When only one way leads to Rome

by Karsten Müller
4/27/2021 – In the diagram position White is two pawns up but has only one winning move. Which one?
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.
 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
1.e41,172,27354%2421---
1.d4951,24355%2434---
1.Nf3283,16356%2440---
1.c4182,99656%2442---
1.g319,77556%2427---
1.b314,39754%2427---
1.f45,92048%2377---
1.Nc33,83450%2384---
1.b41,76548%2379---
1.a31,22854%2405---
1.e31,07449%2409---
1.d395850%2378---
1.g466746%2361---
1.h445753%2378---
1.c343651%2426---
1.h328356%2419---
1.a411560%2464---
1.f39646%2431---
1.Nh39166%2508---
1.Na34262%2482---
1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.Qd3 g6 6.h4 h6 7.Bxf6 Nxf6 8.0-0-0 Bg7 9.Nh3 Be6 10.Nf4 Bf7 11.e4 e5 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.Qe3 Qc8 14.exf5 Qxf5 15.Nfd5 Nxd5 16.cxd5 0-0 17.Bd3 e4 18.Bxe4 Qf6 19.g4 Qa6 20.Qd3 Qb6 21.f3 Rad8 22.Rd2 Rd6 23.Rhd1 Qa5 24.Kb1 Rb6 25.Ne2 c6 26.Nf4 Qb4 27.Qc2 Qd6 28.dxc6 Qxf4 29.cxb7 Rxb2+ 30.Qxb2 Bxb2 31.Rxb2 Be6 32.Rbd2 Qc7 33.Rc1 Qe5 34.Rc6 Kg7 35.Rdd6 Bf7 36.Rd7 Qb5+ 37.Kc1 Qf1+ 38.Rd1 Qb5 39.Rc8 Re8 40.b8Q Qxb8 41.Rxb8 Rxb8 42.Rd7 Kf6 43.Rxa7 Rb4 44.g5+ hxg5 45.hxg5+ Ke6 46.Bd5+ Kxd5 47.Rxf7 Rh4 48.Rf6 Rh3 49.a4 Rg3 50.f4 Ra3 51.Rxg6 Rxa4 52.Rf6 Ra2 53.g6 Rg2 54.f5 Kc4 55.Re6 Rg5 56.Re5 Kc3 57.Kb1 Kd4 In the diagram position White is two pawns up but has only one winning move. Which one?
White to move and win
Show Solution
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Makarian,R2458Suleymenov,A24401–02021A85Moscow Open-A 20214.4

Endgame theory constitutes the foundation of chess. You realize this in striking clarity once you obtain a won endgame but in the end have to be content with a draw in the end because of a lack of necessary know-how. Such accidents can only be prevented by building up a solid endgame technique. This is Karsten Müller‘s fi rst DVD and the grandmaster from Hamburg and endgame expert, here lays the foundation for acquiring such a technique. The fi rst part of his training series can be started without any endgame knowledge, only a knowledge of the rules of chess is assumed.

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 #200

 

ChessBase Magazine Extra #199

 

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

Links

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.

Discuss

Rules for reader comments

 
 

Not registered yet? Register

We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.