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8 | ^B | | | | | | | #K |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
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6 | | | | | | | | |
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5 | | | | | | | | |
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4 | | | | | | | | |
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3 | | | | | | | | |
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2 | | | | | | | | |
CHAPTER V. THE END-GAME 53
Chess Strategy
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1 | #K | | | | | | | ^Kt|
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 43.
It is impossible to force a mate with the KING AND TWO KNIGHTS. On the same grounds as given with
respect to Diagram 42, the mate can only be attained through the opponent making a bad move. But a mate can be
forced if the weaker side has a spare move which prevents the stalemate, e.g. Diagram 44.
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8 | | | #K | | | | | |
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7 | | | | | | #P | | |
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6 | | | | | | ^Kt| | |
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5 | | ^K | | | | | | |
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4 | | | | | | | | |
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3 | | | | | ^Kt| | | |
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2 | | | | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 44
1. Kt(K3)-Q5, K-Kt2; 2. K-B5, K-R3; 3. K-Kt4, K-Kt2; 4. K-Kt5, K- R2; 5. Kt-B7, K-Kt2; 6.
Kt(B7)-K8, K-R2; 7. Kt-Q6, K-Kt1; 8. K- Kt6, K-R1; 9. Kt-Q7, P-B4; 10. Kt-Kt5, P-B5; 11. Kt-B7 mate.
Having decided as to the smallest amount of material advantage with which it is possible to force a mate, we
will now turn our attention to simple game endings (still without pawns). To judge such endings correctly, it will
only be necessary to find out whether it is possible to obtain the minimum advantage mentioned. It is sufficient to
discuss cases in which a piece on the one side plays against a stronger one on the other, because in endings where
several pieces are left on either side, fortuitous circumstances are generally the deciding factors, and it would be
impossible to characterise and classify positions of that kind, by giving typical illustrations. Besides, they are
reduced sooner or later by exchanges to such end-games as have been treated already, or are going to be shown
now.
The Queen wins against any other piece; the Rook alone may give trouble. In Diagram 45 we illustrate a
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8 | | #K | | | | | | |
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7 | | #R | | | | | | |
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6 | | | ^K | | | | | |
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5 | ^Q | | | | | | | |
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4 | | | | | | | | |
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CHAPTER V. THE END-GAME 54
Chess Strategy
3 | | | | | | | | |
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2 | | | | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 45
position which is one of the most favourable to the weaker side.
1. Q-R6 leads to nothing, as R-B2ch follows, and after 2. K-Kt6 Black forces a stalemate with R-B3ch.
It is necessary for White to gain a move in this position; in other words, White must try to transfer to the other
side the onus of having to move. If then the Rook moves away from the King, it gets lost after a few checks, or if
Black's King plays to B1, the Rook is equally lost through Q-R6.
White plays therefore: 1. Q-K5ch, K-R1; 2. Q-R1ch, K-Kt1; 3. Q- R5, and wins. For example, 3. ... R-B2;
4. Q-K5ch, K-R2; 5. Q- K3ch, K-R1; 6. Q-K8ch, and so on.
The Rook can win against a minor piece in exceptional cases only. In endings of ROOK AGAINST BISHOP
the weaker King must take refuge in a corner square of different colour from that of his Bishop. For instance,
Diagram 46:
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8 | | | | | | | | #K |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
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6 | | | | | | | | ^K |
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5 | | | | | | | | ^R |
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4 | | | | | | | | |
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3 | | | | #B | | | | |
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2 | | | | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 46.
1. R-Q5, B-B5 (or R2); 2. R-Q8ch, B-Kt1, and Black is stalemate unless the Rook leaves the eighth Rank.
Any outside square which is not of the same colour as that of the Bishop is dangerous for the King. Imagine the
pieces in Diagram 46 shifted two squares towards the centre of the board, as in Diagram 47, and White wins with
1. R-QKt5 B-R5
2. R-Kt8ch B-K1
3. R-R8
The Bishop is lost, as it is Black's move.
In endings of ROOK AGAINST KNIGHT, the weaker side loses, where the Knight is cut off from his King.
For instance, in Diagram 48, 1. R-Q5! In this "oblique opposition" the Rook takes four of the Knight's
CHAPTER V. THE END-GAME 55
Chess Strategy
squares: 1. ... Kt-K8; 2. K-B5, Kt-B7; 3. K-K4, Kt-R6 (Kt-Kt5?; 4. R-Kt5ch! wins the Knight). In this ending
there is always a fatal check at some point, and the position in the
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8 | | | | | | #K | | |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
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6 | | | | | | ^K | | |
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5 | | | | | | ^R | | |
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4 | | | | | | | | |
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3 | | #B | | | | | | |
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2 | | | | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 47
diagram is not in any way a chance win. 4. K-Q3, K-B2; 5. R-QR5, Kt-Kt8; 6. R-R1, and wins.
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8 | | #K | | | | | | |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
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6 | | | | | | | ^K | |
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5 | | | ^R | | | | | |
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4 | | | | | | | | |
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3 | | | | | | #Kt| | |
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2 | | | | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 48
As soon as the Knight can obtain the King's support the game is drawn even when the King is already forced
on to the edge of the board.
Position--White: K at K6, R at K5
Black: K at K1, Kt at QR2
1. R-QB5, K-Q1; 2. K-Q6, Kt-B1ch; 3. K-B6, Kt-K2ch, draw. In this case the King must avoid the
corners, as the Knight would be bereft of his efficiency.
CHAPTER V. THE END-GAME 56
Chess Strategy
Position--White: K at KR6, R at KR4
Black: K at KR1, Kt at K2
1. R-K4, Kt-Kt1ch; 2. K-Kt6 and wins. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]