Post
by Andrew Collins » Fri Apr 05, 2013 6:02 pm
I have had 2 opportunities where I could of ended up playing out KNB v K, the first was a rapid play game where I thought I had made an inaccuracy and had no choice but to go in to this ending, however it wasn't necessary, so of course I didn't bother.
The second occasion was at an e2e4 event in Brighton, my opponent had blundered a piece and subsequently lost another piece due to it being trapped on the side of the board, he did have chance to force off my remaining pawns, though in the event he did not do so, however it was certainly the more practical choice to test my skill with that endgame. I practice with the computer, but like the idea of occasionally practising this sort of ending at the chess club with human opponents.
I also practice a couple of other endings with my table bases just to keep certain I can do them under time pressure in practice. Rook and connected pawns v Rook and King. Defending Rook vs Rook and Bishop is not very good with table bases on the computer because the comp doesn't set any tricks or traps and will just happily repeat the position, I had this once online in a blitz game which I lost.
Q Vs Rook never had it on the board, had opportunity for it to arise in a league individual match the other week, but my opponent missed the chance and I had an easier win. I do practice with my computer though, I think this is one example of an endgame where the likely practical human plan of keeping the rook close to the king all the time, makes the task simply easier, rather than having to play a few accurate moves when the King is forced for example on the Back rank and the rook shuffles from side to side on the 6th rank
I like endgames! I'm going to see if anyone at my club wants to practice a few of these endgames with the clock, perhaps rook+connected passers, KKB and lucena postion etc...