THE END-GAME
JUST as it is difficult to state the exact point at which an
opening ends, so is it equally difficult to say where the end-
game may be said to commence. One of the main characteristics of
end-games is the active part taken by the King. Clearly the King
cannot venture out into the field of operations until there has
been an exchange of the majority of the pieces, so that there can
be no danger of his being mated. As soon as a player has attained
some advantage in material which ensures the victory in the end-
game, he will try to bring about the end-game by exchanging
pieces, for there the lines on which to push home his advantage
are clearly set out.
It is first necessary to know what surplus of forces is the
minimum required in order to force a mate. The positions in which
the mate can be forced may be shown by a few typical examples.
But I shall lay stress mainly on one point. That is the ability
to judge whether an end-game which could be brought about by
exchanges is won or not; in other words, whether it can be
reduced to one of the typical positions referred to above.
It is obvious that the end-game is the particular demesne of pawn
strategy. Nearly always one or more pawns survive the exchange of
pieces, and the knowledge of the end-game will be invaluable for
gauging the consequences of pawn moves in the course of the
middle game. The latter represents probably the most difficult
aspect of the strategy of chess.
In order to enable beginners to grasp the following chapters, I
must again point out a few elementary considerations.
Simple end-games, that is, end-games without pawns, are
comparatively easy to understand. Let us first consider the case
of a King denuded of all his troops. In order to force the mate
it is necessary to obtain command of four squares, namely, those
four squares which he controls after he has been driven into a
corner. Supposing the Black King has been driven to QR1, the
White King can prevent him from reaching two squares of different
colour, namely, QR2 and QKt2. Therefore it is necessary for White
still to have such forces as can command two more squares of
different colour, namely, QR1 and QKt1. As can readily be seen,
it will be essential to have at least the Queen or a Rook or two
Bishops, or a Knight and Bishop, or two Knights. [Footnote: How
the King can be driven into a corner will be shown subsequently.]
We shall see that in the latter case it is impossible to drive
the King into a corner without bringing about a stalemate. The
mates by a Queen or Rook are so simple that I only give an
example of each for the sake of completeness.
Position 1.--White: K at QR1, Q-KR1
Black: K at K4
1. K-Kt2, K-Q5; 2. K-Kt3, K-K4; 3. K-B4, K-Q3; 4. Q-K4, K-
Q2; 5. K-B5, K-B1; 6. K-B6, K-Kt1; 7. Q-QR4, or Kt4ch, or K7, or
R7 and mate next move.
Position 2.--White: K at QKt3, RKR2
Black: K at K4
1. K-B4, K-Q3; 2. R-K2, K-B3; 3. R-K6ch, K-Q2; 4. K-Q5, K-
B2; 5. K-B5, K-Q2; 6. R-K1, K-B2; 7. R-K7ch, K-Q1; 8. K-Q6, K-B1;
9. K-B6, K-Kt1; 10. R-K1, K-R7; 11. R-K8, K-R3; 12. R-R8 mate.
Position 3.--White: K at QRsq, B at KKtsq, BatKKt2
Black: K at KRsq
1. K-Kt2, K-Kt2; 2. K-B3, K-B3; 3. K-Q4, K-K3; 4. B-R2, K-
B3; 5. K-Q5, K-B4; 6. B-K5, K-Kt4; 7. K-K6, K-Kt5; 8. B-
QR8, K-Kt4; 9. B-B3, K-Kt3; 10. B-KB6, K-R3; 11. K-B7, K-
R2; 12. B-Kt5, K-R1; 13. B-Q1, K-R2; 14. B-B2ch, K-R1;
B-B6 mate.
It is more difficult to mate with KNIGHT AND BISHOP. It is only
possible to mate on a corner square commanded by the Bishop, as
the following argument shows clearly. A mating position in the
corner which the Bishop does not command would have to be of the
type set out in Diagram 42. Here the Bishop plays on White
squares, and the Knight in order to checkmate must move on to a
White square; in other words, he must come from a Black one.
Therefore, when the Bishop checked on the previous move and drove
the King away, the King had the option of two black squares, and
had no need to go into the corner one. He is only mated in
consequence of a wrong move.
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8 | | | | | | ^K | | #K |
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7 | | | | | | ^Kt| | |
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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 | | | ^B | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 42
As stated above, however, it is possible in all cases to mate
in the corner square which is of the same colour as the Bishop.
The King is driven into the corner in this way: the Knight cuts
him off such squares as the Bishop does not command. Diagram 43
will serve as an illustration.
1. K-Kt2, K-Kt2; 2. K-B3, K-B3; 3. K-Q4, K-K3; 4. Kt-Kt3, K-B3;
5. B-B3, K-Kt4; 6. K-K5, K-Kt3; 7. Kt-K4, K-Kt2; 8. K-B5, K-R1;
9. K-B6, K-Kt1; 10. Kt-Kt5, K-R1; 11. Kt-B7ch, K-Kt1; 12. B-K4,
K-B1; 13. B-R7, K-K1; 14. Kt-K5, K-Q1; 15. Kt-B4, K-B2; 16. B-K4,
K-Q2; 17. K-B7, K-B2; 18. K-K7, K-B1; 19. K-Q6, K-Q1; 20. B-Kt6,
K-B1; 21. Kt-R5, K-Q1; 22. Kt-Kt7ch, K-B1; 23. K-B6, K-Kt1; 24.
K-Kt6, K-B1; 25. B-B5ch, K-Kt1; 26. Kt-B5, K-R1; 27. B-K6, K-Kt1;
28. Kt-R6ch, K-R1; 29. B-Q5 mate.
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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 | | | | | | | | |
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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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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 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.
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.
We come now to the more interesting part of end-game play,
namely, PAWN ENDINGS. The best course will be first to study how
to turn a material superiority in pawns to decisive advantage,
after which we shall note particular positions, in which a win is
possible with an equality or even an inferiority in pawns.
The ending of KING AND PAWN AGAINST KING is one of the simplest
albeit one of the most important of elementary cases. The
stronger side will evidently try to queen the pawn. But generally
this is not possible if the adverse King has command of the
queening square. One important condition, though, must be
complied with: the weaker King must move into “opposition,” and
“opposition” is one of the characteristic and deciding factors in
most pawn endings. It is absolutely necessary for the learner to
understand fully the meaning of the term “opposition,” and its
value in elementary cases This knowledge is of far reaching
influence in end-games.
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8 | | | | | | | | |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
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6 | | | | | | #K | | |
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5 | | | | ^P | | | | |
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4 | | | | | ^K | | | |
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3 | | | | | | | | |
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2 | | | | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 49
In Diagram 49 White seeks to queen his pawn.
1. K-Q4, K-K2; 2. K-K5
With this move White assumes the opposition. That is, he moves
into the same rank or file, separated by one square only, so
that both Kings stand on squares of the same colour. White has
moved last, it is Black’s turn to move; it is said in this case
that “White has the opposition.” We shall soon see that Black is
only able to draw the game, if he succeeds in assuming the
opposition himself (which means that, having the move, he should
step into opposition). 2. ... K-Q 2; 3 P-Q6 (Diagram 50).
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8 | | | | | | | | |
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7 | | | | #K | | | | |
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6 | | | | ^P | | | | |
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5 | | | | | ^K | | | |
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4 | | | | | | | | |
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3 | | | | | | | | |
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2 | | | | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 50
I propose now to recapitulate.
This is the critical moment, namely, when the pawn reaches the
sixth rank. If now Black plays K-K1 he is lost, for White playing
K-K6 has the opposition. After 4. ... K-Q1, 5. P-Q7, Black is
forced to allow the White King to move to K7, covering the
queening square; 5. ... K-B2, 6. K-K7, any; 7. P queens. But
Black has a draw in the position of Diagram 50, by playing 3. ...
K-Q1!! (not K1). Now after 4. K-K6 he keeps the opposition
himself with K-K1; and after 5. P-Q7ch, K-Q1; 6. K-Q6, he is
stalemated, or else wins the pawn if White plays differently on
his sixth move. The King draws against King and pawn if he
commands the queening square, and if he can retain the opposition
on the first rank as soon as the pawn moves into his sixth.
It is of the utmost importance that the pawn should be at his
sixth; if the pawn is still further back, the opposition on the
first rank is of no avail.
Diagram 51 will serve as an example. Having the move,
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8 | | | | | | | #K | |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
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6 | | | | | | | | ^K |
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5 | | | | | | | | |
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4 | | | ^P | | | | | |
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3 | | | | | | | | |
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2 | | | | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 51
White would only draw with P-B5, because Black’s K-B2 wins the
pawn.
But White wins as follows: 1. K-Kt6, K-B1; 2. K-B6, K-K1; 3. K-
K6, K-Q1; 4. K-Q6, K-B sq:
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8 | | | | #K | | | | |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
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6 | | | | ^K | | | | |
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5 | | | ^P | | | | | |
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4 | | | | | | | | |
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3 | | | | | | | | |
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2 | | | | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 52.
5. P-B5, K-Q sq. We see: Black has just assumed the opposition,
but the pawn has not yet crossed to his sixth square, and White,
by playing P-B6, again forces Black to give up the opposition. It
might be more clear to put it in this way: with P-B6 White wins
the opposition, in that he brings about a position with Black to
move. Therefore the game is won for White. Since the opposition
on the outside rank is of no avail, when the pawn has not yet
played to his sixth square, the weaker side must try to keep away
the opposing King from the sixth rank until the pawn has reached
that rank. This is possible in positions such as that in Diagram
53, where the stronger
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8 | | | | | | | | |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
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6 | | | #K | | | | | |
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5 | | | | | | | | |
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4 | | | | | | | | |
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3 | | | | ^K | | | | |
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2 | | | ^P | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 53
King is not more than one rank ahead of his pawn, and the weaker
King can assume the opposition. In the position in Diagram 53
Black plays K-Q4 and maintains the opposition until the pawn
moves, after which a typical position, similar to the one treated
in connection with Diagram 50 is brought about.
If White has the move, however, he wins easily by 1. K-B4, thus:
1. ... K-Q3
2. K-Kt5 K-B2
3. K-B5 K-Kt2
4. K-Q6 K-B1
5. K-B6
and there is opposition on the eighth rank whilst the pawn has
not reached the sixth.
If the King is more than one rank ahead of his pawn, as in
Diagram 54, the end-game can always be won, for if Black
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8 | | | | | | | | |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
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6 | | | #K | | | | | |
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5 | | | | | | | | |
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4 | | | | ^K | | | | |
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3 | | | | | | | | |
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2 | | | ^P | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 54
takes the opposition with K-Q3, White deprives him of it again,
winning a move by P-B3, and the position is similar to that in
Diagram 53, with White to move.
1. ... K-Q3
2. P-B3 K-B3
3. K-B4 and wins.
This settles all typical end-games of King and pawn against King.
There is, however, one exception to the rules set out, namely,
when a ROOK’S PAWN is concerned. Here the isolated King always
succeeds in drawing if he can reach the corner where the pawn has
to queen, for he cannot be driven out again. The Rook’s pawn
affords another opportunity for the weaker side to draw. Diagram
55 will illustrate this, and similar positions are of frequent
occurrence in practice. Here Black draws with 1. ... K-B5. As he
threatens to capture the pawn, White must play 2. P-R4. Then
after the reply K-B4, White is still unable to cut the opponent
off from the corner with K-Kt7, as the loss of the pawn is still
threatened through K-Kt5. And after 3. P-R5 Black attains the
position which is typical for this end-game, namely the
opposition against the King on the Rook’s file. The latter cannot
escape without giving up the contested corner, and the game is
drawn. 3. ... K-B3; 4. K-R7, K-B2; 5. K-R8, K-B1; 6. P-R6, K-B2;
7. P-R7, K-B1: and White is stalemated.
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8 | | | | | | | | |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
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6 | ^K | | | | | | | |
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5 | | | | | | | | |
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4 | | | | | | | | |
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3 | | | | #K | | | | |
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2 | ^P | | | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 55
End-games with a majority of one pawn, when both sides still have
pawns, are much more simple to manipulate.
Such games result in positions of which Diagram 56 is a
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8 | | | | | | | | |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
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6 | | | #P | | | #K | | |
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5 | | | ^P | | | | | |
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4 | | | | | | | ^P | |
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3 | | | | | ^K | | | |
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2 | | | | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 56
typical instance. Here White does not even need to Queen his
passed pawn. The mere threat forces the win. For the pawn at Kt4
reduces the mobility of the Black King, in so far as the latter
must at all times be ready to reach the queening square in as few
moves as the pawn, or else the pawn would queen unmolested. The
White King can therefore capture the opposing Bishop’s pawn in
peace and then queen his own.
1. K-K4, K-K3; 2. P-Kt5, K-K2; 3. K-K5, K-B2; 4. K-Q6, and so on;
or 1. ... K-Kt4 KxP; 3. K-Q6, K-B4; 4. KxP, K-K3; 5. K-Kt7, and
so on.
Such positions as Diagram 56 are also reached when there are
several pawns on each wing. The stronger side exchanges pawns on
the wing where there is a majority until the extra pawn is
passed.
The winning process is not quite so simple when all the pawns are
on the same wing, because exchanges are of no use unless the King
can assume the opposition in front of the last remaining pawn
(compare notes to Diagram 53).
In Diagram 57, for instance, White must not play P-B4. Therefore
he can only win by gaining the Knight’s Pawn,
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8 | | | | | | | | |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
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6 | | | | #K | | | | |
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5 | | #P | | | | | | |
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4 | | ^P | | ^K | | | | |
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3 | | | | | | | | |
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2 | | | ^P | | | | | |
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1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 57
that is, by bringing his King to B5. This he achieves by forcing
the Black King to relinquish the opposition with 1. P-B3.
1. ... K-B3; 2. K-K5, K-Kt2; 3. K-Q6, K-Kt3; 4. K-Q5, K-Kt2; 5.
K-B5, K-R3; 6. K-B6, and wins, as Black must abandon the pawn.
This position, being of frequent occurrence, is most important,
and I recommend it as a valuable study in the use of the
opposition.
Before I discuss positions of greater complexity, in which the
only way to win is by sacrificing the extra pawn, I shall treat
of end-games in which positional advantages ensure the victory
although the pawns are equal. Here we shall find simple cases in
which pawn manœuvres bring about the win, and more intricate
ones in which King moves are the deciding factor.
Of the former the most important type is the end-game with the
“distant passed pawn.” A typical example is the position in
Diagram 58, in which Black wins.
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8 | | | | | | | | #K |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #P | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | ^P | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | ^P | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | ^K |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 58
The King’s moves are outlined by the necessity of capturing the
opposing passed pawn, after which the Black King is two files
nearer the battle-field (the Queen’s side), so that the White
pawns must fall.
1. K-Kt2, K-Kt2; 2. K-Kt3, K-B3; 3. K-Kt4, K-K4; 4. P-B4ch, K-B3;
5. K-Kt3, P-R4; 6. K-R4, K-B4; 7. KxP, KxP; 8. K-Kt6, K-K4, and
so on.
For similar reasons the position in Diagram 59 is lost for Black.
White obtains a passed pawn on the opposite wing to that of the
King. He forces the Black King to abandon his King’s side pawns,
and these are lost. I give the moves in full, because this is
another important example characteristic of the ever recurring
necessity of applying our arithmetical rule. By simply
enumerating the moves necessary for either player to queen his
pawn--SEPARATELY for White and Black--we can see the result of
our intended manœuvres, however far ahead we have to extend our
calculations.
1. P-R4, K-K3; 2. P-R5, PxP; 3. PxP, K-Q3
Now the following calculations show that Black is lost. White
needs ten moves in order to queen on the King’s side, namely,
five to capture the Black King’s side pawns (K-K4, B5, Kt6, R6,
Kt5), one to free the way for his pawn, and four moves with the
pawn. After ten moves, Black only
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #P | #P | | | #K | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | ^P | ^P | | | | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | ^P | | | | | ^K | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 59
gets his pawn to B6. He requires six moves to capture the White
Queen’s side pawns, one to make room for his pawn at B3, and
after three moves the pawn only gets to B6. White then wins by
means of many checks, forcing the Black King to block the way of
his own pawn, thus gaining time for his King to approach. As we
shall see later on (p. 97), if the pawn had already reached B7,
whilst under protection by his K, the game would be drawn.
It is necessary to make it a rule to examine positions in which
each side has a passed pawn, by counting the moves in the way
first shown. It is just because end-games can be calculated to a
nicety, there being no moves of which the consequences cannot be
foreseen, that we note in contemporary master play a tendency to
simplify the middle-game by exchanging pieces, as soon as there
is an infinitesimal advantage in the pawn position (compare the
game Charousek-Heinrichsen, p. 108).
We will now turn our attention to positions in which the pawns
opposed on each wing are of equal number and no passed pawn can
be forced through. Everything depends on the relative position of
the Kings. The deciding factor in valuing the King’s position is
whether pawn moves are possible, or whether they are already
entirely or nearly exhausted, so that only manœuvres by the King
are possible. The following illustrations make the position
clear. We shall see that the importance of getting the opposition
is paramount. Diagram 60 shows a simple instance in which there
are no
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8 | | | | | | | | |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | #K | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | | | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^P | | | | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | ^K | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 60
more pawn moves. Whoever has the move wins by assuming the
opposition. The opposing King must then give the way free to one
of the pawns.
The state of affairs in Diagram 61 is similar to that in Diagram
60. Having the move, White plays into opposition and forces his
way to Q5, after which Black’s Bishop’s pawn is lost.
1. K-K4, K-Q3; 2. K-B5, K-Q2; 3. K-K5, K-B3; 4. K-K6, K-B2; 5. K-
Q5, K-Kt3; 6. K-Q6, and so on (compare Diagram 57). If Black has
the move he can only draw, because the White Bishop’s pawn is
covered even though Black gains the square at Q5.
1. ... K-K4; 2. K-Q3, K-B5; 3. K-Q2!! and whatever Black plays
White wins the opposition, so that the Black King’s ingress is
stopped; 2. K-K2 loses the game because of 3. ... K-K5; 4. K-Q2,
K-Q5; 5. K-B2, K-K6; 6. K-B1, K-Q6; 7. K-Kt2, K-Q7; 8. K-Kt1, K-
B6; 9. K-R2, K-B7, and wins.
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | #K | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | #P | ^P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^P | | | ^K | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 61
I shall take this opportunity of explaining what is called
“distant opposition.” In Diagram 62, White with the move wins by
1. K-K2, thus assuming “distant opposition” (squares of the same
colour!!). If Black now enters his second rank, White immediately
plays into opposition on his third rank, e.g. 1. ... K-Q2; 2. K-
Q3, and still maintains it by 3. K-K3 if Black plays a waiting
move such as 2. ... K-K2. Now Black has no further waiting moves,
as White threatens to capture one of the pawns. But playing into
the third rank is of no use, as White then assumes the direct
opposition, and wins as in Diagram 60. Black must allow White
access to one side or the other. He could not have remained on
the first rank at the outset either, for after 1. ... K-Q1, White
advances through a square, to which Black cannot assume the
opposition, namely, 2. K-B3. If now Black wishes to answer the
threat of K-B 4-Kt5 and plays K-K2, White answers 3. K-K3 as
before.
2. K-K3 or KQ3 would be wrong, as Black would then succeed in
assuming the opposition at K2 or Q2, and would be able to
maintain it. White would be unable to circumvent this or to
attack the pawns.
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | #K | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #P | | | | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | ^P | | | | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | ^K | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 62
In this position, too, there is ample scope for the study of the
opposition.
If the pawns are still standing behind, the King who has the most
advanced position has always the advantage, because he threatens
to attack the opposing pawns should they leave their base. White
has more pawn moves at his disposal, and will nearly always
succeed in assuming the opposition. For instance, in Diagram 63,
White, having the move, wins because his King gets first into the
centre of the board.
1. K-K3, K-Q2; 2. K-B4, K-K2; 3. K-Kt5 K-B2; 4. K-R6, K-Kt1; 5.
P-KB4, K-R1; 6. P-B5, PxP; 7. K-Kt5, K-Kt2; 8. KxP, K-B2. Black
has now the opposition but cannot maintain it, having no pawn
moves available. The White King threatens to capture any pawn
that ventures forward.
9. K-K5, K-K2; 10. K-Q5, K-Q2; 11. P-B4, P-B3ch; 12. K-K5, K-K2;
13. P-B5, and wins, as Black will soon be compelled to play K-Q2,
after which a manœuvre shown previously gives White the Queen’s
Bishop’s pawn.
l3. ... P-KR4; 14. P-KR4, P-R4; 15. P-R4! K-Q2; 16. K-B6, K-O1:
17. K-K6, and so on.
If in Diagram 63 the King stood at Q2 instead of B1, he could
just manage to draw. White takes eleven moves to capture the
Black King’s side pawns, and to queen one of
---------------------------------------
8 | | | #K | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | #P | | | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | | | | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | | ^P | ^K | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 63
his own, as can be easily seen. In eleven moves Black captures
the opposing QBP and queens his own. We see here how the King’s
position can be counterbalanced by the weakness of a pawn, and
lead to a draw. If the White QBP was not isolated but standing,
for instance, at QKt2, Black would be lost, as calculation easily
shows.
The strength or weakness of a pawn position, which, as we saw,
had so deciding an influence in the end-game position just
treated, is one of the most important factors in a game of chess,
and should have full consideration in the middle game. A pawn,
when isolated, is naturally weaker than when it is or can be
protected by another. It may easily lead to the loss of a game,
as the mobility of the King or a piece is reduced by having to
protect the pawn (compare End-game, p. 102).
It is frequently and erroneously thought that DOUBLED pawns as
such are a weakness. Doubled pawns are weak when ISOLATED, for
they cannot support each other. But if doubled pawns can be
supported by a pawn on the next file they need not by any means
be at a disadvantage against three united single pawns on the
opposite side. For instance, in Diagram 64, if Black had a pawn
at QKt3 instead of R2, White would have no winning chances. He
could not attack the pawns, nor would any kind of manœuvres
force a passed pawn through. In the diagram, however, White wins
through
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8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | #P | #K | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^K | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | ^P | ^P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 64
1. K-B5; Black cannot then hold the pawn at B3. 1. ... P-R3; 2.
P-Kt4.
In this particular case the win is made easy by the fact that the
White King is able to attack the Black pawn at once. But even
without this advantage, the weakness of
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | #P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | #K | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | #P | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | ^P | | | | ^K | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^P | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | ^P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 65
doubled pawns usually entails the loss of the game. Diagram 65
may serve as an example.
1. K-Q4, P-B4ch; 2. K-B4, K-B3; 3. P-B3 K-Kt3; 4. K-Q5, P-B3ch;
5. K-B4, and wins.
Doubled pawns are a drawback, even when not isolated, should
there be no way of obtaining a passed pawn by exchanging them
against a smaller number of single pawns. This is illustrated in
Diagram 66, in which Black wins because the three pawns on the
King’s side hold up the four White pawns and the Black King can
assail the White pawns from the rear,
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | ^P | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | #K | | | | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | #P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | ^K | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 66
the White King being fettered by the necessity of capturing the
QBP. The proper formation for the Black pawns would be at B3,
Kt2, R3, after which White cannot force a pawn through by playing
P-B4 and P-Kt5, as Black can refrain from making any exchange.
Black could not afford to leave the pawns where they are, because
even if there were no White pawn at B2, White would, by playing
P-Kt5, threaten to win in the following way:
1. P-Kt6, BPxP; 2. P-R6, and P-B6, etc.; or 1. ... RPxP; 2. P-
B6, with P-R6, etc. In a game Ed. Lasker-Moll (Berlin
championship, 1904), from which the position is taken, Black
played P-R3 in order to obtain the formation mentioned above, and
White resigned after 2. P-B4? P-B3, P-Kt5, K-Q5. There was,
however, a pretty win after Black’s P-R3, namely: 2. P-B6, PxP;
3. P-B4, K-Q5; 4. P-Kt5, BPxP; 5. PxP, K-K4; 6. PxP, K-B6; 7. K-
B2 and Black is lost, because his own pawn obstructs the square
B2, and the King must release the square Kt2, after which the
White pawn queens.
This winning combination, however, is only an interesting
exception to the rule that positions of this kind are generally
won by the side which possesses the passed pawn. In this
particular case Black could have made the position secure by
obtaining the ideal position of B3 Kt2 R3 for his pawns earlier,
before the White pawns could advance so far. In the position of
Diagram 66 Black could still have won by playing P-B3. After 2.
P-R6, PxP; 3. P-B4, K-Q4; the Black King has time to overtake the
passed pawn which results on the Bishop’s file.
To conclude the study of pawn endings with an equal number of
pawns on either side, we will discuss Diagram 67,
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8 | | | | | | | | |
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7 | | | | | | | | |
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6 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | #K | | #P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^P | | ^K | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 67
which illustrates a curious position occurring from time to time
in practice. Whoever has the move wins by moving into distant
opposition. White, therefore, should play K-K5 K-Q5 would lose,
as Black would play K-Kt5, protecting his pawn and attacking the
White pawn, the protection of which White has to give up next
move. In the same way Black with the move cannot play K-Kt5
because White wins the pawn with K-Q5. After 1. K-K5 Black cannot
avoid the loss of the game, e.g. K-R3; 2. K-Q5, K-Kt3; 3. K-Q6,
and so on. Black with the move wins similarly with K-R5.
We have still to consider end-games in which a draw results in
spite of a majority of pawns, or where a win can only be achieved
by the sacrifice of an extra pawn.
Diagram 68 shows the latter case. Here White can only win in the
following manner: 1. P-Kt4ch, PxPch; 2. K-Kt3, K any; 3. KxP, and
wins. Any other way would allow
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | #P | | #K | | | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | ^P | | | | | | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^P | ^K | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 68
Black to assume the opposition and to force the draw, e.g. 1. K-
B2, K-B3! 2. K-Q3, K-Q4, etc.
Not 1. K-B2, K-Kt5? 2. K-Kt2, K-B4, 3. K-B3, etc., as in Diagram
57.
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | #K | #P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | ^P | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | ^K | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 69
A counterpart to this position is found in Diagram 69, which
shows one of the few cases in which the possession of an extra
pawn does not force a win. It seems at first sight as if White
could win by simply assuming the opposition with 1. K-K4
continued: ... K-K2; 2. K-Q5, K-Q2; 3. P-B5, K-K2; 4. K-B6, etc.
But Black would reply 1. ... P-B4ch! and after 2. PxPch, K-B3
followed by KxP ensure the draw.
We come now to those end-games in which pieces as well as pawns
are left on the board.
As it is my aim to give typical examples, I shall confine myself
to positions where there is only one piece besides the King. Most
end-games with several pieces can be reduced to that.
In nearly all end-games with pieces the King’s manœuvres used in
pawn endings are of no avail, as far as opposition is concerned,
as the advantage of opposition means that the opponent is forced
to move his King, and as long as there are pieces on the board,
such “forced move” positions are infrequent. However, the
strength of the pawn position is of the same importance as in
pawn endings, just as the command of as many squares as possible
is essential for the King. A third and very important factor is
again the mobility of pieces.
A good example is found in Diagram 70, a position from a game
Post-Leonhardt (Berlin Jubilee Tournament, 1907).
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | | #K | | | #B | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | ^P | #P | | #P | | #P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | ^P | | ^K | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | ^B | ^P | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 70
Black’s pawn position is weaker, because the White pawns, being
on Black squares, cannot be attacked by the Bishop, whilst Black
has two isolated pawns on White squares. Furthermore the Black
Bishop has less mobility than the White one, and finally the
Black King is tied to his Q3, to prevent White’s entry at B5 or
K5. These drawbacks decide the issue. 1. ... B-R2; 2. P-R4, B-
Kt3; 3. B-B2, P-R4. (After B-R2 White would command the square at
Kt6 through P-R5); 4. B-Q3, B-R2; 5. B-B1, and Black resigns, for
White threatens to establish his Bishop at B3, where the pawns at
Q5 and R5 are both attacked, whilst the Black Bishop is at once
forced to occupy the only square from which both pawns are
covered, namely B2. As this square must be abandoned in the next
move, Black loses a pawn and the game.
5. ... B-Kt1; 6. B-K2, B-B2; 7. B-B3, and wins, or 5. ... B-Kt3;
6. B-Kt2, B-B2; 7. B-B3, and wins.
A corresponding instance of KNIGHT V. BISHOP is the end-game
Blackburne-Schlechter (p. 102).
It is difficult to gauge the relative value of Bishop and Knight
in the end-game. The Knight has the advantage of access to all
squares; against that the Bishop is able to fight at long range,
and offers opportunities of gaining moves in certain positions
where there is a “forced move” (compare p. 90).
As already stated, two Bishops are superior to two Knights
because the limitation of the colour of squares ceases. A Rook
generally wins against a Bishop or a Knight, sometimes even
against a majority of one or two pawns, provided, of course, that
there are still pawns on the Rook’s side, and that their exchange
cannot be forced. The following position (Diagram 71), from a
game Moll-Post, shows how to proceed in such cases.
Here White can force a win in the following way: 1. RxP, P-Kt6;
2. R-R6, PxP; 3. RxP, K-B2; 4. R-B2, B-Kt5; 5. R-B4, B-R4; 6. P-
B4! The Black pawn position must first be torn up, if it is to be
attacked successfully.
Now Black’s defeat is inevitable, whether the pawn is taken or
not. The sequel would be 6. ... PxP; 7. RxP, after which the Rook
goes to KR5 and the Rook’s pawn must fall, or: 6. ... K-Kt3; 7.
PxP, PxP; 8. R-B6ch, K-Kt2; 9. R-B5, and the Bishop’s pawn is
lost, unless Black gives up his passed pawn. In this case Black
loses also: 9. R-B5, B-Q1; 10. KxP, K-Kt3; 11. K-Q3, B-B3; 12. R-
B6, K-Kt2; 13. K-K4, K-Kt3; 14. R-R6, K-B2; 15. K-B5, B-Q1; 16.
R-KKt6, followed by RxP, etc.
The Queen against a minor piece wins so easily that it is not
necessary to give an example. It only remains to discuss end-
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | ^R | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | #P | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | #P | | | | | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | #P | | | | | ^P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | #B | | | ^P | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | | | #P | ^K | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 71
games of QUEEN V. QUEEN, ROOK V. ROOK, AND MINOR PIECE V. MINOR
PIECE, in which one player has a majority of pawns, or an equal
number of pawns, one of which is passed. As a rule the extra
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #B | | | | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^Kt| | ^K | | #P | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 72
pawn leads to a win. There are, however, exceptions frequently
recurring in practice to which I must refer specially.
Diagram 72 shows an end-game with a Rook’s pawn and a Bishop “of
the wrong colour.”
White draws with 1. Kt-Q2, P-B7; 2. Kt-K4ch, K-Kt7; 3. KtxP, and
draws, as Black, in order to capture the White pawn, after KxKt
must give the White King access to the Rook’s square, from which
he could not be dislodged except by a Bishop on White squares.
In Diagram 73 White cannot win although his Bishop is of the
“right colour” by 1. P-B7, KtxP; 2. BxKt, and White cannot win
the Rook’s pawn. He can only attack the pawn from Kt7 or Kt8,
both of which are inaccessible as the Black King gets to Kt1. It
is a stalemate position. If the White
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | #K | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | ^P | | #Kt| | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | ^K | ^B | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 73
pawn were still at R5, White’s King could attack the pawn from R6
and secure the win.
In the position given, White could only win by keeping his passed
pawn, and indeed it is possible to win by gaining a move with the
Bishop. In the diagram it is White’s move. Black with the move
could not play K-B2 because K-Q6 would follow. The Knight would
have to move, allowing the pawn to queen. Therefore White must
try to bring about the same position with Black to move. He can
do this, for instance, in the following way:
1. B-Kt3, K-B2 (now 2. K-Q6 would be bad on account of Kt-Q5, 3.
P-B7, Kt-Kt5ch, and KtxP); 2. B-R2, K-K2; 3. B-K5. Now White’s
plan has succeeded; the same position has occurred, and it is
Black’s move. As mentioned before, the King must not move, but
Knight’s moves are of no avail. If 3. ... Kt-Kt4; 4. B-B6ch, the
Knight is lost, or alternatively the pawn queens. On 3. ... Kt-
B1, B-Q6ch decides, and on 3. ... Kt-Q1; 4. B-B6ch, K-K1; 5. BxKt
would follow.
On this occasion I should like to point out that it is impossible
to gain a move with a Knight, as a square which is accessible to
him in an odd number of moves cannot be reached by him in an even
number. A simple instance is Diagram 74.
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8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | #K | | ^K |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | ^Kt| | | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 74
White loses, having the move. 1. K-R8, Kt-K4; 2. K-R2, Kt-Q2; 3.
K-R8, Kt-B1; 4. P-R7, Kt-Kt3 mate.
Black with the move cannot win, as he cannot bring about the same
position with White to move.
In end-games of BISHOP V. BISHOP, of which we have already had an
example in Diagram 70, an extra pawn wins in most cases if the
Bishops are of the same colour. It is generally possible to force
an exchange of Bishops and obtain one of the well-known pawn
endings.
On the other hand an ending with Bishops of different colour
leads mostly to a draw, frequently even against a majority of two
pawns. The position in Diagram 75 is a draw, because it is
impossible for the White King to get round his Kt pawn to drive
off the Bishop.
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | | #B | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #P | | #K | | | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | | | ^K | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | ^B | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 75
With two passed pawns distant from each other, a win can
generally be forced, as in the following position (Diagram 76).
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | #B | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | #K | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | ^P | | | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | ^K | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | ^B | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 76
The King moves up to the pawn, the progress of which is barred by
the Bishop (not the King). He thereby forces the sacrifice of the
Bishop. If the Black King comes to the rescue of the Bishop, the
other pawn proves Black’s downfall.
1. K-K4, K-K2; 2. K-Q5, K-Q2; 3. B-K4, B-K2; 4. P-Kt6, B-Q1; 5.
P-Kt7, K-B2; 6. K-K6, and wins; or 5. ... B-B2; 6. P-B6, B-R7; 6.
B-B2, K-K1; 8. K-K6, B-Kt1; 9. B-Kt6ch, K-B1; 10. K-Q7, and wins.
When the pawns are united, one should observe this rule: if they
are attacked, they should, if possible, move to squares of the
colour of the opposing Bishop.
Therefore in the position set out in Diagram 77 White should not
play P-B5, but P-K5. After 1. P-B5 there is no possible chance
for White to assume the command of the Black squares, and in
order to advance the pawns it is necessary
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | #B | | | | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | ^P | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | ^K | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | ^B | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 77
to force access to both White and Black squares. In the present
instance play would proceed on these lines:
1. P-K5, B-R4; 2. K-K3, K-B2; 3. K-K4, K-K2; 4. P-B5, B-Kt5; 5.
P-B6ch, K-B1; 6. P-K6, B-R6; 7. B-R4, B-Kt5. White can only get
through with the King’s Pawn, as P-B7 is unavailing on the
grounds set out above. But in order to play P-K7, the square K7
must first be covered a second time, so that the Bishop cannot be
given up for the two pawns. Therefore: 8. K-Q5, B-R6 (B-B6; P-
K7ch); 9. K-B6, K-K1; 10. K-B7ch, K-B1; 11. K-Q7, and wins.
In end-games with one Knight on each side, an extra pawn usually
decides the game much in the same way as in end-games with
Bishops of the same colour; frequently even with equal pawns, the
possession of a passed pawn is sufficient, as it keeps either the
King or the Knight busy, so that there is only one piece
available for the defence of the pawns. An instructive example is
the end-game Ed. Lasker-Rotlevi on p. 100.
End-games with Rook against Rook are the most frequent, as well
as the most difficult. Here the possession of an extra pawn is
seldom sufficient for a win, unless the stronger side has also an
advantage in the greater mobility of the Rook. Diagram 78 is
typical of such cases, frequent in practice, in
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | #R | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | ^R | | | | #P | #K |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | ^P | | | | | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | ^K | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 78
which the greater mobility is the deciding factor. Although White
has one pawn more, he can only win by reducing the mobility of
the Black Rook through the following manœuvre: 1. R-B2, R-Q2;
2. R-R2, R-R2. Now the Black Rook has only one move left, whilst
the White Rook has the freedom of the Rook’s file. For instance,
the Rook can be posted at R5 and prevent the Black King from
attacking White’s King’s side pawns, whilst the White King makes
for the R at R7 and effects its capture. If, on the other hand,
the Black King tries to obstruct the way to the Queen’s side,
White penetrates into the Black pawn position. Black cannot
maintain the opposition because the White Rook has spare moves,
the Black Rook none. e.g. 3. K-B3, K-Kt3; 4. R-R5, K-B3; 5. K-K4,
K-K3; 6. R-R4, P-Kt3; 7. R-R5, K-Q3; 8. K-Q4, K-B3; 9. K-K5, and
wins the pawns.
Having the move, Black would draw the game by: 1. ... R-Q7ch; 2.
K-R3, R-R7. By placing his Rook behind the passed pawn he
condemns the opposing Rook to inactivity, whilst his own is free
to move on the Rook’s file. If now the White King comes up, he
will in the end force the sacrifice of the Black Rook for the
pawn, but meanwhile the Black King captures the White pawns, and
with passed pawns on the King’s side might get winning chances.
When there is only one pawn left in endings of R against R, the
weaker side maintains the draw, if the King can command the
queening square. Diagram 79 shows a position favourable to the
stronger side, and which can mostly be obtained in this end-game.
But here, too, Black forces a draw with a pretty manœuvre: 1.
... R-B2; 2. R-KKt2, R-Q2ch; 3. PXR, and Black is stalemate.
---------------------------------------
8 | | | #R | #K | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | ^P | ^K | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | ^R | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 79
The chances of a draw are even greater in endings of Q against Q,
as the King on the stronger side can seldom evade perpetual
check. For the sake of completeness I will show a few cases in
which Q or R cannot win against an advanced pawn.
In Diagram 80 White can still draw, for in five moves the pawn
reaches Kt7, supported by the King at R7, and in that time Black
cannot come up with his King, so that he must give up the Rook
for the pawn. Two passed pawns win, even when the King is away
from them, if they have reached their sixth square. In Diagram
81, for instance, White is lost,
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | ^K | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | ^P | | | #R | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | #K |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 80.
as Black gives up his Rook at Q7 and plays P-Kt6, after which one
of the pawns queens.
The Queen wins against an advanced pawn, even when the latter is
supported by the King; only the R or B pawn can
---------------------------------------
8 | | | ^K | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | ^P | | | | ^R |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #K | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | #R | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 81.
draw sometimes, when the pawn is on the seventh supported by the
King, and the opposing Q cannot move to the queening square.
The following illustrates the three principal cases:
A. Position--White: K at QKt8, P at QR7
Black: K at QR8, Q at QB3
Black must stop the pawn and plays Q-Kt3ch. White answers with K-
R sq and is stalemate unless White lets the Kt’s file free again.
This end-game can only be won if the stronger King can assume the
opposition in two moves. Therefore, if in the above example the
Black King was standing at Q5, Black would win as follows: 1. ...
Q-K1ch; 2. K-Kt7, Q-K2ch; 3. K-Kt8, K-B4; 4. P-R8 = Q, K-Kt3. and
White cannot cover the mate.
B. Position--White: K at QKt8, P at QB7
Black: K at Q5, Q at QB3
White draws: 1. ... Q-Kt3ch; 2. K-R8, QxP stalemate.
C. Position--White: K at QKt8, P at QKt7
Black: K at Q5, Q at QB3 White loses.
1. K-R7, Q-R5ch; 2. K-Kt6, Q-Kt5ch; 3. K-B7, Q-B4ch; 4. K-Q8, Q-
Q3ch; 5. K-B8, Q-B3ch; 6. K-Kt8, K-B4; 7. K-R7, Q-R5ch; 8. K-Kt8,
K-B3; 9. K-B8, Q-R3, etc.
END-GAMES FROM MASTER PLAY
In the following pages I give some instructive examples taken
from tournament play. Step by step we will find how very
important is the knowledge of the simple endings treated in the
last chapter. We shall see that it is often necessary to consider
many moves ahead to find the correct line, but that it is nearly
always possible to foresee every consequence with unfailing
certainty. Moreover, because of the reduction of forces there is
no call to take very many variations into consideration. This
explains why there is a tendency in modern master play to enforce
the exchange of pieces, as soon as there is the slightest
advantage sufficient to bring about one of the elementary end-
game positions, in which the win can be forced.
1. FROM A GAME TEICHMANN-BLACKBURNE (BERLIN, 1897).
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | | #K | #P | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | #P | | #P | | | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | ^P | | ^P | | | | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | ^P | ^K | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 82.
Black has an extra pawn on the Queen’s side. But as it is
doubled, the material superiority is of no account. A perceptible
advantage, however, lies in the fact that White cannot bring
about a “forced move” position, as Black has the move P-QB4 in
reserve. White has also an infinitesimal weakness on the King’s
side, the Rook’s pawn having advanced two squares and being
therefore an easy mark. This disadvantage soon becomes apparent.
1. P-B3 K-B4
2. K-B2 P-R4
3. K-Kt2 P-Kt4
4. K-R3 K-K4
With this move advantage is taken of one of White’s weaknesses.
White must exchange pawns. If the King moves, Black captures,
freeing B 5 for his King, from where he can later on get to K6 or
Kt6. But after the exchange at Kt4, Black has the chance of
obtaining a “distant passed pawn” on the Rook’s file.
5. PxP PxP
6. K-Kt2 K-B4
7. K-R2 K-B3
If Black were to play P-R5 at once, White would reply with 8. K-
R3, and after PxP, 9. KxP. Black would have to give up the spare
move P-B4, to gain the square at B5 for his King. The game then
would be drawn after 10. K-Kt2! K-B5, 11. K-B2, because White
maintains the opposition, and Black cannot get through at K6 or
Kt6. Black therefore manœuvres his King first in such a way that
the square at his B4 is only reached when the White King is at
Kt3.
8. K-Kt2 K-Kt3
9. K-R2 P-R5
Now neither PxP nor P-B4 is of any use. In the first case Black
obtains the distant passed pawn. In the second White obtains the
distant passed pawn after 10. P-B4, PxBP; 11. PxRP, but loses it
again after K-R4; 12. K-R3, P-B4.
10. K-R3 PxP
11. KxP K-B4
At last Black has captured the coveted square, whilst keeping the
spare move in hand.
12. K-B2 K-B5
The White King cannot move to Kt2 now, because in that case Black
would move the King to the White QBP and queen in seven moves,
and White, after seven moves, would only have the KB pawn at B7.
13. K-K2 K-Kt6
14. K-K3 P-B4
and wins, for White cannot hold the KBP now, but must capture the
KtP in exchange for it, after which the Black King reaches the
Queen’s side two moves ahead, e.g.:
15. K-K2 K-Kt7
16. K-K3 K-B8!
17. K-K4 K-B7
18. K-B5 KxP
19. KxP K-K6, etc.
Black would have forced a win also if White had played K-Kt2 on
his twelfth move thus: 12. K-Kt2, K-B5; 13. K-B2.
Now White has the opposition, and after Black wrings it from him
by playing the spare move P-B4, he assumes it again with 14. K-
K2, K-Kt6; 15. K-K3. But he cannot maintain it after Black’s K-R6
because the square at Q3 for distant opposition is not
accessible. After 16. K-Q2, K-R7!; 17. K-K3, K-Kt6; 18. K-K2, K-
Kt7; 19. K-K3, K-B8 we get the same result as before.
II. FROM A GAME ED. LASKER-ROTLEVI (HAMBURG, 1910).
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | #Kt | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | #K | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | ^K | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | ^Kt| | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 83.
White has the advantage, because Black must keep either his King
or his Knight permanently near the passed pawn, guarding against
its advance, whilst both White’s King and Knight can attack the
Black pawns. As yet they stand so far in the rear that the White
King cannot approach them Therefore White must first try to force
their advance.
1. Kt-B5 P-Kt3
2. Kt-Q3 P-R4
This is now necessary, because the square B3 is weak after P-Kt3
and the White Knight threatens to win the Rook’s pawn eventually
with a check at B6. For this reason Kt-Q 2, for instance, could
not be played instead of the move in the text, because 3. Kt-K5
would follow. Black now cannot exchange, of course, otherwise the
position would resolve itself to an easy end game win similar to
the one in Diagram 56. There would be nothing left but Kt-Kt1 to
oppose the threat of Kt-B6ch, and this would get the Knight
entirely out of play, so that White could queen the passed pawn
easily after 4. K-Kt6.
3. K-K5 P-B3
The King was threatening to enter via Q5 and B6.
4. K-B5 Kt-K3
If Black wishes to obviate the threat: Kt-K5-B4, and plays P-Kt4,
the White King goes to QB5 and wins all the pawns easily.
Therefore Black endeavours to sacrifice a pawn in order to
exchange the two others, after which a draw could be forced by
exchanging the Knight for the remaining White pawn.
5. Kt-K5 P-B4
6. Kt-B4 P-Kt4
7. KtxP P-B5
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | #K | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | #Kt| | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | ^Kt| #P | | | | ^K | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | #P | | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 84.
8. K-K5 Kt-B4
9. Kt-B6ch K-B1!
Not K-B2, because of 10. K-Q4, Kt-Q6; 11. Kt-K5ch.
10. Kt-R7
Here White had only considered the following answer:
Kt-Q6ch; 11. K-Q4, KtxKtP; 12. KtxP, Kt-Q6; 13. P-B5, Kt-Kt5; 14.
Kt-B3, Kt-B7ch: 15. KxP, Kt-K6ch; 16. K-B5, KtxP; 17. P-R4, Kt-
K2; 18. Kt-Q5, Kt-B1; 19. K-B6, K-K1; 20. K-B7, Kt-R7; 21. K-Kt7,
and wins the Knight.
Black however draws, through a pretty combination:
10. ... P-Kt5
11. K-Q4 P-B6
12. K-B4 PxP
13. KxP KtxP
and White cannot prevent the ultimate exchange of Kt for P. The
last winning chance would have been: 10. K-Q4!, Kt-Q; 11. K-B3.
This is in any case the more plausible line, because now White
can attack the pawns with both King and Knight, as both the Black
pieces are away from the field of operations. The sequel could
be: 11. KtxBP; 12. P-R3 (Kt-R7 would only draw: Kt-K7ch; 13. K-
Kt4, Kt-B8 14. P-R3, Kt-R7ch; 15. KxP, P-B6); 12. Kt-Q4ch 13. K-
Q4, Kt-B5; 14. K-K4 (Kt-R7 ?, Kt-K7ch!!; 15 K-K3, P-B6), Kt-Q6;
15. P-Kt4, Kt-Kt7 16 Kt-Q4, and wins
III. From a game Blackburne-Schlechter (Vienna, 1898).
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | | #R | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #K | #B | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | #P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | ^P | | | | #Q |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^P | | | ^Q | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | ^K | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | ^R | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 85
White has just played Q-B4. P-B5 is threatened, and Black is
forced to exchange Queens. The ensuing end-game, however, is
inferior for Black, because the QP is weak and White threatens
eventually to force his Queen’s Pawn through.
1. ... Q-B4
2. QxQ BxQ
3. Kt-Q4 B-Kt3
4. RxR RxR
5. R-K1 RxR
If Black wants to avoid the exchange, he must yield up the King’s
file to White, and that would surely spell disaster, as the Black
Rook would have no field of action, and would have to go to Q1 to
avoid the loss of a pawn through Kt-Kt5ch, after which the White
Rook would take possession of the seventh rank, fettering the
action of the Bishop into the bargain.
6. KxR B-Q6
7. P-QKt3 K-Q2
Black is condemned to inactivity, and White can quietly set to
work to force his pawn through.
8. K-Q2 B-K5
9. P-Kt3 B-Kt8
10. P-QR3 B-K5
11. K-K3 B-Kt8
12. Kt-B3
In order to play P-QKt4 and P-B5, then to force Black to exchange
at B5, White must first have the opportunity of bearing a second
time on Black’s Queen’s Pawn. Therefore he prepares the
manœuvre Kt-B3-Q2-B4.
12. ... K-K2
13. P-QKt4 B-B4
14. P-B5 B-Q2
15. K-Q4 B-K1
16. Kt-Q2 B-Q2
17. Kt-B4 PxPch
18. PxP P-B3
It is not yet easy to materialise the advantage in position The
advance P-Q6ch would be very bad, as B6 and K6 would be made
accessible for Black. White starts by tempting the pawns forward
and thus systematically creates points of attack.
19. Kt-Kt2 B-B4
20. P-QR4 K-Q2
21. P-R5 P-QR3
The Queen’s side is paralysed. The text move is forced, as P-R6
would give White yet another passed pawn. Now White turns his
attention to the King’s side.
22. Kt-B4 K-B2
23. Kt-Q6 B-Q2
24. K-K4 B-R5
25. P-Kt4 B-B7ch
26. K-Q4 B-Kt3
Black wishes to play P-R4, in order to get a passed pawn too, the
only chance of saving the game.
27. P-R3 K-Kt1
Now P-R4 would be countered by Kt-B5, forcing the exchange and
leaving a backward pawn at Kt2 and the Rook’s pawn would be bound
to fall.
28. Kt-B5 BxKt
29. PxB K-B2
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #P | #K | | | | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | | | | #P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | ^P | | ^P | ^P | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^K | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 86.
It would now seem as if Black might have played P-KKt4 here,
securing a passed pawn, and forcing a draw. After 30. P-R4 Black
would play P-R3, and it is not evident how White is to win. But
29. ... P-KKt4 is parried by PxP e.p. The difference in the pawn
positions, which decides the issue for White, is found in the
fact that the White passed pawn at Q5 is unassailable because the
support of the BP cannot be taken away by Black’s P-Kt3, whilst
Black’s passed pawn at his B3 can be isolated at any time through
P-R4-R5. White would take up a position on the Knight’s file with
the King, and push on the Rook’s pawn. The isolated pawns are
then an easy prey. On the text move White also pushes the Rook’s
pawn on to compel P-R3 and reduce Black to moves by the King. The
passed Queen’s pawn decides the game.
30. K-K4 K-Q2
31. K-B4 K-K2
32. K-Kt4 K-Q2
33. P-R4 K-B1
34. P-R5 P-R3
Otherwise there follows: P-R6, K-R5, etc.
35. K-B4 K-Q2
36. K-K4 K-B2
37. P-Q6ch K-B1
38. K-Q5 K-Q2
39. P-B6ch PxPch
(compare Diagram 68)
40. K-B5 Resigns
IV. FROM A GAME BIRD-JANOWSKI.
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | ^B | | | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | ^P | | | | | #P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | ^P | | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | | | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | ^K | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | #R | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 87
In spite of the preponderance of material, the win is not an easy
one for Black, because of White’s alarming pawn array on the
Queen’s side. The King must first make use of his great power as
an end-game piece.
1. ... K-B2
2. P-Kt5 K-K3
3. P-Kt6 PxP
4. PxP K-Q2
5. B-K5
threatens P-Kt7. But as White must first move his Bishop to cover
his pawn, the Rook’s pawn is lost, and the manœuvre therefore
unsound. P-R3 was indicated; it threatens the break-up of the
Black pawns by P-Kt4 and their capture by the King.
5. ... K-B3
6. B-Q4 R-R2ch
7. K-K3 RxP
8. K-B4 R-Q7!
9. P-Kt4 RxB
Black reduces the position to an elementary ending, which is
theoretically a win. Whilst the two White passed pawns are
isolated and fall singly, Black obtains two passed pawns, which
are united and unassailable.
10. PxR P-K6
11. KxKP PxP
12. K-B4 P-R4
13. P-Q5ch KxKtP
14. K-K5 K-B2
Resigns.
V. FROM A GAME STEINER-FORGACZ (SZEKESFEHERVAR, 1907).
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | #P | | #K | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #P | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | ^R | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | | ^P | | | | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | ^K | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 88
White has an advantage in the greater mobility of his Rook, and
makes the most of it in an instructive fashion.
1. R-Kt4 P-Kt3
White provokes this move in order to produce a weakness at KB6.
2. K-K2 K-K3
3. R-KB4 R-KB1
Black naturally dare not allow the Rook to penetrate into the
seventh.
4. P-Q4 P-QB4
This move would win the game, if the Rooks had been exchanged,
because in that case the distant passed pawn which Black could
obtain on the QKt file would decide the issue. But, supported by
the mobile Rook, the centre pawns become irresistible. Instead of
the text move, P-KB4 was necessary in order to release the Rook.
5. P-B3 PxP
6. PxP P-KB4
If it were not for the Rooks, the centre pawns would not help
White, because Black would obtain a passed pawn on either wing.
7. K-Q3 P-KKt4
8. R-B2 R-B1
9. P-Kt4 P-B5
If PxP, 10. R-B6ch, K-K2; 11. R-R6 wins.
10. P-KR4 P-KR3
11. PxP PxP
12. R-R2 R-B1
13. R-R6ch K-K2
14. P-Q5 P-B6
15. R-K6ch K-Q2
16. R-B6! Resigns.
For after RxR, 17. PxR, White captures the BP, and still
overtakes the passed pawn which Black obtains on the Queen’s
wing; the pawns at Q5 and B6 are unassailable (K-K8, P-Q6, K-B7,
P-Q7, etc.). The consequences of 16. R-B6 had to be calculated to
a nicety. If, for instance, the QKtP were already at his fourth,
White would lose. In four moves Black would have one of his pawns
at his R6, the other at Kt5. In the meantime White would have
taken the BP and come back to the Q file. Now Black would win
with P-Kt6, because after PxP the RP queens unmolested.
VI. FROM A GAME CHAROUSEK-HEINRICHSEN (COLOGNE, 1898).
---------------------------------------
8 | | | #R | | | | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | | #Q | #R | #P | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | | | ^Q | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | #P | ^R | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | ^R | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 89
White’s position is superior; firstly, because the only open file
on the board is his, and secondly, because the Black Queen’s side
pawns are advanced, and therefore weak for a King’s ending. After
exchanging the Queen and one Rook, the possession of the King’s
file ensures the advance of the King to K4 and from there to Q5.
Then the weakness of Black’s pawns decides the game.
1. QxQ RxQ
2. R-K8ch RxR
3. RxRch K-R2
4. K-R2 P-KKt3
5. K-Kt3
PxP is no threat, because White wins the pawn back at once with
R-K5. By capturing, Black would only dislocate his pawns.
5. ... KKt2
6. K-B4 K-B3
7. R-K5 P-Kt3
8. K-K4 R-Q3
9. P-KB4 R-K3
Black probably hopes for a counter chance by getting a distant
passed pawn on the KRook’s file. But he underrates the weakness
of the Queen’s side pawns, and even without the exchange of
Rooks, White would win, by settling the King’s side first and
then tearing up the Queen’s side, as in the game: 10. P-KKt4, R-
K2; 11. PxP, PxP; 12. P-Kt5ch, PxP; 13. PxPch.
10. PxP PxP
11. K-Q5 RxR
12. PxRch K-K2
13. P-QKt4 Resigns
Black must capture, as he needs seven moves in which to ex change
the Knight’s pawn and queen his Rook’s pawn, whilst in that time
White can win the QP after PxP, and yet arrive in time with his
King to stop the pawn from queening.
After l3. ... PxP, however, there follows 14. KxP. Then White
covers his passed pawn with P-Q4, and his King, having full
freedom, captures all the Black pawns.