The following position is from Arkell, K. vs. Holland, J.
 |
| White to move |
4r1k1/p1r2pp1/2p5/Q7/3p2Pb/P2NqP1p/1PR1P2P/4RK2 w – – 0 28
GM Arkell saw a tactical way to trade all pieces. He deemed that the resulting pawn ending was winning. From the book Arkells endings:
28.Qxc7 … And here was my idea. Holland automatically assumed that this capture wasn’t possible as his reply appears to win on the spot.
28…Qxd3 Threatening 29…Qxc2, 29…Qe3 and 29…Qxf3+, so it appears I must resign.
29.Qd8 For my trap to work, the Queen must pin Black’s Rook, preventing …Qxf3+; attack the Rook with check to avoid …Qxc2 followed by …Bxe1; and threaten the Bishop to eliminate …Qe3.
29…Rxd8 The best he can do is head for an inferior ending. If 29…Qxc2 30.Qxe8+ Kh7 31.Ra1 Qxb2 32.Rd1 and I’m well on top.
30.exd3 Bxe1 31.Kxe1 Re8+ 32.Re2 Rxe2+ 33.Kxe2 f5
For the exchange Arkell needed to think 11 ply ahead, with all variations. Furthermore, he had to judge the ensuing position beforehand:
 |
| White to move |
He said he could not see on move 28 whether 34.gxf5 would be sufficient. So he prepared 34.f4 already on move 28!
This gives a nice little insight how a grandmaster is thinking. In his mind he makes a separation between the forced tactical exchanges and the judgement of the resulting pawn ending. That’s the power of the Chessable book Arkells Endings. He describes what and how he is thinking.
It gives me an opportunity to estimate whether my skill acquiring method will lead to such tactical prowess. And it gives an impression what kind of knowledge I need to judge a pawn ending.
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