Lessons From York IV

MY round-five game, in which I had white against Shriaansh Ganti (2144), could have reached the following position after 35 moves.

It would have arisen after an exchange of rooks on d8

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I rejected the line because, although I knew White was better, I feared Black could stop my king from entering the black position by keeping pawns on b7 and f7.

However Stockfish17 and Dragon1 reckon White is winning, so I think it should be instructive playing the position out.

In what follows I will take black, with Stockfish17 - definitely a better endgame-player than Dragon1 - commanding white.

36.Ke4

The only winning move, according to the engines, but obvious enough.

36...Kd7 37.Kd5

Again probably an only-move, but again pretty obvious.

37...Kc7 38.h4 Kd7 39.a4 Kc7 40.g4 Kd7 41.g5 Kc7 42.Kc5 b6+

Not what I want to play, but 42...Kd7 43.Kb6 Kc8 44.Ka7 Kc7 45.b5 axb5 46.axb5 Kc8 47.b6 will see the b7 pawn drop.

43.Kd5 Kd7 44.h5 Kc7 45.h6 gxh6 46.gxh6 Kd7 47.b5 axb5 48.axb5 Kc7 49.Kf5 Kd7 50.Kf6 Ke8

Or 50...Kd6 51.Kxf7 Kc5 52.Kg7 Kxb5 53.f4 etc.

51.Kg7 1-0

LESSON: space matters, even in an ending.