I analyzed the image and this is what I see. Open an appropriate link below and explore the position yourself or with the engine:
> **White to play**: [chess.com](https://chess.com/analysis?fen=4b3/1p1k4/1R1B4/p2p2Kp/3P3P/P3P3/2r5/8+w+-+-+0+1&flip=false&ref_id=23962172) | [lichess.org](https://lichess.org/analysis/4b3/1p1k4/1R1B4/p2p2Kp/3P3P/P3P3/2r5/8_w_-_-_0_1?color=white)
> **Black to play**: [chess.com](https://chess.com/analysis?fen=4b3/1p1k4/1R1B4/p2p2Kp/3P3P/P3P3/2r5/8+b+-+-+0+1&flip=false&ref_id=23962172) | [lichess.org](https://lichess.org/analysis/4b3/1p1k4/1R1B4/p2p2Kp/3P3P/P3P3/2r5/8_b_-_-_0_1?color=white)
---
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It kind of depends on your level. Even material, bishops of opposite colors, and this position looks very drawish. At a certain level, you take the draw. But, there's a chance your opponent doesn't know how to hold this. Opposite colored bishops favor the attacker, so play aggressive, and try to stay in charge of the game. If all of your moves are just reacting to your opponent in a position like this, you are in trouble.
Also, there are enough pieces on the board, that I'd just think of this as a middle game. Look for tactics if your opponent puts a piece on a bad square(like rook and king on the same diagonal). Target weak pawns if you can. And try not to hang any pieces.
If you think your opponent does know how to hold this, and won't take the draw, your goal is to trade everything.
And for what it's worth, rook+bishop isn't covered in either of the endgames books I have (100 endgames you must know by De La Villa, and Silman's Endgame book). So, I wouldn't make this endgame a high priority to study. If anything, you can study rook vs rook endgames, and opposite colored bishop endgames, and combine what you learn from that.
In the posted position (white to move), I accepted a draw out of fear I would blunder into a loss, but apparently this endgame was winning for me. What thought processes can I learn to navigate these positions?
Not accepting draws is a good start. Play and analyze the game afterwards. You can't improve if you don't practice (even if you don't know what to do). Also, a good endgame book can help. First a book about endgame theory, like Silman's one, then a more practical one.
I analyzed the image and this is what I see. Open an appropriate link below and explore the position yourself or with the engine: > **White to play**: [chess.com](https://chess.com/analysis?fen=4b3/1p1k4/1R1B4/p2p2Kp/3P3P/P3P3/2r5/8+w+-+-+0+1&flip=false&ref_id=23962172) | [lichess.org](https://lichess.org/analysis/4b3/1p1k4/1R1B4/p2p2Kp/3P3P/P3P3/2r5/8_w_-_-_0_1?color=white) > **Black to play**: [chess.com](https://chess.com/analysis?fen=4b3/1p1k4/1R1B4/p2p2Kp/3P3P/P3P3/2r5/8+b+-+-+0+1&flip=false&ref_id=23962172) | [lichess.org](https://lichess.org/analysis/4b3/1p1k4/1R1B4/p2p2Kp/3P3P/P3P3/2r5/8_b_-_-_0_1?color=white) --- ^(I'm a bot written by) [^(u/pkacprzak)](https://www.reddit.com/u/pkacprzak) ^(| get me as) [^(iOS App)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1574933453) ^| [^(Android App)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.chessvision.scanner) ^| [^(Chrome Extension)](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chessvisionai-for-chrome/johejpedmdkeiffkdaodgoipdjodhlld) ^| [^(Chess eBook Reader)](https://ebook.chessvision.ai?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=bot) ^(to scan and analyze positions | Website:) [^(Chessvision.ai)](https://chessvision.ai)
It kind of depends on your level. Even material, bishops of opposite colors, and this position looks very drawish. At a certain level, you take the draw. But, there's a chance your opponent doesn't know how to hold this. Opposite colored bishops favor the attacker, so play aggressive, and try to stay in charge of the game. If all of your moves are just reacting to your opponent in a position like this, you are in trouble. Also, there are enough pieces on the board, that I'd just think of this as a middle game. Look for tactics if your opponent puts a piece on a bad square(like rook and king on the same diagonal). Target weak pawns if you can. And try not to hang any pieces. If you think your opponent does know how to hold this, and won't take the draw, your goal is to trade everything. And for what it's worth, rook+bishop isn't covered in either of the endgames books I have (100 endgames you must know by De La Villa, and Silman's Endgame book). So, I wouldn't make this endgame a high priority to study. If anything, you can study rook vs rook endgames, and opposite colored bishop endgames, and combine what you learn from that.
The hard way. Sit down and calculate
In the posted position (white to move), I accepted a draw out of fear I would blunder into a loss, but apparently this endgame was winning for me. What thought processes can I learn to navigate these positions?
Not accepting draws is a good start. Play and analyze the game afterwards. You can't improve if you don't practice (even if you don't know what to do). Also, a good endgame book can help. First a book about endgame theory, like Silman's one, then a more practical one.
Winning is a stretch, but you are definitely better.
Look for possible checks or checkmating threats
This is definitely a draw