Monday’s position was taken from my game with black last week against Paul Dupré of Surbiton B, which featured many missed opportunities by both players.

This was the last of them. The game continued 37. a7 Bxa7, which is just a draw because my king gets across in time. (If you don’t know this you should read Chess Heroes: Endings!)

Paul could have won had he found the correct plan and implemented it accurately.

The idea is to transfer your bishop to the g1-a7 diagonal with the aid of your king, thus forcing the black bishop to b8, and then advance your king.

Here’s how you do it: it requires a series of ‘only moves’ without which the black king will make it to a8.

37. Kc2! Kf7 38. Kd3! Bf2 39. Bf4! (Be5! also works) Ba7 40. Be3! Bb8 41. Kc4! Ke6 42. Kb5! Kd7 43. Kb6! Kc8 44. a7! Bxa7 45. Kxa7 and wins because the black king can be kept out of the corner. White plays the bishop to the h2-b8 diagonal, then plays Kb6 and the a-pawn will promote.

If you found that plan, I guess that makes you an endgame maestro.

If you’ve found any instructive positions in any of your games which you think will make good puzzles, do please send them to me.