Study 196

Árpád Rusz
ruszchessstudies.blogspot.com
2024
Dedicated to Gukesh Dommaraju & Ding Liren
White wins

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1. Bd5! The bishop is aiming at the black pawn! 1. h6? Bc2+! 2. Kxc2 stalemate 1. Ka3? Bxe4! 2. Bxe4 stalemate 1... Bxe4! 2. h6!!

mutual zugzwang

2... Bxd5+ 3. Kc2 Be4+ 4. Kc1 Bd3 5. c4! Bh7 5... Bxc4 6. h7 +- 6. c5 Be4 7. c6! +-

I have composed this study after watching the last game of the World Chess Championship match between Ding Liren and Gukesh Dommaraju. The position which inspired me was the following:

Ding Liren - Gukesh Dommaraju
World Championships match (2024)
14th game
Black to move

The move 56... Bd5! was catching the bishop, and after the exchanges Gukesh had a won pawn endgame on the board. The game ended suddenly by 57. Bxd5 Kxd5 58. Ke3 Ke5 0-1 although the move 58.Ke1!? could set a last trap to black.

After a posible trap 58.Ke1!?

Now advancing the king to the 4th rank is a mistake: 58... Kd4? 59. Kd2! Ke4 60. Ke2, and the opposition saves White. After 58. Ke1!?, only 58...Ke5! would have won because there would be a mutual zugwang on the board. The white king must go further from the pawns 59.Kd1, so black can push the f-pawn 59... f4 60. Ke2 f3+ 61. Ke3 f2! 62. Kxf2 Kd4! -+ (From f2, the white king doesn't have the saving opposition move Kd2 as in the try 58... Kd4?)

Study 190

Árpád Rusz
Chess Study Art
2023
- version -
Draw

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You can analyze the study with the help of the Syzygy tablebases here.

1. Kc2! 1. Bh3? Ng8! -+ 1... Kb4 1... Ng4 2. Kc3 c5 3. Bg2 d4+ (3... Ne3 4. Bxd5! Nxd5 5. Kc4 =) 4. Kc4! Ne3+ 5. Kxc5 Nxg2 6. Kxd4 = 2. a3+! Kc5 2... Kxa3 3. Kc3 Nf5 4. Bh3 Ne7 5. Bd7! c6 6. Kd4 Kb4 7. Bxc6! Nxc6+ 8. Kxd5 = 3. Kb3! White is preparing to advance the a-pawn. 3. Kc3? Nf5 4. a4 Ng3! 5. Bd3 Ne4+ Avoiding this check is the reason why white should choose 3. Kb3 instead of 3. Kc3. 4. Kb3 Kb6! 5. Kb4 c5+ -+ Black gets a winning position after managing to achieve both of its strategic goals (stopping the white pawn and pushing the c-pawn to c5). 3... Nf5 4. a4 Nd4+ Here the check comes even one move earlier than in the previous try, but the knight is in an awkward position on d4. 4... Ng3 5. Bd3 Ne4 There is no check, therefore the white pawn can advance. 6. a5 = 5. Kc3 Nc6 Black stops the white pawn but simultaneously blocks its own c-pawn by two pieces... 6. Be2! 6. Bd3? d4+ 7. Kb3 Na5+ -+ 6... Na5 6... d4+ 7. Kc(d)2! (7. Kd3? Nb4+ 8. Ke4 Nd5 -+) 7... Kb4 8. Kd3 =

7. Bh5!!

7. Bb5? d4+ (7... c6? 8. Be2! zz d4+ 9. Kd3 Nc4 10. Ke4 =) 8. Kd3 c6 9. Ba6 Kd5 -+

mutual zugzwang

7... Nc4 7... Kd6 8. Kb4 =; 7... d4+ 8. Kd3 Nc6 9. Ke4 = 8. Be8! It is important for white to defend its pawn. 8. Be2? d4+ 9. Kd3 Nb2+ -+

mutual zugzwang

8... Ne5! Black lets the a-pawn run, planning to block it later. The knight has a dominating position in the center of the board leaving only a few safe squares for the bishop. 8... d4+ 9. Kd3 Nb2+ A fork but fortunately, the white pawn is defended. (9... Ne5+ With the bishop on d7 instead of e8, white would now lose. 10. Ke4 =) 10. Kc2 Nc4 11. Kd3 c6 12. Kc2! (12. Ke4? Nd6+ -+) 12... Ne5 13. Kb3 Nc4 14. Kc2 Na5 15. Kd3 Nc4 16. Kc2 positional draw; 8... c6 9. Kb3! zz Kd4!? (9... Kb6 10. Bf7 =; 9... Kd6 10. Kb4 c5+ 11. Kb5 =) 10. a5! = (10. Bxc6? Na5+ -+); 8... Nd6 9. Bg6! (9. Bh5? c6! 10. Bg6 Nc4 11. Bf7 d4+ -+) 9... c6 10. Bh7! Nc4 11. Bg8! d4+ 12. Kc2! Kb4 13. Kd3 = 9. Bb5! 9. a5? Nc6 10. a6 (10. Bxc6 Kxc6 11. Kd4 Kd6 12. a6 c5+ -+) 10... Na7 11. Bd7 (11. Bh5 Nb5+ -+) 11... c6 -+; 9. Bh5? d4+ 10. Kb3 Nc4 11. Be2 Na5+ -+

mutual zugzwang

9... Nc6 9... d4+ 10. Kb3 The bishop is ideally placed attacking both c4 and c6. 10... Nc6 11. Bxc6 Kxc6 12. Kc4 = 10. Be2! Thematic try: 10. Bf1? Na5 11. Be2 c6! zz 12. Bh5 Nc4 13. Be8 Ne5! zz. Now the bishop cannot continue the merry-go-round anymore and has to return. Unlike in the main line, here it is not possible to attack the c4 square by Bb5 because of the line-interfering c6 pawn. 14. Bh5 d4+ 15. Kb3 Nc4 16. Be2 Na5+ 17. Ka3 Kb6 18. Kb4 c5+ -+

mutual zugzwang

10... Na5 11. Bh5! positional draw on 4 pairs of knight/bishop corresponding squares

Both the knight and the bishop moves along diamond-shape paths on the board:

There was even a third Rundlauf in the first version of the study!

Árpád Rusz
Chess Study Art
2023
Draw

1. Kb2! Kc5 2. Kc3 d5 3. Bf7! Nd6 4. Bg6! with two variations:

a) 4... Nc4 5. Be8! zz Ne5 6. Bb5! zz Nc6 7. Be2! zz Na5 8. Bh5!! zz Nc4 9. Be8 positional draw

b) 4... c6 5. Bh7! Thematic try: 5. Bh5? Nc4 6. Be2 d4+ 7. Kc2 Kb4 8. Kd3 c5 -+ 5... Nc4 6. Bg8! Rundlauf

6... d4+ 7. Kc2! Kb4 8. Kd3 c5 9. Bxc4 =

Study 189

Árpád Rusz
Nadareishvili MT
2020
Special Commendation
White wins

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1. b7 d1=Q 1... Qxd4+ 2. Kxd4 d1=Q+ 3. Rd3 +- 2. Rh1+ Ke2 3. Rxd1 Qd8!

4. Kc6!! Thematic try: 4. Kd6? Kxd1 mutual zugzwang 5. b8=Q (5. f8=Q Qxf8+ 6. Kc7 Qf4+ 7. Kc8 Qc1+! =) 5... Qxb8+ 6. Ke7 Qb4+ 7. Ke8 Qe1+! =; 4. Rh1? Qc7+ = 4... Kxd1 5. Kd6! mutual zugzwang

mutual zugzwang

a) 5... Kc2 6. f8=Q! Qxf8+ 7. Kc7 Qf4+ 8. Kc8 +- There are no more checks because the c-file is blocked.

b) 5... Ke2 6. b8=Q! Qxb8+ 7. Ke7 Qb4+ 8. Ke8 +- There are no more checks because the e-file is blocked.

c) 5... Qb6+ 6. Ke7 Qb4+ 7. Ke8 Qe1+ 8. Kf8 Qb4+ 9. Kg8 +-

d) 5... Qf6+ 6. Kc7 Qf4+ 7. Kc8 Qc1+ 8. Kb8 Qf4+ 9. Ka8 +-

Study 188

Árpád Rusz
2021
Dedicated to Marc Bourzutschky
White wins

White has a disadvantage of two exchanges. In order to win, not only one but both rooks should be captured. The awkward position of the black king gives some hope to succeed. 1. Bf3+! Re4 2. Bxh4 Of course not 2. Bxe4+? Rxe4 -+ 2... Nxh4 2... Kb8 3. Bg3+! -+

3. Bh1!! mutual zugzwang 3. Bxe4+? Kb8 mutual zugzwang 3... Kb8 4. Bxe4 Mutual zugzwang & Domination!

4...Bc5 The only safe square on the a7-g1 diagonal. 5. Kb5 The white king gains an important tempo in the race toward the black knight. 5... Be7 6. Kc6 Kc8 7. Kd5 Kd7 8. Ke5 Bc5 9. Kf6 9. Kf4? Ke6 10. Kg4 Ke5 = 9... Be7+ 10. Kf7 Kd6 11. Nf2 Bd8 12. Nd3! and white wins.

The black king is restricted to a small portion of the board and will be gradually pushed back to the side of the board by the two white knights. 12... Bg5 13. Na3 Kd7 14. Nc4 Kd8 15. Nc5 Bc1 Stepping with the king further back leads to a quick checkmate: 15... Kc8 16. Ne6 Bc1 17. Ke8 Bh6 18. Nd6+ Kb8 19. Nb5 Kc8 20. Nc5 Be3 21. Na6 Bf4 22. Na7# 16. Kf6 After this move, the white bishop also gets some freedom to move. 16... Bh6 17. Ne6+ Kd7 18. Nb6+ Kd6 The black king is back again to d6 and the black knight seems safe as long as the black bishop controls g5. How to win this position?

19. Ba8! (or 19. Bh1!) 19... Bc1 20. Nc4+ Kd7 21. Bb7! Domination! 21... Bh6 22. Ne5+ Kd6 23. Nf7+ +-

This study is based on a position found in one of the 8-man mutual zugzwang lists released by Marc Bourzutschky. For finding that special position (see the solution after 3.Bh1!!), I have created a special version my software SEE (Syzygy Endgame Explorer) to support some searches up to 8 pieces.

Study 154

Árpád Rusz
Schach
2018-19
3rd Prize
- version -
White wins

1. Ba3! 1. Rxc3+? Kd5 = and both dangerous white pawns are pinned.

a) 1... Qxa3 2. Rxc3+! fork 2... Qxc3 3. Rc8+ Kd4 4. Rxc3 Rxf7+! 4... Kxc3 5. Ke8 +-

The correct move to win is 5. Ke6!! White is very polite, and lets Black to be the first to take the rook. 5... Kxc3 6. Kxf7 mutual zugzwang

mutual zugzwang

6... h2 7. d7 mutual zugzwang 7... h1=Q Black was let to be the first to promote the pawn. 8. d8=Q mutual zugzwang

8... Qb7+ Now we see the reason for white's eccentric play: the black queen has to leave its ideal square. 8... Qf3+ 9. Qf6+ +- 9. Ke6! Contrary to the thematic try, there is no check on e4. 9... Qh1 The black queen returns to h1 but something has changed: the white king is protecting the d5 square! 10. Qa5+! Kxd3 11. Qd5+ +- fork

Thematic try at move 5: 5. Kxf7? Kxc3 mutual zugzwang 6. d7 h2 mutual zugzwang 7. d8=Q h1=Q mutual zugzwang 8. d4 Qb7+ 9. Ke6 9. Qe7 Qd5+ 10. Qe6 Qb7+ 11. Qe7 Qd5+ perpetual check 9... Qe4+ = The e4-square was no longer controlled.

But what if black captures the pawn earlier and doesn't allow the triangulation?
b) 1... Rxf7+!? 2. Kxf7 2. Ke6? Rf6+! 3. Kxf6 Qxa3 = and the queen would capture on c3 with check. 2... Qxa3 3. Rxc3+! Qxc3 4. Rc8+ Kd4

5. d7!! 5. Rxc3? Kxc3 = mutual zugzwang 5... Qb3+ 6. Kf8 6. Kg7? Qb7 -+ 6... Qb4+ 7. Kg8 Qb3+ 8. Kh8! +-

Study 185

Árpád Rusz
Die Schwalbe
2020
3rd Honourable Mention

White wins

1. b5+! Rxb5 2. Rc6+! 2. Ra8+? Kb7 3. Kxb5 Kxa8 = 2... Rb6

3. Rg6!! mutual zugzwang 3... Ka7 3... hxg6 4. h7 Rb8 5. hxg6 +- 4. Rg7+ Rb7 5. Ka5 mutual zugzwang 5... Kb8 6. Ka6 Ka8! cyclic zugzwang - WTM. The only way to win is by reaching the same position but with black to move. (6... Rc7 7. Kb6 +-)

7. Rg5 or 7. Rg6 Rb8 8. Rf6! etc. but no 7. Rg1?! Rb1! 8. Rxb1? stalemate; 7. Rxb7? stalemate 7... Rb8 8. Rf5! 8. Re5? Rf8! = 8... Rb7 9. Rf8+ Rb8 10. Rf7 Rb7! 11. Rg7! +- cyclic zugzwang - BTM

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Study 7

This is a 2020 version of a study published in 2002. The initial position now looks much better having no hanging pieces. It is also more economical.

Árpád Rusz
Josten-65 JT
2002-03
- version (2020) -

Draw

1. Ke2 1. Ke1? h3 2. Rh5 g2 3. Kf2 e3+ 4. dxe3+ dxe3+ 5. Kg1 e2 -+ 1... h3 2. Rh5 g2 3. Ng5! h2! 4. Rxh2 g1=Q 5. Nh3+ Kg3 6. Nxg1 Kxh2

Thematic try:
7. Kf2? d3 mutual zugzwang 8. Nf3+ 8. Kf1 Kg3 -+ 8... exf3

9. Kf1 9. Kxf3 Kg1 -+ 9... Kg3 10. Kg1 f2+ 11. Kf1 Kh3! mutual zugzwang 11... Kh2? 12. Kxf2 mutual zugzwang 12... Kh3 13. Kf3 Kh2 14. Kf2 Kh1 15. Kf1 positional draw 12. Kxf2 Kh2 mutual zugzwang 13. Kf1 Kg3 14. Kg1 Kf3 15. Kf1 f4 -+ mutual zugzwang

The right move is:
7. Kf1!! d3 8. Kf2! mutual zugzwang 8. Nf3+? exf3 9. Kf2 Kh1 10. Kf1 f2! mutual zugzwang 11. Kxf2 Kh2 -+ mutual zugzwang 8... f4 9. Nf3+ exf3

10. Kf1 Kg3 11. Kg1 f2+ 12. Kf1 Kh3 13. Kxf2 Kh2 14. Kf1 Kg3 15. Kg1 mutual zugzwang 15... Kf3 16. Kf1 mutual zugzwang 16... Kg3 17. Kg1 f3 18. Kf1 f2 stalemate

Study 177

Árpád Rusz
Gravure
2019
3rd Honourable Mention

White wins

1. Bc5 Qxb7+! 1... Bxe4 2. Ba7+ +-; 1... Qxd6+ 2. Bxd6# 2. Nxb7 Bxe4

Fork! Unfortunately, the white bishop occupies the c5 square, so the knights cannot defend each other…
3. Ba7+! 3. Bd6+? Ka8! 4. Ndc5 (4. Nbc5 Bxd3+ 5. Nxd3 stalemate) 4... Bxb7+ 5. Nxb7 stalemate 3... Ka8! The black king wants a stalemate. Now the c5 square is empty. Should the knights defend each other? No!

1st thematic try:
4. Nbc5? Bxd3+! 5. Kb6 5. Nxd3 stalemate 5... Bc4! = mutual zugzwang

2nd thematic try:
4. Ndc5? Bxb7+! 5. Kb6 5. Nxb7 stalemate 5... Bc8! = mutual zugzwang

4. Nb4!! Bxb7+ 5. Kb6 mutual zugzwang 5... Bd5 5... Ba6 6. Nd5! Bc4 7. Nc7# 6. Na6! Bc4 7. Nc7#

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Study 175

Árpád Rusz
Strategems
2019
Honourable Mention

White wins

1. Qg6! Kb2 1... Qe2+ 2. Kd5+ Kb2 3. Qe4 Qxe4+ 4. Kxe4 +- 2. f7 Raxb4+! 2... Qe2+ 3. Kf5 Raxb4 4. Qf6+! (4. Bxb4? Rb5+! 5. Kf6?? Qe5#) 4... Kc2 5. Bxb4 Rb5+ 6. Kg6 Qg4+ (6... Qh5+ 7. Kg7 +-) 7. Kh7 Rh5+ 8. Qh6 Rxh6+ 9. Kxh6! (9. Rxh6? Qxb4 =) 9... Qxb4 10. f8=Q +- 3. Bxb4 Qe2+! 3... Rxb4+ 4. Kf5! (4. Kd5? Qe2! = mutual zugzwang) 4... Qf4+ (4... Rf4+ 5. Ke6 Qe2+ 6. Kd7 +- (6. Kd5? Rb4! = mutual zugzwang)) 5. Ke6 Qe3+ 6. Kf6 Qc3+ 7. Ke7 Rb7+ 8. Rd7 Qe5+ 9. Qe6 Qg5+ 10. Qf6+ +-

Thematic try:
4. Kd5? Rxb4 mutual zugzwang 5. f8=Q?? Rb5+ 6. Kc6 6. Kd4 Qe5+ 7. Kd3 Rb3+ 8. Kd2 Qe3+ 9. Kd1 Qc1+ 10. Ke2 Re3+ 11. Kf2 Qe1+ 12. Kg2 Re2+ 13. Kh3 Qh1+ 14. Kg4 Qg1+ 15. Kh4 Rh2# 6... Qc4+ 7. Kd7 Rb7+ 8. Ke8 Qa4+

Position X'

Unfortunately, the newly born queen blocks the escape route of the king…
9. Kd8 Qa8#

The right move is:
4. Kd4!! Triangulation 4... Rxb4+ 5. Kd5!

mutual zugzwang

5... Rb5+ 5... Qc4+ 6. Ke5 Qf4+ 7. Ke6 Qe3+ 8. Kf6 Qc3+ 9. Ke7 Rb7+ 10. Rd7 Qe5+ 11. Qe6 Qg5+ 12. Qf6+ +- 6. Kc6 Qc4+ 7. Kd7 Rb7+ 8. Ke8 Qa4+

Position X

9. Kf8! Qa8+ 10. Kg7 +-

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Study 171

Árpád Rusz
Bron-110 MT
2019
3rd/4th Honourable Mention

White wins

1. Bxa5+ 1. e8=Q? Qb3+! (1... Kd1+? 2. Be2+! +-) 2. Kxa1 Qd1+ 3. Kb2 (3. Ka2?? Kc1+ -+) 3... Qc2+ 4. Ka1 Qd1+! perpetual check 1... Kd1+ 1... Ke3+ 2. Ka3 Nc2+ 3. Ka4 +- 2. Bd2! unguarded guard sacrifice 2. Kxa1?? is wrong because the a8 rook doesn't protect the a3 square. 2... Qa3+ -+ 2... Nd3+! 2... Rxd2+ 3. Kxa1 After the bishop sacrifice, the a3 square is protected. 3... Qa3+ 4. Rxa3 +- 3. Bxd3 Rxd2+! 3... Rxf6 4. e8=Q +-

Thematic try:
4. Kxa1? Qxd3! mutual zugzwang. Paradoxically, it will be bad for white that the pawn is going to be promoted! 5. e8=Q 5. Ra2 Rxa2+ 6. Kxa2 Qd5+ 7. Ka3 Qa5+ 8. Kb3 Qb5+ 9. Kc3 Qc5+ 10. Kd3 Qc2+ 11. Ke3 Qc3+! 12. Qxc3 stalemate 5... Qc3+! 6. Qxc3 Ra2+! 7. Kb1 7. Rxa2/Kxa2 stalemate 7... Rb2+! 8. Ka1 Ra2+ perpetual check/stalemate

Solution:
4. Kb1!! Qxd3+ 5. Kxa1!

mutual zugzwang

5... Rc2 5... Ra2+ 6. Kxa2! (6. Rxa2? Qc3+! 7. Rb2 (7. Qxc3 stalemate) 7... Qxf6 8. e8=Q Qa6+ 9. Kb1 Qd3+ 10. Ka2 Qa6+ 11. Kb3 Qb6+ 12. Ka3 Qe3+! 13. Qxe3 stalemate) 6... Qd5+ 7. Kb2 +- 6. Rd8 Rc1+ 7. Ka2 Rc2+ 8. Qb2! Rxb2+ 9. Kxb2 +-

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Study 170

Árpád Rusz
Shakhmatnaya Kompozicia
2019
1st/2nd Prize

Draw

1. Nxe6! Threatening with checkmate on c7. Thematic try: 1. Nf4+? g2 2. Bxg2+ Rxg2 3. N8xe6 (3. Nxg2 Nf7 4. Nxe6 Qc4+ 5. Nc7+ Qxc7+ 6. Kxc7 Nxh6 -+) 3... Nxe6 4. Nxe6 Qg4! -+ Black pins the knight. The g4 square was empty because the rook managed to move away. 1... Nxe6 2. Nf4+ g2 3. Nxe6! White again is threatening to give checkmate on c7. The knight cannot be pinned by Qg4. Letting the rook to move away from g4 is again a mistake: 3. Bxg2+? Rxg2 4. Nxe6 Qg4! -+ 3... Qc4+ 3... gxh1=Q?? 4. Nc7# 4. Nc7+ Qxc7+ 5. Kxc7 Rxg7+! 5... Bb8+ 6. Kd8! The white king leaves the c8 square empty. 6... gxh1=Q 7. Qa6+ Ba7 8. Qc8+ Bb8 9. Qa6+ perpetual check 6. Qxg7 Bb8+

7. Kc6!! Triangulation. White lets black to promote the pawn with check. Thematic try: 7. Kb6? gxh1=Q -+ mutual zugzwang 7... gxh1=Q+ 8. Kb6! Focal Theme. The black queen has to keep an eye on both b7 and a1.

mutual zugzwang

8... Qg1+! Moving the knight would be very bad: 8... Nf1?? 9. Qa1+ Ba7+ 10. Qxa7#; 8... Nf3?? 9. Qb7# 9. Qxg1 Ba7+ 10. Kc7 Bxg1 11. b6 = The knight is again in a wrong place blocking the h2 square for the bishop.

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12-years-old wins a prize at a study composition tourney!

This study has a good flow and it is a great achievement at such a young age:

Christopher Yoo
Steniczka-90 MT
2019
3rd Prize
- win studies section -

White wins

1. Kg7 Nf4 2. f8=N! 2. f8=Q? Ne6+ -+ 2... Kb6! 3. Kf7 3. h8=Q? Rxf8! =

3... Ne6! 4. Nxe6 Rh8 5. Kg7 Rxh7+ 6. Kxh7 Kxc6 7. Kg6 Kd6!

8. Kf6! Thematic try: 8. Kf5? Kd5 mutual zugzwang 9. d3 c6! = mutual zugzwang 8... Kd5 9. Kf5 mutual zugzwang 9... c6 10. d3

mutual zugzwang

10... c5 11. Nxc5! Kxc5 12. Kxe5 Kc6 13. d4 Kd7 14. Kd5! +- mutual zugzwang