February 24th

Georges Emile Barbier (24-02-1844 - 16-12-1895) French composer

Barbier became famous for the 1895 endgame study which was initially published as a draw study, until Rev. Saavedra found the winning promotion.

Saavedra, Fernando & Barbier, Georges Emile
Glasgow Weekly Citizen, 1895

+

2 + 2

Show Solution

1. c7 Rd6+ 2. Kb5 Rd5+ 3. Kb4 Rd4+ 4. Kb3 Rd3+ 5. Kc2 Rd4! 6. c8=R!
{Barbier's solution continued with 6. c8=Q Rc4+ 7. Qxc4 stalemate}
6... Ra4 7. Kb3 and wins.

For a quick look at the history of this endgame, you may look at the Wikipedia webpage. For further details and a reproduction of Barbier's column in the Weekly Citizen, browse Tim Krabbé's website.

Consider solving the problem below, for the fun of it:

Barbier, Georges Emile
Brooklyn Standard Union 27/01/1894

-1 & #1

3 + 2

White retracts one moves and mates in one.
Show Solution

-1.f7xSg8=R & 1.f8=S#