www.arves.org - Studies from Chess.com

Studies selected from www.chess.com

[Date "1988"] [White "Jan Timman"] [Site " http://www.chess.com/analysis-board-editor?diagram_id=2653174 "] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [FEN "8/p7/5p2/2k2P2/8/2K5/P7/8 w - - 0 1"] { It is clear that the f-pawn is doomed. If Black goes and collects this pawn, the white king will have to go for the enemy a-pawn. And in order to advance his own a-pawn far enough, he has to push it first. } 1.a4 a5 { But now there is a new problem: White must lose his a-pawn. } 2.Kd3 { Only thus. After 2. Kb3 Kd4 White will be pushed back. } 2...Kb4 3.Kd4 Kxa4 { The critical moment. If White continues with the unsuspecting 4. Kd5 he will lose: 4... Kb5 5. Ke6 a4 6. Kxf6 a3 7. Ke7 a2 8. f6 a1Q 9. f7 Qg7 10. Ke8 Kc6 11. f8Q Qd7 mate. That is why, before he approaches the f-pawn, White must first force the enemy king to a worse square. } 4.Kc4!! { This is the moment of mutual zugzwang. If it were his move, White would lose. } 4...Ka3 5.Kd5 { The rest plays itself. The white f-pawn will reach f7 and the black king is too far away. } 1/2-1/2