Test your chess: Reitstein problem 230

Black to play

MC Rubery v D Gluckman 1990

Solution

As a problem, where you know there is a solution, this is solvable. In a game I might well have missed 1…Qe2! and gone for a safe receipt.

The queen has to be taken, and then (2 Re2 fe) white has 3 Bf2 when 3…Rgf5 forces 4 Qf5+, with a level ending. White is in time to play Rb4, preventing the improvement of the Bd5, and I think he can hold.

Position before Rb4

Cook

I knew Qe2 had to be the answer, but this looks like a draw. So, intrigued, I spent more time on it. Instead of finding anything better for black, I found better for white: 1…Qe2 2 Rd2 fe 3 Rb1 Rgf5 4 g4! not fearing 4…Rf1+ ( 4…Rf3 5 Qg2 forces Rf1+ because otherwise the e2 will fall, or if 5…Bc4 6 Bf2 shores things up, and then white slowly regroups with h3, Be1) 5 Rf1 Rf1+ 6 Qf1[] ef+ 7 Kf1 reaching an opposite colour bishop ending.

I wouldn't be too surprised if this were winning for white. It probably doesn't matter but the h pawn's promotion square is the right colour, though I suspect the king side pawns will simply to a passer on g5.

In the game, white played 3 Rb8??, an outright (and I assume time trouble) blunder and resigned. Reitstein gives a different solution, but white doesn't defend well in his line, giving black time to improve his B to c4 and double his rooks.

So, cooked.

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