Bishop Versus Rook and Bishop Pawn On The Sixth Rank
from de la Villa, page 220| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
| 8 | 8 | ||||||||
| 7 | 7 | ||||||||
| 6 | 6 | ||||||||
| 5 | 5 | ||||||||
| 4 | 4 | ||||||||
| 3 | 3 | ||||||||
| 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h |
A bishop can make a fortress versus a rook and a bishop pawn on the sixth rank, if the bishop is on the color of the pawn's seventh rank square and the defending king is in front of the pawn. In this position, White would win if he had gotten the king to the sixth rank ahead of the pawn. Black draws by keeping the bishop on the diagonal from a2 to e6, except when giving check. The bishop keeps the white king off e6 and checks him if he goes to g6, to drive him away. A possible continuation:
- 1... Ba2
- 2. Kf4 (2. f7 is an interesting attempt, but then Black moves 2... Kg7! and then 3... Bxf7, with a draw. 2... Kg7 prevents 3. Kf6, which would win.)
- 2... Bc4
- 3. Kg5 Bd5! (the only move to draw, since the bishop must be able to check the king if it goes to g6)
- 4. Rc7 Ba2!
- 5. Kg6 Bb1+!
- 6. Kh6 Ba2!
- 7. Ra7
if 7. f7 Bxf7!: the pawn can be safely captured when the white king is on h6
- 7... Bc4, draw because White cannot make progress (de la Villa 2008:219–21).
Read more about this topic: Fortress (chess)
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