Endgame Study (Matous)

White wins

Good Luck!

1. b4 Bd1/Qc2 2. Nc5 bxc 3. Rh6 seems good for me. I couldn't find any refutation. Mate on next move.

Sorry, why not just:
1. b4 Bd1/Qc2
2. Bb7#/Nb8#

Unless I'm right, I'm missing something. Don't have that much time rihght now.

Originally posted by kbaumen
1. b4 Bd1/Qc2 2. Nc5 bxc 3. Rh6 seems good for me. I couldn't find any refutation. Mate on next move.

Originally posted by Alethia
Sorry, why not just:
1. b4 Bd1/Qc2
2. Bb7#/Nb8#

Unless I'm right, I'm missing something. Don't have that much time rihght now.

Black has a better defense.

Originally posted by kbaumen
1. b4 Bd1/Qc2 2. Nc5 bxc 3. Rh6 seems good for me. I couldn't find any refutation. Mate on next move.

This is a tricky one in several ways.

Immediately 1.b4 fails because after Bf3+ 2.Bxf3 Qxd7, it is white who gets mated. So, white has to prepare b4 with:

1.Nb8+ Ka5 2.Nc6+ Ka6 and now 3.b4 threatens mate, forcing Bf3 4.Bxf3. There is still a hurdle to take after 4. ... Qc8+ (or Qf8+) 5.Nb8+ Qxb8+ 6.Kxb8 h1=Q because 7.Rxh1 = stalemate. Therefore, white plays 7.Bg2! instead, threatening mate on a2. Black has a forced move Qh2+ and now 8.Kc8 (still not Rxh2 = stalemate) Qxh3+ 9.Bxh3 and black has moves. White puts his king on c7 and penetrates with the bishop via c8 and a6 with , winning the pawns and the game.

Originally posted by Mephisto2
This is a tricky one in several ways.

Immediately 1.b4 fails because after Bf3+ 2.Bxf3 Qxd7, it is white who gets mated. So, white has to prepare b4 with:

1.Nb8+ Ka5 2.Nc6+ Ka6 and now 3.b4 threatens mate, forcing Bf3 4.Bxf3. There is still a hurdle to take after 4. ... Qc8+ (or Qf8+) 5.Nb8+ Qxb8+ 6.Kxb8 h1=Q because 7.Rxh1 = stalemate. Therefore, w ...[text shortened]... s king on c7 and penetrates with the bishop via c8 and a6 with , winning the pawns and the game.

Correct.

It's important to also note the variation 8...Qb8+ (still playing for stalemate!) 9.Kd7 Qa7+ 10.Ke6! and Black is out of checks.