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micawber
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #18 - 02/15/08 at 21:30:34
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@IM John Cox,
Thx for the reply. Was this what you more or less had in mind when you requested help/comments on this endgame  Roll Eyes
I have some material on other lines, and some other interesting positions connected with this endgame. But I dont know if I should pollute the forum with them... So if youre interested PM me.. Wink

@Matemax
I have included most lines in a pgn-file hope that this works.
Though the fortresses/positions without any lines have been omitted in this file.
  

Berlin_endgames.pgn ( 7 KB | Downloads )
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IMJohnCox
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #17 - 02/15/08 at 18:53:37
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Micawber, I agree with you - 27...g5 doesn't seem to do the trick. I was trying exactly this idea with Be3 and Kd3 to break through after White wins the b-pawn, so I'm puzzled by what I overlooked, but whatever it was, I think it's clear that White wins in this line.

So in that case, according again to rather unreliable me, Black is lost in the initial position. Anyone got any theories to disprove that?!
  
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Willempie
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #16 - 02/15/08 at 09:39:20
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Micawber, that is some analysis, much appreciated
That will take up some time to go through Smiley
  

If nothing else works, a total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face will see us through.
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #15 - 02/14/08 at 16:26:40
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Quote:
However at the moment there seems limited interest in this endgame

I am still interested  Smiley

I have to ask you two favours:
1) Could you post a pgn-file - its very difficult to follow the length and variety of your analyses on the screen (without being able to move pieces)
2) Could give your opinion to ommitting 27.c4 and playing 27.Kf3 (centralizing) as I mentioned at the beginning of this thread

Thanks a lot..
  
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micawber
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #14 - 02/14/08 at 15:35:18
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putting thing together
The original starting position for the analysis of this endgame was.
diagram 4.1

* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*


27. c4              g5!
28. g4!                      
(28.f4 =; 28. Kf3 =; 28.f3 =)
28.            hxg4!   
(28…h4 29.f4! +-)
29. hxg4      Ke8
30. f4                  

(30.Kg3 transposes)
30.            gxf4
31. Bxf4 Kf7
32. Kh3  Kg6
33. Bg3


In my previous posts I examined both 33...c6 (with blacks bishop inside the pawn chain) and 33....Bg5 (with blacks bishop outside the pawn chain). My conclusion is that both continuations are insufficient to draw.
Consequently it seems that after 27. c4 g5 black is lost, contrary to John Cox opinion in the fist message of this thread.


 
It remains to show that white also wins after 28. … h4 
29. f4
(diagram 4.2)

diagram 4.2
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*


Black basically has two responses:
a) 29… gxf4 and  b)29… Ke8[/color]
variation (a)
29.            gxf4
30. Kf3
White plans to retake with his king,
play g5 and capture black’s h-pawn

30.            Ke8
(30… Bg5 31. Bxf4, Bd8 32. g5! 
and black is unable to prevent Kg4 - Kxh4)
31. Kxf4      Kf7
32. g5            Kg6
33. Kxh4 +-


White is winning: 33… Kf5 34. Kh5  Kxe5 35. g6 +-

variation b


29.            Ke8
30. f5            Kf7
31. Kf3      c6
32. Ke4!

Playing 32.f6 would be a grave mistake.
After 32….Kg6 33. Ke4, Kf7 black
has a fortress.
32.            Kg7
Both Be7 and Ke7 are answered with 33.f6
and black’s g and h pawn are lost
33. fxe6      Kg6  (33… Be7 34. Kf5)
34. Bc3!      Be7
35. b3            Bd8
(see diagram)

diagram 4.3
* * * * * * * *
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* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

Black seems to have blockaded the position….
36. e7!             Bxe7
37. e6!      

Now it becomes clear why white needed his bishop on the c3-h8 diagonal.
37.            Bf6 
(black can no longer defend his queenside)
38. Be5! +-
           
=========================================
This more or less finishes my analysis of 27.c4,g5. 
I've also looked into other variations especially other replies to 27.c4 and variations 27.c4,g5 where white doenst play 28.g4.
However at the moment there seems limited interest in this endgame,
so I will not pollute the forum with an overdose of Berlin endgames
============================================
  
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #13 - 02/11/08 at 14:05:38
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Micawber - many thanks. I shall revert.

  
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micawber
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #12 - 02/10/08 at 22:42:16
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part 2. Second plan (bishop outside the pawn chain)

diagram 2.6
* * * * * * * *
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* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

From the diagram position 
1. Bg3  Bg5! (1…c6 was investigated earlier)
2. Bh4  Bf4!
One of black’s trumps is that as long as the bishop attacks the e-pawn, Bd8 is answered by Bxe5 and
black pro14…Bb2 15.Bxa5 drops the all important a-pawntects his c7-pawn.
3. Bf6              
white must protect his e-pawn
3. …..  Kh6      
black must keep his king on g6-h6
4. Kh4 Kg6

diagram 2.7
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

Now white has two ways to try for an advantage.
Method II.1 5.g5
Method II.2 5.b3

Method II.1

5. g5  Bc1 !
6 .b3  Bb2
(again attacking e5)
7. Kg4 Bc3
8. Kf3    
     (8.Kf4, Bd2+ 9.Kg4 =)
8……  Kf5 !

I can't see how white can make any progress from this position. Black seems to have build a fortress (see diagram 8)

diagram 2.8
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

Method II.2

5.b3!     Bh2  (black continues to attack e5)
6.Kh3!            
(white cannot count on an advantage if he plays an early g5)
6…….  Bf4
7.Kg2    Bd2
  (7….Kh6 does not alter the situation)
8.Bd8!   c6
9.Bxb6  Bb4
10.Bd8  Kg6


Now we have reached another critical position. Can white break down black’s resistance from here?

diagram 2.9
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

White’s options are limited. 
At the moment there is no way he can break through with his king.
But his position has one big advantage, black cant afford to trade bishops as most pawn endgames are lost.
If he should succeed to trade c5 for e5 he can play b4 at once, when his passed a- and g-pawns form a deadly duo.


(from diagram 2.9)
11.Bh4!                            
The idea is to play the bishop to e3 where it attacks the c-pawn and 
simultaneously  can force blacks king back from the sixth rank.

11.           Bd2
12.Bf2     Bb4
13.Be3! 
                           Black is in zugzwang

diagram 2.10
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

variation A
13….       Ba3 
14.Bd2!


variation A1
14…Bb4 15.Bxb4 wins the pawn ending
variation A2
14…Bb2 15.Bxa5 drops the all important a-pawn

variation B
13….Bc3 14.Bxc5, Bxe5 15.b4! +-


variation C
13....    Kg7
14.Ke2, Kg6
15.Kd3!


variation C1
15….Kg7 16.Bd2 +-
variation C2
15….Ba3 16.Bd2 Bb4 17.Bxb4 +-
variation C3
15….Be1 16 Bxc5 Kg5 17.b4, axb4 18.Be3+ +-
  
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micawber
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #11 - 02/10/08 at 22:15:17
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Part 2. Blocking the castle entrance with g5

First we shall examine some additional fortresses, where white has a passed g-pawn and where the g5-square is not occupied. It’s easy to imagine how these positions arise. Just think about black playing g5 and swapping the h-pawns. If white then plays f4 and black exchanges his last kingside pawn we have the structure we now want to study.

diagram 2.1
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

In this position, white still finds it difficult to break into black’s position. There is no room for the white king to slip past his black college, and white’s bishop needs the support of his king to contest the h4-d8 diagonal. 
But even if white succeeds to get his bishop on h4,
can he accomplish anything positive. It seems that white can only expect something if he can put his bishop on d8. But black cannot be put into zugzwang easily. 

Black basically has two options
1) He can play his pawn to c6 and hide his bishop on d8/c7
2) He can leave his pawn on c7 as long as possible and bring his bishop outside his pawn-chain (d8-g5-d2 or d8-h4-e1). Note that if black has his bishop on g5 he can answer 1,Bh4 with .1…. Bf4 since 2.Bd8 is answered with 2….Bxe5 which protects the c-pawn.

The second plan will be analysed in my next post in this thread.


Part 2. First Plan (bishop inside the pawn chain)

diagram 2.2
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

This position can easily arise from the first.
1.Kg3, c6 2.Bf4, Bc7 3.Kh3, Bb8 4.Bg3, Bc7
Note that black has a counterattack against e5.
5.b3, Bb8 6.Bh4, Bc7 (diagram 2.2)

The first question is, does white have a winning method if black remains passive ?
Whites  plan is simple he will try to play Bd8 under the most favourable circumstances.

7. Bf6             still protects e5
7…….  Kh6       black waits
8. Kh4, Kg6

I stated earlier that a fortress more or less depends on the fact that the defender has sufficient neutral moves. 
In this case Kg6-h6-g6.   , 


White needs a new plan to make some progress. And this must involve restricting the freedom of movement of black’s king. The optimal plan to do so involves the use of the g-pawn:
a) restrict blacks freedom of movement with g5 and Kg4
b) wait for the move Bc7-b8 in order to play Bd8
c) swap b6 and c5 against e5.


9.Kg3,    Kh6
10.g5+. Kg6 

11.Kg4               [fase (a) is completed, blacks king is restricted]
11 .....…Bb8
12.Bd8!              [fase (b) white plays Bd8 at the best moment]
12….      Bxe5 
13.Bxb6, Bc3

14.Bxc5             (black rather gives up the c-pawn than his a-pawn)

diagram 2.3
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

The situation has changed  At the moment white enjoys an extra pawn and a more compact pawn chain. On top op that black has only won target for his bishop: the g-5 pawn. 

White has two winning plans:
(I) swap his g-pawn against the e-pawn and break through with Ke5/d6/d7/c6 with his king
(II) exchange or sac his b-pawn in order to create a passed a-pawn.


Black can hinder white’s ambitions by 
attacking the g-pawn and hinder whites freedom of movement by playing … e5

defence A
(from diagram 2.3)
14…..e5
15  Bd6, e4?

16. Kf4 , e3          now the e-pawn is gone
17. Kxe3, Kxg5
18. Kd3!, Be1      other bishop moves drop the a-pawn
19. Kd4,  Bf2+       prevents Kc5
20  Ke5                white has good winning chances black cant  prevent white playing Ke6-c6

defence A2
(from diagram 2.3)
14....     e5
15.Bd6, 
15......, Bb2
     (iso 15...e4)
16.b4!   Ba3
17.Bxb4 Bxe5
18.Bb6   Bc3         
   
19.Kf4!                    White is going to break through with his king
19……. Bb4
20.Ke5      
              Once white’s king has broken through

Defence B
(from diagram 2.3)
This is the most stubborn defence
14.        . Bd2!
15 .Be7,  Kf7
16. Bd8,  Kg6
17. Bc7!


diagram 2.4
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

Has white made progress?
For the moment white’s g-pawn is safe, as Bxg5 is answered with Bxa5 which provides him with an almost unstoppable a-pawn.

White to would like to play Kf4-e5-Kxe6
For the moment the bishop on d2 prevents this 
Black’s freedom of movement is restricted, his bishop must guard a5 and his king must protect h5.
In principle he can prevent white’s king-walk with e5, but this is risky. Black bishop will be bound to c3, in order to protect both e5 and a5.


Although black has various defences, I think this position is lost
The variations below serve to illustrate white’s main attacking methods

(from diagram 2.4)
17. ……, Bb4
18.Kf4!         
             White brings already threatens a breakthrough
18…….., Bc3
19.Bd8   , Kf7
20.Bb6   , Kg6
21.Be3!  , 


diagram 2.5
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

Black has no good defence against white’s mainplans:
(1) To play Ke4 – Bd4 – Ke5 breaking through
(2) To play Ke4 – Kd3 – Bd2 exchanging into a won pawn ending or winning the a-pawn


An illustration (from diagram 2.5):
21…Kf7 22.Ke4, Kg6 23.Kd3, Bb4
24.Bd2, Bxd2 25.Kxd2, c5 26.b4!
wins

P.M. I hope to get some critical reactions. I dont have any illusions that my analysis is error free.
  
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micawber
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #10 - 02/01/08 at 22:21:34
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First I should want to draw attention to the similar endgame 
Timofeev-Hi with an additional pair of rooks.
http://www.chesspub.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1201632403 
John Cox himself commented here, that it was a mistake by Parker to swap rooks.

I appologize to John, for not posting comments on his analysis yet. I will do so probably on sunday night. My usual approach to this kind of endgame is to study some similar but simplified position, that function as  a sort of sign-posts. In this particular endgame I started to look for for various fortresses with the same pawn structure and material balance.
As they are indeed quite simple, they probably will be not very usefull for John, but might enlighten some other readers.

In general white can expect to win this endgame if
(a) he can play his bishop to queenside behind black’s pawns and win some of the pawns.
(b) if he can create a passed pawn on the kingside, supported by his king on 6th rank
(c) if he can swap bishops, as the king+pawns endgame is a relative easy win.

Black’s task is to deny the white pieces access to his position.
In other word he has to erect a fortress. My own investigation of this endgame has not started with examining trees of variations, but by researching some (simplified) positions and looking for fortresses.
In this posting I will present some fortresses, and some positions that are “not quite a fortress” (perhaps Flear would call them NOQAFs).

White has to take some care, not to help black building his fortress. Especially if he puts pawns on squares the colour of his bishop. Here is a first example:

diagram 1

* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

White has incautiously put his pawn on g5. Effectively denying access to the all important d8 squares d8 and c7. 
If black leaves his king at g6, the white king cant get in as well, nor can  it help to advance the g-pawn.
Black will just bide his time playing Bd8-c7-d8

diagram 2
* * * * * * * *
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* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
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* * * * * * * *
*
Here g5- is barricaded by a black pawn. Since white cant approach this pawn with his king, this obstacle serves as well to keep white’s bishop out. Note that the white king cant help his passed e-pawn.
Black just moves his bishop between e7 and d8, since this bishop now has the task to defend g5.

diagram 3
* * * * * * * *
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* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*
Here we see again a fortress build with the aid of an extra white pawn on the black squares. 
White cant make any progress if black keeps playing Bd8-c7-d8.

when is a fortress not a fortress?
An essential characteristic in the first three positions is that black has sufficient waiting moves, that don’t alter or worsen  his position. For example if we put another pawn on c7 in the last position, then suddenly black is out of waiting moves and must play either Kf8 allowing Kg6-f7-Bh6+ or play  1…b5 2.b3, b4 3.Be3 and black again is out of moves.
The situation where black has the move and must worsen his position is called  Zugzwang.

diagram 4
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* * * * * * * *
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* * * * * * * *
*

Here is another zugzwang example.
Note that black’s bishop is paralysed, it has nowhere to go. If the black bishop had been on d8 instead of e8 this example would have been drawn. 

1.Be1!, and black is out of moves:
a) 1…b5 2.Bxa5
b) 1…Ke8, 2.Kg6!,Kd7 3.Kf7
c) 1….Kf8, 2.Kg6!,Kh8 3.Bh4,Kg8 4.f7+,Kh8 5.Bf6+




So zugzwang is one method of breaking a semi-fortress. Another method is sacrificing material to force an entry into black’s castle.

diagram 5
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* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

Here waiting gets white nowhere (1.Kh4,Kh6 2.Kg4,Kg6).
White has to sac his f-pawn to make progress.
.1.Kf4,Kh6 2.f7, Kg7  3.Kg5,Kxf7 4.Kh6,b5
(otherwise whites king gets to g6 and wins the e6 pawn) 5.Kh7!, b4 6.Kh6 and white wins.

Note 1, 3.f8Q+ is overdoing it, as after 3…Kxf8 4.Kg5,Kg7 black has a new fortress.
Note 2:  5.axb5?,cxb5 6.cxb5,Ke8! and black wins as he can force a breakthrough with 7…c4 8.bxc4 a4 and his a-pawn cant be stopped.

diagram 6

* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

John Cox allready pointed out in his analysis that this type of position is a fortress.
White cant restrict black’s king moving between g4 and g3 and at the same time prevent black moving his bishop. On top of that white has to prevent black gaining the f5-square for his king.
Just place white’s bishop on b6, where it restricts its black college, and it has no control of g3.
Place it on f4 and black bishop is again freed.


diagram 7

* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

In this position again white’s pawns on the black squares help the defender. A pawn break with f5 isn’t possible as after 1.f5+?,exf 2.Kd3,Kf7 it is white who is lost. 


finally a fun position that drives home the lesson on the importance
of access points.


diagram 8
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
*

In the last diagram black keeps the draw despite his material deficit.
White’s only hope for victory is  a pawn break on the queenside, as the kingside is effectively barricaded. 
White has to sacrifice if he wants to play for a win.
1.b4,cxb4
2.c5 (if white delays this move, black will play 2…c5 himself closing the gates.)
2….b5! (other moves give white a good chance to break through)
3.Kb3,Kc7
4. axb5, cxb5


diagram 9

* * * * * * * *
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*

White has to play c6 sooner or later to make progress
line 1 5. Be1, Kb7 (5..Kc6?? 6.Bxb4 and white wins) and black waits playing Kc7-b7-c7
line 2 5. c6!?, Kxc6 6.Ba7, (at last the bishop has entered the fortress)6... , Kd5 and now white has another problem: the defence of his weak d-pawn. 
Again the position is drawn.

Some sample-lines after 5.c6,Kxc6 6.Ba7,Kd5:
line 2a 
7.Bb6,a4!+ 8.Kxb4,Kxe5 9.Be3, Kf5 black draws by deflecting the bishop with his a-pawn: 10.Kxb5,a3! 11.Bc1,a2 12.Bb2,Kxg5 drawn. 
line 2b
7.Bb8, Kc5 8.Bd6+,Kd5 white cant make progress either. If he moves his king to defend the e-pawn.   9.Kc2,Kc6 10.Kd3 then black starts moving his queenside pawns: 10…b3! 11.Kc3,a4 and now it turns out that 12.Kb4 is not on the menu because of 12…b2!


« Last Edit: 02/02/08 at 10:23:33 by micawber »  
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Matemax
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #9 - 01/30/08 at 13:58:39
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Your right - it is a threat right now. Black may play: c4, Kc6, Kc5, Be7 and b5 with counterplay

Therefore we have to choose from the two ways to meet 1...c4 from black:
1) 1.c4 
2) 1.Kf3
  
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #8 - 01/30/08 at 13:51:11
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Well perhaps 1...c4 was a threat but 1 Kf3 prevents it, by your king march to c5.

If 1...c4 is not a threat then according to me White should play 1 h4!, 2 c4! and proceed as in 2 h4!

I did say 1...c4 was a threat much too glibly, though. It would have expressed what I meant better to say 'the move....c4 may at some time become a threat'. You make a good point: it may be very important whether it's a threat right now.
  
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #7 - 01/30/08 at 13:34:00
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Quote:
The game went 1 c4 (fine, Black was threatening ...c4)

Is this really a threat? I like keeping the c-pawn on c2 to have c4 square for a possible king march to the queenside. 

Just some thoughts (not playing 1.c4):

1.Kf3 c4 (excecuting the threat - there may be better moves) 2.Ke4

a) 2...Be7 (defending tactical against Kd4) 3.f4 (3.Kd4 Bc5+ and f2 falls) 3...Kc6 (3...Ke8 4.Kd4) 4.g4 hxg4 5.hxg4 b5 6.axb5+ Kxb5 7.f5 gxf5+ 8.gxf5 exf5+ 9.Kxf5 a4 10.Ke6 a3 11.bxa3 Bxa3 12.Kd7 might be a winning variation

b) 2...c5 (Blocking d4-square) 3.f4 Ke7 4.g4 hxg4 5.hxg4 Kf7 6.f5 gxf5+ 7.gxf5 Bh4 8.f6 should be finally won by attacking the queenside pawns (either with the King via c3 or the bishop via d8)

c) 2...c6 (seeking counterplay) 3.Kd4 b5 4.axb5 cxb5 5.Kc5 +-

d) 2...g5 3.Kd4 +-

  
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #6 - 01/30/08 at 13:13:19
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Ah, gotcha. Can White not get back on track then with 40 Bh2 and 41 Bf4?
  
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #5 - 01/30/08 at 13:05:01
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Sorry, I meant 39...Bg5 (iso Bg3).
  
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Re: Shameless request for assistance on my new book
Reply #4 - 01/30/08 at 12:47:35
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Thanks for everyone correcting my proof-reading incompetence and producing a diagram.

Micawber, I will look forward to your comments.

I was posting from memory and didn't want to get into the later moves, but actually I agree in my draft that 39...Bg3 is a mistake, although I had thought that 39...Be1 was the better chance. But then clearly 39 Bg1 was a mistake (as was 35 b3 in principle, although not I think fatally). I believe White could have won cleanly with 39 Bh6.

I don't think you can mean 39...g5, though, because by then White had played 32 gxh5?

  
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