Last time out, you were shown a beginner’s lesson in a bishop vs. knight ending. If you thought that was too elementary, here’s an example of GM Mark Taimanov losing a game because he couldn’t figure out how to find the drawing line against Fischer in their candidates’ match in 1971 in Vancouver. Let’s see if you can do better than the GM who lost 6-0 in the match.

Solution:

Taimanov played the following and ran into a lesson on zugzwang moves: 1...Ke4 2.Bc8 Kf4 3.h4 Nf3 4.h5 Ng5 5.Bf5 Nf3 6.h6 Ng5 7.Kg6 Resigns. There are actually two drawing moves in this position. The whole idea is that a king alone can draw if the h-pawn (or a-pawn) queening square is the opposite color of the bishop. There is no way to force the pawn through: 1...Nd3 2.h4 Nf4 3.Kf5 Kd6 4.Kxf4 Ke7 5.Kg5 Kf7 6.Kh6 Kg8 Or 1...Kd6 2.Be6 Nd3 3.h4 Nf4 4.Bf7 Kd7 5.Bb3 Ke8 6.Kf5 Kf8 7.Kxf4 Kg7

Send questions and comments to PTamburro@aol.com.