For those that don’t know Yochanan, although he’s an International Master of long-standing, he’s more famed in the weird and wonderful world of problem solving, where he’s an International Judge of Chess Composition and International Master for Chess Compositions.

Yochanan Afek

Though much of his work consists of problems, he’s also been known to turn his hand to composing endgames studies, two of which I’ve given below. White to play and win in both diagrams. Can you solve them?

Y Afek, 1^st prize Israel Ring tourney, 1975

White to play and win

Y Afek, Szachy, 1974

White to play and win

Solutions:

Y Afek, Israel Ring tourney, 1975

1 b7 Bc5 2 Bxc5 Rh8+ 3 Ka7 Kc6 4 Bd4 Rh7 [4 ..Re8 5 Ka6 Rg8 6 Be5] 5 Bg7!! Rxg7 6 Nd4+ 1–0

Y Afek, Szachy, 1974

1 g3! Kxg3 [1 ..Kg1 2 a7 h2 3 a8Q h1Q 4 Qxh1+ Kxh1 5 b4] 2 a7 e4!! [2 ..h2 3 a8B! (3 a8Q e4 4 Qxe4 h1Q 5 Qxh1 is stalemate) 3 ..Kh3 4 Kf2 g3+ 5 Kf1 wins] 3 a8R!! [3 a8B? Kh2! 4 Bxe4 g3 wins for Black; 3 a8Q h2 draws] 3 ..Kh2! 4 Ra7!! Kg2 5 Kxe4! g3 6 Kf4 h2 7 Ra1 Kf2 8 Rh1! Kg2 9 Rc1! Kf2 10 Rc2+ Kf1 11 Kxg3 1–0