Rook Endings - Books Say Draw, But…
Few months ago, my colleague journalist Ozgur Akman and I were reviewing the game Nana Dzagnidze - Natalia Zhukova, played on that day at the European Club Cup, and I still remember the amazement that Black had lost a Rook ending with three pawns against four on the same side.
Most of the chess books teach us that this ending should be drawn, although with careful play from the weaker side. Apparently, Zhukova did everything as advised, but then lost surprisingly easy in the subsequent ending with a pawn against two opponent’s. I tried to figure out what was happening and how could Black improve the play, and after consulting three endgame books plus some analysis, I am still unsure whether I know the answer.
The critical segment, together with few diagrams, is bellow. I think we should seek for improvements in both stages - four vs three and two vs one. Share your ideas and analysis.
52. Rg5 Re2 53. Kf4 Ra2 54. g3 Ra6 55. Rb5 Rc6 56. g4
56…hxg4 57. Kxg4 Rc1 58. h5 gxh5+ 59. Rxh5 Ra1 60. Rb5
60…Ra6 61. f4 Rc6 62. Rb7 Ra6 63. e5+ Ke6 64. Kg5 Ra1 65. f5+ Kxe5 66. Re7+ Kd6 67. Rxf7 Rf1 68. Ra7 Ke5 69. Re7+ Kd6 70. f6 Rg1+ 71. Kh6 Rg2 72. Re1 1-0
Rivair Miranda said,
Wrote on March 15, 2009 @ 5:34 pm
Thank you for considering this nice ending. Well I know we don’t have always to trust computer analysis. And I do not know what Fritz 11 or Rybka “thinks” of this ending but Fritz 8 do not like 52…Re2. It suggests 52…Kg7 when White could follow 53.Kh3+/-. This could mean that black would be lost in the long run. Even with best play.
Goran Urosevic said,
Wrote on March 17, 2009 @ 10:54 am
Thank you for the feedback
I didn’t try with engines, I am not sure how much helpful they can be.
I was thinking that Black should prevent White from taking on g4 with the King (move 57), because Paul Keres showed that Black can hold when f-pawn recaptures on g4.
In the subsequent endgame R+2P vs R+1P, which is much harder in my opinion, Black King looks very clumsy and is literally overrun by White Pawns. Perhaps Black should move his King back to f8 or e7 if possible.
passerby said,
Wrote on March 18, 2009 @ 10:01 pm
Although the computer’s move seems like a strong option, I think it is still possible to salvage the game with 54…Rh2. White cannot push g4, but cannot move the king back to drive away the black rook. If white tries to drive the black king back, Rf2 or Rg2 should keep the white king honest. 54…Rg2 also works, since a pawn push will lead to a divided pawn structure, and 2 vs 1 on the g and h files is a draw. After 55. Rg5 Rh2, white has made no progress.
Even once the position has progressed to 2v1, it is only misplay by black that allows white to drive the king away from the pawn. The key, I think, is to force white to block his own pawns. I think 60…Ra4 is the strongest move, but Rg1 accomplishes the same objective. I think keeping the rook on the 6th rank was the mistake—it’s actually the 7th rank that require defense! So 60…Ra7 should also lead to a draw.
Thanks for the example–it shows what to avoid in these sorts of rook endings.
Goran Urosevic said,
Wrote on March 18, 2009 @ 10:49 pm
Thank you for the comment. This is a great suggestion on how to discourage White’s g4. Muller and Lamprecht have a potentially instructive example in their “Fundamental Chess Endings”, but they failed to highlight the importance of what you just wrote. (Sokolov-Chernin, 1991).
As for the 2 vs 1 ending, I cannot be sure. If Black just keeps his Rook on the 7th rank, White can advance with pawns to e5 and f5, place the King on g5, and continue Rb8, f6+, Re8 and e6 and I think he breaks through. (Seen similar maneuver in Keres book)
Rivair Miranda said,
Wrote on March 19, 2009 @ 7:02 pm
How could Black prevent White from taking the pawn with the king in the move 57?
Rivair Miranda said,
Wrote on March 19, 2009 @ 7:03 pm
What’s the Keres’ book you talk about?
Goran Urosevic said,
Wrote on March 19, 2009 @ 7:06 pm
Similar to what passerby wrote, hold the Rook on “g” or “h”-file as long as White King is on f4. There are enough squares for the Rook and White cannot temporize.
Rivair Miranda said,
Wrote on March 19, 2009 @ 7:08 pm
The computer option is strong because it prevents White from advancing the king to f4. After 52…Re2? 53.Kf4 +-. With 52…Kg7! 53.Kf4? f6=
Goran Urosevic said,
Wrote on March 19, 2009 @ 7:08 pm
“Practical Chess Endings” by Paul Keres
http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Chess-Endings-Batsford-Book/dp/0713442107/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237486027&sr=1-1
Rivair Miranda said,
Wrote on March 19, 2009 @ 7:12 pm
Could you please add some variatiosn too your comments so I know what you’re really talking about?
Goran Urosevic said,
Wrote on March 19, 2009 @ 7:15 pm
52…Kg7! 53.Kf4? f6= is looking very good! I wouldn’t think of it.
Rivair Miranda said,
Wrote on March 19, 2009 @ 7:27 pm
54…Rh2 55.Re5; 54…Rg2 55.Ra5
Thanks for saying the book’s title. I’ve just bought it in Spanish language.
Goran Urosevic said,
Wrote on March 19, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
I hope you will find it useful.
In few days I will compile a new post with all the suggestions given in the comments.
Charles Irvine said,
Wrote on March 23, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
Passerby is correct that 2 Pawns versus 1 is still drawn and that 60…Ra4 is the thematic way of preventing the setup of e5, f5 and the white king on g5.
“Practical Chess Endings” by Paul Keres (descriptive version) has diagram 195 on page 151.
I will translate into algebraic for your readers the main variation.
To see the rest of his comments – buy the book!
with WK on f5, WR on b6, pawns on e5 and f4
with BK on e7, BR on c7, pawn on f7
“This position arose in a game played in Moscow, 1956. It had to be adjudicated and was given a win for White. However, Levenfish later pointed out the following draw:”
1 K-g5 R-c5!
“The only defense to prevent White setting up a winning position similar to diagram 194
by playing” 2 f4 to f5
2 K-h6 R-c1
3 R-b7+ K-f8
4 f4-f5
“White has now apparently reached his goal and is threatening to win by” 5 R-b8+ and 6 f5-f6+. “However, in order to obtain this position, White’s king has to leave the pawns. Black can use this circumstance to set up a successful defense.”
4… R-g1!
“Again the only defense, cutting off White’s king.”
5 R-b8+ K-e7
6 f5-f6+
“There is no other way to make progress.
6… K-e6
7 R-e8+ K-f5
8 K-h7 R-g2
9 R-e7 R-g5!
“Black must be careful”
To see the rest of his comments – buy the book!
10 Rxf7 Kxe5
11 R-g7 Kxf6 Draw
Пахомов said,
Wrote on July 12, 2009 @ 12:58 am
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