Retreat to advance

by Karsten Müller
3/29/2022 – Rook endings have a large drawish tendency and in this case I thought that White can hold with a study-like defense. But ChessBase reader Frits Fritschy proved me wrong.

Endgames of the World Champions from Fischer to Carlsen Endgames of the World Champions from Fischer to Carlsen

Let endgame expert Dr Karsten Müller show and explain the finesses of the world champions. Although they had different styles each and every one of them played the endgame exceptionally well, so take the opportunity to enjoy and learn from some of the best endgames in the history of chess.

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Karsten Mueller in ChessBase Magazine

Do you like these lessons? There are plenty more by internationally renowned endgame expert Dr Karsten Müller in ChessBase Magazine, where you will also find openings articles and surveys, tactics, and of course annotations by the world's top grandmasters.

ChessBase Magazine #205

Order now at the ChessBase Shop ! Available as a download or on DVD.

ChessBase Magazine Exta #205

 Order now at the ChessBase Shop ! Available as download or on DVD.

Apart from his regular columns and video lectures in ChessBase Magazine there is a whole series of training DVDs by Karsten Mueller, which are bestsellers in the ChessBase Shop.

Karsten Mueller

Karsten Mueller regularly presents endgame lessons in the ChessBase Video Portal

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Karsten Müller is considered to be one of the greatest endgame experts in the world. His books on the endgame - among them "Fundamentals of Chess Endings", co-authored with Frank Lamprecht, that helped to improve Magnus Carlsen's endgame knowledge - and his endgame columns for the ChessCafe website and the ChessBase Magazine helped to establish and to confirm this reputation. Karsten's Fritztrainer DVDs on the endgame are bestsellers. The mathematician with a PhD lives in Hamburg, and for more than 25 years he has been scoring points for the Hamburger Schachklub (HSK) in the Bundesliga.

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Karsten Müller Karsten Müller 3/30/2022 08:21
brian8891: I agree. 45.Kb6? was the losing mistake.
Frits Fritschy Frits Fritschy 3/29/2022 05:48
I didn't have time to really analyse it earlier, but I thought it should be possible to get the king out of pins or checks by marching the f-pawn. It turns out now that the black rook can reach f3, and then after Kh1 it's over. Another way is 66... Rg2, play Rh2+, pawn to h4, rook back to g2 and the h-pawn promotes. There are some not too difficult side variations.
brian8871 brian8871 3/29/2022 02:03
Agreed, White is lost after 45. Kb6. Instead, 45 Re8+ should hold.
Karsten Müller Karsten Müller 3/29/2022 02:02
brian8871: I agree.
Karsten Müller Karsten Müller 3/29/2022 01:34
Frits Fritschy: Yes you are right and this refutes the whole exercise. White is lost from the beginning. My engine and I had overestimated White's queen. Very well done!
Frits Fritschy Frits Fritschy 3/29/2022 01:09
In your variation with 58... Kf1 I have serious doubts white can draw after 61... Rf5+. More possibly tonight.
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