Endgame position from Odessky's book.

Odessky v Howel (playchess 2006)


white is a pawn less and playing for a win, how to achieve it?
solution below, but try it first!

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Odessky v Howel (playchess 2006)
[fen]8/p7/4k2p/2K2p2/p3pPp1/P3P1P1/7P/8 w - - 0 1[/fen]

white is a pawn less and playing for a win, how to achieve it?

I'm probably wrong but...


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Originally posted by luke myster

Good try although 53.Kxf5 allows black the stalemate option,

good posts.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Good try although 53.Kxf5 allows black the stalemate option,

[pgn]
[FEN "8/p7/4k2p/2K2p2/p3pPp1/P3P1P1/7P/8 b - - 0 1"]

1... a6 2. Kc6 a5 3. Kc5 Ke7 4. Kd5 Kf6 5. Kd6 Kf7 6. Ke5 Kg6 7. Ke6 Kh5 {and instead of Kxf5, white can win a vital tempo anfd come back } 8. Kd6 Kg6 9. Kc5 Kf6 10. Kb5 Ke6 11. Kxa5 Kd5 12. Kb5 h5 13. Kb4 Kc6 14. Kxa4 Kc5 1 ...[text shortened]... dly the young Englishma nplayed 46...h5? thereby destroying his own stalemate position} [/pgn]

Sweet. The key is keeping the Black King out of d3 - first it's too far away, then the King can barge him off while attacking the remaining a-pawn. Very cool.

Thanks - that is a fascinating position!

H Robbie.

Is that position from the book 'Play 1.b3! 'by IM Ilya Odessky?

Originally posted by greenpawn34
H Robbie.

Is that position from the book 'Play 1.b3! 'by IM Ilya Odessky?

yes it is, he writes, page 31, I cannot resist showing the end of this game. . . .the
remarkable thing is, shortly before this game, I (together with grandmaster Ernesto
Inkarkiev) published an article in the Russian magazine 64 on the subject of self
stalemate in pawn endings, less than a month had gone by when this very subject
arose on the board.

This book is unlike any book on chess i have ever read, its more like a book of
ideas than variations, yes the variations are there, but its the ideas that are
prominent. The basics are at the back of the book! It contains conversations,
anecdotes, poetry, ancient proverbs and humour, traps and unsound although
difficult to refute variations. It follows no conceivable logical pattern and contains an
apology which takes up the entire chapter four! entitled, forgive me. Many of the
games are the authors own and when he cites a game on playchess he gives the
masters real name rather than his handle. He is under no illusions about the Nimzo-
Larsen and states that essentially its a bluff, but excuses himself on the premise that
if your a devotee of it then your a devotee.

@ Nimzo, Tomo and Exuma, you are most welcome 🙂

Hi Robbie.

Cheers.

My mate Rick Kennedy (who is on here BTW - Hi Rick) gave it a good review
and although I doubt if I'll ever play it. (old dog - new tricks etc.)
I do like to read a chess book, even an opening book, that has some soul put
into it and is not just a sea of computer regurgitated piffle.

I really enjoyed 'Searching for the Mona Lisa' by Gufeld and this sounds like
it is of the same ilk.
I'll pick it up at the next visit to a bookstall or 2nd hand shop.

Rick's Review:

http://www.chessville.com/reviews/Play1b3.htm

also see:

http://www.chessville.com/reviews/Play1b3TheNimzoLarsenAttack.htm

Different reviewer - same conclussion.

Originally posted by greenpawn34
Hi Robbie.

Cheers.

My mate Rick Kennedy (who is on here BTW - Hi Rick) gave it a good review
and although I doubt if I'll ever play it. (old dog - new tricks etc.)
I do like to read a chess book, even an opening book, that has some soul put
into it and is not just a sea of computer regurgitated piffle.

I really enjoyed 'Searching for the Mon ville.com/reviews/Play1b3TheNimzoLarsenAttack.htm

Different reviewer - same conclussion.

actually GP the author reminds me somewhat of you, although your decidedly skinnier!
Its kinda like some parts of Rampant chess, remember when you were describing
Agaards speculative queen sac! It is a kind of opening book, but not really one at the
same time, ok the variations considered arise after 1.b3 but its almost incidental. Its
the kind of book where if you picked it up and started from any page, it wouldn't really
matter. I think you would enjoy it.

BTW are you going to the Glasgow congress?

"actually GP the author reminds me somewhat of you."

It is me, I just wondered when you would twig! ( (; ).

I may pop across to Glasgow to see some old friends and haggle at the
bookstall. (They don't like me hanging around the bookstall - I sntach all
the crap books out of the punters hands saying it's naff.) 🙂

Edinburgh Congress at end of month but I doubt if I'll play (working)
restrict OTB play to skittles games these days my board stamina is shot.
I'm burned up. Some players age well, some (the majority) don't.
I've no technique to fall back on and coast to a win. With me it has always
been mind numbing, stamina sapping, edge of seat stuff....
...Searching for my Mona Lisa.

I don't miss it. I have always preferred playing over a game (something I
really love doing) than actually playing the game. (though I love that too).
A good book and a board and I am the happiest man on the planet.

Originally posted by greenpawn34
"actually GP the author reminds me somewhat of you."

It is me, I just wondered when you would twig! ( (; ).

I may pop across to Glasgow to see some old friends and haggle at the
bookstall. (They don't like me hanging around the bookstall - I sntach all
the crap books out of the punters hands saying it's naff.) 🙂

Edinburgh Congress at end of m ...[text shortened]... ugh I love that too).
A good book and a board and I am the happiest man on the planet.

hi, is it possible to go to a congress just to watch or do you need to buy a ticket and play?

No just turn up.

Make sure you have your mobile switched off. If it goes off during play then
you will be attacked by TC's, players and anybody else who happens to
be hanging about.