Strategy for converting this winning endgame? • page 1/1 • Game Analysis • lichess.org

In a recent game, I had the following endgame position as black, which is -2.3 according to the engine:

https://lichess.org/Dljz1uyz/black#77

What would be the best strategy for converting such a position to a win?

In the actual game, I played d4?, but I don't have much intuition why this is a blunder, except that it may weaken e4 and f5. The game analysis suggests Nh3 instead, and I have no idea why.

In a recent game, I had the following endgame position as black, which is -2.3 according to the engine: https://lichess.org/Dljz1uyz/black#77 What would be the best strategy for converting such a position to a win? In the actual game, I played d4?, but I don't have much intuition why this is a blunder, except that it may weaken e4 and f5. The game analysis suggests Nh3 instead, and I have no idea why.

NM MrPushwood

Actually, it's -1.29. And I wouldn't call it a won ending (at least not yet).

Admittedly, I probably would've played 39... d4 myself. But I guess White can indeed entrench himself with the Kd2 and Nd2-e4 idea and then you've got a tough time making any further progress, since ...d3 will be met with Kc3. And meanwhile White can get those kingside pawns rolling (as you found out all too painfully in the game).

So that's one reason for 39... Nh3: to contain those pawns. And leaving your pawns on e5 and d5 provides a barrier against both White king and knight, so that you can presumably walk your king up and get poised for an invasion. But it's still no cake walk, and a bit early to be talking about a win (unless maybe you're Rubinstein).

Actually, it's -1.29. And I wouldn't call it a won ending (at least not yet). Admittedly, I probably would've played 39... d4 myself. But I guess White can indeed entrench himself with the Kd2 and Nd2-e4 idea and then you've got a tough time making any further progress, since ...d3 will be met with Kc3. And meanwhile White can get those kingside pawns rolling (as you found out all too painfully in the game). So that's one reason for 39... Nh3: to contain those pawns. And leaving your pawns on e5 and d5 provides a barrier against both White king and knight, so that you can presumably walk your king up and get poised for an invasion. But it's still no cake walk, and a bit early to be talking about a win (unless maybe you're Rubinstein).

tpr edited

This is indeed a winning endgame. The strongest continuation is 39...Ng2 intending ...Nh4 with attack on pawn f3 so as to tie up the white king to its defense, and then invade with the king: Kd6, Kc5, Kd4.
Pawns are strongest when shoulder to shoulder, so they cannot be blocked.
In an endgame the king must lead from the front, not from the back.
Pawns should only advance after the king has cleared their path.

This is indeed a winning endgame. The strongest continuation is 39...Ng2 intending ...Nh4 with attack on pawn f3 so as to tie up the white king to its defense, and then invade with the king: Kd6, Kc5, Kd4. Pawns are strongest when shoulder to shoulder, so they cannot be blocked. In an endgame the king must lead from the front, not from the back. Pawns should only advance after the king has cleared their path.

TheMagnusAura

Understand the dynamics: you have a central pawn majority. Also, your knight is placed on just the perfect outpost, stopping his kingside pawns. He has two isolated doubled a-pawns which are absolutely useless. Therefore your action should be taken around those kingside pawns and the center. But first, why hurry? Just advance your king. Dont move any pawns— they create holes in your structure. A rule for hanging pawn structure says that these type of pawns are the strongest when side to side. Just advance your king, and then see what happens. You have great space advantage because the central pawns take away all the key 'defensive' squares.

The engine might say -1.29 (Like Pushwood said) but practically White can shatter fast (especially when your opponent is rated 1800)

Understand the dynamics: you have a central pawn majority. Also, your knight is placed on just the perfect outpost, stopping his kingside pawns. He has two isolated doubled a-pawns which are absolutely useless. Therefore your action should be taken around those kingside pawns and the center. But first, why hurry? Just advance your king. Dont move any pawns— they create holes in your structure. A rule for hanging pawn structure says that these type of pawns are the strongest when side to side. Just advance your king, and then see what happens. You have great space advantage because the central pawns take away all the key 'defensive' squares. The engine might say -1.29 (Like Pushwood said) but practically White can shatter fast (especially when your opponent is rated 1800)