Study 143

Árpád Rusz
Joiţa MT
2018

White wins

The a4 pawn prevents a simple win (1.Rf4 followed by 2.Ra4#). In order to win, white will try to reach the same position but without the a4 pawn. But how does the "disappearing pawn magic trick" work?

1. Bf3! Logical try: 1. Rf4? Rd6! -+; 1. f3? Rf1! = 1... Rd4 1... Bxf3 2. Rxf3

Saavedra's double attack (echo)

2... Rh1 3. Ra3#; 1... Rd6 2. Rxd6 Bf5+ 3. Rd3! +- 2. Kc3! 2. Bxg4? Rxg4 3. Rxh6 Rg8 4. Ra6 Ra8 = 2... Rxa4 3. Kb3 Bd7! 3... Rd4 4. Bxg4 Rxg4 5. Rc6 Kb1 6. Rxc7 +- 4. Bc6! Rd4 4... Bxc6 5. Rxc6

Saavedra's double attack (echo)

5... Rxa5 6. Rc1# 5. Kc3! 5. Bxd7? Rxd7 6. Rxh6 Rd8 = 5... Rd1 6. Kc2 Bg4 We are back to the initial position but the a4 pawn has disappeared! 6... Rd4 7. Bxd7 Rxd7 8. Rf4! +-

The a4 pawn has disappeared!

7. Rf4! Rd6 8. Ra4#

Watch this study on a dynamic board! Click here!

Related study: Saavedra 1