In a ten minute game this morning, I struggled most of the game for equality. When my opponent erred in opting for a rook ending, rather than knight vs. bishop when his passed pawn likely would have cost me my bishop, I knew my drawing chances were good.
Then, while reviewing the game, I was surprised to see that a move that assured the draw was deemed an error by the website’s game analysis feature.
I played 47…Kxf4, reaching an easily drawn ending that neither side should have difficulty playing.
This position, however, is winning for Black.
47…Rb2+ 48.Kf1 (Kg1 likely transposes) 48…Kf3
Leaving the f-pawn alone while creating mate threats was completely off my radar, perhaps because I knew there was no forced checkmate. The threats, however, gain something.
49.Kg1 Rb8+ 50.Kh2 Kf2
White is forced to move the rook and cannot attack my g-pawn.
51.Rh8 Rxb7 52.Rh6 Re7
Black keeps mate threats alive.
53.Kh1
Two of the roads that lead to victory from here are:
a) 53…Re6 54.Rh2+ Kg3 55.Rg2+ Kxf4 finally capturing the f-pawn!
b) 53…g5! 54.Rh2+ Kf3
Black’s g-pawn is untouchable due to the mate threat.
I would have known that I was winning had I foreseen that I could reach this point.
It was good to draw a 2000+ rated player, but there was an instructive missed opportunity that I hope to remember.
