White draws

With two white pieces under fire, 1.Nc3+ is practically forced. But beware—Black isn’t without tricks, and the battle for survival has only just begun!

1.Nc3+ Ka6 2.Nxe4 Re6

Aside from the dangling knight on e4, White also has to reckon with Black’s looming threat of Re7+ followed by Rxb7. How should White respond?

3.Rb8! Re7+

3...Rxe4 leads to 4.Rxb6+ Ka7 5.Rb7+ Ka8 6.Rb8+, draw by perpetual.

4.Kc6 Ka7!

Of course, 4…Rxe4?? now runs into 5.Ra8#. After 4...Ka7!, however, White seems completely lost, with two pieces en prise at once—until you uncover the Houdini-like escape!

5.Rb7+! Rxb7 6.Nd6! Rb8

6…Re7 is met with 7.Nc8+ (fork) =

7.Nb5+ Ka6 8.Nc7+ Ka7 9.Nb5+ Ka8 10.Nc7+ …And Black can't wriggle free from the perpetual.

1/2-1/2