An absolutely brilliant study!

[acase]

Most modern engines can solve this (some will take much longer than others), but that isn't the point here. The point is the beauty of the study and the Novotny theme on the very first move, a Novotny tactic is interference on steroids, the theme involves sacrificing a piece on a square where it can be captured by two enemy pieces but if either of them captures it interferes with the other piece. A Novotny is rare in over the board play, but they have happened before usually resulting in the resignation of the opponent shortly after the move.


This study was a collaboration between 2 of the best study composers in the business
Here is the Study:

White to move and mate in 12
[pgn][Event "Timman-70 JT"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021"]
[Round ""]
[White "Pervakov=O Stavrietsky=A"]
[Black "1.sp.p"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4k2r/3Rp1p1/1Kp1P3/Pp1P2b1/4R3/P4P2/1p4q1/1Q5r w k - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[EventDate "2021"][/pgn]

If you want the solution just let your engine figure it out.

[chrisw]

Most modern engines can solve this (some will take much longer than others), but that isn't the point here. The point is the beauty of the study and the Novotny theme on the very first move, a Novotny tactic is interference on steroids, the theme involves sacrificing a piece on a square where it can be captured by two enemy pieces but if either of them captures it interferes with the other piece. A Novotny is rare in over the board play, but they have happened before usually resulting in the resignation of the opponent shortly after the move.


This study was a collaboration between 2 of the best study composers in the business
Here is the Study:

White to move and mate in 12
[pgn][Event "Timman-70 JT"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021"]
[Round ""]
[White "Pervakov=O Stavrietsky=A"]
[Black "1.sp.p"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4k2r/3Rp1p1/1Kp1P3/Pp1P2b1/4R3/P4P2/1p4q1/1Q5r w k - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[EventDate "2021"][/pgn]

If you want the solution just let your engine figure it out.

Off the top of my head, no computer, I imagine Rh4 threatening Qg6 mating, or Qh7# if O-O. The continual threat of Kc7 and Rd8# helps everything.
If B moves Qf5 prevents O-O etc. Sacrficial q counter checks don't help I think.

Of course the engine abusers won't have thought of O-O, which is the point, I suppose? Quite amusing.

[Chessqueen]

Most modern engines can solve this (some will take much longer than others), but that isn't the point here. The point is the beauty of the study and the Novotny theme on the very first move, a Novotny tactic is interference on steroids, the theme involves sacrificing a piece on a square where it can be captured by two enemy pieces but if either of them captures it interferes with the other piece. A Novotny is rare in over the board play, but they have happened before usually resulting in the resignation of the opponent shortly after the move.


This study was a collaboration between 2 of the best study composers in the business
Here is the Study:

White to move and mate in 12
[pgn][Event "Timman-70 JT"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021"]
[Round ""]
[White "Pervakov=O Stavrietsky=A"]
[Black "1.sp.p"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4k2r/3Rp1p1/1Kp1P3/Pp1P2b1/4R3/P4P2/1p4q1/1Q5r w k - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[EventDate "2021"][/pgn]

If you want the solution just let your engine figure it out.

Off the top of my head, no computer, I imagine Rh4 threatening Qg6 mating, or Qh7# if O-O. The continual threat of Kc7 and Rd8# helps everything.
If B moves Qf5 prevents O-O etc. Sacrficial q counter checks don't help I think.

FEN: 4k2r/3Rp1p1/1Kp1P3/Pp1P2b1/4R3/P4P2/1p4q1/1Q5r w k - 0 1

Crystal.4.0.x64.avx2:
NNUE evaluation using nn-ac07bd334b62.nnue enabled
1/1 00:00 1k 727k -3.36 Qb1-a2 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-a6 b2-b1Q Qa2xb1 Qg1xb1
2/2 00:00 2k 654k -3.36 Qb1-a2 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-a6 b2-b1Q Qa2xb1 Qg1xb1
3/3 00:00 2k 826k -3.36 Qb1-a2 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-a6 b2-b1Q Qa2xb1 Qg1xb1
4/4 00:00 6k 1,574k -2.21 Re4-e1 Bg5-e3+ Kb6-b7 Rh1xe1 Qb1xe1
5/5 00:00 12k 2,425k -1.26 Re4-e2 Bg5-e3+ Kb6-b7 Rh1xb1 Re2xg2 c6xd5
6/6 00:00 14k 2,881k -1.26 Re4-e2 Bg5-e3+ Kb6-b7 Rh1xb1 Re2xg2 c6xd5
7/7 00:00 21k 2,952k -1.36 Re4-e2 Rh1xb1 Re2xg2 c6xd5 Kb6-b7 Rb1-e1 Rg2xb2
8/8 00:00 30k 3,367k -1.75 Re4-e2 Rh1xb1 Re2xg2 c6xd5 Rg2xg5 Rb1-e1 Kb6-b7 b2-b1Q
9/14 00:00 78k 3,533k -2.02 Re4-e1 Bg5-f6 Kb6-c7 Bf6-e5+ Kc7-b7 Rh1xe1 Qb1xe1 b5-b4 Qe1xe5 O-O d5-d6 b4xa3
10/13 00:00 176k 3,446k -0.23 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 d5xc6 O-O a5-a6 Rh6-h2 Kb6-b7 Qg2xf3 a6-a7 Qf3xa3
11/20 00:00 1,004k 3,060k -1.32 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 d5xc6 O-O Kb6-b7 Bg5-f4 Qb1-d3 Rf8-b8+ Kb7-a6 Rh6-h1 Re1-e2 Qg2xe2 Qd3xe2 b2-b1Q Rd7xe7 Rb8-a8+ Ka6-b7 Ra8xa5 Re7-e8+ Kg8-h7
12/22 00:00 1,273k 3,069k -1.33 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 a5-a6 O-O d5-d6 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-b7 b5-b4 a3-a4 Qf2xf3 Qb1xb2 c6-c5+ Kb7-c7 Qf3-a8 Kc7-b6
13/26 00:00 2,624k 3,293k -1.51 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 d5xc6 O-O Kb6-b7 Bg5-f4 Re1-d1 Qg2xf3 Rd7-d8 Rh6xe6 Rd8xf8+ Kg8xf8 Qb1-f5+ Re6-f6 Qf5-c2 Kf8-f7
14/27 00:01 4,853k 3,430k -1.72 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 d5-d6 O-O d6xe7 Rf8-e8 a5-a6 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-b7 Bg5xe7 a6-a7 Qf2xf3 Qb1-d3 Qf3xd3 Rd7xd3 b5-b4 a3xb4 Be7xb4 Re1-b1 Rh6xe6 Rb1xb2 c6-c5 a7-a8Q
15/30 00:02 8,164k 3,388k -1.73 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 a5-a6 O-O d5-d6 Bg5-f4 a6-a7 Bf4xd6 Rd7xd6 e7xd6 e6-e7 Rf8-e8 a7-a8Q Re8xa8 e7-e8R+ Ra8xe8 Re1xe8+ Kg8-f7 Re8-c8 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-a6 Rh6-h5 Qb1-e4 b2-b1Q Qe4xb1 Qf2xf3 Qb1-a2+ d6-d5
16/32 00:02 8,769k 3,390k -1.71 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 a5-a6 O-O d5-d6 Bg5-f4 a6-a7 Bf4xd6 Rd7xd6 e7xd6 e6-e7 Rf8-e8 a7-a8Q Re8xa8 e7-e8R+ Ra8xe8 Re1xe8+ Kg8-f7
17/33- 00:03 10,263k 3,395k -1.76 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6
17/33- 00:03 10,931k 3,426k -1.82 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6
17/33- 00:03 12,186k 3,446k -1.90 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6
17/40+ 00:03 12,350k 3,430k -1.83 Re4-e1
17/40+ 00:03 12,427k 3,422k -1.68 Re4-e1
17/45 00:04 14,215k 3,392k -1.84 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 Qb1-f5 Rh6-f6 Rd7xe7+ Ke8xe7 d5-d6+ Ke7-f8 e6-e7+ Kf8-f7 Qf5-d7 Kf7-g6 e7-e8Q+ Rh8xe8 Qd7xe8+ Kg6-h7 Qe8-e4+ Kh7-g8 d6-d7 Rf6-f7 Qe4-e8+ Rf7-f8 a5-a6 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-b7 Qf2xf3 Qe8-e6+ Kg8-h7 a6-a7 c6-c5+ Kb7-a6 Rf8-a8 a3-a4 b5xa4 Re1-g1 Qf3-d3+ Ka6-b7
18/41+ 00:04 14,907k 3,394k -1.88 Re4-e1
18/41+ 00:04 15,357k 3,387k -1.82 Re4-e1
18/44+ 00:05 17,561k 3,355k -0.48 Re4-e1
18/44 00:05 18,139k 3,349k -0.65 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 Qb1-f5 Rh6-f6 Qf5-h7 Rh8xh7 Rd7-c7 Rf6xe6 d5xe6 Qg2-d2 Rc7-c8+ Qd2-d8+ Rc8xd8+ Ke8xd8 Kb6-b7 Kd8-e8 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 a6-a7 Rh4-a4 Re1-h1 Bg5-h6 Kb7-b8 Ke8-f8
19/34- 00:05 19,499k 3,357k -0.69 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6
19/34+ 00:05 19,946k 3,353k -0.65 Re4-e1
19/44+ 00:06 22,520k 3,357k -0.37 Re4-e1
19/44 00:06 22,941k 3,364k -0.44 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 Qb1-f5 Rh6-f6 Qf5-h7 Rh8xh7 Rd7-c7 Rf6xe6 d5xe6 Qg2-d2 Rc7-c8+ Qd2-d8+ Rc8xd8+ Ke8xd8 Kb6-b7 Kd8-e8 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 f3-f4 Rh4xf4 Re1-h1 Bg5-h6 Rh1-b1 Rf4-a4 Rb1xb2 Ra4xa3 a6-a7 Bh6-e3 a7-a8R+ Ra3xa8 Kb7xa8 g7-g5 Rb2-b3
20/41- 00:07 24,041k 3,360k -0.27 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6
20/46+ 00:07 25,052k 3,364k -0.23 Re4-e1
20/51+ 00:07 26,245k 3,370k -0.17 Re4-e1
20/51 00:07 26,698k 3,371k -0.23 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 Qb1-f5 Rh6-f6 Qf5-h7 Rh8xh7 Rd7-c7 Rf6xe6 d5xe6 Qg2-d2 Rc7-c8+ Qd2-d8+ Rc8xd8+ Ke8xd8 Kb6-b7 Kd8-e8 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 f3-f4 Rh4xf4 Re1-h1 Bg5-h6 Rh1-b1 Rf4-a4 Rb1xb2 Ra4xa3 a6-a7 Ke8-d8 Rb2-b3 Ra3xa7+ Kb7xa7 Kd8-c7 Rb3-d3 c6-c5 Rd3-d7+ Kc7-c6 Rd7xe7 Kc6-d6 Re7-b7 Kd6xe6 Ka7-b6
21/44+ 00:08 29,277k 3,376k -0.12 Re4-h4
21/44+ 00:08 29,667k 3,364k -0.03 Re4-h4
21/44+ 00:41 143,612k 3,459k +M55 Re4-h4
21/44 00:51 187,096k 3,668k +M12 Re4-h4 Bg5xh4 Qb1-h7 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-b7 Qg1-a7+ Kb7xa7 Bh4-f2+ Ka7-b7 Rh1xh7 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Bf2-g3 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 f3-f4 Bg3xf4 a6-a7 Bf4-c7 a7-a8Q+ Bc7-b8 Qa8xb8+
22/23 00:58 220,936k 3,806k +M12 Re4-h4 Bg5xh4 Qb1-h7 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-b7 Qg1-a7+ Kb7xa7 Bh4-f2+ Ka7-b7 Rh1xh7 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Bf2-g3 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 f3-f4 Bg3xf4 a6-a7 Bf4-c7 a7-a8Q+ Bc7-b8 Qa8xb8+
23/33 01:08 270,326k 3,937k +M12 Re4-h4 Bg5xh4 Qb1-h7 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-b7 Qg1-a7+ Kb7xa7 Bh4-f2+ Ka7-b7 Rh1xh7 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Bf2-g3 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 f3-f4 Bg3xf4 a6-a7 Bf4-c7 a7-a8Q+ Bc7-b8 Qa8xb8+
24/33 01:19 321,741k 4,022k +M12 Re4-h4 Bg5xh4 Qb1-h7 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-b7 Qg1-a7+ Kb7xa7 Bh4-f2+ Ka7-b7 Rh1xh7 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Bf2-g3 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 f3-f4 Bg3xf4 a6-a7 b2-b1Q a7-a8Q+ Bf4-b8 Qa8xb8+
25/36 01:33 382,776k 4,093k +M12 Re4-h4 Bg5xh4 Qb1-h7 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-b7 Qg1-a7+ Kb7xa7 Bh4-f2+ Ka7-b7 Rh1xh7 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Bf2-g3 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 f3-f4 Bg3xf4 a6-a7 b2-b1Q a7-a8Q+ Bf4-b8 Qa8xb8+
26/30 01:51 463,606k 4,146k +M12 Re4-h4 Bg5xh4 Qb1-h7 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-b7 Qg1-a7+ Kb7xa7 Bh4-f2+ Ka7-b7 Rh1xh7 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Bf2-g3 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 f3-f4 Bg3xf4 a6-a7 b2-b1Q a7-a8Q+ Bf4-b8 Qa8xb8+
27/30 02:12 553,274k 4,189k +M12 Re4-h4 Bg5xh4 Qb1-h7 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-b7 Qg1-a7+ Kb7xa7 Bh4-f2+ Ka7-b7 Rh1xh7 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Bf2-g3 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 f3-f4 Bg3xf4 a6-a7 b2-b1Q a7-a8Q+ Bf4-b8 Qa8xb8+

[Chessqueen]

Huntsman see Mate in a Second

FEN: 4k2r/3Rp1p1/1Kp1P3/Pp1P2b1/4R3/P4P2/1p4q1/1Q5r w k - 0 1

Huntsman:
classical evaluation enabled
1/1 00:00 430 430k +1.20 Re4-d4 Rh1xb1
2/2 00:00 815 815k +1.20 Re4-d4 Rh1xb1 d5xc6 Qg2xf3
3/3 00:00 2k 1,544k +1.20 Re4-d4 Rh1xb1 d5xc6 Qg2xf3
4/4 00:00 2k 2,337k +1.20 Re4-d4 Rh1xb1 d5xc6 Qg2xf3
5/5 00:00 14k 3,466k +0.25 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Bg5-e3+ Re4xe3 Rh1xb1
6/6 00:00 15k 3,695k +0.32 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-b7
7/8 00:00 25k 3,526k +0.78 Re4-h4 Bg5xh4 Qb1-f5 Bh4-f6 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 Qf5-f4 c6xd5
8/11 00:00 50k 3,838k +0.89 Re4-f4 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-b7 Qf2-b6+ a5xb6 Rh1xb1 Rd7-c7 c6xd5
9/12 00:00 143k 3,754k -0.03 Re4-f4 Bg5-f6 Rf4xf6 e7xf6 Rd7-f7 Rh1xb1 d5-d6 Qg2xf3 Rf7xg7
10/16 00:00 357k 4,062k -0.02 Re4-f4 Bg5-f6 Rf4xf6 e7xf6 d5-d6 Rh1xb1 Kb6-b7 O-O e6-e7 Rf8-b8+ Kb7-c7 Rb8-b7+ Kc7xb7
11/16 00:00 512k 4,097k -0.03 Re4-f4 Bg5-f6 Rf4xf6 e7xf6 d5-d6 O-O e6-e7 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-b7 Rh1xb1 e7xf8Q+ Kg8xf8 Rd7-d8+ Kf8-f7
12/11 00:00 553k 4,100k -0.10 Re4-f4 Bg5-f6 Rf4xf6 e7xf6 Kb6-b7 Rh1xb1 d5-d6 O-O e6-e7 Rf8-e8 Rd7-d8
13/19 00:00 1,171k 3,983k -0.13 Re4-e1 O-O Re1xh1 Bg5-h4 Kb6-b7 Qg2-g5 Rd7-c7 c6xd5 Rc7-c8 Rf8xc8 Kb7xc8 Qg5-f6 Kc8-b7 Qf6xe6 Rh1xh4 Qe6-d7+ Kb7-b6 e7-e5 Qb1-d3
14/19 00:00 1,391k 4,116k 0.00 Re4-e1 O-O Re1xh1 Bg5-h4 Kb6-b7 Qg2-g5 Rd7-c7 c6xd5 Qb1xb2 Qg5-f4 Rh1xh4 Qf4xh4 Qb2-e5 Qh4-c4 Rc7xc4 d5xc4
15/20 00:00 1,957k 4,272k 0.00 Re4-e1 O-O Re1xh1 Bg5-h4 Rd7xe7 Qg2-g3 Re7-c7 Rf8-b8+ Kb6xc6 Qg3-f4 Rh1xh4 Qf4xh4 Qb1-g6 Qh4-c4+ Kc6-d6 Qc4-f4+ Kd6-c6
16/23 00:00 2,764k 4,501k +0.87 Re4-h4 Bg5xh4 Qb1-h7 Rh8xh7 Rd7-c7 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-b7 Qf2-a7+ Kb7xa7 Bh4-f2+ Ka7-b7
17/18 00:00 3,224k 4,553k +1.76 Re4-h4 Qg2-g1+ Qb1xg1 O-O Rh4xh1 Bg5-e3+ Qg1xe3 Rf8-b8+ Kb6-a7 b2-b1Q Rh1xb1 Rb8-a8+ Ka7-b6 Ra8-a6+ Kb6xa6
18/20 00:00 4,333k 4,689k +3.67 Re4-h4 Qg2-g1+ Qb1xg1 O-O Rh4xh1 Bg5-e3+ Qg1xe3 b2-b1R Rh1xb1 c6xd5 Qe3-g5 Rf8-f6 Rd7-d8+ Rf6-f8
19/24 00:01 7,350k 5,097k +7.45 Re4-h4 Qg2-g1+ Qb1xg1 O-O Rh4xh1 Bg5-d2 Rd7xe7 Bd2-c3 Qg1-g6 b2-b1B Qg6xb1 Bc3xa5+ Kb6-b7
20/20 00:01 9,868k 5,470k +17.11 Re4-h4 Rh8-h6 Qb1-f5 Qg2xf3 Kb6-c7 Bg5-f4+ Rh4xf4
21/23 00:01 10,037k 5,485k +M12 Re4-h4 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-b7 Bg5xh4 Qb1-h7 Qg1-a7+ Kb7xa7 Bh4-f2+ Ka7-b7 Rh1xh7 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Bf2-g3 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 f3-f4 Bg3xf4 a6-a7 b2-b1R a7-a8Q+ Bf4-b8 Qa8xb8+
22/24 00:01 10,094k 5,495k +M12 Re4-h4 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-b7 Bg5xh4 Qb1-h7 Qg1-a7+ Kb7xa7 Bh4-f2+ Ka7-b7 Rh1xh7 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Bf2-g3 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 f3-f4 Bg3xf4 a6-a7 b2-b1R a7-a8Q+ Bf4-b8 Qa8xb8+

[acase]

Most modern engines can solve this (some will take much longer than others), but that isn't the point here. The point is the beauty of the study and the Novotny theme on the very first move, a Novotny tactic is interference on steroids, the theme involves sacrificing a piece on a square where it can be captured by two enemy pieces but if either of them captures it interferes with the other piece. A Novotny is rare in over the board play, but they have happened before usually resulting in the resignation of the opponent shortly after the move.


This study was a collaboration between 2 of the best study composers in the business
Here is the Study:

White to move and mate in 12
[pgn][Event "Timman-70 JT"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021"]
[Round ""]
[White "Pervakov=O Stavrietsky=A"]
[Black "1.sp.p"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4k2r/3Rp1p1/1Kp1P3/Pp1P2b1/4R3/P4P2/1p4q1/1Q5r w k - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[EventDate "2021"][/pgn]

If you want the solution just let your engine figure it out.

Off the top of my head, no computer, I imagine Rh4 threatening Qg6 mating, or Qh7# if O-O. The continual threat of Kc7 and Rd8# helps everything.
If B moves Qf5 prevents O-O etc. Sacrficial q counter checks don't help I think.

Of course the engine abusers won't have thought of O-O, which is the point, I suppose? Quite amusing.

Amusing indeed, in addition to the Rook's Novotny move it also acts as a clearance move so the Queen can infiltrate the position

[acase]

Huntsman see Mate in a Second

FEN: 4k2r/3Rp1p1/1Kp1P3/Pp1P2b1/4R3/P4P2/1p4q1/1Q5r w k - 0 1

Huntsman:
classical evaluation enabled
1/1 00:00 430 430k +1.20 Re4-d4 Rh1xb1
2/2 00:00 815 815k +1.20 Re4-d4 Rh1xb1 d5xc6 Qg2xf3
3/3 00:00 2k 1,544k +1.20 Re4-d4 Rh1xb1 d5xc6 Qg2xf3
4/4 00:00 2k 2,337k +1.20 Re4-d4 Rh1xb1 d5xc6 Qg2xf3
5/5 00:00 14k 3,466k +0.25 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Bg5-e3+ Re4xe3 Rh1xb1
6/6 00:00 15k 3,695k +0.32 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-b7
7/8 00:00 25k 3,526k +0.78 Re4-h4 Bg5xh4 Qb1-f5 Bh4-f6 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 Qf5-f4 c6xd5
8/11 00:00 50k 3,838k +0.89 Re4-f4 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-b7 Qf2-b6+ a5xb6 Rh1xb1 Rd7-c7 c6xd5
9/12 00:00 143k 3,754k -0.03 Re4-f4 Bg5-f6 Rf4xf6 e7xf6 Rd7-f7 Rh1xb1 d5-d6 Qg2xf3 Rf7xg7
10/16 00:00 357k 4,062k -0.02 Re4-f4 Bg5-f6 Rf4xf6 e7xf6 d5-d6 Rh1xb1 Kb6-b7 O-O e6-e7 Rf8-b8+ Kb7-c7 Rb8-b7+ Kc7xb7
11/16 00:00 512k 4,097k -0.03 Re4-f4 Bg5-f6 Rf4xf6 e7xf6 d5-d6 O-O e6-e7 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-b7 Rh1xb1 e7xf8Q+ Kg8xf8 Rd7-d8+ Kf8-f7
12/11 00:00 553k 4,100k -0.10 Re4-f4 Bg5-f6 Rf4xf6 e7xf6 Kb6-b7 Rh1xb1 d5-d6 O-O e6-e7 Rf8-e8 Rd7-d8
13/19 00:00 1,171k 3,983k -0.13 Re4-e1 O-O Re1xh1 Bg5-h4 Kb6-b7 Qg2-g5 Rd7-c7 c6xd5 Rc7-c8 Rf8xc8 Kb7xc8 Qg5-f6 Kc8-b7 Qf6xe6 Rh1xh4 Qe6-d7+ Kb7-b6 e7-e5 Qb1-d3
14/19 00:00 1,391k 4,116k 0.00 Re4-e1 O-O Re1xh1 Bg5-h4 Kb6-b7 Qg2-g5 Rd7-c7 c6xd5 Qb1xb2 Qg5-f4 Rh1xh4 Qf4xh4 Qb2-e5 Qh4-c4 Rc7xc4 d5xc4
15/20 00:00 1,957k 4,272k 0.00 Re4-e1 O-O Re1xh1 Bg5-h4 Rd7xe7 Qg2-g3 Re7-c7 Rf8-b8+ Kb6xc6 Qg3-f4 Rh1xh4 Qf4xh4 Qb1-g6 Qh4-c4+ Kc6-d6 Qc4-f4+ Kd6-c6
16/23 00:00 2,764k 4,501k +0.87 Re4-h4 Bg5xh4 Qb1-h7 Rh8xh7 Rd7-c7 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-b7 Qf2-a7+ Kb7xa7 Bh4-f2+ Ka7-b7
17/18 00:00 3,224k 4,553k +1.76 Re4-h4 Qg2-g1+ Qb1xg1 O-O Rh4xh1 Bg5-e3+ Qg1xe3 Rf8-b8+ Kb6-a7 b2-b1Q Rh1xb1 Rb8-a8+ Ka7-b6 Ra8-a6+ Kb6xa6
18/20 00:00 4,333k 4,689k +3.67 Re4-h4 Qg2-g1+ Qb1xg1 O-O Rh4xh1 Bg5-e3+ Qg1xe3 b2-b1R Rh1xb1 c6xd5 Qe3-g5 Rf8-f6 Rd7-d8+ Rf6-f8
19/24 00:01 7,350k 5,097k +7.45 Re4-h4 Qg2-g1+ Qb1xg1 O-O Rh4xh1 Bg5-d2 Rd7xe7 Bd2-c3 Qg1-g6 b2-b1B Qg6xb1 Bc3xa5+ Kb6-b7
20/20 00:01 9,868k 5,470k +17.11 Re4-h4 Rh8-h6 Qb1-f5 Qg2xf3 Kb6-c7 Bg5-f4+ Rh4xf4
21/23 00:01 10,037k 5,485k +M12 Re4-h4 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-b7 Bg5xh4 Qb1-h7 Qg1-a7+ Kb7xa7 Bh4-f2+ Ka7-b7 Rh1xh7 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Bf2-g3 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 f3-f4 Bg3xf4 a6-a7 b2-b1R a7-a8Q+ Bf4-b8 Qa8xb8+
22/24 00:01 10,094k 5,495k +M12 Re4-h4 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-b7 Bg5xh4 Qb1-h7 Qg1-a7+ Kb7xa7 Bh4-f2+ Ka7-b7 Rh1xh7 Rd7-d8+ Ke8xd8 d5xc6 Bf2-g3 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 f3-f4 Bg3xf4 a6-a7 b2-b1R a7-a8Q+ Bf4-b8 Qa8xb8+

Well as I said that wasn't the point, I already said most modern engines solve it, and yes I was aware that The Huntsman and Crystal "solved it quickly", but if you want one that neither of those engines (or any other engines for that matter) will solve then here you are:

white to play and win, Good luck Crystal and The Huntsman 1 .

[pgn][Event "Too Hard For Engines Study"]
[Site "WORKSTATION-PC"]
[Date "2023.03.22"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Too Hard"]
[Black "For Engines"]
[Result "*"]
[BlackElo "2000"]
[Time "19:40:17"]
[WhiteElo "2000"]
[TimeControl "0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/2p2p1p/3k1p2/pn6/PNp4p/r3Rp1P/2P2P2/BK6 w - - 0 1"]
[Termination "unterminated"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[WhiteType "program"]
[BlackType "human"][/pgn]

*

[chrisw]

Most modern engines can solve this (some will take much longer than others), but that isn't the point here. The point is the beauty of the study and the Novotny theme on the very first move, a Novotny tactic is interference on steroids, the theme involves sacrificing a piece on a square where it can be captured by two enemy pieces but if either of them captures it interferes with the other piece. A Novotny is rare in over the board play, but they have happened before usually resulting in the resignation of the opponent shortly after the move.


This study was a collaboration between 2 of the best study composers in the business
Here is the Study:

White to move and mate in 12
[pgn][Event "Timman-70 JT"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021"]
[Round ""]
[White "Pervakov=O Stavrietsky=A"]
[Black "1.sp.p"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4k2r/3Rp1p1/1Kp1P3/Pp1P2b1/4R3/P4P2/1p4q1/1Q5r w k - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[EventDate "2021"][/pgn]

If you want the solution just let your engine figure it out.

Off the top of my head, no computer, I imagine Rh4 threatening Qg6 mating, or Qh7# if O-O. The continual threat of Kc7 and Rd8# helps everything.
If B moves Qf5 prevents O-O etc. Sacrficial q counter checks don't help I think.

FEN: 4k2r/3Rp1p1/1Kp1P3/Pp1P2b1/4R3/P4P2/1p4q1/1Q5r w k - 0 1

Crystal.4.0.x64.avx2:
NNUE evaluation using nn-ac07bd334b62.nnue enabled
1/1 00:00 1k 727k -3.36 Qb1-a2 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-a6 b2-b1Q Qa2xb1 Qg1xb1
2/2 00:00 2k 654k -3.36 Qb1-a2 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-a6 b2-b1Q Qa2xb1 Qg1xb1


BLA BLA BLA BLA


3/3 00:00 2k 826k -3.36 Qb1-a2 Qg2-g1+ Kb6-a6 b2-b1Q Qa2xb1 Qg1xb1
4/4 00:00 6k 1,574k -2.21 Re4-e1 Bg5-e3+ Kb6-b7 Rh1xe1 Qb1xe1
5/5 00:00 12k 2,425k -1.26 Re4-e2 Bg5-e3+ Kb6-b7 Rh1xb1 Re2xg2 c6xd5
6/6 00:00 14k 2,881k -1.26 Re4-e2 Bg5-e3+ Kb6-b7 Rh1xb1 Re2xg2 c6xd5

BLA BLA BLA BLA


7/7 00:00 21k 2,952k -1.36 Re4-e2 Rh1xb1 Re2xg2 c6xd5 Kb6-b7 Rb1-e1 Rg2xb2
8/8 00:00 30k 3,367k -1.75 Re4-e2 Rh1xb1 Re2xg2 c6xd5 Rg2xg5 Rb1-e1 Kb6-b7 b2-b1Q
9/14 00:00 78k 3,533k -2.02 Re4-e1 Bg5-f6 Kb6-c7 Bf6-e5+ Kc7-b7 Rh1xe1 Qb1xe1 b5-b4 Qe1xe5 O-O d5-d6 b4xa3
10/13 00:00 176k 3,446k -0.23 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 d5xc6 O-O a5-a6 Rh6-h2 Kb6-b7 Qg2xf3 a6-a7 Qf3xa3
11/20 00:00 1,004k 3,060k -1.32 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 d5xc6 O-O Kb6-b7 Bg5-f4 Qb1-d3 Rf8-b8+ Kb7-a6 Rh6-h1 Re1-e2 Qg2xe2 Qd3xe2 b2-b1Q Rd7xe7 Rb8-a8+ Ka6-b7 Ra8xa5 Re7-e8+ Kg8-h7
12/22 00:00 1,273k 3,069k -1.33 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 a5-a6 O-O d5-d6 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-b7 b5-b4 a3-a4 Qf2xf3 Qb1xb2 c6-c5+ Kb7-c7 Qf3-a8 Kc7-b6


BLA BLA BLA BLA

13/26 00:00 2,624k 3,293k -1.51 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 d5xc6 O-O Kb6-b7 Bg5-f4 Re1-d1 Qg2xf3 Rd7-d8 Rh6xe6 Rd8xf8+ Kg8xf8 Qb1-f5+ Re6-f6 Qf5-c2 Kf8-f7
14/27 00:01 4,853k 3,430k -1.72 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 d5-d6 O-O d6xe7 Rf8-e8 a5-a6 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-b7 Bg5xe7 a6-a7 Qf2xf3 Qb1-d3 Qf3xd3 Rd7xd3 b5-b4 a3xb4 Be7xb4 Re1-b1 Rh6xe6 Rb1xb2 c6-c5 a7-a8Q
15/30 00:02 8,164k 3,388k -1.73 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 a5-a6 O-O d5-d6 Bg5-f4 a6-a7 Bf4xd6 Rd7xd6 e7xd6 e6-e7 Rf8-e8 a7-a8Q Re8xa8 e7-e8R+ Ra8xe8 Re1xe8+ Kg8-f7 Re8-c8 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-a6 Rh6-h5 Qb1-e4 b2-b1Q Qe4xb1 Qf2xf3 Qb1-a2+ d6-d5
16/32 00:02 8,769k 3,390k -1.71 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 a5-a6 O-O d5-d6 Bg5-f4 a6-a7 Bf4xd6 Rd7xd6 e7xd6 e6-e7 Rf8-e8 a7-a8Q Re8xa8 e7-e8R+ Ra8xe8 Re1xe8+ Kg8-f7
17/33- 00:03 10,263k 3,395k -1.76 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6
17/33- 00:03 10,931k 3,426k -1.82 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6
17/33- 00:03 12,186k 3,446k -1.90 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6
17/40+ 00:03 12,350k 3,430k -1.83 Re4-e1
17/40+ 00:03 12,427k 3,422k -1.68 Re4-e1
17/45 00:04 14,215k 3,392k -1.84 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 Qb1-f5 Rh6-f6 Rd7xe7+ Ke8xe7 d5-d6+ Ke7-f8 e6-e7+ Kf8-f7 Qf5-d7 Kf7-g6 e7-e8Q+ Rh8xe8 Qd7xe8+ Kg6-h7 Qe8-e4+ Kh7-g8 d6-d7 Rf6-f7 Qe4-e8+ Rf7-f8 a5-a6 Qg2-f2+ Kb6-b7 Qf2xf3 Qe8-e6+ Kg8-h7 a6-a7 c6-c5+ Kb7-a6 Rf8-a8 a3-a4 b5xa4 Re1-g1 Qf3-d3+ Ka6-b7
18/41+ 00:04 14,907k 3,394k -1.88 Re4-e1
18/41+ 00:04 15,357k 3,387k -1.82 Re4-e1
18/44+ 00:05 17,561k 3,355k -0.48 Re4-e1
18/44 00:05 18,139k 3,349k -0.65 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 Qb1-f5 Rh6-f6 Qf5-h7 Rh8xh7 Rd7-c7 Rf6xe6 d5xe6 Qg2-d2 Rc7-c8+ Qd2-d8+ Rc8xd8+ Ke8xd8 Kb6-b7 Kd8-e8 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 a6-a7 Rh4-a4 Re1-h1 Bg5-h6 Kb7-b8 Ke8-f8
19/34- 00:05 19,499k 3,357k -0.69 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6
19/34+ 00:05 19,946k 3,353k -0.65 Re4-e1
19/44+ 00:06 22,520k 3,357k -0.37 Re4-e1
19/44 00:06 22,941k 3,364k -0.44 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 Qb1-f5 Rh6-f6 Qf5-h7 Rh8xh7 Rd7-c7 Rf6xe6 d5xe6 Qg2-d2 Rc7-c8+ Qd2-d8+ Rc8xd8+ Ke8xd8 Kb6-b7 Kd8-e8 a5-a6 Rh7-h4 f3-f4 Rh4xf4 Re1-h1 Bg5-h6 Rh1-b1 Rf4-a4 Rb1xb2 Ra4xa3 a6-a7 Bh6-e3 a7-a8R+ Ra3xa8 Kb7xa8 g7-g5 Rb2-b3
20/41- 00:07 24,041k 3,360k -0.27 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6


BLA BLA BLA BLA


20/46+ 00:07 25,052k 3,364k -0.23 Re4-e1
20/51+ 00:07 26,245k 3,370k -0.17 Re4-e1
20/51 00:07 26,698k 3,371k -0.23 Re4-e1 Rh1-h6 Qb1-f5 Rh6-f6 Qf5-h7 Rh8xh7 Rd7-c7 Rf6xe6 d5xe6 Qg2-d2 Rc7-

BLA BLA BLA BLA

Who cares?

[Andre]

Well as I said that wasn't the point, I already said most modern engines solve it, and yes I was aware that The Huntsman and Crystal "solved it quickly", but if you want one that neither of those engines (or any other engines for that matter) will solve then here you are:

white to play and win, Good luck Crystal and The Huntsman 1 .

[pgn][Event "Too Hard For Engines Study"]
[Site "WORKSTATION-PC"]
[Date "2023.03.22"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Too Hard"]
[Black "For Engines"]
[Result "*"]
[BlackElo "2000"]
[Time "19:40:17"]
[WhiteElo "2000"]
[TimeControl "0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/2p2p1p/3k1p2/pn6/PNp4p/r3Rp1P/2P2P2/BK6 w - - 0 1"]
[Termination "unterminated"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[WhiteType "program"]
[BlackType "human"][/pgn]

*
[/quote]

It's hard for engines because this study is cooked.
1.Nd5 Rxa1+ (Instead of 1... Kxd5) 2. Kxa1 Nd4 3. Kb2 Kxd5 4. Re7 Ne6 5. Rxf7 Ng5 6. Rxf6 Ke5 7. Rh6 Nxh3 8. Rh5+ Ke6 9. Rxh4 Nxf2 10. Rf4 Nd1+ 11. Kc1 Nc3 12. Rxf3 Nxa4 13. Ra3 Nb6 14. Rxa5 Nd5

[acase]

Well as I said that wasn't the point, I already said most modern engines solve it, and yes I was aware that The Huntsman and Crystal "solved it quickly", but if you want one that neither of those engines (or any other engines for that matter) will solve then here you are:

white to play and win, Good luck Crystal and The Huntsman 1 .

[pgn][Event "Too Hard For Engines Study"]
[Site "WORKSTATION-PC"]
[Date "2023.03.22"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Too Hard"]
[Black "For Engines"]
[Result "*"]
[BlackElo "2000"]
[Time "19:40:17"]
[WhiteElo "2000"]
[TimeControl "0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/2p2p1p/3k1p2/pn6/PNp4p/r3Rp1P/2P2P2/BK6 w - - 0 1"]
[Termination "unterminated"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[WhiteType "program"]
[BlackType "human"][/pgn]

*

It's hard for engines because this study is cooked.
1.Nd5 Rxa1+ (Instead of 1... Kxd5) 2. Kxa1 Nd4 3. Kb2 Kxd5 4. Re7 Ne6 5. Rxf7 Ng5 6. Rxf6 Ke5 7. Rh6 Nxh3 8. Rh5+ Ke6 9. Rxh4 Nxf2 10. Rf4 Nd1+ 11. Kc1 Nc3 12. Rxf3 Nxa4 13. Ra3 Nb6 14. Rxa5 Nd5
[/quote]

Hello Andre,

I'm afraid you don't give the best move for white on move number 3 in your line, on the 3rd move you give 3.Kb2?, the correct move is 3.Nb4! and wins.

[Andre]

Agree, white has a big advantage and should eventually win but engines will rather play an inferior position an exchange down than a lost position a piece down.
It's a nice maneuver to free the Bishop however, engines don't go for beauty but rather for the most stubborn defense. That explains why they won't "find" that one.