Our feature problem today is another elegant Tom Wiswell offering, one in which a good start is essential. Let's get right down to business:

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:W12,15,16,25,30,32:B3,7,9,14,18,24.

A quick review of the position shows that, while a White win is anything but obvious, there are two likely-looking moves for White to play. Yet, as you might expect, only one of them will work.... but which one? Getting a good start here is vital!

Can you find the correct move for White, and the follow-up that will carry the day? We'd rate this one as "not so easy" but certainly solvable--- with a good start.

Work out your line of play, but don't worry; clicking on Read More will start you on your way to the finish line with the solution and some helpful notes.

Solution

15-11---A, 7-10, 11-7, 24-27---i, 32-23, 18-27, 7-2, 10-15, 2-6, 9-13, 25-22---ii, 14-17---B, 6-10, 17-26, 30-23---iii, 15-19, 10-15, 19-26, 12-8, 3-19, 15-22---C. White Wins.

A---You would think that 15-10 would be just as good, but it isn't: 15-10, 24-27, 32-23, 18-27, 10-6, 7-11, 16-7, 3-10, 6-2, 10-15, 2-6, 9-13, 25-22, 14-18, 6-10, 18-25, 10-19, 25-29, etc. Drawn. A good start is essential!

B---14-18 also leads to interesting play: 14-18, 6-10, 18-25, 10-19, 25-29, 12-8, 3-12, 19-15, 12-19, 15-31, 13-17, 31-26, 17-21, 26-22 and Black is trapped. White Wins.

C---As published by Tom Wiswell from actual play. A very neat and practical win, but one that we'll bet took considerable over the board playing skill to find.

i---Black could try something different, but to no avail: 10-15, 7-2, 9-13, 2-6 13-17, 6-10, 15-19, 10-15, 17-22, 25-21, 3-7, 12-8, 18-23, 15-18 and it's all over. White Wins.

ii---Certainly not 6-10, 15-19, 10-17, 13-29 Black Wins!

iii---Taking the alternate jump with 10-19 only draws: 10-19, 26-31. Drawn.