Yesterday I gave you the following position to think about. Solution coming at the bottom of the diagram!
66.Bf2! is the only way to hold. The idea is that the bishop transfers to the g1-a7 diagonal, which has 7 squares on it. Black will not be able to control all of those squares and chase the bishop off the diagonal, so the bishop can keep control of the f2 square. The moment Black pushes the pawn to f2, White will capture it, getting rid of Black’s mating material. Play could continue 66…Nd3 67.Bb6 Ke4 68.Kf6 Kd5
Now Black threatens to disconnect the bishop from the f2-square with …Nc5. But White can simply play 69.Be3, staying in touch with f2. Black cannot make progress and the game is drawn.
Returning to the original position, I do have a couple further questions for you:
- White played 66.Kh6? in the game. How did Black then win?
- What if White plays 66.Bd2+? Instead? How does Black win in that case?
Solutions coming soon!