Test your chess: Reitstein problem 195- additional point

White to play and win

Does 1 Qc8 win?

Solution

In my earlier posting, I showed the correct solution, 1 Qe6+!, which wins. Fortunately I chose it over what I thought was the more or less equivalent 1 Qc8+?. I chose 1 Qe6+ for insufficient reasons, namely that it was more forcing, with one possible move, and three easily bad replies.

However, when I checked with Stockfish, I was shocked to see that 1 Qc8+ Kh7 2 Qc7 (say- it doesn't actually matter, either checking or Qc7 to defend h2) is a draw.

Black to play and draw (after Qc7)

2…Rg2!! and it a draw: 3 Rg2 Qe1+ (or Qd1+) 4 Rg1 Qe4+ 5 Rg2 Qe1+ perpetual.

Had it been a game of mine in practice, I am not sure that I wouldn't have played 1 Qc8+; and similarly unsure if as black I would see Rg2, though hopefully I would, if I had sufficient time.

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