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Ulysses' Analysis of Challenge #1

White Wins!

In order to win, White has to occupy one of the three "magic squares" of the b-pawn. The magic squares for a non-edge pawn on the second through fourth ranks are two ranks in front of the pawn, on its own file and the two adjacent files. In this case, White has to occupy a6, b6, or c6 without losing the pawn in order to win the ending.

1.Kc2 Ke7 2.Kb3!

White heads for the magic square furthest from the Black king. Instead, the obvious--but incorrect--2.Kc3? only draws: 2...Kd6 3.Kc4 Kc6 when Black can defend the magic squares, and hold the draw.

2...Kd6 3.Ka4 Kc6 4.Ka5 Kb7 5.Kb5

White takes the opposition and forces Black to surrender one of the magic squares.

5...Ka7

If Black had played 5...Kc7 instead, White would have broken through with 6.Ka6.

6.Kc6 Kb8 7.Kb6 Ka8

Generated with ChessBase 8.0

8.Ka6!

White still has to be careful! With a b-pawn (or a g-pawn), White wants to drive the Black king out of the corner to avoid stalemate problems. For example, after 8.Kc7?! Ka7 9.b5 Ka8 10.b6?? Black is stalemated! (White can, however, still win if he sees the danger in time and brings his king around to a6: 10.Kb6! Kb8 11.Ka6 and White will win as in the main line.)

8...Kb8 9.b5 Ka8 10.b6 Kb8 11.b7 Kc7 12.Ka7 Kc6 13.b8Q and checkmate will soon follow!

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