Study 110

Árpád Rusz
RCS blog
2017

Win

1. Nfe5 Rxe3! 2. Nc4+! 2. Kxe3? Kxb3 = 2... Ka2! Triangulation by the black king! If black captures the pawn immediately, the win is much easier: 2... Kxb3 3. Nxe3 Ka3 4. Kc3 Ka4 5. Kc4 Ka3 6. Nd4 Ka4 7. Nb3 Ka3 8. Nc5 +- etc.) 3. Nxe3 Kxb3 The pawn is securely blockaded by a white knight exactly on the Troitzky line, so by the theory, white must win. The win is surprisingly difficult: white can win only by reaching the same position but with black to move! This can be done only by a 45-move-long manoeuvre!! The play is determined except some duals which can be regarded as minor ones.

cyclic zugzwang - WTM

4. Nd8 The minor duals 4. Ne5 Kb4 5. Ng6 Kb5 6. Nf4; 4. Ne7 Kb4 5. N7d5+ (5. Ng6 Kb5 6. Nf4) 5... Kb5 6. Ke5 (6. Nf4) 6... Kc6 7. Nf4 are all quickly reaching the main line 4... Kb4 5. Ne6 Kb5 6. Nf4 Kc6 7. Ke5 Kd7 8. Kd5 Kc7 9. Ke6 Kc6 10. Ne2! Kc5 11. Kd7 Kb6 12. Kd6 Kb5 13. Kd5!

critical position A

13... Kb6 13... Kb4 14. Kc6 +- 14. Nd4 Kb7 15. Ke6 Ka6 16. Ne2! Kb7 17. Kd6 Kc8 18. Nf4 minor dual 18. Nd4 Kd8 19. Nc6+ Kc8 20. Na5 Kd8 21. Nb7+ Ke8 22. Ke6 Kf8 23. Nd6 etc. reaching the main line 18... Kd8 19. Ne6+/Nh3 Ke8 20. Ng5 Kd8 21. Nf7+ Ke8 22. Ke6 Kf8 23. Nd6 Kg7 24. Kf5 Kh7 25. Kf6 Kh6 26. Ndf5+/Nb5 Kh5 27. Ng3+/Nd4 Kh4 28. Ne2! Kh5 29. Kf5!This position looks like position A but reflected vertically!

critical position B

29... Kh6 The black king has to return... 29... Kh4 30. Kg6 +- 30. Nf4 Kg7 31. Ke6 Kf8 32. Nh5 Ke8 33. Ng7+ Kd8 34. Kd6 Kc8 35. Ne6 Kb7 36. Kc5 Ka6 37. Kc6 Ka5 38. Nc7/Nd4 Kb4 39. Nb5 Ka4 40. Kc5 Kb3 41. Kd4 Kb4 42. Nc7 Ka5 43. Kc5 Ka4 44. Ncd5 Ka5 45. Nb4 Ka4 46. Nc6 Ka3 47. Kd5!! Triangulation by white king! After 47. Kd4? Kb3 one has to start another 45-move long manoeuvre... 47... Kb3 48. Kd4! +-

cyclic zugzwang - BTM

This study features the longest known cyclic zugzwang (45 moves). That is an amazing new record! The study participated in the Troitzky-150 MT but it seems like the judge was not impressed enough to award it.

Watch this study on a dynamic board! Click here!