Is Qe5+ a win?

[Howard E]

8/6B1/8/3q4/6PK/6QP/p3k3/1b6 w - - bm Qe5+; [d]

Just happened to be watching a home tournament game when this position arose. My fascination with computer chess was watching positions that occured in computer engine play that a human would play that may elude a program. This position may be one.

Would not most of us not simply play Qe5? Anyway, with todays fast machines and enhanced software (Rybka for example to me is magical) I'm not sure that this is a win but my gut tells me it is. What do your fav engines play here ?

[Howard E]

8/6B1/8/3q4/6PK/6QP/p3k3/1b6 w - - bm Qe5+;[d]

diagram fix

[Howard E]

[d] 8/6B1/8/3q4/6PK/6QP/p3k3/1b6 w - - bm Qe5+;

Sorry, it's been awhile. I might need help with getting the diagram to post.

[zullil]

[d] 8/6B1/8/3q4/6PK/6QP/p3k3/1b6 w - - bm Qe5+;

Seems like Qe5+ leads to a draw, since the Black king and bishop together can eliminate the White pawns. The king attacks the pawns from behind while the bishop contains their advance.

But I'm hardly an expert.

[PauloSoare]

[d] 8/6B1/8/3q4/6PK/6QP/p3k3/1b6 w - - bm Qe5+;

Sorry, it's been awhile. I might need help with getting the diagram to post.

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2009.03.01"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/6B1/8/3q4/6PK/6QP/p3k3/1b6 w - -"]

1. Qe5+ Qxe5 2. Bxe5 Kf3 3. Kg5 {!} Ke4 4. Bb2 Kd5
5. h4 Ke6 6. Kh6 Kf7 7. g5

And there is no way to avoid the promotion, Howard.
I tried another idea, keeping the black king behind the white pawns,
but white win.

[P. Villanueva]

After 1. Qe5+ Qxe5 2. Bxe5 Kf3 3. Kg5 Crafty plays Bd3
and after 4. h4 Bc4 5. h5 Bb3 it seems that white can not bring its pawns to 8th rank

depth=21 1/15 +0.32 3. ... Bd3 4. h4 Bc4 5. h5 Bb3 6. Ba1 Kg3 7. Bd4 Bg8 8. Be5+ Kf3 9. Bf6 Bb3 10. h6 Bg8 11. Kh5 Kf4 <HT>
Nodes: 515771451 NPS: 1348880
Time: 00:06:22.37

[Dirt]

After 1. Qe5+ Qxe5 2. Bxe5 Kf3 3. Kg5 Crafty plays Bd3
and after 4. h4 Bc4 5. h5 Bb3 it seems that white can not bring its pawns to 8th rank

depth=21 1/15 +0.32 3. ... Bd3 4. h4 Bc4 5. h5 Bb3 6. Ba1 Kg3 7. Bd4 Bg8 8. Be5+ Kf3 9. Bf6 Bb3 10. h6 Bg8 11. Kh5 Kf4 <HT>
Nodes: 515771451 NPS: 1348880
Time: 00:06:22.37

Stockfish instead choses 6. h6 Bg8 7. Kf6 Kxg4 8. Kg7 Kg5 9. Bc3 Bd5 10. h7 Kf4 11. h8=Q

[P. Villanueva]

You're right, 6. h6 is a winnig move.
I should try a longer analysis.

[Jack Lad]

8/6B1/8/3q4/6PK/6QP/p3k3/1b6 w - - bm Qe5+; [d]

Just happened to be watching a home tournament game when this position arose. My fascination with computer chess was watching positions that occured in computer engine play that a human would play that may elude a program. This position may be one.

Would not most of us not simply play Qe5? Anyway, with todays fast machines and enhanced software (Rybka for example to me is magical) I'm not sure that this is a win but my gut tells me it is. What do your fav engines play here ?

IMO Qe5+! wins. However Fruit does not play it and settles for a draw instead.

[Terry McCracken]

8/6B1/8/3q4/6PK/6QP/p3k3/1b6 w - - bm Qe5+; [d]

Just happened to be watching a home tournament game when this position arose. My fascination with computer chess was watching positions that occured in computer engine play that a human would play that may elude a program. This position may be one.

Would not most of us not simply play Qe5? Anyway, with todays fast machines and enhanced software (Rybka for example to me is magical) I'm not sure that this is a win but my gut tells me it is. What do your fav engines play here ?

IMO Qe5+! wins. However Fruit does not play it and settles for a draw instead.

Computers are weak in these type of endings. Proof that they're still lacking and aren't grandmaster strength in areas of the game. There are many holes yet to plug.