JSM endgame misses

The LauttSK 3 team was nearly losing their match at Finnish Team Championship (JSM) on October 15, 2011, but they were lucky in the following instructive endgames.

How does Black win?

▶ Solution

The game continued 70...Ke2 71.Rd7 d1Q 72.Rxd1 Kxd1?? 73.h5 and draw (Reijo Rautio – Osmo Rännäri) because Black has to sacrifice his rook against White's g-pawn.

However, the intermediate check 72...Re4+ would win because White has to move his king away from the g4 square, after which he cannot play h5.

Does White have a draw?

▶ Solution

The game continued 45.b6?? axb6 46.axb6 Kc6 47.c5 h5 and Black won (Samu Heikkilä – Tommi Laaksovuori).

However, 45.Kd2 would be a draw.

Does White have a draw?

▶ Solution

The game continued 53.Kc3?? h2 54.Re1 g4 and Black soon promoted a queen on h1, which was enough to win the game (Heikki Veijola – Arto Heimonen).

However, 53.Re8 g4 54.Rh8 would be a draw: Black will sacrifice the rook for a pawn, and his king will get another pawn.