Rook And Opposite Coloured Bishop Ending - Win For Black, But How Do You Win It In A Game?

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Avatar of Scrover

I can remember I posted an opposite coloured bishop ending a couple of months ago in this forum.  This is another opposite coloured bishop ending.  

 

I outplayed an opponent about 180 points above me to reach the position below (black to move and I play black).

 

 

I see that my pieces are all good attacking pieces while white's pieces are all defensive pieces.  In the game (a 15/10), I took my time (probably could have taken more time) which included taking a walk with my king up and down the board to gain the increment each move.  I then traded rooks with my opponent and then proceeded to play b5 and b4 and if cxb4 play c3 as I thought it won (I was in some time pressure) and then realised that it was too late to correct my mistake (c3 allows white's b pawn to queen) and resigned shortly after.

 

Is there an easy (or simple to follow) and practical way in such situations to break through this position and convert it to a win?  Or if not, what other tips in situations like these should I employ?  The computer shows lines that win which include some maneuvering by both players, but I would find such continuations as shown by the computer hard to find in such a position when I only have 10 seconds increment or even with a 30 or 45 second increment.

Avatar of halfnatty

The black rook is so much more active than the white rook that any rook trade here would benefit white. Not only would it alleviate the pressure from white who is nearly in Zugzwang, but opposite colored bishop + pawn endings can be notoriously difficult to convert even up on pawns. If you were white trying to hold this position, you would definitely be trying to swap rooks off so as black you should be trying to counteract those plans. You also should be looking for potential breakthroughs and the immediately obvious ones are the rook sac on c3 and the b4 pawn break. Both are objectively winning at a quick glance and may require a bit of maneuvering, but the important thing here is that white has no useful moves to make. Just take the time to put all your pieces on the best squares, making sure not to allow white any counter play (the a1 square should always be covered as it is the only way white can get counter play) then go for one of the winning breaks.