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From: larry@cca.UUCP (Laurence Schmitt)
Newsgroups: net.games.chess
Subject: Re: Problem
Message-ID: <4080@cca.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 10-Sep-85 14:23:53 EDT
Article-I.D.: cca.4080
Posted: Tue Sep 10 14:23:53 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 12-Sep-85 12:43:59 EDT
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Organization: Computer Corp. of America, Cambridge
Lines: 41

> 
>  
> White to move: Adjudicate!
> WK-c7
> WP-d5
> BK-d4
> BB-a7
> BB-a8
> 
> Submitted on behalf of A. J. Roycroft  [by Ken Thompson]
> (editor of EG magazine.)

Don't look further if you don't want my answer...











My analysis says it's a draw:

	1. d6	Kc5
	2. d7	Bb6+
	3. Kc8	Kc6
	4. d8=N+!

The key move.  If instead 4. d8=Q, Black wins with 4...Bb7+ 5. Kb8 B:d8.

I'm not sure what the general case is of 2 B's vs. a N (i.e., whether or not
there are any tricks for the weaker side to beware), but the given position 
is completely drawn because of the plight of the Black B on a8:

	Try 4...Kd6 5. Nb7+ Kc6 (or 5...K other 6. Kb8) 6. Kb8 and Black 
	either stalemates or loses his B.  Similarly 4...Kb8 5. Nb7 Ka6 6. Kb8!

						-Larry Schmitt