how to lose a tempo and win

 

 

 

 

R. Réti, 1922

We have already made the point that the attacker is better off when the kings are on opposite sides of the pawn. This fact can lead to some subtle play.

1.Rd2! White can only win by losing a tempo with his rook, so as to gain the opposition at the critical moment. 1.Rd3! d4 2.Rd1 is equally good, but not 1.Rd1? d4 2.Kd7 Kd5 and now White is in zugzwang. After 3.Kc7 Kc5 or 3.Ke7 Ke5 Black can keep his king on the same side of the pawn as the white king, while 3.Rd2 brings the rook too close to Black’s king and leads to a draw after 3…Kc4 4.Ke6 Kc3 (gaining a crucial tempo) 5.Rd1 d3 6.Ke5 d2 7.Ke4 Kc2.

source: chess vibes