Interesting Exercise

This pawn structure arises after the Spanish Exchange and a similar one, but with Black’s doubled pawns on the f-file, can arise from the Caro-Kann. Opening theory states that Black cannot allow liquidation of all the pieces because the pawn ending would be lost. Max Euwe offers analysis of how to play the pawn ending in an obscure book. Thomas Engqvist presents the analysis in 300 Most Important Chess Positions (2018).

White to move

Naturally, after reading through Engqvist’s analysis, I played the game against Stockfish. My best result after several efforts has been a draw. I lost, used the takeback feature, and tried again. In repeated efforts, I’ve blundered and lost more than I have tracked, but completed two games with draws.

The win is elusive and worth pursuing for what I can learn about pawn endings.

Today is the ninth day of my 60 day quest to go through all of Engqvist’s book at the rate of five positions per day. Yesterday, I spent a fair amount of time looking at games from which positions 21-25 were or could have been derived. For instance, one position featured a novelty played by Hikaru Nakamura in 2011. Several other players have followed his lead and I played through some of those games.

Today’s position is the 16th in the section on pawn endings. I have been alternating between openings and endings. I will finish the development section tomorrow.

Edit: after multiple efforts, I dove back into the analysis in 300 Most Important Chess Positions. I have been struggling against the engine from the wrong position. Black's a-pawn should be on a6. How much difference does this make?