A Not-so-Simple "Simple Endgame" Addendum

In response to yesterday's post, "A Not-so-Simple 'Simple Endgame' ". I received an email from Jerome Gambit Gemeinde member Bill Wall, who had more to say on that particular endgame. (I've added some diagrams.)



Rick,

Interesting opposite-colored endgame. I've had a few myself and they are hard.

So White played 31.b4 c6 32.c4 Bd7?!

which seems to get the bishop out of play. I would have tried 32...Be6, attacking the pawn. After 33.c5, then 33...Bb3 should hold for a draw.

Another idea is 32...Bf1, attacking the pawn. If 33.b5 Bxc4 34.bxc6 bxc6 should draw. If 33.c5, then 33...Kg6 should be OK for Black.

So after 32...Bd7 33.Kd2 Kg7 34.Kd3

34...Kf7. Perhaps 34...Bf5+ first, and after 35.Kd4, then 35...Kf7.

Now in the game White plays 35.Kd4 and I think now Black loses after 35...Ke6?, allowing 36.Kc5! and winning.


So instead of 35...Ke6, Black should play 35...c5+!.

The pawn cannot be ignored. If 36 bxc5, then 36...Bxa4 should draw.

If 36.Kxc5 Bxa4.
If White plays 37.Bb8, then 37...Ke6 looks OK.
If White plays 37.Kb6, then 37...Bc6 should hold for the draw.
If White plays 37.b5, then 37...Bb3 should draw.


Bill