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Basic rules and strategic ideas in pawn endings. Opposition. Diagonal Opposition. Distant Opposition. Key squares. Reserve Tempi. Triangulation. The Rule of the Square. Common Square. Pawn Breakthrough. Zugzwang. Mutual Zugzwang.
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A study by J. Bechting, published in 1894, is considered as the classic reference on the theme of the well-timed leaving of the pawn’s square. White’s pawns have advanced far but converting this advantage into victory is made difficult due to the good position of the black king. If the black king were at […]
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← Basic EndingsBasic Endings →
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When the white rim pawns are still on their initial positions, the position is generally won only if White’s king is much better positioned. ← Basic EndingsBasic Endings →
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In positions with no passed pawn but with a mobile pawn structure, the materially stronger side generally wins easily. The reason is that it has at least one reserve tempo at its disposal. By means of this reserve pawn move the opponent will be forced to leave the opposition at the critical moment and […]
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The importance of the extra tempo can be seen in the diagram 16, where the white king has already secured the critical square e4. Key squares, opposition, reserve tempo: ← Basic EndingsBasic Endings →
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With White to move, that is to say, with Black having the opposition, the position is drawn. ← Basic EndingsBasic Endings →
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When the white king has not reached the sixth rank, Black’s chances of survival are much better. If Black has the opposition, White wins only if he has at his disposal at least one “reserve” pawn tempo. Key squares and opposition: ← Basic EndingsBasic Endings →
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If white king is placed on the sixth rank in front of the pawn, the game is always won ( the only exception naturally being the rook’s pawns ) . The vital difference in regard to the previous examples is that White has at his disposal a “reserve” pawn move enabling him to “regain” […]
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