Study Puzzle of the Day 9/3/2021
Who has the more dangerous passed pawn? White to move and draw (M. Platov, 1922) (First try to solve the study without moving the pieces!)
Continue Reading
Category: N vs N
N-456 (Serper – Suba, Hastings 1990/91.)
When the king of the weaker side cannot simultaneously defend both isolated pawns, the position is usually lost, especially if the counter-play on the enemy pawns comes belatedly. Such a case is shown in the ending of the game Serper – Suba, Hastings, 1990/91.
Continue Reading
N-478
We shall conclude our examination of positional aspects that suffice for a win with the analysis of a very instructive ending with the doubled pawns. This ending arose in the game Botvinnik – Keres, World Championship Match, Den Haag/Moscow, 1948.
Continue Reading
N-477
A better pawn structure often leads to great positional advantage sufficient for victory. This theme is beautifully illustrated by the ending of the game Pillsbury – Gunsberg, Hastings, 1895.
Continue Reading
N-476
Also a better knight position may result in great positional superiority – sufficient for a win. A dominant knight may very often provide considerable spatial advantage and better king position by fixing and constantly attacking the enemy pawns whilst restraining the activity of the enemy king. This superiority will gradually be transformed into a […]
Continue Reading
N-475
Better king position is also of great importance in knight endings with equal material. This is most often transformed into a tangible spatial advantage. However, true mastery is needed in order to exploit this slight positional superiority. The stronger side must observe the following fundamental strategic principles: gradual occupation of space, restraining of the […]
Continue Reading
N-474
Sometimes even in the seemingly “lifeless” positions positional superiority may be exploited by tactical means A truly amazing case of a knight sacrifice enabling the breakthrough of the pawn is shown in the ending of the game Alburt – Lerner, USSR, 1978.
Continue Reading
N-473
In knight endings with more pawns, given material equality, a win is also possible due to positional superiority. A decisive positional advantage sufficient for a win may stem from a very broad range of features. We shall examine one by one as follows: the importance of spatial advantage, breakthrough, the better king position, the […]
Continue Reading
N-472
We shall conclude the examination of typical knight endings of four against three pawns on the same wing by considering the classical position which R. Fine had attempted to define way back in 1941. Y. Averbakh and the “Encyclopaedia” uncritically repeat R. Fine’s analyses accepting the assertion that such positions are won as a […]
Continue Reading
N-471
In a similar position the weaker side may save the game even if the h6-point has been weakened provided it defends correctly. Such a case is illustrated by the ending of the game L. Portisch – Ljubojevic, Thessalonica Olympiad, 1988.
Continue Reading