Study of endgame patterns in Chess: one square can mean the difference between living or dying.

Greetings to the THECHESSCOMMUNITY community, glad to start with the study of endgames in chess with a typical position in which a central pawn threatens to crown, but with the right technique the enemy side can make a draw. In the audiovisual resource I have explained two paths: one of them leads to a draw, and the other to defeat. Below is a summary of the ideas explained in the audiovisual resource, which revolve around the following position:

Diagram 01: Study position. Source: LICHESS.ORG.

The road that leads to a draw

Based on diagram 01, the move that leads to a draw is Kd8, since the plan for Black is to be able to win the opposition and thus prevent the white King from entering the critical squares highlighted by the red circles.

Diagram 02: sequence of moves leading to a draw. Source: LICHESS.ORG

With a sequence of moves it is possible to reach the position in diagram 02. Here only the move Ke7 can secure a draw, for example:

3….Ke7 4.-e6, Ke8 5.-Kd6, Kd8 (winning again the opposition and controlling the critical squares) as shown in the following diagram:

Diagram 03: Black achieves a draw. Source: LICHESS.ORG

In conclusion, the secret lies in not losing the opposition. Let us now look at one of the paths that leads to defeat.

The road to defeat

One of these path can start with the move: 1...Ke7

Diagram 04: Ke7 is a serious mistake for Black. Source: LICHESS.ORG

This move is really a bad move for Black, since the white pieces can immediately win the opposition:

Diagram 05: If White wins the opposition, he can control the coronation square. Source: LICHESS.ORG

After the move Kf7, Black has no chance for a draw, since the white king controls the crowning square "e8" .

Conclusions:

It is important to study the endings. I am currently in that phase of training, and I will gladly share with the community those positions that I find most interesting. Until next time. A big hug from Peru.

Hive account@eliaschess333

About translation

I have used the DEEPL TRADUCTOR since my native language is Spanish.

About the audiovisual resource

Production
Hive account@eliaschess333 Director
Hive account@normacanaza Assistant in the recording of the video and taking of captures

Acknowledgments:
Gerald Cuno, student ARTISTA academy

Notes
The source of the tournament image is from Hive account@stayoutoftherz
The musical background used belongs to the program FILMORA X