In the following position, black has just played Ka8-b7. He summons the arbiter, and states “I am claiming a draw, on the grounds that this position is a theoretical draw.”
The conversation continues, as follows:
Arbiter: “There is no rule allowing you to claim a draw on the grounds that the position is a theoretical draw.”
Black: “But it’s an easy draw. I just keep moving my king back and forth between b7 and a8. There is no way my opponent can make progress.”
White: “On the contrary, I have a forced win. As soon as the arbiter rules your claim invalid, I shall demonstrate.”
White is aware that black has a reputation as a troublemaker, who has been known to hide and hold onto the opponent’s captured pieces, in an effort to make it physically difficult for the opponent to promote a pawn. Accordingly, during the last few moves, white has carefully gathered up a white queen, a white rook, a white bishop, and a white knight, and has been meticulously guarding these pieces on her own side of the board so that her disreputable opponent will not be able to play keep-away.
White is also aware that this tournament is FIDE-rated, and that FIDE has strict rules regarding promotion. For example, a player cannot use an upside-down rook as a queen. An upside-down rook is still a rook, even if the player announces “queen” when promoting. Also, a pawn left as a pawn after promoting on the eighth rank can draw a penalty, and is always a queen, even if the player announces “rook” or “knight” when promoting.
White wants to do as much as possible to respect the rights of other players on nearby boards. Specifically, she wants to win the game as quickly as possible without giving her opponent any reasonable opportunity for questionable or disruptive behavior.
To achieve these goals, what is white’s best move in the diagrammed position? Why? And what are the most likely subsequent moves?
Bill Smythe