Rook against three can be a real horror as three connected pawns supported by a King can be winning. It wouldn't be rare either as it can be a logical consequence of sacrificing pawns for a promotion.
Table-bases are in agreement with comment 1 that Rxf7 only draws, but it would be easy to stumble into a loss playing an inferior move in the R v 3.
If it were a match or tournament where not losing was important, Rxf7 would be the pragmatic choice.
An actual game reaching this position was Gurevich v Glek from 2002 which was played by Gurevich accurately according to the tablebases.
This one used to be considered important because it arises in some analysis by Steckner of a tricky R+4 v R+3 endgame. (See http://www.chesscafe.com/text/dvoretsky99.pdf) However the analysis was later superseded so the defender is not forced to go for this 3 pawns v rook position any more.
I know what you're going to say. Rxf7 only draws. it's more important to bring the king across.
ReplyDeleteRook against three can be a real horror as three connected pawns supported by a King can be winning. It wouldn't be rare either as it can be a logical consequence of sacrificing pawns for a promotion.
ReplyDeleteTable-bases are in agreement with comment 1 that Rxf7 only draws, but it would be easy to stumble into a loss playing an inferior move in the R v 3.
If it were a match or tournament where not losing was important, Rxf7 would be the pragmatic choice.
An actual game reaching this position was Gurevich v Glek from 2002 which was played by Gurevich accurately according to the tablebases.
RdC
Rxf7 does draw.
ReplyDeleteAny offers as to how/why moving the king does better?
Ok my account goes
ReplyDelete1. Kc3 f5
2. Kd3 f4
3. Ke2 g5 (... Kg3; 4. Rg7) (... Kg4; 4. Kf2)
4. Kf3 ...
Seani
This one used to be considered important because it arises in some analysis by Steckner of a tricky R+4 v R+3 endgame. (See http://www.chesscafe.com/text/dvoretsky99.pdf) However the analysis was later superseded so the defender is not forced to go for this 3 pawns v rook position any more.
ReplyDeleteGood spot.
ReplyDeleteYes, I got this from the bit of Hawkins' book where he looks at the Steckner position.
More in the solutions post which is due on the 6th January.