USA Chess Championships + Sam Loyd

@greenpawn34

I have to disagree with you on one thing, Geoff. There is one more end game fact one should know: the difference between the good and the bad bishop with an edge pawn.
I once watched someone trying to win with the bad bishop. It was very amusing for a few minutes until we disabused him.

Hi Shallow-Blue.

Although the whole thing is slightly tongue in cheek, a good
Bishop v bad Bishop will eventually turn into a won pawn ending.
Then all you need is very basic KP v K knowledge. Is it a win, is it a draw.

My theory is the less you know about the ending the better. That way you fear
going into one, this will make you play the middle game like a desperado.

@greenpawn34 said
Although the whole thing is slightly tongue in cheek, a good
Bishop v bad Bishop will eventually turn into a won pawn ending.
Then all you need is very basic KP v K knowledge. Is it a win, is it a draw.

Ah, I think that's a different ending. I meant the one where you already have an edge pawn, the defending king in front of it (otherwise it's won anyway) and either the bishop on the colour of the promotion square, or the other one. IOW, either this:


which draws, or this:


which wins. Not knowing the difference means you swap off the wrong light piece.