Pawn Ending - a little quiz - #3

So here are some more awesome pawn endings:

Position 7 (continuing from the last post):

Which statement is correct (with Black to move):

A) Black can save himself with 1...Kc7.

B) Black can save himself with 1...Ke7.

C) Black is lost.

Position 8:

Which statement is correct (with Black to move):

A) Black can win with 1...Kd4.

B) Black can win with 1...Kc4.

C) Black can't win; the game is drawn.

Position 9:

Which statement is correct (with White to move):

A) White draws by 1.fxg5+.

B) White draws by 1.hxg5+.

C) White draws by 1.Kg2.

Hope you enjoy!

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Ok, so it's time for some solutions:

Brief solutions:

Position 7: A

Position 8: C

Position 9: B

Detailed solutions:

Position 7: In this position it should be noticed that White has two key ideas to win:

A) Conquer a critical square of the black pawn, and win it. The critical squares are c6, d6, e6, g6 and h6.

B) Advance his e-pawn at the right moment to either create a winning 2 versus 1 protected pawn ending, or to win a key square of his own pawn after an exchange of pawns (if Black captures the e-pawn).

The correct move is:

1...Kc7

Other moves allow White to implement one of his two winning ideas:

1...Ke7 2.Kc4 (advancing on the other side of the central file of the critical squares - the d-file) 2...Kd6 (this best demonstrates Black's dilemma) 3.Kd4 (taking the opposition) 3...Kc6 (refusing to give further ground but now the pawn can advance - see below for 3...Ke7) 4.e5 fxe5+ (otherwise White plays 5.e6) 5.Kxe5 and it's clear that White conquers a key square, say, g7 and wins easily.

If Black had instead played 3...Ke7 he would no longer be able to defend the critical squares of his pawn: 4.Kc5 (again advancing on the other side of the central file of the critical squares) 4...Kd7 5.Kd5 (taking the opposition on the central file of the critical squares) 5...Ke7 6.Kc6 Ke8 7.Kd6 Kf7 8.Kd7 Kf8 9.Ke6 Kg7 10.Ke7 and the pawn is lost due to zugzwang.

Similar variations can be made for other first moves for Black. Except for the main line which we now look at:

1...Kc7 (this move blocks White's attempt at advancing on the other side of the central file since his own pawn is blocking the route now) 2.Kd4 (trying to threaten 3.e5) 2...Kd6 (stopping 3.e5 and taking the opposition on the central file) 3.Kc4 Kc5 (not 3...Ke5? 4.Kd3 Kd6 5.Kd4 when White has gained the opposition on the central file and can implement one of his two ideas).

After 3...Kc5 it's clear that White isn't making any progress. If the White king goes further towards the kingside then Black can counter-attack the white pawns. So he must go back and be content with a draw.

Position 8: This position is a draw but there are a few tricks from both sides. Of course only 1...Kc4 is interesting; otherwise White simply captures the black pawn and we have a draw because when Black eventually captures the white pawn, the white king can simply go to b2, take the opposition and draw easily.

1...Kc4 2.Ka3 (trying to save his pawn - notice that Black can't play 2...Kc3 due to stalemate) 2...b2 (the only winning atttempt) 3.Ka2 (White can't capture because after 3.Kxb2 Kxb4 he loses the opposition and the game) 3...Kc3 (3...Kxb4 4.Kxb2 and White has the opposition and draws) 4.Kb1 Kc4 (nothing really works here) 5.Kc2 (forcing Black to make a decision) 5...b1Q+ 6.Kxb1 Kxb4 7.Kb2 and the opposition has been won by White who therefore achieves a draw.

Position 9: This final position is in fact very difficult. The key is that in the main line you need to sacrifice both white pawns in order to draw because you can defend the key squares of the black pawn. The correct move is:

1.hxg5+ (the only drawing move)

The other two moves lose as follows:

1.fxg5+ Kh5 (threatening the h-pawn which is doomed) 2.Kg2 Kxh4 3.g6 (or 3.Kf3 Kxg5 and Black is on a key square of his pawn and wins easily) 3...fxg6 and Black is on a key square of his pawn and wins easily.

1.Kg2 gxh4 and White is in serious trouble in all variations:

- 2.Kh3 Kh5 3.f5 f6 (and zugzwang)

- 2.Kh2 Kg4 (and the other white pawn is lost)

- 2.Kf3 f5 (and zugzwang)

After 1.hxg5+, Black tries to attack the base of the chain (f4): 1...Kh5 and here is where White must play: 2.g6 in order to sacrifice both pawns. After 2...fxg6 (2...Kxg6 3.Kg2 Kf5 4.Kf3 and White saves his pawn and the game) 3.f5 gxf5 4.Kg1 Kg5 5.Kf1 it's clear that Black loses the fight for the key squares (e3, f3 and g3) because he can't access the central file on the same square color as the White king because his own pawn is blocking the way. After, say, 5...Kf4 6.Kf2 (or 5...Kg4 6.Kg2) the game is a clear draw since White has the opposition.

Ok, so this concludes the last solutions in the pawn endgame trilogy. Solving these endgames is fun in my opinion since the solutions are based on ideas and not just calculation. I hope you've enjoyed them as much as I have.

Best of luck in your further endgame adventures!

Hi to all!

Just wanted to say that the solutions to this final part of the pawn quiz trilogy have been made! Have a nice time solving if you haven't already done so.

Regards,

Playdane