Miscellaneous

Question 1

White to play and win

Answer 1

2-234: 1.Ra8 Black is in zugzwang. 1…Ke8 2.Rxc8#.

Question 2

White to play and win

Answer 2

2-235: 1.Ke6 Kb6 2.Kxd6 Kb7 3.Ke7.

Question 3

White to play and win

Answer 3

2-236: 1.Ke7 Kc5 2.Ke6 Zugzwang 2…Kc4 3.Kxd6.

Question 4

White to play and draw

Answer 4

2-237: 1.Qb8+ Ke7 2.Qe5+ Kf8 2…Kd8 3.Qb8+ repeats the position. 3.Qh8+ Ke7 4.Qe5+ with a repetition of position. 1.Qf8+? does not work: 1…Kc7 2.Qc5+?? Qxc5.

Question 5

Black to play and draw

Answer 5

2-238: 1…Nc3+ 2.Kc1 Na2+ 3.Kb1 Nc3+ 4.Kc1 is a draw by threefold repetition of position. 4.Ka1?? allows Ra2#.

Question 6

Black to play and draw

Answer 6

2-239: 1…Qxg2+ 2.Rxg2 Rxg2+ 3.Kh1 Rxg1+ draw (stalemate or perpetual).

Question 7

White to play and draw

Answer 7

2-240: 1.Rg3+ Kh8 2.Bg7+ Kg8=.

Question 8

White to play and win a pawn

Answer 8

2-241: 1.Nd5 Qxd2 (1…Qd8 2.h4 and White has a big advantage.) 2.Nxe7+ A common zwischenzug. 2…Kh8 3.Rxd2.

Question 9

White to play and win

Answer 9

2-242: 1.Qxe6+ An easy zwischenzug. 1…Kg7 2.Rxf2

Question 10

White to play and win

Answer 10

2-243: 1.Nxe7+ Kf8 2.Nxg6+ wins the exchange.

Question 11

Black to play and draw

Answer 11

2-244: 1…Rc4+ 2.Qxc4 stalemate.

Question 12

White to play and win

Answer 12

2-245: 1.Nxh6+ Kh8 1…gxh6 2.Rg1#. 2.Qd5 wins a piece, e.g., 2…Ne7 3.Nxf7+ Kg8 4.Nh6+ Kh8 5.Qe6. But not 5. Qg8+??, when 5…Nxg8 wins for Black (and not 5…Rxg8?? 6.Nf7#).