Club members who have attended Mircea Mesesan's excellent summer training events have studied lots of important tactical, strategic and endgame ideas in the three sessions so far.
Below is an interesting position from the third session. Solving it requires a combination of a keen tactical eye and an understanding of the endgame principle of 'the opposition'. White looks doomed, but can draw if they find the best moves. Good luck!
The final session, titled "The pin", is next Monday, 3rd August at The King's Head.
White to play and draw
Position (FEN): 8/8/8/3p2k1/6q1/3R4/8/7K w
The solution is below!
Solution (click or tap to reveal)
[FEN "8/8/8/3p2k1/6q1/3R4/8/7K w - - 0 1"]
1. Rg3 !! d4 ! {is the best try.} (1... Qxg3 {is stalemate} (1... Kf4 2. Rxg4+ Kxg4 3. Kg2 Kf4 4. Kf2 Ke4 5. Ke2 Kd4 6. Kd2 {is drawn})) 2. Kg2 (2. Rxg4+ ? {is lost, after} Kxg4 3. Kg2 Kf4 4. Kf2 d3 5. Ke1 Ke3 6. Kd1 d2) 2... d3 3. Kf1 !! (3. Rxg4+ ? {is lost after} Kxg4 4. Kf2 Kf4 5. Ke1 (5. Kf1 Kf3 {wins too})Ke3 6. Kd1 d2) 3... Kf4 (3... Qxg3 {stalemate!}) 4. Rxg4+ Kxg4 {is drawn after} 5. Ke1 Kf3 6. Kd1 (8. Kd2 {also draws}) Ke3 7. Ke1 d2+ 8. Kd1 Kd3 {stalemate} *