Endgame Bootcamp 5

Endgame one: More Bishop Power!

Whoever moves wins!

8/8/2B4p/2p4P/P1b2k2/2P1p1p1/1P4P1/4K3 w - - 0 44 (change the w in the FEN to b if you want black to move first)

Black To Move:

I'd like to point out the similarity to the position we looked at in the prior post. Black's King is set to "invade" the Kingside corner and promote. Not only that, but Black can position their Bishop to guard the a8 square. Be4 Kf1 Kg2 Ke2 Kg2, and White cannot stop the g pawn.

White's Bishop is on the wrong color, and Black already took over the "long diagonal". This should hint at what White's move would be.

White To Move:

Just look at the wonderful pawn island on the Queenside.
Bc6! Bg8 a4 Bc4 Ke1

Taking the long diagonal before Black can, and pushing the a and b pawns is the way! There's no quick "invasion" for Black this time.

Endgame Two: Knight Moves

8/6p1/5k2/pp5P/6KN/PP6/8/2n5 w - - 1 41 (change the w in the FEN to b if you want black to move first)

White To Move:

There's a solid move for the draw. DONT play a4...unless your opponent is under time pressure and thinks taking b3 wins.
a4 Nb3 axb5 a4 b6

Black can play Nc5 or Na5, to stop White's advancement of the b pawn, but this allows White's Knight to hop over to the Queenside and stop Black's a pawn.
If Nc5: Nf3 a3 Ne1 a2 Nc2

In order to prevent White from addressing threats on both sides of the board, Black should have played b4 after a4. An "only move" situation. The White King is too far away from their Queenside pawns. Black's Knight is properly positioned to simultaneously prevent White's Queenside threat, while creating their own threat. If the White King steps towards the Queenside, then the Black King can approach White's h pawn, solidifying the g pawn promotion.
a4 b4 Kf4 Nb3 Nf3 Nc5 Nd2 b3

Black to Move:

Hopefully this makes it clear, that if Black were the first to move, taking the b3 pawn is the win. Another "only move", otherwise White has drawing chances.

Again, because of Black's Knight's positioning, taking the b3 pawn nullifies White's ability to stop the a and b pawns from rolling to promotion.
If Black played b4 as their first move, then axb4 axb4 and White has Ng2 or Ng6. We arrive in "tablebase territory".