[Event "1st place (10.2 points) 10th WCCT"] [Site "?"] [Date "2016.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "(1) Martin Minski (Germany)"] [Black "?"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "1r6/8/7k/1N6/KR2R3/p4n1p/4p3/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "17"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] {"Interesting variations." (FIN) "Splendid. Multiple thematic tries, with the play in each differentiated from the others by clever tactics; multiple echoes too. This is a fine study in any context, but in this particular theme tournament it is outstanding, displaying the theme to maximum advantage. Rook studies tend to have difficult, if not obscure, supporting variations that are not to everyone's taste. However, one cannot but be impressed by the variety of play following the three moves of the black Kh6 in reply to 1 Re6+." (GBR) "The basic known matrix has been elaborated with multiple 'thematic' tries. The important and interesting one shows knight annihilation by white to open a line for his rook." (ISR) "In total 6 positions A/B with minor differences. White has two main defences against the promotion of the h-pawn: either by playing Rb8 threatening Rh8+, which only works if the BK is on the h-file (A5/ B5), but not too close to the 8th line (A1/B1) and if there is no WS on b5 (A3/ B3). The other defence is playing Rxg1+ followed by a knight fork. This only works if BK is at g5 (A2/B2 and A4/B4). As a bonus there are positions A6/B6 where White only draws the rook ending if the BK now is as far of fas possible. All this is accomplished by subtle checks (1.Re6+, 1... Kh7 2.Re7+), and a surprising sacrifice (3.Sa7!) in the 1...Kh5 main line, which turns out to be the thematic try in the 1...Kg5 main line. It takes some time to comprehend the study, but all lines are crystal clear. A thematic masterpiece." (NED).} 1. Re6+ $1 ({Thematic try:} 1. Rxe2 $2 Ra8+ ({or} 1... a2 2. Rxa2 Ra8+) 2. Na7 (2. Kb3 a2 3. Rxa2 Rxa2 4. Kxa2 h2 5. Rb1 Ng1 6. Nd4 h1=Q $19 {position B2}) 2... Rxa7+ 3. Kb3 a2 4. Rxa2 Rxa2 5. Kxa2 h2 6. Rb1 Ng1 {position B1} 7. Rb8 Kg7 ( 7... Kh7) 8. Rb7+ Kg6 9. Rb6+ Kg5 10. Rb5+ Kg4 11. Rb4+ Kg3 12. Rb3+ Kf2 13. Rb2+ Ne2 14. Rb1 Nc3+ $19) 1... Kh5 ({main} 1... Kg5 2. Rxe2 Ra8+ 3. Kb3 $1 ({ Thematic try:} 3. Na7 $2 Rxa7+ 4. Kb3 a2 5. Rxa2 Rxa2 6. Kxa2 h2 7. Rb1 Ng1 $19 {position B5}) 3... a2 4. Rxa2 Rxa2 5. Kxa2 (5. Nd4 $2 Rf2 $1 $19) 5... h2 6. Rb1 Ng1 7. Nd4 $1 h1=Q {position A2/A4} 8. Rxg1+ $1 Qxg1 9. Nf3+ $11) ({main} 1... Kh7 2. Re7+ $1 ({Thematic try:} 2. Rxe2 $2 Ra8+ (2... a2) 3. Kb3 a2 4. Rxa2 Rxa2 5. Nd4 Rf2 $1 6. Nxf3 Rxf3+ 7. Kc2 {position B6} Kg6 $19 (7... Kh6)) 2... Kh8 3. Rxe2 Ra8+ 4. Kb3 a2 5. Rxa2 Rxa2 6. Nd4 $1 Rf2 (6... h2 7. Nxf3 h1=Q 8. Rh4+ Qxh4 9. Nxh4 $11) 7. Nxf3 Rxf3+ 8. Kc2 $1 $11 {position A6}) 2. Rxe2 Ra8+ 3. Na7 $3 ({Thematic try:} 3. Kb3 $2 a2 4. Rxa2 Rxa2 5. Kxa2 h2 6. Rb1 Ng1 {position B3} 7. Nd4 h1=Q $19 {position B4}) 3... Rxa7+ 4. Kb3 a2 5. Rxa2 Rxa2 6. Kxa2 h2 7. Rb1 $1 (7. Rb8 $2 Kg4 $1 8. Rh8 Nh4 $19) 7... Ng1 {A1/ A3/A5} 8. Rb8 $1 Kg4 (8... Kg6 9. Rh8 $11) 9. Rg8+ (9. Rh8 $2 Nh3 $19) 1/2-1/2