Anything Can Happen

Too often in Chess, players will give up.

Usually without consciously realizing it.

This has probably happened to you, and I know it has happened to me.

This can happen for a multitude of reasons, but most often because we have a false belief about our opponent, or ourself.

“Oh an X rated player will easily crush me, just look at the rating difference.”

“My position is hopeless. There is no way I can come back from this.”

These statements may resonate with you on some level. But, recognize that these are nothing but lies - that will get in the way of you playing your best game.

I am not saying that you will beat most higher-rated opponents, or that you will win all your games from dead-lost positions.

However, it is critical that you understand that nothing is written in stone, and that the strangest of things can happen.

-10 Position Against 2500 IM

In the following example, I had seemingly all the factors against me: Lost position, very strong opponent, and the emotional turmoil of screwing up a great position.

I omitted the earlier parts of the game, but the whole thing was an absolute emotional roller-coaster.

I obtained a decisive advantage out of the opening with a new line I had studied recently, only to let it slowly dissipate before my very eyes.

Before I knew it, my opponent had ruthlessly taken over the advantage.

I mustered up some counterplay, only to let it fizzle.

But when things finally hit rock-bottom, a miracle occurred.

Let’s see what happened:

Generally speaking, this sort of position should be easily winning for Black, with 2 extra connected passed pawns in this single-rook ending.

However, there are some practical obstacles, with my king nicely keeping the pawns from advancing.

The last few moves I have been shifting my rook between g1 and g2. I should also note I cannot grab the g6 pawn, because …Rg4+ will be winning for Black.

The computer points out that Black’s best is 80…Kd5! here. With the idea to slowly maneuver the king in via d5-c4-d3-e3.

80…Ke4 is also a possible approach. My opponent may have avoided this due to 81.Kxg6, when there is no …Rg4+ possibilities available. However, after 81…f4, White looks to be in trouble.

Instead, though my opponent played 80…Re4, and after 81.Rg1 Re3??.

Now, White can grab the pawn on g6, and there are no …Rg4+ ideas. Additionally, compared to the 80…Ke4 line we looked at earlier, Black’s king is comparatively less active on e5 than e4.

Though, during the game I was not completely sure whether or not I was drawing or not yet.

As it turned out, I was.

The game continued: 82.Kxg6 f4 83.Rf1 (avoiding …Rg3+ tricks) Rg3+ 84.Kh5 Ke4 85.Kh4 Rg8 86.Ra1 (preparing to give checks from the side) f3 87.Kh3

and from here Black has a couple different choices. But, White will hold against all of them with checking the Black king, or bringing the White king closer to the pawn (if allowed).

I recommend checking this yourself if unsure.

Not too long later, we arrived at a drawn position.

If there is one thing to take away here, it is to always be alert for even the smallest of chances, and never give up until the game is over.

You will be surprised how often these opportunities present themselves.

If you found this useful, you should also enjoy a video I made last year on Swindles.

- Sam