Since 1996
Dr. Karsten Müller earned the grandmaster title in 1998 and is the co-author with IM Frank Lamprecht of the highly acclaimed Fundamental Chess Endings. His popular column has appeared at ChessCafe.com since January 2001. A new column is posted the third Tuesday of each month.
Fortresses and Shadows
by Karsten Müller
Theoretical rook endings are often difficult to defend.
162.01 Heinemann,Thies (2467) - Zelbel,Patrick (2419)
BL 1415 Hamburger SK - Hansa Dortmund (6.8), 07.12.2014
[FEN "6k1/5pp1/R6p/8/7P/P5P1/r4P2/5K2 b - - 0 39"]The position is drawn, but Black must act actively.
39...g6?!
39...h5! 40.Kg2 Kh7 41.Kf3 f6 42.Ke3 g5= is much easier.
40.g4!
White marks the f- and h-pawn as weaknesses in typical style.
40...Kg7 41.Kg2 Ra1 42.a4 Ra3 43.g5 h5 44.Ra7 Kg8 45....
To read this content you will need to become a member. To do this, please fill out the form in the sidebar or click here to Become a Member.
