Niladri explains a Study-like Endgame
In the online era, we play several matches in such a short period of time compared to what we would have played when over-the-board events were on. It is true that blitz games are not worth analyzing as experts say but often we come across position which is definitely worth a second look and sometimes a deep analysis too. Few days ago we shared a position by trainer Niladri Bhattacharyya on our facebook page. This position occurred in his online blitz game over a year ago where his opponent blundered and lost the game soon. However, there was a defence. Try to find out and check it with his analysis whether it's correct or not. Photo: Shahid Ahmed
A Magical Rook and Knight vs Rook and Pawn endgame
By Niladri Bhattacharyya
It's not so easy to find the best defence for black, the actual move is really amazing. 1...Rd1?? Checkmate is now unavoidable. Best move was 1...Kh1. Black has to show some magical ideas
A) Of course 2.Kxe1? h2 3.Ra8 (3.Rf8 nothing changes with Kg2=) 3...Kg2 4.Ke2 h1Q 5.Rg8+
A1) 5...Kh2?? 6.Nf3+ Kh3?? 7.Ng1+ Kh4 (7...Kh2 8.Kf2+-) 8.Rh8++-;
A2) 5...Kh3=;
B) 2.Ra8 this is another idea for this position;
C) 2.Rb8 same as above;
D) 2.Rh8 h2;
E) 2.Rc8!! White must try to win and create difficulties for black
E1) 2...Rd1?? a fatal mistake 3.Kg3!
E1a) 3...Rg1+??
4.Kxh3 now black has to save several threats like Rh8, Nf3 and Rc2/1 Rg7 (4...Ra1 5.Nf3 Rf1 6.Kg3+-) 5.Rc1+ Rg1 6.Nf1!
E1b) 3...Kg1 4.Nf3+ Kh1 (4...Kf1 5.Rc2 basic checkmate pattern with R+N) 5.Rc2+-;
E1c) 3...h2 4.Rc2! a very nice intermezzo Ra1 the point is, black will soon be in a zugzwang 5.Rb2
E1c1) 5...Rd1 6.Ra2
E1c11) 6...Re1 7.Ne4
7...Rb1 (7...Re3+ 8.Kf2 Re2+ 9.Kxe2 Kg2 10.Nf2+-) 8.Rxh2+ Kg1 9.Nd2+-;
E1c12) 6...Rc1 7.Ne4 same idea as shown in the other variation;
E1c2) 5...Rc1 6.Ra2 Rd1 (6...Re1 7.Ne4) 7.Kh3 Kg1 (7...Rg1 8.Ne4+- rest is very easy) 8.Nf3+ Kf1 9.Nxh2+;
E2) 2...h2 3.Rc2
E2a) We also have to look at 3...Rf1+ 4.Kg3 Ra1 (4...Kg1 5.Nxf1 h1Q 6.Nh2! Anustoop Biswas of West Bengal, a very talented young player has found this particular idea!)
5.Rb2 Rc1 6.Ra2 Re1 7.Ne4 same as mentioned earlier;
E2b) 3...Re2+ 4.Kg3 Rg2+ 5.Kh3 Rg1 (5...Kg1 6.Rc1+ Kf2 7.Rf1++-) 6.Ne4! This final blow is always amazing in this study!;
E3) 2...Rg1 the only way to defend your kingdom
E3a) b) 3.Rc2 Rg2+ 4.Kf3 Kh2 (4...Rg1? 5.Ra2 we should follow the above analysis);
E3b) c) 3.Ne4 Kh2 (3...Rg7) 4.Rc5 (4.Rc3 Rg4=) 4...Rg2+ (4...Rc1=) 5.Kf3 Rb2 the popular second rank defence!;
E3c) We have three top choice to analyse a) 3.Kf3 Kh2 ( 3...h2?? 4.Rc2+- above analysis is important to find out the winning method; 3...Rg7?? 4.Rc1++-; 3...Rg2?? 4.Rc1++-) 4.Rc2
E3c1) 4...Rg8 same idea for defence;
E3c2) But not 4...Rg3+?? 5.Kf4! (5.Kf2 Rg2+)
5...Rg2 6.Nf3++-;
E3c3) 4...Rg2 5.Ra2 Rg7 ( 5...Kh1?? 6.Ra1+ Rg1 7.Nf1; 5...Rg1 6.Nf1+ Kh1 7.Rh2# ) 6.Nf1+ Kg1= ( 6...Kh1?? 7.Ng3++- );
E3c4) 4...Rg7 5.Nf1+ ( 5.Ra2 Rf7+ ) 5...Kg1 ( 5...Kh1 6.Ng3++- ) 6.Ne3 Rf7+ 7.Kg3 Rg7+
E3c41) 8.Ng4
E3c411) 8...Rxg4+ something silly like this should be remembered 9.Kxg4 h2 10.Kg3 h1Q ( 10...h1N+ 11.Kf3+- ) 11.Rc1#; E3c412) 8...Kf1; E3c42) 8.Kxh3 Rg8 ( 8...Rh7+ 9.Kg3 Rg7+ 10.Ng4 Kf1 black is safe)
2.Nf1+ Kh1 3.Rg1# White wins by checkmate. 1-0 (77) Niladrichess1 (2310) - MagicDreams93 (2353) 2019
About the Author
Niladri Sekhar Bhattacharyya was born in 1978. He became a professional chess player in 1998. Played National 'B' more than ten times. His best performance in West Bengal State Championship is third. He has produced many professional players, a few GMs and IMs during his coaching career of 15 years. Currently he is working with his own institute Today Chess Foundation. He had a peak rating of 2182 and his current rating is 1899.