www.arves.org - Nunn-50 JT 2005

Jubilee tournament GM John Nunn 50 2005.

[Event "1st Prize, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Oleg Pervakov & Karen Sumbatyan"] [Black "Draw, (Russia)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "4k3/8/4P2R/5r2/r6p/6pP/1p6/4R2K w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "26"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {A real masterpiece. Starting from a game-like position, both sides must play accurately but White has the last laugh as he forces either perpetual check or a pin-stalemate. There is an attractive thematic try in which White makes the mistake of winning the h4-pawn, which destroys the final stalemate. Although there are a lot of four-rook studies around at the moment, no serious anticipation could be identified. Solving appeal is high as the analysis is fairly straightforward and so the theme of the study is not obscured by dense thickets of variations.} 1. e7 Rf1+ $1 (1... Re5 {1...Re4 is similar} 2. Rh8+ Kd7 3. e8=Q+ Rxe8 4. Rhxe8 b1=Q 5. Rxb1 Kxe8 6. Rb2 {followed by Kg2 is a draw. Black cannot improve his position and exchanging rooks leads to a drawn pawn ending.}) 2. Rxf1 Ra1 3. Rhf6 $1 (3. Rh8+ $2 {is the thematic try:} Kxe7 4. Rh7+ (4. Rhf8 $2 b1=Q {wins for Black here because the f8-rook is under attack and so White cannot take on b1, while continuing to check fails because the black queen controls f5:} 5. R8f7+ Ke6 6. R7f6+ Ke5 7. R6f5+ Qxf5 { and Black wins}) 4... Ke6 $1 {Black's king must stay on the e-file so as to have the white rook under attack if White doubles rooks on the f-file.} 5. Rh6+ Ke5 $1 6. Rh5+ Ke4 $1 7. Rxh4+ (7. Rhf5 b1=Q 8. R5f4+ Ke5 9. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 10. Kg2 Rb2+ $1 {wins}) 7... Ke3 8. Rhf4 Rc1 $1 {reaches essentially the same position as in the main line after 8...Kd3. However, White then loses because the stalemate defence of the main line is not available.} ({but not} 8... b1=Q $2 9. R4f3+ $1 Ke2 10. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 11. Kg2 {drawing})) 3... Rc1 $1 { The most dangerous move.} (3... b1=Q 4. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 5. Kg2 { draws because the rook is not attacked on f6 and the continuation} Rb2+ 6. Kg1 Rh2 7. Re6 Rxh3 8. Re2 {is an immediate draw.}) (3... Kxe7 4. Kg2 b1=Q 5. Rxb1 {is also drawn}) 4. Rf8+ Kxe7 5. R8f7+ Ke6 6. R7f6+ Ke5 ({ If Black plays his king to the b-file by} 6... Kd5 7. R6f5+ Kc4 8. R5f4+ Kb3 { then} 9. Rf8 {draws}) 7. R6f5+ Ke4 $1 {Black's king does not have to stay on the e-file in this line, but the result is the same whether he ends up on c3, d3 or e3, and this move sets a trap.} 8. R5f4+ $1 (8. Rb5 $2 Rxf1+ 9. Kg2 Rf2+ $1 {wins for Black} ({but not} 9... b1=Q $4 10. Rxb1 Rxb1 $11)) (8. Kg2 $2 { is too soon; after} b1=Q 9. R1f4+ Ke3 10. Rf3+ Kd4 11. R3f4+ Kc3 12. Rf3+ Kb4 $1 13. R3f4+ Rc4 {the checks come to an end}) 8... Kd3 9. Kg2 $1 { Now is the right time for this move. Black has nothing better than to promote.} b1=Q 10. R1f3+ $1 {The same manoeuvre can be played when the black king is on any square on the third rank, except b3 (in that case R1f3+ can be met by ... Rc3!), but then White draws by Rf8, as in the note to Black's 6th move.} Kc2 11. Rc4+ Kd2 (11... Kd1 12. Rxc1+ {draws}) 12. Rd4+ Ke2 ({Certainly not} 12... Ke1 $4 13. Re3#) 13. Re4+ $1 Qxe4 { Stalemate. Now we see why White had to avoid winning the h4-pawn.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "2nd Prize, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Marek Kwiatkowski"] [Black "Win, (Poland)"] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "7k/1R5B/8/5K2/8/p4N2/1p2p2N/4n2q w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "35"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {Although this study has no particular theme, it is a fascinating battle throughout and is enlivened by plenty of sacrifices, both White and Black. In all Black has four queens, which are downed one by one by White's numerically inferior force. The star move is White's 5th, by which White attempts the self-destruction of his own bishop on h7. Black can avoid this, only to fall victim to a different fate. This study contains no difficult sidelines and rated very highly for 'solver satisfaction'.} 1. Kg6 Qg2+ 2. Ng4 $1 (2. Ng5 $2 {loses to} 2... Qxb7 {, so White must first sacrifice his h2-knight.}) 2... Qxg4+ 3. Ng5 Qf5+ $1 (3... Qf4 {fails to} 4. Rb8+ Qxb8 5. Nf7# { , so Black must sacrifice his queen to gain a bit of time.}) 4. Kxf5 a2 (4... Nf3 5. Kf6 $1 Nxg5 6. Kg6 { forces mate, so Black puts his trust in his advanced pawns.}) 5. Nf7+ $3 { A truly astonishing move. White's attacking force looks rather slight in the face of Black's potential queens, and with this move White is prepared to reduce it even further.} (5. Kf6 $2 {loses after} 5... b1=Q 6. Bxb1 a1=Q+ 7. Kg6 Qa6+) 5... Kg7 $1 {Black declines the offer, because} (5... Kxh7 {loses to} 6. Ng5+ {the knight returns to g5} 6... Kh8 7. Rh7+ $1 { possible now that h7 is free} ({not} 7. Kf6 $2 b1=Q {and Black wins}) 7... Kg8 8. Kf6 b1=Q 9. Rg7+ Kf8 10. Ne6+ Ke8 11. Re7#) 6. Nd6+ $1 { This is the only check to win.} (6. Ne5+ $2 Kh6 7. Kg4 { is a very tempting try, because} 7... Ng2 $1 (7... a1=Q $2 {loses to} 8. Be4 { followed by mate. However, Black has the clever defence}) 8. Be4 Ne3+ 9. Kf4 Ng2+ 10. Kf5 Ne3+ 11. Kf6 Nd5+ { and White cannot reasonably avoid the perpetual check.}) 6... Kh8 ({Here} 6... Kh6 {loses to} 7. Kg4 b1=Q 8. Nf5+ Qxf5+ 9. Bxf5 {and mate next move.}) 7. Kf6 {Now that White has transferred his knight from g5 to d6 this move wins, because on d6 the knight blocks Black's queen check on a6.} (7. Rxb2 $2 { is another tempting false path, aiming for} 7... a1=Q $2 (7... Nf3 $1 8. Kg6 Ne5+ {with a draw (7...Nd3! also works)}) 8. Kg6 { and mate, but Black plays instead}) 7... b1=Q (7... a1=Q 8. Nf7+ Kxh7 9. Ng5+ { leads to immediate mate}) 8. Bxb1 a1=Q+ {Black manages to promote with check, but his third queen is no more help than the previous two.} 9. Kg6 Qa8 { The only way to prevent mate on the back rank.} 10. Rh7+ Kg8 11. Rg7+ (11. Ne4 {isn't possible at once due to the check on e8.}) 11... Kf8 12. Rf7+ Kg8 { Now that White has transferred his rook to f7 there is no check on e8, so White can take time out to reposition his knight.} 13. Ne4 $1 {This blocks the queen's path to g2 and threatens mate by Nf6+. Black has no choice but to surrender his third queen.} 13... Qxe4+ 14. Bxe4 Nd3 $1 { Black's last fling, threatening both to promote and to play ...Ne5+.} 15. Rf5 $1 {This sly retreat cuts out the knight check and prepares the final attack with Bd5+.} 15... Nf4+ 16. Rxf4 e1=Q { The fourth queen, but now the end is near.} 17. Bd5+ Kh8 18. Rf8# 1-0

[Event "3rd Prize, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Gady Costeff"] [Black "Draw, (Israel)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "4B3/5Qp1/1r5p/5n2/4k1p1/1q6/1B4Kp/6N1 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "17"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {This is a real solver's study. Some rather forcing introductory play leads to a position in which White seems all set to resign, but then he finds a miraculous defence offering a bishop and a queen. In the resulting position, he manages to hold the draw despite having a lone knight against a queen and four pawns. The final position appears original and it is an important positive feature that virtually all the units involved arrive on their final squares during the course of the play.} 1. Bc6+ Kf4 2. Ne2+ ({The tempting} 2. Bc1+ Ke5 3. Qe8+ Qe6 4. Bf4+ {fails after} 4... Kxf4 5. Qxe6 Rb2+ 6. Ne2+ Rxe2+ 7. Qxe2 h1=Q+ 8. Kxh1 Ng3+ {and Black ends up with three extra pawns.}) 2... Kg5 3. Bc1+ (3. Qxb3 Rxb3 4. Bc1+ Kh4 5. Kxh2 { transposes into the following note}) 3... Kh4 4. Qxf5 ({The alternative is} 4. Qxb3 Rxb3 5. Kxh2 g3+ 6. Kg2 Ne3+ 7. Bxe3 Rxe3 {but this is a win for Black. In general, the ending rook and two connected passed pawns against bishop and knight is a win. Here Black's king is poorly placed to begin with, but the third pawn is enough to make the win clear; for example} 8. Bf3 (8. Nd4 Ra3 9. Bd5 h5 10. Nf5+ {or else ...Kg5, followed by ...h4, etc.} 10... Kg4 11. Nxg7 h4 12. Be6+ Kf4 13. Nf5 Ra6 $1 14. Ng7 Rc6 {with an easy win}) 8... Re6 9. Nd4 Rf6 10. Ne2 ({or} 10. Bb7 Rf2+ 11. Kg1 h5) 10... Rd6 11. Ng1 (11. Nxg3 Rg6) 11... Rd2+ 12. Be2 Ra2 {and wins comfortably}) 4... Qh3+ (4... h1=Q+ 5. Kxh1 Qd1+ 6. Ng1 Rxc6 7. Be3 {gives White enough counterplay against Black's exposed king to secure the draw. The critical lineruns} 7... Rf6 { or else Bf2+ is even stronger} 8. Bf2+ g3 9. Bxg3+ $1 Kxg3 10. Qg5+ Kf2 ({or} 10... Qg4 11. Ne2+ Kf3 12. Ng1+) 11. Qg3+ Kf1 12. Qh3+ Ke1 13. Qe3+ Kf1 14. Qh3+ {with a draw.}) 5. Kh1 Rxc6 {It looks hopeless as White has only a few more checks, but now comes the real surprise.} 6. Bg5+ $1 (6. Qf2+ $2 g3 7. Qf4+ Qg4 8. Nxg3 Qxf4 9. Bxf4 g5 {is an easy win.}) 6... hxg5 7. Qh7+ ({After} 7. Qf2+ g3 8. Nxg3 Qe6 9. Nf5+ Kg4 10. Ne3+ Kh5 { Black maintains a decisive material advantage.}) 7... Rh6 8. Qxh6+ $1 gxh6 9. Ng3 $1 {A remarkable position. Black cannot win despite his huge material advantage. The only try is} (9. Ng3 Qf1+ 10. Nxf1 Kh3 {but then} 11. Ng3 { is the simplest draw.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "4th Prize, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "David Gurgenidze & Iuri Akobia"] [Black "Win, (Georgia)"] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "5r2/1Pr5/R1p4P/8/1R6/8/p7/k4K2 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "25"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {This is a complex study which is challenging to understand even if you are just playing over the solution. After a few moves a potential stalemate situation arises, which forces White to take care. Subtle king and rook moves are required in order to deal with an underpromotion defence by Black.} 1. Kg2 $1 {The white king must head for the third rank in order to allow his rook to interpose on h4 in one line.} ({Not} 1. Kg1 $2 Rg8+ 2. Kh1 (2. Kh2 Rh7 $1 3. Rxc6 Rxh6+ 4. Rxh6 Rg2+ 5. Kh3 Rg3+ 6. Kh4 Rh3+ 7. Kg5 Rh5+ { and White cannot escape the checks}) 2... Rb8 $1 3. Rab6 (3. Rba4 Rbxb7 4. Rxa2+ Kb1 5. Rg2 c5 {and Black has no trouble drawing}) 3... Rh7 $1 ({ not, however,} 3... Rd7 $2 {3...Re7? is met the same way} 4. Rg4 Rd1+ 5. Rg1 Rb1 6. h7 c5 7. Kh2 c4 8. Rg8 Rxb6 9. h8=Q+ Rb2+ 10. Qxb2+ Kxb2 11. Rxb8 a1=Q 12. Rg8 {and White wins}) 4. Rxc6 Rxh6+ 5. Rxh6 Rxb7 6. Ra4 Rb4 7. Raa6 Rb1+ 8. Kg2 Kb2 {drawing}) (1. Ke2 $2 Re7+ 2. Kd2 Rd7+ 3. Kc2 Rf2+ 4. Kc3 Rf3+ 5. Kc2 Rf2+ {is an easy draw}) 1... Rg8+ ({The toughest defence. After} 1... Rb8 2. Rab6 Rf7 3. Rb3 $1 (3. Rb2 $2 Rg8+ 4. Kh2 Rf6 {draws}) 3... Rd7 (3... Rg8+ 4. Rg3 {wins at once}) 4. Rb2 $1 Rg8+ 5. Kf2 $1 Rf8+ 6. Ke1 Rd6 7. h7 Rh6 8. b8=Q Rxb8 9. Rxb8 Rxh7 10. Rc2 {White wins more easily.}) 2. Kh3 $1 {2 Kh1? and 2 Kh2? were covered in the note to White's first move, while if White plays to the f-file, then 2...Rf7+ draws easily.} 2... Rb8 (2... Rh7 {fails to} 3. Ra8 $1 Rxh6+ 4. Rh4 {this move explains why the king had to head to h3} 4... Rhg6 5. b8=Q Rxb8 6. Rxb8 Rg1 (6... Rg5 7. Rf4 Rb5 8. Re8 {is similar}) 7. Rf4 Rb1 ( 7... Rh1+ 8. Kg4 {doesn't help}) 8. Re8 { and White wins by doubling rooks on the second rank.}) 3. Rab6 $1 (3. Rba4 $2 Rh7 4. Rxa2+ Kb1 5. Ra1+ Kb2 $1 {is a draw}) 3... Rh7 $1 (3... Rd7 { 3...Re7 is met the same way} 4. Rxc6 Rd3+ 5. Kg4 Rd1 6. h7 Rb1 7. Rcc4 { wins for White.}) 4. Rxc6 Rxh6+ $1 5. Rxh6 Rxb7 { The introductory play is over, and we are in 6-man database territory.} 6. Ra4 $1 Rb4 $1 {Black's best chance is to play for stalemate.} ({After} 6... Rb3+ 7. Kg2 Rb4 (7... Rb2+ 8. Kf3 Rb4 9. Raa6 {is similar}) 8. Raa6 Rb3 9. Rhe6 Rb1 10. Kf3 Rb3+ 11. Ke2 {White has a slow but sure win.}) 7. Ra5 $3 ({The immediate} 7. Raa6 $2 {only draws after} 7... Kb2 $1 { because White does not have the move Kg4 as in the main line. After} 8. Kg3 a1=N $1 9. Rh2+ Nc2 10. Rc6 {Black can save the game by} 10... Rb3+ 11. Kf4 Rc3 ) (7. Ra7 {and 7 Ra8 also win, but with loss of time, since in order to win White must play his rook to a5.}) 7... Rb5 $1 (7... Rb1 8. Rha6 Rb2 9. Kg3 { wins by approaching with the king.}) 8. Raa6 $1 (8. Ra7 $5 Rb7 $1 9. Raa6 $2 { is a draw since White must only play his rook to a6 when Black's rook is on b5. Black defendsby} 9... Kb1 10. Rhd6 Rh7+ { Black keeps checking until he can transfer his rook to the first rank} 11. Kg2 Rg7+ 12. Kf3 (12. Kh3 Rg1 {is similar}) 12... Rg1 13. Rdb6+ (13. Kf2 Rh1 $1 14. Kg2 Re1 $1 {doesn't help White}) 13... Ka1 {and White must lift the stalemate by playing his rook along the rank, whereupon Black plays ...Kb1 again. White cannot make progress.}) 8... Kb2 {There is nothing better:} (8... Rb1 9. Kg3 Rg1+ 10. Kf2 Rb1 11. Ke3 {and the king approaches}) (8... Kb1 9. Kg4 $1 { the key point is that with the rook on b5, Black is unable to transfer his rook to the first rank by means of ag-filecheck} 9... Ka1 (9... Rb4+ 10. Kf3 Rb2 11. Rh1+ Kc2 12. Ke3 {wins easily}) 10. Kf3 Rb1 11. Ke3 Re1+ 12. Kd2 $18 Rg1 13. Kc3 Rg3+ 14. Kd4 Rg4+ 15. Ke3 Rg3+ 16. Kf4 Rg2 17. Rh1+ Kb2 18. Rb6+ { wins}) 9. Kg4 $1 {This move explains why White first had to deflect the rook to b5 at move 7. Only b5 works, because on b4 the rook prevents Kg4, while on b7 or b8 Black has a check on the g-file.} (9. Kg3 $2 a1=N $1 { draws as in the note to White's 7th move.}) 9... a1=N (9... Ka1 10. Kf3 { transposes into the note to Black's 8th move.}) ({After} 9... Rb4+ { the simplest win is by} 10. Kf5 (10. Kg5 { also wins, although much more slowly after} 10... Rb5+ 11. Kg6 {followed by playing the king around to c7. In fact, this was the composer's main line but the database revealed the dual win and so I have taken the main line to be 9... a1N, which avoids the dual.}) 10... a1=N 11. Rh2+ Nc2 12. Rc6 {, but}) 10. Rh2+ Nc2 11. Rc6 {and Black loses the knight after, for example} 11... Rb4+ 12. Kf5 Rb5+ 13. Ke6 1-0

[Event "5th Prize, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Yuri Bazlov"] [Black "Draw, (Russia)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/1k3n1K/6N1/6b1/6p1/8/6P1/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "11"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {This position is a truly astounding discovery. White sacrifices a piece to reach a drawn position in which he is two whole minor pieces down and has just one pawn on the second rank. The refusal to capture Black's bishop at move 4 is especially surprising. Other studies with this concluding material balance (such as Avni #20415) have involved stalemate, but this one is based on a positional draw. This study shows that there are still simple and striking positions waiting to be discovered.} 1. Nh8 $1 {Black's bishop occupies a dominating position which makes it hard for White to activate his pieces. White's first move clears g6 in order to play his king to that square.} ({ The alternative is} 1. Kg7 $2 Nd6 2. Ne5 g3 {but Black can secure his pawn on g3 and gradually improve the position of his pieces. Of course, he must avoid the exchange of knights, which leads to a positional draw provided White's king can reach f1. Although the win is not easy, it can be accomplished in the end; for example,} 3. Kg6 Bd8 $1 {stopping the white king reaching e6, after which it is very hard for Black to displace the centralised white pieces} 4. Kh5 Ne4 5. Kg4 Bc7 6. Kf3 Nd2+ 7. Ke3 (7. Ke2 Nb3 8. Ng6 Kc6 9. Kf3 Nd4+ 10. Kg4 Kd5 11. Nf4+ Ke4 {wins}) 7... Nf1+ 8. Ke2 Nh2 {this prevent s the white king approaching the g3-pawn and gives Black time to bring his own king up} 9. Nd3 Kc6 10. Ke3 Kd5 11. Nb4+ Ke5 12. Nc6+ Kf5 13. Nd4+ Kg4 14. Nc2 Bb6+ 15. Ke2 Kf4 {followed by ...Ng4, with a technical win.}) 1... Ne5 { The only winning chance is to prevent White's king moving immediately to g6.} ( {After} 1... Nxh8 2. Kxh8 Kc6 3. Kg7 Kd5 4. Kg6 Be3 {Black cannot move his bishop to f4 or h4 without losing his pawn, so he loses another tempo later when White attacks the g3-pawn with his king} 5. Kf5 g3 6. Kg4 Bf2 7. Kf3 Kd4 8. Ke2 $1 {the king reaches f1, with a standard positional draw.}) 2. Nf7 $1 { Quick action is necessary, or Black just approaches with his king, but this move is simply unbelievable. Already one piece down, White offers a second one! Black must accept as both his minor pieces are under fire.} 2... Nxf7 3. Kg6 $1 Ne5+ $1 ({The best try is to sacrifice the bishop, as} 3... Kc6 4. Kxf7 Kd5 5. Kg6 {draws as in the note to Black's first move.}) 4. Kf5 $1 { Declining the offer.} (4. Kxg5 $2 {loses after} 4... Kc6 $1 5. Kf4 Kd6 $1 { gaining the opposition} 6. Ke4 (6. Kf5 Kd5 {wins}) 6... Ke6 7. Kf4 Kf6 8. g3 Ke6 9. Kg5 Kd5 10. Kf5 Kd4 11. Kf4 Kd3 $1 {and the g3-pawn falls.}) 4... Nf7 { Amazing but true; Black cannot win despite being two clear minor pieces up.} ( 4... Nf3 5. Kxg4 {and}) (4... Bf6 5. Kxf6 Nf3 6. Kf5 Nh2 7. Kf4 { are both clear draws.}) 5. Kg6 Ne5+ 6. Kf5 $1 1/2-1/2

[Event "6th Prize, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Jan Timman"] [Black "Win, (Netherlands)"] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "7K/4r2P/2n3P1/p2b3B/7p/1kP4P/7P/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "21"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {This spectacular study involves sacrifices by both White and Black, with the key idea being the move 3 c4!, opening the long diagonal ready to cover the a1-square several moves later. The whole idea is realised with great economy.} 1. g7 Re8+ $3 { The only chance is to sacrifice the rook to clear the e7-square. After} (1... Re5 2. Bd1+ Kxc3 3. g8=Q {White has too much material.}) 2. Bxe8 Ne7 3. c4 $3 { A remarkable move which has as its sole purpose the opening of the long diagonal. Theimmediate} (3. g8=Q $2 {leads only to a draw:} 3... Bxg8 4. Bf7+ $1 (4. hxg8=Q+ Nxg8 5. Kxg8 Kxc3 {is a draw because White cannot win the h4-pawn without allowing the black king to reach h8, with a standard rook's pawn(s) + wrong bishop draw.}) 4... Bxf7 5. Kg7 Ng6 6. Kxf7 Nh8+ 7. Kg7 a4 8. Kxh8 a3 9. Kg8 (9. Kg7 a2 10. h8=Q a1=Q 11. Qxh4 Qxc3+ {draws at once}) 9... a2 10. h8=Q a1=Q 11. Qxh4 Qa8+ {and White cannot avoid the checks without making so many concessions that Black is able to draw; for example,} 12. Kg7 Qb7+ 13. Kg6 Qc6+ 14. Qf6 Qg2+ 15. Qg5 (15. Kf7 Qb7+) 15... Qxh2 (15... Qc6+ { should also draw}) 16. Qe3 Qd6+ 17. Kh5 Qd5+ 18. Kh4 Qd8+ {and so on.}) 3... Bxc4 (3... Kxc4 4. g8=Q Bxg8 5. Bf7+ Bxf7 6. Kg7 Bd5 7. h8=Q {will win in the long run. White picks up the h4-pawn and wins one of Black's minor pieces for the front h-pawn. Black cannot then draw with a minor piece and an advanced a-pawn because White has another h-pawn.}) 4. g8=Q $1 { A neat tactic forcing the promotion of the h-pawn.} 4... Bxg8 (4... Nxg8 5. Kg7 {wins at once.}) 5. Bf7+ $1 (5. hxg8=Q+ $2 Nxg8 6. Kxg8 Kc3 { draws as in the note to White's third move.}) 5... Bxf7 6. Kg7 Ng6 (6... Bc4 7. h8=Q {wins as in the note to Black's third move.}) 7. Kxf7 Nh8+ 8. Kg7 { or 8 Kg8} 8... a4 9. Kxh8 a3 10. Kg8 a2 11. h8=Q { and wins, thanks to the open long diagonal.} 1-0

[Event "7th Prize, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Gady Costeff"] [Black "Win, (Israel)"] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "K2b4/1p3pp1/pp1p4/1P5p/B4R2/2R5/qp5P/k5B1 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "39"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {The heavy starting position is not very much to my taste, but one must admire the remarkable play which arises. Black's two queens are held paralysed by a bishop and rook battery, and both sides manoeuvre to try to secure the best possible position after the queens have been captured. White's 5th move, allowing Black to deliver a discovered check from a queen, is especially notable.} 1. Rf1+ (1. Bc2 $2 axb5+ 2. Kb8 Bf6 3. Rf1+ b1=Q 4. Bxb1 Bxc3 5. Bxa2+ Kxa2 6. Rxf7 b4 {is a typical line. Ending up a rook ahead is no help if White has to surrender material for Black's dangerous front b-pawn. Indeed, White should force a draw quickly by} 7. Rf2+ { if he wants to avoid being worse.}) (1. Bb3 $2 Bf6 2. Bxa2 Bxc3 3. Ra4 (3. bxa6 bxa6 4. Ra4 b5 5. Rxa6 b1=Q 6. Bxb1+ Kxb1 7. Rxd6 b4 8. Rc6 Kc2 9. Bb6 (9. Kb7 Kd3) 9... Kd3 10. Ba5 f5 {and Black's pawns are strong enough to ensure a draw. }) 3... axb5 4. Ra7 b1=Q 5. Bxb1+ Kxb1 6. Rxb7 b4 7. Rxb6 Kc2 8. Rc6 Kd3 { is similar. Again White should force a draw as soon as possible.}) 1... b1=Q 2. Bd4 (2. Rcc1 $2 Bf6 3. Rxb1+ Qxb1 4. Rxb1+ Kxb1 5. Kxb7 axb5 6. Bxb5 g5 7. Kxb6 Be5 {is not good enough; after} 8. Be8 h4 9. Bxf7 g4 10. Be6 g3 11. h3 Kc2 { Black draws easily.}) 2... Bf6 3. Rxf6 $1 (3. Bxf6 $2 gxf6 4. Rcc1 axb5 5. Rxb1+ Qxb1 6. Rxb1+ Kxb1 7. Bxb5 Kc2 {is a draw.}) 3... gxf6 4. h4 $1 { With Black's queens effectively paralysed, White fixes the weak h5-pawn ready to be attacked after the queens have disappeared. Other moves are ineffective:} (4. Ra3+ $2 {4 Rc1+ is similar} 4... Qbb2 5. Bxb2+ Kxb2 6. Rxa2+ Kxa2 7. Kxb7 ( 7. h4 Kb2 8. Bd1 Kc3 9. Bxh5 f5 { is too slow as Black's king can still stop the h-pawn}) 7... axb5 8. Bxb5 Kb3 9. Kxb6 Kc3 10. Kc6 Kd4 11. Kxd6 Ke4 12. Ke7 Kf5 13. Kxf7 Kg5 14. Bf1 f5 { draws, as Black only has to reach h8 with his king in order to save the game.}) 4... f5 $1 {The best defence, seeking to gain counterplay by pushing the passed f-pawn. Alternatives:} (4... Qxa4 5. Ra3#) (4... Qe4 5. Rc1#) (4... Kb2 5. Rd3+ Kc1 6. Rd1#) (4... axb5 5. Ra3+ Qbb2 6. Bxb2+ Kxb2 7. Rxa2+ Kxa2 8. Bd1 f5 (8... Kb2 9. Bxh5 Kc3 10. Bxf7 Kd4 11. h5 Ke5 12. h6) 9. Bxh5 { transposing into the main line.}) 5. Bd1 $1 {Perhaps the most surprising move in the solution, allowing Black to deliver discovered check. However, White cannot waste a single tempo and must take aim at the h5-pawn without delay.} 5... axb5+ {Now there is a forced liquidation.} (5... Kb2 {loses to} 6. Rc4+ Ka3 7. Ra4#) 6. Ra3+ Qbb2 7. Bxb2+ {By taking the queens this way round, Black's king is drawn one square further away from the h-file.} 7... Kxb2 8. Rxa2+ Kxa2 9. Bxh5 b4 {Black's king is too far away to stop the h-pawn, so his only chance is to push his own pawns.} 10. Be2 $1 ({Accuracy is necessary.} 10. Bxf7+ $2 {only draws after} 10... b3 11. h5 f4 12. h6 f3 13. h7 f2 14. Bc4 b5 $1) 10... b3 11. h5 b2 12. Bc4+ $1 { Forcing the king out to a3 ready for a later Qc3+.} (12. Bd3 $2 f4 { is only a draw.}) 12... Ka3 (12... Ka1 13. Bd3 f4 14. h6 { wins as White will pin the b-pawn when he promotes.}) 13. Bd3 f4 14. h6 f3 15. h7 f2 16. h8=Q b1=Q (16... f1=Q 17. Qc3+ Ka2 (17... Ka4 18. Qc2+ {wins}) 18. Bxf1 b1=Q 19. Bc4+ {forces mate.}) 17. Bxb1 f1=Q 18. Qc3+ Ka4 19. Bc2+ Kb5 20. Bd3+ 1-0 
 . Bc2+ Kb5 20. Bd3+ 1-0

[Event "8th Prize, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Jarl H Ulrichsen"] [Black "Draw, (Norway)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "k2K4/8/8/1p6/8/PP6/8/5b2 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "13"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {Despite the limited material, a very complex study - in fact, I was unable to solve it. When I saw the solution, I didn't believe that the study could be correct. After considerable manual analysis I concluded that it is sound (thanks to Marc Bourzutschky, this was later confirmed by using a database). It's really a remarkable position and a contribution to endagme theory. The study is based on a set of reciprocal zugzwangs (in all cases the pawns are on their current squares): Z1: Kc3 v Kc5, Bd1. It is obvious that this is a draw with Black to play, as if he moves his bishop White plays b4+ followed by a4. With White to play it is not so clear after 1 b4+, but Black wins by outflanking; for example, 1...Kd5 2 Kd2 Ba4 3 Kd3 Ke5 4 Ke3 Bb3 5 Kd3 Kf4 6 Kd4 Kf3 7 Kc3 Ba4 8 Kd3 Kf2 9 Kd2 Kf1 and now his king penetrates towards the white pawns. Z2: Kc3 v Ka5, Bd1. With White to play 1 Kb2 Kb6 2 Kc3 Kc5 is Z1. Black to play has nothing better than 1...Bh5, but after 2 Kd2 it's a draw. As soon as Black moves his king away from a5 White plays b4 and then a4. As we can see, occupation of d1 by Black's bishop is an important factor. Z3: Kd4 v Ka5, Be2. White to play can only continue 1 Kc3, but after 1...Bd1 we have Z2. If Black to play continues 1...Bh5, say, then 2 Kd3 (not 2 Kc3? Bd1) 2...Bd1 (or else Kd2 prevents ...Bd1) 3 Kc3 is Z2 with Black to play. If 1...Bf1, then 2 Kc3 and 3 Kc2 (or d2). Now it is possible to understand the solution.} 1. Kc7 $1 ({Not} 1. Kd7 $2 Kb7 2. Kd6 Kb6 3. Kd5 Be2 $1 {heading for the key d1-square } 4. Kd4 Bd1 5. Kc3 Kc5 {with Z1.}) 1... Ka7 2. Kc6 Ka6 3. Kd5 $1 { The first surprise.} ({Not} 3. Kc5 $2 Ka5 {and after} 4. Kd4 (4. Kd5 Bd3 $1 5. Kd4 Bc2 6. Kc3 Bd1 {or}) 4... Be2 $1 5. Kc3 Bd1 $1 {we arrive at Z2.}) 3... Ka5 $1 {Other moves are no better:} (3... Bd3 4. Kd4 Bc2 5. Kc3 { followed by Kb4 draws at once.}) (3... Be2 4. Kc5 $1 {(threatening 5.Kb4)} ({ not} 4. Kd4 $2 Bd1 5. Kc3 Ka5) 4... Ka5 {(forced)} 5. Kd4 {is Z3.}) 4. Ke4 $3 { The second surprise.} (4. Kd4 $2 Be2 {is Z3.}) (4. Kc5 $2 {(or 4.Ke5?)} 4... Bd3 5. Kd4 Bc2 6. Kc3 Bd1 {is Z2.}) 4... Be2 5. Kd4 {Now we have Z3.} 5... Bg4 (5... Kb6 6. Kc3 Kc5 7. b4+ Kc6 8. a4 {#raws}) 6. Kd3 $1 { The final accurate move, threatening to play 7.Kc2 or Kd2 controlling d1.} (6. Kc3 $2 {loses to} 6... Bd1) 6... Bd1 7. Kc3 {With Z2.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "1st HM, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Velimir Kalandadze"] [Black "Draw, (Georgia?)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "3r4/8/7k/3Kp2r/4P2P/4R3/4p3/2R5 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "19"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {Another judge might well have rated this study lower, but I feel it has several merits. The play soon leads to a position in which one might well resign in an over-the-board game, but White pulls off a remarkable save based on a mid-board stalemate. The position is natural and there are no complicated sidelines (in fact, no sidelines at all!) to distract from the main point of the study. The only real defects are the perfunctory introductory play and the fact that Black's h5-rook doesn't move during the solution. I would also have preferred to have Black to play in the initial position rather than White's king in check. A somewhat similar idea has been shown by this composer (#20388) but the current setting is considerably superior to the earlier one in that the pieces move into place in a more natural way and White's king performs a switchback.} 1. Ke6 Rd1 {Black has nothing better than to win a rook, but this certainly looks as if it should be enough to win.} 2. Rc6 $1 {The right square, setting up a battery so that White's king can return to d5 with gain of tempo.} e1=Q 3. Rxe1 Rxe1 4. Kd5+ $1 {The switchback.} Kg7 5. Rc7+ {White just ps checking, and sooner or later Black must play his king to d7 or e7...} Kf8 6. Rc8+ Ke7 7. Rc1 $1 { ...whereupon White sets up a perpetual attack on Black's rook!} Re2 8. Rc2 $1 Re3 9. Rc3 $1 Re1 10. Rc1 $1 1/2-1/2

[Event "2nd HM, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Emil Melnichenko"] [Black "Draw, (New Zealand)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "r1B5/P1R5/P4K2/8/p7/8/8/r5qk w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "19"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {This study features an original systematic manoeuvre in which Black's heavy force is unexpectedly kept under control by a long diagonal pin. Step by step, the white king edges closer to the a-pawns until eventually White can draw by simply taking Black's queen. It's an interesting idea, but unfortunately the study simply winds down rather than rising to a climax.} 1. Bb7+ Qg2 (1... Kh2 $2 2. Rh7+ Kg3 3. Rg7+ Kf2 4. Rxg1 {even wins for White.}) 2. Rc2 $1 {The right way to attack the pinned queen} ({Not} 2. Rg7 $2 Rf1+ 3. Ke6 {3 Ke5 is met the same way} (3. Ke7 Qxb7+ 4. axb7 Rxa7) 3... Re1+ 4. Kd6 Qe4 5. Re7 (5. Bxe4+ Rxe4 6. Kc6 a3 7. Kb7 a2 {and}) (5. Rg4 Rd1+ 6. Kc7 Rc1+ 7. Kd7 Qxb7+ 8. axb7 Rxa7 {win for Black}) 5... Rd1+ 6. Kc7 (6. Kc5 Rc8+ {mates }) 6... Rc1+ 7. Kd7 (7. Kb6 Rb1+ {wins easily, while}) (7. Kd6 Rd8+ 8. Rd7 Rd1+ {mates in a few moves}) 7... Qxb7+ 8. axb7 Rxa7 9. Kd8 Rxb7 10. Rxb7 a3 11. Ra7 Ra1 {followed by ...a2, and the white king cannot shelter from a rook check.}) 2... Rf1+ (2... Rxa7 3. Rxg2 Rxa6+ 4. Ke5 Ra5+ 5. Kd4 { causes White no problems.}) 3. Ke6 { White must avoid playing his king to the seventh rank due to} (3. Ke7 $2 Qxb7+ 4. axb7 Rxa7 5. Rc7 Rxb7 6. Rxb7 a3 7. Ra7 Ra1 { , winning in a similar way to the note to White's second move.}) (3. Ke5 $2 { is also bad due to} 3... Re8+ 4. Kd4 Rd1+ 5. Kc3 Re3+ 6. Kb2 Rb3+ 7. Ka2 Rxb7) 3... Qf3 {Giving further checks doesn't help:} (3... Re1+ 4. Kd6 Rd1+ (4... Rd8+ 5. Kc7) (4... Qe4 5. Rc4 {transposes to the main line}) 5. Kc7 Qd5 6. Bxd5+ Rxd5 7. Kb7 {is a positional draw as at the end of the main line}) 4. Rc3 $1 Re1+ (4... Rxa7 5. Bxf3+ Rxf3 ({after} 5... Kg1 6. Bb7 Ra1 7. Kd5 a3 8. Kc5 a2 9. Rc2 {Black is paralysed}) 6. Rxf3 Rxa6+ 7. Kd5 a3 8. Rf1+ Kg2 9. Ra1 { draws easily}) 5. Kd6 (5. Kd7 $2 Qxb7+ 6. axb7 Rxa7 {is the usual win.}) 5... Qe4 (5... Qg2 6. Rc2 {and}) (5... Rd1+ 6. Kc7 Qd5 7. Bxd5+ Rxd5 8. Kb7 { are similar to lines we have already seen.}) 6. Rc4 $1 (6. Bxe4+ $2 Rxe4 7. Kc5 Re7 {wins easily}) 6... Rd1+ 7. Kc7 Qd5 (7... Qg2 8. Rc2 Qd5 9. Bxd5+ Rxd5 10. Kb7 {is the usual draw}) 8. Bxd5+ { Now the white king is close enough to the a-pawns for this to draw.} ({Not} 8. Kb6 $2 Rb1+ 9. Kc7 Rxb7+) 8... Rxd5 9. Kb7 Rdd8 10. Rxa4 {With a simple positional draw. White just transfers his rook to the seventh rank and waits.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "3rd HM, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2006"] [Round ""] [White "Luis M Gonzalez"] [Black "Draw, (Spain)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "1N5R/1p6/1Pp2p2/3p3K/6P1/p3p3/1k6/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "30"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {Some quite interesting introductory play leads up to the critical position at move 13, in which White must make a surprising rook move in order to reach a reciprocal zugzwang with Black to play. There is a quite tempting try at move 6.} 1. Nxc6 $1 {White must bring his knight into the game. Other moves fail:} ( 1. Kg6 $2 d4 2. Rh2+ (2. Nxc6 {is too late:} d3 3. Rh1 e2 4. Nd4 a2 { wins for Black}) 2... Kc3 3. Re2 d3 4. Rxe3 a2 5. Re1 d2 6. Rf1 Kb2 7. Rd1 Kc2 {wins}) (1. g5 $2 a2 2. gxf6 (2. g6 a1=Q 3. g7 e2 4. Re8 e1=Q 5. Rxe1 Qxe1 6. g8=Q Qh1+ 7. Kg6 Qg2+ 8. Kf7 Qxg8+ 9. Kxg8 d4 10. Nxc6 d3 {wins easily}) 2... a1=Q 3. Re8 Qh1+ 4. Kg6 Qg2+ 5. Kh6 Qf3 6. Kg6 Qg4+ 7. Kh6 Qf5 8. Kg7 Qg5+ 9. Kf7 Qh5+ 10. Kf8 e2 {and Black wins.}) (1. Nd7 $2 a2 2. Ra8 a1=Q 3. Rxa1 Kxa1 4. Nc5 (4. g5 fxg5) 4... e2 5. Nd3 c5 {and the pawns are too strong.}) 1... a2 2. Ra8 e2 $1 (2... a1=Q 3. Rxa1 Kxa1 4. Nd4 Kb2 5. g5 fxg5 6. Kxg5 Kc3 7. Nf3 d4 8. Kf4 {stops the pawns.}) 3. Nb4 a1=Q 4. Nd3+ $1 (4. Rxa1 $2 { costs a vital tempo and loses after} Kxa1 5. Nd3 Kb1) 4... Kc3 ({Now} 4... Kb1 5. Rxa1+ Kxa1 6. g5 fxg5 7. Kxg5 {is an easy draw.}) 5. Rxa1 Kxd3 6. g5 $1 (6. Kg6 $2 {is tempting, but fails to} d4 7. Kxf6 Ke3 $1 8. g5 d3 9. g6 d2 10. g7 e1=Q $1 11. Rxe1+ dxe1=Q 12. g8=Q Qh4+ {Black can force the exchange of queens} 13. Kf5 Qf4+ 14. Kg6 Qg4+ 15. Kf7 Qxg8+ 16. Kxg8 Kd4 {and Black wins.}) 6... fxg5 7. Kg4 $1 (7. Kxg5 $2 Ke3 $1 8. Ra3+ Kf2 9. Ra2 d4 10. Kf4 d3 11. Ke4 Kg3 {is decisive.}) 7... Kd2 8. Ra2+ $1 Ke3 9. Ra3+ Ke4 $1 10. Ra8 $1 ({Not} 10. Ra4+ $2 d4 {and Black wins.}) 10... Ke3 11. Ra3+ Kf2 12. Rf3+ Ke1 13. Ra3 $1 { A very surprising move. White must not move to d3 at once or else he falls into zugzwang, but he must also avoid b3 because he cannot switch to the 8th rank due to the b-pawns.} (13. Rd3 $2 d4 $1 { reciprocal zugzwang with White to move} 14. Rxd4 Kf1 15. Re4 e1=Q 16. Rxe1+ Kxe1 17. Kxg5 Kd2 18. Kf5 Kd3 19. Ke5 Kc4 20. Kd6 Kb5 21. Kc7 Ka6 {wins.}) (13. Rb3 $2 Kd2 14. Rb2+ Ke3 15. Rb3+ Ke4 $1 16. Rb1 d4 {is an easy win.}) 13... d4 {There is nothing better.} 14. Rd3 $1 {Reciprocal zugzwang with Black to move.} Kf2 15. Rf3+ Kg2 { with a draw. White just keeps checking and meets ...Ke1 by Rd3.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "4th HM, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Peter Vassiliev"] [Black "Draw, (Bulgaria)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "4b3/B6R/1np2p2/5k1N/3P4/pp5r/8/K6B w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "24"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {This study features some entertaining tactics, enlivened by a tempting try on the first move. From moves 3-7, the black king is amusingly trapped between two 'mined' light-squared diagonals and must move only on dark squares. The study eventually works its way to a familiar conclusion.} 1. Be4+ $1 (1. Ng7+ $2 {is tempting, but after} 1... Kg4 $1 {Black wins in all lines:} 2. Rxh3 (2. Be4 Rc3 3. Nxe8 (3. Rh1 b2+ 4. Kb1 Nc4 5. Bf5+ Kg5 6. Rg1+ Kh6 7. d5 Rc1+ 8. Ka2 Rxg1 9. Bxg1 Kxg7 10. dxc6 Bxc6 11. Bc5 Be8 12. Bxa3 Nxa3 13. Kxa3 Bg6 $1 { wins}) 3... Rc1+ 4. Bb1 a2 5. Nxf6+ Kg5 6. Ne4+ Kg6 $1 7. Nd2+ axb1=Q+ 8. Nxb1 Rc2 $1 9. Na3 (9. Nd2 Kxh7 10. Nxb3 Na4 $1 {wins}) 9... Ra2+ 10. Kb1 Kxh7 11. Bxb6 Rxa3 12. Kb2 Ra8 {is an easy win for Black.}) (2. Nxe8 Rxh7 3. Nxf6+ Kf4 4. Nxh7 Na4 5. Bb8+ Ke3 {and the pawns cannot be stopped.}) 2... b2+ 3. Ka2 Bf7+ 4. d5 Kxh3 5. Nf5 (5. Be4 Bxd5+ 6. Bxd5 Nxd5 7. Bd4 Kg4 8. Ne6 f5 {wins}) 5... Na4 $1 ({not} 5... Bxd5+ 6. Bxd5 Nxd5 7. Bd4 c5 8. Bxf6 $1 Nxf6 9. Nd6 Nd5 10. Nb5 Nb4+ 11. Kb1 a2+ 12. Kxb2 {with a draw by the 6-man databases}) 6. Bd4 cxd5 7. Ne7 Nc3+ 8. Bxc3 d4+ 9. Bd5 dxc3 10. Kb1 Bxd5 11. Nxd5 f5 12. Nxc3 f4 { wins for Black}) 1... Kxe4 (1... Kg5 2. Rg7+ Kxh5 (2... Kh4 3. Nxf6 { is, if anything, better for White}) 3. Rh7+ Kg4 4. Rxh3 Kxh3 5. Bxb6 {draws.}) 2. Nxf6+ Kxd4 3. Bxb6+ Ke5 $1 { First Black heads off to eliminate the f6-knight.} (3... c5 4. Bxc5+ Kxc5 5. Ne4+ Kd4 6. Rxh3 {draws easily.}) 4. Bc7+ (4. Ng4+ $2 Kd6 5. Rxh3 b2+ 6. Ka2 Bf7+ 7. Rb3 Bxb3+ 8. Kb1 Bf7 {wins for Black.}) 4... Kxf6 5. Bd8+ Ke5 { Black can never play his king to the a2-g8 or b1-h7 diagonals since then White can safely take on h3.} 6. Bc7+ Kd4 7. Bb6+ c5 $1 {The last winning try.} 8. Bxc5+ $1 Kxc5 (8... Ke5 9. Rxh3 b2+ 10. Ka2 Bf7+ 11. Rb3 Bxb3+ 12. Kb1 { is also drawn.}) 9. Rxh3 { The stage is set for a conclusion that has been seen several times before.} 9... b2+ 10. Ka2 Bf7+ 11. Rb3 $1 Bxb3+ 12. Kxa3 b1=Q ({or} 12... b1=R $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "5th HM, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Jozsef Csengeri"] [Black "Win, (Serbia Montenegro)"] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/5K2/1bp4N/8/1P1PP3/4k3/8/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "15"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {This study is based on a position of reciprocal zugzwang (arising after White's 3rd move), with accompanying thematic try. The fact that this position is reciprocal zugzwang is not at all obvious, and it is perhaps slightly unfortunate that White arrives at it by playing the most direct moves. However, the content, plus the natural initial position, means this study deserves its high ranking.} 1. e5 $1 (1. d5 $2 Kxe4 2. d6 c5 {is an easy draw.}) 1... Kxd4 ( 1... Ke4 2. e6 Bd8 3. Nf5 $1 Kxf5 4. e7 Bxe7 5. Kxe7 {wins}) 2. e6 ({Not} 2. Ng4 $2 Bc7 $1 3. e6 Bd6 {winning the b-pawn and drawing.}) 2... Bd8 3. Ng4 $3 { This move gives rise to a reciprocal zugzwang.} ({After} 3. Nf5+ $2 Kc4 4. Ne7 c5 $1 5. b5 Kxb5 6. Ke8 Bb6 7. Nf5 c4 8. Nd6+ Kb4 9. e7 c3 { both sides promote at the same time and the position is drawn.}) (3. Ke8 $2 { is the thematic try:} 3... Bf6 $1 4. Ng4 (4. Ng8 Bg5 5. Kf7 (5. Ne7 Kc4 6. Nxc6 Kb5 {is a clear positional draw}) 5... Ke5 6. Ne7 Kd6 7. Nf5+ Kd5 8. Ne3+ Kd4 9. Ng4 Bd8 {is the key zugzwang with White to move}) 4... Bg5 (4... Bh4 { is just as good}) 5. Kf7 (5. Kd7 Kc4 {draws}) 5... Bd8 { and we have the reciprocal zugzwang with White to play.}) 3... Kc4 {Black has n o decent moves. He clearly cannot move his bishop, and king moves allow White to improve the position of his knight:} (3... Kd5 4. Ne3+ Kd4 5. Ke8 $1 Bg5 6. Kd7 Kc3 7. Nc2 {wins}) (3... Ke4 {here the king is too far away from the b-pawn } 4. Ke8 $1 Bg5 5. Kd7 Kd5 6. Ne3+ $1) (3... Kc3 4. Ne5 {followed by Nxc6}) 4. Ne5+ Kd5 (4... Kb5 5. Nd3 {wins in the same way.}) 5. Nd3 Kc4 6. Ke8 $1 (6. e7 $2 Bxe7 {draws}) 6... Bh4 7. Kd7 Kxd3 8. Kxc6 1-0

[Event "6th HM, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Yuri Bazlov"] [Black "Win, (Russia)"] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "RN6/6B1/4k3/2b5/2K1p3/5b2/2p5/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "25"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {Both sides display tactical ingenuity in this attractive study. In a comical finish, Black finally loses a piece after White retreats all his forces to the first rank.} 1. Ra1 (1. Bb2 $2 e3 2. Ra6+ (2. Ra1 Bd6 3. Re1 Bd5+ {draws}) 2... Bd6 3. Kd3 e2 4. Kd2 Kd5 { and it is time for White to force a draw.}) 1... Ba3 $1 2. Bh6 e3 $1 (2... Bd6 3. Nc6 {wins comfortably, so Black offers a pawn to control the c6-square.}) 3. Bxe3 Bd6 $1 4. Na6 Be2+ $1 (4... c1=Q+ 5. Rxc1 Be2+ 6. Kd4 Bxa6 7. Rc6 Bb7 ({or } 7... Bb5) 8. Rb6 {followed by 9 Bf4 and White wins a piece.}) 5. Kb3 c1=Q $1 {This deflection helps confine White's pieces and is Black's best chance.} 6. Bxc1 $1 ({Now} 6. Rxc1 $2 Bxa6 7. Rc6 Bb7 8. Rb6 {only draws as Black has} Bd5+ ) 6... Bd1+ 7. Ka2 $1 Be2 $1 8. Ba3 $1 (8. Kb3 $2 Bd1+ 9. Kc4 Be2+ { forces a draw.}) 8... Bc4+ (8... Bxa3 9. Re1 {and}) (8... Bxa6 9. Re1+ Be5 ( 9... Kd7 10. Rd1) 10. Bb2 {win a piece.}) 9. Kb1 Bd3+ $1 ({Or} 9... Bxa6 10. Bxd6 Bd3+ 11. Kb2 $1 Kxd6 12. Rd1 {and the pin is decisive.}) 10. Kc1 $1 Bf4+ 11. Kd1 $1 Bxa6 {Is it finally safe to take the knight?} 12. Bc1 $1 { No! This neat trick picks up a piece.} Bxc1 13. Rxa6+ 1-0

[Event "7th HM, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Richard Becker"] [Black "Draw, (USA)."] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/2n4R/RnP5/8/8/p3r1p1/6Pp/k5bK w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "99"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {In this complex study the white king is totally immobilised on the square h1 and the first part of the study revolves around Black's attempts to avoid stalemating White. By the time this situation has been resolved, the position has reduced to a database position of R+B+P v R. Then everything depends on a series of linked reciprocal zugzwangs. Another judge might have placed this study higher, but in my mind the artificial initial position and lack of 'solver appeal', due to its great length and analytical complexity, weighed against it.} 1. Re7 $1 {A spectacular initial move.} (1. Rxa3+ $2 Rxa3 2. Re7 Nb5 3. c7 Rf3 {we will see this move several times during the solution} 4. Rf7 Nd4 5. gxf3 Ne6 {and Black has too much material.}) (1. Rd7 $2 Nxa6 2. Rd1+ Kb2 3. c7 Rf3 {also wins.}) 1... Ne6 (1... Nb5 2. Rxe3 {and}) (1... Rxe7 2. Rxa3+ { are immediate draws.}) 2. Rxa3+ (2. Rxe6 $2 Rxe6) (2. c7 $2 Re1 {and}) (2. Rea7 $2 Nc5 3. Rxa3+ Kb2 {are all lost for White.}) 2... Rxa3 3. c7 (3. Rxe6 $2 Be3 4. Rd6 Kb2 5. Rd1 Bc1 6. c7 Ra1 7. c8=Q Nxc8 {and}) (3. Ra7 $2 Ng5 4. Rxa3+ Kb2 {win for Black.}) 3... Rf3 $1 { By putting his rook en prise Black defeats White's attempts to force stalemate. } (3... Ng5 4. c8=Q Nxc8 5. Re1+ Kb2 6. Rb1+ {is an immediate draw.}) 4. c8=Q Nxc8 5. Rxe6 Nb6 {Black must hurry with his knight. After} (5... Bd4 {or}) ( 5... Na7 {White simply takes on f3 and then pushes his f-pawn.}) 6. Rf6 (6. gxf3 Nd5 {stopping the advance of the f-pawn} 7. Rg6 (7. f4 g2+) 7... Bf2 8. f4 Ne3 9. Rg5 Nd1 10. f5 Be1 11. Kg2 Nf2 12. Rh5 Nd3 {wins for Black.}) 6... Rf2 { Threatening to take on g2.} 7. Rxb6 Rxg2 8. Rb3 Rb2 {Necessary to prevent Rb1+. } 9. Ra3+ $1 (9. Rxg3 $2 Rb1 { is a database win, but the method is far from simple. One line runs} 10. Rg8 Rf1 11. Rg2 Kb1 12. Re2 Kc1 13. Ra2 Rf4 14. Re2 Kd1 15. Rg2 Rf5 16. Rg5 Rf1 17. Rg2 Ke1 18. Rg8 Ke2 19. Rg6 Rd1 20. Rg8 Kf3 21. Rf8+ Ke4 22. Re8+ Kf5 23. Rf8+ Ke6 24. Re8+ Kf6 25. Ra8 Rd3 26. Rh8 Rd7 27. Rf8+ Kg7 28. Rf4 Kg6 29. Rh4 Kf5 30. Rh8 Rf7 31. Rh4 Rf8 32. Rh5+ Ke4 33. Rh4+ Ke3 34. Rh7 Ke2 35. Rg7 Bf2 { Finally Black can extract his bishop from g1. If White takes the pawn, Black has a winning R+B v R position.} 36. Rg6 (36. Kxh2 Kf3 {wins}) 36... Rf3 37. Kxh2 (37. Ra6 Bg3 {is a standard win as described in various endgame books}) 37... Kf1 {with a won R+B v R ending.}) 9... Ra2 (9... Kb1 10. Rxg3 Kc1 11. Rg7 Rb3 12. Rg3 {transposes to the main line at move 21}) 10. Rxg3 Kb1 11. Rg7 { White's rook needs plenty of checking distance, because it must be able to check along the rank without being takenbyBlack'sbishop} ({Thus} 11. Rg8 { is also good, but other moves fail; for example,}) (11. Rg6 $2 Kc1 12. Rc6+ ( 12. Rg2 Ra4 13. Rg4 Ra1 14. Rg2 Rb1 {zugzwang} 15. Re2 Rb4 16. Rg2 Kd1 {wins}) 12... Kb2 13. Rc3 {the problem is that White cannot check on b6 here} Ra4 14. Rc8 Kb1 {and Black has freed his pieces, leading to a win as in the note to White's 9th move.}) (11. Rg2 $2 Ra1 { is a reciprocal zugzwang with White to play; Black wins after} 12. Re2 Ra3 13. Rg2 Rf3 14. Rg3 Rf1 15. Rg2 Kc1 {and so on.}) 11... Ra3 {Lifting the stalemate. If Black plays his rook along the rank (except for b2) then White just gives perpetual check.} ({Now} 11... Kc1 12. Rc7+ Kb2 13. Rb7+ {draws}) (11... Rb2 12. Rg2 {is also a draw.}) 12. Rg3 Ra4 13. Rg4 Ra5 14. Rg5 Ra6 15. Rg6 Ra7 16. Rg7 Ra8 17. Rg8 Ra1 {Sooner or later the rook must move to a1.} 18. Rg2 { This is a reciprocal zugzwang.} Kc1 19. Ra2 Rb1 20. Rg2 {Zugzwang} Rb3 21. Rg3 Rb4 22. Rg4 Rb5 23. Rg5 Rb6 24. Rg6 Rb7 25. Rg7 Rb8 26. Rg8 Rb1 27. Rg2 Kd1 28. Rb2 Ra1 29. Ra2 (29. Rg2 $2 Rc1 {is zugzwang}) 29... Rc1 30. Rg2 {Zugzwang} Rc3 31. Rg3 {However Black plays, he cannot free his pieces.} Rc4 32. Rg4 Rc5 33. Rg5 Rc6 34. Rg6 Rc7 35. Rg7 Rc8 36. Rg8 Rc1 37. Rg2 Ke1 38. Rc2 Rb1 39. Rb2 ( 39. Rg2 $2 Rd1 {is again zugzwang}) 39... Ra1 40. Ra2 Rd1 41. Rg2 {Zugzwang} Rd3 42. Rg3 Rd4 43. Rg4 Rd5 44. Rg5 Rd6 45. Rg6 Rd7 46. Rg7 Rd8 47. Rg8 Rd1 48. Rg2 Kf1 49. Rd2 Re1 50. Rd1 ({or} 50. Rg2) 1/2-1/2

[Event "8th HM, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Michael Roxlau & Siegfried Hornecker"] [Black "Draw - Black to play, (Germany)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "5N1k/2p1p2P/6P1/p7/2P5/1P1R3p/P1p1P3/2b1K3 b - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "50"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {A monumental study stretching over 23 moves. White must take care how he handles the queenside pawns so as not to fall into zugzwang, but by eliminating the a-pawns he eventually reaches a draw. Despite its impressive technical content the very complicated analysis means that the study lacks a striking point.} 1... Be3 $1 2. Rxe3 $1 c1=Q+ 3. Kf2 Qxe3+ $1 (3... h2 4. g7+ { favours White.}) 4. Kxe3 h2 5. Nd7 h1=Q 6. Ne5 Qh6+ 7. Kd3 $3 {The only good square for the king. After other moves Black frees himself and wins with his material advantage:} (7. Ke4 $2 Kg7 8. c5 e6 9. Kd3 Qh5 10. Kd4 Qh4+ 11. e4 Qf6 12. a3 Kh6 13. b4 axb4 14. axb4 Kg5 {wins}) (7. Kf3 $2 Qh5+ 8. Kf4 Qh2+ 9. Kf5 Qf2+ 10. Ke4 (10. Kg4 Qxe2+ {is similar}) 10... Qxe2+ 11. Kd4 Qd2+ 12. Ke4 Qg2+ 13. Kf4 Qh2+ 14. Ke4 Qh4+ 15. Kd5 c6+ 16. Nxc6 Qh1+ 17. Kc5 Qh5+ 18. Kb6 Qxg6 { and wins.}) 7... Kg7 8. e4 {Blocking the check on g6 and so threatening Nf7.} 8... Qh3+ 9. Kd4 c5+ (9... Qg3 10. Nf7 e5+ 11. Nxe5 { is safe as Black has lost a vital pawn.}) 10. Kd5 Qh5 11. Ke6 { Now Black is in zugzwang.} 11... Kf8 12. Nd7+ $1 (12. a3 $2 { is the thematic try; after} 12... Kg7 $1 13. a4 (13. b4 axb4 14. axb4 cxb4 { wins for Black because White does not promote with check}) 13... Kf8 14. Nd7+ Ke8 15. Ne5 Qh6 16. b4 cxb4 17. c5 {we have essentially the same position as in the main line after 16...cxb4, except for the additional a-pawns; this difference turns out to be crucial} 17... b3 18. c6 Qg7 19. Kd5 (19. c7 Qf6+ 20. Kd5 Qd6+ 21. Kc4 Qxc7+ {wins}) 19... Kd8 20. h8=Q+ Qxh8 21. Nf7+ Kc7 22. Nxh8 b2 23. Ke6 b1=Q 24. g7 Qxe4+ 25. Kf7 Qxa4 {making use of the a-pawns} 26. g8=Q Qc4+ 27. Kf8 Qxg8+ 28. Kxg8 Kxc6 {with an easy win for Black}) 12... Ke8 13. Ne5 $1 Qh6 (13... Qh1 14. a3 Qh6 15. b4 cxb4 16. axb4 axb4 17. c5 { is also drawn; for example,} 17... Qg7 (17... Qh3+ 18. Kd5 b3 19. c6 Kf8 20. c7 Kg7 21. Nf7 Qd7+ 22. Kc4 Qxc7+ 23. Kxb3 $11) 18. Kd5 b3 19. c6 Kd8 20. Nf7+ Kc7 21. h8=Q Qxh8 22. Nxh8 {transposes to the main line}) 14. a3 $1 Qh5 (14... Qh1 15. b4 cxb4 16. axb4 axb4 17. c5 b3 18. c6 Qh3+ 19. Kd5 Kd8 20. Nf7+ { is the same as the previous note}) 15. b4 $1 { The correct way: White must eliminate the a-pawns if he is to draw.} 15... axb4 (15... cxb4 16. axb4 a4 17. b5 a3 18. b6 a2 19. b7 Qxe5+ 20. Kxe5 a1=Q+ 21. Kf4 {also draws.}) 16. axb4 cxb4 17. c5 b3 18. c6 Qh4 ({Or} 18... Kf8 19. c7 Qh3+ 20. Kd5 Kg7 21. Nf7 Qd7+ 22. Kc4 Qxc7+ 23. Kxb3) 19. Kd5 $1 Kd8 20. h8=Q+ (20. Nf7+ {is a transposition dual, but}) (20. Nd3 $2 Kc7 21. e5 Qh1+ 22. Kc4 Kxc6 23. Kxb3 Kd5 {and}) (20. Nc4 $2 Kc7 {win for Black.}) 20... Qxh8 21. Nf7+ Kc7 22. Nxh8 b2 23. g7 (23. Ke6 {is a transposition dual}) 23... b1=Q 24. Ke6 $1 ({ Not} 24. g8=Q $2 Qb3+) 24... Qxe4+ 25. Kf7 Qh7 26. Kf8 $1 {The last finesse} ( 26. Ng6 $2 {is wrong due to} 26... e5 27. Ne7 e4 28. Nd5+ Kc8 29. Nf6 Qxg7+ 30. Kxg7 e3 31. Ne4 e2 {and wins.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "9th HM, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Iuri Akobia"] [Black "Draw, (Georgia)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "2k2KR1/5P1r/8/8/2P5/p7/P7/1r6 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "39"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {The play involves a network of reciprocal zugzwangs, including one which is very surprising (the position after 9 Rf5!). However, there do not seem to be thematic tries which would really show off the zugzwangs properly. Nevertheless, an attractive study.} 1. Rg7 Rh8+ 2. Rg8 Rh7 3. Rg7 Rh2 4. Kg8 ({ Not} 4. Rg3 $2 Rxa2 5. Kg8 Rf2 6. Rxa3 Rg1+ 7. Kf8 Rg4 8. Ra7 (8. c5 Kc7 9. Ra7+ Kc6 10. Ke8 Re4+ 11. Re7 Ra4 12. Kf8 Kxc5 {also wins}) 8... Rxc4 { and the 6-man database shows this to be a win, although the method is by no means simple.}) 4... Rf1 $1 5. f8=Q+ Rxf8+ 6. Kxf8 Rxa2 7. Ra7 $1 (7. Rf7 $2 { may be refuted by} 7... Ra1 {with reciprocal zugzwang, but Black can also win by 7.. .Kb8, which is in fact also reciprocal zugzwang!}) 7... Ra1 8. Rf7 { This is a reciprocal zugzwang with Black to move.} 8... Kb8 { Other possibilities are:} (8... Kd8 9. c5 $1 {Reciprocal zugzwang} 9... Rd1 10. Ra7 Rf1+ 11. Kg8 $1 (11. Kg7 $2 Ra1 12. Kf6 a2 {wins}) 11... Rg1+ 12. Kf8 $1 Rf1+ 13. Kg8 Ra1 14. Rg7 $1 {another reciprocal zugzwang} 14... Kc8 ({or} 14... a2 15. Rg2 Kc7 16. Kg7 Kc6 17. Kg6 Kxc5 18. Kg5 Kd4 19. Kg4 Ke3 20. Kg3 { with a draw}) 15. c6 {yet another reciprocal zugzwang} 15... Kb8 16. Rb7+ Kc8 17. Rg7 Kd8 18. Rd7+ Kc8 19. Rg7 Rf1 20. Ra7 Ra1 21. Rg7 { with a positional draw as Black cannot make progress}) (8... Rb1 9. Ra7 { forces the rook back to a1}) (8... a2 9. Rf2 {is similar to the main line.}) 9. Rf5 $1 {The most surprising move in the study. White has to not only to cut off the black king, but also reserve the check on b5.} (9. Rf3 $2 Kc7 10. Kf7 Kb6 $1 (10... Kc6 $2 11. Rf5 {draws}) 11. Rf5 (11. Kf6 Kc5 12. Kf5 Kxc4 13. Rf4+ Kc5 14. Rf3 Kb5 15. Kf4 Kb4 {wins}) 11... Rb1 $1 12. Rf2 Kc5 {wins}) (9. Rf6 $2 Kb7 10. Kf7 Rb1 {wins}) 9... Kc7 (9... a2 10. Rf2 Kc7 11. Kf7 Kc6 12. Kf6 Kc5 13. Kf5 Kxc4 14. Kf4 Kd3 15. Kf3 Kc3 16. Kf4 $1 { draws, as if the black king approaches the a-pawn, white just checks it away.}) 10. Kf7 Kc6 ({The key point behind White's 9th move is revealed in the line} 10... Kb6 11. Rb5+ $1 Kc6 12. Rf5 {b6 is the best square for Black's king, since it prevents the reply Ra5 after Black moves his rook away from a1. White needs the check on b5 to displace Black's king from b6 if necessary.}) ({ The variation} 10... Kd6 11. Rd5+ $1 ({not} 11. Kf6 $2 Rd1 12. Ra5 Rf1+ 13. Kg6 Ra1 14. Rd5+ Kc6 15. Rg5 Kb6 16. Rb5+ Ka6 17. Rg5 Ra2 $1 18. Kg7 Rf2 { and Black wins}) 11... Kc6 12. Rf5 {is similar}) 11. Kf6 {It is interesting to note that if White were to play, Kf7 would be the only move to draw.} 11... Kb6 (11... Rb1 12. Ra5 {forces Black back}) 12. Rb5+ Kc6 13. Rf5 a2 14. Rf2 $1 Kc5 15. Kf5 Kxc4 16. Kf4 Kb3 (16... Kd3 17. Kf3 Kd4 18. Kf4 {also draws}) 17. Rf3+ Kb2 18. Rf2+ Kb3 19. Rf3+ Kb4 20. Rf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "10th HM, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Leonard Katsnelson & Vladimir Katsnelson"] [Black "Draw, (Russia)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "3r2b1/P7/8/5K2/6R1/3Pp3/8/7k w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "29"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {This is a delicate battle in which must manoeuvre carefully with his king to preserve a possible perpetual check with his rook along the third rank. However, there is no reciprocal zugzwang involved because White is always threatening to force the issue by playing Ra3.} 1. Rg3 $1 (1. Rd4 $2 Bh7+ 2. Kf6 Rf8+ 3. Kg7 Ra8 4. Kxh7 Rxa7+ 5. Kg6 Kg2 {wins for Black.}) 1... Bh7+ 2. Kg4 $1 (2. Kf4 $2 e2 3. Re3 Bxd3 { and Black wins since White cannot drive Black's king to e1 with checks.}) 2... e2 3. Re3 Bxd3 4. Rh3+ $1 Kg2 5. Rg3+ Kf2 6. Rf3+ Kg1 7. Rg3+ Kf1 8. Rf3+ Ke1 9. Rxd3 $1 Rg8+ ({The other main line is} 9... Re8 10. Ra3 $1 (10. Rb3 $2 { gives insufficient checking distance and loses after} 10... Kd2 11. Rb2+ Kd3 12. Rb1 Ra8 $1 13. Kf3 Rxa7 14. Rb3+ Kc2 15. Re3 Kd1) (10. Re3 $2 {fails to} 10... Rxe3 11. a8=Q Kf2 12. Qf8+ Kg1) 10... Rg8+ (10... Kd2 11. Ra2+ Kd3 12. Ra3+ {draws}) 11. Kf4 $1 Kf2 12. Rf3+ Kg1 (12... Kg2 13. Rg3+ $1 Rxg3 14. a8=Q+ {is a draw}) 13. Re3 $1 Kf1 14. Rf3+ {and also leads to a draw.}) 10. Kf4 $1 Re8 $1 (10... Ra8 11. Ra3 Kd1 12. Ra1+ { draws as White has enough checking distance.}) (10... Kf2 11. Rf3+ { transposes to the previous note}) 11. Kg4 $1 {The white king must remain on the fourth rank so as not to block the rook checks if Black's king heads for the kingside.} (11. Kg3 $2 Kf1 12. Rf3+ Kg1 {loses, as does}) (11. Ra3 $2 Kf2 12. Rf3+ Kg2 13. Rg3+ Kh2 14. a8=Q Rxa8 15. Re3 Rf8+ 16. Kg5 Rf2 { followed by ...Kg2-f1.}) 11... Rg8+ 12. Kf4 Rf8+ 13. Kg3 $1 {Here} (13. Kg4 $2 {is wrong due to} 13... Kf2 14. Rf3+ Rxf3 15. a8=Q Rg3+ 16. Kf4 e1=Q { and Black wins.}) 13... Kf1 (13... Rg8+ 14. Kf4 {repeats}) 14. Rf3+ Kg1 ({Or} 14... Rxf3+ 15. Kxf3) 15. Re3 (15. Rxf8 $2 e1=Q+ 16. Kg4 Qe4+ { picks up the pawn and wins.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "11th HM, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Daniel Keith"] [Black "Draw, (France)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/8/2pk4/3n4/1P1P1P2/3K4/8/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "19"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {For a long time I could not see the drawing idea at all, and it still seems amazing that White is able to hold what looks like a dead lost position. The reciprocal zugzwang after White's fifth move is the central point of the study, which is enhanced by a natural position. A very fine piece of work with plenty of play from the limited material.} 1. Kc4 Nb6+ 2. Kc3 $1 { This subtle move is the key idea.} (2. Kd3 $2 Kd5 3. Kc3 Nd7 $1 4. f5 (4. Kd3 Nf6 5. Kc3 Ne4+ 6. Kb3 (6. Kd3 Nd6) 6... Kxd4 7. Ka4 Nd6 8. Ka5 Kd5 9. Kb6 Nf5 10. Kc7 Nd4 11. Kb6 Kc4 {wins}) 4... Nf6 { this is reciprocal zugzwang with White to play} 5. Kb3 (5. Kd3 Ne4 6. Ke3 Nd6 7. f6 Ke6) (5. b5 cxb5 6. Kb4 Kc6) 5... Kxd4 6. b5 c5 7. b6 Kd5 8. b7 Nd7 9. f6 Kc6 {wins for Black}) (2. Kb3 $2 {loses more simply after} 2... Kd5 3. f5 Kxd4 4. b5 c5 5. f6 Nd7 6. f7 Kd5 $1 7. Kc3 Kd6) 2... Kd5 3. f5 (3. Kd3 $2 Nc4 $1 4. f5 (4. Kc3 Nd6 5. Kd3 Nb5 6. f5 Nd6 7. f6 Ke6 {wins}) 4... Nd6 5. f6 Ke6 {wins} ) 3... Nd7 (3... Nc8 4. Kb3 Nd6 {transposes to the main line.}) 4. Kd3 Nf6 5. Kc3 $1 {This is the reciprocal zugzwang with Black to play.} 5... Ne4+ (5... Ne8 6. Kb3 {transposes}) 6. Kb3 Nd6 (6... Kxd4 7. b5 { and Black must accept the draw since} 7... c5 $2 {even loses after} 8. b6 Nd6 9. f6) 7. Ka4 $1 (7. f6 $2 {loses to} 7... Ke6) 7... Kxd4 8. f6 Kd5 (8... Kc4 9. Ka5) 9. Ka5 Nf7 10. Kb6 {with an easy draw.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Special HM, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Juergen Fleck"] [Black "Draw, (Germany)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "4B2r/4P3/8/8/5B2/3k1r2/bP6/4K3 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "17"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {By shifting the position to the right, this study adds a finesse (the bishop sacrifice at move 7) to a well-known Sarychev study (see #37149 and #37150). The introductory play is quite different to the Sarychev, but not necessarily superior. As this is an adaptation of a classic study, it is not really comparable to the other studies in the tourney, and therefore I have awarded it a Special HM.} 1. Bg6+ {White will soon promote his e-pawn, after which the material balance is drawish. Black's hopes rest on a subsequent check by the rook on the e-file which will pick up a bishop.} 1... Kc4 $1 { An awkward move with respect to the a2-bishop, but the alternative leads to an immediate draw:} (1... Kd4 2. Bd2 $1 {Threatening both 3 e8Q and 3 Bc3+.} 2... Bc4 3. Bc3+ Ke3 4. Bd2+ Kd4 5. Bc3+ {repeating.}) 2. Bg5 Bb3 $1 {Black cannot do much to prevent White from promoting his pawn. This strong quiet move plays the bishop to a safe square, forces White's hand (...Ba4 is one of the threats) and prepares some counterplay should White promote his pawn.} (2... Rg3 3. e8=Q Rxe8+ 4. Bxe8 Rxg5 5. Bf7+ {draws at once}) 3. e8=Q Rxe8+ 4. Bxe8 Rf5 { This was Black's idea; it looks as if he will pick up one of the bishops.} 5. Bc1 $3 {White prepares the stalemate by burying his bishop on c1.} ({Not} 5. Be3 $2 Re5 6. Bf7+ Kb4 { and wins (note that this line would not win with Black's bishop on a2).}) 5... Re5+ 6. Kd2 Kd4 $3 (6... Rxe8 {is stalemate, and this is the conclusion of the Sarychev study. Here, however, Black can continue the fight.}) (6... Kb4 { also deserves consideration. Black's plan is to play ...Rc5 (thus tying White's mobile bishop to the diagonal b1-h7), then bring his king to d4 without allowing tactical tricks, and finally deprive the bishop of squares. This plan almost succeeds.} 7. Bg6 Rc5 (7... Rg5 8. Bd3 Rg1 9. Be2 { is an easy draw}) 8. Bd3 Ka5 9. Be4 Kb6 10. Bd3 Kc7 11. Be4 Kd6 12. Bd3 Ke5 13. Bh7 Kd4 (13... Kf4 {leads nowhere:} 14. Bd3 Kg3 15. Be4 Kf2 16. Bd3) 14. Bd3 Rc7 15. Bg6 Rc8 16. Bf5 Rc6 17. Bd3 Rc5 {Mission accomplished - there are no good squares on the diagonal b1-h7 anymore: 18.Bb1 Rh5, 18.Bg6 Rg5, 18.Bh7 Rh5 all win for Black. Still, White saves himself by the skin of his teeth:} 18. Be2 $1 Rc2+ 19. Kd1 { and Black lacks the firepower to deliver the decisive blow.}) 7. Ba4 $3 { A worthy answer in return! Everything else quickly loses a piece:} (7. Bd7 $2 Rc5 8. Be8 Rc2+ 9. Kd1 Rh2+ 10. Ke1 Rh1+ 11. Kd2 Rd1+ {or}) (7. Bg6 $2 Rg5 8. Bd3 Rg2+ 9. Be2 Bc4) 7... Bxa4 8. b3 {Threatening both bxa4 and Bb2+.} 8... Bxb3 9. Bb2+ {White is saved by the emergence of the dead bishop.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "1st Commendation, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Yochanan Afek"] [Black "Draw - Black to play, (Netherlands)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "N7/Pp6/4bk2/7K/4n3/8/8/8 b - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "22"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {A slight but entertaining study in which first Black and then White sacrifice minor pieces. The zugzwangs are reciprocal, but lack a thematic try leading to the position with the wrong player to move. Still, a neat study which was a pleasure to solve. Basically the same final position has been seen before in Kalashnikov and Selivanov (#7555) and Kakovin and Motor (#28022), but curiously both these precursor studies are unsound (the first is cooked by 3 Kd4 and the second is bust by 4...Nf5!).} 1... Ng3+ {Black's aim is to transfer his knight to d5 in order to paralyse White's queenside forces.} 2. Kh6 (2. Kh4 $2 Nf5+ 3. Kh5 Bf7+ 4. Kg4 Ne3+ 5. Kf3 { followed by ...Nd5 is an easy win, as White can only move his king.}) 2... Nf5+ 3. Kh7 (3. Kh5 $2 Bf7+ {wins as in the previous note.}) 3... Bg8+ $1 { A neat move. Black sacrifices his bishop to transfer his knight to d5.} 4. Kxg8 (4. Kh8 $2 Ne7 5. Nc7 Kf7 {mates next move.}) 4... Ne7+ 5. Kf8 $1 Nd5 { White can only move his king for the moment and he must head for the queenside in an attempt to rescue his knight.} 6. Ke8 Ke6 7. Kd8 Kd6 8. Kc8 Kc6 { However, after the move played Black seems to have secured his forces and is ready to push his b-pawn.} (8... b5 $2 9. Kb7 {even wins for White.}) 9. Nb6 $1 {The key idea. White sacrifices his knight to create a zugzwang position.} 9... Nxb6+ 10. Kb8 $1 {This is a reciprocal zugzwang.} 10... Nd7+ 11. Kc8 $1 { A second one! Not} (11. Ka8 $2 Nc5 12. Kb8 Na6+ 13. Kc8 Nc7 {and Black wins.}) 11... Nb6+ 12. Kb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "2nd Commendation, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Marcel Dore & Alain Pallier"] [Black "Win, (France)"] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/1k6/1p6/8/3KPp1p/p6P/P3P1P1/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "13"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {White must induce Black to play the move ...b5 (although it is not immediately obvious why this is so detrimental for Black), at the same time navigating around two reciprocal zugzwangs. This can only be accomplished by a surprising switchback. Such switchbacks have been seen before, but this study has more interesting play and, unlike many of the earlier examples, seems to be sound. This was far and away the best pawn ending in the tourney.} 1. Kd5 $1 {It is important to bear in mind that the position Kb2, Qa8, Ph3 v BKg1, Pf2, Ph4 with White to play is drawn since the most White can achieve is a drawn ending of Q+hP v Q. White can reach this drawn position in several different ways, but in order to win he must do more.} (1. Ke5 $2 { allows the black king access to c6:} 1... Kc6 $1 2. Kf6 (2. Ke6 b5) 2... Kd7 3. Kf7 Kd6 4. Kf6 Kd7 $1 5. e5 Ke8 $1 6. Ke6 b5 7. Kd5 Kd7 $3 (7... Ke7 $2 8. e6 $1 {is reciprocal zugzwang 1 with Black to play}) 8. e6+ (8. Kc5 Ke6 9. Kxb5 Kxe5 10. Kb4 Kd4 11. Kxa3 Ke3 12. Kb2 Kxe2 13. a4 Kf2 14. a5 Kxg2 15. a6 f3 16. a7 f2 17. a8=Q+ Kg1 {reaches the drawn position mentioned earlier}) 8... Ke7 { is reciprocal zugzwang 1 with White to play. After} 9. Kc5 Kxe6 10. Kxb5 Ke5 { the standard draw will arise.}) (1. Kc4 $2 Kc6 2. e5 (2. Kb4 Kd6 3. Kxa3 Ke5 4. Kb4 Kxe4 {will be the standard draw}) 2... Kd7 $1 3. Kd5 (3. Kb3 Ke6 4. Kxa3 Kxe5 5. Kb4 {is the usual draw}) 3... Ke7 4. e6 b5 5. Kc5 Kxe6 6. Kxb5 Ke5 { and the same draw arises again.}) (1. e5 $2 Kc6 2. Kc4 Kd7 { transposes to 1 Kc4?.}) (1. e3 $2 fxe3 2. Kxe3 Kc6 3. Kd4 Kd6 4. e5+ Ke6 5. Ke4 b5 6. Kd4 b4 7. Kc4 Kxe5 8. Kxb4 Kf4 9. Kxa3 Kg3 10. Kb2 Kxg2 11. a4 Kxh3 12. a5 Kg2 13. a6 h3 14. a7 h2 15. a8=Q+ Kg1 {is drawn.}) 1... Kc7 2. Ke6 $1 ({Not } 2. e5 $2 Kd7 3. e6+ Ke7 4. Ke5 Ke8 $1 (4... Kd8 $2 5. Kd6 Ke8 6. e7 { is reciprocal zugzwang 2 with Black to play; White wins after} 6... b5 7. Kc5 Kxe7 8. Kxb5) 5. Kd6 Kd8 6. e7+ Ke8 { now White is to play in reciprocal zugzwang 2} 7. Kc6 Kxe7 8. Kxb6 Ke6 { and the usual draw will arise.}) 2... b5 (2... Kc6 3. e5 b5 4. Kf7 b4 5. e6 { promotes with check}) 3. Kd5 $3 { This switchback exploits Black's weakening 2...b5.} (3. e5 $2 b4 4. Kf7 b3 5. axb3 a2 6. e6 a1=Q 7. e7 Qe5 8. e8=Q Qh5+ {leads to a draw.}) 3... Kd7 (3... Kb6 4. e5 Kc7 5. Kc5 Kd7 6. Kxb5 Ke6 7. Kb4 Kxe5 8. Kxa3 {wins as White has gained a crucial tempo. It takes one move less to capture Black's queenside pawns once Black has played ...b5.}) 4. e5 $1 (4. Kc5 $2 Ke6 { leads to the usual draw after} 5. Kxb5 (5. Kb4 Ke5 6. Kxa3 Kxe4 7. Kb4 Ke3 {or} ) 5... Ke5) 4... Ke7 (4... b4 5. Kc4 Ke6 6. Kxb4 {wins}) 5. e6 $1 {This is reci procal zugzwang 1 with Black to move. Compare this with the position after 1. Ke5? (zugzwang 1 with White to move) and with the other try 1.Kc4? where Black draws because the b-pawn is still on b6.} 5... b4 (5... Kd8 6. Kc5 Ke7 7. Kxb5 {wins}) 6. Kc4 Kxe6 7. Kxb4 {White wins.} 1-0

[Event "3rd Commendation, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Juergen Kratz"] [Black "Win, (Germany)"] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/7p/8/3KN3/5N2/3p3P/2P2p1k/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "21"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {Some subtle knight play leads to a neat conclusion. Nothing special here, but quite charming. Although the final phase feels familiar, I couldn't find an absolutely identical position in a sound study.} 1. Ng4+ $1 (1. Nf3+ $2 Kg3 2. Nd2 dxc2 {draws.}) 1... Kg3 2. Nxf2 (2. Nh5+ $2 {is met by} 2... Kh4 $1 { drawing, but not} (2... Kg2 $2 3. cxd3 f1=Q 4. Ne3+ {or}) (2... Kf3 $2 3. cxd3 f1=Q 4. Nh2+ {and White wins in both cases.})) 2... dxc2 3. N2d3 $1 (3. N4d3 $2 c1=Q 4. Ne4+ Kxh3 5. Nxc1 h5 $1 {is a database draw because the crucial move Ke4 is unavailable here (see the next note).}) 3... c1=N $1 {The best chance.} ({After} 3... c1=Q { White can of course still play 4 Nxc1, but he has an alternative win by} 4. Ne2+ Kxh3 5. Ndxc1 h5 6. Ke4 $1 {with a long database win. The knight promotion eliminates this possibility, but White still wins by sacrificing both his knights.}) 4. Nxc1 $1 (4. Nh5+ $2 Kxh3 $1 5. Nxc1 Kg4 $1 { followed by pushing the h-pawn is just a draw.}) 4... Kxf4 5. Ne2+ Kf3 6. Ng1+ Kg2 {There are several studies similar to this with the black pawn on h6, but surprisingly I could only locate one with the pawn on h7 (Rinck, #62539) and that was unsound. The case with the pawn on h7 is actually the most interesting, as we shall see.} 7. Ke5 $1 { Surprisingly, this is the only move to win.} (7. Ke4 $2 Kxg1 8. h4 Kf2 9. h5 Kg3 10. Kf5 Kh4 {and}) (7. Ke6 $2 Kxg1 8. h4 Kf2 9. h5 Ke3 10. h6 Kd4 { are only draws.}) 7... Kxg1 8. h4 $1 (8. Kf6 $2 Kg2 9. h4 Kf3 10. h5 Ke4 11. h6 Kd5 {is also drawn.}) 8... Kf2 9. h5 Ke3 10. h6 {Thanks to the position of the white king, Black must now lose a tempo with his own king.} 10... Kd3 11. Kf6 { and wins.} 1-0

[Event "4th Commendation, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Amatzia Avni"] [Black "Draw, (Israel)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/2N5/8/7k/8/1Brpp1P1/6Pb/4N2K w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "12"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {Some rather forced tactical play ends with a position in which Black has only a choice of stalemates. Unfortunately, the final stalemate idea at move 6 has been seen before (in a study by Telbis, 1970, with a bishop on g1 instead of a knight; White: Kh1,Bd4,Be8,Pg2,Pg3 Black:Kg4,Rb3,Bd1,Bh2,Pa4 1 Bxa4 Rd3 2 Bxd1 Rxd1+ 3 Bg1! and so on), but the current study has more interesting play and introduces a second stalemate line at Black's 4th move.} 1. Bd1+ (1. Kxh2 $2 Rxb3) (1. Nxd3 $2 Bxg3 {and}) (1. Nd5 $2 Rxb3 2. Nf4+ Kg4 3. Nfxd3 Bxg3 { are all hopeless.}) 1... e2 ({After} 1... Kh6 2. Kxh2 d2 3. Nc2 $1 Rxc2 4. Nd5 {White is safe.}) 2. Bxe2+ dxe2 3. Nd5 Rc1 (3... Rc5 $2 4. Nf4+ Kg4 5. Kxh2 { draws}) 4. Nf4+ Kg4 $1 ({After} 4... Kg5 {White holds the position with} 5. Nfd3 $1 Rxe1+ 6. Nxe1 Bxg3 7. Nf3+ Kg4 8. Ng1 $1 e1=Q {(or rook) stalemate.}) 5. Nxe2 $1 (5. Nfd3 {is insufficient, as} 5... Rxe1+ 6. Nxe1 Bxg3 7. Nf3 Bc7 { wins for Black. However, the position of the black king allows a fresh possibility.}) 5... Rxe1+ 6. Ng1 $1 { and Black can choose between several different stalemates} 6... Bxg1 {or} (6... Bxg3 {or}) (6... Kxg3 {or}) (6... Rxg1+ 7. Kxh2 Rd1) 1/2-1/2

[Event "5th Commendation, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Martin Minski"] [Black "Win, (Germany)"] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "1b6/1qPk4/3P4/1P6/1p1n3P/4K3/6P1/Q7 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "31"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {The introductory play features a forcing line involving a knight promotion, ultimately leading to a database position of N+P v N. In this position White wins by a surprising retreat of the promoted knight to a1. It's a nice idea, although as with many database-derived studies the introductory play and the database finale are not closely linked.} 1. Qa6 $1 (1. cxb8=N+ $2 Qxb8 2. Qxd4 Qxb5 {is a draw, since the strong b-pawn will make it impossible for White to make progress without losing too many of his pawns.}) (1. Kxd4 $2 Ba7+ 2. Kc4 Qe4+ {is a safe draw.}) (1. Qxd4 $4 Ba7 {even loses.}) 1... Nf5+ { The knight moves towards White's kingside pawns.} ({After} 1... Nc2+ 2. Kf4 Qxa6 3. cxb8=N+ Kxd6 4. bxa6 b3 5. a7 b2 6. a8=Q b1=Q { the two extra pawns will be enough to win.}) 2. Kf4 Qxa6 3. cxb8=N+ $1 { Forced; everything else loses.} 3... Kxd6 4. bxa6 ({Not} 4. Nxa6 $2 b3 5. b6 b2 6. b7 b1=Q 7. b8=Q+ Qxb8 8. Nxb8 Nxh4 {with a draw.}) 4... Kc7 (4... b3 5. a7 b2 6. a8=Q b1=Q 7. Qc6+ {wins easily.}) 5. a7 $1 (5. Nd7 $2 Nxh4 $1 {draws.}) 5... Kb7 6. Nc6 $1 ({The only chance, since} 6. Na6 $2 Nxh4 $1 7. g3 Ng6+ $1 8. Kf5 Kxa7 9. Nxb4 Nf8 $1 {is a database draw.}) 6... b3 (6... Nxh4 7. g3 $1 { will probably transpose to the main line.}) 7. Na5+ Kxa7 8. Nxb3 Nxh4 { Now we are in 5-man database territory.} 9. g3 $1 (9. g4 $2 Kb7 {draws.}) 9... Ng2+ (9... Ng6+ 10. Kf5 $1 Ne7+ 11. Ke6 $1 Ng8 12. g4 $1 {wins comfortably.}) 10. Ke4 $1 ({After} 10. Kf3 $2 Ne1+ $1 11. Ke2 Nc2 $1 {Black escapes.}) 10... Kb6 (10... Ne1 {is also met by} 11. Na1 $3) 11. Na1 $3 { The knight is heading to c2 to imprison Black's knight, but White must avoid} ( 11. Nd4 $2 Ne1 $1 12. Ke3 Kc5 $1 13. Nf3 Nc2+ $1 {and the win has gone.}) 11... Ne1 {Otherwise Nc2 and Kf3 wins.} 12. Ke3 Kc5 13. Ke2 Kd4 14. Nb3+ $1 Ke4 15. Nd2+ $1 {The last finesse.} (15. Nc5+ $6 Kd4 16. Nb3+ ({not} 16. Kxe1 $2 Ke3 $1 17. Kf1 Kf3 18. Ne4 Kxe4 19. Kg2 Kf5 {drawing}) 16... Ke4 {is a loss of time.}) 15... Kf5 16. Kxe1 {and wins.} 1-0

[Event "6th Commendation, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "David Gurgenidze"] [Black "Draw, (Georgia)"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/K3p3/2p5/8/8/5R2/8/k3r3 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "23"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {A database position with a very surprising 4th move. However, similar ideas have been seen before.} 1. Kb6 e5 2. Kxc6 e4 3. Ra3+ $1 {It is essential to lure Black's king to the second rank so that the pawn may be pinned later.} (3. Rh3 $2 {loses to} 3... e3 4. Kd5 e2) 3... Kb2 (3... Kb1 { gives White a free tempo which allows him to draw by} 4. Kd5 e3 5. Ke4) 4. Rg3 $3 {The key move.} (4. Rh3 $2 {loses to} 4... Kc2 (4... e3 5. Kd5 Kc3 { transposes}) 5. Kd5 e3 6. Ke4 Kd2 { and we have a reciprocal zugzwang with White to play. After} 7. Rg3 (7. Kd4 Ra1 {wins}) 7... Rh1 {Black wins because White cannot take the pawn.}) 4... e3 5. Kd5 Kc2 ({Or} 5... e2 6. Ke4 Rd1 (6... Kc2 7. Re3 {draws}) 7. Rg2 { this pin was prepared by the preliminary check at move 3} 7... Rd2 8. Rg1 { and Black must repeat moves or lose his pawn to Re1 followed by Ke3.}) 6. Ke4 Kd2 7. Rh3 $1 {Now it is Black to play in the reciprocal zugzwang.} 7... Re2 ( 7... Rg1 {may be met by} 8. Rxe3 { as Black doesn't have enough checking distance.}) 8. Kd4 Re1 9. Ke4 e2 10. Rd3+ Kc2 11. Re3 $1 (11. Ke3 $2 Rd1 {wins for Black.}) 11... Kd2 12. Rd3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "7th Commendation, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Siegfried Hornecker"] [Black "Win, (Germany)"] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/k1P5/2P4q/1KP5/8/6B1/8/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "9"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {Two promotions to knight on the same square in miniature is a real achievement, even though the study has no great depth.} 1. c8=N+ $1 (1. c8=R $2 Qe6 2. Bb8+ Ka8 {and}) (1. c8=B $2 Qe3 2. Bd6 Qb3+ {are not better for White.}) (1. c8=Q $2 Qxc6+ {forces stalemate, while}) 1... Ka8 2. Nb6+ Ka7 3. c7 Qh1 { Many other queen moves are also met by promotion to a knight.} 4. c8=N+ $1 (4. c8=R $2 Qb1+ {and}) (4. c8=Q $2 Qb1+ 5. Kc6 Qe4+ { lead to perpetual check or stalemate, while}) (4. c8=B $2 Qb1+ { does not offer White any winning chances.}) 4... Kb7 5. Nd6+ $1 {The assumption here is that this ending is a technical win, and I believe this to be the case; for example} (5. Nd6+ Kc7 6. Nf7+ Kb7 7. Nd8+ Ka7 8. Be5 Qf1+ 9. Nc4 Qb1+ 10. Bb2 {and now White can coordinate his forces, with the eventual advance of the c-pawn in prospect.}) 1-0

[Event "8th Commendation, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Jonathan Speelman"] [Black "Win, (GB)."] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "2N2q2/2Bk1q2/K7/nP6/Q7/3N4/8/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "15"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {The finale is undoubtedly spectacular, but it is very similar to a study by Kubbel (#59944). That study is much shorter and contains less play, but while the play is more interesting here, it is a significant minus that Black starts off with 2 queens in the diagram. Also, from the solver's perspective, it is unfortunate that the solution depends so heavily on database positions of Q+P v Q which to many solvers will not be obvious wins. Solvers can hardly be expected to know such databases by heart, so they are reduced to 'assuming' that the positions are winning, which isn't totally satisfactory.} 1. Ne5+ (1. Nb6+ $2 Kxc7 {and}) (1. Na7 $2 Kxc7 2. Qxa5+ Kb8 {give White no advantage.}) 1... Kxc7 ({Or} 1... Kxc8 2. Nxf7 Qxf7 (2... Nb7 3. Bb6 Qxf7 4. Qc2+ {and}) ( 2... Nc6 3. Qg4+ Kxc7 4. b6+ {win comfortably}) 3. b6 $1 Qe6 { and now White can win with the prosaic} (3... Qc4+ 4. Qxc4 Nxc4 5. b7+ Kxc7 6. Ka7) 4. Bd6 (4. Qxa5 {or the spectacular})) 2. Qxa5+ { Other moves are inferior; e.g.,} (2. Nxf7 $2 Qxc8+ 3. Kxa5 Qa8+ 4. Kb4 Qe4+ 5. Kb3 Qe3+ 6. Kb2 Qf2+ 7. Qc2+ Qxc2+ 8. Kxc2 Kb6 9. Nd6 Kc5 {or}) (2. b6+ $2 Kxc8 3. Nxf7 Qxf7 4. Qg4+ Kb8 5. Qg3+ Ka8 {with a draw in both cases.}) 2... Kb8 ( 2... Kxc8 3. Nxf7 Qxf7 4. Qc3+ {is a database win.}) 3. Qb6+ Ka8 (3... Kxc8 4. Nxf7 Qxf7 5. Qc5+ Kb8 6. Qe5+ { is another database win similar to the previous one.}) 4. Qc6+ ({Not} 4. Nxf7 $2 Qxc8+ 5. Ka5 Qc3+ {with a draw.}) 4... Kb8 5. Nd7+ $1 (5. Nxf7 $2 { allows Black to force stalemate by} Qa3+ 6. Kb6 Qa7+) 5... Qxd7 6. Qa8+ $1 { This queen sacrifice is the spectacular point of the study.} (6. Qxd7 $2 Qa3+ 7. Kb6 Qe3+ {is a draw.}) 6... Kxa8 (6... Kc7 7. b6+ Kd8 8. Na7+ Ke7 9. Nc6+ Kf7 (9... Kd6 10. Qxf8+ Kxc6 11. Qf3+ Kc5 12. Qc3+ { wins by exchanging queens, while}) (9... Qxc6 10. Qxc6 { is another database win.}) 10. Ne5+ Ke6 11. Qxf8 Qa4+ (11... Kxe5 12. Qc5+ { wins quickly}) 12. Kb7 Kxe5 13. Qc5+ Kf4 14. Kc7 { with a database win (although this one is surely no surprise).}) 7. Nb6+ Kb8 8. Nxd7+ 1-0

[Event "9th Commendation, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Alain Pallier"] [Black "Win, (France)"] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/pp5P/kp4pp/1p6/1P5P/2n3pK/2p5/1b4N1 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "23"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {This is a very complex study, involving an underpromotion by Black and reciprocal zugzwangs. White's queen finally defeats Black's collection of minor pieces thanks to Black's poor king position. However, the interesting play must be balanced against the heavy initial position, in which Black's king has been artificially placed in a box.} 1. Ne2 $1 Nxe2 2. h8=Q { Threatening Qa1+.} 2... c1=N $1 3. Qa1+ $1 (3. Qb2 $2 Bf5+ 4. Kg2 Be4+ { is perpetual check}) (3. Qe5 $4 Bc2 $1 {allows Black to transfer his bishop to the safe square a4, after which White will even lose.}) 3... Ba2 (3... Na2 $2 4. Qxb1 {wins. If White picks up a minor piece for nothing then he should win in the end by playing his king to a8 or b8 to attack Black's pawns.}) 4. Kg2 $1 {Black's minor pieces are paralysed and he must push a pawn.} 4... g5 $1 5. hxg5 $1 ({After} 5. h5 $4 g4 { White is on the wrong side of a full-point zugzwang:} 6. Kf1 Nf4 $1 7. Qxc1 Bc4+ 8. Kg1 Ne2+ {and wins}) 5... hxg5 6. Kf3 $1 {Great accuracy is required:} (6. Kf1 $4 {even loses after} 6... Nf4 7. Qxc1 (7. Kg1 Nce2+) 7... Bc4+ { followed by a knight fork.}) (6. Kh1 $4 Nf4 {also wins for Black.}) (6. Kh3 $2 {is the thematic try:} 6... Nf4+ 7. Kxg3 Nfd3 8. Kh2 g4 9. Kg3 Ne2+ 10. Kh4 ( 10. Kxg4 Nxb4) 10... Nec1 {draws as it is White to play in the reciprocal zugzwang - he cannot take on g4 because of the reply ... Nxb4. See also the note to White's 9th move.}) 6... g4+ ({Or} 6... Nf4 7. Qxc1 Bd5+ 8. Ke3 Bb3 9. Qa3+ Ba4 10. Kf3 g2 11. Kf2 g4 12. Kg1 g3 13. Qa1 Nd3 14. Qc3 { and Black loses his kingside pawns}) (6... g2 7. Kxg2 g4 (7... Nf4+ 8. Kh2 Nfd3 9. Kg3 g4 10. Kh4 {transposes to the main line}) 8. Kh2 g3+ (8... Nc3 9. Qxc3 g3+ 10. Qxg3 {and}) (8... Nd4 9. Qxd4 g3+ 10. Kg2 {also win for White}) 9. Kg2 {and Black loses his g-pawn and then a piece.}) 7. Kg2 $1 { Black is now in zugzwang and must surrender the g3-pawn.} 7... Nf4+ $1 { Transferring the knight to d3 is the best defence.} (7... Nc3 8. Kxg3 { loses both g-pawns.}) 8. Kxg3 Nfd3 (8... Nfe2+ 9. Kxg4 {wins}) 9. Kh4 $1 { Now it is Black to play in the reciprocal zugzwang.} (9. Kxg4 $2 { only draws after} 9... Nxb4 $1 10. Qxc1 Be6+ $1 11. Kf3 {(say)} 11... Nc6 12. Qa3+ Na5 {. This kind of position cannot be won, since the only weakness in Black's position is the a7-pawn. White can win it but, for this, needs to have wKa8 and wQb8, and with White's pieces so far out of play Black draws comfortably by ...b4 and ...Kb5, etc.}) (9. Kh2 $2 Nf4 $1 10. Kg3 Nfd3 { is a loss of time.}) 9... g3 {The second g-pawn goes and soon after a piece.} 10. Kxg3 Nxb4 { Or else White wins a piece and then marches his king to attack a7 or b7.} 11. Qxc1 {There is no saving check on e6 here.} 11... Bb3 (11... Nc6 12. Qa3+) 12. Qa3+ {and wins} 1-0

[Event "10th Commendation, Nunn-50JT"] [Site ""] [Date "2005"] [Round ""] [White "Emil Melnichenko"] [Black "Win, (New Zealand)"] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "6N1/5p2/8/5rk1/8/B5K1/8/6N1 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "11"] [EventDate "2005.09.15"] [SourceDate "2005.09.16"] 
 {A good straight mid-board mate, although the fact that Black's moves are virtually forced reduces the impact of the finale. Unfortunately, the alternative 4...Kh6 has a dual continuation.} 1. Nh3+ { B+2N v R is generally drawn, so White must do something special.} (1. Nf3+ Kh5 {doesn't lead anywhere after} 2. Be7 (2. Bb2 Rb5) (2. Bc1 Rb5 {or}) 2... Ra5) 1... Kh5 2. Nf4+ (2. Be7 Kg6 {lets Black escape.}) 2... Kg5 3. Be7+ f6 4. Nxf6 Re5 (4... Ra5 5. Ne4+ Kh6 ({or} 5... Kf5 6. Nd6+ Ke5 7. Nc4+) 6. Bf8+ Kh7 7. Nf6+ Kh8 8. Ng6#) (4... Kh6 5. Bf8+ ({ the database reveals that White can also win (albeit far more slowly) by} 5. Kg4 Rg5+ 6. Kh4) 5... Kg5 6. Ne4#) 5. Ne4+ Kf5 (5... Kh6 6. Bf8+ Kh7 7. Nf6+ Kh8 8. Ng6#) 6. Nd6# 1-0

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