Better in material, but lost it anyway. Idealess endgame.

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Kosta011


I thought it was pitty I lost, I didn't play some outsanding moves but there wasnt many weak ones also. I just didn't have plan in the endgame. What was the right plan?
Loomis

The exchange variation of the French doesn't have to be as boring as you let it. Instead of 4. ... Nf6, how about 4. ... Bd6 and then Ne7, Nbc6, Bg4, Qd7, castle long, and your kingside pawns are ready to race up the board. If white ever plays Bg5 you can play f6, it just helps your pawns get rolling. If white plays h3 (and is castled), you just play h5 ready to sac a piece to open the h-file.

21. Rf1 h5 22. Bf3 Bxf5 with the threat of Bxh3.

22. ... Qb6+ looks like it wins a pawn on b2. Does white have a tactical trick after you take there?

It looks like white missed 24. h4 Rg3 25. Qf4 winning back the exchange.

In endings with rooks the most important thing is how active the rooks are.  At move 30 your rooks are defensive, guarding your pawns. Both your opponent's pieces are offensive, attacking your pawns. The bishop attacking two pawns is as valuable as your rook.

In general you don't want to trade pawns, but if you sit in an inactive position, you will lose pawns, which is even worse.

30. ... Rb5. If white trades rooks, your position gets way easier. More likely is

31. Rxa7 Rxb2. Pinning the g pawn and threatening Rxf3. If 32. Bxa5 Rff2 wins the g-pawn and gets your rooks really active.

Kosta011

First of all thanks for the comments!

Ok, I will keep that moves in mind next time to get exchange variation more interesting :)

About 22. ...Qb6+, yes it wins a pawn I think. I had this in my mind while I was playing, but I didn't analyze it completely. I thought he could play Rb1 and that it complicates my situation on Q-side. But it turns out to be the best move in position :(

24. h4 and I can just take f5 pawn with my rook, can I?

30...Rb5 can he take c6 pawn with bishop? But yes, even that is probably better for me. Thanks for all advice .

shoopi
I've analyzed 31... Rb5 and came up with a couple of variations. Then noticed that 30... Rb5 right away might have been even stronger.
Other than that, after 35. Rxc5 you only have a slight advantage, which is hard to convert to a win. I suppose the first goal should be to bring your king closer to the action, much like he's doing, and then battle it out and hope to triumph.
Kosta011

That g5 move in one of variations is really interesting...I think I'm gonna play this endgame with engine too see if I can win it now.