Thursday 21 April 2022

R v B

 During the ACT Junior Rapid Championships, I witnessed not one, but two R v B endings (no pawns mind you). As the players involved were relatively inexperienced, finding the correct defence proved elusive. It is a draw if the side with the Bishop can get their king into the corner of the opposite colour to the bishop, as stalemate tricks then save the day.

In the first case the weaker side got their king caught in the middle of the back rank and lost the bishop to zugswang. In the second game, the defending side found a better strategy, putting the side with the rook into check, and then pointing out an illegal move when the rook was moved. After resetting the position I pointed out that touch move still applies, after a brief moment of confusion, the player played RxB which was met by KxR. 

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