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Bishops of opposite color.

Bishops of opposite color.

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I just now accepted a draw in this game without much thought.
Should I have not? I know that opposite color bishops and only
one pawn advantage very often is a draw. Is this?
Game 1416701

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I certainly would have fought it out until the very end. One pawn with a path to the other side without other pawns in the way. Would be hard to stop if played well. One might force a bishop-pawn swap and use your other bishop to collect the other pawns.

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Originally posted by chasparos
I just now accepted a draw in this game without much thought.
Should I have not? I know that opposite color bishops and only
one pawn advantage very often is a draw. Is this?
Game 1416701
Certainly seems drawn to me. It might have been worth it to play it out simply for instructional purposes. Typically, endgames like these are won because the losing side has too many weaknesses to defend against and is overloaded. In this case all White has to worry about is the passed pawn, and his bishop can keep it blockaded indefintely. There's also no way for your king to penetrate into White's position without trading away a lot of pawns, which is what the defending side always wants anyway.

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Originally posted by Aiko
One pawn with a path to the other side without other pawns in the way.
It's called a "Passed Pawn", as Natural Science says.

And it is nearly always an advantage. Stronger players will often strive to get at least one, as early as the middle-game.

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Originally posted by Natural Science
Certainly seems drawn to me. It might have been worth it to play it out simply for instructional purposes. Typically, endgames like these are won because the losing side has too many weaknesses to defend against and is overloaded. In this case all White has to worry about is the passed pawn, and his bishop can keep it blockaded indefintely. There ...[text shortened]... ition without trading away a lot of pawns, which is what the defending side always wants anyway.
I have studied it some now and it does seem you are right. At least with my insignificant skill at chess this would have been a draw. :-)

Thanks for your input guys.

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Originally posted by chasparos
I just now accepted a draw in this game without much thought.
Should I have not? I know that opposite color bishops and only
one pawn advantage very often is a draw. Is this?
Game 1416701
I don't think it is a very good game, but my game 1429169 against is pill2000 is a more extreme example. Black has a three pawn advan-tage, but has no way of forcing White to move his king, and White just moves his Bishop to and fro on g1 and h2.

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Originally posted by Essex 3
I don't think it is a very good game, but my game 1429169 against is pill2000 is a more extreme example. Black has a three pawn advan-tage, but has no way of forcing White to move his king, and White just moves his Bishop to and fro on g1 and h2.
Just for easier access: Game 1429169

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Here's a bishop of opposite color endgame I was able to convert to a win. Granted, it should have been an easy draw if he would've just left the kingside pawns alone. I guess he felt that with a passed pawn on the 7th rank that I couldn't touch, he just had to have a winning position.

Game 1374203

Notice here the existance of two weaknesses. His king had to stay on the kingside and deal with one of my passed pawns, allowing my king to go over and harass his bishop and escort my other pawn home.

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Originally posted by chasparos
I just now accepted a draw in this game without much thought.
Should I have not? I know that opposite color bishops and only
one pawn advantage very often is a draw. Is this?
Game 1416701
Why the fuk did you draw???? You had a pawn advantage!!!

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Originally posted by chasparos
I just now accepted a draw in this game without much thought.
Should I have not? I know that opposite color bishops and only
one pawn advantage very often is a draw. Is this?
Game 1416701
He was tickled pink for that draw offer, especially from you, as a higher rated player.

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Originally posted by TRAINS44
Why the fuk did you draw???? You had a pawn advantage!!!
For someone with a rating around 1900, your apparent lack of general knowledge about the game is pretty startling. The position is a clear draw, plain and simple. There is no way for Black to penetrate into White's position, and there is no way to advance the passed pawn. Bishops of opposite color endgames tend to lead to draws even when one side is up by a pawn or two, or sometimes even three. Most experienced players know this.

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Originally posted by Natural Science
For someone with a rating around 1900, your apparent lack of general knowledge about the game is pretty startling. The position is a clear draw, plain and simple. There is no way for Black to penetrate into White's position, and there is no way to advance the passed pawn. Bishops of opposite color endgames tend to lead to draws even when one side is up by a pawn or two, or sometimes even three. Most experienced players know this.
What?? He cant blunder?????? Was you opponent a 1900 player??? All you did was abandon ship!!

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Originally posted by Bowmann
It's called a "Passed Pawn", as Natural Science says.

And it is nearly always an advantage. Stronger players will often strive to get at least one, as early as the middle-game.
Dr. Bowmann you said it soooooo right!! He just walked outta that game for NOO reason!! Just gave it up. He coulda PROBABLY won that. IF he played it right! Boy, his opponent was thrilled with that!!!

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Originally posted by Natural Science
For someone with a rating around 1900, your apparent lack of general knowledge about the game is pretty startling. The position is a clear draw, plain and simple. There is no way for Black to penetrate into White's position, and there is no way to advance the passed pawn. Bishops of opposite color endgames tend to lead to draws even when one side is up by a pawn or two, or sometimes even three. Most experienced players know this.
Not plain and simple....wasn't a clear draw, sorry.

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Originally posted by TRAINS44
Not plain and simple....wasn't a clear draw, sorry.
It was very drawish, and the only hope for a win was an outright blunder. I would've taken a draw. I'm going with Natural Science here. Trains, you're entitled to your opinions, unusual as they may be. But you must also accept that some of us just won't agree with them.