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Puzzle of the week #106

Submitted by Eugen on Fri, 02/26/2010 - 08:30.
Level: 
5-Queen
----rrk-
ppq--ppp
-b--bn--
---p----
--n-----
-NPB---P
PP--NPP-
R-BQR-K-

Last night we started the discussion about the isolated Queeni pawni (or IQP) by looking at how it behaves in the endgamei. Hopefully those 2 sample positions we analysed were clear enough. Right now let's look at a different situation: we have a middlegamei position and one side has an isolated pawni. Your tasks are very simple:
a) Analyse the position and propose a plani for both sides (10 pointsi)
b) Black to movei and win (10 pointsi)
Total available pointsi for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #107.

Puzzle #105 solution:
The position is a study by V. Halberstadt, published in the magazine "Cesklovensky Sach" in 1929. It is a basic endgamei situation; while I received a majority of good answers, it is surprising none of you covered all possibilities. This can be fatal in such endgames, so my advice would be to always play such endgames (Kingi and pawns) with the most care and never underestimate any movei! My choice of answers is:
a) Analysis
Andy Q:
"Material: The material is even. Both sides have a Kingi and 2 pawns.
Kings: The Kingi is the most powerful piecei in this position.  Black's Kingi is a little bit stronger because it is closer to the  pawns.
Position: This is a Kingi and pawns endgamei position.
Plani: Both side's plani is to create a passed pawni by capturing the  opposing player's pawni(s). White is probably going to capturei the  h7-pawni and then promote his h-pawni. Black will probably capturei  the g2-pawni and then promote his g-pawni. Black has the advantage  because his Kingi is one movei closer to the pawns than White's Kingi."
b) Lines
Owen:
"1.Kd7 Kd2 2.Ke6 Ke2 3.Kf5 g3 4.Kg4 Kf2 5.Kh3 h5 stalematei"
Andy Y
"1.Kd7 ... activating his Kingi as quickly as possible. All other moves lose, allowing Black to win the race to the kingside.
1... Kd3 2.Ke6 Ke3 3.Kf5 h5 4.Kg5 g3 5.Kxh5 Kf2 6.Kg6 Kxg2 7.h5 Kh3 8.h6 g2 9.h7 g1=Q+ 10.Kf7 Qd4 11.Kg8 ... the game is drawn."

Correct solutions:
Andy Q, Karl, Andy Y, Humphrey, Amir - 19 pointsi
Owen - 18 pointsi
James, Jeffrey - 15 pointsi
Alex - 10 pointsi

STANDINGS

Andy Y, Andy Q - 113 pointsi
Karl - 107 pointsi
Owen - 106 pointsi
Amir - 103 pointsi
Humphrey - 91 pointsi
Alex - 90 pointsi
Jeffrey - 76 pointsi
Edwin - 68 pointsi
James - 61 pointsi
Nathaniel - 19 pointsi
Rick, Marko - 10 pointsi

Comment: 

IQP middlegamei (1)