3P v. 3P breakthrough - variation

This one's widely known, it's one of those tricks which most people know but have probably never had the chance of using in a game:

In the first one: What about 2. ... Ke5?

Then 3.cxb6 Kd6

4.b7 Kc7

5.bxc6! And black is toast.

Thanks!

The first one is only a draw because Black's king is close enough.

1. b5 cxb5 2. a5? (either recapture would draw)  bxa5 3. c5 Ke5 and Black wins.

Yep, you're right, my mistake!

I used the trick in a recent game. With a pair of Rooks on the board!

Bigdogg, I'm sorry I'm not sure that actually worked. Your queening is hardly a forcing threat with both rooks on the board.

After 44... bxc5, c4/c3/b4 seems to secure the win for black. (Variations circle around the fact that black has 4 passed pawns and the rooks are practically stalemated (yes black's king and rook both can't move, but the pawns seem sufficient to win, since white's rook is fixed to the g file (else say Rxb2 somewhere some line in the future, Ra8 followed by Kg8 and white seems lost).

But it did work. I got a draw.

It doesn't matter if it wasn't sound. Point is, it surprised/confused the opponent enough for him to blow the win. That's ll you need sometimes.

Ah ok. Noted. (Seems like the only way to create counterplay though) Was just disappointed it didn't seem to create much if 44...bxc4 was played. Was it a blitz game?

Nope. Just two endgame-challenged players. :)