"The chess pieces are the block alphabet which shapes thoughts; and these thoughts, although making a visual design on the chessboard, express their beauty abstractly, like a poem."
—Marcel Duchamp on Chess
The following position is again taken from Sahovski Informator’s “Encyclopedia of Combinations,” and the hint is “Pursuit.” It is White to move and draw.
You’re currently reading “Pursuit,” an entry on Greenpoint Chess and Go Club
12.13.09 / 2pm
I got nothing on this one, Greg. The best I can do is 1. Bc2. If Black exchanges rooks, it looks pretty drawish to me. If Black threatens the bishop with 1…Ra2, then the bishop simply moves back to b1. If the rook returns to a1, then repeat. If the knight captures the bishop, then 3. Rxb1, holding the pawn.
Depending on what Black tries next, it gets pretty complicated, but it appears that White can hold out.
So, what’s the real answer?
12.16.09 / 10am
Bxe4 Rxf1, Bf5!! with the idea that the bishop will now give endless checks going back and forth from f5 to e6.
12.19.09 / 11am
Nice! I see it now, but I never would have guessed it!
12.19.09 / 12pm
I’m sure you considered Bxe4 though, right? I just couldn’t see the next step- remember when i was talking about visualizing the position- that’s what i meant. i think this problem is a really good test of that skill.
12.19.09 / 12pm
I did consider it, but it didn’t seem to lead anywhere.
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