My favourite studies – 2 December 27, 2002
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Solutions

The solutions will be given on Saturday, December 28.

J. Gunst, Das illustrierte Blatt, 1922

White to play and win

Solution: Amazingly 1.Bb7!! actually works, even though it drops a piece! 1...Kc7. Black has no alternative: 1...a5 2.Kd6 a4 3.Nxd7 a3 4.Bd5 is a white win. 2.Ba6 Kxb8. Again no other option: 2...Kb6 3.Kd6 and 2...d6 3.Nc6.

Now White has just the bishop, but is able to deliver what is known as the "Troitzky mate" (after the Russian study composer who first showed the idea). 3.Kd6 Ka8 4.Kc7 d5 5.Bb7 mate.

A.V. and K.V. Sarychev, Shakhmatny Listok, 1928

White to play and draw

Solution: Another truly amazing key move: 1.Kc8!! b5 2.Kd7! White has forced the same position as the above, except that the black pawn is on b5. That is progress? Well take a look at how it continues: 2...b4 3.Kd6 Bf5 4.Ke5 Bg4 5.Kd4 and draw; or 2...Bf5+ 3.Kd6 b4 4.Ke5 Bg4 5.Kd4 and draw.

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Frederic Friedel