Endgame Studies 11

G. Kasparyan, 1955
G. Kasparyan, 1955

White to play and win

White has an extra piece but black's h2 is only one step away from becoming a queen and the white knight on a3 is far away from the action. White is not able to stop black from playing Ng4-Nd2 followed by h1=Q so white needs to to trap the black knight on h1 in order to win.

1.Kd4 Ng4 2.Bg2

2.Bd5 (This move also wins) 2...Nf2 (2...Kf8 3.Bg2! Kf7 4.Ke4 This transposes to the main line) 3.Ke3 h1=Q 4.Bxh1 Nxh1 5.Kf3 Kf7 This is also the main line after 5 moves.)

2...Kf7 3.Ke4! Nf2+ 4.Kf3 h1=Q 5.Bxh1 Nxh1

The black knight is trapped on h1 but white still needs to find a way to save their h-pawn in order to win the game.

6.Nc2! (6.Kg2? Kg6 7.Kxh1 Kh5 =) 6...Kg6 7.Ne1!

This is the only move. Going to e3 would be a mistake because of 7.Ne3? Kh6! (7...Kh5? 8.Ng2! Kh6 9.Nf4 +-) 8.Nf5+ Kh5 And now white is in Zugzwang: if they move the knight, their h-pawn will fall and if the king moves, the black king can go to g4: 9. Kg2 Kg4 =

7...Kf5 8.Ng2 Kg6 9.Nf4+

White controls the g5- and h5-squares which block the black king

9...Kf5 (If black goes back with their king, white can simply take the knight on h1) 10.h5 Kg5 11.Kg2

Black cannot take on f4 since the pawn will promote and otherwise white will take on h1 and support the pawn with their king.