R-640
When, in a similar position after the material reduction, White has non-edge pawn, the Black’s task is much more difficult. We see this situation in the ending of the game Smyslov-Botvinik (Sverdlovsk 1943).
Continue ReadingWhen, in a similar position after the material reduction, White has non-edge pawn, the Black’s task is much more difficult. We see this situation in the ending of the game Smyslov-Botvinik (Sverdlovsk 1943).
Continue ReadingThe same situation is in the 1953 study by I. Lazard.
Continue ReadingWhen fighting against the pawn chain f7-g6-h5, converting great spatial advantage into victory is much easier if White has the e- instead of f-pawn. The following example is from the game Banas – Gy. Szilagyi, Stary Smokovec, 1976.
Continue ReadingGiven a similar pawn structure White wins even if his king has not managed to reach the weakened square f6. This is confirmed by a very instructive ending from the game Honfi – Traeger, Hamburg, 1965, which is also given with colours reversed.
Continue ReadingMinimal spatial superiority suffices for a win also in the following study by N. Grigoriev, published in 1920. White to move wins since he can push back the black king to the seventh rank and after the exchange of the f- for e-pawn seize the opposition forcing his opponent into zugzwang.
Continue ReadingA far more complex case was elaborated by N. Grigoriev in a study published in 1954. The white b-pawn is blockading two enemy pawns. However, should the white king move away, this would permit Black to achieve counterplay by the d-pawn. Yet, White to play wins. The strategy is very similar to that in […]
Continue ReadingIn all examples up to now we have examined positions with sound pawn structure. In case of a weakened pawn structure or when the weaker side has doubled pawns, the prospects of a successful defence are much slimmer. Doubled pawns cannot protect each other – they need to be protected by the king. In […]
Continue ReadingWhen connected rim pawns are not blockaded the weaker side has realistic drawing prospects since it can also defend by stalemate motifs. This theme is nicely illustrated in a study by B. Horwitz and J. Kling published in 1852. The white king has considerable spatial advantage and can attack the enemy pawns from the […]
Continue ReadingWhite always wins when his king has secured great spatial advantage since then he has sufficient reserve pawn tempi. A study by R. Fine, published in 1941, illustrates well this point. White to move wins. His strategy is very simple. He will first secure the occupied space by advancing one of his pawns. Then […]
Continue Reading2.5. King and Two Pawns versus King and Two Pawns Although more material generally implies a widening of the scope of strategic and tactical ideas, these endings still belong to the simpler kind of endings; the choice of the plan is mostly determined by the elementary positional principles with which we have already become familiar. […]
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