I don’t find anything concrete. But I would like to start with 1…….. e3! 2. fxe3 Kc2 (threatening Kb2 – Rd1 – a1Q) 3. Ra8 Kb2 4. Rb8+ (forced, to keep the black king away from the ‘a’ pawn) 4….. Kc3 5. Ra8 ( If 5. Rc8+ Kd3 6. Ra8 Kxe3 -+ ) 5….. e4!? 6. Ra7 ( White has no useful move. If 6. Kf2 Rh1! 7. Rxa2 Rh2+ -+ ) ( If 6. Ra3+ Kb2 7. Ra8 Rd1!-+ ) 6….. Rd1! (threatening a1Q) 7. Rxa2 Rd2+ 8. Rxd2 Kxd2 9. Kf2 Kd3 10. Ke1 Kxe3 0-1 Theoretically won endgame. I hope I have not missed out anything.
For those at a loss for how to proceed, this endgame study was posted on August 15th or 16th of this year, on this site. The key comment in that thread was Cortex’s that discussed white’s most tenacious defense, though you will want to scroll down and see my correction of a minor typographical mistake Cortex made in transcribing his notes (he misnumbered a move).
If you are at a loss at how to proceed, just look this puzzle up in the archives. It was posted on August 15th or 16th of this year on Ms. Polgar’s site. Cortex had the key comment/solution, though you will have to note the misnumbered move in that comment.
Haridaran: You’re correct and your analysis doesn’t have any flaws!
On 6.Kf2 Rd1 with the same idea as your main line wins too.
It seems now that 2…Kc2 is another solution, which is a rather good piece of news since the line we discussed in the original posting with Yancey Ward was less natural and of practical value, although very instructive.
The fact that you swap rooks on d2 rather than b2 eliminates a not-so-trivial variation.
Note to passersby: in case of two blocked pawns like e3 and e4 and a defensive king (behind his pawn), if the black king can reach any of the squares b3, c3 or d3 the e3-pawn will fall by zugzwang. Check it yourself!
Rather odd that none ever considered not playing e4 at move 2 for black in the lines starting with 1. …e3. Nice job, Haridaran. I can find no holes in your analysis.
This is a repost. Still magnificent endgame!
I don’t find anything concrete. But I would like to start with
1…….. e3!
2. fxe3 Kc2
(threatening Kb2 – Rd1 – a1Q)
3. Ra8 Kb2
4. Rb8+ (forced, to keep the black king away from the ‘a’ pawn)
4….. Kc3
5. Ra8
( If 5. Rc8+ Kd3
6. Ra8 Kxe3 -+ )
5….. e4!?
6. Ra7
( White has no useful move.
If 6. Kf2 Rh1!
7. Rxa2 Rh2+ -+ )
( If 6. Ra3+ Kb2
7. Ra8 Rd1!-+ )
6….. Rd1! (threatening a1Q)
7. Rxa2 Rd2+
8. Rxd2 Kxd2
9. Kf2 Kd3
10. Ke1 Kxe3 0-1
Theoretically won endgame.
I hope I have not missed out anything.
Hi Susan Polgar,
Why again the same post – This puzzle had already been discussed in length.
I don’t think,it needs further attention.
By
Venky [ India – Chennai ]
For those at a loss for how to proceed, this endgame study was posted on August 15th or 16th of this year, on this site. The key comment in that thread was Cortex’s that discussed white’s most tenacious defense, though you will want to scroll down and see my correction of a minor typographical mistake Cortex made in transcribing his notes (he misnumbered a move).
If you are at a loss at how to proceed, just look this puzzle up in the archives. It was posted on August 15th or 16th of this year on Ms. Polgar’s site. Cortex had the key comment/solution, though you will have to note the misnumbered move in that comment.
I’ve posted now on the original post a corrected main line with further notes perhaps worth their salt.
Thanks Yancey and Venky!
Haridaran:
You’re correct and your analysis doesn’t have any flaws!
On 6.Kf2 Rd1 with the same idea as your main line wins too.
It seems now that 2…Kc2 is another solution, which is a rather good piece of news since the line we discussed in the original posting with Yancey Ward was less natural and of practical value, although very instructive.
The fact that you swap rooks on d2 rather than b2 eliminates a not-so-trivial variation.
Note to passersby: in case of two blocked pawns like e3 and e4 and a defensive king (behind his pawn), if the black king can reach any of the squares b3, c3 or d3 the e3-pawn will fall by zugzwang. Check it yourself!
Rather odd that none ever considered not playing e4 at move 2 for black in the lines starting with 1. …e3. Nice job, Haridaran. I can find no holes in your analysis.
up board 10th Result 2014