31 May '10 08:54>
So there I was, a rook up, and nearing checkmate. I thought I'd be clever, and put him in zugzwang (30 ... Rb4) - any move allows mate, but I can't mate until he moves. Very pretty, huh?
However, it wasn't until afterwards that I spotted that 31 Rxg7+!! draws! 31 ... Kf8 32 Rg8+! (not 32 Rxf7+?? Qxf7 and the king has moves again) 32 ... Ke7 33 Re8+ Kd7 34 Rd8+ Kc7 35 Rc8+ Kb6 36 36 Rxc6+! (36 Rb8+?? Kc5 and I escape the checks) followed by checking on c6, c7, and c8. There is no escape, and any capture of the rook with the king is stalemate!
However, it wasn't until afterwards that I spotted that 31 Rxg7+!! draws! 31 ... Kf8 32 Rg8+! (not 32 Rxf7+?? Qxf7 and the king has moves again) 32 ... Ke7 33 Re8+ Kd7 34 Rd8+ Kc7 35 Rc8+ Kb6 36 36 Rxc6+! (36 Rb8+?? Kc5 and I escape the checks) followed by checking on c6, c7, and c8. There is no escape, and any capture of the rook with the king is stalemate!