Endgame Study # 11

The following position is familiar to experienced solvers. We crave their indulgence even as we introduce it to younger readers. White rook is under attack and Black pawn is about to queen.

• Can the first player save himself, facing such dire threats?
• At the end of the battle one of them is in for a rude shock. Is it White or Black?

White to move

Solution:

Unfortunately it was White who received the shock in the end.

When Paul Keres composed this study and offered the solution (draw) everyone thought it was OK. Years later a solver refuted the solution. In other words the study was “cooked”.

(The delights of chess by Assiac)

Paul Keres, Chess World 1933