Most Recent
Forum Legend
Following
New Comments
Locked Topic
Pinned Topic
This composition was made back in 1912 by E. Rudolph.
In this position, Black has an overwhelming material advantage, and it even seems that White will be unable to prevent the exchange of one of his bishops. The pawn chains and the fact that all 16 of them are still on the board are striking. This is a key factor, which White will brilliantly exploit. The author solves the puzzle as follows: 1. Ba4+! Kxa4 (if 1…Kc4 2. Bb3+ and back again) 2. b3+ Kb5 3. c4+ Kc6 4. d5+ Kd7 5. e6+ (thus surrendering the second bishop) 5…Kxd8 (5...Kc8 does not make a difference) 6. f5 and what initially seemed like a barricade has become an impregnable fortress. There is no way to break this blockade. Draw.
Interestingly the engine is unable to detect the inevitable draw in this position, even at the end of the sequence. Only when approaching move 50 without a capture or pawn advance does it start to acknowledge the real situation.