" In order to improve your game, you must study endgame before anything else" - Capablanca
The Importance of studying the Endgame in Chess can never be overstated.As the Cuban World Champion has said, it is very important for every student of the game. I would like to deal with a couple of examples on the topic of fortresses in endgames. It always appeals to the spectator when a side with a material disadvantage holds his own in a seemingly lost battle. Like the attractiveness of sacrifice in chess, this too captures the imagination of players and annotators alike.
While watching the game Lupulescu-Navara from the European Club Cup a few days ago, I came across a wonderful example of a fortress. Immediately I was reminded of two wonderful examples from Averbakh's Best Games which I will share here.
First here is a study by the great Composer Kasparian.Try and find what White should do to save this game?
The solution to this study is very pretty. But (Un)fortunately there is a cook which was also found by Kasparian as mentioned by Averbakh which prevented the composition from winning a prize.Once you have tried to solve this study, take a look at the replayable board for the two solutions.
The Importance of studying the Endgame in Chess can never be overstated.As the Cuban World Champion has said, it is very important for every student of the game. I would like to deal with a couple of examples on the topic of fortresses in endgames. It always appeals to the spectator when a side with a material disadvantage holds his own in a seemingly lost battle. Like the attractiveness of sacrifice in chess, this too captures the imagination of players and annotators alike.
While watching the game Lupulescu-Navara from the European Club Cup a few days ago, I came across a wonderful example of a fortress. Immediately I was reminded of two wonderful examples from Averbakh's Best Games which I will share here.
First here is a study by the great Composer Kasparian.Try and find what White should do to save this game?
The solution to this study is very pretty. But (Un)fortunately there is a cook which was also found by Kasparian as mentioned by Averbakh which prevented the composition from winning a prize.Once you have tried to solve this study, take a look at the replayable board for the two solutions.
This is a critical moment from the game Averbakh-Bondarevsky USSR 1948. This is black to move and there is only one way for black to win the game. Can you find out what it is?
Averbakh explains in his best games as to how knowledge of Kasparian's study helped him steer his game towards a fortress. Here are the notes to the key moments of the game by the oldest Grandmaster alive.
Finally coming to the Lupulescu-Navara game from the European Club Cup. This is one critical moment from the game
White to move has a unique way to win here. This was pointed out by International Master Sagar Shah. White missed it and the game resulted in a draw later. I analyzed the endgame and then discussed it with Grandmaster Sandipan Chanda. We found some interesting ideas just before reaching this endgame.There are still some unanswered questions left as always! I present the product of our analysis here.
Despite the presence of an extra h-pawn. This position still seems to be an unbreachable fortress.
Some practical pointers derived from the analysis were.
1.The defensive side has to reach Kg7 Rook e6,g6 or h6.
2. Should not allow White's pawn to reach h6
3. Not allow White's Queen to f8.
4.If white has two h-pawns still the position is a draw if black reaches the safe squares e6 or h6 with King on g7 and h7. Black loses in that Qg3-h5 line because he is forced out of the safe square!!
5. For the side, with the Queen, there are always tactical ideas even if it's just one tempo before the rook reaches the safe square, like in this example and also the Averbakh game.
My Thanks to Sandipan Chanda and Sagar Shah. Special thanks also to Averbakh and Kasparian for enriching chess literature through their works.
In Conclusion, I would like to mention that Grandmaster Sandipan Chanda is one of the most creative minds of our country. Apart from being a fine player, he is also an avid composer. I give below his latest composition for the readers to solve and enjoy.
Black to move
Excellent!
ReplyDeleteYour lifelong efforts on chess are blossoming. May God be kind further.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Grandmaster! You have an entertaining and captivating writing style... I also greatly admire your love for the endgame and the classics! Keep the good work!
ReplyDelete