3 pieces behind the diagonal 5-46

In this analysis we will look at some 4 against 2 endgames where white has three pieces behind the main diagonal 5-46. The only way to chase the black king away from this diagonal is to build a suitable capture position. Often this makes the white pieces vulnerable to attacks with the black king.

diagram 1

Barski 439, white wins as follows: 1.17-44 16-21 2.44-35 Now black must leave the main diagonal because of 21-26? 3.15-10 23x5 4.20-14 5x30 5.35x19 W+. ≡ 23-34 3.24-19! (and not ≡ 3.20-14? 21-27 4.24-19 27-32 5.35-24 32-37 6.24-47 34-30 =) ≡ 21-27 4.35-24! and in this position black is defenseless.

diagram 2

Barski 440 Draw! White cannot reach the capture position from diagram 1, for example 1.17-8 46-41 2.25-20 41-46 3.35-30 16-21! 4.8x26 46-19 5.30-25 with a standard draw position. Notice that if the white piece on 35 is moved to one of the squares 40/44/45/49/50 the position is still a draw.

diagram 3

Draw. White has only one plan in this position: advance with the piece on 47 to 38, and make a capture position. After some quick analysis with the computer it becomes evident that black has many ways to force a draw when white advances the piece on 47. A nice corner case is: 1.3-12 37-46 2.47-42 46-41 3.42-38 41-37* and now white can choose between 1) 4.12-26 37-28* and 2) ≡ 4.12-8 37-26* 5.8-3 26-37 with repetitive moves, and 3) ≡ 4.38-33 37-26* 5.12-3 26-31* and now 3.1) 6.20-14 31-9 7.14-10 9-22 8.33-29 16-21 9.3x26 22-18 etc. = or 3.2) ≡ 6.33-28 31-37* 7.28-22 37-31 8.22-17 31-37! and white's position of the king is so awkward that black can simply make a second king after 9.17-12 16-21 10.12-8 21-27 11.8-2 27-31 with a draw. N.B. also when the white piece on 47 is moved to 48 it is still a draw.

diagram 4

In this position white can simply win by first advancing with 47 to 24 and then follow the plan in diagram 1.

diagram 5

In this position black has exactly one way to force a draw: 28-41* This has everything to do with the variant 3.48-43 16-21* 4.43-38 41-36* and because of the black king on the crucial square 36 white cannot advance with 5.15-10? because of the attack 36-47. If black instead plays the careless move ≡ 28-37? then white wins after 3.48-43 16-21 4.43-38 37-31 5.15-10 31-4 6.10-5 4-15 7.38-32! 15x27 8.5-32 W+.

diagram 6

To increase the understanding of this endgame an extra diagram is useful. Here black has two possible moves, namely 5-23 and ≡ 5-41, both with the objective to prevent the white move 2.42-38. Suppose white wants to prepare this move with 3.49-43 then black can continue with 41-19 4.42-38 19-23* (to prevent the move 5.43-49) ≡ 5.38-33 23-12! and white can no longer defend the loose pieces, for example 6.20-14 12-3* 7.14-10 16-21 8.43x16 3-17 etc. =.