Table of Contents

Title page
Key to Symbols
Foreword by Alexander Hart

Chapter 1 – Particular Endgames

Exercises

Chapter 2 – Defense

Exercises

Chapter 3 – Hidden Resources

Exercises

Chapter 4 – Prophylaxis

Exercises

Chapter 5 – Pawn Endgames and Transitioning into Pawn Endgames

Exercises

Chapter 6 – Converting

Exercises

2
 Improve your Practical Play in the Endgame

by
Alexey Dreev

Thinkers Publishing 2019

www.thinkerspublishing.com

First edition 2019 by Thinkers Publishing

Copyright © 2019 Alexey Dreev
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior written permission from the publisher.
All sales or enquiries should be directed to Thinkers Publishing, 9850 Landegem, Belgium.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.thinkerspublishing.com

Managing Editor: Romain Edouard

Assistant Editor: Daniël Vanheirzeele
Typesetting: Mark Haast
Translation to English: Alexander Hart
Proofreading: Ezra Kirk
Software: Hub van de Laar
Cover Design: Iwan Kerkhof
Graphic Artist: Philippe Tonnard
Production: BESTinGraphics
ISBN: 9789492510594
D/2019/13730/17

3
 Key to Symbols

! a good move
? a weak move
!! an excellent move
?? a blunder
!? an interesting move
?! a dubious move
™ only move
N novelty
‰ lead in development
ʘ zugzwang
= equality
∞ unclear position
© with compensation for the sacrificed material
² White stands slightly better
³ Black stands slightly better
± White has a serious advantage
µ Black has a serious advantage
+– White has a decisive advantage
–+ Black has a decisive advantage
‚ with an attack
ƒ with initiative
„ with counterplay
… with the idea of
¹ better is
≤ worse is
+ check
# mate

4
 Foreword

Dear chess partisan,

It is with great pleasure that I hereby present you with Russian Grandmaster Alexey Dreev’s “Practical
Play in the Endgame”, a continuation of “Practical Play in the Middlegame” (released in 2018, by
Thinkers Publishing). Dreev has for the past three decades been internationally regarded as one of the
most tenacious and consistent chess players in the world. His results speak for themselves, including,
but not limited to, the World Blitz Championship Title, Gold Medals at the Chess Olympiad with the
Russian national team, World Championships Candidate Tournaments, and numerous 1st place finishes
at internationally renowned tournaments at the elite level such as “Wijk aan Zee” and “Biel” - to only
name a few. Even more importantly, with respect to this book, Dreev has been able to draw from his
extensive and direct interaction as a pupil with the legendary and instructive chess genius Mark
Dvoretsky.
The author’s aim in this volume is to improve the tournament chess player and professional alike in
their ability to evaluate and execute crucial and hard-fought practical endgames - either in converting a
winning position or holding a draw. This book will also sharpen the player’s overall cognitive
competences in practical situations, where the normal laws of endgame theory have little or no value.
Dreev accomplishes this by providing categorized and detailed examples with clear commentary from
his own tournament games, as well as from other Grandmasters’ at the elite level.
Throughout the translation of this book from Russian to English, I have attempted to adhere as strictly
as possible to the author’s original content, so as to provide the most authentic experience between the
reader and the author. Therefore, certain passages in the examples might appear unduly mechanical or
dry from a purely linguistic standpoint. However, I have purposely chosen this path, to avoid any
excessive wording or phrasing, and provide the reader with the most unequivocal, clear-cut access to
the material without attempting unnecessary augmentations.
In conclusion, I believe that the examples in this book are of very high value for both elite and aspiring
chess players - even in the 21st century, a time of computer analysis and evaluation. The works
themselves come from the highest level of tournament play, and many of the examples have an “etude”
feel to them, where the solutions are often quite nonstandard, yet entirely practical from a critical over
the board situation. The book before you engages the reader in useful calculations all the while
expanding the player’s perception and confidence in a phase of the game where computer theory and
preparation are of little value.

Sincerely,
Alexander Hart
Berlin, August 2019

5
 Chapter 1
Particular Endgames

In this chapter, we will look at endings that contain a non-standard balance of material. Rare and
uncommon endings will also be considered.
Obviously, it is quite difficult to get used to the unusual, since otherwise the unusual would become the
habitual. However, it is necessary to improve a player’s intuition in such unusual situations, as they
frequently occur in practical games.
It can sometimes be a difficult task to assess the position in such an endgame, let alone find the correct
moves.
Despite the active emasculation of our game, professionals, as well as amateurs, cannot get by without
the use of figurative drugs (computers). Fortunately though, engines cannot completely cover all areas
of the game.
The name of this chess Atlantis is the endgame, and its beautiful capital could certainly be located
precisely in endgames with a non-standard material balance, of which we will see many examples.
Example 1
From Khismatullin – Inarkiev
Satka 2018

White to move

The material is absolutely equal, but Black threatens mate in two moves.

44.Rg3

6
At first sight, simpler appears to be 44.Kf4 R2d3 [44...R6d4+ 45.Kg3 R4d3+ 46.Kh4=] 45.Ra4= but
the text move is certainly not a mistake.

44.Rg3 h5

Black threatens to disturb the white rook with the h-pawn and White naturally tries to defend against
this.

45.Ra4??

It seems that White is well protected from the movement of the h-pawn...
A) Almost any other move led to an inevitable draw: 45.Ra5=.
B) 45.h4=
C) 45.Rf3=

45...h4!!–+

Position after: 45...h4!!–+

And now...

46.Rxh4

46.Rf3 Kg5!–+

46...Ke5

7
Thanks to the diversion of the a4-rook, White has no saving check on a5 and there is no defense against
mate.

0-1

Example 2
From Martinez Duany – Demchenko
Rochefort 2018

White to move

In the game, White hurried to set his passed pawns in motion.

51.f6?!

A) Winning easily was 51.Rh5! … 51...Rxe4 [51...Ka6 52.e5+–; 51...Ka4 52.Nb2+ Ka3 53.Nc4++–]
52.f6+ Ka6 53.f7+–.
B) 51.Rh4 also wins, though not as quickly.

51.f6?! Rf7! 52.Rh5+

52.e5? Be6 53.Nf4 Rc7+=

52...Ka6

8
Position after: 52...Ka6

53.e5

The best move, but even then, after a brilliant game by both sides, Black is saved.
The game continued 53.Nb4+?! Kb7 54.e5 Be6 55.Rh8 Rc7+ 56.Kb2

Position after: 56.Kb2

56...Rd7 57.Ka3 Rd2 58.Rh7+ Kc8 59.Rh1 b2 60.Rb1 Re2 61.Nc6 Kd7 62.Nd4 Rxe5= ½-½ (65).

9
53...Be6 54.Rh2! Kb5!

Position after: 54...Kb5!

Without the king’s help, one can only dream of salvation.

55.Nf4 Bc4 56.Ne2 Kc5 57.Nd4 Rf8!!

≤ 57...b2 58.Rxb2 Rh7

Position after: 58...Rh7

10
 A) ≤ 59.Rf2 Rh3+ 60.Nf3 [60.Rf3 Rxf3+ 61.Nxf3 Bg8!=] 60...Rh5 61.Ne1 Rh8!! [61...Rh3+? 62.Kd2
Rh8 63.Ke3 Kd5 64.Nf3+–] White’s problem is that his king cannot support his passed pawns, and
the rook ending that occurs after 62.Nd3+ Bxd3 63.Kxd3 is drawn: 63...Kd5 64.Re2 Ke6=.
B) 59.Rd2!! Rh3+ 60.Kb2! [60.Kc2 Re3=] 60...Re3

Position after: 60...Re3

61.Rc2! Kxd4 [61...Rxe5 62.f7+–] 62.Rxc4+ Kxe5 63.Rf4!!+–

58.e6

11
Position after: 58.e6

58...Rc8!!

58...Rxf6? 59.Rh5++–

59.e7

59.f7 Bd5! [59...Bxe6? 60.f8=Q+ Rxf8 61.Nxe6+] 60.Rh5 Kd6+ 61.Kb2 Bxe6 62.Rh6 Ke7=

59...Kd6 60.Kb2

60.e8=Q Rxe8 61.Kxc4 Rf8 62.Rf2 b2=

60...Ra8™

Position after: 60...Ra8™

60...Ke5? 61.Re2+!+–

61.Nxb3

After 61.Kc3 Rc8 White would have nothing better than 62.Kb2, repeating moves.

61...Re8!!

A) 61...Bf7? 62.Re2!+–
B) 61...Ke6? 62.Rf2!+–

12
 C) 61...Bxb3? 62.Kxb3 Ke6 63.Rd2+–

62.Nd2

Position after: 62.Nd2

62...Ke5!

The final subtlety.

A) 62...Ke6? 63.Rf2+–
B) 62...Bf7? 63.Re2!+–

63.Rf2 Bf7=

For example:

64.Kc3 Rh8 65.Nc4+ Ke6 66.Nxb6 Rh6

A very instructive struggle, demonstrating the possibilities of defense!

Example 3
From Dreev – Balashov
Odessa 1989

13
Black to move

34...Qe7?!

Seeing that the exchange of queens is almost inevitable, Black does a bit of “flirting”... Surprisingly,
the fate of the entire battle was largely decided over this move.
34...Qxe2+ 35.Kxe2 g5 The black pieces are tightly packed, so it is important to seize as much space as
possible. [To this purpose, also interesting is 35...Nh5 36.Bh2 f5=] 36.Bh2 Ne8 37.g4 f5 38.gxf5 Ng7=

34...Qe7?! 35.g4!±

Now Black is doomed to a passive defense.

35...Ne8 36.Ne4 Ndf6 37.Ng3!

14
Position after: 37.Ng3!

White doesn’t exchange queens himself!

37...Qxe2+ 38.Kxe2 Be7

38...Nd7!?

39.Nd2 Kg7 40.Be3 h5

It was perhaps not worth trying to be active.

41.f3 hxg4 42.fxg4 Nd7 43.Bf4 Bf6

15
Position after: 43...Bf6

44.Nf3

It is important to take control of the e5-square.

Virtually the entire advantage would have been spoiled by the careless 44.Nde4?! Be5.

44...Be7 45.Bd2 Kg8 46.Ne4 Nef6 47.Bg5 Kf8 48.Ng3 Ke8 49.Bh6 Bf8 50.Bxf8!? Kxf8

Position after: 50...Kxf8

16
White exchanged the bishops since the pawn structure had already changed for the better and it is now
important for him to activate the king in order to push the h-pawn, which was much more difficult in
the presence of the bishops.

51.Ke3 Kg7 52.Kf4 Kg8 53.h4

Position after: 53.h4

Until now, Black patiently waged an unpleasant defense, but as practice often shows, even very strong
defenders in such cases sooner or later make an irreparable mistake...

53...Kf8?

¹ 53...Ne8 … 54.h5 Kh7!±

54.h5!+–

17
Position after: 54.h5!+–

The white pawn gets to h6 unhindered. Black cannot tolerate this by any means. White clinically
converts the advantage, leaving no hope for Black.

54...Kg7 55.h6+ Kg8 56.g5 Ne8 57.Ne4 Kh7 58.Nh2 f5 59.Nd2! Kg8 60.Nhf3 Kf7 61.Nb3 Nf8
62.Nh4

Position after: 62.Nh4

18
62...Nh7

Stronger was 62...Nc7. Then White could return to the plan of sacrificing the knight on f5, for example:
63.Nd2 Ne8 64.Ndf3 Nc7 65.Ng2 Ne8 66.Nfh4 Nc7 67.Ne3 Ne8

Position after: 67...Ne8

68.Nexf5+–

63.Nxa5 bxa5 64.b6 Nf8 65.b7 Nd7 66.h7 Kg7 67.Nxg6 Kxh7 68.Nf8+

1-0

Example 4
From Fier – Bologan
Moscow 2011

19
White to move

In this very non-standard ending, the opponents both made several mistakes, which is not surprising. In
these types of situations, it is quite easy to lose one’s way.

43.Rxa1

43.Nxf7+? Kg8 44.Nh6+ Kh8 45.Nf7+ [45.Rxa1?? Qxe6–+] 45...Kg8 46.Nh6+=

43.Rxa1 c1=Q+?

A) Probably not saving Black, but would have allowed for practical chances of salvation was
43...Qa7! 44.Nxf7+ Kg8 45.Nh6+ Kh8 46.Rf1 Qe7 47.Nd8!! b3 48.Ndf7+ Kg7 49.Nf5+ Kf8
50.Nxe7 b2 [50...Kxe7 51.Ne5] 51.Ne5+ Kxe7 52.Nd3 b1=Q 53.Nc1 Qa1 54.Bg4 Qa6.

20
Position after: 54...Qa6

It is not easy to win such an endgame, a player needs quite refined technique to be able to convert this.
55.Be2! [≤ 55.Rg1 Qg6 56.Bf5 Qxg5 57.Bxh7 Ke6=] 55...Qg6 56.Rf5 Qd6 57.Bd3±
B) Also leading to the same result was 43...Qb7! 44.Nxf7+ Kg8 45.Nh6+ Kh8 as White has nothing
better than 46.Rf1, transposing to 43...Qa7 after 46...Qe7.

44.Rxc1 fxe6

Position after: 44...fxe6

21
45.Ra1?

45.Rf1! b3 46.Bd1 c4 47.h4+–

Position after: 47.h4+–

The black pawns are halted and the queen is restricted to the protection of the king in the “box”. White
gradually strengthens his position and attains victory, for example: 47...Qc5 48.Kh2 Qe7 49.Kh3 Qc5
50.Rf7 Qd6 51.e5 Qc5 52.Bf3 b2 53.Be4+–

45...Qf8?

Black was saved by a series of only moves: 45...Kg7! 46.h4 [46.Ra8? Qxg5 47.Rg8+ Kxh6 48.Rxg5
Kxg5 49.Bd1 Kf4–+] 46...Qb7! it is impossible to allow the rook to break through to the rear 47.Rd1
Qc7!

22
Position after: 47...Qc7!

[47...Qxe4?? 48.Rd7+ Kf8 49.Rf7+ Ke8 50.Rf4++–]

A) Obtaining nothing was 48.Nf5+
A1) 48...exf5? 49.exf5 b3 50.f6+ Kf8 51.Re1 Qd7 52.f7 Kg7 53.Re8 Qxf7 54.Bxf7 Kxf7 55.Rc8+–
A2) ≤ 48...Kg8 49.Nd6 b3 50.Bf7+ Kf8 51.Bxe6 b2 52.Nf5 [≤ 52.Nc4 Qf4 53.Nxb2 Qe5=]
52...Qa5! 53.Kh2™ Threatening 53...Qa1. 53...c4! 54.Bxc4 Qc7+ 55.Kh3 Qxc4 56.Rd8+ Kf7
57.Nd6+ Ke7 58.Nxc4 b1=Q 59.Rd4²
A3) In view of the accurate response of 48...Kh8!=.
B) 48.Bg4 Qg3!

23
Position after: 48...Qg3!

49.Rd8 Qxh4+ 50.Bh3 Qxg5 51.Rg8+ Kxh6 52.Rxg5 Kxg5 53.Bxe6 Kf4 54.Bd5 Ke5 55.Kg1 Kd4
56.Kf2 c4 57.Ke2 b3 58.Kd2 b2 59.Kc2 c3=
Back to 45...Qf8.

Position after: 45...Qf8?

46.Nf7+?

24
The seemingly modest 46.Be2!+– led to the winning plan previously discussed.

46...Kg7 47.Ra7 b3 48.Nh6+

White has no choice but to force a draw.

48.Rb7? Qa8–+

48...Kh8 49.Nf7+ Kg7 50.Nh6+ Kh8 ½-½

Example 5
From Dreev – Savchenko
Apatity 2011

Black to move

Black has a way to draw, but he needs to understand the position in order to find it, and be rather
resourceful.

36...Qb8+?!

The only saving move was the “quiet” 36...Qe2!! 37.Ka4 [White cannot reorganize his pieces as
37.Bd7 leads to a draw: 37...Qb5+ 38.Kc3 d4+ 39.Kxd4 Qb4+ 40.Kd5 Qb5+ 41.Ke6 Qe2+ 42.Kf5
Qf2+©.] 37...Qxa2+ 38.Kb5 Qb1+ 39.Kxa5 Qa2+ 40.Kb5 Qe2+ 41.Kb6

25
Position after: 41.Kb6

41...Qf2+ Only in this manner can the white king “cross the line” and head to the seventh rank. 42.Kb7
Qxf6! 43.Rxf6 Kxf6= and Black pushes his d-pawn and draws.

36...Qb8+?! 37.Kc2 Qh2+

37...Qe5 38.Kd3 Qg3+ 39.Kd4 is just a different move order.

38.Kd3

26
Position after: 38.Kd3

38...Qg3+

In the game, Black did not react in time and immediately lost the opportunity for a draw: 38...Qe5?
39.Bf7 Qf5+ 40.Kd4 Qf4+ 41.Kxd5 Qf5+ 42.Kc4 Qf4+ 43.Kb5 Qb8+ 44.Kc5 Qa7+ 45.Kd5+– 1-0
(57).

39.Kd4 Qf2+

≤ 39...Qf4+?! 40.Kxd5 Qd2+ 41.Ke6 Qxa2+ 42.Kd7+–

40.Kxd5

Or 40.Ke5 Qe2+ 41.Kxd5 Qxa2+

40...Qxa2+ 41.Kc5 Qa3+ 42.Kb5 Qd3+ 43.Kxa5 Qd8+ 44.Kb5 Qb8+ 45.Rb6

Position after: 45.Rb6

45...Qd8!

It is extremely important for Black not to allow the king to a6.

45...Qh2 46.Ka6!! Qe2+ 47.Kb7 Qg2+ 48.Rc6 Qb2+ 49.Kc8 Qa2 50.Nd7+–

46.Re6!!

And yet, it appears as though the white king can make his way to the pieces with the aid of this fine

27
rook move.
A) 46.Nh5+ Kf8 47.g7+ Kg8=
B) 46.Ka6 Qa8+ 47.Kb5 Qd8
C) 46.Bf7 Qd3+ 47.Bc4 Qb1+ 48.Ka6 Qa1+=

46...Qd3+ 47.Kc6 Qa6+ 48.Kd7 Qb7+

48...Qa7+ 49.Kd8+–

49.Kd8 Qa8+ 50.Ke7

Position after: 50.Ke7

50...Qa3+

50...Qa5 51.Rc6!+–

51.Rd6 Qe3+ 52.Kd8 Qa3 53.Rc6 Qa5+ 54.Kc8 Qa8+ 55.Kd7 Qa7+ 56.Rc7 Qa2 57.Ne4!?+–

Example 6
From Dreev – Rausis
Luzern 1993

28
White to move

At first glance, in this position White cannot count on any advantage, since Black has enough material
in return for the queen and does not have any real weaknesses. However, at this very moment, White
can create serious practical problems, if not obtain a serious advantage. How is this possible?!

32.g4!

Of course, after this move, White may not win, but at the very least he will firmly seize the initiative.
The resulting defensive task for Black is not easy — now the game can only end in two ways...
The game continued 32.Qb6 Rd7

29
Position after: 32...Rd7

A) 33.Kf2 h5= 1-0 (101).

B) Here, the plan with the g-pawn advance is no longer as effective as before, as there are no pins
along the seventh rank and the knight can easily retreat to e8: 33.g4 h6!? [33...h5!? 34.g5 Ne8 35.e4!
Nd6 36.Ra7 Rxa7 37.Qxa7 Threatening g5-g6. 37...g6! 38.Qc7 Ne8=; 33...g5 34.h4 gxh4 35.g5 Ne8
36.Qb8 Nf5 37.Ra8ƒ] 34.h4 e5!? 35.g5 hxg5 36.hxg5 Ne8∞

32.g4! h6

A) 32...g5?! 33.h4! h6 [33...gxh4 34.Qc7 Rd7 35.Qf4± … 35...Kg6 36.g5 Nh5 37.Qe5 d4 38.Rc1 Ba2
39.e4 d3 40.Qb5 d2 41.Rd1 Rd8 42.Qa5+–] 34.hxg5 hxg5 35.Qc7 Rd7 36.Qe5±
B) 32...Rd7 33.Qb8ƒ … 33...d4?! 34.Qb4 Rc7 35.e4 Ng6 36.Qb6 Re7 37.Qxd4±

33.h4ƒ

Example 7
From Rakhmanov – Maghsoodloo
St Petersburg 2018

30
Black to move

63...Kf6 64.Kc4!!

The only move!

In the case of the natural and seemingly very strong 64.Nd5+, Black saves the game: 64...Kf7

Position after: 64...Kf7

A) 65.Kc4 Qg5! 66.Nb4 [66.c6 Qxg4+ 67.Kc5 Qg1+ 68.Kd6 Qg3+=] 66...Qf4+ 67.Kb5 Qb8+

31
 68.Ka5 Qc7+ [Another acceptable form of protective defense 68...Qa8+!? 69.Kb6 Qb8+ 70.Bb7
Qd8+ 71.Kc6 Ke7 72.Nd5+ Kf7 73.Bc8 Qh8!=] 69.Ka4

Position after: 69.Ka4

69...Kf8!! 70.Kb5 Qb8+ 71.Ka5 Qc7+ 72.Ka4 White was able to give the move to Black, but Black
again has a waiting move with the king 72...Kf7! 73.c6 Qd6!! Again, a very important move. [≤
73...Qb6 74.Ba6! Qd4 75.Bb5 Qa1+ 76.Kb3 Qd1+ 77.Kc3 Qd6 78.c7 Qxc7+ 79.Nc6 Qg3+
80.Bd3+–] 74.Ba6

Position after: 74.Ba6

32
 74...Qd1+! It is necessary to prevent the white bishop from getting to the b5-square. 75.Ka5 [75.Kb5
Qd4 76.Bb7 Qe5+ 77.Kb6 Qd4+ 78.Kc7 Ke7 79.Kb8 Qh8+ 80.Bc8 Qb2 81.c7 Qxb4+ 82.Bb7
Kxd7 83.c8=Q+ Ke7=] 75...Qa1+! [≤ 75...Ke7 76.Nd3!!+– A very strong and difficult move to find.
76...Kd8 77.Kb6 Qc2 78.Bb5+–] 76.Kb6 Qd4+ 77.Kc7 Ke7 78.Kc8 Qh8+ 79.Kb7 Qb2 80.c7
Qxb4+ 81.Ka8 Qe4+ 82.Kb8 Qb4+ 83.Bb7 Kxd7 84.c8=Q+ Ke7 85.Qc7+ Kf6 86.Qd8+ Qe7=

Position after: 86...Qe7=

Despite the extra piece, due to the fact that the h8-square is of opposite color to that of the bishop, the
position is drawn, as after a queen exchange, Black will manage to play ...h5 in perfect conditions.
B) 65.Nb4

33
Position after: 65.Nb4

B1) The game continued 65...Qf6? 66.Kc4? [66.Nc6!+–] 66...Qf1+ 67.Kd5 instead of continuing
with checks, Black went 67...Qf6?? and lost: 68.Nc6 Qf3+ 69.Kd6 Qd3+ 70.Kc7 Qg3+ 71.Kb7
Qb3+ 72.Ka7 Qa3+ 73.Ba6 Qxc5+ 74.Kb7+– 1-0 (81).
B2) 65...Qg5!? 66.Kc4 Qf4+ 67.Kb5 Qb8+ 68.Ka5 Qc7+=
B3) 65...Qe7! 66.Nc6 Qxc5 67.d8=Q Qxc6

Position after: 67...Qxc6

34
 And, once again, a clear extra piece is not enough for the win. 68.Bf5 Qf3+ 69.Kc4 [69.Kd4 Qd1+
70.Bd3 Qxg4+=] 69...Qc6+ 70.Kd4 Qf6+!=

64...Qa5

64...Ke5 65.Kb5+–

65.Nd5+ Kf7

Position after: 65...Kf7

66.Nb4! Kg7!

≤ 66...Kf6 67.Kb3 Kf7 68.Ba6 Ke6 69.Nc6 Qxa6 [69...Qxc5 70.d8=Q Qxc6 71.Qf8+–] 70.d8=Q
Qxc6 71.Qb6+–

67.Nc6

No progress after 67.Kb3 Kf6 68.Ba6 Qd8 69.Bc8 Qa5.

67...Qa4+

67...Qa2+ 68.Kb5 Qb3+ 69.Nb4+–

68.Kd5 Qd1+ 69.Ke5 Qe2+ 70.Kd6 Qd3+ 71.Kc7 Qg3+ 72.Kd8!

≤ 72.Kb7 Qb3+ 73.Ka8 Qd5!

35
72...Qh4+ 73.Ke8 Qf6

Position after: 73...Qf6

It would appear that defense triumphs, but this would turn out to be a premature celebration.

74.d8=N! Qg6+ 75.Kd7 Qxg4+ 76.Ne6+ Kf6 77.Ncd4+–

Position after: 77.Ncd4+–

Though not immediately and not without difficulty, White is definitely winning, for example:

36
77...h5 78.Bb7 h4 79.Bf3

Or 79.c6 Qg2 80.Kc8

Position after: 80.Kc8

80...Qg8+ [80...h3 81.c7 Qg8+ 82.Nd8 h2 83.Kb8 Qg3 84.Bc6+–] 81.Kc7 h3 82.Kb6 h2 83.c7 Qh8
84.Nb5 Ke5 85.Na7 h1=Q 86.Bxh1 Qxh1 87.c8=Q+–

79...Qg8 80.c6 Qh7+ 81.Kc8 h3 82.c7 h2 83.Kb8 Qb1+ 84.Ka7 Qh7 85.Kb6+–

Example 8
From Carlsen – Mamedyarov
Wijk aan Zee 2019

37
Black to move

44...e3

In the game, Black did not decide that the problem could be solved in a simple manner and chose the
erroneous 44...h5? which quickly lost to 45.Bxb5 g4 46.hxg4 hxg4 47.Bc4 Ra1+ 48.Kh2 f4 49.b5 f3
50.b6 Kf4

Position after: 50...Kf4

51.Nxe4! 1-0.

38
44...e3 45.Bxb5 Kd4!

≤ 45...f4?

Position after: ≤ 45...f4?

This position deserves its own separate diagram. Black’s error can only be taken advantage of through a
series of fine and unique moves. 46.Bc4! [Natural, and at first glance very strong is 46.Nb3?. Actually,
this does not achieve the win due to Black’s timely counterattack: 46...h5! 47.Na5 g4 48.hxg4 hxg4 and
Black is not worse.] 46...Ra1+ [46...Ra3? 47.Nb3+–] 47.Kh2

39
Position after: 47.Kh2

47...Ra3! [47...Kd4 48.Nb3++–; 47...Kd6 48.Nb3 Ra2 49.Nd4 Ra1 50.Nc2 Ra4 51.Kg1+– The black
rook is immured and the white king triumphantly enters the game.]

Position after: 47...Ra3!

A) 48.Nb7 Kd4 49.Na5 [49.Be2 Kc3 50.b5 Kd2 51.Bf3 e2 52.Bxe2 Kxe2 53.Nc5 f3 54.gxf3 Kxf3
55.b6 Ra2+=; 49.Nd6 Ke5! 50.Nb7 Kd4=] 49...Rxa5 50.bxa5 Kxc4 51.a7 e2 52.a8=Q e1=Q=
B) 48.Bf1? Kd5=
C) 48.Be2!!

40
Position after: 48.Be2!!

48...Kd6 [48...Ra2 49.b5 Rxe2 50.b6 f3 51.b7 Rxg2+ 52.Kh1 Rb2 53.a7+–; 48...Kd4 49.h4+– …
49...Ra2 50.Nb3+ Ke5 51.Na5+–; 48...Kd5 49.Nb7+–] 49.Ne4+! [49.h4? Kc6=; also allowing the
win to slip away was 49.Nb7+? Kc7 50.Na5 Kb8=.] 49...Kc6 [49...Kc7 leads to the same position
with a different move order: 50.b5 Kb6.] 50.b5+ Kb6 51.Nf6! [51.h4? draws after ...Ka7 or 51...g4
52.Bxg4 Kxb5 53.Be2+ Kc6=.]

Position after: 51.Nf6!

41
 C1) 51...f3 52.gxf3 Ra2 53.Nd5+ Ka7 54.b6+ Kb8 55.Nc3 Rc2 [55...Rb2 56.a7+ Kb7 57.Kg3 Rxb6
58.Nb5+–] 56.a7+ Kb7 57.f4! gxf4 58.Kg1 Rc1+ 59.Kg2 Rc2 60.Kf1 Rc1+ 61.Nd1+–
C2) 51...Ra2 52.Nd5+ Kc5 53.b6 Rxe2 54.b7 Rb2

Position after: 54...Rb2

55.Nxe3! The clearest. [55.a7 also wins: 55...e2 56.b8=Q Rxb8 - if 56...e1=Q 57.Qc7+ Kd4 and
now 58.Nxf4 or 58.Qc3 wins – 57.axb8=Q e1=Q 58.Qb3! The resulting pawn ending if Black plays
...Qg3+ is lost and the white king goes to h5. … 58...Qe6 59.Qb5+! Kxb5 60.Nc7++–] 55...fxe3
56.a7 e2 57.a8=Q e1=Q 58.Qa3+ Qb4 59.b8=Q Qxa3 60.Qf8++–
Back to 45...Kd4.

42
Position after: 45...Kd4!

46.Kf1

Not changing much either is the move

46.Bd3 f4 47.Kf1 Ra1+ 48.Ke2 Ra2+ 49.Kd1 Rxg2 50.Be2 Kc3 51.Na4+ Kb3 52.Nc5+ Kc3=.

46...f4

The activity of the black pieces is now at its zenith, and is enough to achieve a draw.

47.Ba4 Ra1+ 48.Ke2 Ra2+ 49.Kf1

49.Kf3?? h5–+

49...Ra1+=

Example 9
From Bachmann – Henriquez
chess.com 2019

43
White to move

White’s position appears to be gloomy, however salvation is possible!

47.f5!

In the game, White simply “went with the flow” and quickly ended up losing 47.Nxa6? Rxc7 48.Nxc7
b4 49.Nd5 b3 50.Kd3 Kxh4 51.Kc3 Kg3 52.Kxb3 h4 53.Kc3 h3 0-1.

47.f5! gxf5

47...Kxh4 48.Rxf7! [48.Kd4 is possibly a draw as well, but the transition into the rook endgame saves
the game without a doubt!] 48...Rxc5 49.fxg6

44
Position after: 49.fxg6

49...Rg5 [49...b4 50.Rf1 Kh3 51.Rg1 Rc8 52.g7 Rg8 53.Kf3 Kh2 54.Rg2+ Kh1 55.Rg5 h4 56.Rh5=;
49...Rc6 50.g7 Rg6 51.Kf4=] 50.Rf4+ Kg3 51.Rf3+ Kg2 52.Rf2+ Kg1 53.Rf6

Position after: 53.Rf6

53...a5 [53...b4 54.Rxa6 h4 55.Kf4 Rg3 56.Rb6=] 54.Kf4 Rg4+ 55.Kf5=

48.Kd4

45
Position after: 48.Kd4

48...a5!

≤ 48...f4 49.Rxf7 Rc4+ [49...f3 50.Ne4=] 50.Kd5 f3 [50...a5 51.Ne4=] 51.Ne4 a5 52.Ke5=

49.Rb7!!

A very difficult move to find in my opinion, especially since it is not very clear why the more natural
move below loses!
A) 49.Rxf7? a4 50.Rb7 a3 51.Rxb5 a2 52.Ra5 f4 53.Ra4

46
Position after: 53.Ra4

And here is why:

A1) The logical and tempting 53...f3? allows White to escape by creating a fortress 54.Ke3+
[54.Kd3+ Kh3 55.Kxc2 f2 56.Rxa2 f1=Q] 54...Kg3 55.Ne4+ Kg2

Position after: 55...Kg2

56.Kf4! f2 57.Nxf2 Rc4+ [57...Kxf2 58.Kg5=] 58.Rxc4 a1=Q 59.Nd3™=

A2) 53...Kh3!! 54.Nd3 [54.Ke4 Kg3–+] 54...f3 55.Nf4+ [55.Ke3 Kg3–+] 55...Kh2 56.Ra3 f2

47
 57.Rh3+ Kg1 58.Rg3+ Kf1 59.Ra3 Ke1–+
B) 49.Ra7? a4–+

Position after: 49.Rb7!!

49...Rc4+

A) 49...a4 50.Rxb5 a3 51.Ra5 a2

Position after: 51...a2

48
 A1) 52.Nd3? f4! [52...Kxh4 53.Nb4 Rg2 54.Nxa2 f4 55.Nc3=] 53.Nb4 Rd2+ 54.Kc3 Re2! 55.Nxa2
f3

Position after: 55...f3

56.Ra4+ [56.Nc1 f2 57.Rg5+ Kxh4 58.Rf5 Re1 59.Rxf2 Rxc1+ 60.Kd3 Rc7 61.Ke4µ] 56...Kg3
57.Nc1 Re5 58.Nd3 Rf5 59.Ra1 f2 60.Nxf2 Rxf2 61.Rg1+ Kxh4 62.Kd3µ
A2) 52.Nb3! f4 53.Kd3 Rb2 54.Nd2 f3 55.Kc3=
B) 49...b4 50.Rxf7= Now that the queenside pawns cannot make progress, White can shift his focus
elsewhere and take the f7-pawn.

50.Kd5

49
Position after: 50.Kd5

50...Rb4

Only with the aid of this clumsy maneuver is Black able to push his passed a-pawn.
After 50...f4 51.Rxb5 Rc2 52.Ne4 White holds easily.

51.Rxf7 a4 52.Nd3! Rb1

52...Rb3 53.Rg7+ Kxh4 54.Nf4 Rb2 55.Ke5 a3 56.Kxf5 a2 57.Ra7 b4 58.Nd3=

53.Ke5 a3 54.Rg7+

50
Position after: 54.Rg7+

54...Kxh4

54...Kf3 55.Ra7 Rb3 56.Nc1 Rc3 57.Na2=

55.Nf4 a2 56.Ng2+ Kh3 57.Nf4+=

51
 Show in Text Mode

Chapter 1
Exercises

1
Svidler, P. – Indjic, A.

□ Black has a big threat: ...Nd1-b2!. Amazingly, salvation can be found in the weakest member of the
fight. Find the drawing move!

Show/Hide Solution

42.g3!!

A solution worthy of a medallion.

A) The game itself continued with the active but careless 42.g4? with the idea of g4-g5, but after
42...Nb2! 43.Kxb1 [43.Nb6 Nd3 44.Qd6 R7xb6 45.Qe7+ Kh6 and the black king escapes.]

52
 43...Nxa4+ 44.Qb4 Nxc3+–+

Position after: 44...Nxc3+–+

Black won easily: 45.Kc2 Rxb4 46.axb4 Nxe4 47.b5 Nd6 48.b6 Kf7 49.h4 Ke6 50.Kc3 Kd7 51.Kd3
Kc6 52.g5 Kxb6 0-1 Svidler, P (2756) – Indjic, A (2604) Porto Carras 2018.
B) 42.Qa5 Ne3 43.c4 R1b3!–+
C) 42.c4? Nc3+!–+
D) 42.Qc6? Ne3–+

42.g3!! Nb2

53
Position after: 42...Nb2

With the pawn placed on g3, this tactical strike is no longer dangerous.

43.Nb6 Nd3 44.Qd6 R7xb6 45.Qe7+ Kg6 46.Qe8+ Kg5 47.Qg8+=

Position after: 47.Qg8+=

The black king cannot escape the checks — the f4-square is controlled by the important g3-pawn.

54
 2
Korobov, A. – Durarbayli, V.

□ In the game, White played 52.Qc2 and ran into a difficult queen endgame after 52...Qxb7 53.Qxf5.
Was there a tougher defense?

Show/Hide Solution

52.Qb2!

If he really wants to, then he can be saved!

A) White overlooked this opportunity and lost after 52.Qc6? Qf2+ 53.Qg2 Qb6–+ 0-1 (63) Korobov,
A (2705) – Durarbayli, V (2584) Baku 2012.
B) 52.Qc2? leads to a difficult queen endgame: 52...Qxb7 53.Qxf5 Qc6–+

52.Qb2! Qb8 53.Kh3!

55
Position after: 53.Kh3!

Despite the clear extra piece, White effortlessly keeps the equilibrium, for example:

53...Ne7

53...g5 54.Qd2 [54.Qb5=] 54...Qxb7 55.Qxg5+ Ng7 56.Qd8+=

54.Qb5! g6 55.Qd7 Kf8 56.Kg2 g5 57.Kf3=

3
Onischuk, A. – Vitiugov, N.

56
■ White has annoying threats (45.Nd6/45.Nd4). Black should move his f4-rook to behind the pawn on
the d-file. But where to, f2 or f1?

Show/Hide Solution

3
Black has a solid material advantage, but this is not enough to win on its own. White’s passed pawn has
gone too far astray. Of course, Black cannot wait to play his main trump: his passed pawn. However,
White will answer the immediate pawn move with a fork on g6, bringing chaos to the black ranks.
Therefore, the next idea that Black should consider is to transfer the rook to the d-file, from where it
can keep an eye on White’s dangerous passed pawn. Only after that can he push his own passed pawn
forward.

45...Rf1!

45...Rf2?

57
Position after: 45...Rf2?

This move seems stronger because, just in case, Black also targets the b-pawn, but this merely leads to
a draw... 46.Nd6! [46.Nd4 may also hold: 46...Rd2 47.Nec6 h5 48.d8=Q Rxd8+ 49.Nxd8 h4 50.N8c6
h3 51.Ne7+ Kf7 52.Nef5 Kg6 53.Ng3 and the black rook is misplaced on d2 here as well, if 53...Kg5
54.Ne4+=] 46...h5 [46...Rxb2 47.Ke6=] 47.Ne4!

Position after: 47.Ne4!

An extremely important tempo! 47...Rf1 48.Ke6 h4 49.Ng6=

58
45...Rf1! 46.Nd4

Now the following is already useless: 46.Nd6 h5 47.Ne4 h4 48.Ng5 Rg1!? 49.Ne6 h3 50.Nxf8 Rd1+–
+.

46...Rd1

Position after: 46...Rd1

47.Nec6

47.Ke4 h5–+

47...h5 48.d8=Q Rxd8+ 49.Nxd8 h4 50.N8c6 h3 51.Ne7+ Kf7 52.Nef5 Kg6 53.Ng3

59
Position after: 53.Ng3

53...Kg5!

Here it becomes obvious why the rook should be on d1, and not d2.

54.Ke4

54.Ne4+ Kf4! 55.Nf2 h2 and ...Rf1.

54...Kg4 55.Nde2 Re1 56.Ke3 Rxe2+

0-1 Onischuk, A (2685) – Vitiugov, N (2720) Khanty-Mansiysk 2017.

4
Vajda, L. – Kravtsiv, M.

60
□ If White can succeed in solving his temporary problems, then he has the better chances. How can this
be achieved?

Show/Hide Solution

25.Ne1!!

The game continued 25.c4?! Be6!? 26.Ne1 Rd7 27.Bxc6 bxc6∞ ½-½ (42) Vajda, L (2547) – Kravtsiv,
M (2641) Hungary 2018.

25.Ne1!! Rxc3

61
Position after: 25...Rxc3

Of course, capturing a pawn is the most principled continuation.

After 25...Rd6 26.Be4! (a great square for the bishop!) 26...Rad8 27.Nf3± White has consolidated and
has a comfortable advantage.

26.Nd1!

What a beautiful (and not obvious) way to go after the black rook!
Interesting, but not as good, is 26.Bd2 Rc5 27.Nd3 Rb5 28.a4 Rb6. White stands better, but is still very
far away from the win, at least from a practical point of view. 29.Nc5 Nd4 30.Nd5 Rf8 31.Bxa5 Rxb3±

26...Rc5

26...Rxg3+ 27.Kh2 Rd8 28.Kxg3 Rxd1 29.Bxc6 bxc6 30.Bb2+–

27.Nd3

62
Position after: 27.Nd3

27...Rc2

After 27...Rd8!? Black sacrifices the exchange to preserve drawing chances, but White’s extra piece
should still be worth more than Black’s activity: 28.Nxc5 Rxd1+ 29.Kh2 Bg4 30.Bxc6 bxc6 31.Kg2
Re1 32.Nd3 Re2+ 33.Kf1 g5 34.a4± … 34...Kf7 35.Rb1 Ke6 36.Rb2+–.

28.Ne3 Rc3 29.Nf2! Be6 30.Ne4+–

A marvelous dance by the knights led White into a technically winning position.

5
Werle, J. – Naiditsch, A.

63
■ Black has several possible rook moves, but only one wins – which?

Show/Hide Solution

56...Re2+?

Black’s desire to push his passed pawn is understandable but still, in order to succeed, one has to play
more deeply and look a bit further ahead.
Winning was the seemingly modest 56...Ra3!. The rook here occupies an excellent position, does not
get targeted by the white queen and links up with the bishop, which, as we will see, is very important in
order to advance the passed pawn. 57.Qf6 e3 58.Qxh4+ Kf1

64
Position after: 58...Kf1

59.c6 [Pointless is 59.Qf4 e2! as the black bishop is now protected.] 59...e2 60.c7 Bb7 61.Qc4
[61.Qf4+ Rf3 62.Qc4 Rf2 63.Kd2 f4–+] 61...Be4+ 62.Kd2 [62.Kb2 Ra8 63.h4 Rc8 64.h5 Rxc7
65.Qxc7 e1=Q–+] 62...Rd3+!

Position after: 62...Rd3+!

63.Qxd3 Bxd3 64.c8=Q e1=Q+ 65.Kxd3 f4!–+ The transition into a queen endgame was extremely
unfortunate for the white side.

65
56...Re2+? 57.Kc3 e3 58.Qf6

Position after: 58.Qf6

Now White holds.

58...Ra2 59.Qxh4+ Kg2

59...Kf1 60.Qf4!=

60.Qg5+ Kf2 61.Qh4+ Kg2 62.Qg5+ Kf2

½-½ Werle, J (2555) – Naiditsch, A (2684) Hamburg 2017.

6
Najer, E. – Laznicka, V.

66
□ White should get going on the queenside – but must first take measures against Black’s h-pawn. Find
a smart queen move!

Show/Hide Solution

47.Qg1!!±

With this subtle move, White is preparing the advance of f4-f5 in order to get the queen to g6,
restraining the opponent’s pieces. After that, he can start thinking about moving his own pawns.
A) The game continued 47.Ka3 Be1 48.Qg5 Bd2 49.Qg3.

67
Position after: 49.Qg3

It was necessary to create obstacles for the white queen. 49...Ne4 [Blacks was slow to react 49...Rd7?
50.f5 Kf8 51.Ka4 Re7 52.c4 Be1 53.Qg5 Rf7 54.Qe3 Bh4 55.b4+– ½-½ (77) Najer, E (2634) –
Laznicka, V (2667) Czech Republic 2015.] 50.Qh4 Nf6²
B) 47.f5? Ne4 48.Qg1 Bg5=

47.Qg1!!±

Position after: 47.Qg1!!±

68
47...Be1

It is difficult for Black to defend without moving the h-pawn, for example: 47...Re4 48.f5 Kf8 49.Qh2
Ne8 50.c4+–.

48.f5 Ng4 49.Qh1 Nf6

49...h4 50.Qd5+ Kf6 51.Qd6+ Kf7 52.Qg6+

50.Qg2 Ng4

Black loses his coordination, and now White’s pawns will be quicker.

51.Qd5+ Kf8 52.Qd6 Bh4 53.c4 Bf6 54.c5 h4 55.c6 bxc6 56.a6 Kf7 57.Qxc6+–

7
Mchedlishvili, M. – Sanikidze, T.

□ The position is drawn, but White’s king is in a danger zone. Which check would you give, 73.Qa5+
or 73.Qc7+?

Show/Hide Solution

69
73.Qa5+?

Surprisingly, after this move, White can no longer be saved.

A) Correct was 73.Qc7+ Kd3 74.Qh7+™.

Position after: 74.Qh7+™

Here, the main defensive idea is not to allow the black king onto the f-file. 74...Nf5+ Since the king
cannot break through to the kingside, Black is forced to remove his knight from the e3-square, making
life a little easier for the black king. [74...Ke2 75.Qh5+=] 75.Kf1 Rf2+ 76.Ke1 Rf3 77.Qd7! Ne3
78.Qb5+ Nc4 [78...Ke4 79.Qd3+=] 79.Qb1+=
B) 73.Qg3!? was also possible.

73.Qa5+? Kd3!

70
Position after: 73...Kd3!

73...Kc2 74.Qc7+=

74.Qa6+

74.Qb5+ Ke4 75.Qc6+ Kf4 76.Qh6+ Kg4 77.Qe6+ [77.Qg6+ Kf3 and the black knight will cover the
next check.] 77...Kg3 78.Qd6+ Kf3 79.Qc6+ Nd5+ 80.Kh1 Rd1+ 81.Kh2 Be5+ 82.Kh3 Rh1#

74...Ke4!

In the game, Black did not fully understand the advantages of his position and played 74...Nc4+?
75.Kh1 Rd1+ 76.Kg2 Kc3 77.Qc8 Rg1+ 78.Kf3 Rf1+ 79.Kg2=. The king broke free from the danger
zone, and the game ended in a draw. ½-½ (110) Mchedlishvili, M (2587) – Sanikidze, T (2508) Tbilisi
2015.

75.Qc6+

A) 75.Qe6+ Kf4

71
Position after: 75...Kf4

76.Qh6+ [76.Qf7+ Kg3–+; 76.Qh3 Ng4+ 77.Kf1 Be3 78.Ke1 Rc2 79.Qh7 Bf2+ 80.Kd1 Ne3#]
76...Kg4! [The last trick: 76...Kg3? 77.Qh2+!!=.] 77.Qg6+ Kf3–+
B) 75.Qb7+ Kf4–+

75...Kf4 76.Kh1

Position after: 76.Kh1

72
Now, when the black king participates in the attack, Black gradually weaves a mating net while he
dodges the white queen’s checks.

76...Rf2

76...Rd1+!? 77.Kh2 Be5 78.Kh3 Rd6 79.Qa4+ Bd4 80.Kh2 Rd8 81.Qc6 Be5 82.Kg1 Kg3 83.Qg6+
Ng4 84.Kf1 Bc3 85.Ke2 Rd2+ 86.Kf1 Rf2+ 87.Kg1 Bd4 88.Qd6+ Ne5–+

77.Qd6+ Kf3!

Position after: 77...Kf3!

78.Qf8+

78.Qxd4 Rf1+ 79.Kh2 Ng4+–+

78...Kg3 79.Qd6+ Rf4 80.Qg6+ Ng4 81.Qd6 Be5 82.Qd3+ Rf3 83.Qe2 Bc3 84.Qb5 Re3–+

8
Rapport, R. – Kramnik, V.

73
□ Find the prophylactic move that keeps the balance!

Show/Hide Solution

43.g6?

White is trying to release the knight from imprisonment, but it was even more important to prevent
Black from pushing his a-pawn.
A) This could have been achieved with an only move: 43.Bc6!

74
Position after: 43.Bc6!

(preventing ...a5-a4, but also ...Rh8-e8) 43...Rd8 44.g6!? Kxg6 45.Rf1=

B) 43.Kf1? Re8–+

43.g6? a4!

Position after: 43...a4!

44.Kf1

75
44.Bf7 does not change the evaluation of the position: 44...Rxb7 45.Ng5 Rb2 46.Ne6+ Kf6 47.Rf1+
Ke7 48.g7

Position after: 48.g7

48...Bf2+! 49.Rxf2 Rb1+ 50.Rf1 Rh1+ 51.Kxh1 Rxf1+ 52.Kh2 Kxf7–+

44...Re8

44...Rd8 also looks good: 45.c4 and only now 45...Re8 46.Ng5 a3 47.Ne6+ Kxg6 48.Rxa3 Rh8!–+.

45.Ng5

45.b8=Q Rbxb8 46.Ng5 Re3–+

45...Re5?

Being on the verge of victory, Black misses the win and allows the full point to slip away.
The graceful 45...a3 would have won 46.Ne4 a2 47.Rxa2.

76
Position after: 47.Rxa2

47...Rxe4!–+ [47...Rxa2? 48.Nxg3=]

46.Ne4

Position after: 46.Ne4

46...Rxd5 47.Nxg3 Rdd2 48.Nf5+=

½-½ (94) Rapport, R (2731) – Kramnik, V (2777) Wijk aan Zee 2019.

77
 Chapter 2
Defense

In this chapter, various defensive techniques will be discussed. One often comes across the general
notion that an active defense is always better than a passive one. However, this is, of course, not the
case.
It all depends on the specific situation. In situations where your experience tells you that a standard
type of defense is unlikely to save the game, it may be a good idea to create additional practical
problems for your opponent. This is worthwhile, even if a crisis may be awaiting you should the
opponent solve the practical problems that you posed. On the other hand, a solid and dragged out
defensive procedure may also allow the defending side to attain the desired outcome, since the
opponent might get tired, or spend too much time trying to find a win.
It is difficult to provide a specific recipe, as each case is unique. Furthermore, the same position might
call for different approaches, depending on the player.
Thus, your chess instinct and experience will aid you in making the best decision. The examples
discussed in this chapter are designed to help you in this respect.
Example 1
From Kotov – Pachman
Sora 1950

Black to move

Let us consider the famous game in which I managed to find an important improvement, which had not
previously been detected.

78
43...Kg5!

This move escaped the commentators notice. The game continued 43...Ke6?! 44.Kg2± and White
converted the advantage technically: 1-0 (69) Kotov, A – Pachman, L Venice 1950.

43...Kg5! 44.h3 f5!

It is beneficial for Black to exchange the pawns.

However, if he plays 44...h5?, then after 45.f4+ White will have an advantage because the principal
move 45...Kh4? [¹ 45...Kf6 46.gxh5²] can lead to 46.gxh5 gxh5 47.Rd8! Be7

Position after: 47...Be7

48.Kg2!! Ra7 49.Rd7! Rxd7 50.Ne5+– with an inevitable checkmate.

45.f4+ Kh4 46.gxf5

79
Position after: 46.gxf5

46...Kg3!!

A type of move which usually slips away during long calculations, because we are accustomed to
recapture automatically. It can be assumed that precisely this difficult move was overlooked during
calculation. Thanks to the activity of the black king and despite being a pawn down, Black has no
problems.
It should be noted that a poor position is reached after 46...gxf5? 47.Kf2 Kxh3 48.Ra1 Kg4 49.Rh1+–

47.fxg6

47.f6 Rf7!?=

47...hxg6 48.Rd8 Ra7

80
Position after: 48...Ra7

49.Kf1 Bc7 50.Rd7 Ra1+ 51.Ke2 Ra2+ 52.Kd1 Ba5 53.Ne5 Bd2=

Example 2
From Korobov – Sutovsky
Poikovsky 2018

Black to move

31...a4!

81
It must be acknowledged that this move does not actually save Black, however, White’s path to victory
becomes very thorny and it’s not obvious that White would navigate through it without stumbling...
It is generally considered that pawn exchanges aid the defending side, which is probably why Black
played the following move without much hesitation. 31...axb4? 32.axb4 and it turns out that Black is
defenseless against the plan of the white king moving to b5. 32...Bd2 33.Kd3 Bh6 34.Kc3 Bf8 35.Kb3
Ke7 36.c5 bxc5 37.bxc5 Kf7 38.c6 Bd6 39.h6 1-0.

31...a4! 32.Bg4

Clearing the way for the white king to the kingside, but Black is in time for counterplay.

32...Bc1 33.Kf5

Position after: 33.Kf5

33...e4!

33...Ke7? 34.Kg6 f5 35.h6! Bxh6 36.Kxh6 fxg4 37.Kg5+–

34.Be2!!

One has to admit that finding the only winning move in a practical game is not easy, even for an
experienced player.
34.Kxe4? f5+ 35.Kxf5 Bxa3 36.Bd1 Bxb4 37.Bxa4 Bc3=

34...Kd7!

82
Now, in order to win, White needs to resist the temptation to attack the a4-pawn with tempo.
34...Ke7?! 35.c5 bxc5 36.bxc5+–

35.c5!

The natural and seemingly very strong 35.Bd1 actually only leads to a draw. 35...e3!

Position after: 35...e3!

36.Kg6 [36.Bxa4+ Ke7 37.Bd1 Bxa3 38.h6 Kf7=] 36...Bxa3 37.h6 e2 38.Bxe2 f5 39.Bd1 Bxb4
40.Bxa4+

83
Position after: 40.Bxa4+

40...Kd6!! [40...Ke6? 41.Kg7!+–] 41.Kxf5 [41.Kg7 Kc5!=] 41...Bc3=

35...bxc5

Position after: 35...bxc5

36.Bb5+!

36.bxc5? Kc6!=

36...Kd6 37.Bxa4 c4 38.Kxe4 Bxa3

38...f5+ 39.Kd4 Bxa3 40.Kxc4 Bc1 41.b5+–

39.h6 f5+ 40.Kd4! Bb2+ 41.Kxc4 f4 42.Bd1+–

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Position after: 42.Bd1+–

On the board is a typical endgame position which in Russian is referred to as “pants”. Black will have
to give up his bishop for one of the pawns.
Example 3
From Sorensen – Bjerring
Copenhagen 1996

White to move

85
It appears as though White is winning...

51.b7

A) In the game, White lost time by playing 51.Rf5?!, to which Black replied by donating a gift
51...e3??. Practically any other move would have led to a draw. 52.Rf4+!+– 52...Ke5 53.Rxf3 e2
54.Rf8 Re3 55.b7 Kd4 56.b8=Q

Position after: 56.b8=Q

56...Re6+ [56...e1=Q 57.Rf4+ Re4 58.Qe8+–] 57.Kd7 e1=Q 58.Rf4+ Kxc5 59.Qa7+ Kb5 60.Qa4+
1-0 Sorensen, T (2275) – Bjerring, K (2365) Copenhagen 1996.
B) 51.h5 Ke3 52.b7 Kf2=

51.b7

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Position after: 51.b7

51...h5!!

Psychologically, it is extremely hard to make such a move as it is difficult to ignore the fact that White
is about to queen. Black, instead of engaging in a race to promotion, moves the h-pawn for some reason
– rather strange isn’t it? In fact, if you take a closer look, White has no decisive threats, (except perhaps
the h4-h5 push), so Black has time. The position of the h-pawns are very important when transitioning
into pawn endgames.
A) Clearly losing is 51...Rxb7 52.Kxb7 Kxc5

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Position after: 52...Kxc5

53.h5 [To win, White doesn’t even have to make the move h4-h5: 53.Kc7 Kd5 54.Kd7 Ke5 55.Ke7
h5 56.Rf7+–] 53...Kd4 54.Kc6 e3 [54...Ke3 55.Kd5 f2 56.Rxf2 Kxf2 57.Kxe4+–] 55.Rf4+!+–
B) If, in the previous version, the position of the h-pawns were unimportant, then why was Black’s
first move necessary? The secret is not immediately revealed... 51...Rb1 52.h5 Rb2 Black simply
stands in place:

Position after: 52...Rb2

B1) It seems that there is no other winning plan for White, for example: 53.Rf5 Rb1 54.Kc7?
[54.Rf7!] 54...e3 55.Rf4+ Kxc5 56.Rxf3 Kd4=
B2) 53.Rf7! Rb1 54.Kd6 Rxb7 55.Rxb7 e3 56.c6

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Position after: 56.c6

56...e2 [56...f2 57.Rb4+ Kd3 – or 57...Kc3 58.Rf4 e2 59.c7 – 58.c7 f1=Q 59.c8=Q Qf6+ 60.Qe6+–]
57.c7 e1=Q 58.c8=Q Qe5+ 59.Kd7 Qf5+ 60.Kc7 Qc5+ 61.Kb8 Qe5+ 62.Qc7 Qe8+ 63.Ka7 Qa4+
64.Kb6 Qb3+ 65.Ka6 Qa4+ and only now does it become clear how important the position of the h-
pawns is. With a white pawn on h5, he obtains a winning position upon transitioning into the pawn
endgame.

Position after: 65...Qa4+

66.Qa5! Qxa5+ 67.Kxa5 f2 68.Rf7 Ke3 69.Kb4 Ke2 70.Kc4 f1=Q 71.Rxf1 Kxf1 72.Kd4 Kf2

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 73.Ke4!+–
Back to 51...h5.

Position after: 51...h5!!

With the black pawn on h5, the winning plan shown above no longer brings White to victory — the
position is drawn:

52.Rf7

52.Rf5 Rb1 53.Kc7 e3 54.Rf4+ Kxc5 55.Rxf3 Kd4 56.Rf8 e2 57.Re8 Kd3 58.b8=Q Rxb8 59.Kxb8
Kd2 60.Kc7 e1=Q=

52...Rb1 53.Kd6 Rxb7 54.Rxb7 e3 55.c6 e2 56.c7 e1=Q 57.c8=Q Qe5+ 58.Kd7 Qf5+ 59.Kc7 Qc5+
60.Kb8 Qe5+

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Position after: 60...Qe5+

61.Qc7

61.Rc7 Qb5+=

61...Qe8+ 62.Ka7 Qa4+ 63.Kb6 Qb3+ 64.Ka6 Qa4+ 65.Qa5 Qxa5+ 66.Kxa5 f2 67.Rf7 Ke3
68.Kb4 Ke2=

Example 4
From Giri – Kovalev
Dortmund 2018

91
White to move

Black’s threats are quite benign due to the unfortunate disposition of his pawns. He would like to
exchange queens by means of Qf6-f4. What is the most efficient way to anticipate this?

55.Bb5!

It would have been correct to let go of the central pawn in order to activate the pieces as much as
possible.
A) With this intention, a good continuation would have been 55.Be2! Qf4 56.Qe7! [56.Qf2?? Qxf2+
57.Kxf2 Bc6 58.Bd1 Kg7–+] 56...Qxd4+ 57.Kh1 Qf4 58.Bb5©.
B) In the game, White got “greedy” and went for 55.Bc2?! Qf4 56.Qd3 Kg7µ

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Position after: 56...Kg7µ

57.Qg6+ Kf8 58.Qd3 Kg7 59.Qg6+ Kf8 60.Qd3 Ke7 The king migrates to the queenside where he
will feel more comfortable, while “freeing the hands” of the black pieces. 61.Bd1 Qe4 62.Qd2 Kd6
63.Bc2 Qf4 64.Qd3 Kc7

Position after: 64...Kc7

65.Qh7+? [The position is unpleasant and this is probably why White is banking on activity.
However, it was necessary to adhere to waiting strategies 65.Qc3+ Kb8 66.Bd1 Ka7±] 65...Kb8

93
 66.Qd3 g4!–+ 67.hxg4 Qxg4 68.Qg6 Qxd4+ 69.Kh1 Bb7 70.Qe8+ Ka7 71.Bf5 Qd1+ 72.Kh2 Qd6+
73.Kh1 Qg3 0-1.

55.Bb5! Qf4 56.Qe7 Qxd4+ 57.Kh2

Position after: 57.Kh2

The white pieces are as active as they can be and Black is unable to convert the extra pawn:

57...Qf4+ 58.Kg1 Qe4 59.Qf6+ Kh5 60.Qh8+ Kg6 61.Be8+ Kf5 62.Bd7+ Kg6

62...Kf4? 63.Qf6+ Ke3 64.Qf2+ Kd3 65.Bf5+–

63.Be8+=

Example 5
From Caruana – Nakamura
Saint Louis 2018

94
Black to move

35...f5?!

The situation on the kingside looks quite stable for Black. However, the “active” position of the rook
on e5 probably prompted Black into playing an erroneous move.
All that was necessary was to exchange the rooks: 35...Rec5 36.Ke3 R5c7 37.Rxc7 [37.Rb6 Rc6 38.Rb7
R6c7 39.Rb6 Rc6 40.Rb5 Rc5 41.Rb6 R5c6 42.Rxc6 Bxc6 43.Kd4 Be8=] 37...Rxc7 38.Rd1

Position after: 38.Rd1

95
38...Rd7!? [38...Rb7 39.Rd8 Bd7 40.hxg5 hxg5=] 39.Rxd7 Bxd7 40.hxg5 hxg5 41.Kd4 [41.Nd1 Kh5
42.Nf2 e5=] 41...Kh5=

35...f5?! 36.hxg5 fxe4

36...hxg5 37.Rh1!

Position after: 37.Rh1!

Thanks to the movement of the f-pawn, the white rooks connect via the h7-square and become an
unwelcome and formidable force for the black king to reckon with. 37...Bc6 [A difficult defensive task
was awaiting Black in case of 37...Bf7 38.Ke3 Rec5 39.a4!±; thus after 37...Kf6 38.Ke3±] 38.Rbh7±

37.Ke3

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Position after: 37.Ke3

37...Bc6

37...hxg5? immobilizes Black’s pieces after 38.Rf8 Bd7 39.Rxc8 Bxc8 40.Rc7 Ba6 41.g4!+–

38.Re7 Rxg5?!

A) Of course not 38...hxg5? 39.Kd4+–

B) A chance for salvation was to be found in the subtle response 38...h5!

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Position after: 38...h5!

The g5-pawn is not going anywhere, but now, to win the e6-pawn, White will have to exchange rooks,
giving Black the potential to attack the g3- and b2-pawns, significantly increasing Black’s chances of
a successful defense. With four rooks on the board, the black king is in more danger and therefore
Black will not find counterplay. Black must exchange rooks at all costs. 39.Rf6+ [39.Rff7 yields the
same result: 39...Rxg5 40.Rg7+ Kh6 41.Rxg5 Kxg5 42.Rxe6] 39...Kxg5 40.Rfxe6 Rxe6 41.Rxe6 Kg4
42.Rg6+ Kf5 43.Rg7

Position after: 43.Rg7

B1) Far from losing is 43...Rd8, preventing the white king from getting to the d4-square 44.Rh7 Kg5
[≤ 44...Kg4 45.Rh6 Rc8 46.a4!± fixing the black pawn on a5, where it will be more difficult to
defend] 45.Rc7 [45.Ra7 a4 46.Nxa4 Bxa4 47.Rxa4 Rb8 48.Rxc4 Rxb2=] 45...Rd6 but after 46.Nb1!
Black still faces problems.
B2) 43...a4! This move conflicts with well-known chess dogmas, but it is only “anti-positional” at
first glance — the black bishop is a bit sad, and whether it limps on one or two legs is unimportant
compared to the potential loss of the a-pawn. 44.Kd4 Black appears to regret letting the white king
out to the queenside, but at the same time the g3-pawn loses it’s potential defender, which Black
skillfully exploits. [44.a3 Rd8! 45.Rh7 Kg5² Formally, White is better, but it is difficult for him to
strengthen the position. A draw is the most likely result, for example: 46.Rc7 Rd6 47.Rg7+ Kf5
48.Rg8 Rd7! 49.Rh8 Kg5 50.Rc8 Rd6] 44...Rd8+

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Position after: 44...Rd8+

45.Kxc4 [45.Kc5 Bd7 46.e3 Rc8+ 47.Kb4 Rb8+ 48.Ka3 Rd8=] 45...Rd7!! The most important and
subtle detail, it is important for him to lure the white rook to g8. [45...Rd2? 46.b4 axb3 47.axb3 Bd7
48.b4+–] 46.Rg8 [46.Rxd7 Bxd7 47.Nd5 Be6=] 46...Rd2

Position after: 46...Rd2

B2.1) Now after 47.b4 axb3 48.axb3 Bd7 is much stronger than before 49.Kc5 [49.Rf8+ Ke5
50.b4? Be6+ 51.Kb5 Kd4µ] 49...Be6 50.Rb8 Rb2 51.b4 Ke5 52.Rh8 Bf7= the unstable position of

99
 the white knight impedes the conversion of an extra pawn.
B2.2) 47.Rh8 Rxb2 48.Rxh5+ Kg4 49.Rc5 Bd7 50.Kd4 Kxg3 51.Nxe4+ Kh4 52.Nc3 Be6 White
cannot save the a-pawn. 53.a3 Rb3=

39.Rxe6+ Kg7

Position after: 39...Kg7

40.Re7+

¹ 40.Rff6! led to an even larger advantage 40...Bd7 41.Rd6 Rxg3+ 42.Kd4 Be8 43.Rxh6 Bf7 44.Rhf6
Rb8 45.Rb6±

40...Kg6?!

Once again, the seemingly most active move is not the best.
Better chances of salvation were to be found in ¹ 40...Kg8 41.Rf6 Rxg3+ 42.Kf4 Rg7 43.Re5 Rf7
44.Rxf7 Kxf7 45.Rxa5 Rb8 46.Ra6 Rc8±

41.Rd1!

The White rook rushes to the sixth rank with lethal intention.

41...Kf6

41...Rxg3+ 42.Kf4 Rg5 43.Rd6+ Kh5 44.Ree6 Rf8+ 45.Ke3 Rg3+ 46.Kd4+–

100
42.Ra7 Ke6 43.Rh1

Position after: 43.Rh1

43...h5

Not a pleasant sight for Black but still better than the game was 43...Rxg3+ 44.Kd4 Rg6 45.Rh5±

44.g4! Be8

Loses immediately.
A) 44...hxg4 45.Rh6++–
B) Extending the resistance was 44...Rh8 45.gxh5 Rhxh5 46.Rf1 Rf5 47.Rxf5 Rxf5 48.Kd4+–

45.gxh5 Bxh5 46.Nxe4 Rf5 47.Ra6+ Ke7 48.Nd6 Re5+ 49.Kd4

1-0

Example 6
From Zhang Pengxiang – Dreev
Ergun 2006

101
White to move

50.b7

The win would have been much more difficult after this move.
A) 50.Rg1?! was played, but Black won easily: 50...Kg6 51.b7 Re8 52.Rg3 Rb8 53.Rxh3 Rxb7
54.Kd4 Re7 0-1 Zhang, P (2622) – Dreev, A (2666) Ergun 2006.
B) 50.Rd7+ Kg6 51.Rd8 Re7 52.Rh8 g4 53.Kc5 Kg5 54.Kd6 Rg7 55.Kc6 Kf4 56.b7 Rxb7 57.Kxb7
Kg3 58.Kc6 Kh2–+
C) 50.Kd4? Rb3–+

50.b7 Re8 51.Kd3

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Position after: 51.Kd3

51...g4!!

Without falling into the insidious trap: 51...Kg6?

A) Correct play would have been 52.Rc1! and not 52.Re1? Rb8 53.Ke4 [53.Rb1 h2 54.Ke3 Rxb7
55.Rh1 Rb3+ 56.Kf2 g4 57.Kg2 g3 58.Rc1 Re3–+] 53...Rxb7 54.Kf3 Kf5–+ in this position, the
White rook does not have a fifth-rank saving check.
B) 52.Rb1? g4–+
C) 52.Ra1! Rb8 53.Ke3 Rxb7 54.Kf3 Kh5

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Position after: 54...Kh5

[54...Kf5 55.Ra5+=] 55.Ra3!! with the help of this trick, White restricts the black pawns at the last
line of defense, as any further advance would have been intolerable 55...Kh4 [55...Rb2 56.Kg3 h2
57.Ra1=] 56.Ra4+ Kh5 57.Ra3= Rb5 58.Kg3 g4 59.Rc3=

52.Re1!

Position after: 52.Re1!

104
52.Rc1 h2+–

52...Rf8!!

At first sight, it is not clear why the rook should go precisely to this square.
A) 52...Rg8 53.Ke3 g3 54.Rh1 h2 55.Kf3=
B) 52...Rb8 53.Ke4 Rxb7 54.Kf4 Rb4+ 55.Kg3=

53.Rf1

A) 53.Ke3 g3 54.Rf1 g2!–+

B) 53.Ke4 g3 54.Rf1 h2!–+

53...Rb8!

Position after: 53...Rb8!

Now we understand the importance of luring the white rook to the f-file.

54.Rb1

After 54.Ke3 Rxb7 the white king is unable to approach the pawns 55.Kf4 Rf7+–+

54...h2!

It was not too late to make a mistake by playing the hasty 54...g3? 55.Ke2™ 55...Rf8 56.Rf1 Re8+
57.Kf3 g2 58.Rb1 Rg8 59.Rc1 h2 60.b8=Q g1=N+ 61.Kf2 Rxb8 62.Kg2 Rb2+ 63.Kh1=

105
55.Ke3 Rf8!

Position after: 55...Rf8!

56.Rf1

56.Rh1 g3 57.b8=Q Rxb8 58.Kf3 Rb3+ 59.Kg2 Kg6–+

56...Rxf1 57.b8=Q h1=Q–+

Example 7
From Bologan – Georgiev
Batumi 2018

106
White to move

33.Nxh4!

After the “useful” 33.Kf1?, White is simply lost: 33...Kd7 34.Nxe5+ Rxe5 35.Ra4 Kc6 36.Rxa7 c4
37.Ra8 Kc5 38.Rc8+ Kd4 0-1.
After the given move (33.Nxh4), White amazingly holds.

33.Nxh4! gxh4 34.f4 Kd7 35.fxe5 fxe5 36.Rxh4

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Position after: 36.Rxh4

36...Rf8

36...Kc6 37.g4 Rf8 38.g5 Kd5 39.g6 c4 40.Rg4 c3 41.g7 Rg8 42.Rg2! Kd4 43.h4 Kd3 44.h5 c2
45.Rxc2 Rxg7+ 46.Rg2=

37.Ra4!

Immediately moving the g-pawn is no longer possible: 37.g4 c4 38.g5 c3 39.Rc4 Rc8!–+.

37...Kd6 38.g4 Kd5

Position after: 38...Kd5

39.Rxa7

39.g5? c4 40.Rxa7 Rc8–+

39...c4

Now White can be saved in two different ways.

40.Rc7

40.Rd7+ Kc6 41.Rd2! Kc5 42.Rf2=

40...e4 41.g5 e3 42.Re7 Kd4 43.g6

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Position after: 43.g6

43...c3 44.g7 Rg8 45.Kf1=

Example 8
From Saduakassova – Stefanova
Khanty-Mansiysk 2018

Black to move

Despite the material balance, Black’s position is extremely dangerous. The white rook will invade the

109
seventh rank, f6 is weak, and the black pieces are poorly coordinated. Therefore, in realizing the danger
of any further delay, Black should take immediate action.

32...Ba7!

The game continued with the stereotypical 32...Ra6?! 33.Rd7 [Even stronger was 33.Nb4 Rb6 34.Nd5!
… 34...Rxb2 35.Rc1!+– with a mating attack] 33...Rb6 34.Ba3 [34.Nb4!? Kg7 35.Rd5±] 34...Kg7
35.Ne3± ½-½ (67).

32...Ba7! 33.Rd7

Obviously the strongest.

33...Rc8 34.Ne3

34.Rxb7? Bxf2+∞

34...Bxe3 35.fxe3

Position after: 35.fxe3

It seems that White will soon make Black pay for his activity.

35...Rc1+

35...b5 36.Bf6±

36.Kh2 Rc7!

110
For the sake of exchanging rooks, Black parts with the pawn, but what is he counting on?

37.Rxc7 Nxc7 38.Bxg5

38.Bd6 Ne6 39.Bxe5 Nc5=

38...Na6!

Position after: 38...Na6!

The knight goes to c6, from where it will defend the queenside from the invasion of the white king.

39.Be7 Nb8 40.Bd6 Nc6 41.Kg3

41.h4 f6 42.Kg3 Na5=

41...f6

Black practically builds a fortress and can count on a draw.

42.Kf3

A passive defense is perfectly acceptable here.

42...Kg7

Also a viable option, and at first glance more active was 42...g5

111
Position after: 42...g5

43.g3 [43.Kg4 Kg6 44.g3 Na5! 45.h4 gxh4 46.gxh4 Nc4=; 43.Ke2 Kg6 44.g3 b5 45.Kd3 Kf7 46.Kc3
Ke6 47.Bc5 Kf7 48.b3 axb3 49.Kxb3 Ke6 50.a4 bxa4+ 51.Kxa4 Nd8 52.Kb5 Kf7=] 43...Kg6 44.Bc5
[44.Bc7 Nb4=] 44...b5 45.Kg4 [45.Bd6 Na5 46.Bb4 Nc6 47.Bc5 Na5=] 45...Na5 46.h4 Nc4 47.h5+
Kf7

Position after: 47...Kf7

48.Kf5 [48.b3 axb3 49.axb3 Nd2=] 48...Nxb2 49.h6 Nc4=

112
43.h4 b5 44.g4 Kh7

Position after: 44...Kh7

45.Ke2 Kg7 46.Kd3 Kf7 47.Kc3 Kg7 48.b3 axb3 49.Kxb3 Kf7 50.a4

50.Kc2 Kg7 51.Kd2 Kf7=

50...bxa4+ 51.Kxa4

113
Position after: 51.Kxa4

51...g5

51...Nd8= A modest and effective move.

52.hxg5 Ke6=

Example 9
From Dreev – Kholmov
Barnaul 1988

Black to move

On the previous move, White moved the f-pawn forward and with this created serious problems for his
opponent, however, Black acted very coolly.

28...Re8!

28...exf5?! 29.Ne7+ Kf7 30.Nxf5 g6™ 31.Nd4+ Kg8 32.Rxg6+ Kh8 33.Nf3 Rxc4 34.Ra6±

28...Re8! 29.fxe6 Rxc4 30.Rb7

30.Nxa5 Re4 31.Nb3 R4xe6 32.Rxe6 Rxe6 33.Nxc5²

30...Ng5?

Obviously, Black considered this position-strengthening move, which was correct, but only if one sees

114
the entire ensuing series of only moves: 30...Nf6! 31.Ne7+

Position after: 31.Ne7+

31...Kf8! [31...Kh8?! 32.Nf5 Rxe6 33.Nxg7 Rd6 34.Nh5±] 32.Nf5 Rxe6 33.Rxg7 [33.Nxg7 Re7!=]
33...Ra6! [33...Rb6?! allows White to win an important tempo for to regroup his forces 34.Ra7 a4
35.Ne3 Rd4 36.h3 Ke8 37.Nf5±] 34.Rg6 [34.Rc7 a4=] 34...Rg4! [34...Re4?! 35.Nh6 Ree6 36.g4±]
35.Rh6 Kf7=.

Position after: 35...Kf7=

115
A possible continuation is 36.Ne3 Rg5 [36...Rg6?! 37.Rh5±] 37.h4 Rg6 38.Rh5 Rg3 39.Nd5 Kg7
40.Nxf6 Rxf6 41.Rxf6 Kxf6 42.Rxc5 Rg4 43.h5 Rg5=.

Position after: 30...Ng5?

31.Ne7+

31.e7!? Re4 32.Rd7 Kh7 33.Rf5+–

31...Kh8 32.Nf5?

Suprisingly, 32.h4! Nxe6 was winning.

116
Position after: 32...Nxe6

33.Re1! [33.Rf5? Nf8=] 33...Rb4 34.Ra7 Rb6 35.Re5! There is no satisfactory defense against the mate
on the h-file: 35...Nf4 36.Ng6++–.

32...Rxe6

Position after: 32...Rxe6

33.Rxg7

117
33.h4 Nh3+! 34.gxh3 [34.Kh2 Rf4=] 34...Rg6+ 35.Kh1 Rc3 36.Rb2 [36.Rf2? Rxh3+ 37.Rh2 Rf3µ]
36...Rxh3+ 37.Rh2 Rxh2+ 38.Kxh2 Rf6=

33...Rg4!= 34.h4 Nh3+ 35.Kh2 Rxg7 36.Nxg7 Kxg7 37.Kxh3 a4 38.Rc1 a3 39.Rxc5 a2 40.Rc1 Ra6
41.Ra1 ½-½

Example 10
From Czarnota – Navara
Poland 2018

White to move

37.Rd7?!

The black rook on b1 does not allow White to make use of his only strength - the passed pawn. This
means that he will have a difficult defensive challenge at hand. In reality though, his task becomes a lot
easier if he pays attention to the positioning of the black king.
A) 37.Ra6! d4 38.Rf7 The white rooks are like hungry wolves approaching the black king, it is time to
force a draw. 38...Rg1+ [38...Rb3+? 39.Be3!+–] 39.Kh3 Rh1+ 40.Kg3 Rg1+=
B) Even weaker, with the same idea, was 37.Rf7 in view of 37...Bc5 38.Rxg7 Rb3+ 39.Kg2 Rf8µ.

37.Rd7?! d4 38.Rd5

118
Position after: 38.Rd5

38...Kg6?!

38...Rb3+ 39.Kg2 causes big problems for White:

A) In case of the immediate 39...Rb2 40.b6! e3 41.b7

Position after: 41.b7

41...Bb4 [41...e2 42.Bd2!=] 42.Rab5 e2 43.Bd2! Bxd2 44.Rxe5+ Rxe5 45.Rxe5+ Kg4 46.Rxe2 Rxb7

119
 47.Rxd2 Rd7 48.Rd3! and White is saved.
B) 39...Bb4! It is important to knock the white rook off the fifth rank. 40.Ra2™ [40.Ra7 Rb2!–+]
40...Kg4 41.Rd7 Bf8µ

39.Ra7?

With 39.Kg4!

Position after: 39.Kg4!

White threatens to push the black king away. White distracts the black rook from its defensive duty of
monitoring the passed pawn and could now look to the future with courage 39...Rg1+ 40.Kh3©.

39...Kf5

120
Position after: 39...Kf5

While the enemy king was moving towards the center of the board to join the fight, the white pieces
wandered around the board without much sense or purpose, and it did not take long for the game to
play itself out.

40.Ra6 e3 41.fxe3 Ke4 42.Rd7 dxe3 43.Ra4+ Rb4 44.Ra3 Bc5 45.Rxg7 Rf8 46.Kg4 e2 47.Bd2 Rd4

0-1

Example 11
From Dreev – Lerner
Simferopol 1988

121
Black to move

Let’s examine this very instructive rook endgame.

54...Rb2+?

It is normally advisable to put the rook behind the opponent’s passed pawn, but in this case it is too
slow.
Black should first have played 54...Kd6!: 55.Rb7 [55.a7 Rb2+ 56.Kd3 Ra2 57.Kc4 Kc6! 58.Rxh6 Ra4+
59.Kd3 Rxa7 60.Rxe6+ Kd5 61.Rb6 Ra3+ 62.Ke2 Ke4 63.g3 Ra1=] 55...Rxb7 56.axb7 Kc7 57.Kd3

122
Position after: 57.Kd3

57...Kxb7 [Or 57...e5 58.Kc4 Kxb7 59.Kd5 e4 60.g3 Kb6 61.Ke5 Kc5 62.Kxf5 Kd4 63.Kxg4 e3
64.fxe3+ Ke4=] 58.Kd4 Kc7 59.Ke5 Kd7 60.Kf6 Kd6 61.Kg6 Ke7 62.g3 Ke8 63.Kxh6 Kf7 64.Kg5
Kg7 65.h6+ Kf7=

54...Rb2+? 55.Ke3 Ra2 56.Rxh6

Position after: 56.Rxh6

56...Kd6

56...Kd5 changes nothing.

57.Rg6!

It is most likely that this imperceptible move was missed in calculation by my rival, who was a stronger
and more experienced player at that point in time.
In case of the natural 57.Rh8 Rxa6 58.Kf4 Black is saved by 58...Ra4+ 59.Kg5 g3! 60.fxg3 [60.f4
Ra2=; 60.f3 Ra2 61.h6 Rxg2 62.h7 Rh2=] 60...Ke5!!.

123
Position after: 60...Ke5!!

61.Kg6 [61.h6 Rg4+ 62.Kh5 Rxg3 63.h7 Rxg2 64.Rc8 Rh2+ 65.Kg6 Rxh7 66.Kxh7 Kf4! 67.Kg6 e5
and Black is just in time. 68.Rc4+ e4 69.Kf6 Kf3 70.Kxf5 e3=] 61...Ra2 62.Rg8 Rxg2 63.Kf7 Rh2
64.Rg5 Ke4 65.Kxe6

Position after: 65.Kxe6

65...Ra2! 66.Kf6 Ra6+ 67.Kg7 Ra7+ 68.Kh6 Ra6+ 69.Rg6 Ra3 70.Kh7 f4 71.gxf4 Kxf4 72.h6 Kf5=

57...Rxa6 58.h6 Ra1 59.Kf4

124
Position after: 59.Kf4

59...Rg1

59...Rh1 60.Kg5 Rh2 61.Rg8 Ke5 62.Ra8 [It is never too late to make mistakes; for example 62.Kg6?
Rxg2 63.h7 Rh2 64.h8=Q+ Rxh8 65.Rxh8 Kf4 66.Ra8 Kf3 67.Kg5 Kxf2 68.Kf4 e5+!=.] 62...Ke4
63.Ra2

Position after: 63.Ra2

The rook has returned to defend its own pawns, and the white king can easily aid the passed pawns to

125
promotion. 63...Kd3 [63...Rxg2 64.h7 Rh2 65.f3+!] 64.g3 Rh1 65.Kg6+–

60.Rg8!

A) Without falling into the trap 60.h7?? Rh1 61.Rg7 Rh5™=.

B) 60.Kg5 also wins.

60...Rxg2 61.h7 Rxf2+ 62.Kg3 Rf3+ 63.Kg2 Rh3 64.h8=Q Rxh8 65.Rxh8+– Ke5 66.Kg3 Ke4
67.Rh1 Ke5 68.Re1+ Kf6 69.Kf4 Kf7 70.Ra1 Kf6 71.Ra6 Kf7 72.Ke5 Kg6 73.Rxe6+ Kg5 74.Re8

1-0

Example 12
From Dreev – Yudasin
Manila 1990

White to move

This memorable and “historical” battle for the opponents took place in the last round of an interzonal
tournament. Both opponents were playing to win, however Black’s chances of qualifying to the next
stage of the candidate matches were considerably higher than mine in case of a draw.
As a result of an opening mistake, Black ended up with a dangerous position. Though from a practical
point of view, the win for White was not completely obvious as there was no material advantage. Let’s
see how this fight continued.

36.Rd1 h6 37.f4?!

126
Winning was 37.Rd5! a6 38.Rf5 Kh7 [38...g6 39.Bxh6!+–] 39.e5 Kg6 [39...Bd7 40.Bxc4 Bxf5
41.Bxb3+–] 40.e6! Kxf5

Position after: 40...Kxf5

41.Bxc4! Bxc4 [41...Kf6 42.Bxb3+–] 42.e7 Rxf7 43.e8=Q+–. If the black king were safe, then Black
could make an assesment based on full compensation for the queen, but here White wins using the
unfortunate position of the black pieces. 43...Bd5 [43...Be6 44.h4 a5 45.h5 fixing Black’s weakness on
g7 45...Ke5 46.Qb8+ Kf6 47.Bf4 Rd7 48.Be5+ Kf7 49.Qh8+–] 44.Qb8 Be6 [44...Kg6 45.Qd6++–]
45.Qf4+ Kg6 46.Qe4+ Bf5 [46...Kf6 47.Bf4+–] 47.Qc4+–

37...Rxf7 38.Rd8+ Kh7

127
Position after: 38...Kh7

39.f5?!

≤ 39.e5±

39...g6™

Parrying the bishop transfer to g6.

40.Rd6 gxf5 41.Bh5 Rd7?!

The not-very-obvious retreat of the rook to f8 would have equalized. In general, in a practical game in
such dynamic situations, chess players pay less attention to quiet moves like this one, and more to
tempo moves, thus often overlooking correct decisions. This is correlated, it seems to me, to the fact
that the modern world exaggerates the tendency to use a “punch to punch” approach, which is not
always the right one...
41...Rf8!

128
Position after: 41...Rf8!

42.Bxh6 [42.Bg6+ Kg7 43.Bxf5 Rf6!=; 42.Rxh6+ Kg7 43.Rg6+ Kh7=] 42...Rc8 43.exf5 c3=

42.Rxh6+ Kg8 43.exf5 c3 44.f6

Position after: 44.f6

44...Bc4

44...c2? 45.f7+ Rxf7+ 46.Bxf7+ Kxf7 47.Rh7+ Ke6 48.Rc7+–

129
45.Rg6+

Probably stronger was 45.Bg6 Rd1 46.Kg3! Rf1 47.Bf2! … 47...Rd1 48.Rh7 Rd6 49.Rc7 Rxf6 50.Bh7+
Kh8 51.Bc2 Bd5 52.Rxc3 Nc1

Position after: 52...Nc1

53.Bd1 Rc6 54.Bc5! Na2 55.Bd4+ Kh7 56.Bc2+ Kh6 57.Rxc6+ Bxc6 58.Be3+ Kg7 59.Bd2+–.

45...Kh8 46.Rh6+ Kg8 47.Rg6+ Kh8 48.Rg4

130
Position after: 48.Rg4

48...Be6!

In this situation, retreating with tempo is vitally important.

48...Bd5 49.Bg6+–

49.Rb4!

49.Rh4? Rh7!=

49...Kh7!

The only move! Losing was 49...Rd8? 50.Re4! Bd5 51.Rh4 Kg8 52.f7+! Bxf7 53.Rg4+ Kf8 54.Bh6+
Ke7 [54...Ke8 55.Rg8++–] 55.Bg5+ Kf8 56.Bxf7+–.

50.Be8?!

Now, when the black king is on the h7-square, making it unavailable for the rook, White could
“reverse” things by playing 50.Rh4! Kg8 51.Bg6.

Position after: 51.Bg6

The c-pawn is stopped, White is threatening the rook transfer Rh4-b4-b8, which looks promising, and
transferring the bishop to e5 poses a threat of a beautiful mate through sacrificing the rook by means of
Rh8! However, Black finds a way to fend off these threats. 51...a5! 52.Bf4 Nc5! 53.Ke3 [53.Be5?
Nd3+=] 53...Rd5! 54.Rh7 c2! 55.Bxc2 Bf7± White has an obvious advantage, but there is still a lot of
work to be done to achieve the win...

131
50...Rc7™ 51.Rh4+ Kg8 52.Re4

Position after: 52.Re4

It appears as though White is winning, but this evening the stars were aligned for the Black camp.

52...Nc5!

Brilliant, and the only correct road to salvation! 52...Bd5? 53.Re7! Rxe7 54.fxe7 Bf7 55.Bc6 c2
56.Bd5+–

53.Bxc5 Rxc5 54.Rxe6 c2 55.Bg6 Rf5+!

55...Rc8? 56.Re8++–

56.Ke2 Rxf6 57.Re8+

132
Position after: 57.Re8+

57...Rf8!

Formally, 57...Kg7 58.Bxc2 Rh6 also led to a draw. Having said that, at the time Leonid was actively
interested in yoga, and not masochism.

58.Rxf8+ Kxf8 59.Bxc2

Here, my opponent, with a jubilant expression on his face, was very eloquently banging his fingernail
on the h8 sqaure, urging me to cease the fight. I obliged. As a reward for the suffering, I still ended up
getting a spot in the candidates match, where a tiger from Madras was awaiting me, and Leonid faced a
brilliant Ivanchuk. But all that is another story...

½-½

Example 13
From Brown – Khachiyan
chess.com 2018

133
Black to move

Black’s queenside pawn structure leaves much to be desired. White has a powerful center and Black
urgently needs to create pressure, otherwise White will bring his king to the center, and subsequently
deal with Black’s weaknesses.

33...Bg7!

The bishop returns to support the ...f7-f6 thrust, after which the white center will not be so impregnable.
The game continued 33...b6? 34.Kg1 Rc8 35.Rc2 b5 36.c5 b4 [36...Kf8 37.Kf2 Ke8 38.Ke2 Kd7
39.Kd3 Kc6 40.h4±] 37.Kf2 a4 38.Ke2 Rb8 39.Nd2 Bxd2 40.Kxd2 Kf8 41.Kd3 Ke7 42.Rb2+– ½-½
(48).

33...Bg7! 34.Kg1

34.g4 f6 35.exf6 Bxf6 36.Re4 b6 37.Kg2 Kf7 38.Kf2 Rc8=

34...f6 35.exf6 Bxf6 36.Re4 Kf7 37.Kf2

134
Position after: 37.Kf2

37...Rc8

37...b6 38.Ke2²

38.c5 b6!

Position after: 38...b6!

Same principle as ...f6.

135
39.cxb6 Rb8 40.Ne5+ Bxe5 41.Rxe5 Rxb6 42.Rxa5 Rb2+ 43.Kf3 Rd2=

Example 14
From Dreev – Erenburg
chess.com 2019

Black to move

Black’s position is very alarming due to the threat of Ne4-c5. It is therefore necessary to take
immediate action - active methods are Black’s only hope.

27...Rd3!

The game continued 27...Nd5? 28.Nc5 Rdc7 29.Bxd5 exd5 30.Nxb7 Rxb7 31.Rxc6 Rxc6 32.Rxc6 a5
33.bxa5 Rb3 34.Rc5 Rd3 35.Kf1 Ke7 36.Ke2 Rxa3 37.Rxd5+– 1-0 (53).

27...Rd3! 28.Nc5

28.Ra1!?²

28...Rxa3 29.Nxb7 Na7™²

Example 15
From Werle – Alekseenko
Gibraltar 2019

136
White to move

The fragility of White’s position lies in the fact that he may lose the h-pawn, which has been pushed
too far forward.

51.Ng6!?

A) A spectacular solution. Quite a simple one, 51.Kc3, enables White to keep the position under
control without any particular difficulty, for example: 51...Ke7 52.Nd3 Kf6 53.Nc5! Ng5 54.Nd7+
Kg6 55.Nb6 Nxf3 56.Kd3 Kxh6 57.Ke3 Ne1 58.Kf4 Kg6 59.Nxd5 Nd3+ 60.Ke3 Ne1 61.Kf4=.
B) 51.Nf7+?! Ke7 52.Ne5 Kf6µ

51.Ng6!? Nxd4 52.Nf8 Nxf3 53.Nxh7

137
Position after: 53.Nxh7

53...Ke7

53...f4 54.Nf6=

54.Kc5?

54.Kc3! Kf7 55.Kd3 f4 [55...Kg6 56.Nf8+ Kxh6 57.Ne6 Black is unable to hold onto both pawns.]
56.Kc3! [56.Ke2? Nd4+ 57.Kf2 Ne6 58.Kf3 Kg6–+] 56...Kg6 57.Nf8+ Kxh6 58.Ne6=

54...d4 55.Kc4 Kf7 56.Kd3 Kg6 57.Nf8+ Kxh6 58.Ne6

138
Position after: 58.Ne6

58...Kg6!

It is important for Black to get the king to e5. Leading to a draw is the apparently more active
58...Kh5?.
A) 59.Nf4+ Kg5 60.Nd5! Kg6 [60...Kg4 61.Kc4!=] 61.Kc4 Kf7 62.Nf4 Kf6 63.Kd5! not allowing
the black king to the center. 63...Kg5 64.Nd3 Kg4 65.Kc4=
B) Or 59.Ke2 Kg4 60.Kd3 f4

139
Position after: 60...f4

61.Nc5! [61.Nc7 Ne1+ 62.Kxd4 f3 63.Nd5 f2 64.Ne3+ Kf3 65.Nf1 Kg2 66.Ne3+ Kg1–+] 61...Kf5
[61...Kg3 62.Ne6=] 62.Na6!!

Position after: 62.Na6!!

The only move, a study like solution. 62...Ke5 [62...Kg4 63.Nc5=] 63.Nb4. The black king gets to
the center but with the knight on b4, White still draws: 63...Ne1+ 64.Ke2 Ng2 65.Kd3 f3 66.Nc6+=.

59.Ke2 Kf6 60.Nc5 Ne5–+

140
Position after: 60...Ne5–+

61.Nb3 Nc6 62.Kd3 Ke5 63.Nd2 Kd5

0-1

Example 16
From Debashis – Iturrizaga Bonelli
Moscow 2019

White to move

39.Qf5+?

Black’s threats towards the white king look very serious, and this explains the choice to exchange
queens. White hopes to counteract Black’s passed pawn by engaging his own passers in the center. In
reality, there was actually nothing that threatening on the board, and the game could have been saved in
two different ways.
A) 39.f3! Qxe3 [39...Qxf3 40.Qg6+ Kg8 41.Qe6+ Qf7 42.Qc8+ Kh7 43.Qc2+ Kh8 44.Qc8+ Qg8
45.Qf5=; 39...Qd3 40.Kg3=] 40.Qg6+ Kg8 41.Qe8+=
B) Or 39.Bxh6! a5 40.Kg3 Rg1+ [40...a4 41.Bxg7 Kxg7 42.Qe7+=] 41.Kh4 a4 [41...Rh1+?? 42.Kg5
gxh6+ 43.Qxh6+ Kg8 44.Qe6+ Kf8 45.Qd7+–] 42.Bxg7=.

39.Qf5+? Qxf5 40.gxf5

141
Position after: 40.gxf5

40...Rd1

A) Winning was 40...Kg8! 41.Kg3 [In case of the prompting 41.d5, 41...Ra5!–+ decides - the point!;
There is no time for the white king to make it to the center of the board 41.Kg2 Rd1 42.Kf3 a5
43.Ke2 Rb1 44.d5 Rb5]

Position after: 41.Kg3

41...a5 [41...Rd1 42.e6 a5 43.Kf4 a4 44.Ke5 a3 45.Kd6!=] 42.d5 a4 43.d6 Rd1 44.Bc5 a3! 45.Bxa3

142
 Rd3+–+
B) 40...a5 41.d5 Kg8 42.d6+–

41.Kg3 a5 42.e6 Kg8 43.Kf4 a4 44.Ke5 a3

Position after: 44...a3

45.Kd6!= Rb1 46.d5 Rd1

46...a2 47.Bd4 a1=Q 48.Bxa1 Rxa1 49.Ke7 Ra7+ 50.Ke8=

47.Bf4 a2 48.Be5 Kf8 49.f6 gxf6 50.Bxf6 Ke8 51.f4 a1=Q 52.Bxa1 Rxa1 53.f5

143
Position after: 53.f5

The three pawns are sufficient compensation for the rook.

53...Rh1 54.Kc7 Rc1+ 55.Kd6 Rf1 56.Ke5 Rh1 57.d6 Rxh5 58.Kf6 Rg5 59.Ke5 h5 60.Kf4 Rg4+
61.Ke5 Rg1 62.f6 Rf1 63.f7+ Kf8 64.d7 Ke7 65.Kd5 h4 66.Kc6 h3 67.Kc7 Rc1+ 68.Kb7 Rd1
69.Kc8 Rc1+ 70.Kb7 Rd1 71.Kc8 h2 72.f8=Q+ Kxf8 73.d8=Q+ Rxd8+ 74.Kxd8 h1=Q 75.e7+ Kg7
76.e8=Q Qa8+ 77.Kd7 Qxe8+ 78.Kxe8

½-½

Example 17
From Vishnu Prasanna – Sarana
Moscow 2019

144
White to move

White’s position looks bleak, he is about to part with the f6-pawn, after which Black’s position will be
technically winning. However, there is still a path to salvation...

59.Rg4!!

A) In the game, White overlooked this opportunity and played 59.a4? Kg6 60.Ke2 Kxf6 61.Kd3 Ke5

Position after: 61...Ke5

145
 62.f3?! It was not worth moving the pawn, White had more practical chances by not playing it. The
general rule is that you should not hurry with such pawn moves, as you cannot take them back. In
some cases, the pawn may be better placed on f2, at times perhaps the f2-f3 tempo is serendipitously
preserved. 62...Kd6 63.Rb4 Kd5 64.Rg4 f6 65.Rd4+ Kc5 66.Rc4+ Kd6 67.Rb4 f5 68.Rb6+ Kd5
69.Rb4 Kc6 70.Kd2 Rd5+ 71.Ke2 Re5+ 72.Kf2 Ra5 73.Kg3 Kc5 74.Rb8 Rxa4 75.Rg8

Position after: 75.Rg8

75...g4! 0-1.
B) 59.Rc3 Kg6 60.Rf3 e5 61.Ke2 e4 62.Re3 Ra4 63.f3 exf3+ 64.Rxf3 g4–+

59.Rg4!! Kh6

59...Kg6 60.f4 Kxf6 61.fxg5+ [61.Rxg5? Ra4!–+] 61...Kf5 62.Rg3=

60.a4

146
Position after: 60.a4

60...Kg6

≤ 60...e5 61.Rb4 Kg6 62.Rb5=

61.f4 Kxf6 62.fxg5+ Kf5 63.Rb4 Kg6

≤ 63...e5 64.Rb7 Kg6 65.Rb5=

64.Rg4 Kh5 65.Rf4 Ra7 66.a5!

147
Position after: 66.a5!

It is important to be in time to place the rook behind the pawn.

66...Kxg5 67.Ra4 Kf5 68.Ke2 Ke5 69.Ke3

Also possible is 69.Kd3 Kd5

Position after: 69...Kd5

70.Ra1 [70.a6? Kc5 71.Ke4 Kb5 72.Ra1 Rxa6 73.Rb1+ Kc5 74.Rf1 Ra7 75.Ke5 Kc4 76.Ke4 Rd7–+]

148
70...Kc5 [70...f5 71.a6=] 71.Ke4 transposing into the main line.

69...Kd5

69...Ra6 70.Ra1

Position after: 70.Ra1

70...Kd5 [70...f5 71.Ra2 Kd5 72.Kf4 Kc5 73.Ke5=] 71.Kf4 f6 72.Ra2 Kc4 73.Ke4 Kb5 74.Rf2 f5+
75.Ke5 Kxa5 76.Rb2 Rb6 77.Ra2+ Kb4 78.Rb2+ Kc5 79.Rc2+ Kb5 80.Rb2+ Kc6 81.Rd2=

70.Ra1

70.a6? Kc5–+

70...Kc5 71.Ke4 Kb5

149
Position after: 71...Kb5

72.Rb1+!

After this precise and only move, Black is unable to realize the material advatange because his king
cannot help the pawns.

72...Ka6

72...Kxa5 73.Ke5 Rd7 74.Kf6=

73.Ke5 Rb7

73...Rd7 74.Kf6=

74.Ra1! Rb5+

150
Position after: 74...Rb5+

75.Kd6!

75.Kf6 Rf5+ 76.Ke7 Rxa5 77.Rb1 Rf5 78.Kd6 Ka5–+

75...Rd5+

75...Rxa5 76.Rf1 Rd5+ 77.Kc6 [77.Ke7? Rf5–+] 77...f5 78.Re1 Rb5 79.Ra1+ Ra5 80.Re1

Position after: 80.Re1

151
80...e5 [80...Ka7 81.Kd6 Ra6+ 82.Kc7=] 81.Rb1 e4 82.Rb8 Ka7 83.Rb7+ Ka8 84.Re7 Ra3 85.Re5 Rf3
86.Kb6=

76.Kc6!

76.Ke7? Rxa5 77.Rb1 Rf5–+

76...Rf5

76...Rxa5 77.Rf1=

77.Kd6=

Position after: 77.Kd6=

For example...

77...e5 78.Kc5 Rf4 79.Rh1 e4 80.Rh8 f5 81.Ra8+ Kb7 82.Re8

152
Position after: 82.Re8

82...Rf1

82...Rf3 83.Re6 e3 84.a6+ Ka7 85.Kb5=

83.Re6=

153
 Show in Text Mode

Chapter 2
Exercises

1
Caceres Vasquez, S. – Alonso, S.

□ Find the best move - by far - for White.

Show/Hide Solution

27.Nf3!

Active defense!
27.Nb1? The a3-pawn is under duress, so this move seems natural. After this though, in view of the
fact that White’s pieces are tied down to defending this pawn, they were forced to stand by and observe

154
while Black methodically strengthened his position... 27...Qb3 28.Kg2 g6 29.Kg1 h5 30.h4 Kg7
31.Kg2 Bd6 32.Kg1 Kf8 33.Kg2 Ke7 34.Kg1 Kd7 35.Kg2 a4 36.Kg1

Position after: 36.Kg1

36...Qc4!? 37.Qxc4 dxc4 38.Kf1 Kc6 39.Ke2 e5 40.Kd2 exd4 41.exd4 Bc7–+ 42.Nc3 Ba5 43.Kc2
Bb6 44.d5+ Kd6 45.f3 f5 46.Nxa4 Bf2 47.g4 hxg4 48.fxg4 fxg4 49.Kd2 Bd4 0-1 Caceres Vasquez, S
(2041) – Alonso, S (2519) Montevideo 2018.

27.Nf3! f6

27...Qxa3 28.Qc8 a4

155
Position after: 28...a4

29.Qd7! Keeping an eye on the a4-pawn, Nf3-e5 is threatened, and Black will soon be forced to part
with his passed pawn [29.Ne5? Qe7µ] 29...Qe7 30.Qxa4=.

28.Qc8 Kf7 29.Qc7+ Be7

Position after: 29...Be7

30.Qf4!!

156
When it looked like all active possibilities had already been exhausted for White, he finds this brilliant
resource. The position is equal, for example:

30...Bxa3

30...h6 31.Ne5+ Kg8

Position after: 31...Kg8

32.Qg4 [Or 32.Ng6 Bxa3 33.Qc7 Qe8 34.Qxa5=] 32...fxe5 33.Qxe6+ Kf8 34.Qf5+=

31.Ng5+ Ke7 32.Qc7+ Qd7 33.Qxa5=

157
Position after: 33.Qxa5=

2
Lampert, J. – Spoelman, W.

□ 47.Rc1 trying to exchange rooks, or 47.Nc1?

Show/Hide Solution

158
 2

47.Rc1?

White’s position looks safe and he decides to exchange rooks, probably thinking that this would bring
him closer to a draw. However, he did not take into account the fact that it was not necessary to engage
in a battle over the open file...
A) The only correct path was to mobilize all forces to defend the b4-pawn 47.Nc1! Rb6 48.Nd3 Na7
49.Kc2 Nc6 50.Kc3 Be7 51.Ra4=. Just in time! Now it is necessary to simply stay put and everything
will be fine.
B) 47.Be2?! Rb6 48.Bxb5 Rxb5 49.Kc2 Be7 50.Kb3 Rb6 51.Rc1 Bd6 52.Rc8 The Black king joins
the game, heading for White’s kingside, which was seriously weakened by the exchange of light-
squared bishops 52...Kf6µ.

47.Rc1? Rb6!

This does not comply with the idea that the open file is of any importance to the White rook.

48.Kd2 Be7 49.Kd3 Na7

The b4-pawn falls, hence White’s delayed activity.

50.e4 dxe4+ 51.Bxe4 Bxb4 52.Rc7 Be1 53.Rxb7 Rxb7 54.Bxb7 Bxf2 55.Bxa6 Nc6 56.b4 Bxg3 57.b5
Nb8 58.Bc8 Bxh4–+

0-1 (76) Lampert, J (2514) – Spoelman, W (2586) Bremen 2017.

3
Nakamura, H. – Topalov, V.

159
■ Would you go for the passive 48...Bd6 or the concrete 48...Nf2+?

Show/Hide Solution

48...Bd6?

With this decision, Black condemned himself to a difficult defensive position.

Active measures were necessary, such as 48...Nf2+!.

160
Position after: 48...Nf2+!

In fairness, it should be noted that this “activity” looks more like suicide than a rescue mission at first
glance.
A) 49.Kg2 Nxd3 50.Be4 [50.Bc4 e4! 51.Bxd3 exd3 52.Rxc5 Re2+=] 50...Nf4+=
B) 49.Kh2 Nxd3 50.Be4 Bd6! [50...Nf2? 51.Bc6 Rd8 52.Ba5+–] 51.Rd5 Nc5!=

48...Bd6? 49.Kg2?!

The reflex to bring White’s king into the battle cannot be disputed, but one should not always hurry
with “useful” moves.
Significantly stronger was 49.Rb7! creating panic in the black ranks 49...Be7 [49...Re7 50.Rb6 Bc5
51.Rc6 Ba3 52.Bg5 Nf6 53.Be4+–] and only now 50.Kg2 Nf6 51.Be6 Nh5 52.Kf3 Nf4 53.Bf5+–.

161
Position after: 53.Bf5+–

There is not a lot of material on the board, and Black will not lose immediately. However, the presence
of the bishop pair, the activity of the white rook and the sublimely placed g6-pawn make Black’s
position difficult. Gradually, the white king will pick up the e5-pawn and Black’s only remaining
chance is a miracle.

49...Nf6 50.Bf7

Position after: 50.Bf7

162
50...Rc8

A) 50...Rd8!? 51.Kf3 Ba3 52.Ke3 Bd6±

B) 50...Re7!?±

51.Bg5?

51.Rxe5!±

51...Rb8?!

Not noticing the opportunity handed to him - a small amount of activity in combination with the
exchange of rooks would have saved Black. 51...Rc2+ 52.Kf3 Rc5=

52.Ra5 e4

Position after: 52...e4

53.dxe4

White should keep the pawns in order to keep the advantage: 53.d4!±.

53...Nxe4 54.Be3 Nf6 55.Bd4 Be7 56.Kf3 Rd8 57.Be5 Bd6 58.Bxf6 gxf6 59.Rh5

163
Position after: 59.Rh5

59...f5??

59...Rd7=

60.Rh8+

This game was played in a rapid tournament, so there are quite a few mistakes in it. Nevertheless, it
remains quite instructive as a whole. 1-0 Nakamura, H (2780) – Topalov, V (2749) Saint Louis 2017.

4
Grischuk, A. – Kramnik, V.

164
■ Find the best defense.

Show/Hide Solution

76...Bf3!

Obviously, such a simple move cannot be excluded from consideration for Black.
Kramnik played 76...Bf4+? 77.Ke2 Kg7 78.Nf5+ Kf7 79.Bd2 Be5 80.Bxh6+– and White won easily:
1-0 (91) Grischuk, A (2767) – Kramnik, V (2800) Berlin 2018.

76...Bf3! 77.Nd5

The only attempt to refute 76...Bf3, and here it may seem that Black is in bad shape, but he has an
elegant move that easily draws...

77...Kg7!

165
Position after: 77...Kg7!

78.Ke3

78.Nxf6 Bf4+ 79.Ke1 Bg3+ 80.Kd2 Bf4+ 81.Kd3 Kf7 82.c5 Ke6=

78...Bxg4 79.Nxf6

It was probably here that Black stopped calculating, thinking that because of the discovered check, the
bishop is lost, but it is necessary to calculate to the very last check.

79...Ba7+!

At the final moment, the black bishop manages to escape from the trap.

80.Kf4 Be2=

5
Girya, O. – Zhao, X.

166
■ Only one difficult rook move saves the game for Black here. Find it!

Show/Hide Solution

45...Rc6!!

Only this move saves Black.

A) 45...Rd1? 46.Rf5!+– 1-0 (64) Girya, O (2442) – Zhao, X (2504) Batumi 2016.
B) 45...Rb6? 46.Rb5+–

45...Rc6!! 46.Kd4 Rf6!

Thanks to the side checks by the black rook, White cannot push the passed a-pawn without losing the
h-pawn. Here a draw can be agreed.

47.Re5 Rf4+ 48.Re4 Rf1 49.Rh4 Kg5=

6
Vachier Lagrave, M. – So, W.

167
■ Force a draw with Black!

Show/Hide Solution

6
White has some initiative. With the help of an active rook, he can play f2-f4 and try to create real
weaknesses in Black’s position.

25...Rd6! 26.Rxd6

It turns out that the c5-pawn will not simply give itself up: 26.Rxc5 Rb6!=.

26...Bxd6 27.g4 hxg4 28.hxg4 c4 29.Ke2 Kd7 30.Ke3 Bc5+ 31.Ke4 Ke6=

168
Position after: 31...Ke6=

A draw was soon agreed: ½-½ (45) Vachier Lagrave, M (2779) – So, W (2780) Saint Louis 2018.

7
Bruzon Batista, L. – Anton Guijarro, D.

□ Black has two threats: 31...Ke7 and 31...c4. Find the best move for White!

169
 Show/Hide Solution

32.Rd5!

It is important to kick the black knight away from the center where he not only restricts the white king,
but also greedily glares at the white b2-pawn.
In the game, white carelessly played 32.Rd6?, though the desire to activate the rook is understandable.
32...c4µ

Position after: 32...c4µ

White’s position is probably not completely lost yet, but the game has unambiguously gone in Black’s
favour. The torment did not last long: 33.Ra6?! [33.Rd4 Ke7 34.Rxf4 Kxe6µ] 33...Nd3 34.Ra7 Nxb2
35.Rxg7 h6 36.Rc7 c3 37.g4 fxg3 38.fxg3 Nxa4 39.Kd1 Nc5 40.Rc6 Ke7 41.g4 Nxe6 0-1 Bruzon
Batista, L (2664) – Anton Guijarro, D (2646) Havana 2018.

32.Rd5! Nc6

32...Nc4? 33.b3 … 33...Nb6 34.Rd6+–

33.Kd3=

and White is out of danger.

170
 8
McShane, L. – Rodshtein, M.

■ How should Black proceed?

Show/Hide Solution

57...Rxd4?

An instance where passive defense is justified because activity leads to a poor outcome.
Correct was 57...Kg7 58.Rb6 and now simply to stay put with 58...Kf7! and after the only means of
strengthening the position, 59.Kf3, 59...Rxd4 60.Rxb5 c3! 61.bxc3 Rd3+ 62.Kg4 Rxc3 with an obvious
draw.

57...Rxd4? 58.h5 Rd2 59.hxg6 Rxb2 60.f5+–

171
Position after: 60.f5+–

Black’s counterplay against the ambitious white pawns is clearly lacking.

60...Rg2+ 61.Kf4 Rf2+ 62.Kg4 Rg2+ 63.Kh4 Rh2+ 64.Kg3 Rh1 65.Rf7 Rg1+ 66.Kf4 Rf1+ 67.Ke5 c3
68.Rh7+ Kg5 69.g7

1-0 McShane, L (2672) – Rodshtein, M (2674) Batumi 2018.

9
Naiditsch, A. – Wei Yi

172
■ Black needs his rook on the a-file to defend. How should he get it there?

Show/Hide Solution

47...Rb3?

Of course, it is vitally important for Black to place the rook behind White’s passed pawn, but also
necessary to prevent the enemy’s rook from coordinating with the enemy knight. This seemingly
gigantic task was accomplished with a simple 47...Rf4! 48.h3 Ra4.

173
Position after: 48...Ra4

Now the white knight cannot get to e6 via the d4-square, and 49.Nc7 is met with 49...Ke7 50.a6 Kd7=.

47...Rb3? 48.Nd4 Ra3 49.Ne6+ Ke8 50.Nxg7+ Kd8

Position after: 50...Kd8

More events in the game are very instructive, therefore we will take a look at them in more detail.

51.h3?!

174
51.Ne6+! Kc8 [51...Ke8 52.a6] 52.h3 Ra2+ 53.Kf1 Ra1+ 54.Ke2 with good chances of winning as
now, with the black king on c8, it is no longer useful. 54...Ra2+ 55.Ke3 Rxa5 56.Rxa5 Nc4+ 57.Ke4
Nxa5 58.Kf5+–

51...Nc6?!

51...Ra2+! 52.Kf1 [52.Kg3 Ra3+ 53.Kf4 Rxh3 54.a6 Ra3²] 52...Ra1+ 53.Ke2 Ra2+ … 54.Ke3?!
[54.Kd1 Nc6±] 54...Rxa5! 55.Rxa5 Nc4+ 56.Ke4 Nxa5 57.Kf5 Ke7=

52.Ra8+

52.Ra6!?±

52...Kd7 53.Nh5

Position after: 53.Nh5

53...Ke7

It would have been worthwhile to consider changing the defensive landscape by means of 53...f5! …
54.gxf5 Kd6 55.a6 Ke5 56.f6 Ke6 and it is difficult for White to maintain his advantage.

54.a6

54.Ra6! Rc3 55.Kh2±

54...Kf7 55.Rh8

175
The only practical chance of success was 55.Kf2² … 55...Rxh3? 56.Rc8!+–.

55...Ra2+ 56.Kg3 Ra3+ 57.Kh4 Ne5= 58.Rxh7+ Kg6 59.Ra7 Kh6 60.Nf4 Rf3 61.Ra8 Rxf4 62.a7
Ng6+ 63.Kg3 Ra4 64.h4 Ra3+ 65.Kf2

½-½ Naiditsch, A (2721) – Wei Yi (2742) Batumi 2018.

10
Krasenkow, M. – Duda, J.

□ Find the best continuation for White to save himself.

Show/Hide Solution

10

25.Ra1!

White’s position is extremely unpleasant, and there is no way around enduring some suffering.
25.f5?! Rxb4 26.Bc2 a5 [26...e5? 27.Ra1=] 27.fxe6 fxe6µ

25.Ra1! Rxb4 26.Rxa6 g6 27.Bc2 Rxf4 28.Ra4!

176
Position after: 28.Ra4!

Forcing a rook exchange that leads to an unpleasant but drawn endgame. If the rooks stay on the board,
Black has better winning chances as we can’t really call the endgame an objective draw.

28...Rxa4 29.Bxa4 g5 30.g3 Kg7 31.Kg2 Nd5 32.Kf3 f5 33.Bd7 Kf6 34.Ke2

Position after: 34.Ke2

34...Ke7

177
Of course, White must be careful in defense, for example: 34...g4 35.Bc8 e5 36.Bd7 [36.Bb7!?] 36...e4
37.Bc8 Ke5 38.Bd7 h5 39.Kf1 [Not allowing ...h5-h4 39.Bc8 h4 40.gxh4 Ne7 41.Bd7 Ng6 42.h5
Nf4+] 39...f4

Position after: 39...f4

40.gxf4+ [40.h3!? f3 41.hxg4 Nf6 42.Bc8 Nxg4 43.Bd7 Kd4 44.Be8 Nf6 45.Bf7 e3 46.Bg6 e2+
47.Ke1 Kc3 48.Bf7=] 40...Kxf4 [40...Nxf4 41.Be8=] 41.h3 g3 42.fxg3+ Kxg3 43.Ke2 h4 44.Bf5 Kf4
45.Bc8 Nc3+ 46.Kf2 e3+ 47.Ke1 Nb5 48.Ke2 Nd4+ 49.Ke1 Kg3 50.Bd7=

35.Bc8 h6 36.Kd3 Nf6 37.f3 Nh5 38.Kd4 Kd6 39.Ba6 Nf6 40.Bd3 h5 41.Bc4 h4 42.gxh4 gxh4
43.Ba6 Nd5 44.Bc4 Nf4 45.Bb3 Ng2 46.Bc4 e5+ 47.Kd3 Ke7 48.Ke2 Kf6 49.Kf2 Nf4 50.Ke3 Kg5
51.Bb3=

½-½ (88) Krasenkow, M (2628) – Duda, J (2724) Warsaw 2018.

11
Wojtaszek, R. – Dreev, A.

178
■ Find what White wants to play on the next move, and hence deduce Black’s best move.

Show/Hide Solution

11

22...Re4!

Avoiding a2-a4. If Black defends the pawn, then he will face an extremely unpleasant defense: 22...Be7
23.a4!?² [23.Rd1 Nb6 24.Ne5²].

22...Re4! 23.Bxc5 Nxc5 24.Rxc5 g6

179
Position after: 24...g6

25.Rc6

25.g3 Kg7! [≤ 25...Ra4 26.Rc6 Kg7 27.Ra6²] 26.Kg2 Ra4 27.Rc2 Ra5=

25...Kg7?!

Played “automatically”. Of course, stronger was 25...Bd4! 26.Kf1 [26.Rc4?? Bxf2+–+] 26...Bb6=.

26.g3?!

¹ 26.Ra6 Rb4 27.g3 Rxb5 28.Rxa7 Rb2 29.Kg2²

180
Position after: 29.Kg2²

Objectively, the position is drawn, but some concerns remain, especially if during the game Black
noticed that 25...Bd4! eliminated all problems.

26...Bd8!=

Position after: 26...Bd8!=

Now the bishop lands on the ideal b6-square, White cannot retain the extra pawn.

181
27.Ra6 Bb6 28.a4 Re2 29.a5 Bxf2+ 30.Kf1 Rb2 31.Ne5 Bc5 32.Nd3 Rb1+ 33.Kg2 Be3 34.Kf3 Bg1
35.Kg2 Be3 36.Kf3 Bg1 37.Kg2 Be3

½-½ Wojtaszek, R (2700) – Dreev, A (2654) Russia 2013.

12
Vidit, S. – Van Foreest, J.

■ Find the only saving move.

Show/Hide Solution

12

39...f6!

39...Bb5? was played but after 40.Kg5+– Black is just lost. 40...Ba6 41.gxh5 gxh5 42.Bh2 Bxe2
43.Kxh5

182
Position after: 43.Kxh5

43...f6 [43...Bxf3+ 44.Kg5 Be2 45.Bd6! A very important move. 45...Bf3 46.h5 f6+ 47.Kg6 White
wins as ...e5 doesn’t interrupt the protection of the c7-pawn by the white bishop.] 44.Kg6 e5 45.Kxf6
Kxc7 46.Bxe5+ Kd7 47.f4 Ke8 48.Bd6 Bh5 49.Kg5 Bf7 50.h5 Bg8 51.Kf6 1-0 Vidit, S (2695) – Van
Foreest, J (2612) Wijk aan Zee 2019.

39...f6! 40.g5 e5+ 41.Ke3

Position after: 41.Ke3

183
41...fxg5!

41...f5? 42.Bxe5 Bb5 43.f4 Ba6 44.Kd4 Bxe2 45.Bd6 Bf3 46.Ke5 Bb7 47.Bb4 Kxc7 48.Kf6+–

42.hxg5 h4 43.Bxe5 h3

Position after: 43...h3

Despite two healthy extra pawns, White cannot convert the advantage since, for various reasons, White
cannot successfully push the f-pawn, for example:

44.Kf2 Bd1 45.f4

45.e4 Kc8 46.Bd6 [46.Bh2 Kd7 47.f4 Kxc7=] 46...Kd7 47.f4 h2! 48.Kg2 Bf3+ 49.Kxh2 Bxe4=

45...Bc2!

45...h2? 46.Kg2 Bxe2 47.f5+–

46.Kg3 Bf5=

13
Fedoseev, V. – Vidit, S.

184
□ Despite the seeming abundance of possibilities, only one move leads to salvation. Which?

Show/Hide Solution

13
White’s position appears to be critical for obvious reasons, but in view of the possibility of a draw by
perpetual check, all is not yet completely hopeless. However, the one and only road to salvation and the
subtleties between the different options are not easy to understand.

61.Bb2!

A) In the game, White made a move that actually loses the game, but Black “pardoned” the opponent.
61.Ba1?

185
Position after: 61.Ba1?

61...Qd6+? [Winning was 61...Qc5 – or ...Qb4 – 62.Qg6+ Kg8 63.Qe8+ Qf8 64.Qa4 Qb8+ 65.Kg1
Qb1+! 66.Kh2 Nd6!–+.] 62.Kg1 Qc5 63.Qg6+ Kg8 64.Qe8+ Qf8 65.Qa4 Qc8 66.Qxa2 Qc1+
67.Kh2 Qc7+ 68.Kg1 Qc1+ 69.Kh2 Nd2 70.Bb2 Qe1 71.Qxd5+ Kh7 72.Bc3 Nf1+ 73.Kg1 Nd2+
74.Kh2 Nf1+ ½-½ Fedoseev, V (2724) – Vidit, S (2695) Wijk aan Zee 2019.
B) 61.Qh5+? Kg8 62.Qe8+ Qf8

Position after: 62...Qf8

186
 63.Qa4 [63.Qe6+ Kh7 64.Qxd5 Qb8+ 65.Kg1 Qb1+ 66.Kh2 Nd2! 67.h4 Nf1+ 68.Kh3 Nxe3–+]
63...Qb8+ 64.Kg1 Qb1+ 65.Kh2 Nd6!–+
C) 61.h4? Qb4 62.Qg6+ Kg8 63.h5 [63.Qe8+ Qf8 64.Qa4 Qb8+ 65.Kg1 Qb1+ 66.Kh2 Nd6–+]
63...Qb8+ 64.Kg1 Qg3–+

61.Bb2! Qc5

A) 61...Qd6+ 62.Kg1 Qb4 63.Qh5+ Kg8 64.Qe8+ Qf8 65.Qa4=

B) 61...Qb4 62.Qh5+ Kg8 63.Qe8+ Qf8 64.Qa4=

62.Qg6+ Kg8 63.Qe8+ Qf8 64.Qa4 Qb8+

Position after: 64...Qb8+

65.Kg1

Here is the point: when the bishop is on b2, Black does not have the important check on b1 at his
disposal.

65...Qxb2 66.Qe8+=

14
Carlsen, M. – Anand, V.

187
■ Can Black still save himself? Should he play 70...b5 or 70...bxa5?

Show/Hide Solution

14
White had been trying for a long time to convert the extra pawn, but Black successfully defended and it
seemed evident to both players that it would be impossible to win with such a minimal material
advantage. Therefore, White attempts to make use of a practical chance and played 70.a5.

70...bxa5!

70...b5?? 71.Ne3+– Nf4+ 72.Ke5 Ne2 73.Nd5+ Kc6 74.b4 Nxc3 75.Nxc3 cxb4

188
Position after: 75...cxb4

76.Ne2! followed by Nd4. 1-0 Carlsen, M (2835) – Anand, V (2773) Wijk aan Zee 2019.

70...bxa5! 71.Kd5 Nf4+ 72.Kxc5 Ne2

Position after: 72...Ne2

73.Nd6!

Black must have played 70...b5 (instead of the natural pawn exchange) when he noticed this idea.

189
Taking the pawn on c3 is impossible due to the resulting pawn endgame and he must therefore have
considered the position to be lost. Actually, Black can still save himself...

73...Nc1!

73...Nxc3? 74.Nb5++–

74.Nb5+ Kb7 75.Nd4

75.Kc4 Ka6=

75...Ka6!

Position after: 75...Ka6!

The position is drawn, for example:

76.Kc4

76.c4 a4 77.bxa4 Ka5=

76...Kb6 77.Ne6 Ka6 78.Nc5+ Kb6 79.Nd3 Ne2 80.Nb2 Nc1=

15
Moroni, L. – Wei, Y.

190
■ What is the best way to recapture on d5?

Show/Hide Solution

15

18...exd5?!

Not the best choice as it allows White to seize the initiative.

The correct continuation was 18...cxd5! 19.cxb6 axb6 20.e3 Kf8 21.Rc1 Rc8=. Black plans to take
control of the center with ...f7-f6 followed by ...e6-e5.

18...exd5?! 19.e3?!

After 19.Rc1!

191
Position after: 19.Rc1!

19...Bc4 [≤ 19...bxc5? 20.Rxc5 Bxe2 21.Nd4 Bb5 22.b3 Re8 23.f3 Kf8 24.Kf2± …a4] 20.Nd4 bxc5
21.Nxc6 Kf8 22.e4² it would not be easy for Black to defend.

19...Rb8!=

Position after: 19...Rb8!=

Now, an inevitably drawn rook endgame has been reached.

192
20.Rc1 Bc4 21.Nd2 bxc5 22.Nxc4 dxc4 23.Rxc4 Rxb2 24.Rxc5 Rb6 25.a4 Kf8 26.a5 Rb5 27.Rxc6
Rxa5 28.Rc8+ Ke7 29.Rc7+ Kf8 30.Rc8+ Ke7 31.Rc7+ Kf8

½-½ Moroni, L (2567) – Wei Yi (2733) Moscow 2019.

16
Fier, A. – Wang, H.

□ White is worse - how should he defend himself?

Show/Hide Solution

16

28.Nd6!

Actively! By entering a queen endgame. In the game, White decided to prepare Ne4-d6 by playing
28.c5? but after

193
Position after: 28.c5?

28...Qd4! [he was probably calculating 28...a5 29.Nd6 Bxd6 30.Qxd6+ Kc8 31.Qf8+ Kc7 32.Qd6+=]
the white knight can no longer get to d6 without exchanging queens. 29.Qg8+ [29.Nd6? Bxd6 30.cxd6
Qd5+–+] 29...Kd7 30.f3 a5–+ ½-½ (56) Fier, A (2561) – Wang Hao (2714) Moscow 2019.

28.Nd6! Bxd6™ 29.Qxd6+ Kc8 30.Qe6+ Kc7 31.Qe7+ Kb6 32.Qe3+

Position after: 32.Qe3+

194
32...Ka6

32...c5 33.Qe6+! Ka5 34.Qe7=

33.g4!=

White can mobilize his own passed pawn. The unfortunate position of the black king prevents the a-
pawn from moving forward, therefore White’s chances are not worse in this position.

195
 Chapter 3
Hidden Resources

In this chapter, we will consider examples where the solutions are not obvious and where it would be
quite difficult to find the correct continuation simply through experience or technical skill.
Hidden resources will always be concealed from us, no matter how much a player has been trained in
this aspect. Our task is to be prepared to find a black cat in a dark room, even if it isn’t there, and, also
to acknowledge the possibility of its existence in so-called “simple” positions. It is always better to
avoid being surprised by miracles.
Miracles occur every now and then, and sometimes even with a small amount of effort they can arise
and considerably improve our position.
Example 1
From Inarkiev – Sarana
Satka 2018

Black to move

When making decisions in such situations, one cannot rely on anything other than accurate and precise
calculation.

52...f3!

The winning move.

A) 52...c3? In the game, Black preferred this, which exposes the white king. An attractive and
understandable move, but missing the win... 53.bxc3 Qf2+ 54.Kd5 Qxa2+ 55.Kc5 Qa3+ 56.Kd5

196
 Qxc3 57.Nd4+

Position after: 57.Nd4+

57...Kg6 [57...Kf6 58.Rd7 Qc4+ 59.Ke4 Qc8 60.Rf7+ Kg6 61.Rxf4 h5 62.Kf3 b4 63.Re4=] 58.Rc6
Qa3 59.e7+ Kf7 60.Re6 Qa8+ 61.Ke5 f3 62.Nxf3 b4 63.Ng5+ Ke8 64.Ne4

Position after: 64.Ne4

Picturesque! 64...Qa1+ 65.Kf5 Qf1+ 66.Ke5 Qa1+ 67.Kf5 Qf1+ 68.Ke5 ½-½
B) In case of 52...Qf2+ 53.Kd5 Qf3+ 54.Kc5 Qe3+

197
Position after: 54...Qe3+

55.Kb4! The white king has found a safe haven. 55...f3 56.e7 f2 57.Rd8=

52...f3! 53.e7 f2 54.Rd8 Kf6!

Position after: 54...Kf6!

A major hidden resource.

55.Rf8+

198
55.e8=Q Qxe8 56.Rxe8 Kg7! [56...Kf7?? 57.Re3! f1=Q 58.Rf3+ Qxf3 59.Ne5++–] 57.Re7+ Kf8
58.Re5 f1=Q 59.Rxb5 h5–+

55...Kg7 56.Ne5 f1=Q 57.Rxf1 Qh4+!

Position after: 57...Qh4+!

Perhaps White did not consider this particular move in his calculations.

58.Kd5 Qxe7–+

Example 2
From Jakubowski – Sadzikowski
Katowice 2018

199
White to move

Despite the material balance and the absence of obvious weaknesses, White is in a very dangerous
position - the unfortunate position of his knight and king is to blame for this.

58.Rb2!!

Why there? How can that be useful?

A) Much more natural and seemingly correct 58.Rc2?! Re3 led to a serious advantage for Black.

Position after: 58...Re3

200
 59.Ng1 [59.c5 Nf3+? 60.Kh1 Ne1–+; 59.Nf2 Nf3+ 60.Kh1 Kf6µ] 59...Ng6 60.Nh3 Ne5 61.Nf2
Nf3+

Position after: 61...Nf3+

62.Kh1 With nothing better than to retreat to the corner. [62.Kg2? Ne1+–+] 62...Kf6 63.c5 Nd4µ
B) The game continued 58.Ng1?! and after 58...Re4! [Black continued with the significantly weaker:
58...Re3?! 59.Rd2³ 0-1 (73)] 59.Kg3 Re3+ 60.Kh2 Ng6 61.Nf3 Nf4

Position after: 61...Nf4

201
 White’s position could be evaluated as critical. 62.Kg3 Nd3 63.Rf1 Ne5–+

58.Rb2!! Re3

58...Kf6 59.Nf2 Ke6 60.Nd1 Re1 61.Nf2³

59.Nf2

Position after: 59.Nf2

59...Kf6

59...Nf3+ 60.Kg2! The idea behind the mysterious first move now becomes clear, as here it does not
fall victim to a fork from the knight, and White buys time to achieve piece coordination. 60...Kf6
61.Nd1 Nh4+ 62.Kf2 Rf3+ 63.Ke2=

60.Nd1! Re1

60...Rf3 61.Re2=

61.Nf2 Ke6 62.Rc2

202
Position after: 62.Rc2

With excellent drawing chances, for example:

62...b6 63.c5 bxc5 64.Rxc5 Re2 65.Kg3 Rxa2 66.Rc6+ Kd5 67.Rxh6 Ra3 68.Nh3 Rxb3+ 69.Kh2
Nf3+ 70.Kg2 a5

Position after: 70...a5

71.Nxg5! Nxg5 72.Rh5=

203
 Example 3
From Dreev – Mecking
Tilburg 1994

White to move

A fascinating endgame, that will turn out to be a true roller coaster: the most aggressive moves by
White, and incredible resources for Black.

43.h6!

43.Ra6? This natural move was the game continuation, missing the win. 43...Re5! 44.Ra7+ Re7! 45.Ra6
Re5 46.Rxd6 Rxh5 47.Rd7+ Kg6 48.Rc7 ½-½

43.h6! Kg6!

The only way!

Another natural move that loses the game was the inferior 43...Re5?. Consider it in detail, there are
many instructive techniques at play. 44.Ra7+ Kg6 45.Rd7 Kxh6 46.Rxd6 Kg6 47.Rc6 Rh5 48.Rxc5

204
Position after: 48.Rxc5

A) 48...Rh4+ 49.Ke3 Rh3+ [49...f5 50.Rc6+ Kg5 51.Re6!+–] 50.Kd4 Rxb3 A series of exact and only
moves leads White to the win.

Position after: 50...Rxb3

51.Rc6! Threatening to move the e-pawn, White wins an important tempo that strengthens his
position. [51.Rb5? Rb1=; 51.Rc7? Rb1 52.d6 Rd1+ 53.Kc5 Kg5! 54.Kc6 Kf4=] 51...Kf7 [51...Rb1
52.e5 Rd1+ 53.Kc5 Rc1+ 54.Kxb4+–] 52.Rc7+! Ke8 [52...Kg6 53.d6 Rb1 54.d7 Rd1+ 55.Kc4 Kg5

205
 56.Rc5+ Kf4 57.Rd5+–] 53.Rb7! [53.d6? Ra3 54.Kd5 Ra5+=] 53...Rb1 54.d6! Ra1 55.Kd5! Ra5+
56.Kc6+–
B) 48...Rh3 49.d6 [49.e5? fxe5+ 50.Kxe5 Rxb3=] 49...Kf7 50.Rd5 Ke8

Position after: 50...Ke8

B1) 51.Kf5? Kd7 52.Kxf6 Rxb3 53.Rd4 [53.e5 Rf3+ 54.Kg7 b3=] 53...Rf3+ 54.Ke5 b3 55.Rb4

Position after: 55.Rb4

55...Re3 [Though it may look dangerous, active defense also leads to a draw. 55...Rh3!? 56.Rb7+

206
 Kc6 57.Rc7+ Kb6 58.Rc4 Rh5+ 59.Ke6 b2 60.Rb4+ Rb5 61.d7 Rxb4 62.d8=Q+ Kc5=] 56.Rb7+
Kc8 57.d7+ Otherwise, no progress is made. 57...Kd8 58.Kd6 Rd3+ 59.Ke6 b2 60.Rb8+ [60.Rxb2
Rd6+!=] 60...Kc7 61.Rxb2 Rd6+ 62.Ke5 Rxd7=
B2) 51.Rf5!!

Position after: 51.Rf5!!

51...Rh6 [51...Rxb3 52.Rxf6 Rd3 53.Ke5 b3 54.Ke6 b2 55.Rf1+–] 52.Ke3 Kd7 53.Kd4 Kc6
[53...Kxd6 54.Rxf6++–] 54.Rd5 Kd7

Position after: 54...Kd7

207
 55.Kc5! [55.Kc4 Rh4 56.Rd4 Rf4 57.Kc5 Rg4 58.Rxb4 – or 58.Kxb4 f5= – 58...Rg5+ 59.Kd4
Kxd6=] 55...Rh3 [55...Rh4 56.e5 fxe5 57.Rxe5 Rh7 58.Re7++–] 56.Kxb4 Rh4 57.Kc5 Rxe4 58.Rh5
And White wins, since 58...Re5+ fails to 59.Rxe5 fxe5 60.Kd5 e4 61.Kxe4 Kxd6 62.Kd4+–.

44.Ra6

Position after: 44.Ra6

44...c4!

44...Rd7? 45.Rb6 Rd8 46.h7 Kxh7 47.Kf5 Kg7 48.Ke6 Re8+ 49.Kxd6 Rxe4 50.Kc7+–

45.bxc4

45.Rxd6? cxb3 46.Rb6 Rh7 47.Rxb4 Rxh6

208
Position after: 47...Rxh6

48.Kg3 [48.Kg4 Rh5 49.Rxb3 f5+=] 48...Rh1 49.Rxb3 Rf1 50.Rf3 Rd1 51.Kf4 Kf7 52.Ra3 Rf1+
53.Ke3 Ke7=

45...Rb7

Position after: 45...Rb7

46.Ra1

209
46.Ra2 b3 47.Rb2 Rb6=

46...b3 47.Rg1+ Kxh6 48.Kf5 b2 49.Rb1 Kg7 50.Ke6 Rb6 51.Ke7 Kg6

Position after: 51...Kg6

52.c5

52.Kd7 Rb4=

52...dxc5 53.d6 Rb4 54.e5 fxe5 55.d7 Rd4

55...Rb8?? 56.Rxb2+–

56.Rxb2 Kf5 57.Rb6 Rxd7+ 58.Kxd7

210
Position after: 58.Kxd7

58...Ke4!!

The only move, but sufficient. Thus, it can be concluded that this endgame, with the most accurate play
possible by Black, leads to a draw.

59.Kc6 Kd4=

Example 4
From Dreev – Piket
Wijk aan Zee 2002

211
Black to move

With the last move, White pushed his powerful f-pawn which forces Black to make a very difficult
decision: to simplify into a rook endgame – which may well be lost – or to continue to defend as is?

39...Rf1?!

Black’s move in the game.

A) Also losing was 39...Rg1+?! 40.Kf4 Rf1+ 41.Kg5 Re1.

Position after: 41...Re1

212
 [41...Ne5 42.f6+–]
A1) 42.Nf6± Rg1+ 43.Kh6 Nd6=
A2) 42.Ng3 Nd6! [≤ 42...Re3?! … 43.Nh5 Rxc3 44.Nf4 Ra3 45.Ng6+ Ke8 46.Rxa3! Nxa3
47.Ne5!+–] 43.f6 Re3 44.Nh5 Rxc3 45.Nf4 Rg3+ 46.Kh5 Re3 47.Kg6 Ke8 48.f7+ Nxf7 49.Rxf7
Rg3+ 50.Kf6 Rf3 51.Re7+ Kd8 52.Re4 Kd7 53.Ke5 Kc6=
A3) 42.Nf2!!

Position after: 42.Nf2!!

Not an obvious and quite a far-sighted retreat, but it is precisely the f2-square that the white knight
decisively arrives to in the game. What a hidden resource! 42...Nd6 43.f6 Re3 44.Ng4 Rxc3
45.Ne5+–
B) The only correct decision was to liquidate into the rook endgame in which Black apparently
escapes: 39...Nd6! 40.Nxd6 [40.Kf4 Rf1+ 41.Ke5 Nxf5 42.a4 Ne7=] 40...Rxd6 41.Kf4 Rd3 42.c4
Rd4+ 43.Kg5 Rxc4 44.Kg6 Rg4+ 45.Kf6 Ke8 46.Re7+

213
Position after: 46.Re7+

46...Kd8 [46...Kf8 47.Rb7+–] 47.Rg7 Rf4 48.Ke6 Re4+! 49.Kf7 c4 50.f6 Re2! 51.Kg8 [51.a4 c3=]
51...Rxa2 52.f7 Rf2 53.f8=Q+ Rxf8+ 54.Kxf8

Position after: 54.Kxf8

54...c3! 55.Rg3 Kd7 56.Rxc3 Kd6= An unexpected resource for Black, who is just in time to make a
draw, even though at first sight there didn’t seem to be much hope initially.

39...Rf1?! 40.f6

214
Position after: 40.f6

Now White is winning.

40...Ne5

A) 40...Ne3 41.Ng5+–
B) 40...Rf5 41.Ra4! White poses insurmountable problems to his opponent in an exclusively correct
and subtle way. [41.a4?! Ke8²] 41...b5 [41...Ne3 42.Ra8+ Kf7 43.Nd6++–] 42.Ra7

215
Position after: 42.Ra7

The rook returns, but the situation has changed – Black now has a weak pawn on b5. 42...b4 [42...Ke8
43.Rb7+–] 43.cxb4 cxb4 44.Rc7+–

41.Ng5!+–

Position after: 41.Ng5!+–

1-0

If 41.Ng5 Rxf6 then 42.Nh7++–.

Example 5
From Dreev – Ivanov
Reykjavik 1990

216
White to move

For a long time, the rivals maneuvered in a roughly equal endgame. With his last move, White is trying
to pose Black a more specific set of problems.

49.f4

And Black makes a mistake...

49...Ne2?

Although the following solution seems simple, it’s not obvious during a game that it is the way to play.
Especially when it isn’t very clear why the move in the game is poor.
Leading to a draw was 49...Ne6! 50.fxe5 fxe5.

217
Position after: 50...fxe5

51.Nb4+ Kd6 52.Kb5 Nc5 53.Nd5 Nxe4 [53...Nxa4 54.Kxa4 Kc5 55.Ne3 Kd4 56.Nf5+ Kxe4
57.Nxg7 Kf4 58.Nxh5+ Kg4=] 54.Nxb6 Nc3+

Position after: 54...Nc3+

55.Kc4 [55.Kb4 Nxa4 56.Nxa4 Ke6=] 55...Ne4 56.a5 Kc6 57.Kd3 Nd6 [57...Ng3!?] 58.Nc4 e4+!
59.Kd4 Nf5+=

50.fxe5 fxe5

218
Position after: 50...fxe5

51.Ne7+

51.Nb4+ Kd6 … 52.Kb5? Nc3+–+

51...Kd7 52.Nd5

White, in turn, makes mistakes and overlooks the almost winning resource 52.Nf5!.

Position after: 52.Nf5!

219
It is important to lure the black pawn to g6. 52...g6 53.Ne3 Kc6 54.Nd5 Ng3 55.Kd3 Kc5 56.Ne7
Kb4 57.Nxg6 Kxa4 58.Nxe5 b5 59.Ke3 b4 60.Nf3 b3 61.Nd2 b2 62.Kf2

Position after: 62.Kf2

62...Kb4!! 63.Kxg3 Kc3 64.Nb1+ Kc2 65.e5 Kxb1 66.e6 Kc1 67.e7 b1=Q 68.e8=Q Qd3+ 69.Kh2
Qd6+ 70.g3 Even if this queen endgame is not winning, the practical chances for victory are quite high.

52...Kc6

Position after: 52...Kc6

220
53.Nb4+?

It was still not too late to return to the correct path with 53.Ne7+!.

53...Kd6 54.Nd3 Ng3 ½-½ (75)

Example 6
From Grigoriants – Carlsen
St Petersburg 2018

White to move

67.Qh4?

A natural move which allowed Black to save the game thanks to a series of only moves. Easily winning
was 67.Kg3+– … 67...Qg7+ 68.Qg4

221
Position after: 68.Qg4

68...Qxb7 [68...Qc7+ 69.Kf3+ Kf1 70.Qg2+] 69.Qd1#.

67.Qh4? Qe3+

67...Qe6+? 68.Qg4++–

68.Qg3+ Kh1 69.b8=Q Qe6+

222
Position after: 69...Qe6+

The white king ends up in an endless roundabout.

70.Qg4

70.Kh4 Qg4+=

70...Qe3+ 71.Kh4

71.Qbg3 doesn’t help. 71...Qh6+ 72.Q4h4 Qe6+ 73.Qgg4 Qe3+ 74.Qhg3 Qh6+ 75.Q4h4 Qe6+
76.Qgg4 Qe3+ 77.Qhg3 Qh6+ 78.Q4h4 Qe6+=

71...Qf2+!

Position after: 71...Qf2+!

72.Kh5

A) 72.Kg5 Qf6+=
B) 72.Qbg3 Qf6+ 73.Qg5 Qh6+!=

72...Qf7+! 73.Qg6

73.Kh6 Qg7+=

73...Qf3+! 74.Kg5

223
74.Kh6 Qf4+=

74...Qg3+!=

Unbelievable - such patterns can only occur in very concrete setups!

½-½

Example 7
From Artemiev – Paravyan
Skopje 2019

White to move

White’s passed pawns are very strong and if the king can support them, then victory will be secured.
However, it is necessary to decide whether or not to exchange the last remaining queenside pawn.

43.a4?

It is clear that White’s aim is to preserve the pawn, so that the opponent will not be allowed to execute
the idea of sacrificing the rook for two pawns, leaving White, albeit with an extra bishop, with the h-
pawn. Furthermore, after 43.axb4, it is necessary to calculate 43...a4. However, all this human “logic”
only encourages the possibility of a grave mistake.
It was correct not to avoid the exchange. 43.axb4
A) 43...a4 44.Bc4! a3 [44...Ke5 45.Ke2+–] 45.g6+–
B) 43...axb4 44.h5 b3 45.h6

224
Position after: 45.h6

45...Ke5 [Or 45...b2 46.h7 Ke5 47.Kf3+–] 46.Kf3 The king enters the game and Black’s last chance,
46...Rf8 with the idea of sacrificing the rook for two pawns, is easily stopped by playing 47.h7+–. The
white king arrives via h5 to aid the pawns in their route to promotion.

43.a4? b3?

Again, the seemingly logical move turns out to be a serious mistake, it was necessary to prevent the
white king from reaching the pawns - but how?
43...Ke6

225
Position after: 43...Ke6

44.h5 [44.Kf3 b3 45.h5 b2 46.h6 Rb8 47.h7 Rb3=; 44.Bc4+ Kf5 45.f7 Rd8 46.Bb5 Ke6 47.Be8 Ke7
48.h5 Rxe8=] 44...Rb8!! [44...b3? 45.Bc4+ Kf5 46.f7+–] 45.h6 b3 46.h7 b2

Position after: 46...b2

47.Ke2 It seems as though Black is in zugzwang. Any movement by the king puts him in a poor
position. Black, once again, finds the only move. [Now if 47.Kf3 Rb3!=.] 47...Rc8! [47...Ke5? 48.Kf3
Rb3 49.h8=Q Rxd3+ 50.Kg4 b1=Q 51.f7+ Kd5 52.Qd8+!

226
Position after: 52.Qd8+!

52...Kc4 53.Qc7+ Kd5 54.Qd7+ Kc4 55.Qc6++–; 47...Kf7? 48.Kf3 Rb3 49.Ke4 Rxd3 50.h8=Q Re3+
51.Kd5 b1=Q 52.Qg7+ Ke8 53.f7++–] 48.Kd2 Rb8=

44.g6+–

Position after: 44.g6+–

44...Ke6 45.f7 Rb8 46.h5 Kf6 47.h6 b2 48.Kf3

227
With far-advanced pawns and the support of the king, the victory is not difficult to attain.

48...Rd8 49.Kg4 Rc8 50.h7 Rd8 51.Kh5 Kg7 52.Kg5 Rd5+ 53.Kg4 Rd8 54.Kf5 Rc8 55.Ke6 Rb8
56.Ke5 Rd8 57.Bb1

Position after: 57.Bb1

Black cannot hold onto his own pawns.

57...Rb8

A) 57...Kh8 58.Kf6+–
B) 57...d3 58.Bxd3+–

58.Kxd4 Rb4+ 59.Kc5 Rh4 60.Kb5 Rh5+ 61.Kc4 Rh3 62.Be4 Kf8 63.Bf5 Rh2 64.Kc3 Kg7 65.Bc2

And the b2-pawn also falls.

65...Rh4 66.Kxb2 Rh3 67.Bf5 Rh5 68.Bd3 Rh4 69.Kc3 Rf4 70.Be4 Rh4 71.Kd4 Rh5 72.Kc4

1-0

Example 8
From Kramnik – Giri
Dortmund 2018

228
White to move

35.Nf3!

At first sight, this appears to be a concession. However, White clears the e-file for his rook and prepares
to disturb the black knight with g2-g4, which previously did not make sense since the knight could go
to d4.
A) In the game, White tried to draw the game by repetition through repeatedly checking the black
king by 35.Ng4?!, but after the prophylactic 35...Kf8

229
Position after: 35...Kf8

he found himself in a difficult situation and again made a mistake [35...a5? 36.Nef6+ gxf6 37.Nxf6+
Kf8 38.Nh7+ Kg8 39.Nf6+=]
A1) Here, it was necessary to admit his previous mistake and return the knight to the center with
36.Ne5!³.

Position after: 36.Ne5!³

In this case, the active position of the white pieces still hinders the movement of Black’s past pawns
and White retains excellent drawing chances, for example: 36...a5?! 37.Rb7! b5 38.Nc5! Kg8
39.Ne6©.
A2) 36.Rec1? Re2–+

230
Position after: 36...Re2–+

And Black later won: 0-1 (64).

B) 35.Rb7 Kf8³

35.Nf3! Kf8 36.g4

Position after: 36.g4

36...Ra3

231
36...Nd4? 37.Nxd4 Rxd4 38.Rc8 Kf7 39.Rxe8! Kxe8 40.Nc3+±

37.Kg2 Nd4 38.Nxd4 Rxd4 39.Nc5! bxc5 40.Rc8=

Example 9
From Galliamova – Shuvalova
Satka 2018

Black to move

61...b4?

It is human nature to try to hold on to something. In life it may be people, habits, comfort, power,
happiness, youth, etc... Sometimes people do not notice the point at which it becomes ridiculous.
However, we will not mock the natural last move made by Black, although it does lead to a losing
position.
A) Rescue came from active defense! 61...Rc4!! 62.Qxb5 [62.Qg6+ Kf8! 63.Qd6+ Kg7 64.Qd5
Kf8!?=] 62...Rc1+

232
Position after: 62...Rc1+

63.Kh2 [63.Kf2 Rc2+=] 63...Rh7+ 64.Kg3 Rg7+ 65.Kf4 Rxg2= Surprisingly, the black rooks stay out
of the white queen’s reach.
B) 61...Rb4? 62.Qg6+ Rg7 63.Qe8+ Kh7 64.Qe5+–
C) 61...Rd4? 62.Qxb5 Rd1+ 63.Kf2 Rd2+ 64.Kf1+–

61...b4? 62.Qg6+ Rg7

233
Position after: 62...Rg7

63.Qe6+

63.Qd6!? Rgh7 64.Qd8+ Kg7 65.g4+–

63...Kh8 64.Qf6 Rh5 65.Qf8+ Kh7 66.Qxb4+–

The doomed pawn falls and White convincingly converted the advantage.
1-0 (101)
Example 10
From Matlakov – Giri
Wijk aan Zee 2018

White to move

White’s position does not look overwhelming, but strangely enough his advantage is considerable.
Here, it was necessary to make a quiet, subtle move.

25.Rd1!±

It turns out that Black cannot solve the problem of the a-pawn in standard fashion, the appearance of a
White passed pawn is inevitable.
White was not in time with «active play”. 25.Nd6? Ba3 26.Nxc8 Bxb2 27.Ne7+ Kf8 28.Nxg6+ hxg6³
0-1 (39).

25.Rd1!± cxd4

234
25...Nf6 26.Nxb4 axb4 27.a5+–

26.Nxb4

Position after: 26.Nxb4

26...Rxc4

26...axb4 27.Rxb4 d3 28.exd3 Nc5 29.Ne5 Nxd3 30.Nxd3 Rxd3 31.Ra1±

27.Nc6 Re8 28.Rxd4

235
Position after: 28.Rxd4

28...Rc1+

28...Rxd4 29.exd4+–

29.Kh2 Nc5 30.Nxa5 e5 31.Rdb4 Ra1 32.Bc6±

Example 11
From Laznicka – Bologan
Poikovsky 2015

236
White to move

The black pawns hurry to become queens. White can only counter this by attacking the black king. In
order to achieve this, it is necessary to establish coordination between the pieces.

42.Bc5!!

In the game, White was unable to find this and eventually lost. 42.Nc5?! Qd5! 43.Rd7 [43.Ne6 Qd6+–
+] 43...Qc4 44.Be3 b3 45.Rb7 a4–+ 0-1 (62).

42.Bc5!! h5!?

42...a4 43.Re8+ Kf7 44.Re7+ Kg8 [44...Kg6? 45.Nf8++–] 45.Re8+=

43.Re8+

237
Position after: 43.Re8+

43...Kh7

43...Kf7 44.Re7+ Kg6 45.g4! Making the black king less comfortable. 45...hxg4 46.hxg4 Kg5
47.Rxg7+ Kf4 48.Nxf6 Qc4 49.Nd7=

44.Nf8+!

But not 44.Re7? Qc3! [44...Kg6? 45.g4=] 45.Nf8+ Kg8 46.Ne6 b3 47.Bd4 Qc6! 48.Rxg7+ Kh8
49.Bxf6 Qxe6 50.Bc3 Qd6+ 51.g3 Qd3 52.Bf6 Qf1–+.

44...Kg8

44...Kh6?? 45.Be3+ g5 46.Re7+–

45.Ne6+ Kh7 46.Nf8+=

Example 12
From Lu Shanglei – Inarkiev
China 2015

238
Black to move

The surest antidote to White’s passed pawn was the creation of one of his own...

49...h5!!

Not devoid of logic, Black preliminarily removed the bishop from the knight’s reach, but White found
another way to use the strength of his passed pawn. 49...Ba8? 50.Ke5!+–

Position after: 50.Ke5!+–

239
50...g6 [50...Kf8 51.Kd6+–] 51.Nxh6+ Kf8 52.Kd6 e3 53.e7+ Ke8 54.Ng4 Kf7 55.Nxe3 Bf3 56.Kd7
And Black gave up. 1-0

49...h5!! 50.e7

A) 50.Ke3 g5=
B) 50.Kg5 Kf8 51.Kxh5 Bd5 52.e7+ Kf7=
C) 50.Ke5 g6 51.Ne3 Bc6=

50...Bc6 51.Nd6

Position after: 51.Nd6

51...g5+! 52.Ke3 h4 53.e8=Q+ Bxe8 54.Nxe8 hxg3 55.Nf6+ Kf7 56.Nxe4 g2 57.Kf2 Ke6=

240
 Show in Text Mode

Chapter 3
Exercises

1
Najer, E. – Lomasov, S.

□ 61.Qc4 or 61.Qf4?

Show/Hide Solution

1
In this position virtually any “normal” move would have won, but White was careless and continued...

61.Qc4?

This gave Black an unexpected chance to draw, which he made use of.
61.Qf4!?+–

241
61.Qc4? Qd2+!

Position after: 61...Qd2+!

62.Kf1

62.Kg3 Qe3+ 63.Kh4 Qh6+=

62...Qe1+ 63.Kg2 Qd2+ 64.Kf3

242
Position after: 64.Kf3

64...Qc3+! 65.Qxc3

Stalemate! ½-½ (65) Najer, E (2670) – Lomasov, S (2553) Moscow 2018.

2
Vocaturo, D. – Kramnik, V.

□ White would like to activate his pieces, but he is hindered by the ...Nf4+ fork. However, one smart
move solves both issues - which?

Show/Hide Solution

43.Ra2!+–

The game continued with the logical 43.Kf2, however after 43...Ra8! the black pieces became as active
as possible, which compensated for the absence of three (!) pawns:

243
Position after: 43...Ra8!

44.Ra6 Rxa6 45.Nxa6 Nxe5 46.Nc5 Nc4 47.Re2 Nce3 48.Re1

Position after: 48.Re1

48...Rd2+ 49.Re2 Rd1 50.Re1 Rd2+ 51.Re2 ½-½ Vocaturo, D (2597) – Kramnik, V (2796) Doha 2015.

43.Ra2!+–

244
Position after: 43.Ra2!+–

Back to the main line. The white rook enters the fight with impact, all the while fending off Black’s
threats. It is important to note that the ...Nf4 fork doesn’t work anymore:

43...Ndf4+ 44.gxf4 Nxf4+ 45.Kf2 Nxe6 46.Ra7++–

3
Ding, L. – So, W.

245
□ Find a crushing move for White.

Show/Hide Solution

1.Rh8!

The winning move.

The game continued 1.Rc6 Rc7™ 2.Rxb6 Rxc5 3.e5 g5„

246
Position after: 3...g5„

4.Rd3 gxf4+ 5.gxf4 Rc2 6.h3 Ra2 7.b4 axb4 8.axb4 Rh2 9.Ke4 Rc7 10.Rxb5 Rc4+ 11.Rd4 Rc7 12.Rc5
Rxc5 13.bxc5 Rc2=

Position after: 13...Rc2=

and a draw was agreed shortly after: ½-½ (58) Ding Liren (2771) – So, W (2792) Tbilisi 2017.

1.Rh8! Rc7™ 2.Rdd8! Rxc5 3.e5

247
Position after: 3.e5

3...f5™

3...Nd5+ 4.Kd4+–

4.Rb8!

In view of the mate threat, Black has to give back the piece and enter a difficult rook endgame.

4...Rc8

4...Nd5+ 5.Kd4+–

5.Rbxc8 Nxc8 6.Rxc8+–

248
Position after: 6.Rxc8+–

Several of the black pawns are weak, and White is threatening Rb8 or Rh8, for example.

4
Carlsen, M. – Solak, D.

□ If White can coordinate his pieces, the c7-pawn will bring him victory. How can he achieve this?

249
 Show/Hide Solution

1.Nf3!

A simple, but elegant tactic that decided the outcome of the battle.
1.Re5? would have allowed Black to escape with 1...Rh2 2.Rxf5 Rxd2+ 3.Kxa3 Rc2=.

1.Nf3! Bh3

1...Rc6 2.Nd4!+–. The knight will always find something to fork.

2.Ng5!

2.Kxa3!? should also win.

2...Bf5

Position after: 2...Bf5

3.Re5

White doesn’t rush to take the bishop: 3.Re8+? Kg7 4.c8=Q? Bxc8 5.Rxc8 b4!=.

3...Bg4

250
3...Bd7?! 4.Re8+ Kg7 5.Re7++–

4.Ne6! Rh2+ 5.Kxa3 Rc2

Position after: 5...Rc2

6.Rg5+ Kf7 7.Nd4! Rxc7 8.Rxg4+–

1-0 (60) Carlsen, M (2877) – Solak, D (2632) Tromso 2014.

5
Fedoseev, V. – Carlsen, M.

251
□ Despite the limited material remaining and the “wrong” corner for the black bishop, White still needs
to be alert. Find the only move!

Show/Hide Solution

74.Nb3!=

The knight’s desire to occupy the c1-square, from where it blocks the passed a-pawn, is so great that it
makes it untouchable for the time being.
In the game, White could not find the one and only solution for a draw and made a decisive mistake.
74.Ke2? a3 75.bxa3 bxa3 76.Kd1 a2 77.Nb3 Kc4 78.Na1 Kc3 79.Kc1 Bf5 80.h4 Bg6 81.h5 Bxh5
82.Nc2

252
Position after: 82.Nc2

It may seem that the invulnerability of the white knight saves him from defeat, but the following
maneuver from Black came as an unwelcome shock: 82...Be8! 83.Na1 Ba4 84.Nc2 Kb3! 85.Na1+
Ka3–+ 0-1 Fedoseev, V (2718) – Carlsen, M (2837) Riyadh 2017. White actually resigned one move
earlier.

74.Nb3!=

Position after: 74.Nb3!=

253
74...axb3

A) 74...Bh7 75.h4 Bg6 76.Kd2=

B) 74...a3 75.bxa3 bxa3 76.Nc1 Kc4 77.Kd2 Bh7 78.h4 Bg6 79.Na2 Kb3 80.Nc3 Bh7 81.h5 Bf5
82.h6 Bh7 83.Ne2 Kb2 84.Nc3 Bc2 85.Nd1+=
C) 74...Kc4 75.Nd2+=

75.Kd2=

The white king hides within the fortress and Black is not able to make progress.

6
Xiong, J. – Durarbayli, V.

□ 57.Nf3 or 57.Kf1?

Show/Hide Solution

57.Nf3?

The wrong choice was made in the game.

57.Kf1! a5 58.Ke1=

254
57.Nf3? a5!

Now the a-pawn raises the stakes - just in time.

Apparently, White only calculated the linear 57...Ke3?

Position after: 57...Ke3?

but then the precise 58.b4! leads to a draw. [But not 58.Kxg3?? in view of 58...a5!–+.] 58...d2 59.Nxd2
Kxd2 60.Kxg3 Kc3 61.b5=

58.Nd2+ Ke3 59.Nf1+ Ke2

255
Position after: 59...Ke2

0-1 Xiong, J (2665) – Durarbayli, V (2618) Saint Louis 2018.

White resigned in view of 59...Ke2 60.Nxg3+ Ke1 61.Ne4 d2 62.Nxd2 Kxd2 63.Kf2 Kc3 64.Ke2
Kxb3 65.Kd2 Kb2–+.

7
Zawadzka, J. – Guseva, M.

256
□ Find the killer move for White.

Show/Hide Solution

38.Rf3!!

Winning by means of a surprise attack on the king.

38.Rxh7 This natural move turned out not to be the strongest, and leaves Black with hopes of salvation.

Position after: 38.Rxh7

38...Nf5 [In the game, Black did not seize this opportunity and quickly lost after 38...Rf4+ 39.Kg1
Nf7? 40.Nxe6 Rf6 41.Nc7+ Kb8 42.Nd5+– 1-0 (49) Zawadzka, J (2407) – Guseva, M (2413) Khanty-
Mansiysk 2018.] 39.Rc3 Rg3±

38.Rf3!! Rd6

38...Rd2 39.Ra3+ Kb8 40.Rb1+ Kc7 41.Ra6+–

39.Ra3+ Kb8 40.Rb1+ Kc7 41.Ra7+ Kc6

257
Position after: 41...Kc6

42.Ra6+! Kxc5 43.Rc1+ Kd5 44.Rd1++–

8
Muzychuk, M. – Atalik, E.

□ White is in danger due to Black’s passed h-pawn. Find the best defensive move for White!

258
 Show/Hide Solution

37.Ng4!!

Psychologically, it is difficult to simply place a knight en prise, but this precisely was the only way for
White to deal with the main danger: Black’s passed pawn.
In the game, White held out as long as possible by giving up material. 37.Nc6?

Position after: 37.Nc6?

37...Bf6 [An even quicker and simpler win was 37...h4 38.Nxd4 Nxd4 39.a4 h3 40.Bf4 Kf8 41.b4 Ke7
42.a5 bxa5 43.bxa5 Kd7–+.] 38.Be1 h4 39.Bxh4 Bxh4–+ As a result, White still had to part with the
piece, but here the pawns remained doubled: 0-1 (122) Muzychuk, M (2545) – Atalik, E (2445)
Khanty-Mansiysk 2018.

37.Ng4!! hxg4

There is no point in refusing the sacrifice, as the passed pawn would no longer be as dangerous.

38.fxg4©

259
Position after: 38.fxg4©

The knight sacrifice brought the white pawns back to life. They can now create a passed pawn on the
queenside, and if necessary advance the kingside pawns. The extra black piece, considering the limited
material, will not be enough to bring Black victory.

9
Pridorozhni, A. – Timofeev, A.

260
■ Is it advisable to exchange bishops or is it wiser to retreat?

Show/Hide Solution

50...Bxe3!

Upon retreating the bishop, White would not achieve a decisive advantage, but he could “torment” the
opponent for quite some time.

51.Kxe3 e5 52.Kd3

Position after: 52.Kd3

52...Nb5!

A major resource. Black’s intention is, with the help of a fork, to enable the knight to get to d6 in time,
after which the white king cannot reach the b4-pawn.
In the game, Black let this opportunity slip away, and lost the game. 52...Kf6? 53.Kc4 Na2 54.Kc5 g5
55.Kc4 gxh4 56.gxh4 Kf7 57.Bd1 Kg6 58.Bf3 Kh6 59.Bc6 Kg6 60.Be8+ Kf5 61.Bxh5+–

261
Position after: 61.Bxh5+–

1-0 (70) Pridorozhni, A (2571) – Timofeev, A (2563) Taganrog 2018.

53.Ke4

53.Kc4 Na3+=

53...Ke6=

10
Carlsen, M. – Caruana, F.

262
■ How can Black hold a draw?

Show/Hide Solution

10

37...Kxe4??

Only a step away from the draw, Black falls into an insidious trap.
Leading to a draw was 37...Ra2+! 38.Kh3

263
Position after: 38.Kh3

and here the king is poorly placed and Black can achieve a draw in more ways than one. 38...Kxe4 The
most natural. [However, also equalizing was 38...Kf6 39.Rc6+ Kf7 40.e5 Ra5 41.Rc7+ Kf8 42.f6 gxf6
43.exf6 Rf5=.] 39.Rxg7 [39.Re7+ Kf3 40.Rxg7 Ra1=] 39...Rf2 [Or 39...Ra1 40.Rc7 Rf1!?=] 40.Re7+
Kd4 41.g4 Rf3+=

37...Kxe4??

Position after: 37...Kxe4??

264
38.Re7+!

38.Rxg7 Ra2+ would be a draw, as discussed above.

38...Kxf5 39.Rxg7 Kf6 40.Rg5+–

As a result of Black’s error, a well-known theoretical and easily winning position emerged for White:
1-0 (55) Carlsen, M (2835) – Caruana, F (2832) London 2018.

11
Ponkratov, P. – Bacrot, E.

■ Can Black save himself?

Show/Hide Solution

11
Black’s position appears to be completely hopeless, but there is actually a beautiful only move that
leads to salvation.

31...Kh7™ 32.Rb7 Qc6 33.Rxf7+ Kg8 34.Bc4

265
Position after: 34.Bc4

34...Bd3+!! 35.Bxd3 Qd5! 36.Bc4 Rh1+ 37.Kg2 Qd2+! 38.Kxh1 Qg2+

½-½ Ponkratov, P (2604) – Bacrot, E (2697) Berlin 2015.

12
Esipenko, A. – Leko, P.

□ 50.Qc5 or 50.Kg1?

266
 Show/Hide Solution

12

50.Kg1?

After 50.Qc5 Kh6 51.Qc1+–, White should gradually be able to convert the extra pawn.

50.Kg1? Bd3?

Black was not psychologically ready for the “gift” and let it slip past.
Leading to a draw was 50...Bxg2!! 51.Kxg2 Qb2+ 52.Kg3 Qc1.

Position after: 52...Qc1

White cannot evade the perpetual check! What a save! 53.Kf4 [53.Nxe6 Qg1+ 54.Kh3 Qh1+ 55.Qh2
Qxf3+ 56.Qg3 Qh1+=] 53...Qh1 54.Ke4 Qb1+ 55.Kf4 Qh1=

51.e4+–

And White won later on.

1-0 (61) Esipenko, A (2593) – Leko, P (2669) Moscow 2018.

13

267
 Najer, E. – Sarana, A.

□ Although White’s pieces are active, there is not enough for permanent compensation for the queen.
He does have an unexpected opportunity though... Find it!

Show/Hide Solution

13

55.Bc7!

A) A similar idea was played: 55.Rc7+? but after 55...Kb8 56.Rh7 Black found a simple refutation in
[56.Rg7 Ne7–+] 56...Qd2+ 57.Kb1 Qxc3

268
Position after: 57...Qxc3

and the h8-square is under control: 58.Rf7 Qe1+ 59.Kb2 Qd2+ 60.Kb1 Qd1+ 61.Kb2 Qd6–+ 0-1
(74) Najer, E (2670) – Sarana, A (2618) Moscow 2018.
B) 55.Rg8+ Kd7 56.Rg7+ Ne7 57.Bxa5 Qh2+ 58.Ka3 Qe5 59.Bb5+ Ke6 60.Rh7 Nc6–+
C) 55.Be3 Qh2+ 56.Ka3 Qe5–+

55.Bc7! Qxc7

A) 55...Qf6 56.Rf7=
B) 55...Qd2+ 56.Ka3 (…Be6#) 56...Nd8 57.Be5!=

56.Rxc7+ Kxc7

269
Position after: 56...Kxc7

57.Bd5! e3 58.Kc2 Kd6 59.Be4 Ke5!

The only try for Black.

59...g5 60.Kd3=

60.Bxg6 Kf4 61.Bh5 Kg3 62.Kd3 Kf2 63.Bd1

Position after: 63.Bd1

270
And White holds. He will lose his bishop but will manage to exchange the black pawns, e.g.

63...Ne7 64.b4 Nc6 65.Kc4 e2 66.Bxe2 Kxe2 67.Kb5=

14
Andreikin, D. – Vaisser, A.

□ With his last move (27...c4), Black attempted to get rid of the weak c-pawn. Find the best reaction for
White.

Show/Hide Solution

14

28.Ne5?!

After this natural move, Black succeeded. But after 28.Nb4! he wouldn’t have. 28...Rc8 [28...Rc5
29.Bd4 only helps White.] 29.Nd5!

271
Position after: 29.Nd5!

White is left with a healthy extra pawn: 29...Rc6 [29...Nxd5?? 30.Re8+ Kh7 31.Rh8#] 30.Bxf6!? Bxf6
31.Rc1± 1-0 (82) Andreikin, D (2719) – Vaisser, A (2505) St Petersburg 2018.

28.Ne5?! Ra6!

Position after: 28...Ra6!

29.bxc4 Rxa2 30.g4 Rc2=

272
 Chapter 4
Prophylaxis

Prophylaxis in the endgame is certainly no less important than in any other stages of the game. In the
endgame, however, it is often less obvious due to the reduced number of pieces present.
It is not always easy to understand the opponent’s plan because, in general, it is not an attack on the
king or seizing open files. In the endgame, the magnitude and measure of evaluation is altered. Quite
often, for example, a rook and pawn can successfully battle with two minor pieces, which is rarely the
case in the opening or middlegame phase. There are many reasons for this. For example, the inability of
coordination between the minor pieces and the queen, or the lack of outposts or desirable stationary
squares for minor pieces and, as a result, the mobility and impact of the rook is magnified.
Nevertheless, the basic principles of prophylactic thinking, of course, remain essentially the same.
Ideally, we aim to find solutions that improve our position all the while obstructing our opponent’s
plan. Hence, in this chapter, I have provided several useful examples of prophylaxis in the endgame.
Example 1
From Praggnanandhaa – Eljanov
Douglas 2018

Black to move

It is obvious that Black, in order to avoid an attack on the king, must sacrifice the queen and head into
the endgame hoping that the connected passed pawns will serve as good consolation for the material
setback. The king can start the endgame on f7 or g7. Does it matter and if so, which move is stronger?

36...Qxf7?!

273
This seemingly logical move allows the black king to get closer to the center, and, most importantly, to
White’s future passed pawn. But it turns out to be a mistake!
Correct was 36...Kxf7! 37.Ra7+ Kg6 38.Rxg7+ Kxg7

Position after: 38...Kxg7

and now 39.b3 is followed by the thematic 39...b4! 40.Kb2 Nd5µ and due to the position of the king on
g7, and not f7, the knight can prevent the fast creation of a white passed pawn. Deep prophylaxis!

36...Qxf7?! 37.Ra7+ Kf8 38.Rxf7+ Kxf7 39.b3

274
Position after: 39.b3

39...h5?!

It seems that the black pawns, supported by the knight, will be difficult to stop. In fact, it was necessary
to be cautious - a draw would have been a natural outcome, for example:
A) 39...b4!? 40.c4 bxc3 41.Kc2 h5 42.Kxc3 h4 43.Kd4 Kg6 44.Ke4 Nd5 45.Rf8 g4 46.Rg8+=
B) 39...Kg6!? 40.c4 bxc4 41.bxc4 Kf5 42.c5 Kxe5 43.Rd1 Nd5 44.c6 Kd6 45.Rh1 Kxc6 46.Rxh7
Kc5 47.Rg7 e5 48.Rxg5 e4=

40.c4 bxc4 41.bxc4

Position after: 41.bxc4

41...h4?

The continuation is obvious but this erroneous plan has irreparable consequences.
Good chances for salvation were to be found in 41...Ke7 42.Kc2 [42.Rd1?! g4] 42...Kd7 43.Rg1! g4
44.Rf1 Nh3! 45.Rf7+ Kc6 46.Rg7 Nf2 47.Rh7 Kc5 48.Rxh5 Kxc4².

42.c5 Ke7

42...Kg6 This does not save Black. 43.c6 Nd5 44.Kc1 h3 45.Kd2 g4 46.Ke2 h2 47.Kf2 Kf5 48.Kg2+
Kxe5 49.Rc1 Kd6 50.Kxh2 Kc7 With precise maneuvering of the rook, reminiscent of a car parking in
a small space, White is winning.

275
Position after: 50...Kc7

51.Rc4! [51.Kg3? Nb4=] 51...Nb6 [51...Ne7 52.Ra4! Kb6 53.c7+–] 52.Rc3 Nd5 53.Ra3 Kb6 54.Kg3
Nc7 55.Rc3 Nd5 56.Rc4 Kc7 57.Ra4 Kb6 58.Kxg4+–

43.Rd1 h3 44.c6 Nd5 45.Rg1!+–

Position after: 45.Rg1!+–

It was probably this resource that Black missed. His passed pawn falls and the position is technically

276
won for White, who clearly converts the advantage.

45...h2 46.Rh1 Nb4 47.c7 Kd7 48.Rxh2 Kxc7 49.Rh6 Kd7 50.Rg6 a5 51.Rxg5 Kc6 52.Kb2 Kd5
53.Kb3 Kd4 54.Rh5 Nc6 55.Ka4 Kc4 56.Rh6 Kd5

Position after: 56...Kd5

57.Kb5 Nxe5 58.Rh5!? Kd4 59.Kxa5 Nd3 60.Kb5 e5 61.a4 Nf4 62.Rh4 Kd5 63.a5 Ne6 64.Rc4

1-0

Example 2
From Swiercz – Quesada Perez
Saint Louis 2018

277
White to move

Apparently, White did not entirely realize that the fate of the game was being decided at this moment in
the game, and played...

29.c5?!

Extremely vital was the preliminary 29.a4! Rxe7 and only now 30.c5 and after 30...b5 31.axb5 cxb5
32.Nc3 Bb7=.

29.c5?! b5 30.Nc3

278
Position after: 30.Nc3

30...Bg4!

An excellent move, prophylactic against 31.Ne2!.

White probably only considered the natural 30...Rxe7, after which he was intending to transfer the
knight to d4 to pin down the opponent’s forces to the defense of the c6-pawn. 31.Ne2=

31.Rb1?

White does not find how to react to the situation on the board, but there was in fact a way to handle it.
31.a4!

279
Position after: 31.a4!

31...b4 [31...a6 32.axb5 axb5 33.Na2= with the idea of Nb4; note that even 32.Na2!? made sense.]
32.Nb5!! cxb5 [32...Rxe7 33.Nd4 Bd7 34.a5=] 33.Bd5+

Position after: 33.Bd5+

33...Nf7 [33...Kh8 34.axb5 Rxe7 35.b6©] 34.axb5 Rxe7 35.b6 Bc8 36.Ra1 axb6 37.Ra8 Re8 38.Ra7
[38.cxb6? Kf8–+] 38...Be6 39.Bxe6 Rxe6 40.Ra8+ Nd8 41.Rxd8+ Kf7

280
Position after: 41...Kf7

Of course, we are familiar with the old saying that “all rook endgames are drawn”, but I would not
recommend that the reader applies this statement in practice. Therefore, we will make the strongest and
only move: 42.c6!! Rxc6 43.Rd4 b3 44.Rb4

Position after: 44.Rb4

44...Rc1+ [44...Rc3 45.Rxb6 Rxe3 46.Kf2 Rc3 47.Ke2 Rc2+ 48.Kd3 Rb2 49.Ke3 Ke7 50.Kd3 Kd7
51.Kd4 Kc7 52.Rb4 and a draw will likely follow. 52...Kd6 53.Rb6+ Kd7 54.Kd3 Rb1 55.Kc3=]

281
45.Kg2 Rc2+

Position after: 45...Rc2+

46.Kh3! [46.Kf3? b2 47.h4 Ke6 48.Rxb6+ Kd5–+] 46...b2 47.Rxb6 Ke7 48.e4! Kd7 49.e5 Kc7
50.Rb3 Kc6 51.e6=

31...Rxe7 32.a4 a6µ

Position after: 32...a6µ

282
Thanks to his superior pawn structure, Black has a solid advantage that he confidently converted.

33.axb5 axb5 34.Rb4

34.Na2 Nf3+ 35.Bxf3 Bxf3 36.Kf2 Be4µ

Position after: 36...Be4µ

34...Ra7µ

And Black won later on.

0-1 (59).

Example 3
From Tang – Dreev
chess.com 2018

283
White to move

White’s doubled pawns are certainly not pretty. Therefore, while the black pieces are engaged in
absorbing the d-pawn, it seems quite logical to attempt to get rid of the doubled pawns...

48.b5?

In fact, the essence of the position is quite a different story: sooner or later, the white king, which is cut
off from the center, will fall under attack by the black pieces. So instead of improving the pawn
structure, it was necessary to take prophylactic measures against this, and to try to open the position of
the black king and prevent this planned coordination of the black pieces. 48.g4! Rxd6 [48...Nxd6?
49.g5 Bb2 50.Qc7+–] 49.h4!

284
Position after: 49.h4!

A) 49...Bxh4?! 50.Qe5+ Rf6 [50...Kf8? 51.Qh8++–] 51.Kg2²

B) 49...Re6 50.h5 gxh5 51.Qxh5

Position after: 51.Qxh5

Now, the black king is only protected by one pawn, meaning the black pieces must waste time
protecting it rather than regrouping in order to attack the white king. 51...Nd6 52.Qd5 Nb5 53.g5 Bb2
54.f4=

285
48.b5? axb5 49.Qxb5 Nxd6 50.Qb6 Nf5–+

Position after: 50...Nf5–+

White has no resources to oppose Black’s attack.

51.g4 Ng3+

¹ 51...Nd4–+

52.Kg2 Ne2 53.Qe3 Nc3 54.g5 Bd4 55.Qe7 Rd5 56.f4 Rf5 57.b4 Nd5 58.Qd6 Nxf4+ 59.Kh1 Be5
60.Qe7 Nd3 61.b5 Rf1+ 62.Kg2 Rf2+ 63.Kg1 Bd4 64.Kh1 Rb2 65.Qd6 Nf2+

286
Position after: 65...Nf2+

Black wins: 65...Nf2+ 66.Kg1 Nxh3+ 67.Kf1 [67.Kh1 Rd2–+] 67...Bc3–+.

0-1

Example 4
From Ivanchuk – Mamedyarov
Beijing 2013

White to move

287
37.Ra3?

Despite a small material edge, White certainly cannot count on an advantage. Although he does not
create a threat with the last move, he somehow emphasizes the reinforced concrete nature of his
position. It is surprising that this move actually leaves no chance for White to save the game. The
reason is zugzwang! White should have taken prophylactic measures here to ensure that he will manage
to block the kingside. Otherwise, his position is lost.
A) Leading to complete equality was the accurate 37.h3! g5 [37...h5 38.h4=] 38.g4=.
B) No weaker and more active was 37.h4! g5 38.h5 g4 39.Rf7+ Kh8 40.Rf8+ Kg7 41.Ng6 a3 42.Be7
Qe1+ 43.Kg2=.
C) 37.Kh1? Qe2!–+

37.Ra3? Qe1+ 38.Kg2 Qe2+ 39.Kg1

39.Kh3 Qf1+ 40.Kh4 g5+ 41.Kg4 Kg7ʘ–+

39...g5ʘ–+

Position after: 39...g5ʘ–+

40.h4™

A) In the game, White panicked and failed to provide the best resistance: 40.Ra1? Qe3+ 41.Kg2
Qe4+ 42.Kh3 [42.Kg1 Qd4+–+] 42...g4+ 43.Kh4 Qe3 and Black won, 0-1.
B) 40.h3 h5 41.Ra1 [41.Nc6 Qd1+ 42.Kf2 Qc2+–+] 41...Qb2 42.Ra3 g4 43.hxg4 hxg4 44.Re3 Qd2
45.Ra3 Qe1+ 46.Kg2 Qe2+ 47.Kg1 Kg7ʘ 48.Ra1 Qe3+–+

288
40...Kg7 41.hxg5 hxg5ʘ

Position after: 41...hxg5ʘ

42.g4™

Giving a pawn, but the other options are even worse. 42.Kh1 g4 43.Kg1 Kf7 44.Kh1 Qf2–+

42...Qxg4+ 43.Kf1

A possible continuation might be:

43...Qf4+ 44.Kg2 g4 45.Nc8 Qe4+ 46.Kg3 Kg6 47.Nb6 Kf5 48.Nxa4 Qe2

289
Position after: 48...Qe2

Zugzwang once again.

49.Bc5 Qxe5+ 50.Kf2 Qe4 51.Bf8 Qd4+ 52.Ke2 e5 53.Bc5 Qc4+ 54.Kd1

Position after: 54.Kd1

54...g3! 55.Rxg3 Qxa4+ 56.Kd2 Qa2+ 57.Kc3 Kf4 58.Rh3 Qa5+ 59.Kc4 Qa4+ 60.Kc3 e4 61.Rh4+
Kg3 62.Rh7 Qa1+ 63.Kb4 e3–+

290
 Example 5
From Kramnik – Grischuk
Berlin 2018

Black to move

Black’s position is undeniably worse but, nevertheless, all hope is still not lost.

1...Rb8?

After this careless move, the white rook was able to position itself ideally.
Correct would have been the simple and prophylactic 1...Ne6 2.Bc4 [2.Nc4 Ra8 3.Ne5²; 2.Rc2?!
Nd4=] 2...Rd8 3.Rxd8+ Nxd8 4.Kf1 Kf8 5.Ke2 e6².

1...Rb8? 2.Rc2! Be8 3.Rc7! Kf8 4.Ra7

291
Position after: 4.Ra7

Making use of a slight gap, White entered the black trenches.

4...a4 5.bxa4 Rb1+ 6.Kh2 Rb4 7.a5 Rxh4+ 8.Kg1 Ra4 9.Bc4+–

Position after: 9.Bc4+–

9...Bc6 10.Rc7 Be8 11.a6 h5 12.Nd5

1-0

292
 Example 6
From an opening analysis
2016

Black to move

White has a material advantage, but the white king is still out of play. Therefore, it may be desirable for
Black to rush to the only weakness in White’s position before it is too late: the pawn on a2. First
though, it is necessary to take all of the opponent’s resources into account...

25...a5!

The only way! Before proceeding with active moves, Black defends against the threat of Nc7-a6.
25...Rf1? We often do not pay attention to the enemy and are only focused on our own plans...
26.Na6+–

25...a5! 26.Ne6

White does not sit idly by and sends the knight to hunt for pawns.
26.Kg1 Rd8 27.Ne6 Rd1+ 28.Kf2

293
Position after: 28.Kf2

28...Ra1 [28...Rd2+!?=] 29.Nec5 Rxa2 30.Ke3 Kf7 31.Ke4 Ra1=

26...Rf1 27.Nd4 Ra1 28.Nxc6 Rxa2 29.b3

Position after: 29.b3

29...Rxa4

Or 29...Ra3 30.Nxa5 Kf7 31.Kg1 Kg6 32.Kf2 Ra2+ 33.Kg1 Ra3= with a positional draw.

294
30.bxa4 b3 31.Ne7+ Kf7 32.Nd5 Ke6 33.Nc3 Ke5 34.Kg1 Kd4 35.Nb1 Kd3 36.Kf2

Position after: 36.Kf2

36...b2

36...Kc2 also works.

37.Na3 Kd2 38.Kf1=

Example 7
From Cheparinov – Palac
Zagreb 2018

295
Black to move

White sacrificed a pawn for the initiative and now, with the help of the bishops, is ready to develop
with the aid of c2-c4, emphasizing the weakness of the black pawns on the queenside. Black must find
something to oppose this plan.

17... g6!

In the game, Black continued to develop with 17...Be7?! and after 18.c4 bxc4 19.Bxc4 0-0 20.Rhd1±
White seized an irresistible initiative: 1-0 (38). [20.g3!?±]

17...g6! 18.c4 Bh6 19.Rd1

296
Position after: 19.Rd1

19...Be3! 20.Be1

20.Bh4 g5!∞

20...bxc4 21.Bxc4 Ke7!?

Taking advantage of the fact that White cannot win a knight because of the mate threat on c1, Black
mobilizes his forces.

22.Bxa6 Rc7 23.a4 Rb8 24.Bb5 Ke6∞

297
Position after: 24...Ke6∞

White’s dark-squared bishop interferes with the overall coordination of the pieces, a possible
continuation is:

25.Nb3 Bb6 26.Bd2 Ne7 27.Rc1 Nfd5 28.Rxc7 Nxc7 29.Be2 f5∞

Example 8
From So – Aronian
London 2017

298
Black to move

It is necessary for White to get to the black king, otherwise the black pawns will start advancing...
Obviously, Nf3–g5 is an idea, which Black apparently was concerned by. Therefore, he continued in
natural fashion, and erroneously played...

30...h6?

Winning was 30...Qc2!!, parrying all of White’s attempts to strengthen his position while freeing the b-
pawn to move up the board. White cannot activate his rook, and 31.Ng5 is met with 31...h6 32.Nxe6
Qxe4–+.

30...h6? 31.Rf2!

This was also a major threat!

The white rook will penetrate along the d-file.

31...c4 32.Rd2 c3 33.Rd8+ Kf7 34.Rc8

Position after: 34.Rc8

34...Qb1 35.Rc7+ Ke8 36.Rc8+ Kf7 37.Rc7+ Ke8 38.Rc8+

½-½

299
 Show in Text Mode

Chapter 4
Exercises

1
So, W. – Kramnik, V.

■ Black’s pawn structure is worse, but White needs to complete development. Find a strong pawn
move for Black, keeping the white pieces passive.

Show/Hide Solution

20...f5!=

Not only paving the way for his king but, more importantly, obstructing the development of White’s
bishop to the e3-square.
In the game, Black played the “active” 20...c5?! which wastes time, and only weakens d6. 21.Be3² 1-0

300
(62) So, W (2812) – Kramnik, V (2808) Leuven 2017.

20...f5!= 21.Be3

21.f4 stops ...f5-f4, but permanently opens the diagonal for the black bishop. 21...Bc6 22.Be3 Rab8
23.Rd2 h6!?=

21...f4 22.Bd2 g5!?=

Position after: 22...g5!?=

2
Caruana, F. – Carlsen, M.

301
■ Black wants to win, but is this possible?

Show/Hide Solution

54...Rh7!–+

Yes, it is possible. The point is not to engage in active moves, but to restrict the enemy. With the help
of this modest but effective preventive move, Black slows down the white pawns and easily achieves
victory.
The game continued 54...a5? 55.h6 Re2+ 56.Kxd3 Rh2 57.g5 Rh3+ 58.Kd2 Rh2+ 59.Kd3 ½-½
Caruana, F (2784) – Carlsen, M (2843) Karlsruhe 2018.

54...Rh7!–+

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Position after: 54...Rh7!–+

55.Kxd3

A) 55.Rc5 a5 56.Rxa5 [56.Rb5+ Kc4 57.Rxa5 Rf7 58.Ra4+ Kb3 59.Ra1 Kb2 60.Rh1 Rf4 61.g5 Rf5
62.h6 Rxg5 63.h7 Rh5–+] 56...Rc7! 57.Ra1 Kb2 58.Rg1

Position after: 58.Rg1

58...Rg7 59.Kxd3 Rxg4–+

303
 B) 55.Rb8+ Ka2 56.Rc8 a5 57.Kxd3 Kb1 58.Rb8+ Kc1–+

55...Rd7+ 56.Ke4 a5 57.h6 a4 58.g5

Position after: 58.g5

58...Rd8!

An important detail, thanks to the control over the eighth rank, Black wins an important tempo in the
race.

59.Rc7 a3–+

3
Khotenashvili, B. – Dzagnidze, N.

304
□ Can White cash in on his material advantage despite Black’s activity?

Show/Hide Solution

52.Rf2!

Extremely important as Black was dreaming of controling the f-file.

The game continued 52.Kd2 and after

305
Position after: 52.Kd2

52...Rf8!= Black seized the f-file. This was however not enough to convert to a win, as White found a
nice resource to force a draw: 53.Nb6+ Kc6 54.Nc4 Kd5 55.Nb6+ ½-½ (58) Khotenashvili, B (2493)
– Dzagnidze, N (2535) Batumi 2016.

52.Rf2! e3 53.Rf1+–

4
Ouellet, M. – Goryachkina, A.

306
□ 18.Rc4, 18.Rh4, or 18.R4d2?

Show/Hide Solution

18.Rc4?

Exchanging Black’s active rook in this case is very unfortunate since it allows Black to activate his
minor pieces, which creates pressure against White’s weak pawn structure on the queenside.
The correct decision was to keep the rooks on the board and not leave the fourth rank so that c3-c4
remains possible if Black goes ...Ne5 or ...Na5 (prophylaxis!). 18.Rh4!

307
Position after: 18.Rh4!

Retreating the rook to f4 makes it less powerful since, when the time is right, Black can play ...e6-e5
with tempo. 18...Rb5 19.Bc1 with reasonable play for White. [19.Ba1!?]

18.Rc4? Rxc4 19.Bxc4 Na5 20.Ba2

Position after: 20.Ba2

20...Ba4! 21.Rd4 Bb3 22.Bxb3 Nxb3 23.Rb4 Na5 24.e4 b6 25.f3 Rc8µ

308
0-1 (69) Ouellet, M (2125) – Goryachkina, A (2534) Khanty-Mansiysk 2018.

5
Adams, M. – Hou, Y.

■ 50...a4 or 50...Kf6?

Show/Hide Solution

50...Kf6!

An important preparatory move, avoiding Nd4 with a double threat (Nxe6 and Nb5).
A) In the game, Black hurried to set his passed pawns in motion. Surprisingly, this natural impulse
turned out to be a fatal mistake. 50...a4? 51.Nd4 a3 [51...Kf6 52.Nb5!+–] 52.Nxe6+ Kf6 53.Nd4
Ke5 54.Nc2

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Position after: 54.Nc2

54...Kf4 55.Kh3 a2 56.g5 b5 57.Na1 b4 58.Nb3 Ke5 59.h5 gxh5 60.Kh4+– 1-0 (70) Adams, M
(2751) – Hou Yifan (2651) Gibraltar 2017.
B) 50...b5? 51.Nd4 b4 52.Nxe6+ Kf6 53.Nc5+–

50...Kf6! 51.Kg3

51.Nd4 Ke5=

51...a4 52.Nd4 a3 53.Nb3 a2 54.Kf4

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Position after: 54.Kf4

54...g5+!

The easiest.

55.hxg5+ Kg6=

Followed by ...e5+.

6
Popov, I. – Demchenko, A.

311
■ On the last move, White played c2-c3 and it seems that the b-pawn will be able to advance. Can
Black still save the day?

Show/Hide Solution

46...d5!

Only with this move!

A) In the game Black played 46...Kf4? and lost: 47.b4 cxb4 48.cxb4 g3 49.Ke2+–

312
Position after: 49.Ke2+–

49...Re8+ 50.Kf1 Kf3 51.Rg7 Rh8 52.Ke1 Rh1+ 53.Kd2 Ra1 54.b5 f5 55.b6 f4 56.Rg8 Kg2

Position after: 56...Kg2

57.a8=Q+ Rxa8 58.Rxa8 f3 59.Rf8 f2 60.Ke2 1-0 Popov, I (2622) – Demchenko, A (2611) New Delhi
2015.
B) 46...Ke5? 47.b4 cxb4 48.cxb4 Kd5 49.Rc7!+–

313
46...d5! 47.b4

47.Ke3 Ke5=

47...g3!

Position after: 47...g3!

… 48.Ke2 d4!=

This is the idea. Now a tricky line goes

49.b5 g2 50.Kf2 dxc3

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Position after: 50...dxc3

51.Kxg2

The natural 51.b6? fails to 51...Rg8! and Black is better: 52.Kg1 [52.Rh5+ Ke4 53.Kg1 Kd4 54.Rh4+
Kd5 55.Rh3 Kc6–+] 52...c2 53.Rh5+ Rg5 54.Rxg5+ fxg5 55.a8=Q c1=Q+ 56.Kxg2 Qb2+ winning the
b6-pawn.

51...c2 52.Rh5+ Ke4 53.Rxc5 Rxa7 54.Rxc2=

315
 Chapter 5
Pawn Endgames and Transitioning into Pawn Endgames

Often, the transition into a pawn endgame causes great concern to many of my colleagues, and even
pure horror to some.
Why so? You may ask. In my opinion, the reason is that in pawn endgames, we somehow find
ourselves in a parallel sphere of reality, where the usual laws of physics that we are accustomed to no
longer seem to exist. For example, we may need to lose a tempo in order to win, passing the move to
the opponent, whereas we are use to fighting to win tempos. Likewise, the attractiveness of a position
can often merely be a beautiful illusion before the collapse of all hope. Quite often, as a result of pawn
races, queen endgames for which we are not psychologically prepared may arise...
These types of endgames often involve elements such as seizing the opposition, triangulation, laws of
“pawn boxes” and more... In general, pawn endgames can turn a player’s head inside out. The only
reliable allies in pawn endgames is the precise and exact calculation of variations and knowledge of the
basic theoretical positions.
For obvious reasons, we will not dwell on the latter - there are time-tested endgame monographs for
that. Instead, we’ll look at interesting practical situations and analyze typical human errors from them,
helping us feel a little more confident in this complex type of ending.
Example 1
From Karjakin – Le Quang Liem
Beijing 2013

White to move

38.h5?

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38.f4 would have led to an easy win. 38...Ke6 39.f5+ gxf5 40.gxf5+ Ke7 41.f6+ gxf6+ 42.Kf5+–
Black’s position can be compared to a desperate man hanging from the edge of a cliff, however there is
a saving resource...

38.h5? Kd7!!=

Through this only move, Black is able to obtain a draw. How? And why here exactly?
A) In the game, Black went wrong with 38...gxh5? and lost: 39.gxh5 c5 [39...Ke7 40.f4+–] 40.dxc5+
Kxc5 41.axb5 Kxb5 42.f4 a4 43.bxa4+ Kxa4 44.f5 Kb3 45.f6+– 1-0 (63).
B) 38...Kc7? 39.hxg6 fxg6 40.Kxg6

Position after: 40.Kxg6

40...c5 41.axb5 c4 42.bxc4 a4 [42...dxc4 43.d5 a4 44.Kf7 a3 45.Ke7 a2 46.d6+ Kb7 47.d7+–]
43.cxd5 a3 44.Kf7 a2 45.Ke7 a1=Q 46.d6+ Kb7 47.d7 Qe1+ 48.Kd6 Thanks to the pawn on f2,
Black does not have the means to stop White from promoting as ...Qh4 is not possible.

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Position after: 38...Kd7!!=

39.f3

A) The black pawn cannot be taken. 39.hxg6 fxg6 40.Kxg6? [40.Kf4 Ke6=] 40...c5–+ therefore
White uses a spare tempo.
B) 39.f4? c5–+

39...Kc7!

Now, this move is possible. In fairness, it should be noted that this is not the only continuation that
draws. Also possible is 39...Kd8

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Position after: 39...Kd8

40.hxg6 [40.f4 doesn’t win either: 40...c5! 41.f5 gxh5 42.gxh5 c4 43.bxc4 b4 44.cxb4 axb4 45.f6 gxf6+
46.Kxf6 b3 47.h6 b2 48.h7 b1=Q 49.h8=Q+ Kd7

Position after: 49...Kd7

50.Qh3+ Kd8 51.cxd5 Qg6+ 52.Ke5 Qg5+ 53.Kd6 Qe7+ 54.Kc6 Qc7+ 55.Kb5 Qb7+ 56.Kc4 Qa6+
57.Kb3 Qb6+ 58.Ka3 Qxd4=] 40...fxg6 41.Kf4 [41.Kxg6? c5! and Black wins.] 41...Kd7 42.Ke5
bxa4 43.bxa4 Ke7 44.f4 Kd7 45.f5 Ke7 46.fxg6 Kd7=

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40.hxg6 fxg6

White has to come to terms with accepting a draw, since he cannot make progress with the pawn on f3.

Position after: 40...fxg6

41.Kf4=

41.Kxg6? c5 42.axb5 c4 43.bxc4 a4 44.cxd5 a3 45.Kf7 a2 46.Ke7 a1=Q 47.d6+ Kb7 48.d7 Qe1+
49.Kd6 Qg3+–+
Example 2
From Ivanchuk – Karjakin
Beijing 2012

320
White to move

42.h4?

The most obvious move turns out to be a treacherous mistake.

Correct was 42.a4! (or 42.a3) 42...bxa3 43.bxa3 b5 44.h4 Ke7

Position after: 44...Ke7

45.g5 [But not 45.Kd5?? b4 46.axb4 cxb4 47.Kc4 Kf6 48.Kxb4 Ke5–+] 45...hxg5 46.hxg5 with an

321
easy draw 46...Kd6 47.f6 gxf6 48.gxf6 Ke6 49.f7 Kxf7 50.Kd5 c4 51.Kd4=

42.h4? c4?

Returning the mistake.

Winning was 42...b5! 43.g5 h5! 44.Kf4 c4 45.Ke4 c3

Position after: 45...c3

46.Kd3 [46.bxc3 bxc3 47.Kd3 b4–+] 46...cxb2 47.Kc2 Ke5 48.f6 gxf6 49.gxf6 Kxf6 50.Kxb2 Kf5
51.Kb3 Kg4 52.Kxb4 Kxh4 53.Kxb5 Kg3 54.a4 h4–+.

43.Kd4?

43.g5 just holds. Here are some ways these complications can develop:

322
Position after: 43.g5

43...h5 44.a4! bxa3 45.bxa3 c3 [45...b5 46.Kd4 Ke7 47.Ke3 Kd7 48.Ke4=] 46.Kd3 Ke5 47.f6 gxf6
48.g6 Ke6 49.Kxc3

Position after: 49.Kxc3

49...f5 [49...Ke7 50.Kd4 Kf8 51.Ke4 Kg7 52.Kf5 b5 53.Ke4 Kxg6 54.Kf4 Kg7 55.Ke4 Kf7
56.Kf5=] 50.a4 Kf6 51.Kd4 Kxg6 52.a5 Kf6 53.Kd5 f4 54.Ke4 f3 55.Kxf3 Kf5 56.Ke3 Kg4 57.Kd4
Kxh4 58.Kc5 Kg5 59.Kb6 h4 60.Kxb7 h3 61.a6 h2 62.a7 h1=Q+ 63.Kb8=

323
43...b5 44.g5 h5

Position after: 44...h5

45.Ke4?!

A much more stubborn defense was 45.a4 bxa4 46.Kxc4 a3 47.bxa3 bxa3 48.Kb3 Ke5 49.f6 gxf6
50.g6 Ke6 51.Kxa3

Position after: 51.Kxa3

324
51...Ke7! [51...f5? 52.Kb4 Kf6 53.Kc4 Kxg6 54.Kd4 Kf6 55.Kd5=] 52.Kb4 Kf8 53.Kc4 Kg7
54.Kd5 Kxg6 55.Ke6 Kg7 56.Kd5

Position after: 56.Kd5

Here, with the aid of a beautiful dance by the king, Black achieves the win. 56...Kh6! [Or 56...Kh7!
57.Kd6 Kh6 58.Kd5 Kg7–+.] 57.Kd6 Kh7 58.Kd5 Kg7! 59.Ke4 Kf8 60.Kf4 Ke7 61.Kf3 Ke6
62.Kf4 f5 63.Kg5 Ke5 64.Kxh5 f4 65.Kg4 Ke4 66.h5 f3 67.h6 f2 68.h7 f1=Q 69.h8=Q Qg1+ 70.Kh5
Qh1+–+

45...c3 46.Kd3 cxb2 47.Kc2 Ke5 0-1

Example 3
From Svidler – Carlsen
Porto Carras 2018

325
White to move

40.Ke5

After 40.Bxf7 “to torment” the enemy, White does not win. 40...Nf5+ 41.Ke5 Nxg3 42.h5 [42.Bg6
Kc6=] 42...Kc6 43.Kf4 Nf1 44.Kf5 Kxc5 45.Kg6 Kd6 46.Kxg7 Ke7 47.Bg6 Ne3 48.Kxh6 Kf6
49.Kh7 Kg5=

40.Ke5

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Position after: 40.Ke5

40...Nxd5!

Black would probably not lose with a passive defensive setup, but of course there is no absolute
certainty in a practical game.
A) Transferring into the pawn endgame eliminates all of Black’s concerns. 40...Nc6+ 41.Ke4 Nd8
42.g4 Kd7 43.h5 Kc7 44.Kd4 Kd7 45.Kc4 Kc7 46.Kb5 Kc8 47.Ka6 Kb8

Position after: 47...Kb8

48.c6 [48.a4 Ne6 49.Bxe6 fxe6 50.Kb5 Kc7 51.Kc4 Kc6 52.Kd4 a5 53.Ke5 Kxc5 54.Kxe6 Kb4
55.Kf7 Kxa4 56.Kxg7 Kb4 57.Kxh6 a4 58.g5 a3 59.g6 a2 60.g7 a1=Q 61.g8=Q

327
Position after: 61.g8=Q

White has an extra pawn, but this is a theoretical draw.] 48...Kc7 49.Kxa7 Nxc6+ 50.Bxc6 Kxc6

Position after: 50...Kxc6

51.Kb8 [51.a4 Kc7=] 51...g5! 52.a4 Kb6 53.Kc8 Ka5 54.Kd7 Kxa4 55.Ke7 f5=
B) 40...Ng6+? 41.Ke4 f6 42.Kf5 Nf8 43.Be4 Kd7 44.Bf3 Kc7 45.Ke4 Nd7 46.Kd5 Ne5 47.Be4+–

41.Kxd5 h5!=

328
Position after: 41...h5!=

If we look ahead a little bit, then it becomes clear that in such endgames the weaker side will have to
manage to stay in the corner and fend off the opponent’s king, so the struggle for space is of the utmost
importance.

42.c6 a6

42...a5=

43.a4 a5!

With a pawn on a5, Black has time to implement the main defensive idea.
43...f6?? 44.a5 g5 45.Ke6 Kxc6 46.Kxf6+–

44.Kc5 f6 45.Kd5 g5 46.Ke6 Kxc6 47.Kxf6 gxh4 48.gxh4 Kd6 49.Kg5 Ke5 50.Kxh5 Kf5 51.Kh6
Kf6 52.h5 Kf7 53.Kg5 Kg7

According to the rule: this is a draw as the external pawn (a4) hasn’t crossed the halfway line.

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Position after: 53...Kg7

54.h6+

54.Kf5 Kh6 55.Ke5 Kxh5 56.Kd5 Kg6 57.Kc5 Kf7 58.Kb5 Ke7 59.Kxa5 Kd7 60.Kb6 Kc8=

Position after: 60...Kc8=

Just in time!
If the pawns had been on a5 (White) and a6 (Black), as explained earlier, White would have won, as his

330
last move would have been 60.Kb7 (preventing ...Kc8).

54...Kh7 55.Kh5 Kh8 56.Kg6 Kg8 57.h7+ Kh8 58.Kh6

½-½
Example 4
From Edouard – Akobian
Saint Louis 2018

White to move

Despite Black’s extra pawn, the advantage in such an endgame is only symbolic. On the previous
move, Black moved the e-pawn forward, but White, apparently confident, did not sense the danger and
replied with the natural...

52.Qe3??

This turned out to be an irreparable mistake, a draw would have been secured by making any move, for
example 52.Qd2.

52.Qe3?? Qf3+!

With the aid of a pawn sacrifice, Black transfers into a winning pawn endgame.

53.Qxf3 exf3+ 54.Kxf3 Kf5–+

331
Position after: 54...Kf5–+

55.Kg2

55.Ke3 Kg4 56.Ke4 f6 57.Ke3 f5 58.Ke2 f4–+

55...Ke4 56.f3+

56.Kg1 Kf3 57.Kf1 f5 58.Kg1 f4 59.gxf4 Kxf4 60.Kg2 Kg4–+

56...Ke3 57.g4

57.f4 f5 58.Kg1 Kf3 59.Kh2 Kf2 60.Kh3 Kg1–+

57...g6

332
Position after: 57...g6

58.g5

58.Kg3 f5!–+

58...Ke2 59.Kg3 Ke3 60.Kg2 Ke2 61.Kg3 Kf1 62.Kf4 Kf2 63.Ke5

Position after: 63.Ke5

63...Kg3! 64.Kf6 Kxh4 65.f4 Kg4 66.Kxf7 Kf5

333
0-1

Example 5
From Lenderman – Xiong
Saint Louis 2018

White to move

The reader should not be surprised by this type of middlegame position, White’s next move forces the
transfer into a pawn endgame, mistakenly considering it a draw.

34.Nc4?

After 34.Bf3!? Qd7! [34...Nd7 35.Nc4=] 35.Kg2 Qc7 36.Be2!?³ White’s position looks a bit
unpleasant, but nothing more than that.

34.Nc4? Rxf2 35.Kxf2 Qc2+ 36.Nd2™ 36...Bxe4 37.Bxe4 Qxd2+ 38.Qxd2 Nxe4+ 39.Ke2 Nxd2
40.Kxd2

334
Position after: 40.Kxd2

40...f5?

By making this stereotypical move, Black overlooks a convincing win 40...Kh7!! 41.e4 Kg6 42.Ke3
A) 42...Kf6? 43.Kd4 g6 [43...g5?? 44.g4 h4 45.e5++–] 44.h4=
B) 42...f5! 43.Kf4 fxe4 44.Kxe4 Kg5–+

41.Kd3 Kf7

335
Position after: 41...Kf7

And another miracle occurred...

42.Kd4??

After 42.h4! Kf6 43.Kd4 g5 44.b5! axb5 45.Kc3 gxh4 46.gxh4 Ke5 47.Kb4=.

Position after: 47.Kb4=

White achieves a clear draw, and of course, one cannot state that it was easy, but on the other hand it
cannot be viewed as extremely complicated either. White probably didn’t realise how critical his
situation was and instead preferred a normal move towards the center.

336
Position after: 42.Kd4??

42...Kf6??

A) Easily winning was 42...Kg6 43.h4 Kf6 44.b5 g6! 45.b6 g5–+.
B) Or 42...Ke7 43.h4 Kf6–+

43.b5??

43.h4 g5 44.b5 axb5 45.Kc3=

43...Kg5 44.e4 fxe4 45.bxa6 bxa6 46.Kxe4 g6–+

337
Position after: 46...g6–+

Zugzwang: White will lose his d5-pawn in the next few moves.

47.Ke3 Kf5 48.Kd4 g5 49.h4 g4

Position after: 49...g4

50.Kd3 Ke5 51.Ke3 Kxd5 52.Kd3 Ke5 53.Kc3 d5 54.Kd3 d4 55.Kc4 Ke4

0-1

338
 Example 6
From Ganguly – Yu Yangyi
Fufeng 2017

White to move

41.Kd3!!

The only move.

A) In the game, White did not believe that he could be saved, and after the weak-willed 41.Kb2? g4
42.a3 a5 43.Ka2 Kb5 44.Kb3 a4+ 45.Kc3 Kc5 46.Kd3 Kd5 47.Kc3 Kc5 48.Kd3 Kd5 49.Kc3 Kxe5
50.Kb4

339
Position after: 50.Kb4

50...Ke4! [The game continued 50...Kd4?? 51.Kxa4 Kc4 52.Ka5 Kc5 53.Ka4 Kc4 54.Ka5 Kc5
55.Ka4 Kc4 with a draw, ½-½] 51.Kxa4 Kf3 52.Kb3 e5 53.a4 Kxf2 54.a5 e4 55.a6 e3 56.a7 e2
57.a8=Q e1=Q–+. The queen endgame is easily won for Black.
B) 41.g4? Ka3 42.Kb1 Kb4 43.Kb2 Kc4 44.Ka3 Kd4 45.Ka4 Kxe5 46.Ka5 Kf4 47.Kxa6

Position after: 47.Kxa6

47...e5! 48.Kb5 e4 49.a4 [The move order (first pushing the e-pawn) is important, as if White plays

340
 49.Kc4 to catch the e4-pawn, Black has 49...Kxg4 50.a4 Kf3 51.Kd4 f5–+.] 49...Kf3 is similar to the
game above.
C) 41.f4? g4 42.Kd3 Kb4 43.Kd4 a5 44.Kd3 a4–+
D) 41.Kc3 h5!–+

41.Kd3!!

Position after: 41.Kd3!!

41...Ka3

A) 41...Kb4 42.Kd4!

341
Position after: 42.Kd4!

A1) 42...g4 43.f3! h5 [43...gxf3 44.Ke3 Ka3 45.h4 Kxa2 46.h5 a5 47.g4 a4 48.g5 a3 49.gxh6 Kb3
50.h7=] 44.fxg4 hxg4 45.Ke4 a5 46.Kf4=
A2) 42...h5 43.Ke4 a5 44.f4 g4 45.f5 a4 46.Kf4 Ka3 47.Kg5 exf5 48.Kf6 f4 49.gxf4 h4=
A3) 42...a5 43.g4! a4 44.a3+ [Or 44.Kd3=] 44...Kb3 45.Kd3 Kxa3 46.Kc3=
B) 41...h5

Position after: 41...h5

342
 42.Ke4! Seeking counterplay on the kingside. 42...Ka3 43.f4 g4 [43...a5 44.fxg5 Kxa2 45.h4! a4
46.g4=] 44.f5 Kxa2 45.Kf4 a5 46.Kg5

Position after: 46.Kg5

46...exf5 [46...a4? 47.Kf6±] 47.Kxf5 a4 48.Kf6 a3 49.Kxf7 Kb1! 50.e6 a2 51.e7 a1=Q 52.e8=Q
Qa2+=

42.f4!!

Position after: 42.f4!!

343
42...g4

42...gxf4? 43.g4!+–

43.Kc4!

43.Kd4? Kb4! 44.Kd3 a5 45.Kd4 a4–+

43...Kxa2 44.Kc5

Position after: 44.Kc5

There is a feeling that White is a little late, but this is not the case.

44...Kb3

44...a5?? 45.Kb5+–

45.Kb6

45.Kd6!? a5 46.f5 a4 47.Ke7 a3 48.Kxf7 a2 49.fxe6 a1=Q 50.e7=

45...Kc4 46.Kxa6 Kd4 47.Kb6 Ke4 48.Kc6

344
Position after: 48.Kc6

48...Kf3!?

48...Kf5 49.Kd6 Kg6 50.Ke7 Kg7=

49.Kd6 Kg2 50.Ke7 Kxh2 51.Kxf7 Kxg3 52.f5 exf5 53.e6 Kf2 54.e7 g3 55.e8=Q g2=

Position after: 55...g2=

White has no checks, so the best he can do is grab Black’s f-pawn and draw the game.

345
 Example 7
From Van Wely – Van Kampen
Rotterdam 2015

White to move

A critical question here: to force a pawn ending with Rd1-d3 or not?

40.Rd3!

In the game, White did not dare to transition into the pawn endgame, but his choice was incorrect and
could then only play for a draw (which he didn’t achieve). The rook endgame is nevertheless also very
interesting: 40.Kc4?
A) 40...f5?! The game move. 41.gxf5 Rxh3 42.b5 Rh4+? [¹ 42...Rh6 43.Kd5! Rh2 44.c3 Rf2 45.Re1+
Kd7 46.Ke5±]

346
Position after: 42...Rh4+?

A1) 43.Kb3! g4 [43...Rh6 44.a5 Rf6 45.c4 g4 46.Kb4 h5 47.a6 bxa6 48.c6+–] 44.c6 bxc6 45.f6+!+–
[45.bxc6? Rh6=]
A2) 43.Kd5? Rf4 44.Re1+ Kd8 45.Ke5 Rc4? [¹ 45...Ke7! 46.c6 bxc6 47.bxc6 h5=] 46.Kf6 Rxc5
47.Rh1± Rxc2? 48.Kxf7 g4 49.f6 g3 50.Kg7 Rf2 51.f7 g2 52.Rd1+ Ke7 53.Re1+ Kd6 54.f8=Q+
Rxf8 55.Kxf8 Kc5 56.Ke7 h5 57.Rg1 and White won anyway: 1-0.
B) 40...Rxh3!

Position after: 40...Rxh3!

347
 41.b5 h5 42.c6 bxc6 43.bxc6 hxg4 44.c7 Rh8 45.Kc5 g3 46.Kc6 f5 47.Rd7+ Kf6 48.Rd8 Rh2

Position after: 48...Rh2

49.c8=Q [49.c4? g2 50.c8=Q g1=Qµ] 49...Rxc2+ 50.Kd5 Rxc8 51.Rxc8 g4! [51...g2? 52.Rc6+ Kg7
53.Rc1+–] 52.Kd4 f4 53.Kd3 f3! [53...g2? 54.Rc1 f3 55.Ke3 Kg5 56.Kf2 f5 57.a5 f4 58.a6 Kh4
59.Rc7 g3+ 60.Kg1+–] 54.Ke3 Kg5 55.Rg8+ Kh5= Neither side can play for a win here!

40.Rd3! Rxd3+ 41.cxd3

Position after: 41.cxd3

348
41...f5™ 42.Kc4!

42.gxf5?? h5–+

42...f4

A) 42...fxg4 43.hxg4 f5 44.gxf5 h5 [44...g4 45.Kd4+–] 45.Kd5 h4 46.Ke4+–

B) 42...Ke6 43.gxf5+ Kxf5 44.Kd5 Kf6 45.d4 h5 46.Ke4 Ke7 47.Kf5 f6 48.d5 Kd7 49.a5!

Position after: 49.a5!

49...a6 [49...Ke7 50.d6+ Kd7 51.b5 a6 52.b6 Kc6 53.Ke6+–] 50.b5 axb5 51.c6++–

349
Position after: 42...f4

43.Kd4!

But not 43.d4 Ke6 44.d5+

Position after: 44.d5+

A) in view of 44...Ke5! and White has to place the pawn on d6, after which the pawn-break plan is no
longer feasible. 45.d6 Ke6 46.Kd4 Kd7 47.a5 a6=

350
 B) 44...Kd7? 45.Kd4 Kc7 46.a5 [46.b5? b6=] 46...a6 [46...Kd7 47.b5 Kc7 48.b6+ axb6 49.axb6+
Kd7 50.Ke4 Kd8 51.c6 Kc8 52.Kd4+–] 47.Kd3 Kd7 48.b5 axb5 49.c6++–

43...Kd7 44.Ke4 Kc6 45.d4 Kd7

45...b5 46.cxb6 axb6 47.d5+ Kd6 48.a5+–

46.d5 Kc7 47.a5!

47.b5? b6=

47...a6

47...Kd7 48.b5 Kc7 49.b6+ axb6 50.axb6+ Kd7 51.Kd4 Kd8 [Black ends up in zugzwang anyway.
51...f6 52.Ke4 h6 53.Kd4+–] 52.c6 Kc8 53.d6 bxc6 54.Kc5+–

48.Kd4ʘ

Position after: 48.Kd4ʘ

48...Kd7

48...Kc8 49.b5 axb5 50.c6 bxc6 51.d6+–

49.b5! axb5 50.c6+ bxc6 51.a6 Kc7 52.a7 Kb7 53.d6+–

Example 8
From Grachev – Ponkratov

351
 Sochi 2018

Black to move

Even in such a simple position, as practice shows, one can make many mistakes.

51...Kf5?

In life, the right action is often inaction and likewise in chess it is often necessary not to act, but simply
stay put. Correct was 51...Kd5 52.Ke3 Ke6 53.Ke4 Ke7=.

51...Kf5? 52.Ke3?

White does not accept the gift. Surprisingly, winning was 52.Kd4!

352
Position after: 52.Kd4!

52...Ke6 [52...Kxf4 53.Kd5 Kg4 54.Kd6 Kxh4 55.Ke7 Kxg5 56.Kxf7+–] 53.f5+!

Position after: 53.f5+!

53...gxf5 [53...Ke7 54.f6+! gxf6 55.gxf6+ Ke6 56.Ke4 Kd7 57.Kd5 Ke8 58.e6+–] 54.h5 Ke7 55.h6
gxh6 56.gxh6 Kf8 57.Ke3 Kg8 58.Kf4 Kh7 59.Kxf5 Kxh6 60.Kf6+–

353
Position after: 52.Ke3?

52...Kg4?

Black refuses “amnesty” and once again prefers activity...

52...Ke6 53.Kd4 Ke7 54.f5 gxf5 55.h5 g6 56.h6 Kf8=

53.Ke4 Kxh4 54.Kf3!+–

Position after: 54.Kf3!+–

354
54...Kh3

54...Kh5 55.Kg3+–
Now the game is decided by the simple breakthrough.

55.f5 gxf5 56.g6 fxg6 57.e6 g5 58.e7 g4+ 59.Ke2 f4 60.e8=Q Kg2 61.Qe4+ Kg3 62.Qe5 g5 63.Qxg5

1-0

Example 9
From Bologan – Jakovenko
Sochi 2018

Black to move

43...Rh2

Clearly, neither side has realistic resources to play for the win. Black’s last move attacked the White
bishop. Through incredible carelessness, the White bishop retreated to allow Black to enter into a
winning pawn endgame.

44.Ba6?

Practically any other move would have led to a draw.

A) 44.Re1!? Rf2 45.Rf1=
B) It might have been possible to exchange on c6 first. 44.Nxc6+ Bxc6 45.Ba6 Rh3+ 46.Kb4=

355
44...Nxd4 45.Kxd4 Ra2!

Position after: 45...Ra2!

Suddenly, White’s bishop becomes restricted.

46.Bd3

46.Bb7 Ra7–+

46...Rd2! 47.Rf3

47.Ke3?

356
Position after: 47.Ke3?

47...Rxd3+ 48.Kxd3 Bb5+–+

47...Bb5

Position after: 47...Bb5

Soon entering the topic of this chapter.

48.Kc3 Rxd3+ 49.Rxd3 Bxd3 50.Kxd3 Kd7–+ 51.Kc3 Kc6 52.Kb4 Kb6 53.Kc3 Kb5 54.Kd3 Kb4

357
55.Kc2

Position after: 55.Kc2

55...d4! 56.Kd3 Kxb3 57.Kxd4 Kc2 58.Ke3

The counter attack doesn’t save White... 58.Kc5 Kd3 59.Kd6 Ke4 60.Ke7 Kxf4 61.Kxf7

Position after: 61.Kxf7

61...Kf5!–+

358
58...Kc3 59.Kf3 Kd3 60.Kf2 Ke4 61.Kg3 Ke3 62.Kg4 Kf2

Position after: 62...Kf2

I cannot say whether such losses are fair, but they are certainly instructive. Even in the seemingly most
calm situations, it is impossible to relax.

0-1

359
 Show in Text Mode

Chapter 5
Exercises

1
Giri, A. – Hou Yifan

■ 55...Kc6, 55...Kd6, or 55...c6? Only one of these moves draws!

Show/Hide Solution

55...Kd6!

Black’s only chance was to ignore the b4-b5 breakthrough.

A) At first glance, Black must reckon with the b4-b5 breakthrough, which explains the extremely
unfortunate move in the game: 55...Kc6? 56.c4 d4 57.Kc2 Kd6

360
Position after: 57...Kd6

With the aid of simple triangulation, White easily wins: 58.Kd2! c6 [58...c5 59.bxc5+ Kxc5
60.Kd3+–] 59.Ke2 Kd7 60.Kd3 Kc7 61.Kxd4 Kd6 62.Kd3 Kc7 63.Ke4 Kd6 64.Kd4 1-0 Giri, A
(2752) – Hou Yifan (2680) Wijk aan Zee 2018.
B) Also unsuccessful is 55...c6? 56.Kc3 Ke6 57.Kd4 Kd6 58.c3! Kd7

Position after: 58...Kd7

59.b5! [59.Kc5? Kc7 60.b5 cxb5! 61.Kxd5 Kd7=] 59...axb5 [59...cxb5 60.Kxd5+–] 60.Kc5 Kc7

361
 61.a6 b4 [61...Kb8 62.Kxc6! b4 63.cxb4 d4 64.b5 d3 65.b6 d2 66.a7+ Ka8 67.Kc7 d1=Q 68.b7+
Kxa7 69.b8=Q+ Ka6 70.Qb6#] 62.cxb4 Kb8 63.Kxc6! d4 64.b5 d3 65.b6 d2 66.a7+ Ka8 67.Kc7+–

55...Kd6!

Position after: 55...Kd6!

56.b5

A) 56.Kc3 c5=
B) 56.c4 c5 57.b5 d4=

56...axb5 57.Kb4

362
Position after: 57.Kb4

57...c6

57...Kc6? 58.c3+–

58.a6 Kc7 59.Kc5 d4

Or 59...b4 60.Kxb4 Kb6

Position after: 60...Kb6

363
61.a7 Kxa7! [61...c5+? 62.Ka4 Kxa7 63.Kb5+–] 62.Kc5 Kb7 63.Kd6 d4 64.Ke7 c5=

60.Kxd4 Kb6 61.a7 Kxa7 62.Kc5 Kb7 63.Kd6 b4

And the race leads to a draw!

Position after: 63...b4

64.Ke7 c5 65.Kxf7 c4 66.Kg7 b3 67.cxb3 cxb3 68.f7 b2 69.f8=Q b1=Q=

2
Navara, D. – Jobava, B.

364
■ Black has only one move to keep the balance: which one?

Show/Hide Solution

34...c4+!

The only move, although not that difficult to find.

Without sacrificing a pawn, Black’s position might be evaluated as completely fine. However, if he just
waits with 34...Kc7? then Black will unexpectedly and suddenly lose the pawn endgame after 35.Nc4
Nxc4 36.Kxc4 Kc6

365
Position after: 36...Kc6

37.g4! hxg4 38.Kd3 Kd6 39.Ke3 Ke6 40.Kf2 Kf6 41.Kg3 Kg7 42.Kxg4 Kh6 43.c4!+– the extra
tempo decides the outcome of the fight.

34...c4+! 35.Nxc4 Nxc4! 36.Kxc4 Kc6=

Position after: 36...Kc6=

37.Kd3 Kc5 38.Kd2

366
38.c4 Kb4 39.c5™ 39...Kxc5 40.Kc3=

38...Kc4 39.Kc2 Kc5 40.Kd3 Kd6 41.Kd2

½-½ (41) Navara, D (2742) – Jobava, B (2665) Baku 2016.

3
Moiseenko, A. – Dreev, A.

□ Is 63.Re2 a good move?

Show/Hide Solution

63.Re2?

No!
White could have effortlessly achieved victory. For example, after 63.Re3

367
Position after: 63.Re3

63...Kd5 [63...Rh1 64.f5+–] 64.f5 h5 65.Re6 hxg4+ 66.Kxg4 Rh6 67.Kf4 Kc5 68.g4 Kd5 69.Kg3 Kd4
70.g5 Rh5 71.gxf6 Rxf5 72.Kg4 Rf1 73.Kg5+–

63.Re2? Rxe2 64.Kxe2 h6! 65.Kf3

Position after: 65.Kf3

65...Ke7!=

368
The only move! Now Black is ready for the “opposition dance” - it is necessary to tread into the pawn
endgame extremely cautiously.
A) 65...Kd5? 66.g5+–
B) 65...Ke6? 66.Ke4+–

66.Ke3 Kd7 67.Kd3 Ke7 68.Kc3 Kd7 69.Kd3 Ke7 70.Kc4 Ke6

Position after: 70...Ke6

71.Kd4

71.Kc5 f5!=

71...Kd6 72.Ke4 Ke6 73.Kf3 Ke7 74.Kg2 Kf7 75.Kh3 Kg7 76.Kh2 Kf7 77.Kg1 Ke6 78.Kf2 Kf7
79.Ke3 Ke7 80.Kf3 Kf7 81.Kg2 Ke7

369
Position after: 81...Ke7

82.f5 Kd6 83.Kh3 Ke7 84.Kh2 Kd6 85.Kh3 Ke7

½-½ Moiseenko, A (2703) – Dreev, A (2679) Jakarta 2013.

4
Hoang Thanh Trang – Aczel, G.

■ Can Black be saved?

370
 Show/Hide Solution

44...Kg7!

A) In the game, Black did not find the strength to send his king into exile, but this was the only way to
hold. Instead, the game continued 44...g4? 45.Kf4 b5 46.Ke4 Kg5 47.Ke5

Position after: 47.Ke5

47...h4 48.gxh4+ Kxh4 49.Kf6 Kh3 50.Kg5!+– 1-0 (58) Hoang Thanh Trang (2436) – Aczel, G
(2565) Budapest 2018.
B) 44...Ke7? 45.Ke5 f6+ 46.Kd5 Kd7 47.h3+–

44...Kg7!

371
Position after: 44...Kg7!

45.h3

Here, White should be very cautious.

For example, the “active” 45.Ke5? loses to 45...g4! 46.Ke4 Kh6 47.Kd5 Kg5 48.Ke5 f6+ 49.Ke6 b5–
+.

Position after: 49...b5–+

372
45...Kf6 46.g4 hxg4 47.hxg4 Ke7 48.Kd5 Kd7

Position after: 48...Kd7

49.Ke5

49.f6 Kc7 50.Ke5 Kc6 51.Kf5 Kd5 52.Kxg5 Ke5=

49...Ke7=

373
 Chapter 6
Converting

The conversion of an advantage is certainly one of the most important, if not the most important, aspect
of what you need to be able to achieve in the endgame.
For many great chess players, this quality is simply obtained “from birth”, while others must train in
this respect. There is an opinion that by working a person can learn everything and anything, unless
specific natural physical attributes are necessary. However, it seems to me that this is false. In any case,
the training and practice of converting advantages will aid in obtaining a higher level of command in
this area.
Once upon a time, my mentor, Mark Dvoretsky, stressed the importance that when attempting to realize
our advantage, the enemy will simultaneously mobilize a resistance as much as he possibly can. In
order for us to break through and beat him, we must be extremely focused on the task at hand.
Example 1
From Mamedyarov – Ivanchuk
Beijing 2012

Black to move

Black’s position is promising: the queenside pawns are far advanced, and the knight’s position on c5 is
secure. However, this does not bring immediate dividends, further strengthening of the position is
necessary.

30...Bb7!

374
The task at hand is not to improve the position of the bishop, instead what is important is for Black to
seize the center with e6-e5, and for this it is important to deprive White of Nd4-c6.
The immediate 30...e5 31.fxe5 dxe5 runs into 32.Nc6 b3 33.axb3 Nxb3 [33...a3? 34.Nb4±] 34.Nxb3
axb3 35.Kd2!=.

30...Bb7! 31.Nb5

31.g4 e5µ

Position after: 31...e5µ

Now, when the white knight doesn’t have access to the c6-square, this idea noticeably gains in strength.
32.fxe5 dxe5 33.Nc2 b3 34.axb3 Nxb3µ [≤ 34...axb3? 35.Nb4 Kf6 36.Nd3=]

31...Ke7 32.g4 e5! 33.f5

375
Position after: 33.f5

33...g5?

A good move from a positional point of view, but here it is necessary to play more dynamically.
33...gxf5 strong move, and immediately followed by ...Bc6: 34.exf5 Bc6 there is no satisfactory
defense against the d6-d5 threat. 35.g5 d5 36.f6+ Kf8–+

34.Nc7?

Only a symbolic advantage remains for Black after the only move 34.a3! b3 35.Nc3.

34...b3?

376
Position after: 34...b3?

34...a3–+

35.axb3?

Time trouble error. However, even with correct play, the endgame is already lost 35.a3 35...b2!
36.Nd5+, otherwise the e4-pawn will fall, 36...Bxd5 37.cxd5 Kf7 38.Nb1 Kg7 39.Nd2 h6 40.Nb1 h5.

Position after: 40...h5

377
Black creates a second weakness in the White camp on g4. 41.Nd2 hxg4 42.hxg4 Kf7 43.Nb1 Nd7
44.Nc3 Nf6 45.Kf3 Ke7–+ and now the game is decided by the march of the king to his passed pawn.

35...a3 36.b4 a2

Although the game was played in a blitz tournament, the mistakes are still quite instructive, therefore
the example was analyzed to the end.

0-1

Example 2
From Kryvoruchko – Bacrot
Batumi 2018

Black to move

47...Qg8!

Only with the help of this inconspicuous move could Black have created some unappeasable problems
for his opponent.
In the game, he played the more natural, but significantly weaker, 47...Qf6.

378
Position after: 47...Qf6

A) In the game, White decided to immediately break the consolidation of black pawns, and paid the
price. 48.c4? Rd6! An important artery has now been blocked (the h2-g1 diagonal) connecting the
white king with his queen, and her desperate attempt to rectify the situation led only to a hopeless
rook ending. 49.Qc8+ Kh7 50.Qg4 Qe5+ [Even quicker would have been 50...Rd4–+.] 51.Qg3
Qxg3+ 52.Kxg3 bxc4 53.Rxa4 Rc6–+

Position after: 53...Rc6–+

379
 It further continued: 54.Ra2 Kg6 55.Kf4 c3 56.Rc2 Rc4+ 57.Ke3 Kg5 58.g3 h5–+ 59.Kf3 Kf5
60.Ke3 Rc7 61.Kd3 Kg5 62.Ke3 Kf5 63.Kd3 Rc6 64.Ke3 Ke5 65.Kd3 Kd5 66.g4 hxg4 67.hxg4
Ke5 68.Re2+ Kf4 69.Kc2 g5 70.Rg2 Kf3 71.Rg1 Rc5 0-1
B) White, in turn, made a mistake and bypassed a brilliant opportunity for salvation: 48.Ra6! Qxa6
49.Qxd8+ Kh7 50.Qd3+

Position after: 50.Qd3+

B1) Formally stronger 50...Qg6 51.Qxb5 Qd6+ [Or 51...a3 52.Qa4 Qd6+ 53.Kh1] 52.Kh1 a3
53.Qa4 and Black is better, but objectively it is a draw.
B2) 50...Kg8 51.Qd5+ It’s hard to believe that the black king cannot hide from the checks on the
queenside, but White’s perfectly accurate moves prove this to be the case. 51...Kf8 52.Qd8+ Kf7
53.Qd7+ Kf6 54.Qd4+! Ke6 55.Qg4+! Kd5 56.Qf3+! Kc5 57.Qe3+ Kc4 58.Qe4+ Kb3 59.Qd5+
Kb2 60.Qd2+ Ka3 61.Qc1+ Kb3 62.Qd1+ Kxc3 63.Qf3+ Kb4

380
Position after: 63...Kb4

64.Qf4+! Ka5 65.Qd2+ b4 [65...Kb6 66.Qd6+ Ka7 67.Qc7+=] 66.Qd5+ Qb5 67.Qa8+ Kb6
68.Qb8+ Kc5 69.Qe5+=
Back to 47...Qg8.

47...Qg8!

Position after: 47...Qg8!

381
48.c4

What else to do?!

A) 48.Qb7 Qf8! 49.Qxb5 Qf4+–+
B) 48.Qe5 Ra8! 49.Qc7 a3–+

48...bxc4 49.Rxa4 Rc8

Thanks to the queen’s subtle maneuver, the rook has managed to place itself behind the passed pawn
and the position is now technically winning.

50.Qd7 c3 51.Ra1 c2–+

Example 3
From Gelfand – Adams
Batumi 2018

White to move

39.Qf2!

Precise and underlining the advantages of White’s position: the good positioning of the pieces, the
ability to create a passed pawn on the queenside, and the a7-pawn does not allow the black pieces to
become more active.
Instead, White hurried to exchange queens, after which there was an undeniable advantage in the
endgame, but it was by no means easy to convert. 39.Qc5?! Qxc5 40.Nxc5 Nd6

382
Position after: 40...Nd6

A) The game continued: 41.Kg2 Kf6 42.Kf3 Nf5?! [¹ 42...Ke7²] 43.Ne4+?! [43.g4!±] 43...Ke7
44.Ke2 Nd6 45.Kd3 Bd7= with equality:

Position after: 45...Bd7=

46.Nf2 Kd8 47.Kc3 Kc7 48.Kb4 e4 49.Nxe4 Bxh3 50.Nxd6 Kxd6 51.Bf7 Bf5 52.a5 Bd3 53.Be8
Ke7 54.b6 axb6 55.axb6 Kd8 56.Kc3 Bb1 57.Kd4 Kc8 58.Ke5 Kb7 59.Kf6 Bf5 60.Bxg6 Bh3
61.Bxh5 Kxb6 62.Bg6 Bg4 63.Bf5 Be2 64.Kg5 Kc5 65.Bg4 Bb5 66.Kf6 Kd4 67.Bf5 Be2 ½-½

383
 B) 41.Ne4!? Nxe4 [There is no certainty that White will convert the material advantage after
41...Nxb5 42.axb5 Bxb5 but it is not desirable to play like this, of course.] 42.Bxe4 Kf6 43.h4 Ke6

Position after: 43...Ke6

B1) 44.Kg2 Kd6 45.Kf2 Kc5 46.Ke3 Kb4 47.Bc2 Kc5 48.Ke4 Kd6 49.Kf3 Kc5 50.Ke3 Bf7
51.Ke4 Kd6 52.Bd3 [52.a5 g5!=] 52...Bd5+ 53.Ke3

Position after: 53.Ke3

53...e4! 54.Be2 [54.Bxe4 Bxe4 55.Kxe4 Kc5 56.Kf4 Kb4 57.Kg5 Kxa4 58.Kxg6 Kxb5 59.Kxh5

384
 a5 60.g4 a4 61.g5 a3 62.g6 a2 63.g7 a1=Q 64.g8=Q=] 54...Kc5 55.a5 Bb7 56.b6 axb6 57.axb6
Kxb6 58.Bc4 Kc5 59.Bf7 g5 60.hxg5 Kd6=
B2) 44.g4 hxg4 [44...Kd6? 45.g5 Kc5 46.Kg3 Kb4 47.Kf3 … 47...Kxa4 48.Bc6+–] 45.Kg3

Position after: 45.Kg3

45...Kd6! 46.Kxg4 Kc5 47.Kg5 Kd4 48.Bc6 Bf7 49.a5 e4 50.b6 axb6 51.axb6 e3 52.b7 e2
53.b8=Q e1=Q 54.Qa7+ Kd3 55.Qxf7 Qg3+=

39.Qf2!

385
Position after: 39.Qf2!

Now a possible continuation is:

39...Nh6

39...Nd8 40.Qb2! with the idea of a4-a5. 40...Bf7 41.Bxf7 Nxf7 42.a5±

40.Bc6 Bxc6

40...Bf7 41.a5+–

41.bxc6 Nf7 42.h4 Nd8

Position after: 42...Nd8

43.c7! Qxc7 44.Qf6++–

Example 4
From Dreev – Bruzon Batista
Saint Louis 2018

386
Black to move

In an approximately equal position, Black attempted to seize the initiative.

25...f4?!

25...Kf7 26.Nc6 Rd7=

25...f4?! 26.b4!

Black’s idea is revealed in the following variation 26.exf4 Nd3 27.Rd1 Nxf4 28.Ne6+? Kf7–+.

26...Ne4 27.Ne6+

387
Position after: 27.Ne6+

Unexpectedly, Black was left without a pawn, and although the activity of his pieces makes it possible
to hope for a successful outcome, to regroup into a defensive scheme in this situation is not an easy task
psychologically.

27...Kf7 28.Nxf4 Nxc3 29.Rxc3 Rd1+ 30.Kh2

Position after: 30.Kh2

388
30...Rd2?!

A) A waste of time, the rook has nothing to do on the second rank. It was much more important to
create as much activity as possible in the center. 30...g5! 31.Nd3 Ke6 32.Kg3 h5 33.Kf3 Ra1

Position after: 33...Ra1

[33...f5? 34.h4!±]
A1) It is very important that in the event of 34.g4 there is 34...Bd6!. Now the advantages of the
position of the black rook on the first rank become obvious. [34...h4 35.Nc1±] 35.gxh5 [35.Kg2
hxg4 36.hxg4] 35...Rh1 36.Ke2 Rxh3 37.Rc8 Rxh5 38.Re8+

389
Position after: 38.Re8+

38...Kd5 [38...Kd7?! 39.Ra8±] 39.e4+ Kc4 40.Re6 Bb8 41.Rxf6 Rh4 42.Ke3 Rh3+ 43.f3 g4=
A2) 34.Nc1 Bd6 35.Nb3 Ra2 36.Rd3 [36.Nd4+ Kd5²] 36...Be5 37.g4 hxg4+ 38.hxg4 Rc2²
B) 30...Bd6?! 31.g3±

31.Kg3 g5 32.Nd3 Ke6 33.Kf3 Kd5 34.g4

Position after: 34.g4

390
34...a6?!

Black defends himself against a possible b4-b5, but this only aggravates his position. The best chance
was probably the more active 34...Bd6 35.Nc1 Rd1 but even then, after the prophylactic 36.Kg2 as
Black threatened to attack the h3-pawn, 36...Be5 37.Rc2 Ke4 38.b5 White retains a significant
advantage.

35.Nc1!

The knight moves to a promising square, all the while freeing himself from worrying about the rook.

35...Bd6

No relief came after 35...a5 36.bxa5 bxa5 37.a4±.

36.Rc8 Rd1 37.Ne2 Rh1 38.Nc3+ Ke6

Position after: 38...Ke6

39.Ke2!

A) ≤ 39.Ke4 Rc1!
B) Perhaps winning was 39.Rc6 Rc1 40.Ke2 Kd7 41.Kd2 Kxc6 42.Kxc1 but White did not have
complete confidence in this during the game.

39...Ra1 40.Rc6 Rxa3 41.Ne4 Kd5 42.Rxd6+ Kxe4 43.Rxb6 Ra2+ 44.Kf1 Ke5 45.Kg2

391
Position after: 45.Kg2

The rook endgame is lost for Black because of the unfortunate position of the king and the inability to
defend the h-pawn.

45...Ra1

A) 45...Ra4 46.Kg3 Ra3 47.Rc6 Rb3 48.Rxa6 Rxb4 49.Ra7+–

B) 45...f5 46.Rb7 fxg4 47.hxg4 Rb2 48.Kf3 h6 49.Rb6+–

46.f4+!

The shortest route to victory.

46...gxf4 47.exf4+ Kxf4 48.Rxf6+ Kg5 49.Rf5+ Kg6 50.Ra5+–

392
Position after: 50.Ra5+–

The rest is easy.

50...Rb1 51.Rxa6+ Kg5 52.Ra5+ Kg6 53.Rb5 Rb2+ 54.Kg3 Rb3+ 55.Kh4 h6 56.Rb6+ Kh7 57.Rb8
Kg6 58.Rb7 Kf6 59.Rb6+ Kg7 60.b5 Kh7 61.g5 hxg5+ 62.Kxg5 Rxh3 63.Rb7+ Kg8 64.b6 Rb3
65.Kf6 Rb1 66.Rb8+ Kh7 67.Ke6 Kg7 68.Kd6 Kf7 69.Kc6 Ke7 70.Rh8 Rc1+ 71.Kd5 Rd1+ 72.Ke5
Re1+ 73.Kf4

1-0

Example 5
From Dreev – Hansen
Saint Louis 2018

393
White to move

22.a4!?

Although I realized that it was possible to play the simple and objectively stronger 22.b3 Nxe3
23.Qxe3 a4 24.Rxc8 Rxc8 25.Rc1±, I preferred transitioning into the endgame. It seemed to me that the
conversion of an extra pawn would be easier for me than with queens on the board.

22.a4!? Qd5 23.Qxd5 exd5

394
Position after: 23...exd5

Doubled pawns along the e-file cannot be avoided, but this did not bother me as Black also has pawn
weaknesses.

24.b3 Nxe3 25.Rxc8

It is certainly important to exchange a pair of rooks in this case, the white pawns become much less of a
concern.

25...Rxc8 26.fxe3

Position after: 26.fxe3

26...Re8

People often think that it is possible to solve all problems with activity, the attack on the pawn certainly
suggests itself, but it was better to focus on improving the position with 26...f5!? 27.Rb1 d4 but even
then White keeps the advantage after 28.Nb2!? Rc2 29.Kf1 dxe3 30.Nc4±.

27.Kf2

395
Position after: 27.Kf2

27...Bc3

27...d4 28.e4!? [28.Rc1!? dxe3+ 29.Kf3±] 28...Rxe4 29.Rc1 Bh6

Position after: 29...Bh6

30.Rc8+ [30.Rc5?! Bd2=] 30...Kg7 31.Ke1! It’s important not to allow the black bishop to d2. 31...Re6
32.Rc5 Ra6 33.Ne5±

396
28.Nf4

28.Rd1!? d4 29.exd4 Bxd4+ 30.Ke1±

28...d4 29.Nd5

Position after: 29.Nd5

29...Kg7

29...Rb8 30.Rb1 f5 31.exd4 Bxd4+ 32.e3±

30.exd4

Of course, it would be unwise to go into a rook ending. 30.Kf3?! Re5 31.e4 f5 32.Nxc3 dxc3 33.Rc1
Rxe4 34.Rxc3 Rb4 35.Ke3 Kf6 36.Kd2 Kg5 37.Kc2

397
Position after: 37.Kc2

37...Re4! 38.e3 Re5=

30...Bxd4+ 31.e3 Ba7 32.Rd1 h5 33.Kf3

Position after: 33.Kf3

White gradually strengthens the position.

33...g5

398
Usually such “active moves” only worsen the situation, and our case is no exception.

34.Rd3 Re5 35.h4!?

Of course not 35.b4? axb4 36.Nxb4 Ra5=.

35...f6

Stronger was 35...g4+, but Black did not want to give the f4-square to the white knight. 36.Ke2±

36.b4!

Position after: 36.b4!

Now is the time to remember that White has an extra pawn and the weakness of the seventh rank helps
White create a passed pawn.

36...axb4 37.Nxb4 Bc5

37...Ra5? 38.Nc6 Rxa4 39.Rd7++–

38.Nd5 Kg6?!

A misstep. I was expecting 38...Kf7 39.a5 Ke6 40.Nc7+ Ke7 41.a6 Ba7

399
Position after: 41...Ba7

and here it is possible to continue with 42.hxg5! [42.Rb3? Rf5+ 43.Ke2 Ra5²] 42...fxg5 43.Rb3 with
good winning chances, for example 43...Ra5 44.Rb5+–.

39.a5 Kf5 40.a6 Ba7

Position after: 40...Ba7

41.e4+!+– 41...Kg6

400
41...Rxe4 42.Ne3+ Bxe3 43.Rd5++–

42.hxg5

42.Rc3!? g4+ 43.Kg2 Rxe4 44.Rc7+–

42...fxg5 43.Rc3 g4+ 44.Kf4 Bb8 45.Rc6+

Avoiding the trap of 45.a7?? Rf5+.

45...Re6+ 46.Ke3 Kf7 47.Rc7+

1-0

Example 6
From Dreev – Vallejo Pons
Biel 2002

White to move

White’s position looks preferable. However, Black has no weaknesses and his strong pawn structure on
the queenside restricts White’s possibilities. Can White pose Black any real problems?

18.Be5!

At first glance, this continuation only leads to simplifications, but things are not so straight forward.
18.Rfe1 Nc8=

401
18.Be5! Rxd1+

If Black knew ahead of time what was awaiting him, he would probably have preferred 18...0-0!? but
then the bishop finds an excellent outpost. 19.Bf6ƒ

19.Rxd1 Nxe5 20.Nxe5

Position after: 20.Nxe5

20...f6

20...0-0? 21.Rd7+–

21.Nd7!

≤ 21.Nc4?! Nc8=

21...Kf7

A different defensive strategy did not solve the problems either: 21...f5 22.e5 g5 but then after 23.Nf6+
Kf7 24.Rd7 Ke6 25.Rxa7

402
Position after: 25.Rxa7

White has a serious advantage:

A) 25...b5 26.Nd7 Rc8 27.Nb6 Rc6 28.Rb7

Position after: 28.Rb7

28...c4 [28...Nd5 29.c4!! bxc4 30.Nxc4 Nf4 31.Kc2 Nxg2 32.Rxh7+–; 28...Ng6 29.c4 bxc4 30.a4+–]
29.Kc2 Ng6 30.Nd7±
B) 25...Nd5 26.Rxh7 [26.Nxh7!?±] 26...Rxh7 27.Nxh7 g4 28.Kd2 Kxe5 29.h4 gxh3 30.gxh3 …

403
 30...b5?!

Position after: … 30...b5?!

31.c4! bxc4 32.Ng5+– White’s passed pawns are clearly stronger than his opponent’s.

22.Rd6 Nc8 23.Rc6 Rd8 24.e5!±

Position after: 24.e5!±

The point!

404
24...f5

Opening the position, even at the cost of a pawn, was probably the best practical chance: 24...fxe5
25.Nxe5+ Ke7 26.f4! Rf8

Position after: 26...Rf8

But even then, with correct play, White retains good winning chances. 27.Kc2 [27.g3 g5 28.fxg5
Nd6±] 27...Nd6 28.Rc7+ Ke6 29.g3 Nf7 [29...g5 30.Rxh7 gxf4 31.Ng6±] 30.Nc4 g5 31.Rxa7 gxf4
32.gxf4 b5 33.Ra6+ Kf5 34.Nd2±

25.Nf6 Ne7 26.Rc7 Ke6 27.f4+–

405
Position after: 27.f4+–

27...h6

Liquidating into a rook ending does not hold either. 27...Nd5 28.Rc6+ Ke7 29.Nxd5+ Rxd5 30.Kc2
Kd7 31.Rf6 Ke7 32.g3 Rd8 33.a4 Rd5 34.a5 bxa5 35.Ra6+–

28.Rxa7 g5 29.Nh5 Ng6

29...gxf4 30.Ng7++–

30.Ng7+ Kd5 31.e6 Kd6 32.g4!+–

406
Position after: 32.g4!+–

The most effective and strongest move, the creation of a new passed pawn is now inevitable.

32...gxf4 33.gxf5 f3 34.fxg6 f2 35.Rf7 Rg8 36.e7

1-0

Example 7
From Dreev – Skoberne
Spilimbergo 2018

407
Black to move

Virtually any move here leads to a draw, White’s extra pawn will not last for long. However, Black
decided to play as safely as possible and therefore wanted to exchange the minor pieces in order to
transition into a completely drawn rook endgame.

27...Ba4?

A) 27...Kf7!? 28.Nd4 Rc5 29.Rb1 a6 30.e6+ Kf6=

B) 27...Rc3!? 28.Kf2 Kf7 29.Nd4 Bc4=
C) 27...a6!? 28.Nd4!? Rc5=

27...Ba4? 28.Rc1!

Position after: 28.Rc1!

It turns out that after the exchange of rooks, the white knight is in time to disturb the triumphant
transfer of the black king to e6.

28...Rxc1+

28...Rb8 29.Nd4±

29.Nxc1 Kf7 30.Nd3 Bb5

30...Ke6? 31.Nc5++–

408
31.Nc5 Bc4 32.a3

Position after: 32.a3

32...Ke8

The black king could not leave his nest and must stay on the kingside. He would probably regret not
trying to get to the queenside: 32...g5 33.Kf2 Kg6 34.e4 Kh5 35.Kf3 h6 36.Na4! … 36...Be6 37.Nc3
Bc4 38.Nd5 e6 39.Nf6+ Kg6 40.Ke3+–

33.Kf2 Kd8 34.Kf3

For practical reasons, White did not want to place the pawn on e4 prior to this, although it was clear
that sooner or later he would have to use the resource of transfering the knight to d5.

34...Kc7 35.Ke4 Kc6 36.Kd4

409
Position after: 36.Kd4

The endgame that arose after the exchange of rooks is not easy to assess. It is clear that White should
try to create a second weakness to win, but this is not that easy because he will need to use his knight,
and then the black king can step in. In general, it seems to me as if it is winning for White, however,
it’s very difficult. Let’s try to make sense of it and see how the players calculated in the actual game.
The attentive reader will find many interesting and sometimes etude like ideas that can be very useful
too.

36...Ba2

Gives White additional opportunities, it was better to immediately activate the king.
36...Kb5 It is interesting to note that this also does not save Black. In this case though, it would be
more difficult to loosen Black’s position, for example: 37.Ne4 Bb3

410
Position after: 37...Bb3

38.h4 Black has two ways to defend: with the pawn on h7 or with the pawn on h6. However, it seems
that neither of them are capable of yielding a draw. As we will see though, the winning position for
White is not a walk in the park. [38.Ng5? brings Black closer to a draw 38...h6 39.Ne4 g5!² White
must not allow а black pawn to g5.]

Position after: 38.h4

A) 38...Ka4 39.Nc3+!

411
 B) 38...a5!? 39.Nc3+ Kc6

Position after: 39...Kc6

B1) 40.g4? The obvious plan lies in fixing the black pawns, which was feared and hence there was
an attempt to obstruct this in the game. When Black ends up with an e7-pawn in this position, it
turns out to be a mistake! The pawn on g5 looks beautiful, but as is known, “all that glitters is not
gold”. 40...Be6 41.g5 Bb3 42.e4 Kd7 43.Nd5 Ba2 44.a4 How else to strengthen the position?
44...Bb3 45.Kc3 Bd1 46.Kc4 Bc2 47.Kb5 Ke6 [47...Bxe4? 48.Nf4+–] 48.Kxa5 Bxe4 49.Nc7+
Kxe5 50.Kb6

412
Position after: 50.Kb6

50...Kd6 Not the only move, but the most reliable! It is important not to chase the defenseless white
pawns, but to prevent White from blockading the long diagonal and promoting the pawn to a queen.
[50...Kf4? 51.a5 e5 52.a6 Bf3 53.Kc5! Kg3 54.Nd5+–; 50...Kd4!? should also hold, for example:
51.a5 e5 52.a6 Kc4! 53.Ne8 Ba8!= and the e-pawn also advances rapidly!] 51.Nb5+ Kd7 52.a5 e5
53.a6 Ba8 54.a7 Bf3 55.Kc5 Ba8 56.Nd6 Ke7 57.Nc4 Ke6 58.Ne3

Position after: 58.Ne3

58...e4! The only way! Any other move leads to a losing position. 59.Nc4 [59.Kd4 Bc6 60.Nc4 Bb7
61.Ke3 Bc6 62.Nb6 Kf5=] 59...Bd5 [Also leading to a draw is 59...Kf5 60.Kd6 Kg4 61.Nb6 Bb7
62.Kc7 e3 63.Kxb7 e2 64.a8=Q e1=Q=.] 60.Nb6 Bb7=
B2) 40.e4! e6 [Black cannot afford to allow the knight to d5. 40...Kd7 41.Nd5+–] 41.g4!

413
Position after: 41.g4!

Now, with the black pawn on e6, the plan of fixing black pawns on the queenside clearly gains
credibility. In addition to the pawn on e6 being clearly worse than on e7, more importantly, the black
king will not have an e6-square to make use of as an escape in the case of an immediate 40.g4?.
41...Kb6 42.g5 Kc6 43.Ne2 Bd1 44.Nf4

Position after: 44.Nf4

44...Bg4 [44...Bb3 45.Nxg6! hxg6 46.h5+–] 45.a4 Kb6 46.Nd3 Kc6 47.Nc5

414
Position after: 47.Nc5

White held back the opposing forces as much as possible. 47...Kc7™ [47...Bh3 48.Nb3 Kb6 49.Nd2
Bg4 50.Nc4+ Ka6 51.Ne3 Bf3 52.Kc5 Bxe4 53.Kd6+–] He can then implement the following
winning plan: 48.Kd3!? Bh3 49.Nb3 Kb6 50.Nd2! Bg4 51.Nc4+ Ka6 52.Ne3 Bf3 53.Kd4 Kb6
54.Nc4+ Ka6

Position after: 54...Ka6

55.Kc5! Bxe4 56.Na3 Kb7 57.Kb5 Bd3+ 58.Kxa5 Kc6 59.Kb4 Kd5 60.Nb5 Kxe5 61.Kc5 Be4

415
 62.a5 Bb7 63.Kb6 Bf3 64.a6 Ba8 65.a7 Kf4

Position after: 65...Kf4

66.Kc7 e5 67.Kb8 Bd5 68.Nd6 e4 69.Nb7+–

C) 38...h6!? 39.Nc3+ [39.g4? g5!! And not ...Ka4 allowing Nc3+! 40.hxg5 hxg5 41.Nxg5 Bd1=.]
39...Kc6 40.Ne2 g5 41.hxg5 hxg5 42.Nc3

Position after: 42.Nc3

42...a5 An interesting attempt to not end up in a fixed position. [42...Be6 led to the same fate as in the

416
 game. 43.Ne4 g4 44.Nc3] 43.Ne4 Kb5 [After the prosaic 43...g4, White should return to the plot of
the actual game: 44.Nc3! Bg8 45.e4 Bf7 46.Nd5 e6 47.Nf6+–] 44.Kc3 Bd5 45.Nxg5 Ka4 46.Kb2
Kb5 47.Nh3 Kc4 48.Nf4 Bf3

Position after: 48...Bf3

Here too, White, with difficulty, nevertheless achieves victory.

C1) 49.Ng6? e6 50.Nf8 [50.Nf4 Bg4=] 50...Bg4 51.Kc2 Bf5+ 52.Kd2 Kb3 53.e4

Position after: 53.e4

417
 53...Bg4! [53...Bh3? 54.Nd7 Kxa3 55.Kc3 a4 56.Nf6 Ka2 57.g4 a3 58.Kc2 Bf1 59.g5 Bd3+
60.Kxd3 Kb3 61.g6 a2 62.g7 a1=Q 63.g8=Q+–] 54.Nd7 Bh5! [54...Kxa3? 55.Nf6+–] 55.Nc5+
Kxa3 56.Nxe6 Kb3! [56...Kb4? 57.Ng7! Bg6 58.e6 a4 – or 58...Kc4 59.Nf5+ – 59.Nf5! a3
60.Kc2+–] 57.Ng7 With the king on b4, this maneuver would win, but on b3, the black king is more
active, which aids him in luring the white king far from the center of events with the help of a pawn.
[57.Nd4+ Kb2 58.e6 a4=; 57.Nf4 Be8=] 57...Bg6 58.e6 a4 59.Kc1

Position after: 59.Kc1

59...a3 60.Kb1 Bxe4+ 61.Ka1 Bg6 62.e7 Kc4=

C2) 49.e6! Fixing the black pawn on e7, where the bishop cannot protect it. 49...Bg4 50.Ng6 Bxe6
51.g4!!+– [51.Nxe7? Kd3=] … 51...Bxg4 52.Ne5++–
Back to 36...Ba2.

418
Position after: 36...Ba2

37.Ne4

White did not take advantage of the unexpected opportunity, 37.Na6!. In this case, it would be much
more difficult for Black to keep up the defense, if at all possible, because his king will no longer be as
active as in the game. 37...Bb3 38.Nb4+

Position after: 38.Nb4+

38...Kd7™ [38...Kb5? 39.Nd5 e6 White forced the black pawn to move and did so without moving his

419
own, which left an important e4-square behind for the knight, undoubtedly an achievement. 40.Nc3+
Kc6 41.Ne4+–] 39.Kc5 Ba4 40.Nd3 Ke6 41.Kd4 Kf5

Position after: 41...Kf5

42.Nf2! [Bringing Black as close as possible to a draw. 42.e4+?! Kg4 43.Nf4 g5 44.Nd5 Kh3 45.Nxe7
Kxh2 46.Nf5 h5] 42...Be8 [42...Bc2 43.e4+ Ke6 44.Nh3 h6 45.Nf4+ Kf7 46.Nd5 Ke6 47.Nb4 Ba4
48.Nd3 Bc6 49.Nc5+ Kf7 50.Kc4+–] 43.e4+ Ke6 44.Nd3 Kd7 45.Nc5+ Kc6 46.Ne6

Position after: 46.Ne6

420
46...h6 [46...Kb6 47.Nf4 Kc6 48.Nd5 Kd7 49.Kc5+–] 47.Nf4 g5 48.Ne6 Kd7 49.Nf8+ Kc6 50.g4!
Kb5 51.Kd5 Bf7+ 52.e6 Be8 53.Nd7+–
Back to the game (37.Ne4).

Position after: 37.Ne4

There is no need to hurry with pawn moves in the endgame, at least when it can be done later.
However, it is not a decisive factor here.

37...h6

After 37...Bd5 38.Nc3 Bb3 39.h4 in one way or another, it will reduce to the position detailed below.

38.Nc3?!

Once again it was possible to play better, although the game was played without a significant increase
in time after the control, the opponents had only a 30 second time increment after each move. So, of
course, they didn’t have much to base serious decisions on.
Energetic, but very unobvious, 38.g4!! created a second weakness for Black and led White to victory:

421
Position after: 38.g4!!

A) 38...a5 39.h4! [39.g5? hxg5 40.Nxg5 Kb5 41.Kc3 Ka4 42.Kb2 Bd5 43.Nh3 Be4 44.Nf4 Kb5
45.Kc3 Kc5 46.h4 Bf5=] 39...Be6 40.g5 hxg5 41.hxg5 Ba2 42.Nc3 Bf7 43.Ne2+–
B) 38...g5 39.Ng3! e6 40.Ne4+–
C) 38...Be6 39.g5!

Position after: 39.g5!

C1) An attempt to barricade was doomed to failure. 39...h5 White gradually improves the knight’s

422
 position and turns the black bishop into a pawn, achieving victory, for example: 40.Nc5 Bf7 41.Nd3
e6 [41...Kb5 42.e6! Bxe6 - or 42...Be8 43.Nf4 Ka4 44.Nd5+– – 43.Ne5 Bf5 44.e4+–] 42.Kc4 Kb6
43.Nf4 Kc6 44.Ne2 Kb6 45.Nd4 Bg8 46.Nb5 Bf7 47.Nd6 Bg8 48.Nc8+ Kb7 49.Ne7 Bf7 50.Kc5
Kc7 51.Nc6 a6 52.Nd4 Bg8 53.Ne2 Bf7 54.Nf4+–

Position after: 54.Nf4+–

Zugzwang! That’s all...

C2) 39...hxg5 40.Nxg5 Bb3 41.h4+–

Position after: 41.h4+–

423
 41...Kb5 [41...a5 42.Nh3+–] 42.Ne4+– Bf7 [42...Ka4 is answered by the surprising 43.Nc3+! Kxa3
44.Nb5++–] 43.Nc5 Be8 44.e6 a5 45.e4 Bc6 [45...Kc6 46.Nd3 Kd6 47.Nf4 Kc6 48.e5+–] 46.Nd3
Ka4 47.Ne5 Be8 48.Kc5 Kxa3 49.Nc4+ Ka4 50.e5

Position after: 50.e5

Zugzwang!

38...Bb3?!

38...Bf7!! Keeping the bishop on an active square isn’t important. From f7, it defends some important
light squares / light-squared pawns. 39.h4 a5 40.e4 g5!! 41.Nd5 gxh4 42.gxh4 e6 43.Nf6 Kb5 44.Ng4
h5

424
Position after: 44...h5

And here, the e6- and h5-pawns are securely defended and locked. 45.Ne3 Be8 46.Nc4 Bd7= White
cannot make progress.

39.h4!

Position after: 39.h4!

39...a5?!

425
39...Bf7! 40.Ne2! g5 41.hxg5 hxg5 42.Nc3 Be8!±

40.Ne2?

40.e4! g5 41.hxg5 hxg5 42.Nd5 e6 [42...Kd7 43.Kc3+–] 43.Nf6 Kb5 44.Kc3 Ka4 45.Kb2 Bc4
46.Nh7 g4 47.Nf8 Kb5 48.Kc3+–

40...g5 41.hxg5 hxg5 42.Nc3

Position after: 42.Nc3

The secret of the position lies in the fact that if the black pawn gets to g4, then additional weaknesses
are created and White’s position becomes winning. Black must resist this in every way!

42...Be6

The only opportunity for this was 42...Bg8!! 43.Ne4 Kb5

426
Position after: 43...Kb5

A) 44.Kc3 g4= this move is possible here since the position of the kings has changed. The white
knight does not have the important c3-square. When Nc3-d5 is possible, of course after the
preliminary e3-e4, he could attack the e7-pawn.
B) 44.Nxg5 Ka4
C) 44.Nc3+ Kc6 45.e4 Otherwise there is no progress to be made. 45...Bf7 46.Nd5

Position after: 46.Nd5

427
 C1) 46...Kd7? 47.Ne3 Kc6 48.Kd3! Kc5 49.Nf5 e6 50.Nd6 Bh5 51.Nb7+! An important square.
51...Kb5 52.Kc3!

Position after: 52.Kc3!

For White, it is important to defend the a-pawn. 52...Bf3 [52...Bg4 53.Nd8 Ka4 54.Kb2 Kb5
55.Kb3 Kc5 56.Kc3 Kb5 57.Nf7+–] 53.Nd8 Bg4 54.Nf7+–
C2) 46...e6! 47.Ne3 Kb5 just in time with the necessary activity. 48.Nc4 Bh5 49.Nd6+ Ka4 50.Nb7
Bg6= Now it is not possible to strengthen the position.

43.Ne4

428
Position after: 43.Ne4

43...g4

43...Kb5? 44.Nxg5 Bg4 45.Kc3 Ka4 46.Kb2 Kb5 47.Kb3 Bd1+ 48.Kc3 Ka4 49.Ne4 Kxa3 50.Nf2
Bh5 51.g4 Bg6 52.Nd3!+–

Position after: 52.Nd3!+–

52...Bxd3 53.Kxd3 Kb2 54.g5 a4 55.g6 a3 56.g7 a2 57.g8=Q a1=Q 58.Qb8+ Kc1 59.Qc7++–

429
44.Nc3 Bb3 45.e4

Position after: 45.e4

45...e6

45...Bf7 46.Nd5 e6 47.Nf6 Kb5 48.Kc3+–

46.Ne2

46.Nb1!? Kb5 47.Nd2 Bd1 48.Nc4 Bf3 49.Nd6+ Ka4 50.Nb7 Bd1 51.Nc5+ Kxa3 52.Kc3 Bf3
53.Nxe6 Bxe4 54.Nc7+–

46...Kb5 47.Kc3

430
Position after: 47.Kc3

47...Ba2

47...Bc4 48.a4+ Kc5 49.Nf4 Ba2 50.Nd3+ Kc6 51.Nf2+–

48.Nf4 Ka4

Here, White drew attention to the interesting opportunity 49.Ng2, but decided to wait before acting on
it.

49.Kb2 Bc4 50.Nh5 Be2 51.Ng7 Bc4 52.Ne8 Be2

431
Position after: 52...Be2

53.Ng7

The white knight has not found the correct path to return to its original position. In time pressure, it is
not easy to figure out that it needs to get to d6.
53.Nd6! Ba6 [53...Bf1 loses immediately due to 54.Nb7!+–.] 54.Nf7 Bb7 55.Nh6 Kb5 56.Kc3 Bxe4
57.Nxg4 Kc5 58.Nf6 Bg6 59.g4 Bb1 60.g5 Bg6 61.Ng8!+–

53...Bc4 54.Nh5 Be2 55.Nf4 Bc4

432
Position after: 55...Bc4

56.Kc3

56.Ng6 Ba6 57.Nf8 Bc8 58.Nh7 Ba6 59.Nf6 Be2 60.Nd7

56...Ba2 57.Ng2?

It was still possible to return to the winning plan discussed above. 57.Kb2! However, during the game I
wasn’t certain that White wouldn’t “run into” a threefold repetition...

57...Kxa3 58.Ne3

Position after: 58.Ne3

58...Bb1?

Black’s most natural and active move saves the game. 58...Bb3! 59.Nxg4 Bd1! [59...a4? 60.Ne3 Ka2
61.g4 a3 62.g5 Ba4 63.Nc4+–] 60.Nf2 [60.Nf6 a4 61.g4 Ka2 62.g5 a3=; 60.Ne3 Bf3!=] 60...Bh5
61.g4

433
Position after: 61.g4

61...Be8! [61...Bg6?! 62.Nd3 Ka2 63.Nf4 Bxe4 64.Nxe6 a4 65.Nc5 Bf3 66.g5 a3 67.e6 Kb1 68.g6! a2
69.Nb3 Bd5 70.e7 Bxb3 71.e8=Q a1=Q+ 72.Kxb3=

Position after: 72.Kxb3=

The queen ending with the g-pawn has reappeared - but how is it that Black, after 61...Be8!, is only one
step away from a draw?] 62.Nd3 Ka2 63.g5 Kb1 64.Nc5 a4 65.Kb4 Kc2=

59.Nc4+!

434
Position after: 59.Nc4+!

59...Ka4

59...Ka2 60.Nxa5 Bxe4 61.Kd4 Bf3 62.Kc5 Kb2 63.Kd6 Kc3 64.Nc6 Kd3

Position after: 64...Kd3

65.Ne7!! Accuracy until the very end! 65...Ke3 66.Kxe6 Kf2 67.Nf5+–

60.Nd2

435
The bishop is trapped.

60...Ba2 61.Kb2

Position after: 61.Kb2

61...Kb4 62.Kxa2 Kc3 63.Nb3

Black resigned due to 63.Nb3 Kd3 64.Nc5+ Kd4 65.Nxe6+ Kxe4 66.Nf4 Kxe5 67.Kb3 Ke4 68.Ka4
Kf3 69.Nh5+–.

1-0

Example 8
From Sarana – Alekseenko
Khanty-Mansiysk 2018

436
White to move

A curious position, the win is achieved in a rather subtle way.

61.Rxe2

In the game, White started to play too “cleverly”. 61.Re4+? Kc3 62.Re3+ Kc4 63.Rxe2 Ra1+ 64.Kd2
Ra2+ 65.Ke1

Position after: 65.Ke1

437
65...Rxa3 The simplest. [In the game, Black played 65...Ra1+? 66.Kf2 Rxa3 which led to the position
that we are considering in the main line after 67.Re4+ Kc3; anyway, after 68.Ke3?! Ra8 69.Nd7? Ra4
Black held a draw, ½ – ½ (112).] 66.Re4+ Kc3 67.Ke2 Ra2+ 68.Kf3 Ra8

Position after: 68...Ra8

led to a draw, as White is unable to strengthen the position.

61.Rxe2 Ra1+

61...Rxa3 62.Rc2! Rc3 63.Kd2+–

62.Kd2 Ra2+ 63.Ke1 Ra1+

63...Rxa3 64.Rc2+–

64.Kf2 Rxa3 65.Re4+ Kc3

438
Position after: 65...Kc3

66.Nd3!

With the help of a tactical stunt, White achieves an important regrouping.

66...Ra2+ 67.Ke3 Rh2 68.Ne5

Now the c6-pawn is under threat.

68...Rh3+ 69.Ke2 Rh6

The first stage is now complete: the black rook is chained to the c6 pawn. However, to win, White
needs to improve the position of his king, but this is not entirely easy, since the white rook is restricted
to the defense of the lone pawn.

439
Position after: 69...Rh6

70.Kf3 Rd6

70...Re6 71.Kg4 Rf6 72.Kg5 Rd6 leads to the position from the main variation.

71.Kf4 Rf6+ 72.Kg5

Position after: 72.Kg5

440
72...Rd6

Simplifying the task for White was 72...Re6 73.Re3+! Kd4 [73...Kxb4 74.Nd3++–] 74.Kf5+–.

73.Kf5 Rh6

73...Kb3 74.Nc4! Rh6 75.Kg5 Rh1 76.Na5++–

74.Rg4ʘ

Position after: 74.Rg4ʘ

74...Kb3

A king move is forced, since there are no other moves.

74...Rd6 75.Rc4+ Kb3 76.Rxc6 Rd5 77.Rc5 Rd2 78.Nc6

75.Nd3! Kc3 76.Nc5

441
Position after: 76.Nc5

76...Rh8

The black rook has run out of work to do on the sixth rank.
76...Rh1 77.Ke6 Rb1 78.Na6+–

77.Ke6

The beginning of the second stage of the white king’s travels.

77...Rb8 78.Rg3+ Kc4

78...Kxb4 79.Na6++–

79.Nd3 Rd8 80.Ne5+

442
Position after: 80.Ne5+

Taking advantage of the fact that the b4-pawn is invulnerable, White begins a new regrouping of
forces.

80...Kb5 81.Rg5 Rd5 82.Rf5ʘ

Position after: 82.Rf5ʘ

82...Rd8

443
 A) 82...Rd1 83.Nd3+ Kb6 [83...Kc4 84.Nb2+] 84.Rf3 Kb5 85.Ke5+–
B) 82...Kb6 83.Rf4 Kb5 84.Nxc6! Kxc6 85.Rc4++–

83.Nf7+ Rd5 84.Rf4 Rh5

Position after: 84...Rh5

And, at last, the final stage - the return of the king to the pawn.

85.Nd6+ Kb6 86.Ne4 Rd5 87.Nc3 Rd3 88.Rc4! Rd8 89.Ke5 Rd2 90.Ke4 Rd8 91.Ke3 Rd7 92.Rd4
Rf7 93.Kd3+–

Example 9
From Balogh – Navara
Slovakia 2017

444
White to move

Understanding that he cannot hold the position through conventional means, White regroups his forces
in an attempt to restrict the black king by obliging him to protect the g4-pawn.

44.Nc2 b3 45.Ne3

Position after: 45.Ne3

From here, a series of not so obvious moves led to victory.

445
45...Kf6!

A) 45...Kh5? White’s plan paid off, Black felt sympathy for his pawn and the position was drawn, but
the win was still only possible to find by looking at the position with a “broader” perspective. 46.Kc1
Kg5 47.g3=

Position after: 47.g3=

47...Be2 48.Nxd5 Kf5 49.Kb2 Ke4 50.Ne3 Kf3 51.Kxb3 Kxf2 52.Nf5 g6 53.Ne7 g5 54.Kc3 Kg2

Position after: 54...Kg2

446
 and, without waiting for 55.Kd2, Black offered a draw, ½-½.
B) Slightly stronger than the game move but a mistake all the same, 45...Kg5? 46.g3 b2 47.Kc2 Bd3+
48.Kxb2 d4 49.Nd5 Kf5 50.Kc1=.

Position after: 45...Kf6!

46.Kc1

A) 46.Nxg4+ Kf5 47.Ne3+ [47.f3 Kf4 48.Nf2 Bf1–+] 47...Ke4 Black wins easily, the deciding
factor lies in transferring the king to the queenside. 48.h4 Bb5 49.Nd1 d4 50.Nb2 Bf1 51.g3 Kd5
52.Nd1 Kc4 53.Nb2+ Kb4! 54.Nd1 Ka3 55.Kc1 Be2–+
B) 46.Kc3? d4+–+

46...g3!!

447
Position after: 46...g3!!

The only move! There is no need to hold on to the past, it no longer exists.
At the cost of a pawn, Black spoils the defensive structure of the white pawns and finds a gap in the
white forces.
The natural 46...Ke5? led only to a draw: 47.Nxg4+ Kd4 48.Kb2 Kd3 49.Ne5+ Ke2 50.f4 Bb5
51.Kxb3 d4 52.Kb4 d3

Position after: 52...d3

448
 A) It was somewhat more difficult to achieve a draw after 53.Nf3 Bc6 54.Nd4+ Ke3 55.Kc3 Be4
56.Nb3 Bxg2 57.Nd2 Bh3 58.Nc4+ Ke2

Position after: 58...Ke2

59.Kd4! [In the case of a passive defense, White is doomed. 59.Nd2? g6 60.Nc4 Be6 61.Nd2 Bf5
62.Nc4 Bc8 63.Nd2 Ba6 64.Nb3 Ke3–+] 59...g6 60.Ke5 Bc8 61.h4 Ba6 62.Nb2 d2 63.f5=.
B) 53.Nxd3!? Bxd3 54.Kc5 Ke3 55.g3=

Position after: 55.g3=

449
 It is not difficult to see that Black is unable to convert his material advantage.

47.hxg3

47.fxg3 Ke5 48.Nd1 Kd4 49.Kd2 Bf1–+

47...Ke5 48.Kb2

Position after: 48.Kb2

48...Ke4!

48...g6? 49.Ng4+ Kd4 50.f4=

49.Ng4 Kd3 50.Ne5+ Ke2 51.f4 Kf2 52.g4 Kg3!

450
Position after: 52...Kg3!

53.f5 Kf4 54.Nd7 Kxg4 55.f6 gxf6 56.Nxf6+ Kg3–+

Example 10
From Bacrot – So
chess.com 2017

White to move

56.Bc2?!

451
For a long time in the game, White had been playing for a win, but now would have been a good time
to stop. 56.Kf5 Nxa4 57.g4=

56.Bc2?! Kd5!

After this move, the situation changes dramatically and White already needs to think about how to save
the position, but he is playing purely by inertia.

57.g4?

Only an immediate retreat led to salvation. 57.Kg4! Kd4 58.Kf3 e4+ 59.Kf2 Nd5

Position after: 59...Nd5

60.Bb1! [60.g4? Ne3!–+] 60...Nxb4 61.g4 Nd5 62.g5 Nf4 63.Ke1 [63.Kf1 Ke3 64.Bc2=] 63...a6
64.Bc2 b5 65.axb5 axb5 66.Bb1 b4 67.Bc2

452
Position after: 67.Bc2

Black cannot strengthen his position and is unable to convert the extra pawn, for example: 67...Ke3
[67...e3 68.g6=] 68.Kf1 Kf3 69.Bd1+ Kg3 70.Ke1 e3 71.Kf1=.

57...Kd4!

The winning move. The game continued 57...e4? 58.Kf4 Kd4 59.g5= 0-1 (66).

58.Kh4 e4 59.Kg3 Ke3!

453
Position after: 59...Ke3!

60.Bb3

60.g5 Kd2 61.Bb3 [61.g6 e3 62.g7 e2–+] 61...e3 62.Bc4 Ne4+ 63.Kf4

Position after: 63.Kf4

63...Nxg5 64.Kxg5 e2–+

60...Ne2+ 61.Kg2 Nd4 62.Bc4

62.Bd1 Kd2–+

454
Position after: 62...Kd2–+

62...Kf4–+

Example 11
From Shankland – Dreev
Havana 2018

White to move

In view of the weakened pawn structure, White is clearly better. However, if he lacks precision, it can

455
slip away - which is what happened in the game.

24.Bf1!

In the game, the white bishop retreated to a seemingly active position, but unintentionally protected the
weak c5-pawn. 24.Bc4 and after 24...Kf8 25.Na4 Rc8 26.f3 Nd7 27.Kf2 Bc6 28.Nc3 a5

Position after: 28...a5

29.Bb5 Nb6 30.a4 Bxb5 31.Nxb5 Rd8 White’s advantage is a thing of the past, ½–½.

24.Bf1! Kf8 25.Na4 Rc8 26.g3!

456
Position after: 26.g3!

Only now does the meaning of the bishop retreat become clear.

26...g6 27.Bh3 Rc7 28.Rc1 Ne4 29.Bg2±

White wins a pawn and retains good winning chances.

Example 12
From Galliamova – Nakhbayeva
Khanty-Mansiysk 2018

457
Black to move

17...Ng4!

The black knight goes to e5 from where, if necessary, it can transfer to the d3-square. In the game,
Black decided to reinforce the c4-pawn first: 17...b5?! but after 18.b3©

Position after: 18.b3©

White has full compensation for the pawn, therefore it is no good: 18...a5?! 19.Rxd8+ [19.Be7?
Rxd1+µ] 19...Rxd8 in view of 20.e5!±.

17...Ng4! 18.Bf1

18.b3 Ne5 19.f4 Nd3 20.Rc2 b5µ

18...b5

458
Position after: 18...b5

19.Be2

19.b3?! a5µ

19...Ne5

19...Nf6!? 20.b3 a5µ

20.f4 Rxd1+ 21.Nxd1 Nd7 22.b3 a5!µ

459
Position after: 22...a5!µ

Example 13
From Dreev – Movsesian
Olginka 2011

White to move

White’s position is clearly preferable: the c5-pawn is weak and the kingside structure is somewhat
spoiled. This is not enough to obtain a serious advantage though — it is necessary to create additional

460
weaknesses in the opponent’s position.

27.h3!

Threatening g2-g4, and Black cannot prevent it.

27...Ke7

27...h5 Attempting to prevent White’s plans only aggravates Black’s case. 28.e4!± … 28...fxe4 29.fxe4

Position after: 29.fxe4

The black h-pawn, who did not have time to experience the joys of life, disappears from the board.

28.g4 fxg4 29.hxg4 Rh8 30.Rh1±

461
Position after: 30.Rh1±

Black still has concerns about the c5-pawn, and a weak h7-pawn has now been added to the mix.

462
 Show in Text Mode

Chapter 6
Exercises

1
Grandelius, N. – Dubov, D.

■ Find the killer move for Black.

Show/Hide Solution

1...Re6!

After the exchange of rooks, White is defenseless against the black pawns’ desire to become queens...

2.Rxe6 Bxe6 3.Nc1 a5 4.Bb5 a4 5.Kf2

463
Position after: 5.Kf2

5...Bxa2! 6.Nxa2 b3

The dream of promotion will come true, but for which one of the two pawns still remains a mystery: 0-
1 (40) Grandelius, N (2653) – Dubov, D (2677) Bremen 2017.

2
Grischuk, A. – Caruana, F.

464
□ 1.Qb5+ or 1.b7?

Show/Hide Solution

1.Qb5+!

The game continued 1.b7?! Qxg3+ 2.Kf7 Qf3+

Position after: 2...Qf3+

3.Ke8 [3.Ke7 Bc5+=] 3...Qh5+ 4.Kd8 Qh8+ 5.Kc7 Qg7+ 6.Kc6 Ba7= ½-½ (81) Grischuk, A (2782)
– Caruana, F (2799) Saint Louis 2017.

1.Qb5+! Kc3 2.b7

465
Position after: 2.b7

At first sight, it seems as though giving the “key” central pawn to Black is not a wise choice, but this is
not case.

2...Qxg3+

2...Qxe4+ 3.Kf6 Ba7 4.Qxe5+ Bd4 5.b8=Q+–

3.Kf7

466
Position after: 3.Kf7

3...Qf2+!

A) 3...Qf3+ 4.Ke7+–
B) 3...Qf4+ 4.Ke8+–

4.Ke6 Ba7

Position after: 4...Ba7

5.b8=Q

5.Qxe5+ Kb4 6.b8=Q+ Bxb8 7.Qxb8+ Kxa4 would be a similar amount of fun for Black.

5...Bxb8 6.Qxb8 Qa2+ 7.Ke7+–

Despite the efforts from Black, his position remains difficult.

3
Short, N. – Perez Gormaz, M.

467
□ 1.Re4, or the straightforward 1.Rf3+?

Show/Hide Solution

1.Re4!±

With a clear advantage for White.

In the game, he could not resist the opportunity to obtain activity with the help of checks, getting the
rook to the seventh rank. 1.Rf3+ Ke7 2.Rf7+ Ke6

468
Position after: 2...Ke6

However, it turns out that the black pawns are invulnerable due to the counterattacking resource that is
Black’s ...Rc8-f8, and after 3.f4 there is 3...Rc7!= and White’s former advantage is now merely a
distant memory.

4
Oleksienko, M. – Shankland, S.

469
□ White only has one winning move, using his rook. Find it!

Show/Hide Solution

48.Rd4!!+–

Only this move leads to a win. The most natural move lets the win slip away. 48.Kxb6? Re3!=

Position after: 48...Re3!=

The rook is placed behind the passed e-pawn and Black will have time to set his own passed pawns in
motion: 49.b5 f3 50.Ka7 f2 51.b6 h5 52.b7

470
Position after: 52.b7

52...Ra3+ 53.Kb8 Rf3 54.Ka8 Ra3+ 55.Kb8 Rf3 56.Rf1 h4 57.Ka7 Ra3+ 58.Kb6 Rb3+ 59.Ka6 Ra3+
60.Kb5 Rb3+ 61.Kc4 Rxb7 62.Rxf2 h3 63.Rh2

Position after: 63.Rh2

½-½ Oleksiyenko, M (2596) – Shankland, S (2591) Germany 2013.

48.Rd4!!+– Re3

471
48...f3 49.Rf4 f2 50.Rxf2 Kxd5 51.e7 Re3 52.Rf7+–

49.Rxf4 Kxd5 50.Rh4 Rxe6 51.Rxh7

Position after: 51.Rxh7

With an easy win, for example:

51...Kd4 52.b5 Kd5 53.Rd7+ Kc5 54.Rc7+ Kd5 55.Kb7 Rf6 56.Rc6+–

5
Shankland, S. – Robson, R.

472
□ It is obvious that Black may encounter problems with the defense of the a-pawn. How should he
proceed?

Show/Hide Solution

26.Qa8?

The idea is correct, but the execution is not.

Correct was 26.Be2! a5 and only now 27.Qa8 Qe6 28.Kf1.

473
Position after: 28.Kf1

Black is unable to hold onto the a-pawn. 28...a4 29.Bb5±

26.Qa8? Kf8 27.Be2 Qa3!=

Position after: 27...Qa3!=

28.Qxa6 Qxc3 29.Qc4 Qxc4 30.Bxc4 Ke7

½-½

474
 6
Sarana, A. – Dubov, D.

■ 24...Rxa2 or 24...fxe3?

Show/Hide Solution

24...fxe3?

In a practical game situation, such moves often seem necessary and we play them without giving it
much thought, sometimes missing significant chances. Indeed, Black missed a great opportunity here.
24...Rxa2!

475
Position after: 24...Rxa2!

A) 25.exf4 Re8+! 26.Kf1 [26.Ne5 f6µ] 26...Ree2µ

B) 25.Kf1 Rb2µ the doubling of the black rooks on the second rank is inevitable.

24...fxe3? 25.fxe3 Rxa2 26.Kf1

Position after: 26.Kf1

26...Bh6

476
No longer dangerous was 26...Rb2 27.Ne5 Raa2? in view of 28.Rxf7±.

27.Re1 R8a3 28.Rxd5 Bxe3 29.Re2 Ra1+ 30.Re1 Rxe1+ 31.Kxe1=

Position after: 31.Kxe1=

31...Bf4 32.Kf2 Ra2+ 33.Kf1 Kg7 34.Rb5 Kf6 35.Rb3 Ra1+ 36.Kf2 Ra2+ 37.Kf1 h5 38.g3 Bd6
39.Rb6 Ke7 40.Rb7+ Kf6 41.Rb6 Ke7 42.Rb7+

½-½ Sarana, A (2587) – Dubov, D (2696) Sochi 2018.

7
Caruana, F. – Hou Yifan

477
■ In order to find a win, first of all, Black must realize that normal moves will not suffice, and therefore
he needs to look for something special...

Show/Hide Solution

65...Ke2!

In the game, the limited amount of material allowed White to escape after 65...Ne2+ 66.Kb2 Kd2
67.Bxd5 Nxc3 68.Bc6 and the position is a fortress.

478
Position after: 68.Bc6

68...Nd1+ 69.Kb1 Ne3 70.Be4 c3 71.Bh7 Nc4 72.Ka2 Ne5 73.Be4 Ke3 74.Bh7 Nc6 75.Bg6 Kd2
76.Be4 Nd4 77.Kb1= ½–½ (98) Caruana, F (2784) – Hou Yifan (2654) Baden Baden 2018.

65...Ke2! 66.Bc6 Ke1

Position after: 66...Ke1

67.Bb7

479
67.Bxb5 Ne2+ 68.Kb2 Kd2 69.Bc6 Nxc3 70.Bd7 d4–+

67...b4!!

And here it is, something special! Only with the help of this etude-like idea is Black now able to realize
his advantage.

68.cxb4 axb4 69.axb4

Position after: 69.axb4

69...Nd3+! 70.Kb1 Nxb4 71.c3 Kd2 72.Kb2 d4–+

8
Kashlinskaya, A. – Dordzhieva, D.

480
□ White to move: is he winning or not?

Show/Hide Solution

46.b5!

Yes, he is. But he has to find a series of good moves.

46.Re8

481
Position after: 46.Re8

46...Kf5 [46...Rxb4? could however lead to a nice trick: 47.Rxe4++–.] 47.Rb8 Kg4! is just a move
repetition, and now 48.b5.

46.b5! Rxf2

Position after: 46...Rxf2

47.b6!

482
The game was reduced to an elementary draw. 47.Rg8+? Kh5 48.b6 Rb2 49.Rb8 Kg6 50.Kg3 e3
51.Kf3 e2 52.Kf2 Kg7 53.g4 Kh7= ½-½ (69) Kashlinskaya, A (2459) – Dordzhieva, D (2294)
Moscow 2018.

47...Rf7 48.Rg8+ Kf4 49.Rg3!

Position after: 49.Rg3!

The idea of transferring the rook to behind the pawn is of course a simple one. What scared White was
probably the active placement of the black king.

49...Ke5

A) 49...e3 50.Rf3++–
B) 49...Rh7+ 50.Rh3 Rb7 51.Rb3+–

50.Rb3 Rb7 51.Kg3+–

9
Wyss, T. – Sinkovics, P.

483
□ 1.Rb6 or 1.b6?

Show/Hide Solution

58.Rb6!

A) The game continued with the trivial 58.b6? Kg8 59.Kf5 Kf7

484
Position after: 59...Kf7

60.Rh6 Rb5+ 61.Ke4 Ke8 62.Kd4 Kd7 63.Kc4 Rb1 64.Kc5 Kc8 ½-½ Wyss, T (2255) – Sinkovics, P
(2415) Biel 1995.
B) 58.Rd5 Kg7 59.Kf5 Kf7 60.Ke5 Ke7 61.Kd4 Ke6=

58.Rb6! Kg7 59.Kf5

Position after: 59.Kf5

59...Kf7

59...Re2 60.Rb7+! Kf8 61.b6 Ke8 62.Rh7+– was not enough to save the game.

60.Rb7+!

But not 60.Ke5?

485
Position after: 60.Ke5?

60...Rd2! [60...Ke7? 61.Rb7+ Kd8 62.Kd6 Kc8 63.Kc6 Rg2 64.Kb6+–] 61.Rd6 Rb2=

60...Ke8 61.Ke6 Kd8 62.Kd6 Kc8 63.Kc6 Rh2 64.Kb6

Transitioning into the well-known theoretical position which is winning for White.

Position after: 64.Kb6

64...Rb2 65.Rh7 Rb1 66.Rh8+ Kd7 67.Rb8!+–

486
 10
Rozum, I. – Sjugirov, S.

□ White’s advantage is beyond doubt. However, he would like to achieve something more substantial.
How?

Show/Hide Solution

10

39.Kf4?!

White overlooked the winning maneuver and eventually threw away most of the advantage.
Winning was 39.Rb8+ Kd7 40.Rf8! Ke6 41.Rd8!.

487
Position after: 41.Rd8!

Unexpectedly, in the center of the board, White woves a mating net around the black king. So, as not to
get checkmated, Black is forced to give up the exchange and White obtains a technically won endgame.
41...h5 [41...Rb3 42.Kf4 Rd3 43.Rb8 Rb3 44.Nc5+ bxc5 45.Rxb3 cxd4 46.e4+–] 42.Kf4 Rb5

Position after: 42...Rb5

43.Nc5+ [43.Nc3!?+–] 43...Rxc5 [43...bxc5?? 44.d5#] 44.dxc5 bxc5 45.Ke4 Bc3 46.Ra8+–

39.Kf4?! Kf8 40.Rb8+ Kg7 41.Kf3 Rb3 42.Nc5?!

488
Position after: 42.Nc5?!

Spoiling the rest of the advantage.

42...Ra3! 43.Rxb6 Bxd4 44.Rb5

½-½ Rozum, I (2573) – Sjugirov, S (2654) Khanty-Mansiysk 2018.

11
Dreev, A. – Illescas Cordoba, M.

489
■ Black is winning in one way only: how to proceed?

Show/Hide Solution

11

60...f6!–+

An easily winning prophylactic move. It is important to remove the e5-square from the white king.
A) 60...h5? 61.Ke5 Kh6 62.Kf5!=

490
Position after: 62.Kf5!=

Now Black cannot strengthen his position. 62...f6 [62...h4 63.Kg4 f5+ 64.Bxf5 Ne3+ 65.Kxh4 Nxf5+
66.Kg4=] 63.Bc6 Kg7 64.Be8 Kh6 65.Bc6 Ne1 66.Be4 h4 67.Kg4 Ng2 68.Kh3=

Position after: 68.Kh3=

and soon after a draw was agreed: ½–½ (84) Dreev, A (2610) – Illescas Cordoba, M (2545) Logrono
1991.
B) 60...Nh4 61.Ke5 Ng6+ 62.Kf5 Kh6 63.Kg4=

491
 C) 60...Kh6 61.Ke5=

60...f6!–+ 61.Bf5 Ne3

Position after: 61...Ne3

62.Bh3

62.Ke4 Nxf5 63.Kxf5 h5 64.Kxf4 Kg6–+

62...Kg6–+

12
Esipenko, A. – Leko, P.

492
□ Find a decisive move to convert the extra pawn into a win.

Show/Hide Solution

12

37.Qb2?

Winning was the simple 37.Ne4!.

493
Position after: 37.Ne4!

The white knight on d6 is beautifully situated, but there is nothing for him to do there. It was necessary
to regroup as quickly as possible. 37...Bxe4 38.Qxe4+ f5 [38...Qf5? obviously leads to a lost pawn
endgame.] 39.Qxe6 Qe1+ 40.Kh2 Qxf2 41.d5 f4 42.Qe4++–

37.Qb2? Qd5 38.Qb4

Position after: 38.Qb4

And here Black cannot transfer the bishop in time.

38...Bd3?!

A) Correct was 38...h5!. Black wants to advance the pawn to h4, which will obviously complicate the
conversion of the extra pawn for White. On the other hand, White can prevent this by playing 39.h4,
when White could clearly win in the case of a transition into a queen endgame. [39.Nc8 Qb3 40.Qc5
Qd1+ 41.Kh2 Qd2= … 42.Kg3? h4+!µ; 39.Nc4 Qe4 40.Qxa4 Qb1+ 41.Kh2 Qa2² 42.Qc6 Qxf2
43.Qxe6 Qa2 44.Qc6 h4²] 39...Qb3! 40.Qxb3 axb3 41.Nc4 Be4 42.f3 Bd5 43.Nb2

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Position after: 43.Nb2

43...g5! Changing the relation of the h-pawns. 44.e4 Bc6 45.g3 [45.a4 gxh4 46.a5 Bb7=] 45...Kg6
46.Kf2 f5 47.Ke3 f4+ 48.Kf2 fxg3+ 49.Kxg3 gxh4+ 50.Kxh4 Bb5=
B) In case of the immediate ≤ 38...Qb3 39.Qxb3 axb3 40.Nc4±

Position after: 40.Nc4±

White’s kingside is less vulnerable and he can therefore count on the aid of his king on the queenside.

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39.Qc5 Qa2 40.Ne8 Qb1+ 41.Kh2 Bg6 42.Nc7+–

Position after: 42.Nc7+–

13
Wojtaszek, R. – Jobava, B.

□ Which is the better move between 28.Bxd4 or 28.Rxd4?

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 Show/Hide Solution

13
White’s choice of moves here cannot be considered as very many, but the difference in strength
between the two possible continuations is significant.

28.Bxd4?

Correct was 28.Rxd4!. White probably did not consider this move to be very solid. Indeed, after
28...Ne3 the pieces are hanging, but if White coolly “keeps the thread” with 29.Rf2!

Position after: 29.Rf2!

it turns out that the attacks from the minor pieces are not that dangerous, and the threat of Ne4–d6 may
force Black to reconsider his life choices... For example: 29...N5g4 [29...N3g4 30.Rf4±; 29...Rac8
30.b4±] 30.Nd6 [30.Rf4!?±] 30...Nxf2 31.Kxf2 Bd5 32.Nxe8 Rxe8 33.b4±.

28.Bxd4? Nxh2!

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Position after: 28...Nxh2!

White possibly forgot about this move.

29.Rf5?!

A) ¹ 29.Kxh2 Bxe4 30.Bxe4 Ng4+ 31.Kg3 Rxe4 32.Rf4 Rxf4 33.Kxf4 h5 34.b4 f6=
B) ¹ 29.Rf4 Ng6™ 30.Rxf7 Kxf7 31.Nd6+ Kg8 32.Kxh2 Bd5 33.Nxe8 Rxe8=

29...Rad8³

14
Karthikeyan, M. – Libiszewski, F.

498
□ How can White achieve a clear advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

14

17.Nd5+!

In the game, White was unable to hinder the appearance of the black knight on c4 and the position
quickly became equal. 17.g4 Nc4 18.Bxc4 Bxc4 19.Re1 b4= 1-0 (37) Karthikeyan, M (2570) –
Libiszewski, F (2481) Gibraltar 2019.

17.Nd5+! Bxd5 18.exd5 Rcc8 19.b3!

It is important not to allow the black knight to c4. It is precisely for this reason that White should have
proceeded to exchange his knight and cause alterations to the pawn structure. Weakening the c3-square
does not play a significant role here as the knight cannot get there, and the rook will not stay there for
long.

19...Nb7

19...Rc3 20.Bf2 Rac8 21.Rc1 Nb7 22.Kb2 g5 23.Rdd1 h5 24.Bd3±

20.a3

Played in order to block the potential advance of the b-pawn.

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Restricting the movement of the knight by means of 20.b4? is premature in view of 20...a5.

20...Nc5

20...Nh5 21.b4!±

21.g4±

Later on, White will strive to open up the game via the flanks, after which the pair of bishops and
potential weakness of the queenside should give him an advantage.

500
Table of Contents
Title page 3
Key to Symbols 4
Foreword by Alexander Hart 5
Chapter 1 – Particular Endgames 6
Exercises 52
Chapter 2 – Defense 78
Chapter 3 – Hidden Resources 196
Chapter 4 – Prophylaxis 273
Chapter 5 – Pawn Endgames and Transitioning into Pawn Endgames 316
Chapter 6 – Converting 374

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