Author: James T. Walker
Date: 18:19:29 03/13/99
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On March 13, 1999 at 21:08:42, Marc Plum wrote: >(snip) >>>To give only one example: As far as I know GM Kasparov is not able to >>>win with a Queen against a Rook when you use Ken Thompson's endgame >>>tablebases. Of course the position should not be mate in one of course, >>>but let us take just a position with mate in 27, for example, which >>>is quite a common thing. >>>Well believe it or not, neither Kasparov nor Karpov can win. They are >>>helpless! >>> >> >>Have you asked Kasparov or Karpov this? I've never heard either of them admit >>that they can't win Q vs. R. It is a difficult ending, but if a GM like Walter >>Browne can win it (and he can) then I'm sure Karpov and Kasparov are up to the >>task. >> >> >>--Peter > >For that matter, there is at least one computer on ICC that allows players to >practice various kinds of theoretically won endings. The Bishop and Knight mate. >Queen vs. Knight, and Q vs R. Unrated of course. Comparatively slow blitz time >controls with increments. The computer is using tablebases, and kibitzes the >number of moves until mate on each move. > >I once watched an IM using this program to practice the Q vs R ending, which he >won twice in a row (maybe more, but it wasn't *that* interesting to watch!). >According to the kibitzing from the computer, he missed the fastest line once or >twice, but he still did it without serious danger from the 50 move rule. > >I'm sure I couldn't win in under 50 against optimum resistance (unless there was >already some obvious short range tactic), but for Kasparov, Karpov, Anand, >Kramnik, and many lesser GMs, I think it would be a piece of cake. > >Marc Hello Marc, I think it depends on the individual and how much practice he gets on this ending. I rember when Walter Browne tried this and could not do it. He studied the ending and tried again. The second time I rember it was "ify" as to whether or not he won the bet. It seems to me he "showed Progress" to conversion which would have taken place about move 50/51 and was given credit for the win. In any case I'm sure it was not easy after a lot of preparation. I'm not sure he could do it on demand today. The problem is around the 18th move to conversion for some reason. There seems to be a "wall" there. When they get past that area it's not so bad. I'll bet there are many GM's like Walter Browne that can not do it without a lot of prep/practice first. Jim Walker
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