Originally posted by idioms10 moves starting on any of the 9 squares from where the queen can go to f1.
If you could place the white queen anywhere on the board so that the black king was not in check what is the least number of moves white could force a win in?
[fen]8/8/8/8/8/5k2/1K3p2/8 w - - 0 1[/fen]
How many squares is this possible from?
Originally posted by rooktakesqueenOnce White gets his Q on f1, he just leaves her there, and brings his King toward the pawn. Black's King will be forced to move away from the pawn and he loses.
sorry, i dont get it... its a draw surely, how can white win, the king will just keep on going round the pawn, once the queen doesnt get a check black will exchange for a queen
This is a drawn position, no matter how you look at it:
1. Qf5+ Kg2 2. Qg4+ Kh1
I would like to note, that no matter how you go about it, you will end up with the K at h1 and the Queen on the g file someplace. For instance:
1. Qd5+ Kd2 2. Qe4+ Kf1 3. Kc2 Kg2 4. Qe2 Kg1 5. Qg4+ Kh1
Even though the King is now closer, what can white do? He has options, but all lead to the same end:
(With White King on c2, White Queen on g4, Black King on h1, and Black Pawn at f2):
1. Qh3+ Kg1 2. Qg3+ Kh1 3. Qxf2 1/2-1/2
Or:
1. Qf3+ Kg1 2. Qe3 Kg2 3. Qe4+ (3. Qg5+ Kh1 4. Qh4+ Kg1 {we are getting nowhere} ) Kg1 {still nowhere.}
Because of the freedom that the h1 square entails, it is not possible to effectively bring the King in for attack. The Queen will never be able for fork the King and pawn in such a way, or force the King in front of the pawn.
Because of this, this is a drawn position, plain and simple.