Test your chess: Reitstein problem 191

White to play and win

J Greben v PJ Foley 1991

Solution

In the game, white offered a draw, which was accepted. But 1 h6! wins, since if 1…Ke5 2 h7 and the pawn queens, and white's g pawn means that there is no possibility of a fortress for black. So 1…Kg6 2 Rh5 Kh7[] 3 g5 and the h pawn promotes. For example, 3…Rd3 4 g6+ Kg6 5 h7 Kh5 6 h8(Q).

The above was my solution, and is 'good enough', in that it wins. Stockfish though shows me that 2 Re6+! is stronger. If 2…Kh7, 3 g5 and the difference is that the R is very active; so 2…Kf7 3 h7 and the best that black can do is 3…Ke6 4 h8(Q) and the g pawn will decide.

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