Chess

This first-prize winning study by Leonid Kubbel features some splendidly rich play from remarkably few pieces. It is White to play and draw.

The h-pawn must have an important role to play, but 1.h7 is met by a discovered check, 1...c2+, the black pawn promotes first and Black wins comfortably. So let's begin 1.Bf2+ when 1...Kf1 allows mate with Bc4, so Black is forced to play 1...Kh1. At least now after 2.h7 White threatens to promote the pawn with check, but 2...c2+ is still a problem. None of 3.Kg4 Nf6+, or 3.Kf4 c1=Q+, or 3.Kh4 c1=Q 4.hxg8=Q 5.Qf4+ offers White any hope of salvation. More subtlety is needed, so play continues 3.Be3! Rxe3+ 4.Kf2. Now White threatens to mate by promoting the pawn on h8, so Black must continue 4...Rh3 but what now? After 5.hxg8=Q Black plays 5...Rh2+! then queens his pawn. White's queen then does not even have a single check. But if White cannot queen his pawn, how can he stay in the game?

The answer is surprising: 5.Bd5+! cxd5 (5...Kh2?? loses to 6.hxg8=Q) 6.hxg8=Q Rh2+ 7.Kf3 c1=Q 8.Qg2+!! Rxg2 with a draw by stalemate.