Endgame Studies 12

A. Trotsky, 1924
A. Trotsky, 1924

White to play and win

1.f6!

White forces the black king back as black has to go after the pawn.

1...Kd6 2.Bxd4 Nd2+

2...e5 3.Bxe5+ and black cannot take the bishop since the pawn would promote.

3.Ke2 Ne5 4.Be5+!

Again the bishop cannot be taken. This intermezzo is important since white needs to control the g3-square before they attack the knight with Ke3. For example: 4.f7? Ke7 5.Ke3 Ng3 (Not 5...Ng5 6.Bf6+!) and white isn't able to save the f-pawn.

4...Kd7 5.f7 Ke7 6.Ke3 Ng5 7.Bf6+! +-

White wins the knight or promotes the pawn.