“In order to improve your game, you must study the endgame before everything else, for whereas the endings can be studied and mastered by themselves, the middle game and the opening must be studied in relation to the endgame.” – José Raúl Capablanca
In a similar position, sometimes a reduction of material cannot save the weaker side even if it is attacking the remaining pawn by both the king and bishop. This rare case occurred in the game of the former world champion Max Euwe and the first ladies’ world champion- the legendary Vera Menchik, Hastings, 1930. […]
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The end of this endgame reminds me very much of the famous game Topalov-Shirov, Linares 1998. Event: 25th Sigeman & Co 2019 Date: 2019.05.06 White: Harikrishna, P. WhiteElo: 2730 Black: Nihal, Sarin BlackElo: 2598 Result: 1-0
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If in similar positions with a tied king the bishop can protect its weak pawns on the other wing, a win will be possible only if somehow in some wondrous way a second passed pawn can be created. A brilliant, truly study-like example on the theme was contributed by the former world champion Mikhail […]
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Event: 4th Croatian league White: Jurkovic, Dinko WhiteElo: 1745 Black: Maravic, Ivan BlackElo: 1836 Result: 0-1 Taking things too easy, even in a dead draw positions, often lead to unpleasant surprises. In this game Black effectively utilized his opponent’s careless attitude. Similar breakthrough motif is well-known from the classic example Kotov-Botvinnik. Related Posts:
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When far advanced pawns are separated by at least two files, the stronger side will win provided its king can penetrate to the front of one pawn. Naturally, exceptions to this general rule are all positions with bishop and a wrong rook’s pawn. ← Basic EndingsBasic Endings →
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c ) Endings with Split Pawns In endings with split pawns prospects of winning are better and increase proportionally with the distance between the pawns. Generally, the weaker side draws only when pawns are separated by one file since then the king can simultaneously prevent the advance of both pawns. A typical position, analyzed […]
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With c- and d-pawns (or e- and f-pawns) there is an important exception to the general rule. White can win only if his c- or f-pawn has not advanced on the fifth rank! White to play wins by taking advantage of the passive position of the black bishop. ← Basic EndingsBasic Endings →
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White cannot win with connected pawns on the fifth rank if the enemy bishop has already taken up its post on the defensive diagonal. ← Basic EndingsBasic Endings →
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← Basic EndingsBasic Endings →
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The weaker side will draw easily if it can place in a similar position its bishop on the defensive diagonal in time. ← Basic EndingsBasic Endings →
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