Lezione 6 FCP

25 Connected passed pawns

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Two connected passed pawns: no doubts, nor uncertainty! This particular endgame pawn structure will occupy the attention of the defending King, which must stay near the most advanced pawn to prevent queening. If the King captures the rear pawn, the other will promote.

Meanwhile, the attacking King will capture all the remaining opponent's pawns, and then escort these pawns to the final rank.

1. f2 b7 2. e3 c6 3. d4 b7 4. d5 a8 5. c6 b8 6. b7 a7 7. c7 a6 8. b8=

What's the use of this knowledge? When trading pieces and pawns in the transition from middle game to endgame, the winning side should try to reach a position like this if possible, transition to a won endgame, while the losing side should try to prevent it.

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In this example, where White has the move, the unopposed pawn should advance. The defending King cannot capture the trailing pawn, since this would allow the leading pawn to promote.

With the pawns staggered, the defending King must step forward away from both pawns. As soon as the defending King does so, the trailing pawn can realign with the leading pawn. This pattern will repeat until one pawn promotes.

1. c6 e7 2. f2 e6 3. e3 e7 4. f4 d8 5. e6 e7 6. c7 xc6 7. c8=+

28 Two pawns on 6th rank vs. Rook

In a Rook vs. two pawns endgame, where the Kings play no part, the Rook usually captures both pawns, unless they are far advanced.

However, two connected passed pawns on the 6th rank will beat a Rook. Regardless of whose turn it is, one pawn will promote. The above diagram shows what happens when the Rook is only able to attack laterally:

1.  ...            e6

2. c7 (or b7) xp

3. the other pawn promotes

If the pawns are on the 5th rank instead, the Rook wins, except when the Rook is on the 6th rank, and the player with the pawns has the move.

But a famous guideline teaches that Rooks belong behind passed pawns. This is called "the Tarrasch rule", a general principle that applies in the majority of middlegames and endgames. Let's see what happens.

The player with the move wins.

The winning plan for Black is to move the Rook behind the more advanced pawn, attack the other pawn and capture both:

1.   ...        a1

2. g3   a5

3. f4    xb5

4.    a7      a5 White resigns

The winning plan for White is to simply advance the rear pawn:

1.    b6      b1

2.    a7       and one pawn promotes.

Chess Trivia, quoting Aagard:

An old anecdote describes a game in a German club championship, the man playing White after some sweating plays Re1-a1. The crowd is at first stunned and silent, then one guy cannot contain his laughter.

The game is soon agreed a draw. The white player rushes out of the club, embarrassed and confused.

At home he writes a letter to Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch. He gives the position and asks if he had misunderstood something, or if the rook is not supposed to be placed behind the passed pawn.

Dr Tarrasch replies: "Dear Sir, Thank you for reading my column. Indeed you have understood my advice correctly and you shall do well to follow it in the future. However, in this very position, Re8 mate appears to be stronger than the move you played."