Pawn end-game problem

Pawn end-game problem

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Knife Wielder

In the shadows...

Joined
28 Aug 08
Moves
76086
18 Sep 09
1 edit

Okay, the following is from Givas' Practical Endgame Play - mastering the basics. It's examle 2-7 in case you have the book at home. The book says white to move and draw, and gives the following moves.
1. Kh1 Kd2
2. Kh2 Kd3
3. Kh3 Ke2
4. Kg2 Ke3
5. Kg3 Kd4
6. Kg4 "and white draws"

I have played this scenario against Fritz many, many times and I've gotten the draw a handful of times, but Fritz changes how he plays it each time. Is this situation a forced draw (if played right)? What usually throws me is when he moves the g pawn forward. He already controls the queening square for the other pawn... Any advice on this one? It's appreciated.

Now, let's see if I can figure out how to post an FEN...

Okay, couldn't figure out how to build it and get an FEN either on here or on Fritz. So, I built the game and I'll just link it.
Game 6715532

p

Joined
08 May 07
Moves
55475
18 Sep 09
9 edits

This problem is also found in Bruce Pandolfini's Endgame Course.

You can find an example at [GameId "5442243"] played by heinzkat



Game 5442243

Problem No. 7
Bruce Pandolfini, Composition
White to move and draw.

KEYID STUDENT
ID STUDENT TEACHER FEN
ID FEN MOVES N RESULT PLAYERS
RATING MARK
90154 307 heinzkat petrovitch 345 8/8/8/4p1p1/8/5P2/6K1/3k4 w - - 0 1
[Event "Challenge"]
[Site "http://www.redhotpawn.com"]
[White "heinzkat"] [Black "petrovitch"]
[WhiteRating "1980"]
[BlackRating "2084"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[GameId "5442243"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/8/8/4p1p1/8/5P2/6K1/3k4 w - - 0 1"]
1. Kg2h1 g4 2. Kh1g2 Kd1d2 1/2-1/2
1/2-1/2
1980

Susan Polgar has the position listed on http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/2008_05_29_archive.html

It is also listed as an endgame EPD test
http://www.open-aurec.com/wbforum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=49223

http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Bauernendspiel_Test

http://www.schachcomputer.info/forum/showthread.php?p=8609

B 28 1. Kh1! g4 2. Kg2! (2.fg? e4 -+) Kd2 3. fg e4 4. g5 e3 5. g6 e2 6. g7 =

t

Joined
15 Jun 06
Moves
16334
18 Sep 09
2 edits

Originally posted by Pariah325
Okay, the following is from Givas' Practical Endgame Play - mastering the basics. It's examle 2-7 in case you have the book at home. The book says white to move and draw, and gives the following moves.
1. Kh1 Kd2
2. Kh2 Kd3
3. Kh3 Ke2
4. Kg2 Ke3
5. Kg3 Kd4
6. Kg4 "and white draws"

I have played this scenario against Fritz many, m r on here or on Fritz. So, I built the game and I'll just link it.
Game 6715532
Based on the moves I think I know. It is definitely drawn and it's based on the "sister squares" concept, in this case sister squares are any square with opposition except f1 and d1 or any diagonal opposition. here is a neat little problem I composed using this concept. white to move and win.

h

Joined
25 Apr 06
Moves
5939
18 Sep 09

It was composed by H. Neustadtl (1890), NOT by some Bruce Pandolfini or Givas.

d

Joined
04 Sep 07
Moves
14832
18 Sep 09

Thanks tomtom232, a nice position. The critical squares are d4 for white and f6 for black, it's interesting to see how black can't cover both sides of the board to keep the white king out.

t

Joined
15 Jun 06
Moves
16334
18 Sep 09

Originally posted by dikankan
Thanks tomtom232, a nice position. The critical squares are d4 for white and f6 for black, it's interesting to see how black can't cover both sides of the board to keep the white king out.
Yes, it's pretty obvious but thats the point, to make it illustrative to those new to the concept.