28 Jul 14
Why did you resign? After 54...Bg2, you temporarily stop the a-pawn. Yes, White does have Nc8-b6 forcing you to give up the Bishop, but you now have time to start breaking out on the King-side with f6 and going after his pawns. His King has to deal with your passer, as the Knight doesn't get back fast enough, so you still have winning chances. He played very poorly earlier in the game: 20. Qh3? He had 20. Bxh7+. If now Kxh7 21 Qh3+ Kany, 22. Qe3 and it looks to me White is a solid pawn up. 26. Re3? left his other rook undefended. 26. Rfd1 was better. 38.Nh5? He should have pushed the a-pawn-passed pawns must be pushed! I agree with the other posters about you bringing your King back to a less effective post.
30 Jul 14
Originally posted by Ragwortyes to my horror this was the position that was inevitable! Why a great chess arteest like me must suffer these indignities to my majesty i do not know.
[pgn]
[FEN "8/4kp2/P2Np1p1/1p2P2p/5P1P/4K3/8/5b2 b - - 0 54"]
54. ...Bg2 55. Ne4 {How does Black stop the a pawn? The knight blocks the diagonal and cannot be dislodged. If...} f5 56. e5xf6 {is terrible for Black. This diagonal blocking motif is a standard endgame technique when trying to queen a pawn with a knight against a bishop as it prevents the bis ...[text shortened]... ificed for the pawn. Important if you only have one pawn left with which to try and win!} [/pgn]