Endgame Column #2

Submitted by Michael Kleinman on Fri, 05/13/2016 - 18:49

Longtime readers of the newsfeed may recall that I created an endgame column awhile back for the newsfeed. You can find it here. Around that time (three years ago!), I had created an additional endgame column, which I have presented here. With several key contributors to the newsfeed having graduated from McGill, the McGill Students' Chess Club will be unable to continue publishing articles, but I'd like to present the endgame columns as bonus content.

First, a theoretical position. White to play. Is White lost, and if so, what is Black's plan?

This position is completely winning for Black with the white king cut off along the 4th rank. This is because once the white pawn advances to the 6th rank, the rook will attack it from behind. Also, if white just waits, the king will begin its journey towards the pawn. 1. h6 Ra6 2. h7 Rh6+

Building on our knowledge of the above position, I present you a slightly more complicated position with White to play. What is the evaluation?

 It's clear where the only counterplay lies, with a g5 push. 1. g5 Ra4+ [The only winning move, but it is sufficent. Now, in order for the king to defend the h4 pawn, it has to accept being cut off along the fourth rank, which we have seen is a win.] 2. Kg3 (2. Kf5 Rxh4 3. g6 Rh1 4. g7 Rg1 5. Kf6 h5 -+) 2... hxg5 3. hxg5 

 

This was the position from my first round game. Here I faced an interesting choice. I could: a) Play Ke6 and give up the 'b' pawn and keep my knight. b) give my knight by taking immediately on e5 and keep my b-pawn. Calculate the consequences of both

1... Kxe5! Especially with the knowledge of the previous positions, this move should come easily, since we will reach a position where White will sacrifice his rook for my 'b' pawn, and we will inevitably reach a position where White's king is cut off along the fourth rank.(1... Ke6 2. Rb7 Rxe5 3. Rxb4 Kf5 -/+. This position looks really close to a win, though there will be some technical issues. It is not 100% clear.)

2. Re7+ Kd4 3. Rxe2 b3 is how the game ended.

For example: 4. Kf3 Kc3 5. g4 b2 6. Re1 Kc2 7. h4 b1=Q 8. Rxb1 Kxb1 9. Kf4 {And even if the king doesn't make it back immediately, we will always check on the fourth rank, inevitably cutting the king off.} 

 

After reviewing the above positions, try and work your way through the criticial position from my game, included below.

 

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 Round:  Result: