Reti’s Position
Reti’s Position is a classic endgame that all students should know. It seems to defy the laws of chess yet never breaks it. It demonstrates how a king with two threats can indeed work wonders.
Below is Reti’s Position, composed by Richard Réti back in 1921. Take a moment to analyze and understand where the pieces are and which side they are heading towards.
Due to the pawn square rule, the white king is not even close to being able to stop the black pawn from promoting. The black king, however, is right within reach to be able to stop the white pawn from promoting.
Believe it or not, despite the odds, white can manage to draw this game! Every move is critical and must have a purpose if white is to draw the game. Try to figure out how it can be done.
The first move is Kg7! Any other move loses the game. Black will play h4. Now, white must play Kf6. This is another brilliant move that highlights the significance of having two threats.
Black has two different ideas he can choose to play: h3 or Kb6. Let’s go with the h3 variation first. If h3, white plays Ke7 (or Ke6), abandoning the pawn chase and instead focusing on promoting his own pawn.
If white decides to continue pushing his pawn with h2, white plays c7, threatening c8=Q+ which will be a draw. So, black can either promote (which will be a draw) or try to stop the pawn with Kb7. White now brings in his king and plays Kd7, defending the promotion square. Now, once black promotes, white can promote as well (with check) and this is a draw game.
The second variation we have is Kb6 after Kg7, h4, Kf6.
White can still manage to draw this! His next move, just like the other moves, must be precise. White play Ke5. The idea is that if black decides to push his pawn, white plays Kd6 threatening the promotion of his own pawn.
So, black may capture the c6 pawn after Ke5. Now, white is able to play Kf4 (or Ke5), entering the pawn square meaning that he will be able to stop promotion.
Ex. Ke4, h3, Kf3, h2, Kg2, h1=Q+, Kxh1 1/2-1/2
Author: Saharsh Satheesh
