5

Today's daily puzzle on chess.com is called Desperation Draw:

White to move

[FEN "r5k1/P4ppp/8/8/p1p1P3/4KP2/2P3PP/5R2 w - - 0 1"]

1. Rb1 Rf8 2. Rb8  *

One of the commentators asked:

What draw?

I agree with this. I think this is a simple win for white who threatens to promote soon when black has no counter play, e.g. 2...a3 3. Rxf8+ Kxf8 4. a8Q+ Ke7 5. Qxa3.

My question is, am I missing the draw in the position above?

1
  • Stockfish evaluates the final position as +67.5, after 2. ... a3 it is mate in 7.
    – 11684
    Apr 5, 2017 at 13:06

1 Answer 1

3

No, you are not.

It's an easy win for white as far as I can see.

1
  • 1
    After solving the puzzle, I had the same thought: I didn't like the title (unless misdirection was part of the fun). Then I wondered if it had to do with a different definition of draw than the chess definition - say, an American football play, or some such. Then I decided I didn't care enough to do research. :)
    – Ghotir
    Apr 5, 2017 at 14:02

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