of finding a good spot 4 your car at a busy airport's parking-lot.

I played through all alternate variations

I know you are good at being meticulous. Salutes!  

The only one I can't is the one with Roman numerals

The engine doesn't know what to do

The 1 with Roman numerals is 21 moves compared to this 1, being only 9, so basically there are many more options and subsidiaries to go through. So don't be harsh on yourself. You are very good at mastering the art of finding the very important sidelines, beside the main course. So you should be applauded for that.  

No I said the engine

The engine gave answers playing for a draw for white so I couldn't do it

Oh, sorry for the misunderstanding.  You are right, that 1 is hard for the engine to digest.    

It keeps begging me 2 sac the knight for no reason