In a recent game between Phlabibit and myself we got to about move 30 and both decided that the other had more chance of winning. Well it turned out that I was right and Phlab did win. (Being right was absolutely no consolation whatsoever.)
Now's your chance to make me feel even worse: could I have forced a draw or even a win with better play?
By move 23 we were down to king, bishop and pawns vs king knight and an equal number of pawns.
Here's the game: Game 549017
BTW Phlabibit is interested to see the analysis as well.
I don't consider myself a particularly strong player, but here are my thoughts anyway...
At 38...Nxd6 you exchange knight for bishop, being a pawn ahead.
However, a look at the situation reveals that it's impossible to save either of your queen side pawns (I think) and so effectively you might as well be a pawn down, with a passed pawn facing you on that queen's side. In light of this, I think exchanging knight for bishop was not advisable.
Got nothing better though! 😉
Originally posted by gumbieI thought I saw a way for him to get his rook on the 7th rank, but I overlooked a tactic, which is why I put "o" edit in my post, to not look like an idiot, 21. Re1!? is an interesting line for white instead of Kg2, but by the looks of things, Kg2 might be necessary anyways.
I'd agree with that. Unless you get the king out the game is hopeless. But it looks tough to manage not to end up losing a pawn on the queen side
29...c6 looks like a win for Black - it stops White penetrating on the Qside.
Then either:
30.d5 c5 31.Kd3 Nd6 (31.Bc3+ f6, or 31.Be1 f5+ are both also better for Black) 32.Bc3+ f6 and Black will consolidate the pawn whilst easily blockading White's pawn on d5, or
30.Kd3 b5 31.Bc5 a5, and Black is again controlling the board.
After that I think White's 31.f4 was a mistake (why not Kc6 immediately?), and 31...Kf5 should leave Black at least OK - plan is to head for the d4 pawn, after which the position will come down to K,B and 4 v. K,N and 4 with 1 Qside pawn each but Black having a far more active King.