INTERESTING POSITIONS FROM GAMES

I played game against spanish player and i won on time. But final position was very interesting, i wonder can i win (i was white).

Hello Diego!
That position is win for the white.

Black has got 5 possible moves: Kc1, Kc2, Kb3, Ka2 and Kb1

1) After 1. ... Kc1, Kc2 or Kb3 it is enough to play 2. Qa1 and block the pawn. Then bring your king, win a pawn and check mate with king and queen.

2) 1. ... Ka2 blocks passed pawn (it cannot move forward), so white has got a time to bring king 2. Kb5 and black has to move their king 2. ... Kb1 (look at case 3.)

3) 1. ... Kb1 with a threat to push pawn to a2 and draw. So white needs to do moves with check (it does not give time for opponent to push pawn). 2. Qe4 Kb2 3. Qb4 Ka2 4. Kb5 ... and black is losing their pawn 4. ... Ka1 5. Q:a3 ...

Please see some lines:

Of course, You need to know how to check mate with a king and queen. But this is easier part.

It would be a draw if black's rook pawn is at 2nd rank (a2 square). Black's king can just move on squares: b2, b1 (and threat to promotion) and in case of queen's check at b-file hide to a1 (in front of the pawn) with stalemate threat.

wow very good analysis, i have a game that is quite interesting. would you mind if you analyze it?

go ahead

This position is called "de Groot Zyme"

It is White to Move.

Think Checks, Captures and Threats, on both sides.

OK here is one. Black to play: I played Bxg3 but missed a much stronger move (that I did not even consider).

Here is another (this time simple) tactic I missed in a blitz game. Black to move:

ps-- Both positions in my last 2 posts came from playing the Tarrasch defense as black. A good bit of what I know about playing it,

***I learned from an excellent chess.com course of Matt's.***