As a aide to solving the question in my previous post, after 3 pages of analysis in 'TWMBCB' we reach the second diagram, where best play is 44.Kc5!. Now Black's only winning move is 44...Ke3! with a genuine zugzwang. (Tony Miles found this idea in the pre-computer 1970s!)

Solution to Monday's question: in the diagrammed position, 1.Kc3 loses (due to the zugzwang given yesterday), 1.Kb4 draws, barely - White played it and lost - and 1.a4 is the safest draw, albeit not trivial. 'The World's Most Boring Chess Book' explains why, in great detail.

Understandably, the publisher couldn't be bothered releasing this book until now; perfect for insomniacs and very serious students of difficult chess concepts.

RIP Boris Spassky In 1983 I played Spassky in Rd 1 of the Reggio Emilia GMT. After our game he learned that I was in Italy for the first time, alone. He took me under his wing and invited me to multiple dinners. He talked and I listened, to an endless supply of great stories.

From the Prague Open, my third 'Oops! I Resigned Again' example for 2025. GM Neuman, White, is staring at defeat: 43...Rxg2 wins and 43...Ra3 44.Qxc5 Rxg2 is also 0-1. However Greek GM Ioannidis went one better with 43...Qxf3!!??, and Neuman resigned, instead of winning with...

Researching the 1988 Wellington GMT, I learned that before facing Susan Polgar , Soviet GM Gufeld approached the organiser saying: "I am a man, she is a woman. What will they say in Moscow if I lose or draw? Therefore I shall not play her." He was told to play or pack his bags.

Yesterday's launch of The Chess Career of Markus Wettstein coincided with Wettstein's 80th birthday party. The problem composer and player emigrated to Sydney from Zürich with his wife (and Swiss Olympian) Carla - 3 times! The cover is a mate in 4, the first with the Belén theme.

Contrary to media reports, but according to an official of the Afghan Chess Fed.: "Unlike sports like MMA, which were completely banned, chess has not been outlawed but placed under temporary suspension while religious and administrative reviews are ongoing." 1/2

The official said that the Afghan Chess Federation has also been suspended for various reasons including mismanagement, disputes over leadership and legitimacy. "As a result, the ACF has had no effective activity inside Afghanistan for the past 2 years." 2/2

At least the 'Afghanistan Bans Chess' story has a bit more basis in fact than the 'Saudi Arabia Bans Chess' story in 2016 which was completely false yet was published around the world. See gardinerchess.com.au/saudi-arabia-a… for details of that total media fail.

A wonderful Oops! I Resigned Again! example from yesterday's second round of the Sharjah Open. After Iranian GM Pouya Idani's last move, 69...Kc3-d3, Portuguese GM Jorge Ferreira decided that he could not save his f pawns and resigned. 1/2

Rather than resign, Ferreira missed an incredible way to save the game with 70.Kxh3!! Rh1+ 71.Kg2 a1Q and now, despite the WK being stalemated, White must take great care, i.e, 72.Rd8+ Kc4 73.Rc8+ Kd5 74.Rd8+ Ke6 75.Rd6+!, but not 75.Re8+? Kf7 76.Rf8+ Kg6 77.Rg8+ Kh7!, etc. 2/2

Stoked to announce the release of my practical endgame guide, introducing concepts such as the Hyperactive King, the Tricky Knight, and the 'Hanging on to the Back of the Pawn' Defence.

The cover photo was taken by Cathy Rogers at Featherdale Wildlife Park, a Sydney institution for more than 50 years. The kangaroos lacked concentration - this guy tried moving Black's b6 bishop when the task was very obviously White to play and draw.

Another pic from Cathy's kangaroo photoshoot, one which remained hidden for some time as the player behind the black pieces was about to reveal that Alex Wohl's anti-Sicilian system (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Bg5) could be well met by 4...Qa5+.

A scene from the first World Underwater Championship in 1996, played at the bottom of the sea at Amédée Reef in New Caledonia with tropical fish and (small) sharks as spectators. Title shared after 1 win each versus GM Evgeny Solozhenkin. #FreestyleChess