Endgame Magic

I have in the past looked at endgame studies (puzzles based around constructed positions) and felt they were not for me. They felt very contrived and to be honest I always struggled to solve them. I would look at them, give up and then despair when I see the solution - knowing I was miles away. I have the same feeling when faced with the Times Cryptic Crossword (especially as they get harder towards the end of the week!).

This summer I have been working through the excellent new edition of Shereshevsky’s Endgame Strategy (New in Chess). At the end of each chapter he includes an endgame study to round off. I came upon a position that in the past I would have simply dismissed.

White to play and draw.

This position is obviously contrived. It seems pretty hopeless for White, as the bishop is covering d8 and there is no real way to stop Black’s e-pawn.

1. Nf8 e2 2. Ne6 e1Q 3. d8Q

At this point, there is a trick. If 3…Bxd8 then 4. Nc5+ Kb6 5. Nd7+ is perpetual.

However Black can ignore the queen and simply take the knight apparently winning a piece.

3. …. Qxe6 (if the queen is taken 4. dxe6 then 4. … Bxd8 and Black can easily win)

This position (diagram) looks hopeless for White, but there is an amazing resource - and I have to be honest that it blew my mind when I saw the move and the ramifications.

4. Qxb6!!

It is mind-boggling that this works.

4. …. Qxb6 and Black is a whole queen up. But now comes the magic of the position.

5. Kc8!!

Black is stuck for moves, he has to move the queen, and the only safe move 5…Qd6 is stalemate! Black is forced to give up his queen. All the resulting ways of losing the queen lead to a draw (or worse for Black). A surprising demonstration of the power of pawns.