Should I have won?

I was playing an OTB game with my friend today and ended up in this position (I am black). The game ended in a draw. Should I have won this game?



He played a5 here
(I am a newbie chess player so if this is a stupid question I apologize.)

Originally posted by ferntheballplayer
I was playing an OTB game with my friend today and ended up in this position (I am black). The game ended in a draw. Should I have won this game?

[fen]8/pp6/2p5/2P2K2/PP4Rp/1r5k/8/8 w 0 25[/fen]

He played a5 here
(I am a newbie chess player so if this is a stupid question I apologize.)

I'm having trouble with the notes.

Black wins like this:

1. Check the king and make him get behind the rook.
2. Force a rook trade.
3. Recapture (either way) and march the pawn to the queening square.

Variation 2:



If he doesn't move the king on move 2:
Trade rooks and play Kg2.
The pawn marches all the way to the queening square.

Oh wow it was that easy, thats embarassing. Shows I have a ways to go. But thanks.

After his a5, you had a forced win.

This winning variation will be pretty hard to find for a newcomer. It takes years of technique/experience to figure out how to convert wins in the endgame. Don't feel bad. My entire win here was based on a tradedown of the rooks. The general consensus (and you probably know this) is that the less material there is on the board, the more value a pawn advantage has. Trades are good for the side ahead.

Paulbuchmanfromfics...
I have a question for you on this >> Thread 149883 Page 3 / Post#11

Originally posted by ferntheballplayer
I was playing an OTB game with my friend today and ended up in this position (I am black). The game ended in a draw. Should I have won this game?

[fen]8/pp6/2p5/2P2K2/PP4Rp/1r5k/8/8 w 0 25[/fen]

He played a5 here
(I am a newbie chess player so if this is a stupid question I apologize.)

Heartbreaking, Paulie gave you good tips. Endings and tactics my friend.

What kind of ball you play fern?

Basket.. haha. Why do you ask? You play?

I played a lot basketball in junior high. Being around 6 feet tall back then helped a lot.

Originally posted by ferntheballplayer
Basket.. haha. Why do you ask? You play?

Do you play for a team?

I do.. I play on a Division 2 college team on a scholarship.. I got pretty lucky haha, I'm 6'5".

Originally posted by ferntheballplayer
I do.. I play on a Division 2 college team on a scholarship.. I got pretty lucky haha, I'm 6'5".

That's great!

I'm 6'5" too, but I am afraid my width is catching up with my height. 😞

I guess you guys do a lot of traveling. Don't you? One of the things I liked the most was seeing all the other schools.

Haha, that's what exercise is for!
And yes, quite a bit of traveling. Get to see many nice schools/areas. Love it

Originally posted by paulbuchmanfromfics
I played a lot basketball in junior high. Being around 6 feet tall back then helped a lot.

How tall are you now? 😛