Interesting position, both
kings are not very well protected. If Red does not accelerate
his attack, Black will start his own checkmate attack (e.g.
after 1.H4+3 K5.4 2.P5+1 P7+1 3.P5+1 P7.6) which can in some
lines be combined with an attack on Red's central pawn. Furthermore
the red horse on Black's base line looks aggressive and vulnerable
at the same time.
1. P5+1
2
points, the central pawn is on it's way to the palace
center
The position after 1. ... E3-5 will be treated after the third
move of the main line, all other moves will also lead to positions
of the main line because Red will continue with P5+1, except
for hopeless moves like 1. ... R1-7 2.H7-9
2. P5+1 E3-5
Black tries to hold
the red veteran out of the attack, other moves are worse:
2. . . . R1-8
3. H7-8
Threatening 4. P5.6 mate and 4. P5+1 mate
3. . . . E3-5
4. H4+3
Of course, Red can as well take the rook, but now there is no
defence against P5+1 mate (Answer7)
2. . . R1.6
3. H4+6
Threatening 4.H6+8 mate, Red can as well continue with 3.H7-8
(threatening 4.P5.6 mate and 4.P5+1 mate) E3-5 4.H4+3 R6-7 5.P5.4
(Answer9)
3. . .. R6.2
4. P2.3 P7+1
5. P3.4 P7.6
6. P4.5 1 point (Answer8)
2. . . . R1.2
3. P2.3 R2-7
4. P3.4 R2.5
5. H4+5 and Red will easily achieve a checkmate, e.g. 5. ...
P7+1 6.H5-6 P7.6 7.H7-8 P6.5 8.K5+1 E3-1 9.P4.5 (Answer10)
3. P5+1 1 point
3. . . . K4.5
3. . . . K4+1
4. H7-8 mate
Answer6
4. H4+3 K5.4
4. . . . K5.6
5. H3-5 K6+1
5. . . . K6.5 brings us back to the main line
6. H5-3 K6+1
7. H3+2 K6-1
8. H7-6 mate 1 point (Answer5)
6. P2.3
Threatening 7.P3.4 mate (Answer3)
6. ... R1.6
7. K5.6 1 point, the threat is 8. H5+7
checkmate (Answer2)
7. ... R6-7
8. P3.4 R6-1
9. H5+7 mate 1 point for the last moves of
the main line (Answer1)
Puzzle 2: Red to move and win
Solution
This is another composition
of the German chess problem composer Udo Marks, who also contributed
problem 2 in December 2001. Here, we see a couple of examples
how horse and cannon can co-operate
9. C+.5 1 point,this cannon takes control
over the central file
9. ... P6.7
The final goal for Red is to position his horse between both
black pawns.
10.H3-4 P7.6
11.H4-2 P6.7
12.H2+3 K6+1
13.H3-4 P7.6
14.H4-2 P6.7
15.H2-4 mate 2 points for the last moves of
the main line (Answer1)
