How would you guys evaluate this position?
King & Pawn Endgame Evaluation Reposted in v3
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White clearly wins. I'd start Kc4, Kb4 and Kxa4 after which the black king can't touch white paws. Black can:
a) Play Kg6, Kg5 and Kh4 only to get to the pawns. Two more moves to take them, then advance his pawns. By then white pawns will be long queens.
b) Or try to create a passed pawn via g6 and f5, but the white king will make it back in time.
riuryK wrote:
White clearly wins. I'd start Kc4, Kb4 and Kxa4 after which the black king can't touch white paws. Black can:
b) Or try to create a passed pawn via g6 and f5, but the white king will make it back in time.
Thanks for the reply.
After looking at the starting position a little bit I agree in that I think white is winning, but the method you refer to in point b is obviously not reliable for white as black does queen before white catches the passed f-pawn.
Correct. Obviously the position requires more thinking. Now that I missed that I'm not so sure, since the white king can't take on a4 which was critical. Black's a4 was a good move actually. The white king is tied to remaining in the "square". On the other hand I can't see either how the black king can make some progress. Looks drawish to me now.
I can put Rybka to work if you want a continuation.
I can put Rybka to work if you want a continuation.
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immediate b4 should do the trick. black king has to cover passed a pawn(assuming black takes on b3). then white picks up b pawn and runs across to the black kingside pawns
riuryK wrote:
Correct. Obviously the position requires more thinking. Now that I missed that I'm not so sure, since the white king can't take on a4 which was critical. Black's a4 was a good move actually. The white king is tied to remaining in the "square". On the other hand I can't see either how the black king can make some progress. Looks drawish to me now.
I can put Rybka to work if you want a continuation.
I can put Rybka to work if you want a continuation.
That would be great! Thanks.
64sqnowheretohide wrote:
immediate b4 should do the trick. black king has to cover passed a pawn(assuming black takes on b3). then white picks up b pawn and runs across to the black kingside pawns
Thanks. I just posted an analysis diagram with 1. b4 which I was working on while you were posting the above. As a matter of fact I posted one before your post, but deleted it due to an analysis error.
Definitely 1.b4! is the only way to go. Before giving this to the engine I've rather analyzed myself black's 1...g6 and a couple more of variations. I've tried to be as thorough as I could. Let me know if you see any flaw, but I can't see any good move for black to prevent the disaster.
riuryK wrote:
Definitely 1.b4! is the only way to go. Before giving this to the engine I've rather analyzed myself black's 1...g6 and a couple more of variations. I've tried to be as thorough as I could. Let me know if you see any flaw, but I can't see any good move for black to prevent the disaster.
Thanks for the comprehensive analysis. It looks good and error free.
I don't even remember why I was having trouble with 1...g6. I was using the ideas you presented here, but I'm guessing I probably rushed things, such as mainly the pushing of the b-pawn.
Great job! Thanks again.
White to move.