[Event "K+R+P vs K+R+P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1961.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Eisinger"] [Black "Haag"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "GER"] [FEN "7R/8/8/8/2K1p2P/6r1/4k3/8 b - - 0 1"] [ECO "A00"] [Opening "Van Kruijs"] { Coordinated action between rook and king in the considered endgames very often is of a crucial importance in the presence of passed pawns. Typical examples are the following two positions, which are similar to each other. In both, despite material equality, Black's forces are better posted. King and rook actively support the advancement of the passed pawn. On the other hand, White's forces lack coordination. The king is far from its pawn, and is unable to assist its advancement. The continuation of both games shows the decisive role of better coordination. } 1...e3 2.h5 { White is not prepared to prevent the advance of the black pawn, for example 2.Kc3 Kf2 3.Rf8 Rf3, followed by 4.. .e2. } (2.Kc3 Kf2 3.Rf8+ Rf3 4.-- e2+) 2...Ke1 3.h6 e2 4.Rf8 { If 4.h7, then Black can coordinate his forces as follows: 4...Rg7 5.Kd3 Rf7! (rook secures the file for the king) followed by 6...Kf2. } (4.h7 Rg7 5.Kd3 Rf7 6.-- Kf2) 4...Rh3 5.Rf6 Kd2 6.Rd6+ Kc2 7.Re6 Rh4+ 8.Kb5 { Clearly impossible is 8.Kd5 Kd2 and Black wins, while if 8.Kc5 Black will play 8...Kd2 9.Rd6+ Kc3! 10.Re6 Rh5+ 11.Kd6 Rxh6!. This idea of optimal coordination between the pieces was first demonstrated by Lasker. } (8.Kc5 Kd2 9.Rd6+ Kc3! 10.Re6 Rh5+ 11.Kd6 Rxh6!) (8.Kd5 Kd2) 8...Kd3 9.Rd6+ Kc3 10.Re6 Rh5+ 11.Ka4 Kd3 12.Rd6+ Kc4! { If 13.Re6 Rxh6 14.Rxe2 Ra6 mate, while if 13.Rc6+ there follows 13...Kd5 14.Rc1 Rxh6 and it is obvious that Black wins easily. } (12...Kc4 13.Re6 (13.Rc6+ Kd5 14.Rc1 Rxh6 $19) 13...Rxh6 14.Rxe2 Ra6#) 0-1