(5) Troitsky
1899
[Tibor K]

That is true that the e pawn is giving the worse chance to survive. But it doesn't mean that there is no chance at all. 1.Rb6 Rc8

2.a6 [2.Ra7 The self stalemating plan fails this time completely. 2...h5 3.a6 h4 4.e5 h3 5.exd6 h2 6.Ra8 h1D+] 2...Rb8 3.a7+ Ra8 4.Rc7 h5 5.Rxd6 h4 6.e5 h3 7.Rxd7 h2 8.e6 h1D 9.e7 It seems white lost the race because e pawn normally loses to queen. But to have the a7 seven does the trick and makes it not normal. 9...Dd5+ 10.Rc8 Dc6+ 11.Rd8

11...Rb7 [11...Dd6+

12.Rc8!!= The queen can't the pawn, because it would create a stalemate.]

12.a8D+! That is why the a7 is needed for a draw. 12...Rxa8 13.e8D 1/2-1/2