22 June 2011

Rook Endgame: Critical Position

Vasily Smyslov found himself in this position on move against Igor Bondarevsky in 1941. How would you play it?

White to move
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4 comments:

  1. drunknkniteTuesday, 12 July, 2011

    I would play 1.Ra8. This allows the rook to be able to check from the side and from the back.

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  2. James StripesTuesday, 12 July, 2011

    Drunkenknite, that's the move that Smyslov played. Even more important, you've stated succinctly the reason for the move.

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  3. Robert CuadrosWednesday, 31 August, 2011

    Mmmm, interesting. According to drunknknite's thought process, 1.Rb8 and Rc8 would lead to draw too, wouldn't they?

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  4. Chris FalterWednesday, 21 September, 2011

    @Robert Cuadros - To check from the side, the rook must be as far as possible from the black king and pawns. Otherwise, the king can step over to stop the checks without giving up a pawn in the process, gain a tempo at a critical moment, and win. Since the a file is farther away than the b or c files, to a8 the rook must go!

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