A Study

Via the Chess Unlimited twitter feed, I was directed to a reddit involving a problem posted on LiChess, apparently published in 1928 by a composer named Birnov. Here is the problem.

Birnov (1928)

White to play and draw

I saw a solution pretty quickly. Knowing that it is a composed problem means that everything on the board has a purpose, which directs one's attention to the e-pawn. So e2-e4 is likely to be involved in the solution. From there the rest is easy. But then I thought I saw a second solution. I am sad to report that I did not figure out why only one of the solutions is correct. I will post the answer below the fold.

A couple of endgames to ponder

First, a puzzle from LiChess, who take their puzzles from users games. Find the best move for White.

The answer later.

Second, another position with White to move.

Black's ...Kd7-e6 targets White's h-pawn. White clearly has to move his king now. Which way should the White king go?