Comments on https://lichess.org/@/lizard1/blog/which-way-to-go-with-the-king-a-pawn-endgame/19Tigtwb
Nice article but I think Black also wins by outflanking on a-b files too don't they? (Engine found this, not my own work). The failure of the central approach is an interesting lesson nevertheless.
@jdannan said in #2:
> Nice article but I think Black also wins by outflanking on a-b files too don't they? (Engine found this, not my own work). The failure of the central approach is an interesting lesson nevertheless.
Yes, you’re absolutely right, the queenside outflanking plan also wins. I probably should’ve mentioned it in the blog. As is often the case in pawn endings when you’re up a pawn, more than one plan can be winning.
That said, I still think the kingside infiltration with Kf8–g7–h6–g5 is the most practical route. There’s almost nothing to calculate: you just walk the king in, push the e-pawn, and the g- and f-pawns inevitably collapse. With the queenside plan you do need to calculate a bit: making sure Black gets the c3-pawn before White arrives with Kd5–Kxc4. And there are extra details to be aware of, like White trying for Ke4 and g5, when after fxg5 Kxe5 White pushes for f6 Kf5 Kxg5 and then heads for the f7-pawn. Of course, Black is still much faster thanks to the c-passer, but it takes a bit more concrete checking.
So I fully agree with you that both ideas work, I just find the kingside path the clearest demonstration of how domination on the dark squares plus an outside passer makes life simple for the stronger side.
Put the king in a4 and push the e pawn for promotion- if white king chases, we take the c3 pawn and promote the c pawn. It is the same thing, and I feel like this is easier. Nice blog though.
King goes to a3, and white lose