Did Diskin resign in a winning position?

The last post gave P. A. Duignan’s brilliancy prize win against P. Diskin in the 1949 Irish championship in Galway. But there’s a flaw! David McAlister spotted that Diskin may have been winning in the final position.

Duignan - Diskin, Irish Championship 1949White’s last move was 23. Qf7-f8+, and Black resigned. David points out that he should have played 23. … Be8!. Now the key line runs 24. Re4 (initially computers think this is winning, but …) Rxe6 25. Qxd6 Rxd6 26. Rxe8+ Kd7! 27. Rxa8 Ra6 28. Re1 Ra1 29. Rae8 Rc1 and wins.

The best chance for White seems to be 24. Qf5 b1=Q! 25. Nxd4+ Bd7 (25. … Kb8!?) 26. Qf8+ Kc7 27. Nb5+ Bxb5 28. Qxe7+ Qxe7 29. Rxe7+ Kd8 30. Rxb1 Kxe7, with three pawns for the bishop and some hope for survival, but surely Black must be winning here also.

(Click to replay.)

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