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The Drawing Myth: How Capablanca Wins a Dead-Equal Rook Endgame

Thanks for teaching me some new ideas (well, they're new to me, anyway). I have noticed that I am more likely to accept a draw than to decline it in an OTB game, especially when material is even. It could be that I overestimate my opponent's chances. I might be accepting the draw out of fear rather than out of certainty.

I need to remember to play on the side in which I am strongest...I also need to activate my king as soon as it makes sense. I think I need to develop a sense of fearlessness, for lack of a better word. I mean, it is only a game...if I play to win when I am not 100% certain it is a draw, I might find myself pleasantly surprised.

Thanks for teaching me some new ideas (well, they're new to me, anyway). I have noticed that I am more likely to accept a draw than to decline it in an OTB game, especially when material is even. It could be that I overestimate my opponent's chances. I might be accepting the draw out of fear rather than out of certainty. I need to remember to play on the side in which I am strongest...I also need to activate my king as soon as it makes sense. I think I need to develop a sense of fearlessness, for lack of a better word. I mean, it is only a game...if I play to win when I am not 100% certain it is a draw, I might find myself pleasantly surprised.

@amazingatlas
I might have typed some seemingly irrelevant words, but it occurred to me that I need an attitude adjustment. For years, I have been so afraid to lose that I miss out on some potentially good games of chess. Most people I have played chess with are decent people. They don't typically put me down if I lose. Some even allow for a rematch, or better yet, help me with studying my lost game. I wish I had learned this a long time ago. It's okay to lose, especially if you are able to learn from it.

I need to reread the article and study the game in question. There is still a lot to learn from Capablanca...

@amazingatlas I might have typed some seemingly irrelevant words, but it occurred to me that I need an attitude adjustment. For years, I have been so afraid to lose that I miss out on some potentially good games of chess. Most people I have played chess with are decent people. They don't typically put me down if I lose. Some even allow for a rematch, or better yet, help me with studying my lost game. I wish I had learned this a long time ago. It's okay to lose, especially if you are able to learn from it. I need to reread the article and study the game in question. There is still a lot to learn from Capablanca...

Great advice for everyone.
My mantra for my students is : Either we win or we learn !

Great advice for everyone. My mantra for my students is : Either we win or we learn !

"If you want a draw, play to win."

  • That cannot be true: you can only win if your opponent makes a mistake.
    In this case 28 g4? was white's decisive mistake: white had to double rooks on the a file, so black had to double rooks on the a-file too to defend his pawn a5. Then g3 should suffice to draw.
    This leads to the conclusion that Capablanca's 27...h5? was a mistake too: he had to play 27...Kd6 so he could defend his pawn a5 with his king and keep an active rook.
    Likewise 27 h3? was a mistake: he should have doubled rooks on the a-file, to tie black's rooks to the defense of pawn a5 to reach a draw.
"If you want a draw, play to win." * That cannot be true: you can only win if your opponent makes a mistake. In this case 28 g4? was white's decisive mistake: white had to double rooks on the a file, so black had to double rooks on the a-file too to defend his pawn a5. Then g3 should suffice to draw. This leads to the conclusion that Capablanca's 27...h5? was a mistake too: he had to play 27...Kd6 so he could defend his pawn a5 with his king and keep an active rook. Likewise 27 h3? was a mistake: he should have doubled rooks on the a-file, to tie black's rooks to the defense of pawn a5 to reach a draw.

Thanks for you comment and I appreciate your analyses.

Yes we win because of mistakes from our opponent but the good news is you will not face a perfect opponent. The lesson I want to impart from Capablanca is that you should try to put pressure on your opponent by giving them difficult decisions and give yourself easy choices.
I agree that White could play better with doubling rooks but the game is very far from a draw and black can press when white must defend accuratly.

I appreciate your feedback keep it coming

Thanks for you comment and I appreciate your analyses. Yes we win because of mistakes from our opponent but the good news is you will not face a perfect opponent. The lesson I want to impart from Capablanca is that you should try to put pressure on your opponent by giving them difficult decisions and give yourself easy choices. I agree that White could play better with doubling rooks but the game is very far from a draw and black can press when white must defend accuratly. I appreciate your feedback keep it coming