Chess Endgames 14 - The golden guidelines of endgame play
Rules of thumb are the key to everything when you are having to set the correct course in a complex endgame. In this final DVD of his series on the endgame, our endgame specialist introduces you to the most important of these rules of thumb.
1. The initial position is clearly better for Black. But 29…Re8? gives Black's advantage away. After 29…h4 Black has great winning chances.
2. According to Karpov, 32.Qd3 is dubious. He proposes 32.h4 instead, with even play. In fact, both moves lead to a draw.
3. Karpov thought that 37.Ke3 loses and suggested 37.gxh4 instead. But analysis shows that the game move also leads to even play.
4. Both Kasparov and Karpov consider 44.d5 to be the losing move. But analysis shows that the position is still even.
5. 45.d4? is the first serious mistake by White and leads to a losing position. Better was 45.Ke3 and White is able to keep equality.
6. 45…f4? is a mistake and throws the win away. After 45…c6! Black is winning.
7. 47.Kg2? leads to a lost position. 47.c6 or 47.f5 or 47.fxg4+ would have led to equality.
8. 47…Bf5? is a mistake and throws the win away. Better is 47…c6 and Black is winning.
9. 48.Kf2? is a mistake. Better is either 48.c6 or 48.fxg4 with an even position.
10. 49…Be4+? is a mistake that throws the win away. Better is the subtle 49…c6 and Black is winning.
11. 51.Bb2? is the decisive mistake. White’s last chance was 51.c6!!, after which the position is even.
