Study 178

Árpád Rusz
Magyar Sakkvilág
2019

White wins

1. Qd6+! 1. Rd6+? Bd5! -+; 1. Qxa3+? Ke2 = 1... Ke2 1... Bd5 2. Qxa3+ Ke2 3. Rc2 Qh7 4. Qc3 +- 2. Re6+ Kd1! Black is preparing a stalemate combination! 2... Kxf3 3. Qxa3+ (3. Qxd7? Bxd7 =) 3... Kg4 4. Rg8+ Kf5 5. Qh3#; 2... Kf2 3. Qc5+ Kf1 4. Qc4+ +-; 2... Kf1 3. Rd8! d1=Q+ 4. Qxd1+ Qxd1+ 5. Rxd1+ +- 3. Rxc6 3. Rd8? a2+! 4. Kxa2 Bd5+! 5. Qxd5 Qxd5+ 6. Rxd5 b1=Q+ 7. Kxb1 stalemate 3... a2+! 4. Kxb2! Thematic try: 4. Kxa2? Qxe6+! check! (4... b1=Q+? 5. Kxb1 Qb7+ 6. Rb6 Qxb6+ 7. axb6! +-) 5. Qxe6 b1=Q+ 6. Kxb1 stalemate 4... a1=Q+! 4... Qb7+ 5. Rb6 +-; 4... Qg7+ 5. Rf6 +- 5. Kxa1

Starting from this position, the main line splits into two variations:

a. 5... Qxe6! no check!

Queen battery

6. Qxd2+!! White is firing the Queen battery! 6. Qxe6? echo stalemate 6... Kxd2 7. Rxe6 +-

b. 5... Qxc6!

Queen battery

6. Qxd2+!! White is firing a Queen battery again! 6. Qxc6? echo stalemate 6... Kxd2 7. Rxc6 +-

Watch this study on a dynamic board! Click here!

Study 118

Árpád Rusz
Boris Oleynik MT
2017

White wins

1. Bg6 e4! 2. Qxe4! 2. Bxe4? Be6+ 3. Kd3 Bf5! 4. Bxf5 (4. Kc2 c4! 5. Bxf5 b1=Q+ 6. Kxb1/Qxb1 stalemate) 4... b1=Q+ 5. Qxb1 c4+ 6. Kd2 stalemate; 2. Kd5? Kxa2 3. Bxe4 Bb7+ 4. Kc4 Bxe4 and white has nothing better than 5. Qa1+! Kxa1 stalemate 2... Bf5! The black bishop slides between two enemy pieces. I have coined a new term for this motif: this is the "Sandwich Theme"!

Sandwich Theme

2... b1=Q 3. Qxb1 Be6+ 4. Kd3 Bf5+! 5. Kd2! (5. Bxf5? c4+ 6. Kd2 stalemate) 5... Bxb1 6. Bxb1 +- 3. Qxf5! Thematic try: 3. Bxf5? b1=Q 4. Qxb1 stalemate 3... b1=Q

a Queen battery

4. Qxc5+!! White fires the Queen battery! 4. Qxb1? stalemate 4... bxc5 5. Bxb1 +-

Watch this study on a dynamic board! Click here!