can one of us win?

Sort:
Avatar of Gert-Jan

In one of my live chess games we came in this position. It is white's turn. White does not want to move one of its pawns because then black would win. Can one of us win?

Avatar of staggerlee

This looks thoroughly drawn to me.  Of course, either one can win given a blunder from the other side, but barring blunders this is draw city.

Avatar of Ray_Brooks

Drawn with best play from both sides, black doesn't have time to hunt down the white a-pawn. Both kings advance on the king side and a stand off ensues, would be my bet.

Avatar of AMcHarg

It should end a draw if neither player makes a mistake.

Avatar of staggerlee

I toyed around with black trying to kill the pawn on the a file and promote there, but white beats him to it on the other side.  If black goes to defend, then it's just dead drawn.

Avatar of Mm40

I think white may actually win, because white can advance two pawns on the kingside if they tried really hard, and black can only advance one pawn on the queenside.

Avatar of ChessSoldier

I see a draw.  Ke2 is the best shot, threatening f3.  Black has to defend it and can't go after the a pawn.

Avatar of Salaskan

1. Ke2 Kc6 2. f3 Kb5 3. fxg4 Kxa5 6. g6 +- and black won't make it, so both will have to go for the kingside. 1. Ke2 Ke6 2. f3 gxf3+ (2... Kf5 3. fxg4+ Kxg4 4. Kf2 Kh3 5. Kf3 and black will have to defend with 5...Kh4 which is obviously drawn; 5...Kxh2 6. Kg4 Kg2 7. Kxg5 +- doesn't cut it as white will keep his king on the sixth rank, advance the a pawn to the same rank and devour the black pawn) 3. Kxf3 Kf5 4. h3 = and neither side can make progress, if anyone leaves for the queenside the opponent will promote first. Dead drawn.

Avatar of Gert-Jan

thank you all for the comments

Avatar of Puydtje

When nobody make mistakes it is a draw

Avatar of maartenotten

It looked draw for me and I used the Fritz 11 engine and its draw for sure (without brundering from one of the two)