Chappy wrote:
I don't understand this endgame position which occurred in V. Smyslov
- M. Tal, 1964. Black appears to win after some preliminary King
manoeuvring.

8/3k4/1p6/p1p4p/P1Pp1Pp1/3P2P1/4K3/8 b - - 0 1

Clearly the positions of the respective Kings is critical, but I don't
understand why it makes such a difference.

Can anyone please explain?

Seems to be one of those positions where the kings must be placed ready
to grab a passed pawn without being exposed to a check from either a
pawn advance or a queening pawn. Black threatens h5 and b5 but needs to
get the white king is out of position and unable to take them both.

White in turn threatens f5 and cxb5 (after b5) and again the black king
must always be suitably disposed to see off the passed pawns in time.

Blacks Kd8 seems the strongest since all white moves then lead to his
demise. I tried Kd6 but then either a pawn check or a queen promotion
with check makes the game drawn oryou have to go back via Kd8.

Can someone with more expertise shed some light on any alternative ways
to win that avoid black playing Kd8 ?

Regards,
Martin Brown
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