Last time, I asked you to find a forced win for Black in this position. Answer after the diagram!
The solution is pleasingly clear. Black converted her advantage with 47…Ra1+!, forcing the White king to step on the second rank. 48.Kc2 set the table for 48…Ra2+, bringing up the following diagram.
Now White has no way to avoid the exchange of rooks, after which her king will be unable to catch the black pawn. 49.Kd3 Rxe2 50.Kxe2
A reminder to remain alert until the very end: 50…axb3? would mess everything up, allowing the White king to approach and capture the pawn on b3. Of course, Black crowned a well played ending with 50…a3!, when her pawn unstoppably promotes.
The idea of simplifying into a king and pawn endgame where the passed pawn is unstoppable is a standard and instructive one.
Next time, I will start a small series on tactics from the 1956 Olympiad! More information about this soon.