Cordingley puzzle 212 #chess

White to play and win – and a further special question, just for today.

Extra question: the white king is on A1: make a guess of its route from e1 to that square.

Solution

A rest day today. 1 Rg7! is pretty obvious, and black resigned once it was played. If the rook is captured, 2 Qh5+ mates quickly. There is not much more that could be said.

The obviously trick question about the king's route to a1 is more remarkable. The king didn't long castle to c1 and then shuffle sideways. Instead, its route is shown below. The opening was a Vienna Game, with the white king brought very much out into the open.

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