A Stephen Witherington 'Endgame Enigma' Study 2024: White To Play & ?

[@assussin0]

Hey this chess board look so unique

[@stephenwitherington879]

It was certainly unique around the mid-19th century when created. With tournament chess beginning with London 1851, players would travel to far wider venues & needed a means of analysing while on the move. The travel/pocket set was particularly prevalent with such as Alekhine & then Fischer. Less so now than formerly due to technology. However, my original intention was to keep such antiques alive & emphasise they still have a role in the modern world. I feel I have succeeded, & replies like yours continue to convince me that this is so. Many thanks & keep watching for more 🙏.

[@stephenwitherington879]

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT VIEWED IN FULL THIS VIDEO, & DON'T YET WANT TO SEE THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS, LOOK AWAY NOW! After the first 4 moves for White & 3 moves for Black, instead of repeating moves to avoid stalemate (4....Kf1 or Kf3; 5.Bg1 Ke2; 6.Bf2 etc.): (A) 4....Kd1; 5.Kg1! (not 5.Bg1?[as indicated at the end of the video] because of 5....Kc2 & Black is able to mop up White's Q-side pawns & should then win) Kc2 (5....Kd2; 6.Kf1!); 6.Be1 Kb3; 7.Ba5 Kc4 or Ka4; 8.Bc7 Kb5 (forced); 9.Bb8! Kc6 (9....Ka6; 10.Ba7 Ka7; 11.c7 Kb7; 12.c8=Q+ Kc8; 13.Kf2 Kc7; 14.Ke2 Kc6; 15.Kd2 Kb5; 16.Kc3 Ka4; 17.Kc2 Kb4; 18.Kb2 Kc4; 19.Kc2! draw); 10.Ba7 Kb5; 11.Kf2 Ka6; 12.Bc5 draw; (B) 4....Kd3 (4....Kf3 could also be dealt with by means of this line [instead of repeating moves with 5.Bg1]); 5.Be1! Ke3 (5....Kc4; 6.Ba5 & transposes into variation (A)); 6.Ba5 Kd4; 7.Bc7 Kc5 (forced, for if 7....e3; 8.Bb8! e2 [8....Kc5; 9.c7! wins] 9.Ba7+ Kc4; 10.Bf2 wins); 8.Bb8 Kc6 (8....Kb6? 9.c7 wins); 9.Ba7 Kb5; 10.Kg1! Ka6; 11.Bd4! Kb5; 12.Kf2 Kc4; 13.Ke3 draw. In the final analysis, although White is somewhat fortunate to draw this position, White does oh so well to draw this given he is totally unable to initially stop Black's c-pawn promotion. Incredible!