I learned how to play chess when I was a kid and have not played, at all, in almost 40 years. So, basically, I am a rank amateur who knows the moves but almost nothing beyond.
With that as a background, I am hoping you can give me some help with the following position. In particular, I am playing white against the computer and would seem to have an easy win in the offing. Damned if I can find it, though - it seems that no matter what move I make, it leads to black miraculously getting a draw (perpetual check or position repeated X3) or even beating me!
Position
White - pawns at a2, b3; rook at g4; queen at e4; king at h4
Black - pawns at a5, b4, c5, g7; queen at d6; king at h8
As I said, it looks like an easy win for White but I can’t find it. What would you play in this position, and why? Thanks, I appreciate your help!
The problem appears to be Qh2+; apparently, eventually you end up trading queens, at which point that extra pawn that Black has on your left (files a-c) can be a problem. It’s rated as a slight advantage for White, but it’s not an “easy” win by any means.[/SPOILER]
Although a rook is a massive advantage, White’s King has no pawn cover, so he can run into a lot of checks.
Once you exchange Queens, the win is trivial.
That Don Guy, I can’t believe that Fritz12 says only a slight advantage after the Queens come off - what is the computer’s main line analysis?
Zeldar’s 1. Kh3 is nice, since Black’s check of 1. … Qh6+ loses to 2. Rh4. Meanwhile White is threatening a combination of Rh4 and Qe8 (forcing exchange of Queens or checkmate.
My first though was 1. Qf4 (stopping …Qh2) and in reply:
… Qd8+ 2. Qg5 (no checks and White threatens mate on g7)
… Qe7+ 2. Kh3 (again no checks and Rh4 threatened)
P.S. I have an ELO rating of 2250 and teach chess professionally.
I, too, thought that Qf4 was best. But, as I said above, I could not bring it to fruition. In fact, in some variations, I am embarrassed to say that I actually lost!
Oh, how I wish all these chess resources existed in my youth!
