Simple? Endgame objective question

[DiggertheDog]

Question:

I am not used to online time controls and need some advice on this endgame, so that I have a gameplan for maneuvring my rook under time pressure.

Specifically,

What should my plan be?

(a) Attempt to clear pawns.
(b) Manuevre my King to other end of the board
(c) Attempt to swap rook for Knight with King in xyz position


Also - can someone provide an engines assessment.

P.S. How many extra pawns do I need?
Is rook and h pawn and backward king vs Knight and forward king enough?

[Noir_Desir]

R+extra pawn vs minor piece is almost always a win, except for some freak positions with a rook pawn against a bishop. In this particular position, create a passed pawn, advance it and go from there. I'd start with h5-h4.

You can also try to exchange the R for the N, but with g+h vs h pawns there are some drawn pawn endings so be a little bit careful. Doesn't hurt to improve your position first, by advancing pawns and activating the K.

[smilingbill]

Yep, activating your king and getting a passed pawn are concepts that happen eventually. This is pretty much autowinning for Black, h4 looks like the best starting move, creating a passed pawn right away. Anything involving activating pieces and driving White back wins eventually though.

[bigpooch]

Yes, if it's Black's move, 1...h4 wins easily so if it's White's move, he should play 1. h4, but this is still an elementary win. Keep the rook on the f-file and a typical line might be 1. h4 f6 ( with the idea of ...g5 ) 2. Ke2 Rf5 ( now the Nd7 is in danger of being trapped by ...Rb5,...Kf7 ) 3. Nb6 g5 etc.

[DiggertheDog]

Sorry, it was whites move.
Thanks for the advice

In game...... Which is a representation of the final question I had.

I got a bit lost. But still ended up with this position. Not knowing what I did....um I will leave the intermediate blunders.

Again white to move...

Just working to find the criminal.

[bigpooch]

You eventually break through with your king; e.g., 1. Nh3 Kh5 2. Nf2 Kg5 and now White has to concede either the g4 or f4 square. Virtually all of these R+RP vs N positions are winning when the defending king is cut off.

[DiggertheDog]

So the key is to maintain the rook on the f-file.

[bigpooch]

Originally Posted by DiggertheDog

So the key is to maintain the rook on the f-file.

Well, that makes it a bit easier; actually, as long as the RP or R isn't in danger of being lost immediately, even with the pawn on the 2nd rank, the R+RP wins.

[DiggertheDog]

So attempt to create a passed pawn.
Maintain separation between king and pawns where possible.

[DiggertheDog]

I can usually deal with these positions but under time pressure - I get flustered and need a plan.

[whiskeytown]

the big thing even from your first position is remember that where the rook is, the enemy king can't come to intervene - (this gets a bit tricker as u advance the f pawn and have to run sideways to avoid him but you get the idea)

by pushing the h pawn and infiltrating with your king, you have all your major pieces in the plan - he can bring his knight but not easily and you probably won't fall for any dumb forks

rb

[Freewill1978]

I think the key is to make sure you use your king actively. I read in an article by Dan Heisman (solid chess instructor and writer) that a king's strength in the endgame is estimated to be at about 4 pawns. So, even stronger than a minor piece. In the second position you posted, your king is only on the 3rd rank and not really doing much, so it looks like you never got it involved in the endgame. If you're playing without your king in the endgame, it's as if you're down a whole piece.