Assistance with endgame

Originally posted by Fersboo
I have a bit of a problem with finishing off an opponent when the game advances past the mid-game and would greatly appreciate some advice on improving this area of my game.

Here are a few examples:

Game 1402891

Game 1410956

Thanks.

Well, I wouldn't call these examples of not being able to finish off the opponent, as you really didn't have an advantage in either game. In the first game, what killed you was allowing your oppoenent to open up both the g and h files. That didn't have to happen. Actually, as the g file was half open for you, that's where your rooks belonged. You cpuld have slid your king over to the h file, stacked your rooks on the g file, and then played to open it up only when it suited you. Also, your bishop was absolutely miserable, stuck behind a wall of his own pawns, and you didn't really do anything to help make it any better. You have to make an effort to get your pieces to the best squares they can reach.

Now, the second game looks like a draw anyway, but you still could have pushed a bit harder for the win by using a little basic rook endgame technique.. On move 30, Ra1+ is not a good move because you're actually helping White get his king into the game, which is what he wants to do anyway. Never play a check just because it is there. Ra2 is much better, as it keeps his king on the 1st rank. Actually I think Ra3 may be even better than that, as now you can play to win his c-pawn throught tactics involving his undefended rook.

Anyway, I hope you find these observations at least a little bit helpful. And bear in mind that I'm only an average players who's read a book or two. Have fun!

Originally posted by Fersboo
I have a bit of a problem with finishing off an opponent when the game advances past the mid-game and would greatly appreciate some advice on improving this area of my game.

Here are a few examples:

Game 1402891

Game 1410956

Thanks.

The key-position in your first game was after 21. g5. White is trying to open up the position, which is good for him because it will expose your king to attacks. And none of your pieces could offer help!
The best thing to do in that position for black is to try and find a safe spot for his king, and get his other pieces active. so 21. ...Kg7! would have been best: 22. gxh6+ Kxh6 and the king is safe. The doubled f-pawn is handy in this case: it prevents the white rooks from coming to g5 or g6.
After 21. ...fxg5? 22. hxg5 black could have prevented direct loss with 22. ...Kh7, although white will put both his rooks on the h-file and the pressure on h6 will eventually be too big.
The funny part though was that white missed a mate in one: 24. Rxg6# (the pawn on f7 is pinned!). He still won some material though, so the rest of the game was meaningless.


The second game was quite drawish. Both sides played pretty solid most of the time (Natural Science is right about 30. ..Ra1 not beeing the right move though). I don't understand why the game is drawn though; 39. ...Kh6? was a big mistake in my opinion. Black wants to try and hold the white king off with his own king, not take shelter behind his pawns. I think white would have won after 41. Ke4!

Originally posted by schakuhr
The second game was quite drawish.......

What? After 6.Nxe5?? (d4 is a good move instead), black simply could have won a piece with 6.Nxe5. White couldn't avoid it because after 7.Qe1 (7.Re1? then Bxf2+ is even worse) then 7. ... d5 wins (example 8.d3 Nxc4 9.dxc4 Be6).

Originally posted by Mephisto2
What? After 6.Nxe5?? (d4 is a good move instead), black simply could have won a piece with 6.Nxe5. White couldn't avoid it because after 7.Qe1 (7.Re1? then Bxf2+ is even worse) then 7. ... d5 wins (example 8.d3 Nxc4 9.dxc4 Be6).

I was only looking at the endgame. 😉

Originally posted by Mephisto2
What? After 6.Nxe5?? (d4 is a good move instead), black simply could have won a piece with 6.Nxe5. White couldn't avoid it because after 7.Qe1 (7.Re1? then Bxf2+ is even worse) then 7. ... d5 wins (example 8.d3 Nxc4 9.dxc4 Be6).

I was trying something new and certainly felt I played the game poorly; semi-blitz type game.

😳