22 Mar 14
1 edit
Originally posted by 64squaresofpainI'm not sure it's winning -- I don't know enough theory, but I could see that the queening square of my only left passed pawn was the wrong color and that queening it would be probably way beyond my abilities. I was also really mad at myself for overseeing the fork that cost me the other passed pawn. And I was worried about my coming blunders. My opponent is rated higher than me so I was OK with a draw.
I had to look (sorry) and I guessed right.
My only question is, why was this game drawn? It looks winning to me
22 Mar 14
Originally posted by 64squaresofpainWith best play it should be a draw, but if I were white I would have played on a few moves to make sure black had the right plan.
I had to look (sorry) and I guessed right.
My only question is, why was this game drawn? It looks winning to me
In the final position black has to capture the pawn on h2, then play Bh2-g1-c5 to make sure he can control f8. After that, white will have an extra pawn, but he can't do anything with it.
23 Mar 14
"opposite colour bishop endgames are drawn"
It seems I am learning this the hard way...
my head tells me "you are 2 pawns up, it must be winning!"
but theory seems to dictate otherwise.
I have a game in progress which looks like it should be a draw,
but I've carried on regardless as it is a tournament final game that I need to win in order to equalise!
Perhaps I need to read up on these endgames
23 Mar 14
1 edit
Originally posted by 64squaresofpainI am an habitually lazy player. I've never dug into games where players with an additional pawn or two or three had won such games. I'd bet it would be an educational opportunity and a wide, interesting study.
"opposite colour bishop endgames are drawn"
It seems I am learning this the hard way...
my head tells me "you are 2 pawns up, it must be winning!"
but theory seems to dictate otherwise.
I have a game in progress which looks like it should be a draw,
but I've carried on regardless as it is a tournament final game that I need to win in order to equalise!
Perhaps I need to read up on these endgames
23 Mar 14
Originally posted by ChessPraxisI don't see the hidden message saying what the next move was so my guess is since you didn't play bx and grab the rook you probably took the pawn with your rook thinking you had a sneaky attack. Which just meant the king moved out of danger and the black pieces were still active.
I am an habitually lazy player. I've never dug into games where players with an additional pawn or two or three had won such games. I'd bet it would be an educational opportunity and a wide, interesting study.
If you had taken with bishop and won the rook you would have had a nasty mate threat.
23 Mar 14
2 edits
Originally posted by WanderingKingYour opponent is not substantially higher rated than you. The rating system is not precise enough for a difference of 60 to count for much. You should carry on with that game, it is a theoretical draw but your opponent could easily get it wrong and be forced to give up his bishop when your a-pawn will queen as you have the correct bishop. You are at almost no risk of losing in the final position as he has only one pawn and can't force you to swap off your bishop. Correct play in the final position is 47. ... Bxh2 48. f6 Bg1! (only move) 49. f7 Bc5 and the pawn can't be promoted, but if black does something like 47. ... Bxg2 48. f6 Kg6?? 49. f7 then he has to give up his bishop to prevent you promoting and the position is won. World Champions have missed easier moves than 48. ... Bg1 so don't automatically expect a 1,550 player to find it.
I'm not sure it's winning -- I don't know enough theory, but I could see that the queening square of my only left passed pawn was the wrong color and that queening it would be probably way beyond my abilities. I was also really mad at myself for overseeing the fork that cost me the other passed pawn. And I was worried about my coming blunders. My opponent is rated higher than me so I was OK with a draw.
The game in question was Game 10400898.
23 Mar 14
Originally posted by 64squaresofpainIt is the most drawish ending in chess.
"opposite colour bishop endgames are drawn"
It seems I am learning this the hard way...
my head tells me "you are 2 pawns up, it must be winning!"
but theory seems to dictate otherwise.
I have a game in progress which looks like it should be a draw,
but I've carried on regardless as it is a tournament final game that I need to win in order to equalise!
Perhaps I need to read up on these endgames
In endgames, when you are up a pawn or two, you must constantly watch for ways that your opponent can trade down to opposite color Bishops. It's the best chance of saving a bad endgame.
25 Mar 14
Originally posted by DeepThoughtI am glad we agree!
Your opponent is not substantially higher rated than you. The rating system is not precise enough for a difference of 60 to count for much. You should carry on with that game, it is a theoretical draw but your opponent could easily get it wrong and be forced to give up his bishop when your a-pawn will queen as you have the correct bishop. You are at a ...[text shortened]... automatically expect a 1,550 player to find it.
The game in question was Game 10400898.