This was a terrible example on my part, as very strong players mess up the transition to the Vančura position. Victims include both Anand and Gelfand in their world championship match, and David Howell and Hikaru Nakamura, just agreed drawn in Gibraltar. 63.Kb2? (63.Rd3! =) and 64…Ke3? (64…Kg3!! -+ is hard to see, even for a genius).
chess24.com/en/watch/live-tourn … 2015/7/1/1
Variation that could have arisen in Howell-Nakamura after the unplayed 64…Kg3!! (White to play, Black wins)
Compare this position, which you’d think would be better for Black because the h-pawn is one step closer to promotion, but is actually a Vančura draw.
Theoretical position: White to play draws with 1.Rd3+! (only move) Kf2 2.Rc3! (only move) (Vančura).
The position with the pawn on h4 was winning because the defender’s rook cannot tickle the pawn on the third rank, which gives Black time to use the Rh1 as a shield. Nakamura suspected something was there (he took almost thirty minutes to play moves 63 and 64), but even he couldn’t find it. And I for one don’t blame him.
So if world-class players make mistakes in “elementary” rook and pawn vs. rook endings, what chance do patzers like us have?
Despite this minor slip, Naka has virtually clinched Gibraltar with one round to play: he is once again US #1 on the live list, as he should be.
Aronian lost today and has fallen out of the top 10.