White to move. Is this a win for White or Draw?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
King and Pawn endgame
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White to move. Is this a win for White or Draw?
Looks like an easy win for White.
He gets to the f pawn.
It’s a draw.
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It looks winning for White.
1. f6 Ke8
1. … Kg8 2. h5 Kf8 3. Kd6 Ke8 4. Kc7 Kf8 5. Kd7 Kg8 6. Ke7 Kh~ 6. Kxf7 and White wins.
1. … h5 2. Kd6 Ke8 3. Kc7 and White wins the f-pawn as above.
2. Kd6 Kd8
2. … h5 3. Kc7 and White will win the f-pawn as above.
3. h5 Ke8 4. Kc7 and White will win.
f6 Kg8
Kd6 Kf8
Kd7 Kg8
Ke8 Kh7
Kxf7 Kh8
Ke7 Kg8
f7+
f6 Ke8
Kd6 Kf8
Kd7 Kg8
Ke7 h5
Ke8 Kh7
Kxf7 Kh6
Ke7 Kh7
f7
My first idea:
Gain f7 and queen the pawn.
Are the h-files pawn relevant? They could give a tempo; there can’t be counterplay for black with them (black leaving f-file and trying to queen h-pawn…no way!)
My thinking process then goes “as if” the position where made only of f-pawns (let’s try):
After 1.f6
the KEY SQUARES are c7-d7-e7 (if white’s king can take one of them the f7 pawn is lost):
1) 1…h5 2.Kd6 (and white occupy c7 next and win the pawn and then the game; 2…Ke8 3.Kc7 Kf8 4.Kd8 Kg8 5.Ke7 Kh7 6.Kxf7)
2) 1…Kg8 2.Kd6 (same as above
3) 1…Ke8 (best defence) 2.Kd6!
…Kd8 3.h5! GAINING THE OPPOSITION and what must concede one of the 3 key-squares next 3…Ke8 4.Kc7…
Note: There is a trap: if white think (After 1.f6 Ke8): I take the diagonal opposition with 2.Kc6?? (usual way to occupy key-squares) 2…Kd8 3.Kd6 (direct opposition) 3…h5! (sparing move regaining the opposition; opposition is only relevant when no sparing moves; the h-pawns can’t be “completely” ignored) or 3.h5 Kc8 (and black takes the opposition; draw)
FEN:5k2/5p2/7p/3K1P2/7P/8/8/8 w – – 0 1
An easy win? Well, maybe. I find only 1 first move for White that forces a win (f6), and after that White has only to get and hold the opposition and stay alert.
Two mistakes to avoid:
A.
1) f6 Ke8; 2) h5? loses to 3…Kd7, and now Black has the opposition to force the White King away from protecting f6 (4 Ke5 Kc6; 5 Ke4 Kd6; 6 Kf5 Kd5; 7 Kf4 Ke6, and the pawn falls).
B.
1) f6 Ke8; 2) Kd6 Kd8; 3) h5 Ke8; 4) Kc7 Kf8; 5) Kd7 Kg8; 6) Ke7 Kh7; 7) Kxf7 Kh8; 8) Ke7 Kg8; 9) f7+ Kh8 and White must under-promote to avoid stalemate.
jcheyne