It's been a little while since we searched our admittedly disordered and dusty library for a Tom Wiswell gem, and we've frankly missed the pleasure and enjoyment that his problems infallibly deliver. Finally, this week we did a little reorganizing of our offices, and we happily came across a fine (and long-overdue) example of Mr. Wiswell's incomparable art.

Here, then, is a situation which is based on actual play.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:WK21,28,31:B4,19,K32.

The title of our article, which is congruent with Mr. Wiswell's title for the problem, is a pretty obvious hint. But nonetheless, the problem isn't necessarily all that easy.

Spend a little time trying to stack up the solution, but if your mental processes are blocked, clicking on Read More will cause the answers to tumble into your lap.

Solution

Here is the solution as published some time ago by Tom Wiswell, as expressed in Tom's own words.

21-25---A 4-8 25-30 8-11 30-26 11-16---B 28-24----C 19-28 26-23 16-20---D 31-27---E. White Wins.

A--- 21-17 19-23 17-14 4-8 14-10 8-11 etc., only draws. It is knowing the right king move to make in the ending that will often determine the outcome of a long hard game.

B---11-15 is no better.

C---The pitch is necessary as 26-30 19-23 31-27 23-26 30-23 16-20 28-24 32-28 24-19 28-24 draws.

D---Of course, if 31-27 23-32 etc., White wins.

E---Over and over again I must stress the point that these endings actually arise in crossboard play--- as this one did at the Chess and Checker Club of New York.