Puzzles for Christmas!

Richard has selected four studies to ease your digestion after the seasonal  excesses – answers (if anyone really needs them!? ) in 2017.

Christmas Puzzle 1

White to play and win.

It does appear impossible to prevent the pawn on a3 advancing

  [SetUp "1"]  [FEN "3N4/8/K7/3k2B1/3p4/p7/2PP4/8 w - - 0 0"]  [PlyCount "11"]  

Christmas Puzzle 2

White to play and win.

  [SetUp "1"]  [FEN "2b4k/8/5Pr1/5N2/8/8/8/K1B5 w - - 0 0"]  [PlyCount "21"]  

Christmas Puzzle 3

White to play and draw.

  [SetUp "1"]  [FEN "7k/6p1/6K1/qb2R3/p2P4/4PB2/8/8 w - - 0 0"]  [PlyCount "10"]  

Christmas Puzzle 4

White to play and draw.

  [SetUp "1"]  [FEN "7k/7p/8/8/K2R4/6p1/6b1/8 w - - 0 0"]  [PlyCount "18"]