St. Augustine Chess Club

Endgame Lesson1

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Endgame Lesson1

In our last team tournament the question of a position similar to Positions 1 and 2 came up. Here the weaker side has a lone f pawn his king is in front of the oncoming pawns. The stronger side has a backward g pawn and past h pawn. This position should be a draw. Even if the pawns are very advanced as here.

Position 1

  • Kf8 is an important move here
  • 1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kf8!!
  • 1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kf8

    3.Rg6 Kf7 4.h7 Rc8 5.Rh6 Kg7

    3.Rg6 Kf7 4.h7 Rc8 5.Rh6 Kg7

    1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kf8 3.Rg6 Kf7 4.h7 Rc8 5.Rh6 Kg7 6.Rh1 Ra8 *

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  • If we go 2...Kh8 you will lose the g pawn and the game
  • 1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kh8
  • 1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kh8

    wrong

    3.Rg6 Rc6 4.Kf5 Kh7 5.Rxf6

    3.Rg6 Rc6 4.Kf5 Kh7 5.Rxf6

    1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kh8 3.Rg6 Rc6 4.Kf5 Kh7 5.Rxf6 *

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  • Keep in mind you want to keep Whites king out of the h file. So if he moves his king to g3 (3.Kg3) you bring your rook say to c1 to check from behind
  • 1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kf8 3.Kg3 Rc1
  • 1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kf8 3.Kg3 Rc1 *

    1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kf8 3.Kg3 Rc1 *

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    Position 2

    Another important position

  • Here since th king is on the h file it is best to move 2...Kh8 Where there is a stalemate threat
  • 1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kh8
  • 1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kh8

    3.Rf7 Rc6 4.Kg3 Kg8 5.Rg7+

    3.Rf7 Rc6 4.Kg3 Kg8 5.Rg7+

    5...Kh8 6.Kf4 Rc4+ 7.Kf5 Rc5+ 8.Kg6 Rc6

    5...Kh8 6.Kf4 Rc4+ 7.Kf5 Rc5+ 8.Kg6 Rc6

    1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kh8 3.Rf7 Rc6 4.Kg3 Kg8 5.Rg7+ Kh8 6.Kf4 Rc4+ 7.Kf5 Rc5+ 8.Kg6 Rc6 *

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  • You can still draw with 2...Kf8 but it is more difficult
  • 1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kf8
  • 1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kf8

  • Here 4...Rc1 is essential after 4.h7 to prevent white on move 5 promoting to a queen.
  • After 6... Kg7 white has to give up his knight
  • 3.Rg6 Kf7 4.h7 Rc1 5.h8=N+ Kf8 6.Rxf6+ Kg7
  • 3.Rg6 Kf7 4.h7 Rc1 5.h8=N+ Kf8 6.Rxf6+ Kg7

    1.h6 Rc5 2.Rg7+ Kf8 3.Rg6 Kf7 4.h7 Rc1 5.h8=N+ Kf8 6.Rxf6+ Kg7 *

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