Our fifth and latest from Benko is a fairly complicated endgame. Most won’t be able to solve it. Just do your best, write down your analysis, and when we present the answer you’ll get a lot of enjoyment by comparing your thoughts to Benko’s.

WHITE MOVES AND WINS

Sakkelet 1986. 1st prize.
1.c4+ This check is necessary. The position is drawn after 1.Rh4? Nb2! (1...c4? 2.Rh5+ Ke4 3.Kd6) 2.Kd7 c4 3.Rh5+ (3.Kc7? Na4! 4.Rh3 Nxc3 is easy for Black) 3...Ke4 4.Kc6 Nd1! (there’s no hope with 4...Na4?) 5.Rh4+ (5.Rh3 Kf5!, but not 5...Nxc3?) 5...Kd3! 6.Rd4+ Kxc3! =. 1...Ke5 This move places authentic obstacles in White’s winning path. On 1...Kc6, White will eventually squeeze out the Black King by 2.Rf6+ Kc7 3.Ke6 Kc6 4.Rf8. 2.Rg4!! White must drop a tempo horizontally along a rank. Also, he must exercise considerable care because it’s easy to go wrong with 2.Rh4? Nb2 3.Kd7 Nxc4 4.Rxc4 Kd5 5.Rc2! c4 6.Rc1!. This appears to be a straightforward win using the Reti maneuver, but Black has a surprise defense after 2.Rh4? via 2...Ne1!! 3.Rh1 (Better than 3.Kd7 Nf3 4.Rg4 Kf5, when the threat of ...Ne5+ leads to an easy draw.) 3...Ng2!, and Black holds the position. On the other hand, Black would still lose after 3...Nf3? 4.Rd1, or with 3...Nd3? 4.Rh5+ Kd4 5.Rh4+ Kc3 6.Kd6. 2...Nb2 3.Rh4! 3.Kd7 Kf5 4.Rh4 Kg5 =. 3...Nxc4 4.Rxc4 Kd5 5.Rc1! 5.Rc2? would not be good enough to win. 5...c4 6.Kd7 Kc5 7.Kc7, 1-0. We’ve reached a basic theoretical win.