Hedgehog Hero

[carbug]

I've had no response regarding the Hedgehog Hero section of our NCCC Website. I thought this might be interesting, posing some 'double trouble' difficult OTB positions to deal with. I know you guys likely won't be in Bardstown regularly, and might want to weigh in anyway, if you give it a glance. This has two benefits for me. 1st, if for instance you fire off to me a pattern necessary to successfully solve the situation, I am prepared when we have NCCC folks taking a shot at it. Otherwise, I won't have the answer. We'll not post any Hedgehog Hero stuff that I have solved. 2nd, it could inspire you to offer similar difficult situations to post. The Hedgehog is looking for positions that require a method to solve, not just a mate-in-four, or such. Also, Happy Birthday next week Fatula!

NCCC Website: www.geocities.com/nelsoncountychessclub

[boblenning]

I did happen to see this and looked it over. It was bugging me, so I did a bit of googling and studying. It looks like the winning idea is for white to quickly form the pawn chain e4-f5-g6 and then guard the base of that chain with the king. Careful play doesn't give black any way to make progress. If black takes the e4 pawn with either the king or the rook (guarded by his king), an immediate push of g7 forces the issue. A take by the king puts him too far away to stop 2 connected pawns and taking with the rook will lose it to white if black's king leaves to chase the g pawn. Since black can't afford to allow these lines of play, he is forced to give draw (probably by placing his king at e5 and then giving perpetual check with his rook while white's king stays close to guard the base of his pawn chain). At least, that's what the situation looks like to me.