Endgame Bootcamp 2: Part 4

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot.

The storm has passed for now, and we may rid our heads of Rxg2 Fog. My Friend has gotten all they needed from analyzing this endgame. I, like a vampire, have not bled it dry. It’s ripe with possibilities, ideas, and techniques. I am not satiated.

Overview

No embeds. No links to studies here. The Endgame Bootcamp continues! Set up the board and practice and/or follow along as much you can without the assistance of the images. Once basic ideas are covered, don't get lost and take it slow. The weather could change at any moment, and you mustn't be caught off guard.

Rc1

In the following game Black decides to play Rxg4 after Rc1

A knee-jerk reaction move for most players. Take as many of White’s pawns off the board. Less pawns for White typically leads to better Draw and Win chances for Black.
Pawns will be scraps for the Rooks to feast upon, fuel for the final push. Strength for the continuous grip White must maintain on the position, or let Black slip away.
We’ve touched on various responses by Black, but not this one.

Remember, we aren’t preparing to face computers in chess tournaments, even though computers are used for preparation. Neither side escapes the wrath of the silicone entity.

Rxh4 and White's Knight disappears from sight with a check. Next comes Kc2 with flair and style.
After Re3 Ra6 protects White’s pawn on the a file, as well as continuing threats on Black’s Queenside.
The plan eventually culminates: d5 Rxa7 (pawn one)
Rg3 Rf4 f6 Rf5 Kf8 Rxd5 (pawn two).
Black keeps fighting, but white keeps the board under control on the Queenside, without threats brewing on the Kingside.
Rg2 Kd1 Kg8 Rxb5 (pawn three) Rg4 Rd5 Rg3 a4.
Black plays on a bit longer before throwing in the towel....Rb3 Rd8 Kh7 b5 Rb4 d5 Rxb5 and it’s a Mating Net.

Backtrack and Break Down

After Kc2

White’s weapon is activated with Rxd6 followed by d5 if Black plays Rxa3!
Seems like Black is succeeding in making White’s pawns disappear. Quite the opposite. The d pawn is about to be lit, and it’s potential energy unleased.

Rxd6! Knock knock.

If Black plays a plethora of moves, White may respond with....d5!

If Black plays g5 take the h pawn with the h Rook.

Let's not ignore what happens when Black plays Ra2 with check. Simple answer: the King can go anywhere. Let's clarify by looking at an example when Ra2 is not played.

### Could d5 be played before Rxd6? Absolutely!

Rxd6:

Kf8 d5 Ke7 Rc6 Ra4?
Rd4 Kd7? A rook sacrifice with d6

Back To Square One

Since we know d5 is such a powerful idea for White, because of the threat Rc1 brings to Black's Queenside, Black could play d5 first!
However, an opportunity arises for White to create a second threat! Black's biggest looming threat is promotion. We take a page out of Black's book, adopting the same mindset as playing d5 first, by playing g5 first!
Now black struggles to save their Kingside. Clouds block out the sun for Black's position. A chill runs up their spine. A simple d5 plug was not enough to stop the ship from sinking. Rh2 Rxh2 Rxh2 gxh6!
White is waiting to pounce with the Knight on e5 after Rxh4, hxg7, Rxd4 (or Kxg7 Ne5 Rxd4)
Instead of trading down Rooks, Black could also try hxg5 hxg5 Rxg5 (g6 Rxc6 Rxg5) Rxc6.
Different from the positions where White is able to play d5, but still Winning! The current threat of mate limits Black's options to checks, or pushing the Kingside pawns to provide Luft (an escape square). Black playing f5 expedites the Knight to e5.

Rxd3 warrants a quick look

It removes the White Knight. Mate is no longer the immediate threat once White recaptures on d3.Notice Black's lack of counterplay on either side of the board, while White prepares a bed of coals around the d file.

Back to the Main Ideas: if g6 or f6 by Black...

White's continuation will consist of shuffling the c Rook. Black has no way to improve their situation, so White will scoop up their pawn on the a file. Amazing, only six turns into the Endgame: White has maintained King Safety while Black couldn't improve their King or Rooks. Watching Islands sink.

f6 Rc5 a6 Rc6or g6 Rc5 a6 Rc6

Summation

Each side has lost two pawns, but Black is about to lose a third. No bark or bite from Black. Black could try to reposition the g rook to allow for g5, but that's slower than molasses. White could take over the open e file with Re3 if Black chooses to not play Re2. Ultimately, White easily crashes through the Queenside with a4.