Let's Play Chess
Bobby Fischer's Outrageous Chess Moves
One-Move Chess by the Champions
Principles of the New Chess
The ABCs of Chess
by
Kasparov's Winning Chess Tactics
Russian Chess
The Best of Chess Life and Review, Volume I
B
R
U
C
E
PAN D OLFINI
The Best of Chess Life and Review, Volume II
A FIRESIDE BOOK
Published by Simon & Schuster
New York London Toronto Sydney Tokyo Singapore
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CONTENTS
I would like to thank Bruce Alberston, Doug Bellizzi, Deb
orah Bergman, Jennifer Bruer, Carol Ann Caronia, Kris Cata
lano, Bonni Leon, Idelle Pandolfini, Bruce Steinitz, Larry Tam
arkin, George Wen, and Laura Yorke for their time and valuable
work. They made the whole thing possible.
For Rosie and Joe, and Margie and Fred
FIRESIDE
Rockefeller Center
1230 Avenue of the Americas
including the right of reproduction
in whole or in part in any form.
1 Elementary Checkmates: Heavy Pieces
Published by the Simon & Schuster Trade Division
Queen and Rook (Endgames 1-2)
Rook and Rook (Endgame 3)
Queen (Endgames 4-7)
Rook (Endgames 8-11)
FIRESIDE and colophon are registered trademarks
of Simon & Schuster Inc.
Manufactured in the United States of America
20 19
18
2 Elementary Checkmates: Minor Pieces
17
Two Bi sho ps (Endgames 12-15)
Bishop and Knight (Endgames 16-24)
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Pandolfini, Bruce.
Pandolfini's endgame course I by Bruce Pandolfini.
p.
"A Fireside book."
Includes index.
1. Chess-End games.
I . Title.
II. Title: Endgame course.
1988
794.1'24-dc19
ISBN 0-671-65688-0
88-17465
CIP
17
18
20
21
25
29
30
34
3 Heavy Pieces in Combat
45
T wo Queens (Endgame 25)
46
47
49
Queen vs. Queen (Endgames 26-27)
Queen vs. Rook (Endgames 2 8-34)
cm.
CV1450.7.P45
9
11
4 Rooks and Minor Pieces
Rook vs. Bishop (Endgames 35-39)
Rook vs. Knight (Endgames 40-41)
Rook and Bishop vs. Rook (Endgames 42-47)
5
57
58
63
65
6 •CONTENTS
CONTENTS• 7
0
[ill]
THE PAWNS IN ACTION
5 King and Pawn vs. King
Square of the Pawn (Endgames 48-49)
Escort Problems (Endgames 50--51)
Pawn on 7th Rank (Endgame 52)
Pawn on 6th Rank (Endgames 53-59)
Pawn on 5th Rank (Endgames 60--63)
Pawn on 4th Rank (Endgames 64-66)
Pawn on 3rd Rank (Endgames 67-69)
Pawn on 2nd Rank (Endgames 70--72)
Rook-pawns (Endgames 73-75)
6 King and Two Pawns vs. King
Doubled Pawns (Endgames 76--77)
Connected Pawns (Endgames 78-79)
Split Pawns-1 File Apart (Endgames 80--83)
Split Pawns-2 Files Apart (Endgames 84-85)
7 King and Pawn vs. King and Pawn
Pawns on the Same File (Endgames 86-- 91)
Pawns on Adjacent Files (Endgames 92-95)
Passed Pawns (Endgames 96--100)
8 King and Two Pawns vs. King and Pawn
All Passed Pawns (Endgames 101-102)
Opposing Pawns plus Passed Pawn (Endgames 103-105)
Three Adjacent Files (Endgame 106)
Protected Passed Pawn (Endgames 107-108)
Backward Pawn (Endgames 109-113)
Connected Pawns (Endgames 114-118)
9 Miscellaneous King and Pawn Positions
(Endgames 119-128)
10 Heavy Pieces vs. Pawn
Queen vs. Pawn(s) (Endgames 129-134)
Rook vs. Pawn (Endgames 135-140)
Rook vs. Two Pawns (Endgames 141-144)
11 Minor Pieces vs. Pawn
Bishop vs. Pawn (Endgames 145-146)
Knight vs. Pawn (Endgames 147-155)
Knights vs. Pawn (Endgames 156--158)
12 Minor Piece plus Pawn
Bishop and Pawn (Endgames 159-164)
Bishop and Pawn vs. Pawn (Endgames 165-168)
Knight and Pawn (Endgames 169-172)
Knight and Pawn vs. Pawn (Endgames 173-176)
1 3 Heavy Pieces
Queen vs. Rook and Pawn (Endgame 177)
Queen and Pawn vs. Rook and Pawn (Endgames 178-179)
Queen and Pawn vs. Queen (Endgames 180--184)
14 Heavy Pieces: Rooks
Rook and Pawn (7th Rank) vs. Rook (Endgames 185-196)
Rook and Pawn (6th Rank) vs. Rook (Endgames 197-204)
Rook and Pawn (5th or 4th Rank) vs. Rook (Endgames
205-212)
Rooks and Pawns (Endgames 213-216)
15 Minor Pieces
Bishop and
Knight and
Bishop and
Knight and
Pawn(s) vs. Bishop (Endgames 217-228)
Pawn vs. Knight (Endgames 229-230)
Pawn vs. Knight (Endgames 231-235)
Pawn vs. Bishop (Endgames 236--239)
I became a chess teacher in 1972, during the dazzling Bobby
Fischer/Boris Spassky World Chess Championship that inspired
the world to learn chess. Suddenly, I had many students and
needed ideas and examples for lessons. I turned to the liter
ature of the royal game for source material. Although I dis
covered many volumes on the opening and middlegame, I
quickly realized that endgame books were few and far be
tween.
This wasn't the only problem. Existing books on chess end
ings were of two unsatisfactory types. Either they were too
analytic and technical or too vague and general. There was a
compelling need to combine the best features of both types
into a single instructional format.
So on my own I started to collect insightful endgame posi
tions, explaining in both words and chess variations the con
cepts I judged to be the most helpful to my students. Numer
ous examples were organized, classified, and arranged into
complete courses. My goal was to create an inventory of posi
tions that would benefit any chessplayer who studied them.
Eventually, I settled upon a nucleus of 200 problems that be
came the basic course in the endgame. With some additions
and modifications, that compendium is what I present here.
The examples in Pandolfini's Endgame Co urs e are arranged
in three major sections. Part One, called Pieces in Action, deals
with basic mates and confrontations mainly between unlike
pieces. In Part Two The Pawns in Action, the principles of pawn
endings are illustrated, including the key concepts of opposi
tion, square of the pawn, and critical squares. Pieces and Pawns
9
10 • PANDOLFINl'S ENDGAME COURSE
in Action constitutes Part Three, which displays how various
About Algebraic
pieces grapple with advancing passed pawns.
Pandolfini's Endgame Course has a simple, easy-to-use for
Notation
mat. Each page has a large, clear diagram, introduced with a
directive cue (such as "White moves and wins"), and charac
terized by a descriptive term or phrase (such as "Cut-Off "). An
explanatory passage providing the essential ideas, moves, and
alternate lines of play follows the cue. The main variation ap
pears in boldface type. Each variation concludes in mate, over
whelming advantage, stalemate, or unambiguous draw.
Within each chapter, every attempt has been made to orga
nize the problems in a gradual progression from simple to
complex, but occasionally the course must veer from this for
mula for instructive purposes. Though no complicated "text
book" positions have been included, the book nevertheless is
concerned with the building blocks on which they are based.
So, while intricate discussions of corresponding square theory
have been omitted, for example, the theoretical groundwork of
square theory has been laid down in the problems on tri
angulation.
Some endgame books contain thousands of positions but
The best way to read this book is while sitting at a chessboard
on the White side, with the pieces starting on the same squares
as those in the examples you're considering. Much of the
material can be understood without playing out the moves, by
either reading the descriptive comments or examining the
helpful diagrams accompanying the text. But you will derive
greater benefit if you learn the simplified algebraic notation
offered here. The system works as follows:
are impenetrable and therefore useless to the average
chessplayer. Every one of my 239 positions can be understood,
•
four squares in all.
even by able beginners. And some of these positions-such as
those on the Queen and Rook mate-are discussed in no other
•
Pandolfini's Endgame Course from start to
finish. That's how I usually present the examples to my stu
dents, regardless of their level of play. But you might prefer
reading specific sections first. Perhaps there's a concept you' d
like to understand, or a position you need to check. Whatever
your reasons for turning to my course, should it translate to
more victories in the endgame, and more fun in the end.
The files (the rows of squares going up the board) are
lettered a through h, beginning from White's left.
endgame book and, perhaps, in no other chess book.
I advise reading
The board is regarded as an eight-by-eight graph with sixty
•
The ranks (the rows of squares going across the board) are
numbered 1 through 8, beginning from White's nearest
row.
You can therefore identify any square by combining a letter
and a number, with the letter written first (see diagram A). For
example, the square on which White's King stands in the orig
inal position is "e1 ,"while the original square for Black's King is
"e8." All squares are always named from White's point of view.
11
12 • PANDOLFINl'S ENDGAME COURSE
ABOUT ALGEBRAIC NOTATION •13
!!
very good move
?
questionable move
??
blunder
?!
risky move but worth considering
!?
probably a good move but unclear
1.
White's first move
1 ....
Black's first move (when appearing independently
of White's)
(1-0)
White wins
(0-1)
Black wins
And a few other symbols to know:
Symbols You Should Know
RP
Rook-pawn
K
King
NP
Knight-pawn
Q
Queen
BP
Bishop-pawn
R
Rook
CP
Center-pawn
B
Bishop
N
Knight
Pawns are not symbolized when recording moves. But if
referred to in discussions, they are named by the letter of the
file occupied: for example, the pawn on the b-file is the "b
pawn." If a pawn makes a capture, one merely indicates the file
Reading the Line Score of a Game
Consider diagram B. White could mate in three moves, and it
could be written this way:
1. Nc7
+
Kb8
2. Na6 +
Ka8
mate
3. Bc6
the capturing pawn starts on. This, if a White pawn on b2
captures a Black pawn, Knight, Bishop, Rook, or Queen on a3,
it is written as bxa3. When indicating a capture, name the
square captured, not the enemy unit.
Here are some more symbols you should know:
x
captures
+
check
0-0
castles Kingside
0-0-0
castles Queenside
good move
2
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
14 • PANDOLFINl'S ENDGAME COURSE
-
The same moves could be written in chart form, with White's
moves on the left and Black's corresponding moves on the
••
right:
1. Nc7
+
Kb8
2. Na6 +
Ka8
3. Bc6
In both cases:
1. Nc7 + means that White's first move is Knight to c7, giving
check.
Kb8 means that Black's first move is King to b8.
2. Na6 + means that White's second move is Knight to a6
-
PA R T
-
ONE
-
mate
-
-
Pieces in
Action
-
-
-
-
-
check.
Ka8 means that Black's second move is King to a8.
3. Bc6 mate means that White's third move is Bishop to c6
mate.
Note that when the moves appear on a line across the page,
the number of the move is written only once, just before
White's play. In this book, the actual moves are given in
boldface type. The analyzed alternatives appear in regular type.
The basis of all chess knowledge is an understanding of the
powers of the pieces-their individual and collective poten
tials.
In
�art One, the board is unencumbered by any pawns, and
the pieces hold full sway. The first two chapters demonstrate
the minimum level of force required to mate the lone king.
Commonly called the Basic or Elementary Mates, they vary in
difficulty.
Mates with the heavy (or major) pieces are by far the easiest
to accomplish and require only minimal assistance from the
King. By contrast, mates with the light (or minor) pieces de
mand the King's full cooperation and are rather more intricate
to execute, since each piece must stretch itself to the limit.
In Chapters 3 and 4, we examine six of the most common
endings, in which White and Black pieces are in conflict with
each other. The practical is emphasized over the theoretical.
For example, abstract theory pronounces that the Rook and
�
minor piece ending of Chapter 4 usually end in a draw. But by
�
featuring the exceptions, where one side actually wins, we can
15
16
•
PAN DOLFI N l'S EN DGAME CO U R S E
understand more fully why more typical positions tend to end
C H A P T E R
in a draw.
Finally, we must mention the fifty-move rule. It states that
1
"the game is drawn when a player having the move demon
strates that at least fifty consecutive moves have been played by
each side without capture of any piece or the movement of any
pawn." This rule has a vital bearing on endings in Part One, in
which there are no pawns and trades must be avoided if
Elementary Checkmates:
enough material is to be left on the board to force mate. If the
H eavy Pieces
stronger side play s inaccurately, fifty moves might pass and the
defender could claim a draw.
•
Q u een and Rook
End games 1 -2
•
Roo k and Roo k
End game 3
•
Q u een
End games 4-7
•
Roo k
End games 8-11
18
•
PANDOLFI N l'S E N DGAME COU RS E
E NDGAME
P I ECES I N ACTION
1
E NDGAME
•
19
2
W : Ke1, Qd1, Rf4 B: KeS
W: Ke1, Qa3, Rb4 B: Ke5
White moves and wins
White moves and wins
Queen and Rook Roll
Rolling Barrier
8
7
6
5
2
1
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
This is the simplest, fastest, most basic checkmate of all. From
In this more typical Queen and Rook roll, the two major pieces
any initial arrangement of pieces, White should force mate in
stand on adjacent files and give alternate checks to drive Black's
no more than five to six moves. The Queen and Rook alter
King to the board's edge. The Rook's barrier is upheld against
natively heel each other up a staircase of supportive checks
diagonal attack by the Queen. Finally, the major pieces guard
known as "the roll." Mate comes in four moves.
consecutive outside rows, preventing escape and mating.
1. Qd4 +
2 . Rf6 +
3. Qd6 +
4. Rf8
(1-0)
Ke6
Ke7 +
Ke8
mate
1. Qa5 +
2. Rb6 +
3. Qa7 +
4.
Rb8
(1-0)
Kd6
Kc7
Kc8
mate
20
•
PAN DOLFI N l'S EN DGAME COURSE
E NDGAME
P I ECES IN ACTION
3
E NDGAME
21
4
W: Kf1, Rh2, Rh1 B: Kg8
W: Kd5, Qd7 B : Ka8
White moves and wins
Rook Barrier
•
White moves and wins
Closing In
8�
6
5
4
3
a
b
c
d
e
t
g
h
a
Two Rooks mate much the same way as Queen and Rook, but
not as quickly, since additional temporizing moves are required
to ward off diagonal counterattacks. White has two ways to
mate in three moves in the diagram: (A) by cutting off the King
on the f-file and rolling the Rooks on the files rightward; and
(B) by occupying the 7th rank on the h-file, shifting the other
Rook to the adjacent g-file, gaining a tempo on Black's King,
and mating up the board on the 8th rank. In both ways, the
Rooks will impede each other if they perform on the same line.
Instead they shift to adjacent rows, thereby dominating blocks
of sixteen squares.
2 . Rgl +
3. Rh2
(1-0)
c
d
e
B
Kg7
Kh6
mate
1. Rh7
2 . Rgl
3. Rg8
Kf8
Ke8
mate
(1-0)
t
g
h
A King and Queen mate a lone King on an outside row by
checking along the edge-a back row mate-or by the Queen's
checking up close, protected by its King-a support mate. The
latter, as in the diagram, is the "one, two, three formula": the
losing King is trapped on an outside row (1); the Queen oc
cupies the row adjacent to the edge (2) ; and the White King, on
a square in the next row (3), defends the Queen.
1. Kc6
2 . Qb7
(1-0)
A
1. Rf2
b
Kb8
mate
22
•
PAN DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
E NDGAME
P I ECES I N ACTION
5
ENDGAME
•
23
6
W: KdS, Qb6 B: Ka8
W: Kf7, Qg8 B: KhS
White moves a n d w i n s
White m oves and wi n s
Backing Off
Cut-Off
a®B
76
4
3
2
a
b
c
d
- e
f
g
h
To p u s h the K i n g to the edge, the Q u een gradual ly s n i p s off the
H e re t h e p i eces are positioned i n a o n e , two , t h ree fo r m u l a, as
Ki n g's avai l a b l e squ are s , move by m ove, clos i n g i n at a " Kn i ght's
i n E n d game 4. B u t i n t h i s ve rsion White's King has to c h ase
j u m p away. " Ove rly r i g i d execution of t h i s p roced u re , h owever,
B l ac k 's before gett i n g c l o s e e n o u g h to s u ppo rt m ate. Th i s
stalemates B l ack's Ki ng in the co r n e r-Black to move i s al ready
could take a w h o p p i n g five move s , as i n 1 . Kf6 Kh4
stalemate d . Wh ite to play wi n s by retreat i n g the Qu een one
Kh3
s q u a re alon g the barr i e r (the b-fi le), giving Black breath i n g
choice i s to execute a timely cut-off with the Q u e e n , forc i n g
3 . Kf4 Kh2
4 . Kf3 Kh1
2 . KfS
5. Qg2 mate. The m o re efficient
room aga i n st stale mate . White's Ki n g then moves in to su pport
Blac k 's Ki n g bac k t h e oth e r way a n d sav i n g t h ree m oves . O n h i s
mate .
final move, W h i te c o u l d also mate by 2 . Qh4 .
1 . Qb5
Ka7
2. Kc6
Ka8
3. Qb7 mate
(1 -0)
1 . Qg3
Kh6
2. Qg6 mate
( 1 -0)
24
•
P I ECES IN ACTION
PAN DOLF I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
7
ENDGAME
ENDGAME
•
25
8
W: Ke6, Ra7 B : Kf8
W: Kc5, Qh1 B : Ke8
Wh ite m oves an d wi n s
White moves an d w i n s
Waiting-Move Mate
freeling the Barrier
8
8
6
4
3
4
3
2
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
a
h
To keep B l ac k 's Ki n g cage d on the edge , White's Queen is
posted on t h e very n ext l i n e . The p l acement estab l i s h es a
cordon agai n st escape . Next, Wh ite's Ki n g c l a i m s the row be
h i n d its c o n so rt's, eventual ly overwhe l m i n g its cou nterpart fo r
a bac k- row mate or su ppo rti ng a c l ose-up Q u een c h e c k . Agai n ,
Blac k 's Ki n g occupies row 1 , W h i te's Queen row 2 , and White's
Ki ng row 3 .
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
K i n g and Roo k agai n st K i n g can 't e n d in a su pport mate ( d o n 't
even try to set o n e up ). Go fo r a bac k-row mate i n ste ad, the
Rook chec k i n g an d White 's King guard i n g t h e po s s i b l e escape
sq uares. Wh ite's King m u st sta nd d i rectly opposite B lack's on
the same ran k or fi l e . (The excepti on : If B l ac k's Ki n g is in the
corner, Wh ite's Ki n g need only be on the adjacent l i n e . ) H ow
ever, a word of wa r n i n g-if Wh ite s h o u l d m ove h i s Ki n g i m me
d i ately i nt o l i n e (1 . Kf6), B l ack j u st s l i ps away (1 . . . . Ke8) and
B
A
1 . Qh7
2. Kd6
3 . Qe7
(1-0)
Wh ite m u st start a l l over aga i n . Wh ite i n stead s h o u l d m ove to
Kf8
Ke8
mate
1 . Qh7
2 . Kd6
3. Qc7
(1 -0)
Kd8
Kc8
mate
get B l ack to alig n with W h i te's K i n g . Th i s is d o n e th rough a
tempo move or wai ting move. The Rook s l ides one s q u a re
along the 7th ran k , chan g i n g n oth i n g essential in t h e position ,
b u t tu r n i n g the m ove over to Blac k .
1 . Rb7
2 . Kf6
3. Kg6
4. Rb8
(1-0)
Kg8
Kh8
Kg8
mate
26
•
PIECES I N ACTION
PANOOL F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE
ENDGAME
9
ENDGAME
•
27
10
W: Ke6 , RdS B: Kf8
Wh ite moves and wins
W: Ke6, Re2 8: Ke8
Wh ite moves a n d w i n s
The //Cut-Off" Mate
The Any-Rook Move Mate
A conscientious Roo k can wo r k wo n ders . The right te m po or
Gi vi n g a d i s covered check i s i rres i stible, but fo rget it h e re .
cut-off can red uce B l ack's King to an automaton , with no op
I n stea d , wo r k t h e Roo k a n d f i n a l l y force a back- row, r ight
t i o n s . I n stead of ta k i n g the 7th ran k h e re ( 1 . Rd7), White gai n s
more b y cordon i n g off the g-fi l e , fo rc i n g B l ack t o oppose
triangle m ate . Th e sol ution i s q u ite aston i s h i n g , for Wh ite
mates in t h ree m oves , start i n g with any Rook move-th at's
W h ite's Ki n g . A bac k- ran k mate in two moves can t h u s be
right, with any of e l even Rook m oves avai lable! But note that
real ized . I n the final pos i t i o n , the th ree pieces form a right
on the sec o n d p l ay, the Rook m u st occu py a c u t-off f i l e , fo rci n g
tria n g l e , w i t h B lack's Ki n g at the base.
Blac k's Ki n g to l i n e u p with W h ite's . A s variat i o n s A and B
d e m o n strate, t h e re i s no s i g n i fi cant d iffe rence if Wh ite moves
1 . Rg5
2 . Rg8
Ke8
mate
h i s Rook i n it i a l l y along the fi l e or the ran k . I n e i t h e r cas e ,
B l ac k's Ki n g wi n d s u p mated at e8.
( 1 -0)
B
A
1 . Re5
2 . Rc5
3. Rc8
Kd8
Ke8
mate
(1-0 )
1 . Ra2
2. Rg2
3 . Rg8
Kf8
Ke8
mate
( 1 -0)
28
•
PA N DOLFI Nl'S EN DGAME COU RSE
EN DGAME
11
C H A P T E R
W: KfS, Res B: Kg7
2
White moves a n d w i n s
Closing the Net
El ementary Checkmates:
M i nor Pieces
a
b
c
d
e
Rop i n g off c o u l d be better t h a n g i v i n g a Roo k c h e c k . Playe rs
n atu ral ly h a n ke r to cage Blac k 's Ki n g with 1 . Re6, when barriers
are then m a i n tained on t h e e-fi le and 6th ran k . More comes ,
h oweve r, with a Rook c h eck at e7, shapi n g the th ree pieces i n to
a t r ia n g l e . With th i s i n c u rs i o n , p reci se Roo k work trou nces
Blac k q u i ck l y. After 1 . Re7 + Kh6
2. Rf7 KhS, White m ate s by 3 .
Rh7. Wh ite 's secon d move , a tempo waste r, can b e ta ken b y the
Rook on any square between f7 and a7 . The strugg l e goes on
with the s i d l i n g 1 . . . . Kf8 , b u t u lti mate ly fa i l s to the same
tempo-reve r si n g mechan i s m : 2. Kf6 Kg8
Kh7
W: Kc7, B b4, Bb3 B: Ka6
Wh ite m oves and w i n s
Positioning the King
The Bishop Roll
2
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Eve n as Rooks can occupy adjace n t rows an d d rive the King to
the edge by alternate checks, so can bi shops, more or less. Ye s,
they n eed help from their Ki n g , whereas Roo ks d o n ot . And
tru e , it takes a little longer, but neverth eless m ate i s forced i n
the c o r n e r.
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Before deal i n g mate , White m u st prevent Black's escape by 1 .
Kb6. After 1 . . . . Ka8, W h i te dec l i n e s seiz u re of the adjace nt
leftwa rd d iagonal (2 . Be5 ), wh ich wou l d re s u lt i n stalemate . Th e
dark-squ are B i s h o p may occu py t h e b8-h2 d i ago nal o n l y after
bl ack has p l ayed h i s King to b8. A waiti ng move s h ifts the
tempo to B l ac k . Th i s m e a n s s h i ft i n g e i t h e r B i s h o p to s afe
1 . Bc4 + Ka7
2. Bc5 + Ka8
mate
3 . Bd5
-0)
(1
squares along d i agonals each al ready contro l s (the c8- h3 d i ago
nal for the l i ght- s q u are B i s h o p, an d the d8-h4 d i agonal for its
dark-squ are partne r). With 1 . Kb6 Ka8, Wh ite temporizes 2 .
Be7, a n d afte r 2 . . . . Kb8, t h e B i s h o ps s l ide i n to matin g mode
3. Bd6 + Ka8 4. Bd5 mate.
1 . Kb6
2 . Be7
3. Bd6 +
4. Bd5
(1 -0)
Ka8
Kb8
Ka8
mate
32
•
PI ECES IN ACTION • 33
PAN DOLFI Nl'S E N DGAME COU RSE
ENDGAME
14
EN DGAME
15
W: Kc6, Bd5, Bes B: Kf8
Wh ite moves and wi n s
W: Kc6, Bf7, Bg7 B: Kb8
W h i te moves an d wi n s
Taking Away Squares
Closing the Door
6
5
4
3
2
4
32
1
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
a
h
If Wh ite t r i e s 1 . Kb6, as i n the p revi ous exa m p l e , B l ac k swi ngs
back to the center 1 . .
.
. Kc8 , an d White's Bishops can n ot
guard both holes at d7 a n d d8 in one m ove . And White's K i n g
an d B i s ho p s are separated and fa l l s h o r t o f wo r ki n g harmo
n i o u s ly. A p u rposefu l B i s h op move is what's req u i red here,
enabl i n g White to tighten t h e n oose with out l os i n g t i m e . Eith e r
B i s h o p c a n have t h e honor.
2 . Bf6
3 . Kb6
4. Be6 +
5 . Bes +
6 . BdS
(1 -0)
c
d
e
f
g
h
White 's p i ec e s are a trigger-fine army, with each u n i t ready fo r
mayh e m . To confi ne Blac k's Ki ng to an outside row, W h i te's
B i sh ops tan d em i n a d o u b l e-vee barrie r, while the K i n g g u a rd s
pote ntial escape sq uare s . O n ce t h e e nemy Ki ng i s su rro u n d e d ,
adjacent d i agon a l s c a n be method i cal ly control l e d , one after
the oth e r, u n t i l the monarc h i s cornere d . Two s a m p l e variati o n s
of di fferent l e n gth a r e offere d . Va riation A conc l u d e s after 7 .
E n d game 1 4 .
.
B
Kc8
Kb8
Kc8
Kb8
Ka8
mate
b
Kb6, as i n En dgame 1 3 ; variation B te r m i nates after 5 . Bd4 , as i n
A B i s h op - K n i ght mate can be fo rced only in a corn e r guarded
In t h i s sce nario, the Kn ight sets up the death b l ow, and the
by the B i s h o p. The two m i n or pieces share respon s i b i l ities. If
B i s h o p deals it. The t h ree p ieces l i n e up choru s-l i n e fash io n i n
the B i s h o p m oves on dark s q u a res, the Knight s h o u l d gu ard
the e n d , t h o u g h t h e B i s h o p cou l d b e equall y ruth less o n b2,
l ight sq uares. Here the B i s h o p f l u shes out the Ki ng and the
c3 , d4, or eS. Meanwh i l e , the l i g h t sq uares are h e l d by the
Kn i g h t confers the coup de grace.
ta ndem King and K n i g ht .
1 . Bb7 +
2 . Nf6
( 1 -0)
Kh7
mate
1 . Ng6 +
2. Nf8 +
3 . Bf6
(1 -0)
Kh7
Kh8
mate
36
•
P I ECES IN ACTION
PA N DOLF I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
18
EN DGAME
•
37
19
W: Kg6, Bb4, Ng? B: Kg8
White moves and w i n s
W: Ke8, Bf8, N e5 B: Kg8
White moves and w i n s
Another Mate in Four
Mate in Four
8
7
6
5
2
4
3
2
1
1
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
a
h
Th i s position comes from i n c h i n g B l ac k's King step by step from
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Black's Ki n g is about to d e part g8, le avi ng the way open for
a8 to h8. On the p revious m ove, the B i s h o p checked the Ki ng at
White's K i n g to enter f7. Th i s mean s that the Kni ght can re l i n
f8, fo rci ng it to g8 . The next squ are Wh ite m u st con tro l i s g8, by
q u i sh its coverage of g6 and repo s ition to control h7. Start i n g
m o b i l iz i n g t h e Kn i g h t . B u t t h e Kn i g h t m u st n ot b l o c k t h e
fro m e5, the Kni ght h a s t h ree e q u a l l y good ways to begin
B i s h o p's d iagonal . A l s o , Wh ite m u st avoi d giving stal emate,
deploym e n t : 1 . Nd7, 1 . Nf3, and 1 . N g4.
w h i c h wou l d happen if he attac ked g8 wh i l e B l ac k's King was
1 . Nd7
sh ift a l o n g t h e a3-e7 d iagonal.
2. Kf7
1 . Nf5
2. Be7
3 . Nh6 +
4. Bf 6
( 1 -0)
Kh8
Kg8
Kh8
mate
B
A
sti l l on h8. Everyth i n g c l i c k s , t h a n k s to a te m porizi n g B i s h o p
3 . Bg7 +
4. Nf8
(1 -0)
Kh7
Kh8
Kh7
mate
1 . Nd7
2 . Kf7
3. Nf6 +
4. Bg7
(1-0)
Kh8
Kh7
Kh8
mate
P I ECES I N ACTION
38 • PA N DO L F I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
20
E N DGAME
•
39
21
W: Kd6, Bg5, N e5 B: Ke8
W h ite m oves and wi n s
W: Ke6, Bg5 , Ne7 B: K h 7
White moves an d wi ns
The Lock
A Third Mate in four
4
3
2
a
On the back row, Blac k's King h as a mere two squa re s-g8 and
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Even without t h e presence of W h ite's King, B l ac k 's Ki ng i s
h8-to play with, but there's a l so refuge at g7 . White s n iffs the
I ra pped
dange r an d moves i n with his own King.
wi th i n t h e cord o n : e 8 , f 8 , g 8 , g7, h8, a n d h 7 . White's plan i s s o
i n a B i s h o p-Kn ight n e t . O n l y s i x unguarded s q u ares l i e
sim pl e : the King i s mane uve red from the Quee n s i d e , u s u rp i ng
1 . Kf7
2 . Ng6 +
3 . Nf8 +
4. Bf6
( 1 -0)
Kh8
Kg8
Kh8
mate
e8 and f8 , u n t i l t h e B i s h o p can tran sfer safely to the f8-h6
diago n a l . Mate fo l l ow s , as in ear l i e r e n dgam es .
1 . Kc7
2 . Kd7
3. Ke7
4. Bh6
5. Bf8
6. Ng4
7. Kf7
8. Bg7 +
9. Nf6
(1-0 )
To seal the door, Wh i te's Kni ght m u st be at e5 and h i s B i s h op at
g5. Th e Ki n g then an k l es in from the fl a n k . The anti q u e move
here u s ed to be 1 . Bd4, ex p rop�iat i n g the a1 -h8 diagon al . B u t
stro n g e r i s 1 . Bg5 , fol l owed b y t h e Kn i ght t o e5 , creat i n g a l o c k .
Depe n d i n g on Blac k 's defe n s e , he i s mated either at h 7 b y the
K n i g h t or at h8 by the B i shop. After th ree moves , the position
tran sfo r m s i nto E n d game 21 . Mate i s fo rced i n nine moves .
1 . Bg5
2 . Ng6
If Blac k 's K i n g starts in a corner of opposite co lor to the B i s h op,
it m u st be syste mati ca l ly d r iven across the board to a co r n e r of
the same col o r. Th u s if i n a l i g h t corner, the Ki n g m u st be
forced to a dark o n e , if th at's the color trave led by the B i s h op.
All th ree pi eces meanwh i l e m u s t i n teg rate thei r u n iq u e powers
to form a u n ited force. Here, W h i te's King occu pies d6 to
su pport the Kn i ght's reac h i n g e7, where it seals off c8 and
guards potential escape s q u a res at f5 a n d g6. Th e B i s h o p then
� k i m s to e3, contro l l i n g g5 a n d lead i n g to the p revio u s n e t . I n
t h e f i n a l positi o n , after 1 . Kd6 Kf7
2 . Ne 7 Kf6
Bg5 , White q u i c kly reaches the win n i n g lock.
When B lac k 's Ki n g i s entre n c hed i n t h e "wro n g " corner of the
board (a corn er that i s n ot acce s s i b l e to W h i te's B i s hop), it can
be d riven to either oppo s ite c o r n e r ( h e re , a1 or h8). It a l l begi n s
with a K n i g h t check: 1 . N c 7 + t o force t h e K i n g t o h 8 , o r 1 .
N b6 + for a para l l e l attack toward a1 . For co n siste n cy with
p revio u s e n d gam es , the h8-drive i s s h own , but a m i rro r-i mage
attack e n d i n g on a1 wo rks j u s t a s wel l . Whatever the approac h ,
i t i s acco m p l i s hed step b y step, contro l l i n g i n seq u ence o n e
s q u a re after the o t h e r alon g t h e outside row. T h e K n i ght h i ts
the l i g h t s q u ares, t h e B i s h o p attacks the dark s q uare s , a n d the
Ki n g p erfo r m s t h e m u lt i p l e fu n ctio n s , p rotect i n g t h e Kn i ght
wh i l e confi n i n g t h e enemy Ki n g . Tempo moves, as req u i re d ,
a r e l eft to t h e B i s h op, a straight- l i n e p i e c e , wh i c h acts a t a
d i s ta n c e . After 1 . Nc7 + Kb8
Kd8
2 . Bb6 ( t e m p o) Kc8
3 . Ba7
4 . Nd5 Ke8 , Wh ite w i n s , as i n the p revi o u s e n d game.
G e n e ral ly, if you prom ote a pawn in to an extra Queen , you win
From t h e s u b l i m e to t h e r i d i c u l o u s . You r oppo n e nt Q u eens a
eas i l y. B u t s o m et i m e s , if e n e my pieces have ha rried you r K i n g ,
pawn before yo u d o . I magi n e the re l i ef when you manage to
o r if you have had plain b a d l u c k , you r pieces might s i m p l y
e q u a l ize t h e game a n d Q u een o n e yo u rself. As a d raw appears
h u d d l e toget h e r i n effect u a l l y, u n able t o exp l o i t thei r advan
certai n , you r oppo n e n t m oves up his King and th reatens mate.
tage . H e re , the White Qu een d e mon strates its a b i l ity to c h eck
You a re s h oc ked when you real ize that yo u r pieces, stu m b l i n g
u n bro ken ly, re s u l t i n g i n a d raw by t h reefo l d repetition of posi
over each ot h e r, can not o rgan ize a defe nse. S u c h c o u l d b e the
tio n .
case when yo u r pawn-made Q u ee n occ u p ies a Rook's f i l e .
After White's Ki n g I n trudes a t b3, B l ac k succ u m b s to the m u lti
1 . Qf3 +
2 . Qd l +
3 . Qh5 +
4. Qf3 +
5 . Qdl +
6. Qf3 +
Draw
Qgg2
Qhgl
Q2h2
Qgg2
Qhgl
ple th reats of Qc2, Qd1 , o r Qe1 .
1 . Kb3
2 . Kxc3
3. Qb2
Qc3 +
Kal
mate
(1-0)
48 • PA N DO L F I N l'S E N DGAME CO U RSE
EN DGAME
P I ECES I N ACTION • 49
27
EN DGAME
28
W: Kd6, Qe8 B: Kf6, Qg1
W: Kg1 , Rh2 B: Kg3 , Qf3
Wh ite moves and d raws
Wh ite moves and w i n s
The X-Ray A ttack
Stalemate Sacrifice
8
7
4
3
2
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Paw n s rac i n g to make new Q u e e n s is an exciti n g show. The fi rst
n ew Q u ee n gets to give the fi rst c h e c k , pe rhaps pitc h i n g a
who l e n ew ball gam e . Maybe B l ack can defe n d , or maybe
White can p i c k off B l ack's pri n c e s s . The tactic u s u a l l y i n vol ves a
s kewe r, o r x- ray attack . B l ac k's K i n g moves out of check and
exposes h i s Q u ee n to capt u re . If B l ac k's pieces are n ot yet on
the same ran k , fi l e , o r diago n al , White m i ght fo rce the oppos
i n g K i n g i n to a l o s i n g s kewer- l i n e u p with a set u p c h e c k . Blac k ,
h e re , after movi n g h i s K i n g to safety, l oses h i s Queen for
noth i n g .
Civen a fa i r start i n g position of K i n g and Q u een vs. K i n g a n d
Kook, i n w h i c h t h e re are n o i m mediate tactics, the stro nger
�ide can force a win . But n ot all positions are devoi d of st rat
,1gems. Fo r exam p l e , wh en the attac k i n g pieces haphazardly
t•ncroach u pon the defen d i n g m o na rch 's u p-aga i n st-th e-wa l l
... ituation , i t i s often poss i b l e t o sac rifice the Roo k t o arrive at
... tdle mate.
1 . Rh3 +
Kxh3
Stal e mate
1 . Qf8 +
2 . Qg8 +
3 . Qxgl
(1-0)
Kg6
Kf5
P I ECES I N ACTION • 51
50 • PA N DOLFIN l'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
29
ENDGAME
30
W: Kf1 , Rg2 B: Kh3, Qe3
White moves a n d d raws
Perpetual Attack
8
7
.
-
6
W: Kf6, Qe8 B: Kh7, Rg7
White moves a n d w i n s
Philidor's Position
�
a
-
-
�
�
-
,
-§-
1 - - -�
�® . �
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
� ',
:;.-,,,,..�
0.
,
2
-
7
- - - 4
- - - 3
� -�
5
0.
�- m
- - - ��
6 a
m m
L�
5
- - � 2
- - m m
18 - �
�
8
-
a
h
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
You m i g ht have been su p ercarefu l to avoid a sta le mate s h ot,
T h i s position was o ri g i n a l l y analyzed by the g reat French mas
then o n e s u dden ly rea r s . B l ack was canny enough to block
ter F ranco i s-And res Danican Ph i l i d o r (1 726-95). Black to move
e ntry with his King at f3 , th u s avo i d i n g the d raw of En dgame 28 .
gets mated o r l o se s h i s Roo k i n n o m o re than fo u r m oves . For
B u t wide n i n g the fiel d a n d i n vad i n g at h3 doesn't h e l p, for
exam p l e: (A) 1 . . . . Kh6
2. Qf8; ( B) 1 . . . . Rg8
2. Qe4+ Kg8
3 . Qa8 + Kh7
2. QhS mate ;
Wh ite reta i n s h i s stale mate stea lt h . The Roo k si mply checks at
(C) 1 . . . . Rg1
h2 , and its captu re i s stal emate. O th e rwise, the Rook c h ecks
ever e l s e B lack tries l eads to a s i m i larly d ismal res u lt. B u t it's n ot
4. Qa7 + . What
a l o n g the f i l e s repeated l y, and B lac k's K i n g can't find sh elter. If
B l ac k's turn ! Wh ite m u st s o m e h ow recreate the same position
it ever m oves to f3 , Wh ite sac rifices his Roo k at g3 for stale
with Blac k to m ove. The trick i s to triangu late the Q u een
mate; a n d i f B l ac k 's K i n g i n stead see k s h ave n b e h i n d t h e
between e8, e4, and a8, so that W h i te achi eves the same posi
Q ueen on the e-fi l e , White's Rook p i n s the Q u een to t h e Ki n g .
tion w h i l e l o s i n g a tempo. Th ree c r i s p moves d o it.
B l ack can n ot feas i b ly escape the c h ec k s , so t h e game i s a draw.
1 . Qe4 +
1 . Rh2 +
D raw
2. QaB +
3 . QeB
( 1 -0)
KgB
Kh7
52 • PA N DO L F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
PIECES I N ACTION • 53
31
ENDGAME
32
W: Kd6, Qb5 B: Kc8, Ra7
W: Ke6, Qc5 B: Kd8, Rd7
Wh ite moves and w i n s
Wh ite moves and wi n s
From Edge to Edge
Double- Threat Queen
8
a
b
d
c
e
f
g
a
h
Black's p i eces are awry. N e i t h e r of h i s p ieces su pports the
oth e r. B lack's Roo k i s powe rl e ss to check, a n d his K i n g is
vu l n e rab l e to di rect attack . The p roper seq ue nce of checks
s p reads chao s , resu lt i n g i n cataton i a for the l os i n g side. G radu
ally, W h i te's Q u een h o u n d s Blac k 's Kin g fro m the 8th ran k to
the a-fi l e : 1 . Qe8 + Kb7
2. Qd7 + Kb8
3 . Qd8 + Kb7
4.
Qc7 + Ka6 ( i f B lac k tries 4 . . . . Ka8, he's mated at o n ce by 5 .
Qc8) 5 . Qc6 + Ka5 . Wh ite's K i n g moves i n t o mop u p with 6 .
Kc5 , after w h i c h Blac k i s mated i n at most t h ree move s , even i f
h e d e l ays with a Rook sacrifice : (A) 6 . . . . Rb7
It's easy to go wro n g a n d waste tim e , even d raw t h e gam e .
C h e c k s l ead n ow h e re , a n d t h e i n va s i o n 1 . Q c6 i s m et by
1
.
. . . Re7 + , when Wh ite m u st s i destep 2. Kd6 Re6+
3. Kxe6
stalemate . You can fi n d the right move by prete n d i n g Blac k's
Roo k does n't exist. Pretend too that you have carte b l a n c h e ,
that you c a n d e p o s i t you r Q u ee n on a n y squ are , eve n if the
Queen can n ot actually move t h e re in the given position . I m ag
i n i n g t h u s h e l p s yo u visual ize yo u r p rope r goa l s . If you con
ti n u e the fan tasy, without the Roo k it wou l d be mate if W h i te's
Queen co u l d occ u py d7 or b8. But rea l l y, with the Roo k on the
board, o n e Q u een m ove attac k s both points.
1 . Qb5
Rc 7
Ka4
Ka5
mate
e
2. Kd6
3. Qb6
4. Qxc 7
5. Qh7
Re7 +
Rc7
Ke8
Kf8
Ke8
mate
6. Qe7
( 1-0)
54 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S END GAME COURSE
ENDGAME
PI ECES I N ACTION • 5 5
33
EN DGAME
34
W: Ke6 , Qc3 B: Kd8, Rd1
W: Ka1 , Rf2 B: Kg6, Qb3
White moves and d raws
White moves a n d w i n s
Dual Methods
Perpetual A ttack 2
8
4
3
2
a
You c o u l d wi n two ways i n t h i s p o s i t i o n . G i ve a s e r i e s of checks
to p i c k off t h e Rook (variation A); o r execute a dou b l e th reat
(variation B), which mate s B l ac k or w i n s h i s Roo k . I n (A), 1 .
Qh8 + Kc7 2 . Q h 2 + Kd8 a l l ows 3 . Qb8 mate, wh i l e 2 . . . . Kc8 o r
2 . . . . Kc6 d rops the Roo k of 3 . Qc2+ .
I n ( B ), B l ac k c o u l d try 1 . . . . Rc1 , b u t that e n d s i n mate after 2 .
Qb8+ Rc8
3 . Qd6+ Ke8
4. Qe7. After 1 . Qb3 Re1 +
2 . Kd6,
e i t h e r h e gets mated (2 . . . . Ke8 and 2 . . . . Rc1 are fol l owed by
3. Qg8 mate) or d rops the Roo k (2 . . . . Kc8
3. Qc3 + ) .
A
1 . Qh8 +
2. Qh2 +
3 . Qb2 +
4. Qa3 +
5 . Qb3 +
6. Qxd 1
( 1 -0)
1 . Qb3
Re1 +
2 . Kd6
Ke8
3. Qg8 mate
( 1 -0)
c
d
e
f
g
h
To have s u pe r i o r force i s goo d . To exe rci se it wisely is better.
Movi n g yo u r Q u een too c l o s e to t h e enemy K i n g-sq u as h i n g
it-lays g ro u n d s f o r a stalemate . Wh ite d raws by havi n g h i s
Roo k perpet u a l l y attack t h e K i n g a l o n g the 2 n d ran k . Start i n g
with a Roo k c h e c k on t h e f-fi l e co mes t o a n a b r u pt end : 1 .
Rf6 + Kg7
2 . Rg6 + Kf7
3 . Rg7+ Kf8
4. Rg8 + Qxg8, a n d the
stalemate d i ssolves. I f B l ac k's King c l o ses to attac k the Rook ,
White checks an yway, for t h e Roo k ca n n ot b e ca ptu red . A n d if
Black's Qu een ta k e s the Roo k afte r it moves to c2 , that too is
stale mat e . B lack cannot fi n d safety along the s h e ltered b-fi le
B
Kc7
Kb7
Ka7
Kb7
Kc6
b
either, fo r Wh ite plays Rb2, p i n n i n g the Q u een .
1 . Rg2 +
2 . Rf2 +
3 . Re2 +
4. Rd2 +
5 . Rc2 +
D raw
Kf5
Ke4
Kd3
Kc4
C H A P T E R
4
Rooks and M i nor Pieces
•
Roo k vs . Bishop
E n d games 35-39
•
Roo k vs. Knight
E ndgames 40-41
•
Roo k a n d Bishop vs. Roo k
E n d g a m es 42-47
58
• PAN DOLFI Nl'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
PI ECES IN ACTION •
35
E N DGAME
59
36
W: Kh1 , Bh8 B : Kg3 , Re7
W: Kb6, Rb2 B : Kb8, Bf7
Wh ite moves a n d d raws
White moves a n d wi n s
The Righ t-Corner Mate
Pin and Win
Blac k th reate ns mate at e1 a n d a B i shop-Ki n g fork at h 7-a
B l ac k 's B i s h o p controls the corner s q u are closest t o h i s K i n g
d o u b l e attac k . If White h ad a l i ght-squ are B i s hop, h i s cau se
(a8), therefore it's the wro n g B i s h o p. To e n g i n e e r a d raw, t h e
wou l d be hopeless. But Wh ite h a s the dark-squ are B i s h op, the
B i s h o p m u st be able t o o cc u py t h e s q u are n ext t o the co rner
right B i s h o p for the co r n e r h i s K i n g al ready o cc u p i e s . To d raw,
(h ere , b8). The act ual co r n e r s q u a re (a8) i s rese rved for B l ack's
the B i s h o p m u st move on s q u ares of d iffere nt col o r from the
K i n g 's co r n e r. Th e n it can b l ock the Rook's chec k on a squ are
conti g u o u s to the Kin g's . Afte r 1 . Bd4 Rel + 2. Bgl , Black has
no way to p rogre s s , and carefu l ly m u st keep Wh ite from a
loom i n g stalemate . In the f i n a l positi o n , if everyt h i n g were
m oved o n e s q uare to the l eft, B l ac k wou l d force m ate by
mak i n g a te m po Roo k move a l o n g the bac k ran k . S u c h a move
wou ld force White's K i n g to the corner a n d the B i s hop (then at
f1 ) wou l d h a n g .
Ki n g . If W h i te's Roo k attac k s a l o n g the bac k row, Blac k 's l i g ht
sq uare B i s h o p wo n 't be a re l i a b l e s h i e l d fo r h i s Ki n g . The White
Rook conq u ers by starti n g with d o u b l e attack , th reate n i n g the
B i s h op a n d mate . After the x-ray assau lt 1 . Rf2 , Wh ite sta m
p e d e s the B i s h o p a n d the bac k-ra n k square i m m ed iately be
h i n d (f8). When the Roo k reac hes the l ast row, a d e l ayi n g move
forces mate .
1 . Rf2
1 . Bd4
2 . Bgl
Rel +
Rdl
Sta l e m ate
2. Rf8 +
3. Rh8
4. Rxc8
(1 -0)
Be6
Bc8
Ka8
mate
60 • PA N OOLFI N l'S E N DGAM E COURSE
EN DGAME
PIECES IN ACTION • 61
37
EN DGAME
38
W: Kg6 , Rf? B: Kg8 , Bg1
W: Kd6 , Rd? B: Ke8 , Bb6
Wh ite moves and w i n s
Wh ite moves and w i n s
Corner Drive
The Chase
8
7
6
5
8
7
6
5
2
2
1
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
B l ac k 's B i s h o p is free as a b i rd , but h i s K i n g i s confi ned to a
Black's Ki n g has managed to avo i d the n ox i o u s h8 corn e r,
dangero u s co rn e r. He cou l d cope if trapped in l i ght-squ are
u n dou bted l y a p l u s . I t's sti l l on the edge of the board , howeve r,
co rn e rs (a8 or h 1 ) becau se h i s d a r k-squ are B i s h o p c o u l d s h e lter
and that s p e ll s tro u b l e . Afte r t h ree forcing moves by Wh ite ,
h i m from Rook-checks on an adjace nt s q u are . S h o u l d Black's
s u d d e n ly B l ack's Ki n g i s j u st w h e re he doesn't want it to be : 1 .
K i n g be d r iven to a dark-sq u a re co rner (h8 or a1 ) however, the
Ke6 (th reate n i n g 2 . Rb?) Kf8 (both 1 . . . . Be3
B i s h o p co u l d not block checks i f it were on the sq uare next to
1 . . . . Bf2
the K i n g . To set u p a w i n n i n g d o u b l e attac k, Wh ite m u st d rive
2 . Rd3, and
2 . Rd 2 let the Rook b e c o m e m e n ac i n g at t h e
B i sh op's e x p e n s e ) 2 . Rf7 + Kg8 ( i f 2 . . . . Ke8, t h e n 3 . R b 7 i s
the fre e-as-a-b i rd B l ack B i s h o p i n to the ope n . The fi rewo rks
dead ly)
begin with 1 . Rfl Bh2 (cu r l i n g u p )
Rg2 and wi n s . The B i s h o p h as no ref u g e . Whereve r it goes , a
2 . Rf2 Bg3
3 . Rg2 ! Th i s
forces the B i shop i n to target ra n ge , s i nce 3 . . . . Bf4 and 3 . . .
.
3 . Kf6 Bd4 +
4 . Kg6 Bgl
5. Rfl Bh2
d o u b l e attack fo l l ows.
Bh4 both l o se to discovered attack by Wh ite's Ki n g . After 3 . . . .
Bd6 (the best) White fi n i s h e s by 4. Rd2 Be7 5. Rc2 Bd6
Rc8 + Bf8 7. Ra8 + (tempo) Kh8 8. Rxf8 mate.
1 . Rfl
2 . Rf 2
3. Rg2
4. Rd2
Con s i d e r the p revio u s e n d game with co l o rs reve rsed and the
Ceneral ly, you e rr if you separate you r K n ight and K i n g in s u ch
defe n d i n g side (Wh ite) to move . Fac i n g the th reatened 1 . . . .
t• n d i n g s , for the h o rs e man needs its majesty's aegi s . The Rook
Kd3, a l o n g with 2 . . . . Rg2, Wh ite m u st choose to scu rry h i s
does t h e r e s t r i ct i n g , c o n f i n i n g , and d r ivi n g . The K i n g ap
K i n g , eve n t h o u g h it's toward the dangero u s sector : 1 . Kcl Kd3
p roaches o r a s s u m e s a centralized post. The Roo k moves i n for
( B lack p u rsues) 2 . Kbl , a n d White's Ki n g sti l l r u n s . If B lack n ow
l h e k i l l . The Ki n g , Roo k , an d K n i g h t form a straight l i n e i n the
co u l d get h i s s i re to c3 and Roo k to c2 , Wh ite wo u l d co l l apse .
fi nal sit uat i o n-a d i sti n ctive s p i k e of pi eces . Yes , a Kn i ght on
So B lack co n t i n u e s 2 . . . . Kc3 . If i n stead he tries 2 . . . . Rc2 ,
l he rim is d i m .
then 3 . B es s h u ts out Black's K i n g . Th e Bi s h op then starts
b u s i n e s s on t h e a1 - h 8 d i ago n a l , and B l ack no l o n ge r p ro
1 . Rc8
gresses . Th e star move i s 3 . Kc l ! It see ms a rare fo lly f o r White
2. Rg8
to m ove i n to ve rtical l i n e with Black's K i n g , b u t look sharp, for
3 . Rg5
Black has no way to take advantage . If he moves h i s Rook along
the 2nd ran k , White's B i s h o p can check fro m eS . Meanwh i l e ,
after 3 . . . . Re3 , t h e B i s hop tem porizes t o h4, retai n i n g control
of e1 . B l ac k i s i m passed and the res u l t i s a positional d raw.
1 . Kcl
2. Kbl
3 . Kcl
D raw
Kd3
Kc3
( 1 -0)
Ng7
N h5
64
PIECES I N ACT I O N •
• PA N D OLFIN l'S E N DGAME COU RSE
EN DGAME
41
EN DGAME
65
42
W: Kf8, N h6 8: Ke6, Rh7
W: Kd6, Rf7, Bd5 B: Kc8, Re8
White moves and d raws
White moves and w i n s
Attacking the Weak Side
Togetherness
8
6
4
3
2
b
a
S uc h a s i m p l e axiom : keep the K n i g ht close to the K i n g . Other
c
d
e
f
g
h
Th i s i s o n e of t h e positions o r i g i n a l l y an alyzed by t h e stu d i o u s
wise, t h e steed r u n s off t h e c l i ff. For exam p l e , if 1 . N g4, B lack
P h i l i d o r, ci rca 1 750 . Somet i m e s situations of Rook and B i s hop
traps the Kn i ght with 1 . . . . R h 3 . The Kn i g ht is l ost by a p i n (2.
vs . Rook are a d raw, others are a win for White. U n l ess Black's
Kg7 Rg3) o r a fo rk (2. Nf2 Rf3 + ), o r Wh ite gets mated (2. Ke8
pieces are coord i nated , he gets mated or l oses h i s Roo k . The
Rh8). But t h e ret reat to g8 saves the day. The Kn i g h t is g u a rded ,
secret is t o play on B l ac k 's weak s i d e , away from h i s stro n g side
w h i l e B lack 's King i s preve nted from oppo s i n g White's at f6. N o
stalwart Roo k ! 1 . Ra7 (th reate n i n g mate) Rd8 +
m ate can b e fo rced , t h e Kn i g ht can ' t b e p i n n ed or fo rked, and
Ra5 Rh8 ( 3 . . . Rd7
n o real p ro g ress i s possi b l e . The best B lack can do i s 1 . Ng8
RbS + Kc8
Rf7 +
Rg6
2. Ke8 Ra7
6. N e7)
3. Kf8 Rh7
4. Ke8 Rf7 (4 . . . . Rg7
5. Kf8
Rh6 +
5. Be6, p i n n i n g and wi n n ing the Roo k)
5. Bc6 Rxc6 +
6. Kxc6 Kc8
7 . Ra8 mate.
5. Nh6 Rfl , givi n g White an opport u n ity to go
wro n g . If n ow 6. Kd8 ? , then . . . Rg1
7. Ke8 Rg6
8. N f7 Rg8 i s
mate. B u t o n ce again 6. Ng8 p u t s Wh ite's house i n order.
1 . Ra7
2 . Kc6
3 . Ra5
1 . Ng8
2 . Ke8
3 . Kf 8
4. Ke8
5 . Nh6
Rf7 +
Ra7
Rh7
Rf7
Rfl
6 . Ng8
D raw
2. Kc6 Kb8
3.
4. Kxc7? is a stalemate t ry, but it fa i l s to 4.
4. Kb6
5 . Bc6
6. Kxc6
7. Ra8
Rd8 +
Kb8
Rh8
Rh6 +
Rxc6 +
Kc8
mate
( 1 -0)
4. Kb6
PIECES I N ACTION • 67
66 • PA N OO L F I N l'S E N DGAME COU RSE
ENDGAME
43
l: N DCAME
44
W: Kd6, Rf7 , Bd5 B : Ke8, Re3
W: Kd6, Rf7, Bd5 B : Kd8, Re3
Wh ite moves and wi n s
Wh ite m oves an d wi n s
Breaking Coordination
Rook Lift 1
8
76
5�
.
4
3
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
W h i te strives to co nt rol the s q u a re e8 . Check with the B i s hop at
c6 i s i n the ai r, but fi rst Wh ite m u st f i n d a haven for h i s Rook at
f7. The key m ove i s the Roo k l i ft to t h e 4th ran k , 1 . Rf4 (th reat
e n i n g 2. Bc6 + Kd8
3. Rf8 + Re8
4. Rxe8 mate). If Black p i n s
the B i s h o p (1 . . . . Rd3), W h i te p lants h i s Roo k o n t h e g-fi l e (2 .
Rg4) and Black can not get back to block the u pco m i n g back
ra n k check (f3 i s h e l d by the B i s h op). B lack must p l ay 1 . . . .
Kd8. N ow Wh ite revea l s t h e secret of h i s fi rst move , 2 . Be4 ! ,
cutti n g off Black's Rook from the defense a n d th reate n i n g 3 . Rf8
mate. B l ac k has no choice; he m u st step onto the fatal sq uare,
2
Ke8, and White concl u d e s 3 . Bc6 + Kd8
Rxe8 mate.
.
.
.
•
4. Rf8 + Re8
5.
B l a c k 's fo rces are p o i s e d in d e l i cate d e f e n s ive b a l a n c e , so
Wh ite tips the scale s with the d i s ruptive 1 . Rd 7 + . B l ack m u st
co m m i t to o n e s i d e or the ot h e r. Queenside f l i g h t l o ses i m m e
d i ately (1 . . . . Kc8
2 . Ra7), t h a n k s to the B i s h o p 's watch over
b 3 . Therefore 1 . . . . Ke8
2. Rb7 (a mate th reat fe i nt to f u rther
d i sturb B l ack's coordi nat i o n ) Kf8
t h en 4. Rf3 + w i n s B l ack's Rook), and n ow the l i ft 4. Rf4 decides
as i n the p revi o u s en dgam e .
1 . Rd7 +
2 . Rb7
3. Rf7 +
4. Rf4
1 . Rf4
2 . Be4
3 . Bc6 +
4. Rf8 +
5 . Rxe8
(1-0)
Kd8
Ke8
Kd8
Re8
mate
3 . Rf7 + Ke8 (if 3 . . . . Kg8,
5 . Be4
6. Bc6 +
7. Rf8 +
8. Rxe8
( 1 -0)
Ke8
Kf8
Ke8
Kd8
Ke8
Kd8
Re8
mate
P I ECES IN ACTION • 69
ME COU RSE
68 • PAN DOL FI N l'S E N DGA
E N DGA ME
45
E N DGAME
46
W: Kd6, Rg7, BdS B : Kd8, Re1
W : Kd6 , Rf7 , Bf3 B : Ke8 , Re1
W h i te mo ves and w i n s
Wh ite moves and w i n s
Shifting Sides
Rook Lift 2
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
With Black's Roo k on e 1 , Wh ite w i s h e s to get h i s Rook to f7 and
his B i s h op to f3. But it can 't be done d i rectly : (A) 1 . Rf7 Re2
�
t ns a B i s hop
i ghty d a n g e ro u s . I t t h rea
The Roo k l i ft (1 . Rf4) is m
1 s u n ab l e to
uen t m at e . B l ack 's Roo k
che ck at c6 a n d sub seq
ma nds d1
g bec au se t h e Bish op co
co u nte ratt ack Wh ite's Kin
g e8, t h e n
n
i
t h eate n i n g m ate by gua rd
I t 's t h e B i s hop 's day, fi rst
. T h e ove ru e e n s i d e b l oc k - p o i n t c8
com m a n d ee r i n g t h e Q
done i n .
wro u g h t B l ack pie ces are
13f3 Rd2 + , and t h e B i s h op is obl i ged to ret urn to d5 to b l ock
·
t h e chec k ; (B) 1 . Bf3 Ke8, and B l ack's Ki ng keeps the Roo k out
of f7. The day is saved by shift i n g White's Rook fro m Ki n gs i d e to
Queenside an d back again , start i n g with 1 . Ra7, th reate n i n g
rnate. Black m u st h i e h i s own Roo k t o t h e Queen s i d e to s h i e l d
aga i n s t mate , 1 . . .
.
Rel , b u t that l e t s White's Roo k reach t h e
desi red sq uare w i t h te mpo, 2 . Rf7, becau se i t n ow m e n aces
rnate at f8. So Black's Roo k co mes back to t h e K i n g s i d e , 2 . . .
.
Rel (t he alte rnat ive , 2 . . . . Ke8, loses after 3 . Rf4 Rd1
Kf8
4 . Rb4
5 . Rg4, a n d mate at g8 fol l ows). W h i te's B i s h o p n ow
reaches its goal too, 3 . Bf3 , and B lac k 's Rook can not attack from
d1 . If 3 . . . . Ke8 , then 4. Rf4 transfo r m s i n to an earl i e r e n d
g a m e ; a n d i f i n stead , 3 . . . Re8 , t h e n Blac k b u c k l e s , 4 . Ra7 .
�clati ve ly best is 3 . . . . Re3, b u t after 4. Bc6 RdJ + 5 . Bd5,
! ) l ack again fo u n d e rs for a move . If he tries 5 . . . . Ke8 , h e i s
t otally u n coord i n ated afte r 6 . Rg7 ; a n d if 5 . . . Re3, t h e n 6 .
.
Rd7 + l ead s i n to a n earlier losi n g e n d game i n t h i s s e r i e s .
1 . Ra7
2.
3.
Rf7
BfJ
Re l
Rel
Re3
4. Bc6
5 . Bd5
6. Rd7 +
( 1 -0)
Rd J +
Re3
70 • PAN OOLFI N l 'S EN DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
• - - B
47
-
W: Kd6, Rf1 , BdS B : Kd8, Re7
Wh ite moves a n d wi n s
I n t h i s famous pos ition , Black t h reatens to Roo k-check W h i te's
Ki n g fro m d7. Wh ite dare not oppose th i s by 1 . Bc6 (or 1 . B e6),
for 1 . . . . Rd ? +
2. Bxd7 is sta l e m ate . Wh ite i n stead checks
o n t h e l as t row to force Blac k's Rook off the 7t h ran k , 1 . Rf8 +
Re8. Now with 2. Rf7, Wh ite takes control of t h e 7th ra n k for
h i m se lf. B l ac k 's best try i s 2 . . . . Re2, sett i n g u p a possi b l e
check from beh i n d at d 2 on a s q uare that can not b e guard ed by
W h i te's Bi shop. Howeve r, after the tempo move , 3. Rg7, B l ack's
Rook m u st co m m it to e1 or e3, wh e re the checks from the rear
(at d1 o r d3) can be contro l l e d by the B i s h o p. Victory t h e n
fol l ows , as i n t h e preced i n g e n d games.
1 . Rf8 +
2 . Rf 7
3 . Rg 7
4. Ra7
5 . Rf 7
6. Bfl
7. Bc6
8. Bd5
T h i s section b e l o n g s to t h e one and only paw n . The a b i l ity of
·
·
the u n flappable foot s o l d i e r to be p romoted to a pos1t1on of
.
power upon reac h i n g the 8th ra n k gives it suffi cient force to
�
m te. And t h i s m e re va rlet, as a passed pawn with no host i l e
.
neigh bors i n its path to t h e Queen i n g square , i s t r uly a foe t o
b e reckoned wi t h . A l l stops m u st b e p u l led o u t t o preve nt the
d a n ge ro u s passed pawn from reac h i n g Q u e e n s l an d .
The ru le of the s q uare , the co rne rsto ne of a l l Ki n g-and -pawn
e n d game theo ry, dete rmi nes the ou tco me when the passed
pawn alone g ra p p l e s with the e n emy Ki n g . The p ictu re be
?
� rec 1se
comes m re co m p lex when both Ki n gs enter the fray. H e re
very
�
te r m i n ology i s ne cessary to f u l l y and accu rately
describe t e f u l l range of m ove m e n t e m p l oyed i n the d u e l of
t h e two K i n gs vy i n g with each ot h e r ove r the c h e s sboard .
Te rms such as opposition, tria ngulation, squeeze, and so o n
e m body fun d a m e n tal co ncepts characteri z i n g var i o u s as pects
of the exc l u sive, n u anced rea l m of mon arch ical com bat .
71
72 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
Theoret i c i an s h ave tried to s u b s u m e the whole ra n ge of
l a rger aspects of the endgame struggle i n to a s i n g l e theoreti cal
C H A P T E R
superstruct u re . The theory of correspon d i n g squares, the m ost
rece nt atte m pt , is too new and u n t r i e d . Many of its d eta i l s sti l l
5
re m a i n t o b e wo rked o u t .
M o re p r act i ca l a n d s u ccessfu l i s t h e G e r m a n zugzwan g
(mean i n g " move b o u n d"), w h i c h d i s ti l l s to o n e wo rd the vast
st rategic n etwo r k of e n d game posit i o n s . I n zugzwang s i tua
t i o n s , the o b l i gat ion to make a m ove , normally an advantage,
K i n g an d Paw n
vs .
becomes a c ru s h i n g b u rd e n . The s i d e whose t u rn it is m u st
Ki ng
yield gro u nd to the adversa ry, ofte n with fata l con sequence s .
Part Two p re s e n ts a l l t h e b a s i c conce pts common t o Ki ng
and-pawn e n d i n gs , expla i n ed i n word s and i l l u strated by exam
p l e s . Each concept is given i n itially in its s i m p l e st , most un
d i l u ted form, and then later i n teg rated with other themes . Th i s
d i recto ry o f i d eal l eads i n tu rn to an appreciation o f t h e rich ly
in tricate patte r n s emergi ng on a c h e ss board so em pty of ot her
chessmen .
•
S q ua re of the Pawn
E nd ga me s 48-49
•
Esc ort Pro b le m s
E n d ga m e s 50-51
•
Pawn o n 7th Ra n k
En dg am e 52
•
Pawn o n 6th Ra n k
En dg am es 53-59
•
Pawn o n 5th Ra n k
E n d gam es 60-63
•
Paw n o n 4th Ra n k
E nd ga me s 64-66
•
Pawn on 3 rd Ra n k
E n d ga m e s 67-69
•
Pawn o n 2 n d Ra n k
E n dg am es 70-72
•
Ro o k-p aw n s
En dg am es 73-75
74 • PAN DOLF I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
ENDGAME
THE PAWNS IN ACTION • 75
48
E N DGAME
49
W : Kh1 , Pa2 B : Kg8
White moves and wi n s
Square of the Pawn
Stepp ing into the Squa re
8 �
� B m® B
7- - - 6 - - - 5- - - 4 - - - -
- - - 2 ft & - - -
3
1B
a
b
B
c
W: Kc6 B: Ka8 , Ph5
White moves and d raws
d
B®
B
e
f
g
h
A Ki ng can ove rtake a speed i n g passed pawn two ways . O n e
m ethod i s to c o m pare the n u m b e r of moves i t t a k e s for the
pawn and Ki n g to reach the Queen i n g square . If it's the same,
t h e pawn i s cau g h t ; if the pawn needs l e s s , i t Queen s . Another
method i s to v i s ual ize the "squ are of th e pawn . " Afte r the pawn
moves to a4, i magine a box of twenty s q u ares , from a4 to a8 to
eB to e4 . B l ack's King m u st be a b l e to enter that box on the
move to catch t h e pawn on a d i ago n a l i n to the back ran k . In
the d i agram , t h e pawn starts on the 2nd ra n k , a n d the box
apparently r u n s from a2 to a8 to gB to g2, with B l ack's K i n g
al ready i n the box . B u t rem e m b e r, a pawn m ay advance two
s q u ares on its f i rst move . To co mp e n sat e , t h e b ox m u st be
d rawn as t h o u g h t h e a- pawn were start i n g o n a3 . I n t h i s case,
Black's Ki n g l a n g u i s hes i n the outl a n d s .
1 . a4
3 . a6
Kf7
Ke6
Kd6
4. a7
Kc7
2. a5
5. a8/Q
(1-0)
8 ·- - 7B �
�
6 M®
� �
5
mi
4 - � B 3- a - a
�
2 - - � · �
1B - - z
a
b
d
c
e
f
g
.,
I n t h i s set u p, t h e s q u a re exte n d s f r o m h5 to d1 to d5 .
White enters it at d5 im m e d i ately. A v i s ual s h o rtcut i s to d raw
an i magin ary d i agonal l i ne from t h e pawn to the bac k ra n k
h e re , hS to d1 . The d-fi le t h e n beco m e s the l i n e Wh ite's Ki n g
m u st cross . I t d o e s s o on t h e m ove . T h e d i agon al contai n i n g
White's K i n g a n d t h e h 1 promotion s q u a re i s the " c r i t i cal d i ago
nal . " In the d i agram it is d5-e4-f3-g2- h 1 . Retreat i n g the Ki n g
a l o n g a critical d i ago nal can b e card i n a l t o a n e n d game's s o l u
tion . T h e defe n d e r u ses the path to g e t back q u i c kly, a n d the
attac k e r tries to o b s t r u ct i t .
1 . Kd5
2. Ke4
3 . Kf3
4. Kg2
B l ack's Ki ng co u l d h u n k er on c8, o btai n i n g a d raw. White has
B lack to play can d raw with a Ki n gly move to e4 o r e3 , gett i n g
e n o u g h m ate r i a l to win (the pawn cou l d become a n ew
with i n t h e " s q u a re of W h i te's advan c i n g a-pawn , " w h i ch ex
Q u ee n ), yet he can n ot force p romotion once Black's K i n g is on
ten d s from a3 to a8 to f8 to f3 . Th i s p reve nts Wh ite from
c8. Even if White's K i n g moved to a7, thwarti ng Blac k 's King
wi n n i n g by a straight pawn march . After 1 . a4 Ke4, B lack is i n
from reac h i n g the corner, h e wou l d block the advance of h i s
t h e " s q uare of t h e pawn" ( n ow i magi n ed from a4 to a 8 t o e 8 to
own paw n , w h i l e Black's King fro m c8 o r c 7 den ies h i m egress.
e4) and on the crit ical retreati ng d i agonal (e4-d5-c6-b7-a8), en
N ow the "critica l sq uare" b 7 beco me s i mportant. If i t i s oc
a b l i n g Black's Ki n g to get back i n time. If White goes f i rst, the
cupied by Wh ite's Ki ng, Wh i te wi n s , for the pawn p roceed s
win i s ac h i eved by Wh ite's Ki n g oppos i ng Black's , row by row,
forward u n c h a l l e n ged . If Black's K i n g reaches c8 , however,
ac ross the board to the Q u e e n s i d e , s h i e l d i n g off B l ack's Ki n g
White's King can not occupy b7, the a-pawn 's c ritical s q uare . I n
from e n t e r i n g t h e "squ are o f t h e pawn . " Th e tu rn i n g point
K i n g and pawn ve rsu s King e n d i n g s , a squ are i s critica l if, by
comes when W h i te's King i s o n cs and Black's o n c3 . U n ab le to
occu pyi n g it, the supe r i o r s i d e 's Ki n g co uld e n s u re the p romo
move to b3 because Wh ite's pawn gua rds that s q uare , B lack
tion of the passed pawn . A pawn is " passed " when no enemy
gives way to b 2 . Wh ite's pawn then util izes its two-sq u are
pawn o b st r u ct s its path to the promotion squ are or guards a
option to get beyond Black's grasp.
squ are it m u st pass over. Loose ly, a passed pawn has "p assed "
a l l opposi n g paw n s .
1 . Kb7
2 . a4
1 . Kf 5
2 . Ke5
3 . a5
Kd6
Kc5
4. a6
(1-0)
Kb5
3 . Kd5
4. Kc5
5 . a4
(1-0)
Ke3
Kd3
Kc3
Kb2
78 • PAN OOLF I N l'S E N DGAME COU RS E
E N DGAME
T H E PAWNS I N ACT ION • 7 9
52
EN DGAME
53
W: Kg6, Pf6 B: Kf8
White moves and wi n s
W: Kf1 B: Kg3, Pf3
White moves and d raws
Opposing
The Squeeze
B l ac k h a s h i s Ki n g o n t h e Q u e en i n g square , b u t the s i m ple
The ot her s i d e of the coi n . If B l ack's pawn advances to the 7th
advance 1 . f7 s q u eezes him o u t . Black's King m ust exit to the
ran k with c h e c k , the d efe n se h o l d s . White, on m ove, m u s•
l eft, 1 . . . . Ke7 , al l ow i n g Wh ite's King t o enter o n the right. The
decide whet h e r to put his K i n g on e1 or g1 . It wo rks out n i cely
move 2. Kg7 takes control of the Q u een i n g s quare , and after 3 .
e8/Q, W h ite m ates with i n ten m ove s . The key to t h i s en d i n g i s
after 1 . Ke1 if B lack coo pe rates and pushes h i s pawn with
t i m i n g t h e advance of t h e pawn t o t h e 7th ran k wit hou t c h e c k .
You " s q u eeze" yo u r opponent's Ki n g when you force _i t off h e
.
b ac k row by p u s h i n g yo u r pawn to the 7 t h ran k w i t h o u t g1v 1 n g
�
check : 1 . . . . f2 +
2. Kf1 Kf3 . B u t afte r the correct res p o n s e ,
1 . . . . Kg2, the pawn own s a safe co n d u ct t o t h e Q ueen i n g
square. White, t h e refore, m u st p l ay 1 . Kgl , opposi n g B l ack's
check. G e n e ral ly, if you are be i n g " sq u eezed , " you m u st make
i n te ntio n s . N ow when the pawn ste ps forward , 1 . . . . f2 + , it i s
with check and stalemate resu lts from 2 . Kfl Kf3 . By oppos i n g
a m ove that wor s e n s you r posi ti on .
B l ack's K i n g , Whi te's K i n g cannot be s q u eezed .
1 . f7
2. Kg7
3. f8/Q +
4. Qb4
5 . Kf6
Ke7
Kd6
Kd5
Kc6
Kd5
6. Kf5
7. Ke6
8. Qb5
9. Kd6
1 0 . Qd7
(1 -0)
Kcb
Kc7
Kc8
Kd8
mate
1 . Kgl
2. Kfl
f2 +
Kf 3
Stale mate
80
•
PA ND OL F I N l ' S EN DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
T H E PAWNS IN ACTION
54
E N DGAME
•
81
55
W: Kd5 , Pe6 B : Kd8
White moves and w i n s
W: Ka5 .. Pc6 B : Kd8
White moves and w i n s
Diagonal Squeeze
W h e n K i n g s are on t h e same row with o n e s q u are between
them , occ u pyi n g squares of the same col o r, they are " i n op
position . " The s i d e not on the move has the advan tage , and i s
said t o "have the oppositi o n . " I f White 's K i n g has the opposi
tion , he co ntrol s the s ituati on and can fo rce his pawn ah ead
s u ccessfu l ly. If B l ac k 's K i n g has the opposition , he can stoo
Wh ite on the spot and d raw. When the Kings stand in opposi
tion , n e i t h e r playe r desi res to move , for that wou l d give g ro u n d
t o h i s oppon e n t . The refo re , t h e o n l y s u re way Wh ite c a n lay
d own a wi n n i n g s q u eeze is to take the oppos ition on the d- fi l e ,
1 . Kd6. T h e r u l e s compel B l ac k t o move , a n d h i s Ki n g m u st give
way. The s i d e step 1 . . . . Ke8 , permits the u n i mpeded advance
with advance 2 . e7 and 3 . e8/Q. And afte r 1 . . . . KeB, Wh ite
s q u eezes with 2. e7 (no check), when Black is obl i ged to open
the door to W h i te's k i n g : 2 . . . . Kf7 3. Kc7 and 4 . eB/Q.
1 . Kd6
2. e7
3. Kd7
4. eB/Q
5 . Qe3
KeB
Kf7
Kf6
Kf 5
Kf6
6 . Qe4
7. Ke6
8. Kf6
9 . Qd4
1 0 . Qh4
(1-0)
Kg5
Kh6
Kh5
Kh6
mate
T h e K i n g s " stan d i n oppos i t i o n " when they sit on s a m e co l o r
sq uares and are separated b y an o d d n u mber of sq u ares (1 , 3 ,
o r 5) a l o n g t h e s a m e strai ght row ( a ran k , fi l e , o r d i agonal).
:-V hen Kings in opposition occupy the same f i l e , the Kings are
in "verti cal opposition . " If they occupy the same ra n k , they a re
i n " ho rizonta l oppositi o n . " And i f l i ned up on the same d i ago
nal , they a re in "d iagonal opposition . " If they are separated by
one sq u are , the opposition is called " d i rect . " If t h e re a re t h ree
s q u ares between the two K i n g s , the o pposition is " d ista n t . " I f
t h e separation i s five sq uares , t h e opposition i s " l o n g d i stant . "
With the u pward 1 . Kb6, White takes the d i rect d iagonal op
pos i t i o n , and after 1 . . . . KcB , e d ge s by 2 . c7 Kd7
Kd6
4.
1 . Kb6
2 . c7
3. Kb7
4.
3. Kb7
cB!Q. Mate soon fo l lows .
cB/Q
5 . Qg4
KcB
Kd7
Kd6
Kd5
Ke5
6. Kc6
7 . Kd6
8 . Qg5
9 . Ke6
1 0 . Qe7
( 1 -0)
Kf6
Kf 7
Kf8
KeB
mate
l
!
i
82
•
PA NOO L F I N l 'S END GAME COU RS E
E N DGAME
T H E PAWNS I N ACTION
56
E N DGAME
83
57
W: Ka5 , Pc6 B: Ka8
W: Ke2 B: Ke4, Pe3
Wh ite moves a n d d raws
Wh ite m ove s and wi n s
Vertical Squeeze
•
frontal Defense
1
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
B l ac k 's Ki n g is n ot on the Queen i n g s q u are, but it i s wi t h i n the
" s q u are of t h e pawn ," (c6 to c8 to a8 to a6) so the h asty t h rust 1 .
c7? e n d s i n captu re after 1 . . . . Kb?. The pawn's forward m o
t i o n req u i res royal su pport. On ly choice of th e r i g h t squares f o r
advance m e n t , and p reci se t i m i n g wi l l secu re White's eve n tual
v icto ry. For exam p l e , 1 . Kb6? i s a m i stake . After 1 . . . . Kb8 , the
pawn can reach t h e 7th ran k only with check, and Black d raws
by 2 . c? + Kc8
3 . Kc6 stale mat e . Th e o n ly co rrect step for
Wh ite is to move h i s Ki n g in l i n e with Bl ac k 's , one sq uare
se parat i n g the two monarc h s , so they stand i n d i rect ve rtical
opposition . With 1 . Ka6, Wh ite seizes the d i rect ve rtical op
position on the a-fi l e . After 1 . . . . Kb8
is o n : 3. c7 Kd7
2 . Kb6 Kc8 the squeeze
4. Kb7 a n d Q u e e n s on the next move . I f
i n stead of 2 . . . . Kc8 , B lack plays 2 . . . . Ka8, Wh ite m u st avo i d
the trap 3 . c 7 sta l e m ate, opti n g for 3 . Kc? Ka7
4. K d 7 , a n d t h e
pawn is convoyed to the Queen i ng s q uare .
1 . Ka6
2 . Kb6
3. c7
4. Kb7
Kb8
Kc8
Kd7
Kd6
5 . c8/Q
6. Qg4
7. Qf4
8. Qe4
Ke5
Kd5
Kc5
Kd6
9 . Kb6
1 0 . Qe5
1 1 . Kc6
1 2 . Qc7
( 1 -0)
Kd7
Kd8
Kc8
mate
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
B l ack's pawn dwe l l s on i t s 6th ran k and h i s K i n g l u rk s be h i n d on
its 5th . A bad s i g n . White's Ki n g i s poised perfectly fo r defe n se :
on the bl ockade s q u a re e2, i m m e d i at e ly i n fron t of t h e pawn .
That's a clear d raw. White s i m ply s h ifts between e2 and e1 . I f
B lac k's K i n g m oves u p a ran k , Wh ite's K i n g d i rectly opposes
h i m (1 . . . . Kd3
2. Kd1 , o r 1 . . . . Kf3
2. Kf1 ), tak i n g t h e d i rect
vertical oppo s i t i o n . No p ro gre s s i s po s s i b l e . In s u c h cas e s ,
mov i n g t h e pawn to its 7th ran k w i t h check o n l y d raws , fo r i t no
l o n ge r is possi b l e to sq ueeze Wh i te 's Ki n g out. Stal e mate en
sues.
1 . Kel
2. Kdl
3 . Kel
Kd3
d2 +
Ke3
Sta l e mate
84
•
T H E PAWNS I N /\C l l Ofllt e M
PAN OOLFI N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
58
ENDGAME
W: Kg5 , Pe6
59
B: Kg?
W: Kh2
Wh ite moves a n d w i n s
b
c
d
e
-
White moves a n d d r,1w1
Stalemate
Transition to a Squeeze
a
B : Kf3 , l'g I
f
g
h
B l ack has the d i rect vertical oppos iti o n , but he can 't mai ntai n
Let's say yo u h ave an extra K n i ght-pawn , yo u r Ki n g i s s i tti ng on
i t . The move 1 . Kf5 is fo rced (fo r anyt h i n g e l s e loses the e
the 6th or 7th ra n k ah ead of the paw n , and it's you r move . Be
wro n g . Wh ite contin ues 2 . Kg6 ! . But not 2 . Kf6 ? , fo r 2 . . . . Kf8,
caut i o u s about p u s h i n g yo u r pawn . It may be better to waste
t i me and re position you r K i n g to a m o re recogn izab le s i t uat i o n ,
pawn). Re l atively best i s 1 . . . . Kg8, givi n g Wh i te a chance to go
regain i n g t h e o pposition , d raws . So 2 .
. . Kf8
.
3. Kf6 Ke8 l eads
even tran sfe rri n g it to the Rook-fi le in some ca s e s , to avoi d
to the pawn sq u eeze 4. e7, which d rives B l ack's Ki ng from the
h e l p i n g yo u r opponent to set pawn -baited sta l emate tra p s . You
Q u ee n i n g s q u are : 4. . . . Kd7
can not afford to be i m precise with a pawn . Someti m e s , after a
5 . Kf7.
bad p i ece move , yo u can re tu rn to where you starte d . B ut
1 . Kf5
2. Kg6
3 . Kf6
4. e7
5 . Kf7
6. e8/Q
Kg8
Kf 8
Ke8
Kd7
Kd6
Kd5
7. Qa4
8. Ke6
9. Kd6
1 0 . Qa5
1 1 . Kc6
1 2 . Qc7 mate
Kc5
Kb6
Kb?
Kb8
Kc8
pawns ca n ' t m ove backward . B l ack has erroneo u s l y p u s h e d h i s
pawn to t h e 6th , a l l owi n g Wh ite t o d raw with a frontal d efe nse
va riation (see En d game 57). Afte r 1 . Khl , 1
.
. . . Kf2 stal e m ates .
Black s h o u l d have conti n u ed h i s pawn on to g4 and pl ayed h i s
Ki n g t o f2 i n stead , th en t o g 3 f o l l owed by h 3 . That c o m b i n at i o n
wo u l d have s p r u n g any stale mate snares.
(1-0)
1 . Khl
2 . Kgl
g2 +
Kg3
Stal e m ate
86
•
PA N DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COU RS E
EN DGAME
THE PAW N S I N ACTION
•
87
" u n i ve rs e . " G e n e ral ly, it i s to n e i t h e r Kin g's advantage to move
60
outside the u n ive rs e . I f White gets the opposition with in the
W: Ke6 , Pf5
B : Kf8
White moves and w i n s
Direct Opposition
un ive rse h e can app ly a t u r n i n g mane uver to occ u py a c ri t ical
sq uare to s q u eeze out h i s opponent's K i n g .
1 . Kf6
2 . Kg7
3. f6 +
4. f7
5 . fB/Q
6 . Qa3
Wh ite wou l d e r r if h e pu shed h i s pawn , f o r Bl ac k's King wo u l d
t h e n oppose Wh ite's , taki n g t h e d i rect verti cal opposition , e n d
i n g i n a d raw. Wh ite i n stead s h o u l d seize t h e oppositio n , 1 .
Kf6. Then B l ac k 's King m u st acced e , al l owi n g White 's Ki n g a
t u rn i n g mane uve r to the 7th rank to g u a rd the s q u a res i n the
pawn's path . Th i s kind of t ran s itional oppositi o n , f i rm l y c l ear
i n g the way for fol l ow- u p t u r n i n g mane uvers that as s u re a w i n ,
i s t h e most powe rful there i s . These st ratage m s permit White's
Ki n g to occu py the pawn 's critical s q u a res, wh ich are two ran ks
ah ead of paw n s on the 2 n d , 3rd , or 4th ra n k s , but only one ran k
i n front of a pawn on the 5th ran k . Th u s , if h i s pawn is on the
3rd ran k , Wh ite's King m u st be able to occupy one of th ree
c ritical s q u a re s on the 5th ran k . These t h ree squares are fo u n d
o n t h ree ad j o i n i n g files : t h e f i l e w i t h t h e pawn and t h e two
adj acen t fi l e s . Together these t h ree f i l e s consti tute the pawn's
Critical sq uare s fo r pawns o n the 5 t h ra n k are one row ah ead of
4th ran ks . Th at's becau se as Wh ite's pawn and King advance to
the h i gh e r ran k s , B l ack's Ki n g is fo rced to the back row, where
it r u n s out of mane uveri n g roo m . W h i te 's c ritical squ ares here
are d6, c6 , a n d b6. I f Wh ite's King can occupy any of the se t h ree
s q u a re s , h e can fo rce a wi n , whateve r Black does. I f Blac k can
p reve n t W h i t e 's K i n g from getti n g to t h e s e s q u a re s wh i l e
W h i te 's pawn i s st i l l on the 5th ran k , Blac k d raws . Th u s , i f B l ac k
g o e s fi rst, h e d raws by 1 . . . . Kc7. But if White moves fi rst, h e
c a n p recede h i s pawn t o t h e 6th a n d occupy t h e critical sq u a re ,
d 6 . T h i s i s what most Ki n g-and-pawn vs . King battles are abo u t :
getti n g t h e stro n ge r side's Ki n g t o the 6 t h ran k i n fro nt of t h e
paw n . O n ce yo u accompl i s h that , y o u w i n whet h e r t h e pawn ( i f
89
not a Roo k-p awn ) occ u p i
es the 2 n d , 3 rd , 4th , or 5th
ran ks . Yo u
s h o u l d not move yo u r paw
n to the 6th ran k u n l ess yo
u r Ki n g i s
al rea y o n t h e 6th ran k a
n d t h e advanc e take s t h e opp
osit ion
al l ow i n g Blac k 's K i n g to
'
be s q u eez ed .
3 . Kd7
4. c6 +
the pawn-not two , as seen with paw n s on the 2 n d , 3 r d , and
an d be yo n d , fo i t i s
ch ed a cri tic al s q u a re
rea
s
a
h
g
n
Ki
's
ite
h
W
ran k to wi n . I t
g to oc c u py t h e 6th
n
Ki
's
ite
h
W
r
o
f
t
n.
suf fic ien
i n gs of a n ew Qu ee
aw n h as a l l t h e ma k
y
ap pe ars t h at t h e g-p
ast
n
a
's ed ge set s
p rox i m i ty to the bo ard
g's
n
i
K
k
ac
l
B
the
t
Ye
i s fo r W h ite to ret rac
. Th e wi n n i n g i d ea
t ra , 1 . g6 sta le m ate
ti_ n g B l a k s
k i n g on h6 , p reven
n
ow
s
i
h
g
n
i
n
o
ti
h i s ste p s , sta
ate t r i c k an d for ci n g
h-f i l e to set u p a sta lem
the
g
n
i
s
u
m
fro
g
n
Ki
i t o u t of the c o r n e r.
Black's K i n g c l early c a n take a position i n front o f h i s paw n , a
p l u perfect p l u s . B u t with h i s pawn on its 4th ran k Black's K i n g
m u st be a b l e t o o cc u py the c r i ti c a l s q u a res on its 6 t h ran k .
S u rely, i f White i s i m petu o u s , B l ac k s u cceed s : 1 . Kb2 ? Kb4
(taki ng the d i rect opposit � � n )
t u r n i n g mane uve r) 4. Kc1 Kc3
2 . Kc2 Kc4
5 . Kd1 Kb2
3 . Kd2 Kb3( the
6 . Kd2 c4 and the
�
pawn i s h a n d ed t h ro u g h . With p reci s i o n play, h owev r, Wh ite
on
e
ove seizes the d i stant ve rtical opposi ti o n , 1 . Kb1 ,
pos1t1 o n i g h i s Ki n g an odd n u m b e r of sq u ares away from
B l a k 1s K_m g-th ree-on the same fi l e , keep i n g it at bay. By
.
m mta m 1 n g , fro m move to move , s o m e form of opposition
_
( e i t h e r d i stant ve rtical or d i rect ve rti cal), White can p revent
�
� � '.11
�
�
Black's K i n g from reac h i n g a c ritical s q u a re .
1 . Kbl
2. Kb2
3 . Kc2
4. Kd2
Kb4
Kc4
Kd4
c4
5. Kc2
6. Kcl
7. Kdl
8. Kcl
t
ii'
r
II
I
c3
Kd3
c2 +
Kc3
Stal e mate
i
',
I
92 • PAN OOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COU RS E
E N DGAME
T H E PAWNS I N ACTION
64
EN DGAME
W: Ke4, Pd4
•
93
65
B : Kf8
W : Kb2 , Pe4
White move s and w i n s
B: Ka8
Wh ite moves and wi n s
Extended O verpass
I:
i1
The t h ree c riti cal s q u ares i n front of Wh ite's 4th -rank pawn a re
e6
d6
and c6 . White can seize on ly one of them : c6, t h e
� � criti cal sq u are . Th e " outside c r itical s q u are" i s the o n e
White's K i n g fro m reac h i n g i ts c ritical s q u ares on t h e 6th ran k
an opti o n , it is better to head for t h e outside c ritical sq u are ,
ove rpass t o f6 , t h e outside critical sq u a re . T h e n the pawn i s
o tsid
farthest f r o m t h e e n emy Ki n g . Wheneve r the attac k i n g Ki n g h as
wh i ch ten d s to be hard e r for B l ac k 's K i n g to reac h . H e re ,
W h i te's Ki n g d i agonally bee l i n e s (e4-d5-c6) for the o utside c rit
i cal square, c ro s s i n g over in front of h i s paw n , a maneuver
k n ow n as "the ove rpas s . "
g gets to the
I n th i s exa m p l e , a pawn p u s h d raws , fo r Black's K i n
h ite's Ki n g 1 .
crucia l a rea befo re Wh ite's . A d i rect advan ce by W
verti cal
stant
i
d
(
!
Ke7
Ke2 i s sty m i e d by 1 . . . . Kd7 2 . Ke3
is solved by
oppos iti o n ) 3. Kf4 Kf6. O n ce aga i n , the r i d d l e
To get there,
h ead i n g fo r the o utsi de critica l s q u are ( h e re , h6).
his pawn :
behind
g
n
i
d
i
l
White 's King execu tes the u n d e rpass , s
e1 -f2-g3- h4 .
1 . Kf2
2 . Kg3
3. Kh4
4. Kh5
5 . Kg5
6. Kf6
B: Kc5, Pc6
Wh ite moves and d raws
Opposition
The Underpass 1
b
95
67
Wh ite moves and w i n s
a
•
Wh ite marks t i m e , f r ustrati n g the hostile i n tention s of B l ack's
Ki n g by 1 . Kc3 tak i n g d i rect opposit i o n . Aft e r 1 . . . . Kd5 2 .
Kd3, B l ac k p rocee d s s o l e l y b y advan c i n g h i s paw n : 2 . . . .
c5 3 . Kc3 c4. Wh ite n ow m u st s u r re n d e r t h e b l ockad i n g
s q u a re c 3 . I n p r i n c i p l e , h e ought t o withd raw to the reserve
b l o c k ad i n g s q u a re c2, i m m e d i at e l y b e h i n d t h e b l o c k ad i n g
s q u are c3 . By 4. Kc2 Kd4
Wh ite's K i n g g r i p s a c ritica l s q u a re ( gS), s o h e m u st have a
w i n n i n g ga m e . B l ac k has the d i rect ve rtical oppositio n , b u t
o n ly t e m p o rari ly. U t i l i z i n g h i s re serve t e m p o , Wh ite advan ces
his paw n , tra n sferr i n g the move to B l ac k and gai n i n g the op
position for h i m self. After 1 . g4, Black gives g ro u n d , 1 .
.
. . Kh7 ,
a n d Wh ite's Ki n g ascen d s the board with a t u rn i n g maneuve r, 2 .
Kf6, occu py i n g a c riti cal square i n t h e p roces s . The e n d i n g
echoes seve ra l we 've al ready se e n .
1 . g4
2. Kf6
3 . Kg6
4. g5
5. Kf7
6. g6 +
7. g7
8 . g8/Q +
(1 -0)
Kh7
Kh8
Kg8
Kh8
Kh7
Kh6
Kg5
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
A n oth e r u n de rpa s s . White's K i n g gets to a3 as q u i ck ly as he
does to c3, a n d by a d i agonal m arch to a3 , he gai n s g ro u n d on
B l ack's King. B l ac k stops the Wh ite K i n g 's dash fo r the outside
critical s q uare (aS) by l u n gi n g to b6, but with Kb4, W h i te g rasps
hold of the d i rect ve rtical opposit i o n , reach i n g a critical sq uare
on the n ex t move .
1 . Kb2
�
•
•
�
7� . - - 6 � - - B �
s M®
4 - - - •
• D
� �
3 �
� .
2
m B. B ft B
1 --
8
d
e
f
g
.
'
2
h
The pawn can't do fo r itself : 1 . g4 KcS ( ste p p i n g i n to the
" s q uare of the paw n ")
2. gs KdS
3 . g6 Ke6
4. g7 Kf7 catc hes
the pawn . Wh i te 's K i n g m u st s e ize the d i rect ve rtical opposi
tion a n d m a i n ta i n it, line by l i n e across the board to the g-fi l e .
A t that p o i nt, B l a c k m u st g i ve way, left o r- ri ght, a l l owi ng White's
Ki n g a t u r n i n g maneuve r to occ u py a 4th- ran k c ritica l squa re (f4
or h4). Criti cal - s q u a re sets are two ran ks ahead of t h e i r pawns
on the 2nd , 3rd , o r 4th ran ks . Th i s means the critical s q u a re s
f o r a Wh ite pawn o n g 2 a re f4, g4, a n d h4 . B y occu pyi n g a n y of
these th ree s q ua res , White 's K i n g wi l l be a b l e to p romote h i s
passed pawn b y force.
Everyt h i n g d p e n d s on who move s . I f B lack goes f i rst, h i s K i n g
ca n stop Wh i te's fro m occ u py i n g a 4th- ran k critical s q u a re two
�
rows in front of t h e e-pawn (d4, e4, or f4). Fo r exa m p l , 1 .
. . . Ke7 ( l o n g - d i sta nt ve rtical opposition)
ve rtical oppositi o n )
2. Kd2 Kd6 ( d i stant
3 . Ke3 KeS (d i re ct oppos i t i o n ), and B l ac k
d raws . B u t i f Wh i te goes fi rst, he w i n s because h e a lways gets
to a 4th - ra n k c ritical s q u a re : Kd2-e3-e4 (or to d4 or f4).
1 . Kd2
2 . Ke3
3 . Ke4
4. e3
PAN DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COU RSE
T H E PAWNS IN ACTION
E N DGAME
72
E N DGAME
W : Kc1
•
1 01
73
B : Kc8 , Pc7
W: Kf1
W h ite plays and d raws
B: Kg3 , Ph3
White moves a n d d raws
Rook-Pa wn Draws
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
a
B l ac k moves and w i n s as White d i d i n the previo u s e n dgam e .
B u t White, with the move, d raws by b l ocki n g B l ack from reach
�7,
ing his pawn 's critical squ are s . To w i n with the pawn at
Blac k's Ki n g m u st b e set to o cc u py either bS , cS , or dS. White
starts by tak i n g t h e long- d i stant ve rti cal oppositi�n , 1 . Kc2 .
Both Ki n g s n ow stan d o n the same color square s ( l i ght), sepa
rated by an odd n u m ber of square s (five) along the row they are
on (the c-fi l e). After 1 .
.
. . Kb7
2 . Kb3 , the Ki n gs sta n d i n
�
d i stant vertical oppositi o n , a n d W h i te's h a s t h e advantage e
cau s e he moves second . Final ly, with 2 . . . . Kc6 3 . Kc4, Wh i te
h o l d s the d i re ct o p position , a n d B l ac k can 't attain an y of h i s
�
critica l sq uares. B l ack's Ki n g can move up l ater, b u t o n l y a ter
movin g his paw n , w h i c h c h a n ge s the cri ti cal square s , p u s h i n g
t h e m even fu rt h e r beyo n d Blac k's Ki n g .
1 . Kc2
2 . Kb3
3. Kc4
4. Kd4
S. Kc4
a B B B B
7- - - 6
B B B B
sB B 8 B
4 B B B B
3B B B =t
2
B B B B
1 B B B<t& B .
1 3 . Kdl
c2 +
Kc3
1 4 . Kcl
Stal emate
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
W h i te d raws i n the s i m plest man n e r : he i n stal l s h i s K i n g on the
Q ueen i n g s q u are a n d sh uttles back and fo rt h betwe e n h 1 and
g 1 . Any att e m p t to eject h i m p r o d u c e s s tal e m ate . If B l ac k
m oves first, h e w i n s b y p u s h i n g h i s h - paw n . I n most cases ,
however, B l ack 's Ki n g has to occupy g2 , h i s h-pawn 's c r i tical
s q uare, i n o rd e r to wi n . That preve nts W h i te's Ki n g from getti n g
t o the corner, o r eve n the s q u are f1 . A d i ffe re n t critical s q u are
f o r m u l a exi s t s fo r Rook-paw n s . The c r i t i ca l s q u a re fo r a n y
Roo k-paw n i s fo u n d i n the 7 t h ran k o f the adjacent K n i ght-fi l e .
Th u s , fo r a Wh ite pawn on a2, a3 , a4 , o r as , for exa m p l e , the
c r i ti cal s q u a re i s b7 . O n ly by occupy i n g that s quare can W h ite's
Ki n g g u a ra n tee t h e u n b l e m i s h e d march of h i s a-paw n .
1 . Kgl
2 . Khl
h2 +
Kh3
Stalem ate
I'
1 02
•
PAN DOLFI N l 'S E N D GAME COURSE
EN DGAME
T H E PAWNS IN ACTION
74
EN DGAME
W : Kd2
B: Kb3, Pa5
- - B B
a m B B
6 B
m B B
�
5• a a a
4 B B B B
3
Bcfi'B B B
2
�
m a
� a
�
� L��
8
7
?';·
·0<
� --�
1
a - a a
a b c d e f g h
B l ac k to p lay w i n s by movi n g h i s K i n g to h i s a-paw n 's critical
s q u are, 1 . . . . Kb2. I t 's c ri tical becau s e , if Blac k's King can oc
c u py i t , W h i te's K i n g ca nn ot ach ieve the corner or i m pede the
a-pawn 's adva n c e . Occu pation of a c r i tical squ are means t hat
the pawn can be promoted by fo rce , even agai nst the best
defe n s e . B u t if Wh ite plays first , he gets his Ki n g to c1 . B l ac k's
K i n g n eve r gai n s h i s cri tical squ are and the pawn is t hwarted .
A
1 . Kcl
2. Kbl
3 . Kal
a4
a3
a2
Stale mate
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
B
Kcl Ka2
Kc2 a4
Kc 1 al
Kc2 Ka1
Kcl a2
Kc2
1 03
75
W: Kf4
Wh ite moves and d raws
Controlling the Critical Square
•
B: Kh1 Ph3
I
White moves and d raws
Rear Defense
8
7
�
a a
� - a
a
6 B a B �
5B - - 4 a a m
�,.�;,t
B
3
- B
� a Bt
2
a - - �
1
�
- - -� �
a b c d e f g h
White b o u n d s bac k j u s t i n t i m e to stal e mate B l ac k . Afte r 1 . Kg3,
B l ac k has n o way to keep h i s pawn except to p u s h it to h2. B u t
t h e n White retreats h i s K i n g farther t o f2 , and Blac k , the su pe
rior s i d e , is stale m ated .
1 . Kg3
h2
2 . Kf2
S ta l e m ate
!
I
Stal emate
I1J:
I
I
C H A P T E R
6
King and Two Pawns vs.
King
•
D o u b led Pawns
E n d games 76-77
•
Co n n ected Pawns
E n d games 78-79
•
S p l i t Pawn s-1 F i l e Apart
E n d games 80-83
•
S p l i t Pawn s-2 F i les Apart
E n dgames 84-85
I�
I
1 06
•
PA N DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COU RSE
E N DGAME
T H E PAW NS I N ACTION
76
EN DGAME
W : Kc6, Pb6, Pb5
B: Kb8
W: Kb3, Pb5, Pb4
-
•
a
�
�
a
. a -
• a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
weak , s i n ce they can 't p rotect eac h other as can "conn ected
pawns" on adjacent files . But when yo u have d o u b l e d pawns
a n d yo u r opponent has n ot h i n g , generall y you wi n . Whe never
yo u need to tempo, the rear d o u b l e d pawn cou l d be push e d
o n e s q uare ( i f t h e re i s a space betwe e n ), mak i n g i t yo u r o ppo
n e n t's t u rn . A n exception is d o u b l e d paw n s on the Rook-fi l e .
Regardless of w h o gets the opposition i n that case, Blac k sti l l
d raws if h i s Ki n g b lockades the Roo k-pawns o n the corner
s q uare . H e re , the only poss i b l e l u rk i n g snafu i s stalemate,
2. Kc? ? . But by "pitc h i n g , " o r
sac rifi c i n g , h i s pawn i n stead , 2 . b8/Q + , W h i te avo i d s the d raw
a n d wi n s , for h i s K i n g al ready s i ts o n a critical squ are (c6) after
the pawn i s sacrifi ced .
2 . b8/Q +
3 . Kb6
4. Kc7
Ka?
Kxb8
Ka8
Ka?
Wh ite's Ki n g i s head i n g for c5 . But he m u st avo i d movi n g it to
c4 befo re B l ac k p l ays h i s K i n g to b 6 , fo r that wi l l l o se the fro nt
pawn . White 's Ki n g there u p o n s n ake s aro u n d c4 ( g o i n g from b3
to c3 to d4 to c5), retai n i ng the poss i b i l ity of defen d i n g h i s front
pawn fro m c4 if B l ac k attacks i t : 1 . Kc3 Kc? 2 . Kd4 Kb6 . N ow 3 .
Kc4 i s i n o rd e r, as B l ac k h a s played h i s K i n g t o b 6 , th reate n i n g
to captu re the fro nt pawn . Afte r the moves 3 . . . Kc ? 4 . Kc5
Kb? 5 . b6, B l ac k sets a trap with 5 . . . . Ka6, ho p i n g for 6 . Kc6
stalemate . B u t by d itc h i n g h i s lead paw n , 6. b7, W h i te averts
.
stalemate , takes t h e opposition afte r the b-paw n 's captu re, and
reaches the c r i tical s qu ares o n the 6th ran k . He c o u l d afford to
sac rifice the l ead pawn becau se he sti l l has one l eft .
1 . Kc3
2. Kd4
5 . b6 +
6. b 7 +
7 . b8/Q +
8 . Qb6
(1-0)
Ka8
Ka7
Ka6
mate
- � - �- a •
6 •
�
• • •
�
5 � ft · • •
4 �� • • •
3
-�- • •
2
a • - •
1 - - •
a b c d e f g h
�
same fi l e because of a capt u re . D o u b l e d paw n s tend to be
w h i c h occ u rs after 1 . b7 Ka7
7
•
You have " d o u b l e d pawns" if two of yo u r paw n s occupy the
1 . b7
8
�
�-
4
1
B: Kb?
White moves and w i n s
King Dance
8
2
1 07
77
Wh ite moves a n d w i n s
Pa wn Pitch 1
•
3 . Kc4
4. Kc5
5 . b6
6. b7
Kc ?
Kb6
Kc?
Kb?
Ka6
Kxb7
7. Kb5
8 . Kc6
9. Kb6
1 0 . b5
1 1 . Ka6
1 2 . b6
Ka?
Kb8
Ka8
Kb8
Ka8
Kb8
1 3 . b7
1 4 . Ka?
1 5 . b8/Q
(1-0)
Kc?
Kc 6
1 08
•
PAN DOL F I N l'S EN DGAME COURSE
ENDGAME
THE PAWNS IN ACTION
78
ENDGAME
W: Kg6, Pg7, Ph6
•
1 09
79
B: Kg8
W: KdS, Pb6, Pa7
W h ite mates i n o n e m ove
B: Kb7
White moves and w i n s
Pawn Mate
Pawn Pitch 2
A basic positi o n . White's K i n g a n d con nected paw n s fo rm a
W h i te has t o d itch a pawn , e l s e h e c o u l d wal k into stalemate ;
cohes ive mati n g b l o c k . Someti mes the f i n al position evolves
for exam p l e , 1 . Kd6 Ka8
fro m a pawn rac e , in w h i c h Blac k Q u ee n s a pawn before Wh ite
which i s re ally su perfl u o u s . By sacrificing i t , 1 . a8/Q + Kxa8,
2. Kc7. The c u l p r it i s W h ite's a-pawn ,
bu t gets mated afterward s . The d i ag ram cou l d a l so re s u l t after a
White's Ki n g can enter the fray safe ly with 2. Kc6 , taki n g the
Wh i te captu re on g7, when a w h i te pawn on f6 captu res on g7,
d i rect di agonal opposition as h i s K i n g lands on t h e 6th ran k .
c h e c k i n g B l ac k 's K i n g o n h8 and forc i n g i t to g8.
With stale mate n o l onger a q u estion , White w i n s th ro u g h the
u s ual escorti n g method.
1 . h7
mate
(1-0)
1 . a8/Q +
2. Kc6
3 . b7
4.
Kc7
5. b8/Q
7. Qb3
8. Qb6
( 1 -0)
Kxa8
Kb8
Ka7
Ka6
Ka5
Ka6
mate
.1r
I
110
•
THE PAW N S IN ACTION
PA N DOLFIN l'S EN DGAME COU RSE
EN DGAME
80
EN DGAME
White m oves and w i n s
White moves and w i n s
Alignment
- • - •
1M m � B
B. m B B
6
s m. B Bfi' B
�
�
�
� �
�
�
�
�
� u
4 3• • • •
m m m a
2
mJ
�
•
a. L
• �
�
c
81
W: Kh1 , Pa4 , PcS B : Kb7
8
b
111
W : Kg1 , Pf4, Ph4 B : KfS
Split-Pawn Defense
a
•
d
e
f
g
h
S p l i t pawn s, separated by one f i l e , defend each oth e r if they
occ u py the same ran k . When o n e is attac ked , the ot h e r ad
vances. I f the back one is captu red, the pawn in front moves u p
the board u n checked, too fast to b e caught from b e h i n d .
1 . hs
Kf6
2. Kg2
Kg7
3. f5
Kh6
4. f6
Kh7
5. Kg3
Kg8
6. h6
Kf7
Kxf6
7. h7
8. h8/Q +
( 1 -0)
8
� •
•
m m
�� �
· ·
.
�
.·
.. ��.
4 ft B B
B
3.
• •
2
•
• •
1 8 - - -�
:1 B. fl B
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Once the pawns are a l i gned on the same ran k they are u n
assailable if B l ac k does not al ready attack e i t h e r of t he m . The n ,
after B l ac k 's King th reatens o n e of t h e m , the oth e r i s advanced.
While B l ack tries to hold the fo rt, Wh ite q u ietly hau l s u p h i s
Ki ng to j o i n t h e acti on . Depe n d i n g on how B l ac k c hooses to
defen d , Wh ite h a s several ways to score the point.
1 . a5
2 . a6
3. Kg2
4. Kf3
5. Ke4
Kc6
Kc7
Kc6
Kc 7
Kc6
6. Kd4
Kc 7
7. Kd5
Kc8
9. Kc5
Ka8
8. c6
Kb8
1 0 . c7
Ka7
1 1 . c8/R
Kxa6
1 2 . Rc7
1 3 . Ra7
(1-0)
Ka5
mate
112
•
PAN DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COU RSE
EN DGAME
THE PAWNS IN ACTION
82
EN DGAME
113
83
W: Kd4 B : Kc7, Pb5, Pd5
W : Kh3 B : Kd4, Pf2, Ph4
White moves and w i n s
Opposition
•
W h i te moves and d raws
Getting Back
- B B B
� t�
.
:,;j
�
1 m.
• • • 6
5 -t•t• •
4 •
d •
d �m
�
,--� •
3. - • •
2
• • • •
1B B � B
W : Kh1 , Pb4 , Pe4 B : KeS
White moves and w i n s
8
•
h
S p l i t pawn s separated by two f i l e s general ly w i n . If both paw n s
manage to c ross safely ove r the m i d d l e o f t h e board o n t� the
Sth ran k , the d i stance between the pawns (th ree s q u a res) 1s no
greater than the d i stance to the Q u e e n i n g squ are (also th ree
squ ares ). I n that case the pawns are self-susta i n i n g , and one o r
t h e other Q u e e n s b y force . G e nerally, a s o n e pawn is attac ked,
it i s u sed as a decoy, allowi n g the second pawn to advance.
B l ac k 's King i s u n a b l e to defend two d i sta n t p o i nts s i m u l
tan e o u s ly. I f necessary, W h ite's King can then arrive i n t i m e to
save the rem ai n i n g pawn and escort it h o m e . I n th i s i n stance ,
however, the paw n s are yet to c ross the fronti e r l i n e and t�e e
pawn faces i m m i ne n t captu re . White c a n sti l l safe g u ard h i s e
pawn by p u s h i n g the b-paw n , howeve r, for the capt u re at e4
p u l l s Blac k 's Ki n g out of t h e " s q u are of the b-pawn , " w h i c h
t h e n Q u ee n s . Th u s , i n stead of captu ring t h e e-paw n , B l ac k 's
Ki n g m u st retreat to ove rtake the decoy b-paw n , _w h i c h t�e n
fal l s . B u t w h i l e B l ack c i r c l e s i n t o capt u re , Wh ite h a s J U St
enough t i m e to b ri n g up h i s Ki ng and reach a cri tical s q u are i n
front of h i s e-paw n .
Kd6
5. Ke5
Kc6
Kg2
Kc5
6 . Ke6
Kc7
Kf3
Kxb5
7 . e5
Kd8
Kc5
8 . Kf7
Kd7
1 . b5
2.
3.
4 . Kf4
9. e6 +
1 0 . e7
1 1 . e8/Q +
(1 -0)
Kd6
Ke5
The exception to s p l i t pawns g e n e ra l l y wi n n i n g is when � n e �f
them is a Roo k-pawn . Without the aid of B l ac k's K i n g , h i s split
pawns, two f i l e s apart, can not defend themselves . Blac k m u st
sac rifice h i s decoy, the good e-paw n , in order to save the bad
h-pawn . Eve n t h o u g h Blac k's Ki ng comes fo rward , !t lacks space
to mane uve r. The re s i m p l y are n o s q u ares to the right of the h
fi l e . The game i s d rawn , for B l ack's King wi l l n eve r be a b l e to
occ u py the h - paw n 's critical sq u a re , g2 .
1 . Kh4
e4
2 . Kg3
Kg7
3. Kf4
Kg6
4. Kxe4
Kg5
5 . Kf3
h4
6. Kg2
Kg4
7. Kh2
h3
8. Khl
Kg3
9. Kgl
h2 +
1 0 . Kh l
Kh3
Stale m ate
C H A P T E R
7
Ki ng and Pawn vs. King
and Pawn
•
Pawns on the Same File
Endgames
86--91
•
Pawns on Adjacent Fi les
En dgames
91 -95
•
Passed Pawns
E ndgames
96--1 00
118
•
THE PAWNS I N ACTION
PA N DOLF I N l'S E N DGAME COU RSE
EN DGAME
86
E N DGAME
•
119
87
W: Kh2, Pb5 B : Ka8, Pb6
W: Kc7, Pe5 B: Kg4, Pe6
White moves and wi n s
White moves and w i n s
Trebuchet
Outflanking
8.
B m
1m
�
•
�
�� �
1• •
a
6
5
• � .
4 �
. • 8<fl8
,
3. • •
2
• • •
• - �
1 •
a
a
b
c
d
e
t
g
a
h
When both sides have a pawn that blocks the other pawn from
m ovi ng, they a re fixed . I n fixed-pawn sit uati ons, someti m es a
King can outma n e uver the oth e r and win the enemy p aw n . The
tec h n i q u e i s k nown as "outflan k i n g . " Fi xed pawns have thei r
own cri tical s q u ares . Eac h pawn has up to th ree c riti cal s q u ares
to the r ight of itself along the ran k it occ u p i e s, and up to three
c riti cal squ ares to the l eft on the same ran k . Th us a fixed pawn
i n the center c o u l d have as many as six critical squares . I f the
Ki n g can occ u py any of the e n e m y fixed pawn 's c r i t i cal square s ,
it can w i n t h e pawn by force, eve n i f the ot h e r side's King i s
momentar i l y g u a rd i ng i t . The b6-paw n 's critical squ ares are c6,
d6, and e6. To win B l ac k's b-paw n , W h i te's Ki n g needs m e rely
get to the s q u are e6 to o utflan k Black's King.
1 . Kg3
2. Kf4
3 . Ke5
4 . KdS
5 . Ke6
6. Kd6
Kc7
8. Kc6
Ka7
1 3. b7
1 4 . Ka7
Kd7
9. Kc7
Ka8
1 5 . b8/Q
Kb7
Kc7
Kc8
Kb7
7. Kd7
1 0 . Kxbb
1 1 . Ka6
1 2 . b6
Kb8
Kb8
Ka8
Kb8
(1 -0)
b
c
d
e
t
g
h
Both Kings have to get closer to the pawns o n the e-fi le, b u t the
pathway to the p rey i s t rec hero u s . Zugzwan g positi o n s , whe re
the co m p u l s i o n to move cou rts fatal ity, abo u n d . I f, for exam
ple, Wh ite tries the d i rect app roac h , 1 . Kd6, B lac k responds 1 .
. . . Kf5, setti n g u p a zugzwan g s ituation know n as the "tre
b u chet. White's K i n g m u st back off, abando n i n g h i s pawn to
capt u re . The co rrect method for White is to steal u p on Blac k 's
pawn by 1 . Kd7, e l iciti n g the rep ly, 1 . . . . Kf5 . O n l y then does
White p l ay 2 . Kd6, setti ng up a favorable t re b u chet fo r h i m self.
Now, it is B l ack's King who m u st withd raw, al lowi n g W h ite to
captu re on e6 with an easy wi n . Obse rve the characte ristic
position of the Kings i n a t re b uchet, a Kn igh t's d i stan ce from
each oth e r.
Kc7
1 . Kd7
Kf5
Kc6
2 . Kd6
Kg6
6. e7 +
3. Kxe6
Kg7
7. eBJQ +
4. Kd7
Kf7
5. e6 +
( 1 -0)
Kf8
Kf 7
1 20
•
THE PAW NS I N ACTION
PAN OOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
88
E N DGAME
W: Kg1 , Pf3 B : Kd4, PfS
White moves and d raws
White moves and w i n s
b
c
d
e
f
g h
n g to w i n Black's pawn
Ki
ite's
Wh
for
res
The n earest criti cal s q u a
Black's K i n g to win
for
a re b6, c6, an d d6, and the closes t
Black's Ki n g
W h i te's pawn are fS , gS , an d h S . Even thoug h
's Ki n g
stands o n t h e fi l e r i g h t n ext t o the e-pawn s , it i s White
re d e
u
feat
s
i
Th
.
s
re
a
u
q
s
who fi rst reache s one of the c r i t i cal
hite
W
ely,
c i d e s the o ut co m e . I f Black choos es t o d efend passiv
turning or
gai n s the o p positio n on t h e 7th ran k , exerci s es a
d p i cks u p
n
a
d7,
d
n
a
d6
s
re
outflan ki n g man e uver on the s q u a
st Wh ite's
n
t h e e6-paw n . S h o u l d Blac k try a co u n te rattack agai
l ow Wh ite to
eS-paw n , then t h e same s q u a res-d 6 and d7-a l
execut e a wi n n i ng t re b u c h et .
B
A
1 . Kb7
Ke7
1 . Kb7
Kg6
2. Kc7
Ke8
2. Kc6
Kg5
3 . Kd6
Kf7
3. Kd7
Kf5
4. Kd7
Kf8
4. Kd6
Kg6
Ke8
5. Kxe6
6 . Kf6
Kf8
6. Kd7
Kf7
7. e6
Ke8
7. e6 +
Kf6
8. e7
Kd7
8. e7
Ke5
9 . Kf7
Kd6
9. e8/Q +
5 . Kxe6
1 0 . e8/Q
Kg7
(1-0)
1 21
89
W: Ka8, PeS B : Kf7, Pe6
a
•
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
It's c r u c i al that yo u r fixed pawn be on t h e p roper ran k when
you get outfl an ked . I f it's yo u r 3 rd ra n k , you lose; i f it's yo u r 4th
ra n k , yo u d raw. After 1 . Kf2 f4, B l ack ou tflan ks and wins White's
pawn on f3 , w h i ch then becomes a critical s q u a re fo r B l ack's
pas � ed pawn at f4. The pawn then Q u e e n s . Afte r 1 . f4, B l ac k
.
aga �� wi ns White's p �wn , b u t then Black's King d o e s not occupy
a c ri t i cal s q u a re fo r h i s pawn on fS ( its critical s q u ares a re e3 f3
'
and g3). The game is d rawn .
1 . f4
Ke4
2 . Kg2
Kxf4
3 . Kf2
4 . Ke2
5 . Kf2
Ke4
f4
f3
6 . Kfl
Ke3
7. Kel
f2 +
8. Kfl
Kf 3
Stale mate
'
1 22
•
PA N OOL F I N l 'S E N D GAME COU RSE
EN DGAME
T H E PAWNS IN ACTION
90
EN DGAME
W : Kb8 , Ph2
1 23
91
B : Kb6, Ph3
W: Ke6, Pa6
White moves and d raws
Critical Retreating Diagonal
•
B: Kc3 , Pa7
Wh ite moves and w i n s
Shielding Off
- - - 1m m m m
6 ft - - \t> - 5- - - 4 - - - 3 - �. - 2 - - - 8
1a
W h i te's K i n g h as to move one of two ways . White can move it
appa ren tly c l o s e r to the pawn s , 1 . Kc8, and lose (1 . . . . Kc6 2 .
Kd8 Kd5 3 . Kc7 Ke4 4 . Kd6 Kf3 5 . Ke5 Kg2 6 . Kf4 Kxh 2 7 . Kf3
Kg1 8. Kg3 h 2 , Q u e en i n g). O r he can move to what seems
fart h e r away, 1 . Ka8! , and d raw, as i n t h e m a i n variation . Th e
twi st is that by p l ay i n g to a8 , Wh ite's Ki n g act u a l l y i s movi n g
closer t o t h e "critical retreat i n g d i agona l , " a7-g1 , chan n e l i n g
h i m back to f 2 a n d t rapp i n g B l ack's K i n g aft e r h e captu res o n
h2.
1 . Ka8
2. Ka7
3 . Kb6
4. Kc5
5 . l<d4
6. Ke3
7. Kf2
8 . l<g3
Kc6
Kd5
Ke4
Kf3
Kg2
l<xh2
Khl
h2
9. Kf2
Stal emate
-
b
c
-
d
e
-
f
g
h
W h i te's m o n a rch can p roceed toward Black's pawn at a7, i n the
same n u m b e r of move s , with th ree d i ff e rent fi rst move s : Kd7,
Kd6, o r Kd 5 . O n l y 1 . Kd5 , howeve r, p revents Black's King fro m
maneuve r i n g to t h e critical d i agonal of retreat ( h2-b8) to con
nect to c7, w h i c h encl oses White's K i n g at a7. The i n exact play
1 . Kd6 ? , for exam p l e , d raws after 1 . . . . Kd4 2. Kc6 Ke5 3 . Kb7
Kd6 4. Kxa7 Kc7 5 . Ka8 Kb6 6. a7 Kc7 stale mate. Th u s , when
approach i n g an a rea o r part i c u l a r s q u a re with yo u r K i n g , t ry to
find moves that also h a m p e r t h e movement of the enemy Ki n g .
1 . Kd5
2. Kc6
3 . Kb7
4. Kxa7
5. l<b8
6. a7
( 1-0)
Kb4
Ka5
Kb5
Kc6
Kb6
THE PAW NS I N ACT ION
1 24 • PA N DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
92
E N DGAME
W: Kd6, PbS
•
1 25
93
W: Kh2, Pe4
B: Ka8, Pa7
B : Kg4, Pf6
White moves and d raws
Wh ite moves and w i n s
Changing the Critical Squares
Squeeze
- 1 r� a m �
6
a ·m m m
5 . ft . - •
8 �- ,,
,,
4 - • • 3- • • •
2 B B B B
1m a B a
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
After 1 . Kc7 B l ac k 's K i n g is locked in with no way o u t . Th i s
stal emat i n g o f h i s Ki n g forces Black t o play a l o s i n g pawn move .
White's pawn is t h e n free to w h i s k i n fo r the k i l l , s u p po rted a l l
t h e way b y h i s own k i n g . Black t o m ove d raws eas i l y b y e i t h e r
K b 7 o r Kb8-anyt h i n g t o keep Wh i te's Ki n g out o f t h e o m n i po
tent c7 s q uare. Th i s pos ition is a k i n d of s q u eeze, fo r Wh ite's
fi rst move forces B l ack to i m pai r h i s position and lose. Yo u are
11 s q u eeze d " when a n y move yo u m a k e wo rs e n s yo u r gam e .
4 B B :tt B �B
3• • • •
2 B � ·
m m
��
�
�
��
� •
1•
•
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Sta rt i n g h i s cam paign with a King move y i e l d s noth i n g fo r
White : 1 . Kg2 Kf4
2 . Kf2 Kxe4, and B l ac k w i n s becau se h i s K i n g
sits on a critical s q u a re fo r the f 6 pawn . Wh ite reasons that
s i n ce the e-pawn can 't be saved , its loss m u st n eve rtheless
enco m pass a gai n . Wh ite p u s h e s his pawn to eS . Black's pawn
is forced to captu re and w i n d s u p o n e ran k fa rt h e r u p the
board . Th i s means the critical sq u a re s of Blac k 's pawn have also
moved up the b o a r d , beco m i n g d3, e3, and f3. S i nce W h i te 's
K i n g is now closer to the new critical s q u ares, it can p revent
B l ack's K i n g from occu pyi ng th e m .
1 . e5
2. Kg2
3 . Kf2
4. Ke2
5 . Kel
6. Kf l
7. Ke l
fxe5
Kf4
e4
e3
Kf3
e2 +
Ke3
Stal emate
1 26
•
PA N DOLF I N l'S EN DGAME COU RSE
ENDGAME
T H E PAW N S IN ACT ION
94
EN DGAME
W : Ka1 , Pd4
B : Kb5, Pc6
W: Kc2, Pb2
Underpass
- � - 1 m m B. s BtB m m
5 -� - B B
B
8
7
B B
3- 2
- - - 1�
�� g
d •
d
� •
a
b
�I
c
d
e
f
g
2. Kc2 Kx d4, and B l ack t ri u m p h s s i m ply by occu pyi n g a
critical s q u are for t h e c6 paw n . I n stead , W h i te m u sters a two
fo ld d efe n s e that wo r k s . Fi rst, he b r i n gs the critical s q u ares
closer to h i s K i n g by sacri fi ci n g h i s own paw n , fo rci n g B l ack's
pawn to captu re on d5 . Seco n d , after aban don i n g h i s paw n , h e
moves h i s Ki n g , n ot t o b 2 (wh ich loses to Black's Kb4), b u t to b1 ,
to take the d i stant vertical oppositi o n .
1 . ds
2. Kbl
3 . Kcl
4. Kc2
5. Kd2
6. Kd l
7. Kcl
8. Kd l
cxd5
Kc5
Kc4
d4
d3
Kc3
d2 +
Kd3
Stal emate
1
a
h
The K i n g w i l l ach i eve zero by movi n g d i rectly with 1 . Kb1
Kc4
B : Kf6, Pa4
Wh ite moves and w i n s
8
4
1 27
95
White moves and d raws
Distant Opposition
•
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
To w i n , Wh ite's Ki n g m u st not on ly captu re t h e a-paw n , it also
m u st reach a c ri t i cal s q u a re after capt u ri n g i t in front of the b
pawn . D i rect assau lt by 1 . Kc3 fai l s . B l ack res po n d s 1 . . . . a3 ! ,
and if Wh ite capt u res, he i s l eft with an u n w i n n a b l e a-pawn .
N o r does it h e l p after 1 . Kc3 ? a3 ! to p u s h the b- pawn : (A) 2 . b3
Ke5 3 . Kc2 Kd4 4 . Kb1 Kc3 5 . Ka2 Kb4 ; o r ( B) 2 . b4 Ke5 3 .
Kb3 Kd5 4 . Kxa3 Kc6 5 . Ka4 Kb6. The o n ly v i a b l e way to
d e m o l i s h the a-pawn is fo r White 's Ki n g to cut back and south
of his own b - pawn : 1 . Kbl !. N ow 1 . .
.
. a3 can be an swered by
2. b3 ! ( n ot to b4, t ran sfo rm i n g i nto va riation B above). A n d afte r
2.
.
. . Ke5
3 . Ka2 Kd5
4 . Kxa3 Kc5
5 . Ka4 Kb6
6 . Kb4,
White gai n s the o p position on the 4th ran k i n fro n t of h i s b
paw n , e n s u r i n g h i s reach i n g one of the critical s q u a re s o n t h e
5 t h rank via a t u r n i n g maneuve r.
1 . Kbl
2 . b3
Can White's pawn win the race to Q u een ? Afte r 1 . h4 , B l ac k 's
K i n g i s with i n t h e " sq u a re of White's paw n " (an i maginary box
exte n d i n g from h4 to h8 to d8 to d4 when the pawn i s o n h4),
but t h e c rit ical retreat i n g d i agonal l ead i n g to the promotion
squ are i s b l ocked by B l ac k 's own pawn at f6. Re move that paw n ,
a n d B lac k 's K in g m a k e s it back i n t i m e t o overtake W h i te's
Eve n if both t h e B l ack and Wh ite pawns make i t t o Q u e e n s l an d ,
t h e first to edge i n th e new ladys h i p gets t o give t h e fi rst check .
What fo l l ows co u l d l ead to mate or w i n n i n g t h e other s i de's
Q ueen th rough an x- ray attack , o r s kewe r-attac k i n g t h e e n
emy K i n g , forc i n g i t t o move out of chec k , a n d p i c k i n g u p t h e
Q u ee n beh i n d .
pawn .
1 . h4
2.
3.
4.
5.
Kd4
h5 Ke5
h6 Kf5
h7 Kg6
h8/Q
( 1 -0)
1 . a8/Q
2 . Qa6 +
3 . Qxfl
( 1 -0)
f l /Q
Kd 2
1 32 • PA N DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COU RSE
E N DGAME
T H E PAWNS I N ACT I O N • 1 33
99
E N DGAME
100
W: Kd8 , Pa4 B : Kb4, Pf6
W : Kh8, Pc6 B : Ka6, Ph5
White moves and d raws
W h i te moves and d raws
Diagonal March
The Feint
E
�
�,,,;�
� �
7
� m
. � �
�................�
6 - - �
�
5
�
4
- m
3
� - 2
�.
- m
18
b
a
c
d
e
f
9
-
8
8
-
� - ;,
..
�/....�
m
-
m a m m
6 � - ft - - 5
, . m m ni
7
m m m m
m m m m
2
m m m m
1- - - -
4
3
a
h
White's Ki n g see m s i n effectu al . It appears it i s too far beh i n d
b
c
d
e
f
9
h
Th i s is Richard Ret i 's m e morab l e d i ago nal-ma rch compositi o n .
B l ack's f-pawn to overtake it, and too far from h i s own a-pawn
White's Ki n g , a s i n t h e previo u s e n d game, i s h o pe l e s s l y pal l ed
to defen d it. If White b ri ngs h is K i n g back along a ste l l a r
at catch i n g t h e h - pawn or safeg uard i n g Wh ite's own c-pawn
d i agonal pathway, however, he can retain the possi b i l ity of
befo re B l ac k 's Ki n g gets to i t . The crux of t h e pro b l e m is to
d o i n g e i t h e r, fo rci n g B l ack to co m m it h i mself. I n oth e r word s ,
travel t h e a1 - h 8 s u pe rd i agonal . Th i s e n d ows White's Ki n g with
h e i s feinti n g a d efense of h i s a-pawn . Fa k i n g move ment of yo ur
the pote n t i a l of p u rs u i n g either a d efen sive or an aggressive
King i n one d i rection so that you gai n t i m e to switch to another
plan . Once B l ack co m m i ts h i m se l f, Wh ite c h ooses t h e other
d i rection i s cal le d a "feint. " I f B l ac k chooses to make a n ew
ro ute and d raws .
Q u een , White 's K i n g arrives i n ti m e to save h i s a-pawn and
make a Q u een h i mse lf. A n d if B l ac k 's King spends a tempo
capt u ri n g t h e a-pawn, White's Ki n g can flag d own the f-paw n .
B
A
1 . Kc 7
2 . Kb6
3. a5
4. a6
5. a7
6. a8/Q
f5
f4
fl
f2
f l /Q
Draw
1 . Kc7
2 . Kb6
3. Kc5
4. Kd4
5. Kel
6. Kxf2
f5
Kxa4
f4
fl
f2
Draw
A
1 . Kg7
2. Kf6
3 . Ke6
4. c7
5. c8/Q
B
h4
hl
h2
h l /Q
1 . Kg7
2 . Kf6
3 . Ke5
4. Kd6
5 . c7
Kb6
h4
hl
h2
hl/Q
6. c8/Q
D raw
D raw
C H A P T E R
8
King and Two Pawns vs.
King and Pawn
•
A l l Passed Paw n s
E n dgames 1 01 -1 02
•
O p pos i n g Paw n s p l u s
Passed Pawn
E n d gam es 1 03-1 05
•
Th ree Adjac e n t F i les
E n dgame 1 06
•
Protected Passed Pawn
E n dgames 1 07-1 08
•
Backwa rd Pawn
E n d games 1 09-1 1 3
•
Co n n ected Paw n s
E n dgames 1 1 4-1 1 8
1 36
•
PA N DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
T H E PAW NS I N ACTION
101
E N DGAME
•
137
102
W: Kf5 , Pe6 B: Kg7, Pd6, Pf6
W: Ka5, Pf6 B: Kh6, Pb7, Pc6
Wh ite moves and d raws
Wh ite moves a n d d raws
Clearance
Diagonal March
8 - - - ��
�
7�
•
• �
.
•
M ft M •
6
B � M .
s g m m® 8
4 - - - -
3- - - 2
- - - 1g - - a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
a
Black's ext ra pawn confers obtrusi ve advantage, and if al l owed
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
C o n n ected passed pawn s possess a ready- made d efense when
to p l ay 1 . . . . d 5 , he wi n s co mfo rtably. White's nat u ral t ry is 1 .
attacked by the K i n g . If the rea r pawn is captu red , the l ead
Ke4, but aft e r 1 . . . . Kf8
pawn ru ns fo r a Q u een . H e re the p resence of t h e f6-pawn
2. Kd4 Ke7 (2 . . . . f5 i s al so good)
3.
K d 5 f5 , h e l oses both e-pawn and t h e g a m e . W h i t e m u st s t r i ke
changes the u s u a l set u p. Wh ite can take with i m p u n ity at b7. A
i m m ed i at e l y to d e rive b e n e f i t f ro m h i s aggres s i vely p l aced
d i ago nal march, fei n t i n g at the c-pawn w h i l e approac h i n g the f
King. Th e so l u t i o n ? H e can d u m p his e- pawn to push Black's
paw n , p revents a host i l e co ro nation o r a l l ows W h i te to coro
Ki n g out of t h e pict u re . Th erefo re, 1 . e7 Kf7
2. e8/Q + Kxe8 .
N ow Wh ite m u st t read carefu l ly, as 3 . Kxf6? Kd7
4. Kf5 Kc6
Ke4 l et's B l ac k 's Ki n g reach t h e c r i t i ca l o u t s i d e s q u are, 5 .
. . . Kc5 . Th e right way i s 3 . Ke6 ! f5
4 . Kxf5 Kd7
Kd4, a n d White recovers j u st i n ti m e .
1 . e7
2. e8/Q +
3. l<e6
4. Kxf5
5 . l<e4
6. Kd4
D raw
Kf 7
Kxe8
f5
Kd 7
l<c6
nate too . Eit h e r way, White hau l s h o m e a d raw.
5.
5 . Ke4 l<c6 6 .
1 . l<b6
2. Kxb7
3 . l<c6
4. l<d5
5 . l<e6
6. f7
7. f8/Q
D raw
l<g6
c5
c4
c3
c2
c l /Q
1 38
•
T H E PAWNS I N ACT ION
PA N DOLFIN l'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
103
E N DGAME
•
1 39
104
W: Kf5 , Pe5 , Ph5 B : Kf7, Ph6
W: Ke6 , Pf7, P h 2 B : Kf8, Ph7
Wh ite moves and w i n s
W h i te moves and w i n s
Temporizing
Outside Passed Pawn
- - - 7 a m B® B
�
6
� �. �,��
� s B B r�®8 ft
4 - - 3- - - 2
- a a a
- - -
8
0
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
a
h
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
White does n ot Q u een h i s extra e-pawn , but rath e r u se s it as a
White fo rci b l y sta l e mates Bl ack's K i n g , 1 . Kf6, whic h constrai ns
decoy to l u re B l ac k 's K i n g away from the h- paw n . After 1 . e6 +
his oppo n e n t to a co m m i ttal move with his h-pawn : it m u st
Ke7 2 . Ke5 (a b l u n d e r wo u l d be 2 . Kg6 at o n ce , f o r 2 .
p l ay e it h e r o n e o r two square s . Wh ite then does t h e op posite
. . . Kxe6
of what Black does, and w i n s . Fo r exam p l e , if Black moves h i s
3 . Kx h6 Kf6 locks u p Wh ite's King and th rows away
t h e key fo r a d raw) Ke8
3 . Kf6 Kf8
4. Kg6, White 's Ki n g
h-pawn o n e s q u a re , White moves h i s two square s . I f B l ack
captu res t h e d efe n se l ess h6-pawn o n the n ext move and oc
i n stead moves h i s h-pawn two sq uares, Wh ite moves his o n ly
c u p i e s g7 a move afte r that. Whi te's h- pawn then p roceed s
o n e . Afte r t h i s sparri n g , Back 's Ki n g is s q u eezed o u t .
reac h i n g b6 on the n ext move and wi n n i n g the a-pawn . If Blac k
i n stead t ri e s 1 . . . . Kd8 ( o r 1 . . .
out with 2 . Kd6 Kc8
3. c7 Kb7
.
Kb8), Wh i te sq ueezes Black
4 . Kd7 Ka7
S. Kc6 (delayi ng
the m a k i n g of a Q ueen for one m ove to avo id giving stale mate)
Ka8
6. c8/Q + Ka7
7. Qb7 mate. If Whi te moves fi rst, how
eve r, h e can not win with d i rect e n t ry i nto B l ac k's positi o n : 1 .
KcS i s an swered by 1 . . . . Kc7, and 1 . Kd6 i s met by 1 . . . . Kd 8 .
T h e s o l u t i o n i s to triangu late W h ite's King ( movi n g i t ove r t h e
sq uares c 4 , d 4 , and d S to t race an apparent triangl e ), w h i c h
b reaks the co rre spo ndence between t h e two K i n g s . It wo rks
becau s e W h i t e 's pawn at c6 restricts B l ac k 's m a n e uve ri n g
space , wh i l e Wh ite's K i n g h a s t h e option of movi ng back to
e i t h e r d4 or c4, both of w h i c h pave the way to i nvas ion at cS or
dS, depend i n g on B l ac k's res p o n s e .
- - •
�
6. &
� B
� �
t�
I l ·.
5
B
� � w
B
B
�,,;1
1
�
,,,�
4 • • • •
7
.,
,,
,,
,
,
�
';/,,,rm
c
107
Wh ite moves and d raws
8
b
1 43
W : Kg2, Pf3 B : Kd 1 , PeS , PgS
Distant Opposition
a
•
3
2
1
• • •
• • • •
• • •
,
a
h
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
B l ac k to play w i n s by taki n g the d i rect ho rizontal oppos ition , 1 .
K i n g ly mac h i nat i o n s by Wh i te prove not h i n g : 1 . Kd6 Kf7 2 . Kd7
. . . Ke2 , and wi n d i n g aro u n d W h i te's K i n g from behi nd : 2. Kg3
Kf8 3 . Ke6 Ke8 , and B l ac k prevents i n gress to t h i s approach .
6. KfS e4, and B l ack
Someti m e s an extra f-pawn is too rich fo r one's game. Wh ite
makes a n ew Q u e e n . I f Wh ite goes fi rst, h e can not d raw by
d o e s n 't need it. If it we re n 't th e re , Wh ite's Ki n g t h e n has access
g rab b i n g the d i rect h o rizontal opposi t i o n , 1 . Kf1 , for after a few
to the critical outfl a n k i n g sq uare f6, forc i n g the gain of B l ac k's
K i n g move s , 1 . . . . Kd2 2 . Kf2 Kd 3 , it i s clear that W h i te's pawn
at f3 i s an o b stac l e , p reve nting its Ki n g fro m mov i n g to f3 to
g-paw n . Th e secret to w i n n i n g an e n d game is to give u p mate
Kf1
3 . Kh3 Kf2
4. Kg4 Kg2
S . KxgS Kxf3
rial advantage fo r a more advantage o u s s u perio ri ty. For exam
mai ntain d i rect ho rizontal oppositi o n . Wh ite s h o u l d start by
p l e , sac r ifice a pawn so that yo u r Ki n g can occ u py a critical
sec u ri n g the d i stant ho rizontal opposition, 1 . Khl , after w h i c h
sq uare .
the K i n g c a n free ly mane uve r to keep the opposition . T h e o n ly
tact ic to worry about after 1 . Khl i s the pawn sacrifice 1 . . . . g4,
when B l ac k e n v i s i o n s 2. fxg4 e4
3. gs e3
S. g7 e 1 /
4. g6 e2
Q + . But afte r 1 . Khl g4, i n stead o f 2 . fxg4, Wh ite an swe rs 2 .
Kg2 , w h e n e i t h e r 2 . . . . gxf3 +
. . . Ke2
3 . fxg4 e4
4 . gs e3
3 . Kxf3 Kd2
S . g6 Kd2
4 . Ke4 , or 2
6 . g7 e2
7. g8/Q e1/
1 . f7
2 . Kd6
3 . Ke6
4 . Ke7
S. Kf6
6. Kf7
Q wi l l d raw.
Kxf7
Kf8
Kg7
Kg8
Kh7
Kh8
7. Kxg6
8 . Kh6
9. g6
1 0 . g7
1 1 . Kh7
1 2 . g8/Q
(1-0)
1 . Khl
2. Kgl
3. Kg2
Kel
Ke2
Kd2
4. Kh2
S. Kg3
6 . Kh3
Ke3
Kd3
g5 +
7. Kxg4
8 . Kf5
Ke3
Kxf3
9. KxeS
D raw
Kg8
Kh8
Kg8
Kf7
Kf6
THE PAWNS IN ACTION • 1 45
1 44 • PAN DOL F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
108
E N DGAME
109
W: Kd4, Pa4, PbS B : Kc7, Pas
W: Kd 7, Pb6, PcS B: Ka8, Pb7
Wh ite moves and w i n s
Wh ite moves and wi n s
Pawn Sac
Knight's-Move Opposition
. 7 �,�
.
6
n
•�•
�
•. ���
� �
5,J ,
4
• •
3� - - •
2
• � • •
1
•
• • .
a
H ow easy it i s to e rr. Afte r 1 . KcS , ta k i n g the d i rect ve rt i cal
•
b
c
d
e
f
•
g
h
Obtrude W h ite's Ki n g on to c7 or c8, and voi l a ! Stalemate . Blac k
oppositi o n , Wh ite d raws q u i c k l y if he fo l l ows 1 . . . . Kb7 with 2 .
n e e d s t h e l atitude t o make legal moves so that h i s prey c a n be
b 6 ? , for 2 . . . . Ka6 ! co nstrai ns W h ite t o enwrap B l ac k i n a
trapped and set up fo r mate without the poss i b i l i ty of stale m at
stalemate (3. Kc6) or to s u rre n d e r h i s b-pawn . By taking t h e
i ng h i m . Th i s is n ot real ly hard . After 1 . c6 bxc6
p
2. Kc7 , B l ac k 's
" K n i g ht's- m ove oppositi o n "-plac i n g the King a Kn ig ht's d i s
K i n g i s c o r n e red , b ut h i s n ewly created c- awn is free to move .
tan ce away fro m the en emy Ki n g-Wh i te ced e s the d i rect ver
Wh ite is th u s g ran ted e n o u g h t i m e to promote h i s pawn and
t i cal opposition to B lack when it is u n d e s i rable fo r h i m to take
produce mat e .
i t . B l ac k c o u l d an swe r 1 . Kd5 with 1 . . . . Kd7, but that d rops the
aS-pawn afte r 2 . KcS Kc7
3 . b6 + Kb7
4. KbS. K n i g ht's-move
1 . c6
oppo sition can n ot be figured o u t by any r u l e . It o n l y appl ies i n
2 . Kc7
po s i t i o n s w h e re both sides have pawn s that d i stort no rmal
3. b7 +
opposit i o n al pos s i b i l i t i e s . It rare ly occ u rs in real games, and
4. b8/Q +
when it does , it is d eterm i n ed by a concrete analys i s of the
5 . Qb6
(1-0)
po sition at h an d .
1 . Kd5
2 . Kd6
3 . Kc5
4. Kc6
Kb6
Kb7
Ka7
Ka8
5 . Kb6
6. Kxa5
(1-0)
Kb8
bxc6
c5
Ka7
Ka6
mate
1 46 • PAN DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COU RSE
EN DGAME
THE PAW NS IN ACTION • 1 47
1 10
EN DGAME
W: Kd 5 , Pf5 , Pg6 B: Kd 7, Pg7
W: Ke5 , Pf5, Pg6 B: Ke 7, Pg7
Wh ite moves and wi n s
W h ite moves and wi n s
Breakthrough 1
Outflanking-Opposition
- 19u�
- 7· - �li'H/��
6 � - - ft 5 - _\fl_ ft _
4 - - - 3 2 B B � -
8
�
- - - ia:i
�
�"�
W//�
�
� - •fl
6
- - ft 5
,;,� ft �
- - ��
4 - - - 3
- - B
2
B B B 1B
�
� B - B
8
�
1B B
a
111
b
c
7
B
d
e
f
h
g
'"
,
a
b
c
d
e
f
h
g
B l ac k's K i n g has wan d e red too fa r from the Kingside t h eater to
It's Wh ite's t u r n , b ut B l ac k has the d i rect ve rtical opposition .
part i c i pate . W h ite j u g g e r n a u t s h i m w i t h t h e b rea kth r o u g h
Wh ite used B l ac k 's tie-up in t h e K i n g s i d e sector to rega i n the
pawn sac rifice 1 . f6. However Black reto rts , Wh ite Q u eens a
opposition and force en try i n to Blac k 's territory. Afte r 1 . Kd 5 ,
�
pawn a few moves later at g8. Th e defen d e r in s u c h s ituat i o n s i s
B l ac k can ' t fo l l ow s u i t with 1 . . . . Kd7 be au se of 2 . f6, a w i n
hampered . I n tryi n g t o maintai n a favo rab le oppositional rela
n i n g breakth ro u g h . So he t r i e s 1 . . . . Kf6, b ut after 2 . Ke4
t i o n s h i p with the e n e my K i n g , he m u st also e n s u re that h i s own
Ke7
Ki ng re mai n s with i n the "sq uare of a b reakth ro u g h paw n " (an
3 . . . . Ke8
i magi na ry boxed -off b l o c k of sq uares). In order to stay close
King comes any closer it wi l l be stalemate, but the advance 7 .
e n o u g h , he eve n t u a l l y may have to s u rre n d e r the oppositi o n .
f 6 , guarantees that B l ack w i l l possess a pawn free t o m ove,
avo i d i n g sta l e m ate, for 7 . . . . Kg8 8 . f7+ Kh8 9 . f8/Q is
A
1 . f6
2 . g7
3. g8/Q
(1 -0)
1 . f6
2 . fxg7
3 . g8/Q
(1-0)
4 . Ke6 Kf8
5 . Kd 7 Kg8
6 . Ke7 Kh8 . N ow, i f Wh ite's
m ate.
B
gxf6
Ke7
3 . Ke5 , Wh ite has sto len the opposition and can outfla n k :
wi n , the enemy K i n g m u st move to i t s correspo n d i n g s q u a re
first.
Correspo n d i n g sq uares general ly come i n sets of two : O n e
f o r W h i t e , and o n e fo r B lac k . These squ ares usual ly su rface i n
more co m p l i cated e n d i n gs , i n w h i c h ba s i c opposit io n s prog
nosticate l ittle practica l va l u e . Correspo n d i n g squ ares can be
dete r m i n ed o n l y by very exact cal cu lat i o n , and t h e re are no
si m p l e fo r m u las that can h e l p.
Agai n , when two sq uares co rrespo n d , it is u n desi rab le for a
player to move a Ki n g to a co rresp o n d i n g s q u a re befo re h i s
opponen t h a s m oved h i s Ki n g t o i t s correspo n d i n g sq uare .
THE PAW NS I N ACTION • 1 5 1
1 5 0 • PAN DOLF I N l'S EN DGAME COU RSE
B lac k h o l d s the d raw if after W h i te's Ki ng moves to a certain
sq uare, Black 's K i n g can move to one that co rrespo n d s . The
EN DGAM E
wi n n i n g p roce d u re , therefore, is to create m u lti p le i nvas ion
1 14
W : Ka1 , Pe4 B: Ka8, PeS , Pf6
t h reats that fo rce the e n emy to commit h i s K i n g befo re yo u d o ,
W h ite moves and d raws
w h i c h a l l ows yo u t o t h e n bre a k the co rrespon d e n c e . T h e t r i c k
in t h i s k i n d of p l ay i s t o find o u t , t h rough cal c u l ation a n d
analys i s , w h i c h s q uares co rrespo n d . The re i s n o ot her pract i cal
Long-Distant Opposition
way to do i t .
I n the g ive n p o s i t i o n , Wh ite w i n s b y getting h is K i n g t o e4.
Then , with B l ac k's K i n g on e6, Wh ite u ses h i s rese rve tempo
(h2-h 3), gai n i n g the opposition and ou tflan k i n g , to filch the gS
pawn . To get to e4, White's K i n g goes to g3, menac i n g the
w i n n i n g advance h2-h4. B l ack's K i n g keeps pace with i n o n e
leftward f i l e o f Wh ite's . H e moves to f6 o n l y after Wh ite t r i e s
g3 . B lack meets h2-h4 b y trad i n g paw n s , fo l l owed b y Kg6 . I f
B l ac k 's K i n g we re i n stead on f 7 or g 6 , Wh ite's K i n g wi n s by
reac h i n g e4 (g3-f3-e4). Blac k , mo reover, can safely play KeS o n l y
afte r White's Kf3 .
Two sets of co rrespo n d i n g s q u a re s are sal ient : g3 for White
and f6 for B l ac k i s one set; f3 fo r Wh ite and es fo r B lac k i s the
ot h e r. In ot h e r wo rd s , White's g3 co rres ponds to B l ack's f6, and
Wh ite's f3 corre s p o n d s to B l ac k 's es . With i n a set, neither K i n g
s h o u l d move to its corre sp o n d i n g sq uare fi rst. To hold the
d raw, B lac k's K i n g s h o u l d n't m ove to f6 befo re Wh ite's has
moved to g3. B l ack 's King can move to either of its two key
sq uares (eS and f6) o n ly from e6. Wh ite has an opti o n . From
either f2 o r g2, h e is able to move to h i s c orre s po n d i n g s qu a re s ,
f3 o r g3 . Th u s h e wave rs between f2 a n d g2 , waits for Blac k to
c o m m i t h i m se l f to f6 or es , then goes to the match i n g co rre
spon d i n g sq uare . If B l ac k's K i n g is on f6 , White's moves to g3 . If
it's on eS, Wh ite's moves to f3 . Wh ite's King b reaks the co rresponde nce and wi n s .
1 . Kf3
2 . Kg3
3 . Kg2
4. Kf2
B l ac k has an extra pawn , but if Wh ite's King seizes the l o n g
d i stant opposition , 1 . Ka2 , B lack can be pre-vented fro m maki n g
i n road s i n to Wh ite's camp a n d the game i s d rawn . After 1. Ka2 ,
the Ki n gs stand five sq uare s apa rt-an odd n u m be r-al o n g the
d i rect path of the a-fi l e . The Ki n gs also occupy s q u a res of the
same colo r, which m u st be, if the Kings stand i n true opposi
tion, u n affected by the fixt u re of pawn s . By mai ntai n i n g the
op pos i t i on a l o n g the enti re board , whether the d i stant or the
d i rect k i n d , Wh ite h o l d s the position together.
1 . Ka2
2. Ka3
3 . Ka4
8 . h3
b
4. Kb4
S . Kb3
6 . Kc4
7 . Kc3
Ka7
Ka6
Kb6
Kb7
Kc6
Kc7
Kd7
8. Kd3
9. Ke3
1 0 . Kf3
1 1 . Kg3
1 2 . Kg4
1 3 . Kh4
D raw
Ke7
Kf7
Kg7
Kg6
Kh6
TH E PAW NS I N ACTION • 1 5 3
1 5 2 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S EN DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
115
E N DGAME
W: Kh1
116
Pf4 , PgS B : KhS, Pf7
I
W: Kg4 , PgS , PhS B : KeS , Ph7
Wh ite moves and w i n s
Wh ite moves and d raws
Breakthrough
Jettison
8 - 7- 6
- -
8 - - - �
7 8 -.
im
� - - �
6
s B m m �I*
4 - - � 3- - - 2 - - ,®
�
�
�
5
• �:--� �� ft
4
b
c
d
e
g
f
�.
B ®R
B
3- 2 - - - .
1g � ·� -
.
a
�
t
-
a
h
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
White see m s a w i n n e r, with an extra pawn in h i s arse n a l . Yet
Yo u h ave a pawn major ity wh e n , over any g roup of consecutive
White's two paw n s are less than Black's o n e , for both of White's
fi l e s , yo u r paw n s o u t n u m b e r yo u r oppone nt's . Capablan ca's
3 . Kf2 KxgS . A l s o , B l ac k's
r u l e s states that you start mobi l i z i n g a pawn majority by p u sh
are lost : 1 : Kg1 Kg4
2 . Kg2 Kxf4
K i n g occ u p i e s a c r i t i cal sq uare (gS) fo r h i s pawn at fl . Si nce
i n g the u n opposed pawn , the o n e with no en emy pawn ah ead
both paw n s w i l l go down anyway, why n ot shed them so that
of it on the same fi l e . Th i s generally eases the creat i o n of a
t h e c r i t i c a l s q u a re s fo r B l ac k 's f- pawn s l i d e fart h e r u p t h e
passed pawn , w h i c h is u n restricted by e n e my paw n s from i n
board , m a k i n g i t harder f o r Blac k 's Ki n g t o reach t h e m ? W h ite
fron t o r o n t h e s i d e . B ut that strategy fa i l s h e re : 1 . g6 h xg6
d raws by sacrifi c i n g both pawn s , i n eac h case ford ng B l ac k's
hxg6 Kf6
pawn to captu re and move up, closer to White's own Ki n g .
h x g6
B l ac k's critical sq uare s , once eS , fS , a n d gS , now become e3 , f3 ,
and g3 .
2. h6 Kf6
3 . Kh4 Kf7
4. K gS Kg8
2. fS
3. Kgl
4. Kfl
S . Kg2
fxg6
gxf 5
Kg5
Kg4
f4
6 . Kf2
7 . Kfl
8 . Kgl
9 . Kfl
f3
Kg3
f2 +
Kf3
Stale mate
S . Kxg6 Kh8, with a
positional d raw. To w i n , Wh ite defies the ru l e and p u s h e s the
opposed pawn i n stead , 1 . h6. After 1 . .
ca n n ot stop Wh ite fro m promot i n g at h 8 .
1 . g6
2.
3 . KhS Kg7 , and the pawn i s b l ockaded ; o r 1 . g6
1 . h6 Ke6
2 . g6 h x g6
3 . h7 Kf7
4. h8/Q
(1-0)
.
. Ke6
2. g6, B l ack
THE PAWNS IN ACTION • 1 5 5
1 54 • PAN DOLF I N l'S EN DGAME COU RSE
E N DGAME
1 17
E N DGAME
1 18
W: Kh6, Pg5 , Ph2 B: Kg8, P h 7
W: Ke3 , Pc4, Pd4 B : Ke6, Pc6
W h ite moves and w i n s
F i rst Wh ite's K i n g takes the opposit i o n , then he wad e s in g rad
ual ly t h ro u g h a ge n e ra l ou tflan k i n g u n t i l Blac k 's c-pawn is won .
I f afte r 1 . Ke4 B lac k res ponds 1 . . . . Kf6, then Wh ite contin u e s
ou tflan k i n g t o the r i g h t w i t h 2 . Kf4 . B u t Wh ite d o e s not try 2 .
d 5 ? , becau se o f 2 . . . . Ke7, afte r w h i c h Blac k i s p repared fo r
seve ral d rawi n g method s . So after 1 . . . . Kf6
Kg5 Ke7
1 . Ke4
2 . Kf5
3 . Ke5
4. c5
5 . Kf6
6. Ke6
7. Ke7
4 . KfS Kd7
Kd6
Kd7
Ke7
Kd 7
Kd8
Kc7
Kc8
2. Kf4 Ke6
3.
5 . Ke5 , Wh ite gl ides i n to t h e mai n l i n e .
8. Kd6
"':' h ite can move h i s h- pawn either one or two sq uare s , and the
right choice i s c rucial . A move of two square s , 1 . h4 ? , peeters
2. h5 Kg8
the game to a d raw afte r 1 . . . . Kh8
hxg6 Kh8
5. g7+ Kg8
3. g6 hxg6
4.
6. Kg6. A on e-sq uare move , howeve r,
gai n s Wh ite the opposition later when the g-pawn reach e s the
6th ran k . I f B l ac k 's King starts o n h8 i n stead of g8, Wh ite then
plays his h-pawn two sq uares to ga r n e r the opposi t i o n as the
pawn later moves to the 6th ran k . Th i n k of color to help fix the
sit u ation i n yo u r m i n d . I f yo u r u n moved pawn i s a Roo k- pawn,
m ove it to the same color sq uare occup ied by the enemy K i n g .
I f t h e u n moved pawn i s a K n i ght- pawn , move it t o a d i ffe rent
co l o r s q u a re fro m that of the e n e my Kin g's . J u st re m e m b e r :
Rook-paw n s play t h e same, Kn i g ht-pawn s a d i ffe rent gam e .
1 . h3
2 . h4
3. h5
4 . g6
Kh8
Kg8
Kh8
hxg6
5 . hxg6
6. g7
7. Kh7
8. g8/Q
( 1 -0)
Kg8
Kf7
Kf6
C H A P T E R
9
M i scel laneous King and
Pawn Positions
E n d games 1 1 9-1 28
T H E PAWNS I N ACTION • 1 59
1 5 8 • PANDOLF I N l'S EN DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
119
E N DGAME
120
W: Kb6, Pa4, Pc4 B: Kb3 , PaS , PcS
W: Ke6, Pf4, Pg3, Ph4 B: Kh7, PfS , Pg6, PhS
White moves and w i n s
Wh ite moves and wi ns
Direct Opposition
Horizon tal Opposition
D i rect verti cal opposition is t h e cu re-al l . I n stead of exc h a n g i n g
Wh ite's assu m ption of the d i rect ho rizontal opposition vic
paw n s (1 . KxcS Kxa4 o r 1 . KxaS Kxc4), White w i n s both of Blac k 's
ti m i zes B lac k tout de s uite. After 1 . Kf7 Kh6
paw n s without ced i n g any of h i s own . F i rst, the d i rect opposi
K i n g has no m ove s , so the g- pawn m u st be advanced and
2 . Kg8 ! , B l ac k 's
tion i s pl u n d e re d , 1 . Kb5 ! . I f B l ac k's Ki n g gives way to the a-fi l e ,
sac rificed , 2 . . . . g5 . S u bseq uently comes the Q u een i n g of
W h i t e cap t u re s the a-pawn ; i f B l ac k goes t o the c-fi l e , Wh ite
Wh ite's new g-paw n .
pi lfers the c-paw n . In both cases , Wh ite gets somet h i n g fo r
n ot h i n g a n d s h o rtly prom ote s a pawn u n h i n d e red .
1 . Kf7
2. Kg8
1 . Kb5
2. Kxa5
3 . Kb5
3. hxg5 +
B
A
Ka3
Kb3
Kc3
4. a5
1 . Kb5
2. Kxc5
3. Kb5
Kc3
Kb3
Kc3
5. Kh 7
6. g6
7. g7
4. c5
( 1 -0)
4. Kh8
(1-0)
8. g8/Q +
(1 -0)
Kh6
g5
Kg6
Kf7
Kf8
Ke7
Kf7
THE PAWNS I N ACTION • 1 6 1
1 60 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
121
E N DGAME
W : Kg81 Pe4, Ph4 B : Kg6, Pe5 , Ph6, Ph5
W: Kf5, Pb3, Pc4, Pe6 B: Ke8, Pb4, Pc5 , Pc6
White m oves and w i n s
Wh ite m oves and w i n s
Triangulation
Rear Outflanking
a . - -�- 8
7- - - 6 m i m ;n: m a
5 • m •®•
4 . m ;n: g B B
3 & ft B B g
2 • - - 18 -
8 - - - ®7a • - 6 • • -� 5. a m mi
4 • 8 ft 8 �
3- • • 2 g R m m
18 - - a
b
c
d
e
f
g
a
h
B lack has a messy extra pawn , w h i c h i m pedes h i s K i ng's a b i l ity
to retai n the d i rect ve rtical oppos i ti o n . Thu s , after 1 . Kh8,
B l ac k 's h6-pawn t hwarts its Ki n g from occupy i n g h6 to mai ntai n
the d i rect opposi t i o n . Wh ite wi n s both B lack h-paw n s : 1 . . . .
Kf6
2 . Kh7 Kf 7
4 . Kxh5 . B u t t h e ravag i n g
3 . Kxh6 Kf6
does n't stop t h e re . White a l s o wi n s the e-pawn : 4 . . . . Kf7
Kg5 Kg7
122
6 . Kf5 . Fro m t h e re, w h o cou l d n't Q u e e n a paw n ?
A typical triangu l ation pro b l e m . It's Wh ite 's move, b u t to be
a b l e to w i n , Wh ite m u st recreate the same pos i t i o n w h e n it's
Black's t u r n . B l ack m u st then make some concess i o n
al l ow i n g Wh ite's K i n g to i nvade at d6 (wi n n i ng all o
either
/ B l ac k 's
pawns), o r rewa rd i n g White with the opposi tion , at w h i c h poi nt
Whi te promotes the e-pawn d i rectly.
It wou l d take five moves for W h i te to make a new Q ueen
d i rectly by p u s h i n g his a-pawn to a8. B l ac k 's King gets back also
i n five move s , retreat i n g along t h e a8- h1 diago nal-the m a i n
strip-an d s naps the pawn i n t i m e t o p reve nt Queen i n g . An
ot h e r a n g l e is that after 1 . a4, B l ac k 's Ki ng gets with i n the
" s q u are of W h ite's a-pawn" (the box of square s i mag i n e d fro m
a4 to a8 to e8 to e4) by 1 . . . . Ke4. A logical solution is to e rect a
deto u r, 1 . d5 exd5, b l o c k i n g t h e c r i t i cal retreat i n g d i agonal .
Even t h o u g h B l ac k 's Ki n g m oves i n s i d e t h e " sq u a re of t h e
pawn , " t h e dS roadblock thwarts h i s t i m e ly arriva l .
1 . d5
2 . a4
3. a5
exd5
d4
d3
4. Kel
( 1 -0)
a
h
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Fo rmer Wo r l d Champion M i k ha i l Botvi n n i k once u sed t h i s
position t o defi n e " co m b i n at i o n , " o r a forced s e q u e n ce of
m oves u su a l ly i nvolvi n g sacrifice and lead i n g at l east to a posi
tional i m prove m e n t, if n ot a w i n . Some of the early co m p uter
programs d e s i g n ed by the b r i l l i ant C. E . S ha n n o n i n the late
'40s even u t i l ized the t h ree pawns vs . t h ree paw n s game as a
system test to see if t h i ngs were wo r k i n g proper ly. S i nce the
K i n g s are too far away to be i nvolved, the pawns war by t h e m
selves . After 1 . b6, B l ac k is forced to take White's paw n , e l s e it
captu res one of h i s . If Black's a-pawn takes, Wh i te l u res away
the b-pawn and Q u eens at a8. If B l ack's c- pawn takes , Wh ite
defl ects the b- pawn toward the a-fi l e , an d Quee n s at c8.
B
A
1 . b6
2.
3.
4.
5.
axb6
c6 bxc6
a6 any
a 7 any
a8/Q
( 1 -0)
-
1 . b6
cxb6
bxc6
3 . c6 any
4. c7 any
5 . c8/Q
2. a6
( 1 -0)
T H E PAWNS IN ACT I O N • 1 67
1 66 • PAN DOLFI N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
127
E N DGAME
128
W: Kg2, Pa6 , Pc5 B : Kc6, Pc7, Pf4 , Pg4, Ph4
Wh ite moves and w i n s
W: Ka1 , Pe5 , Pf4, Pg4, Ph5 B: Ka3 , Pe6, Pf7, Pg7, Ph6
W h i te moves and w i n s
Tempo
Breakthrough Combination 2
8
• • • •
. .
• .
•
� �
7.
6 ft • ®• · - ·
�
� �
s�
m �
u
• �
4 •
• •
�
Ail 1 �
�
,.#
� �
3
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
2
1•
a
h
T h i s pro b l e m re se m b les its i m m e d i ate p redecessor. After 1 . f5 ,
B lack loses if he con ti nues 1 . . . . exf5 , for 2 . gxf5 Kb4
fxe6
3 . e6
4. fxe6 leads to a new White Queen at e8 . Mo reover,
1 . . . . Kb4
2 . g5 exf5 con c l u d e s s i m i larly after 3 . g6 fxg6
4.
e6. S i n ce the Kings are vacati o n i n g from the mai n action , the
pawns aga i n spit thei r own fi re . Both s i des are gifted with
passed paw n s , but becau se Wh ite's starts off fart h e r u p the
board than B lac k 's , White Q u ee n s two moves ahead of h i s
opponent an d w i n s .
•
• • •
• • .\!/ .
b
• • •
c
d
e
f
g
h
It's n ot B l ac k 's t u r n , but if it we re , he wou l d wi n by p u s h i n g h i s
pawn t o g3 ; h owever Wh ite respo n d s , Bl ack promotes a pawn
to Q u ee n do m . N ote that the Q u e e n s i d e is frozen for both
p laye r s . If B lack were to capt u re the c-pawn, White's a-pawn
wo u l d Q u een in two moves . If Wh ite were to push h i s pawn t o
a 7 , B l ac k 's K i n g wo u l d get to b7 and ove rta ke it. If Wh ite plays
fi rst, he w i n s by 1 . Kgl , waiti n g for B l ac k to com m i t h i m se lf. On
the Q u e e n s i d e , if B l ack then moves h i s King, White's a-pawn
Q u e e n s . O n t h e K i n g s i d e , w h i c h ever pawn B l ac k p u s h e s ,
Wh ite's Ki n g s n u ffles i nto the s q u are i m m ediately in front,
1 . f5
2 . g5
3. f6
4 . h6
5 . h7
6 . h8/Q
7. Qg7
( 1 -0)
Kb4
hxg5
gxf6
g4
g3
g2
stoppi ng t h e enti re t h ree-pawn c l u ster. After 1 . Kgl , there
fol l ows eithe r : (A) 1 . . . . f3
h3
2. Kh2 f3
2 . Kf2 h3
3 . Kg3 ; o r (C) 1 . . . . g3
3 . Kg3 ; ( B ) 1 . . . .
2 . Kg2 ; B l ac k has met
h i s Wate r l o o .
1 . Kgl
2 . Kf2
3 . Kg3
4. Kxf2
f3
h3
f2
h2
5 . Kg2
6. Khl
7. a7
8 . a8/Q
( 1-0)
g3
Kxc5
Kb6
B
- - • �
P A R T
T H REE
-
Pieces and
Pawns in
Action
-
• • • •
�
I n Part Th ree , the pieces reappear, but i n no way d i m i n i s h i n g
the ro le of the Ki n g s . Even t h e Crowned H ead is a f i g h t i n g
p i e c e , and i n the e n dgame m u st b e m o b i l ized l i ke t h e ot h e r
force s . T h e d o m i n a n t i s s u e , however, i s sti l l pawn promoti o n .
A l l t h e piece s , i n c l u d i ng Ki ngs, are pres sed i n to service, e i t h e r
su pporti n g o r t hwart i n g a Queen i n g operation .
B l o c k i n g the path of a passed pawn is a freq uent defen si ve
tact i c . D o u b l e d a n d se parated paw n s i nvite bl ockad e . M i n o r
p ieces ( B i s ho p s an d K n i ghts ) particu l arly ral l y to the tas k , e n
tre n c h i n g o n t h e s q uare d i rectly i n fro nt of the pawn . I n con
trast, the maj o r pi eces ( Q u e e n s and Roo ks) are m i s u sed as
bl ockaders, for t h e i r m o b i l ity su ffe rs too greatly. Q u ee n s and
Roo k s s h i n e in co u nte rattack rat h e r t h a n i n p u re defe n s e , ha
ras s i n g the e n emy King with i n cessant checks and t h reats . T h u s
e m e rges a l e i t motif f o r maj o r pi ece e n d i ngs : creat i n g s h e l ter
for yo u r Ki n g agai nst checks.
1 69
1 70 • PAN DO LFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
A passed pawn becomes menac i n g when a bl ockade can n ot
C H A P T E R
be set u p or w h e n the blockad i n g u n it is d riven from its post.
Th i s often happe n s , for exam p l e , by con n ecte d , si de- by-si d e
10
pawns that advance i n tan dem . I n s u c h i n stances , the o n ly way
to save the game may be to sacrifice a m i n o r piece for the
deadly passed paw n , especial ly if it is you r opponent's l ast
paw n . I n t hat case , h i s extra B i s ho p or Knight may be i n suffi
cient to fo rce check mate and the game i s d rawn .
Paw n s near the edge of the board w i l l alter the scena r i o of
H eavy Pieces vs. Pawn
many e n d ga m e s . Generally, the closer the paw n s are to the
outside, t h e less t h e maneuve r i n g room for pi eces i n attack or
defe n s e . E n d i ngs with Knig ht-paw n s o r Rook -paw n s often pro
vide s peci a l l y favo rable or u nfavo ra b l e excepti o n s to the r u l e .
Roo k-paw n s , i n parti cular, have an o d i o u s re putation f o r pro
duc i n g d rawn games . When t h e o n l y pawn on the board is a
B i s hop-pawn or center-paw n , a Q u een or Roo k , either in attac k
or defen s e , may have great flexi b i l ity. But if the l o n e pawn is on
the Knig ht-fi le o r the Roo k-fi l e , the powers of the maj o r pi eces
are atro p h i e d . They can 't function in balance on either side of
t h e pawn ( paw n s o n Roo k - f i l es d o n ' t have two s i d e s ) . Of
cou rse, the l e ast effective defe n d e r agai n st the Rook-pawn i s
t h e K n i g h t , w h i c h i s awkward at best i n zero i n g i n on the
cor n e r, and s l owe r than the ot h e r pi eces i n gett i n g bac k .
•
Q u ee n vs. Paw n (s)
E n d games 1 29-1 34
•
Roo k vs . Pawn
E n d games 1 35-1 40
•
Roo k vs . Two Paw n s
E n d games 1 41 -1 44
1 72 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
P I ECES A N D PAW N S IN ACTION • 1 73
129
E N DGAME
130
W: Kf7, Ph7 B: Kc1 , Qd4
Wh ite m oves a n d d raws
cu m bs to the t h reat of stale mat e .
1 . Kg8
2. Kg?
3 . Kf7
4. Kg8
Qd8 +
Qg5 +
Qh6
Qg6 +
5 . Kh8
D raw
jl
,!
!I,
1!
I
.
,
P I ECES A N D PAWN S I N ACTION • 1 75
1 74 • PAN DO LFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
13 1
E N DGAME
13 2
W: Kd6, Pf7 B: Kb3, Qa1
W: Kc2, Qg3 B: Kf1 , Pf2
White moves and d raws
White moves and w i n s
Stalemate 2
Mate in Two
The general r u l e states that a Q u e e n w i l l wi n agai n st a p awn on
the 7th ran k . The B i s ho p pawn i s an excepti o n , as is the Roo k
A B i s h o p pawn o n i t s 7th ran k n o rmal ly d raws agai nst a Q u e e n .
pawn ( i l l u strated in the previ o u s e n dgame). On ce W h ite's Ki n g
m u st be able to play i nto the co rner ( h e re , h1 ). Seco n d , the
reaches g 8 a n d meets t h e antici pated Q u een check at g6, it i s
attac k i n g K i n g can n ot be nea rby. I n this e n dgam e , Blac k 's King
B u t the con d it i o n s h ave t o be r i g h t . Fi rst, t h e defe n d i n g Ki n g
n ot o b l i ged to step bac k i nto t h e path of Whi te's pawn at f8.
has n o escape t o the co rner and Wh ite's King i s at the door, so
I n stea d, Wh ite may safely aban don the pawn a n d curl up in the
W h i te w i n s easi ly. H e can trou nce on the f-pawn by 1 . Kd3
co rner. I f B l ac k 's Q u een then captu res the pawn at f7, White i s
Ke1
sta lemated . S o B l ack has n o better than a d raw.
A Roo k 's powe rfu l ab i l ity to control an enti re ran k o r file means
that it can set up i m p e n e t ra b l e barri ers the enemy K i n g can 't
cros s . Th u s it becomes poss i b l e to act u al ly s h u t out B l ac k's K i n g
from war gam es . After 1. Rb5 , W h i te's Roo k estab l i s he s a dense
force f i e l d ag ainst B l ack's Ki n g . If B l ack tries to Queen his pawn
without the aid of h i s Ki n g , Whi te's Rook moves in by itse l f. I t
2. Kb7 h3,
then attack s it di rectly f r o m a l o n g the ran k , 3 . Rb3. T h e pawn
m u st t h e n advance to avoi d capt u re , 3 . . . . h2, and the Rook
gets be h i n d it, 4. Rh3, p reve nting the pawn 's promotion and
taki n g it n ext m ove . I n evitab le doom fo r Bl ack comes with the
arrival of W h i te 's Ki n g , w h i ch wi n s the pawn , mate s , o r bot h .
1 . Rb5
2. Kb7
3. Kc6
4 . Kd6
5 . Ke6
6. Kf7
Kh6
Kg6
Kh6
Kg6
Kh6
h4
7. Kf6
8 . Rb3
9 . Rxh3 +
1 0 . Rh6
1 1 . Rh8
( 1 -0)
h3
Kh7
Kg8
Kf 8
mate
. .
� .
�,...,.Q.
h
waits f o r the pawn to reach its 6t h ran k , 1 . . . . h 4
�
8
8
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
B l ac k's pawn and K i n g are farther advanced than in the pre
v i o u s exam p l e , an d a Roo k cut- off a l o n g t h e ra n k s i m p l y
does n 't wo r k . A w i n h i n ges on t h e speediest poss i b l e retu rn of
White's Ki n g . The Rook wo rks fro m be h i n d , a l o n g t h e ran ks ; at
the prope r m o m e n t , it checks the en emy K i n g to d i s p l ace it or
to ease the e n t ry of White's Ki ng. G e n e rally, the Roo k i s i d eally
p l aced posted beh i n d the paw n , attac k i n g the foot s o l d i e r and
a l l the s q u ares the pawn m u st eventually pass over. O n ce
be h i n d the paw n , the Rook can also s h ift forward o r backward
one squ are , w h e n eve r W h i te needs to tempo, wit h o u t chang
i n g the bas i c sit uatio n . In the fi na l po sition , B l ac k 's pawn is
lost, and so i s h i s Ki n g . After 8. Kc3 , mate fo l l ows rega rdless of
w h i ch of B l ac k 's fou r moves are essayed : (A) 8 . . . . Kb1
Kxb3 Kc1
Ka2
1 0 . Kc2 Ka1
Rb4 Ka2
Ka3
1 0 . Rd7 Kb1
1 1 . R d 1 ; ( B ) 8 . . . . Ka1
1 1 . Ra3 ; (C) 8 . . . . b2
1 1 . Kc2 Ka3
1 2 . Rc4 Ka2
9.
9 . Rxb3
9. Rxb2 + Ka3
1 0.
1 3 . Ra4; or (0) 8 . . . .
9 . Ra7.
1 . Ke5
2. Ke4
3. Ke3
Kc4
Kc3
b3
4. Rc8 +
5. Kd2
6 . Rb8
Kb2
Ka2
Rk2
7. Rb7
8 . Kc3
( 1 -0)
Ka2
1 80
•
PA N DOL F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACT I O N
137
E N DGAME
•
1 81
138
W: Kc3, Rb8 B: Ka1 , Pa2
W: Kb7, Rb2 B: Kb5 , Pb4
W h i te moves a n d w i n s
Wh i te moves and w i n s
Tempo Finesse-Opposition
Reposition
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
To w i n , Wh ite m u st t i c k off two items on h i s l i st : fi rst he m u st
W h i te needs the opposition to fo rce B l ac k 's King to c o m m i t to
real i gn his King to attack the pawn , a n d then he m u st ward off
one side of the pawn o r the ot h e r. I f B l ack's King then goes to
sta l e m ate . Both goal s see day l i g ht with 1 . Kb3 , which advances
t h e a-fi l e , Wh ite's King retreats a l o n g the c-fi l e , u n hampe red . I f
the K i n g toward the pawn and blocks the Rook along the b-fi l e
B l ac k's K i n g moves to t h e c-fi l e , W h i te 's K i n g plays back u n
so that B l ac k's K i n g h a s a safe m ove , 1 . . . . Kbl . Afte r 2 . Ka3 + ,
checked on t h e a-fi l e . A te m p o m ove s h o u l d b e played t o seize
B l ac k has to play 2 . . . . Kal if he wishe s to p rotect h i s pawn .
the oppos itio n , and t h i s is ac h i eved by prompt i n g the Roo k
But 3. Rh8 s h i fts the Rook to the f l a n k , where i t can harass
bac k t o b1 . There by, t h e Rook i s a l s o fa rther away from the
B l ac k's K i n g and p i c k off the l u c kl e s s footman .
oncom i ng B l ac k pawn and Ki n g . Th i s makes the Rook safe r and
m o re able to wield its own powe r, fo r a Rook truly sh i n e s as a
1 . Kb3
2. Ka3 +
3. Rh8
4. Rhl +
5 . Kxa2
(1-0)
Kbl
Kal
Kbl
Kc 2
l o n g - range piece .
1 . Rbl
2. Ka6
3 . Ka5
4. Ka4
5 . Ka3
6. Rxb2 +
(1--0)
Kc4
b3
Kc3
b2
Kc2
1 82
•
PAN DOLFI N l 'S EN DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
P I ECES A N D PAWN S I N ACTION
13 9
E N DGAME
W: Kf6, Pg6
W: Kb6, Pc6
I
Wh ite m oves and wi n s
B: Ka1 , Rd5
Wh ite moves and w i n s
Underpromotion
a
If the powe rf u l Rook i s too close to its targets , d i saste r can
e n s u e . Afte r 1 . g7, B l ac k 's Roo k cannot stop W h i te's pawn from
Q u e e n i n g , and m e rely es says a fe eble chec k , 1 . . . . Rh6 + .
Wh ite eyes with d i st rust 2 . Kf7 ? , for that a l l ows Blac k to p i n the
pawn , 2 . . . . Rh7, and to sac rifice the Roo k for it the move after.
Gett i n g o u t of c h ec k by 2. Ke5 is no better, for Black then wi n s
w i t h 2 . . . Rg6. N o r d oes 2 . Kg5 h e l p any, for Blac k t h e n h i e s
.
h i s Rook to h 1 , w h e re it c a n pl ay to g1 , skewe r i n g Wh ite's K i n g
and paw n , o r K i n g a n d new Q u een . B u t b y m ovi n g bac k a l o n g
t h e f-f i l e , 2 . Kf5 R h 5 +
1 83
140
B: Kb1 RhS
Badly Placed Rook
•
3. Kf4 Rh4 +
4. Kf3 Rh3 + , Wh ite can
play 5. Kg2 , n u l l i fy i n g B l ac k's Roo k . White then fo rges a new
Q u een and tri u m p h s .
b
c
d
e
f
h
g
Th i s position re l ates to the p rev ious o n e . After 1 . c7, B l ac k can
do n ot h i n g but c h e c k with h i s Roo k along th e ra n ks , d rivi n g
Wh ite's K i n g back toward B l ac k 's . At the fi rst critical j u n ct u re , 1 .
. . . Rd6 +
2 . Kb5 Rd5 +
3 . Kb4 Rd4 +
4. Kb3 Rd3 +
5 . Kc2 ,
B l ac k can n o l o n g e r give safe c h ecks , but h e has the res o u rce :
5 . . . . Rd4 ! . N ow if Wh ite crow n s a new Q u een, 6. c8/Q ? , Blac k
p l ays 6 . . . . Rc4 + , forc i n g 7 . Qxc4 stale mate . White ave rts t h i s
s nare , h oweve r, u n d e r promot i n g t o a Roo k , 6. c8/R ! . N ow t h e
R o o k sacrifice 6 . . . . Rc4 +
7 . Rxc4 d o e s n ot prod uce stale
m ate . Meanw h i l e , Wh ite th reatens mate at a8 with h i s Roo k , so
B l ack m u st conti n u e 6 . . . . Ra4 to s h ield agai n st the loom i n g
check . T h i s f ai l s to t h e neat d o u b l e attac k , 7 . Kb3 , w h e n B l ac k's
1 . g7
2. Kf5
3. Kf4
4. Kf3
Rh6 +
Rh5 +
Rh4 +
Rh3 +
5 . Kg2
( 1 -0)
Rook is me n aced by the en emy K i n g ( Kxa4) and mate is prom
i sed by W h i te's Rook ( Rc1 ). B l ack can not cope with the s i m u l
taneous th reats .
1 . c7
2 . Kb5
3. Kb4
4. Kb3
Rd6 +
Rd5 +
Rd4 +
Rd3 +
5 . Kc2
6 . c8/R
Rd4
Ra4
7. Kb3
(1 -0)
P I ECES AND PAW NS IN ACT I O N • 1 85
1 84 • PA N DO L F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
14 1
E N DGAME
W: Kh1 , Pd6, PeS
142
W: Ka8, Rb7
B: Kb3, Rb7
Wh ite m oves and w i n s
White moves and w i n s
Connected Pawns on 6 th Rank
Rear A ttack on Advanced Pawn
�, 'Z
® B B M ll
"l//�
7
m§g B B
6 M B B B
5
B B
B
4 B . tB B
3 B
�. t ��
� �•�
2
� B
B B
1� B B B
8
�
B -
8
7
m
�
6 B �fl
#�
5B �
�/�
� a
4 - 3 -� 2
m
� a
b
B�
c
d
e
,
•
m
f
-�
g
u n ited o n the 6 t h ran k , defeat a R o o k if the d efe n d i n g K i n g
can n ot assist the Roo k . After 1 . e6, Wh ite Queens a pawn by
fo rce . The s kewe r 1 . . . . Rb6 attacks both pawns in a l i n e , b ut
Wh ite can p u s h e i t h e r one s uccessf u l ly without rea l ly t ry i n g .
2. d7
3. e7
4. d8/Q +
5. exd8/Q +
( 1 -0)
Kc4
Rb8
Kd5
Rxd8
a
h
U n l e s s th e re is a t u rnabout tact i c , c o n n ected passed paw n s ,
1 . e6
B : Kh8, Pd3 , Pe4
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Blac k has c o n n ected passed paw n s , but o n ly one has reached
the 6t h ran k w h i l e the oth e r is sti l l o n the 5th ra n k . W h i te's
Rook m i g h t be able to do i n the pawns if the e n e my King
can n ot su pport t h e i r advance . The Roo k s i m ply attac k s the
m ost advanced pawn along the fi le by going be h i n d it ( o r, if the
situ ati on necess i tates, in front). N e i t h e r pawn can the n budge
without the l ead pawn b e i n g captu red for n oth i n g . In the
d i agram, Wh ite p lays 1 . Rd7, and then b ri n gs bac k his King to
mop u p. B l ac k 's King, cut off and out of p lay, lac k s powe r to do
anyth i n g .
1 . Rd7
O nce agai n , Wh ite's Roo k stops both pawns from advanci n g
� �
.
. �
�,,!�
..
8
,
a
•
•
b
c
d
•
e
f
•
g
h
B l ack has offe nsive con nected pawns on the 7th ra n k , both
safely b y attack i n g the l ead pawn a l o n g the f i l e , th i s ti me from
ready for Quee n i n g in the next move . If t h e Rook takes the g
in front, 1 . Re2 . W h i te's King then paces bac k and beats B l ac k 's
pawn, B l ac k's h-pawn takes the hono rs . The situ ation l o o ks
to the paw n s , s n a r i n g both of t h e m with the a i d of the Roo k .
hopeless, but t h e re's a s u rp r i s i n g reso u rce : W h i te t h reatens
mate : 1 . Ra3 !, and B lack can n ot afford to waste a m ove p u s h i ng
1 . Re2
2 . Kf6
3. Kf5
4. Rxe3
5. Rf3
6. Rxf1
( 1 -0)
Kc6
Kd5
f3
f2
f l /Q
.
.
eith e r pawn . Afte r B l ac k answe rs 1 . . Kg8 , Wh ite sta rts c h e c k
5 . Ra3 , a n d t h i s
i s w h e re we c a m e i n-noth i n g ve n t u re d , n oth i n g gai n e d . So
B l ac k flees to the Q u eenside, 5 . . . . Ke8, but then Wh ite's King
i n g , 2. Rg3 + Kh7
3 . Rh3 + Kg8
4. Rg3 + Kf8
joins the d rama with mat i n g th reat s , 6 . Ke6 Kd8
7. Kd6 Kc8 8 .
Kc6. If B l ac k tries 8 . . . . . Kb8, t h e n W h ite's R o o k starts th ree
ri n g chec k i n g on the Quee n s i d e : 9. Rb3 + Ka 7 1 0 . Ra3 +
Kb8 1 1 . Rb3 + . Clea rly, Black can n ot el ude the c h e c ks a n d
th reats l o n g e n o u g h t o real ize a new Q u een . W h i t e 's perpetual
attacks d raw the game.
1 . Ra3
2. Rg3 +
3. Rh3 +
4. Rg3 +
5 . Ra3
Kg8
Kh7
Kg8
Kf8
Ke8
6. Ke6
7. Kd6
8 . Kc6
9. Rb3 +
1 0 . Ra3 +
Kd8
Kc8
Kb8
Ka7
Kb8
1 1 . Rb3 +
1 2 . Ra3
1 3 . Kd6
14. Ke6
1 5 . Kf6
D raw
Kc8
Kd8
Ke8
Kf8
C H A P T E R
11
M i nor Pieces vs. Pawn
•
B is h o p vs . Pawn
E n d games 1 45-1 46
•
K n i g h t vs . Pawn
E n dgames 1 47-1 55
•
K n i g hts vs. Pawn
E n d games 1 5 6-1 58
1 90
•
P I ECES A N D PAW NS IN ACT ION
PAN DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COU RSE
EN DGAME
145
EN DGAME
W: Kc6, BdS
•
1 91
146
W: KdS, Pas, Pg4
B: Ka8, Pa7
B: Kf6, B h 6
Wh ite moves and w i n s
White moves and wi n s
Creating a Block
Discovered Mate
Th i s i s parad i s e for White, Dante's 9th c i rc l e for Blac k . Blac k's
K i n g i s corral led at a8, and h i s own pawn i s an obstac l e . Wh ite's
Ki n g moves up to c7, guard i ng b8 and unvei l i n g a l i fe-stea l i n g
B i s h op. B l ack i s mated .
If White ra s h ly advances , 1 . aS , Black s h i fts h i s B i s h o p to e3,
where it can be sac rificed for the a-pawn if n ecessary, and the
game recedes to a d raw. Wh ite could retreat his K i n g to e4, to
stop the B i s h o p from goi n g to e3, but it c o u l d sti l l pl ay to f8 and
then cs, aga i n catc h i n g the a-paw n . B ut White can c ross Black
1 . Kc7
mate
(1 -0)
with 1 . g5 + !. I f B lac k's K i n g take s , t h e n t h e c1 -h6 d i agonal i s
bloc ked a n d t h e B i s hop can 't reach e 3 i n time to thwart t h e
pawn . If B lack i n stead capt u res w i t h the B i s h op. 1 .
.
.
. Bxg5 ,
t h e n Wh i te can s l a n t back with h i s Ki n g , 2 . Ke4 , and the B i s h op
needs one m ove more than it d i d before to reach to f8 a n d t h en
cS. The a-pawn goes to heave n , grat i s .
1 . g5 +
2 . Ke4
3. a6
4. a7
S . a8/Q
(1 -0)
Wh ite cou l d g o ve ry wrong here, play i n g 1 . N d4 + ? , w h e n 1 .
N o matter h ow i t 's c ut , t h i s n u gget w i n s for Wh ite aft e r 1 . b7. I n
. . . Kc3 e n s u re s the pawn's safe p ro motion . The horse m ove 1 .
va r i ati o n
Nd2 + !, h oweve r, wi n s plaudits, fo r 1
. . Kc2 2 . Nc4 ! hol d s .
After 2 . . . . bl /Q, W h ite p i c k s off the newly tiara-ed Q u een
with the fork 3. Na3 + . If the K n ight can not occupy a s q u a re in
. . . Nd7 +
o n e file to the r i g h t (White King o n e8, Wh ite pawn o n c7, Blac k
the paw n 's path , a d raw can sti l l be ach i eved if the pawn can be
K n i g ht on c6), a n d B l ack c o u l d then j u mp h i s Kni ght t o a7,
attacked so that if it pro m otes to a Q u een , it can be won with a
control l i n g the Q u e e n i n g sq uare and d rawi n g . Th u s K n i ght
fo rki n g c h ec k .
pawns present p ro b l e m s for Kn i g hts because operation s are
..
(A),
B l ac k's K n i g h t r u n s o u t of roo m afte r 1 .
2 . Kc8 Nb6 +
3 . Kd8, when it can't s h i ft to a safe
sq uare to g u a rd b8 and stop the pawn . Move the whole scene
re stricted near the edge.
1 . Nd2 +
2. Nc4
3. Na3 +
4 . Nxbl
D raw
Kc2
b l /Q
l(cl
Kxbl
A
1 . b7
2. Kc8
c
B
Nd7 +
Nb6 +
3. Kd8
(1-0 )
1 . b7
2 . Kc8
Nd5
Ne7 +
1 . b7
2. Ka8
3. Kd7
( 1 -0)
( 1 -0)
Ne4
1 96
•
PA N DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
P I ECES AND PAW N S IN ACT ION
15 1
EN DGAME
W: Kh7, Na3 B : Ke4, Pa2
W: Kh7, N d4
Setting the Barrier 2
- - - �
7
- - - B. ®
6 � - � 5
- - - 4 � B.® B. �3� - �
� 2 i
� - m �
� �
�
- -�
- - �
- - � � - 3
- •�
2
1m - � •
-
8
4
�......,.. :;;:
1
b
c
d
e
f
1
h
g
White's fi rst m ove i s a forced 1 . Nc2 to stop the pawn from
Q u e e n i n g . At c2, the Knight m o reove r con s t ructs an i m pen
etrable barri e r on the d-fi l e to B l ac k's King. M ov i n g B l ac k 's King
to d4 i s i l l e g a l , a n d mov i n g it to d3 o r d5 runs i nto a fo r k i n g
K n i g h t-check a t b 4 . S o the K i n g h as to deto u r ( Ke4-f3-e2-d2) t o
g e t t o the K n i g h t safe ly. After 1 . . . . Kf3
2 . Kg6 Ke2
3 . Kf5
Kd2, the K n i ght m u st retreat to the corner, 4. Nal . Meanw h i l e ,
as B lac k's Ki n g p u rs u e s the K n i g h t , White's King enters t h e
pict u re stead i ly : 4 . .
. . . Kxal
.
. . Kc l
5 . Ke4 Kb2
6 . Kd3. T h e f i n a l e 6 . .
7 . Kc2 i s stale mate, as b rought on by the barri e r
estab l i s h e d b y t h e Knight o n the fi rst move. I t s l owed B l ac k's
King j u st e n o u g h so that White's K i n g cou l d b r i n g re l i ef for the
2. Kg6
3 . Kf5
4. Nal
Kf3
Ke2
Kd2
Kc l
Kb2
6. Kd3
Kxal
7. Kc2
Sta l e m ate
, .
{«i
��/....
' ...... ';t
•
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
the 7th ran k . I t n e e d s solid h e l p from its King, e l se it w i l l end in
the corner. S o on 1 . Nc2 + , B lack wou l d win by 1 . . . . Kd2
N a1 Kc1
3 . Kg6 Kb2
2.
4. Kf5 Kxa1 , a n d the Knight goes d own .
Th e Knight c o u l d pe rhaps buy t i m e f o r its King to get back with
some a m m u n iti o n . The positi o n i n g 1 . Nb3 raise s a barri e r to
B l ac k 's King o n the approachable squ ares d4, d3, d2, and e2,
than ks to the K n i g ht's defen s ive check at c1 . B l ac k's King now
m u st attack over a longer ro ute to get rid of the d efen d i n g
K n i g h t . The extra m oves g rant W h ite's K i n g t i m e t o a rrive at c2,
to stalemate B l ac k's King after it captu res the Knight at a1 .
A
Nb3
Kg6
Kf5
Nal
B
Ke4
1 . Nb3
Kf2
2 . Kg6
Ke l
3. Kf5
5. Ke4
Kd5
Kc4
Kc3
Kb2
5 . Nal +
Kdl
Kc2
Kb2
6. Kd3
Kxal
6. Kd3
Kxal
1.
5 . Ke4
�...IN�
A l one K n i g h t is a m e re s h ad ow play agai n s t a Rook-pawn on
Knight.
1 . Nc2
B : Ke3, Pa2
White m oves and d raws
8
a
1 97
15 2
W h i te m oves and d raws
Setting the Barrier
•
2.
3.
4.
7. Kc2
Stal e m ate
4. Ke4
7. Kc2
Stale mate
1 98
•
P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION
PA N DO LFI N l 'S E N DGAME COU R S E
EN DGAME
153
EN DGAME
W: Ka6, N g4
•
1 99
15 4
B: Kg3, Ph3
W: Kc2, Ne2
Wh ite m oves a n d d raws
B: Ka1 , Pa3
White moves a n d w i n s
Mate in the Corner
The Circuit
The m ost d iffi c u l t pawn fo r a K n i g h t to meet head on is the
King a n d K n i g h t can not mate a l one e n e m y K i n g . A s a team they
Rook-pawn . The K n i ght can d o i t i f (A) the pawn has not yet
a re n ot s uffi ci e ntly powerfu l . B u t g i ve Black a far adva n ced
reached the 7th ra n k , and ( B ) the K n i g h t can contro l a s q u a re i n
Rook- pawn and c onfi ne h i m to that c o r n e r, and s u d d e n l y a
the path o f the pawn to the Q ueen i n g s q u a re (tho u g h not that
mati n g net reti c u late s . White's fi rst m ove, 1 . Ncl , sta l e mates
sq uare itself). The Kni ght wou l d natu ra l ly be sacrificed to e l i m i
B l ack's Kin g , but Black can st i l l m ove h i s a-paw n , 1 . . . . a2 . At
3 . Nxh2 . I f
a2, however, the pawn sea l s off the last escape s qu a re a n d 2.
nate the d a n ge ro u s pawn : 1 . Ne3 h 2
2. Nf1
+
Kg2
i n stead B l ac k 's K i n g g i v e s c h a s e , t ryi ng to s h o o away t h e
Nb3 i s mate .
K n i g h t , the steed h a s j u st eno ugh room t o step a ro u n d t h e
q u ad ra nt g4-e3-f1 - h 2 , k n own a s the c i rc u i t .
1 . Ncl
2. Nb3
1 . Ne3
2 . Nfl
3 . Nh2
4. Ng4
Draw
Kf 3
Kf2
Kg2
Kg3
( 1 -0)
a2
mate
PI ECES A N D PAW N S I N ACT I O N • 201
200 • PA N DOL F I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
155
E N DGAME
W: Kh2 , Pas
156
B : Kd8, N b7
W: Kg3 , N g4, N h2
Wh ite moves a n d wi ns
B: Kh1 , Ph3
W h i t e m oves and wi n s
The Dangerous Rook-Pawn
Mate in Two Moves
Conta i n i n g a Rook-pawn 's adva n c e is a real thorn i n t h e side of
An ext ra pawn on t h e board sometimes can h i n d e r rat h e r than
t h e K n i g h t . Th e scanty maneuve ri n g room at the edge of t h e
h e l p. B l ack's own pawn at h3 obstructs his King, whereup on he
board c reates a canyon -size hand i cap. H e re the Knight cannot
gets mated : 1 . Nf3 h2
take u p a position to switch to a s q u are i n the paw n 's pat h .
board at t h e start, however, and t h e re i s n o forced mate . In
After 1 . a6 , B l ac k 's only h o p e i s 1 . . . . Kc7, w h e n 2 . axb7 + ?
order to mate B l ac k 's K i n g , White m u st fi rst t rap it o n o n e m ove
2 . Nf2 . E rase B l ack's pawn from the
d raws to 2 . . . . K x b7. I n stead , W h ite sends t h e a- pawn h o m e
(sta l e mat i n g), and then del iver a mat i n g c h eck on t h e n ext
t o Q u een .
m ove. But w i t h o u t t hat extra pawn to give Blac k a free move , he
i s stalemated one m ove before he is mate d , w h i c h is why two
1 . a6
Kc7
2. a7 Nd6
3. a8/Q
( 1 -0)
k n i g h ts al o n e can n ot mate .
1 . Nf3
2 . Nf2
Black's pawn is f i r m l y b l ocked by t h e Kn i ght at f1 , w h i c h i n t u r n
�
l
�...,,,:A.
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Black's K i n g i s a m b u shed in the u p per right-hand c o r n e r of the
i s gu arded b y t h e o t h e r h o rse at d2 . Wh ite, i n fact, cou l d play
board , pac i n g back and forth between h8 and g8 . To fi n i s h h i m ,
2. Kxf2
W h i te must e n l i st t h e blockad i n g Knight at h2 . O n ce the h2-
to win t h e pawn , b u t what a m i stake : 1 . Kf3 Kh1
stal emate. It's m u c h b etter to leave t h e pawn on t h e board ,
Kn ight gal l o ps i n , h owever, it frees Blac k 's pawn to h ead fo r
wh ere it h e l p s to i m prison B l ac k 's K i n g . Th e right idea is 1 . Kh3 ,
promot i o n . W h i te , of cou rs e , can n ot win if he captu res the
a n d after 1 . . . . Khl , Wh ite forces mate i n two m ore m oves with
pawn , for a stal emate arrives o n e m ove before d e l i ve r i n g mate.
2 . Ng3 + Kg l
But a si m p l e calc u l ation s h ows t h at White can affo rd to i g n o re
3 . Nf3 .
t h e h-pawn 's move m e n t , lett i n g it gai n Q u eensh i p. Th i s give s
1 . Kh3
2 . Ng3 +
3. Nf3
Khl
Kgl
mate
W h i te j u st e n o u g h t i m e t o t i g hten t h e net, and mate B l ac k o n e
m ove after t h e Q u een i n g . An altern tive sol u t i o n i s 1 . N g4
h2
2 . N gf6 + Kh8
3 . NeS h 1 /Q
4. Nf7 mate.
(1-0 )
1 . Ng4
2 . Nh6 +
3 . Nf6
4. Nf7
( 1 -0 )
h2
Kh8
h l /Q
mate
C H A P T E R
12
M i nor Piece plus Pawn
•
B i s h o p a n d Pawn
E n d games 1 59-1 64
•
B i s h op a n d Pawn vs . Pawn
Endgames 1 65-1 68
•
Kn i g ht a n d Pawn
E n d games 1 69-1 72
•
Kn i g ht and Pawn vs. Pawn
E n d games 1 73-1 76
I'
j
l
(
I'
206 • PAN DOL F I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE
E N D GAME
P I ECES A N D PAW N S IN ACTION • 207
15 9
EN DGAME
160
W: Kh5 , B h 8 , Pf3 B: Kf5
W h i te moves a n d w i n s
Critical Square 1
� - - ��
7
� - 6 - - � 5 - � -�
4 - 3m :n: m
0
.,,,,,,,,,,z
.
2
- - � 1B - B b
B: Kc6 , B h 2 , Pg3
White m oves and d raws
Misplaced Bishop
8
a
W: Ke4
c
d
e
f
g
h
�
- -
8
- -
7
6
�
-�- 5
- - 4 - -� - �.,�
3- � - m
�"�
2
B - - �
�
1B a
c
b
d
e
f
h
g
B l ac k t h reate n s to d raw by 1 . . . . Kf4, followed by capt u re of
W h i te 's pawn , s q u as h i n g W h i t e 's h o p e s of ma k i n g a n ew
W h ite is d own a B i s h o p a n d paw n , d i m m i n g h i s position . S i n ce
Q u een . Wit h o u t t h e pawn , W h i te can't wi n , for a B i s h o p and
few m oves are f o rced : 1 . Kf3 Kd5
Ki n g part n e r s h i p ca n n ot m ate a l o n e e n e my K i n g ; B l a c k
Amazi n gly, W h i te's K i ng is i n j u st t h e right spot to preve n t the
co u l d n 't eve n b l u n der i nto mate. White t h e refore p l a n s to
b l i ster i n g expres s i o n of Bl ac k's force s . Any attempt by B l ac k to
h e can n ot p e r m i t t h e f u rt h e r advance of the g-paw n , h i s fi rst
2.
Kg2 Ke4 3 . K h l .
k e e p t h e paw n , w hateve r t h e co s t . Th u s , t h e expe n d a b l e
deny W h i te access to g2 e n d s in stal emate . N o r can B l ac k
B i s h o p i s sac r i f i ced , 1 . Be5 , preventi n g B l ac k from attac k i n g t h e
sacrifice h i s B i s h o p p rofi tab ly, for 3 . .
pawn . W h ite's Ki n g i s em powered to position on t h e c r i t i cal
Kxgl sti l l e n d s i n a draw.
s q u are g5 . Th e pawn is then chapero n ed home.
1 . Be5
2. Kg5
3 . f4
4 . Kf5
5 . Kg6
6 . f5
T h i s is the age-o l d d raw with t h e Rook- pawn and t h e wro n g
c o l o r B i s ho p. T h e m atch i n g B i s h o p o n e S operates o n ly o n dark
Even thou g h W h i t e has a Rook-pawn , B l ack's cau s e i s h o peless
s q u a res , al ways u n a b l e to con trol t h e l i ght-co l o red Q u ee n i n g
tual l y, c h e c k m ate is two m oves away : 1 . h7 + Kh8
s q u a re h1 . After 1 . Kgl , it makes n o d i fference h ow B l ac k plays .
Whit e's Ki n g is assu red of reac h i n g t h e Q u een i n g sq uare , a n d
si nce t h i s i s also a c o r n e r sq uare , a n y atte m pt to squ eeze h i m
o u t prod uces a sta l e m at e . I f, i n t h e d i agram , Blac k 's B i s h o p
were o n d S i n stead of eS-th at i s , i f it were a l i ght-squ are
B i s h o p-Black wou l d wi n eas ily, fo r the B i s h o p co u l d t h e n
g u ard Whi te's n i c h e at h 1 .
1 . Kgl
2 . Khl
h2 +
Kf2
Stal emate
becau se W h i te's B i s h o p contro l s t h e Q u een i n g s q u a re h 8 . Ac
Whi te's B i s hop, t rave r s i n g dark squ ares , pe rfo rms the va l u able
W h i te's B i s h o p is t h e wro n g color for h i s h - pawn . It doe s n 't
f u n ct i o n of bo l steri ng the a-pawn . B u t given time, Blac k could
co ntrol the Q u ee n i n g squ are, a n d Blac k 's K i n g has the pos
play 1 . . . . Ka7 a n d t h e n 2 . . . . Ka8, wedgi n g i nto the co r n e r.
s i b i l ity of fi n d i n g haven at h8. B u t t h e Ki n g hasn't yet reach e d
Th e B i s h o p t h e n t u r n s u s e l e s s , s i n c e a8 is a l i ght s q u a re , off
h 8 , though it t h reatens to play to g 8 and then h8. W i t h t h e
l i m i ts to t h e B i s h op, who can't guard it. White's Ki n g , t h o u g h ,
parad oxical 1 . B h 7 , front i n g to t h e h - pawn and t e m p o ra r i ly
i s we l l placed , so it c a n fi rst p l ay to b 8 , halti n g Black's s p r i n t fo r
blocki n g its adva n c e , White is able to guard all app roach e s to
t h e corner. Aft e r 1 . KbB Kb5
t h e h8 c o r n er. Black's last l u n ge is 1 . . . . Kf6, t ry i n g to s n eak
2 . Bel (actually, White could p l ay
2. Kb7 at o n c e , aban doni n g h i s B i shop b u t Q u een i n g t h e pawn
beh i n d t h e h - pawn by KgS n ext m ove . W h ite's 2. Kf4, h owever,
sooner) Ka6
p u ts everyth i n g i n order. W h i te's K i n g grad uall y m oves u p to
3. Bd2 (a te m p o m ove, forc i n g Blac k to c l ear o u t )
Kb5 , White expe l s B l ack's K i n g fro m a6 with 4 . Kb7 , occ u py i n g
d i s pi rit B l ac k 's K i n g away f r o m h 8 . Eve n t u a l l y Wh ite's Ki n g
t h e a- pawn 's c r i t i cal sq uare . Th e m e re foot man then stro l l s o n .
hopes to occu py g7, t h e h -pawn 's c ritical squ are, perm itt i n g
1 . KbB
2. Bel
3. Bd2
4 . Kb7
( 1 -0)
t h e B i s h o p t o m ove away a n d t h e h -pawn t o p roceed u n
Kb5
Ka6
Kb5
m o l ested .
1 . Bh7
2 . Kf4
3 . Kg5
4 . Kf5
5. Kg6
Kf6
Ke6
Kf7
Ke7
Kf8
6 . Kf6
7 . BgB
8. h7
9 . hB/Q
(1-0)
KeB
KfB
KeB
21 2 • PA N D O LF I N l'S E N DGAME CO U R S E
E N DGAME
P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 2 1 3
165
EN DGAME
W : Kc3, Pb2
166
B : Kh1 , Ba2 , Pc4
W : Kf6, Bes , Ph6
W h ite moves a n d d raws
B : Kh8, Ph7
W h ite moves and wi n s
Misplaced Bishop
Cornered
White's o n l y d raw i n g chance i s to activate h i s b-pawn befo re
B l ack has m i sta k e n l y g rabbed s helter i n t h e h8 c o r n e r, w h ere
B l ac k cements it with 1 . . . . Bb3 . So Wh ite i m med i ately plays 1 .
h i s own pawn at h7 h e l p s to b r i n g doom . White j o u sts in an
b4 , th reaten i n g a m i s s i l e to the Q u een i n g palac e . B ecause
i n stant m ate, 1 . Kf7 . O n the prev i o u s move , when B l ac k 's Ki n g
B l ac k 's Ki n g i s o u tside the " s q u a re of the paw n " at b4 (an
was o n g8 , i t s h o u l d h ave g o n e to f 8 , n ot h 8 . That wo u l d h ave
imagin ary box, here exte n d i n g from b4 to b8 to f8 to f4), he
avoided t h e p ro b l e m .
ca n't poss i b ly overtake the w i n g-footed b-pawn to catch i t i n
t i m e . And B l ac k 's B i s h o p can 't b e s h a n g haied t o h e l p either, for
it is tied to p rotecti n g Black's o n ly paw n . B l ac k 's o n ly poor
c h o i ce is to captu re White's pawn . 1 . . . . cxb3 en passant. But
as we saw in E n d game 1 60 , t h i s position can n ot be won , be
cau se as B l ac k 's Ki ng gets c l o s e to his B i s hop and Pawn , he
stalemates W h i t e .
1 . b4
2. Kb2
3. Kcl
4. Kb2
cxb3
Kg2
Kf3
Ke2
5 . Kcl
6. Kb2
7 . Kal
Kd3
Kd2
Kc3
Sta l emate
1 . Kf7
mate
( 1 -0)
2 1 4 • PAN DOLF I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
P I ECES A N D PAW NS IN ACTION • 2 1 5
167
E N DGAME
W: Kb1 1 Pa2
168
B : Kc3, Bd4 , Pa3
W: Kf81 Pe6
W h i t e moves and d raws
Avoid the Corner
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
White sta n d s h i s gro u n d with 1 . Kcl ( n ot 1 . Ka1 , becau se of 1 .
. . . Kc2 d i scovered mate). Any effort by B lac k to i n fi ltrate causes
sta l e mate. For exa m p l e : (a) 1 . . . . . Kd3
. . . Be3 +
2 . Kb1 Kd2
W h i te moves and d raws
Square of the Pawn
1
a
B : Ka7, Be2 , Pg6
2 . Kbl Kd2 , or ( B ) 1 .
3 . Ka1 ( h e re , t h i s corner retreat i s per
fectly safe) Kc2 .
To ac h i eve a d raw, W h i te m u s t c o m p o u n d an attack on t h e g
pawn with a th reat to Queen h i s e-pawn . What f u s e s the two
ideas is t h e ret reat along the c r i t i cal diagonal a7-g1 . White
lau n c h e s t h e u n exp ected 1 . Ke7 , blocki n g h i s e- pawn b u t with
a th reat to i n vade the 11square of the g- paw n " ( h ere, an i m agi
1 . Kc l
2 . Kbl
nary box exten d i n g from g6 to g1 to b1 to b6). B l ac k m u st
Kd3
Kd2
Stal emate
. . g5 2 . Kd6 g4 3 . e7 Bb5 . N ow 4.
Kc5 reveals t h e p u rpose of W h i te's Ki n g march . Attacki ng the
adva n ce h i s g- pawn : 1
.
.
B i s h op gai n s W h i te a vital tem po to catch u p with t h e g-pawn :
4 . . . . Bd7
5 . Kd4 , and W h ite's Ki n g has arr ived with i n t h e
desi red box . Th e Black B i s h o p a t d7 i s ove rtaxed, g u a rd i n g t h e
g-pawn a n d f e n d i n g off p ro m ot i o n of White's pawn at e 8 . The
6. Ke4 Kc7 7. Kf4 Kd6
9. Kxg4, w h e n Blac k 's g-pawn keels over.
d raw is salvaged by 5 . . . . Kb6
Bxe8
1 . Ke7
2. Kd6
3 . e7
4. Kc5
5 . Kd4
g5
g4
Bb5
Bd7
Kb6
6. Ke4
7. Kf4
8. e8/Q
Kc7
Kd6
Bxe8
9. Kxg4
Draw
8 . e8/Q
2 1 6 • PAN DOLFI N l'S E N DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
P I ECES A N D PAW N S IN ACTION • 2 1 7
169
EN DGAME
W : Ke1
170
B : Kh1 , N d6, P h2
W : Kc3
W h i te moves a n d d raws
Color Rule
Force the Pa wn to the 7th
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
W h i te m u st k e e p Black's Ki n g i n t h e co rner. If B lac k's Ki n g
com es o u t h e w i n s easi l y, Q u e e n i n g h i s h-pawn . White s u re l y
m u st play h i s Ki n g t o t h e f-f i l e , seal i n g B l ac k i n . Afte rwa rd ,
White's K i n g can o n ly sh uttle back a n d forth between f2 a n d f1 ,
where t h e K n i g h t m i ght try to d r ive it away. Th i s the K n i g h t
does after 1 . Kf1 , for 1 . . . . N e4 i m m ed i ately guards f 2 a n d
p reve nts Whit e's K i n g fro m mov i n g t h e r e . B u t if Wh ite h a d
started 1 . Kf2 , t h e n whatever B l ac k plays, he ca n n ot p reve nt t h e
perpetual pac i n g o f White's Ki n g between f 1 and f2 . A col o r
r u l e i s h e l pfu l i n s u c h a n i n stan c e . I f y o u have t h e c h o i ce of
m ovi n g to a B i s h o p-two s q u a re or a B i s h op-o n e s q u a re to t rap
the Ki n g i n the c o r n e r, m ove yo u r Ki n g to the same color
s q u are as t hat o cc u pied by t h e Knight. S i n ce t h e K n i ght starts
o n d6, a dark s q u are , Whi te's Ki n g s h o u l d go to f2 , also a dark
squ are. Had t h e K n i g ht i n stead begu n on e6, a l i ght s q u a re ,
t h e n Whi te's K i n g s h o u l d h ave played t o f1 , a l i ght sq uare, t o o .
That d raws , rega r d l e s s .
1 . Kf2
2. Kfl
3 . Kf2
4. Kfl
Ne4 +
Ng3 +
Ne2
Nf4
B : Kb7, N b4, Pa3
Wh ite moves and d raws
a
b
c
d
e
6 . Kfl
7. Kf2
Nd3 +
Nel
Nf3
8. Kf l
D raw
g
h
W h i te m u st i g n o re the han gi n g K n i g h t and n ot p l ay 1 . Kxb4 ? ,
w h e n 1 . . . . a2 Q u e e n s . H e i n stead beams h i s attention o n t h e
a-paw n , 1 . Kb3 . Th i s c o m p e l s B l ac k 's adva n ce of h i s pawn t o t h e
7th ran k , 1 . . . . a2 , aft er which t h e ga m e can not b e wo n , for
Wh ite's Ki n g can s ec rete itself in t h e co r n e r at a1 : 2. Kb2
Kb6
3. Ka l . The o n ly way to pry Whi te's Ki n g from t h e c o r n e r
i s to move the K n i g h t to gu ard a1 , b u t t h e K n i ght i s co m m i tted
to the defe n s e of the a-pawn . And Black's Ki n g can com e in j u st
so far with h e l p o r e l s e i t's stale mate . B l ac k can never safely
g u a rd the a-pawn to free t h e K n i g h t a n d has no way to wi n .
1 . Kb3
2 . Kb2
3 . Kal
4. Kb2
5 . Kal
the pawn . S h o u l d the K n i g h t flee, Black eas ily swa l l ows the a
paw n . After defen d i n g the pawn from beh i n d with the K n i gh t ,
B
1 . Kh4
2. Kg5
3 . Kg6
4 . Ne5
5. Nf7 +
6. h7 +
Ke ?
8. Qd8 +
9. Qd6 +
(1 -0)
Kh7
Kh8
Kg8
Kh8
Kg8
KfB
White 's Ki n g m oves u p t o p rotect t h e pawn ad d i t i o n al ly, free i n g
t h e K n i g h t to g u a rd a8 . Black is powe r l ess to fend off eve n t u al
mate .
1 . Ne6
2. Nc5
3. Kb3
Than k s to t h e Rook-pawns, White b u i l d s a fortress in t h e h1
Blac k 's K i n g has n ot yet d eparted i n to h i s citadel at h8, n o r is i t
co r n e r t h at d efies penet rat i o n . For exa m p l e , 1 . Kf1 N f2
c l e a r h o w i t ca n , with Whi te's K n i g ht l o rd i n g ove r g 8 fro m e 7 .
2 . Kg1
Ke2 is stal e m ate . Black's best t ry is to set up a trap that m i g h t
B u t Wh ite sti l l needs some way t o b reach B lack's positi o n : 1 .
l u re a care l ess oppon e n t : 1 . . . . Ng3 + , hop i n g fo r 2 . hxg3 ,
Kd6 Kf7
when 2 . . . . h2 m a ke s a new Queen by force. But W h i te m i g ht
been able to d e n t B lack's fro n t l i n e s . The sac r i ficial 1 . Ng6! i s
2 . Kd7 Kf8
3 . Ke6 Ke8
4 . Kf6 Kf8, a n d White has n ot
be too s h rewd to b i te the Knight , a n d he can s i m ply h ead for
t h e o racle's a n swer. Progress i s swift after 1 . . . . Kd8
the co r n e r with his Ki n g . Th e Rook-p awns are the real p ro b l e m
W h i te 's K i n g penetrates . A n d after 1 . . . . hxg6, the h - pawn
a n d p reve n t B l a c k from wi n n i n g . I f a l l the pi eces a n d paw n s
were s h ifted o n e fi le toward the Q u eenside, it wou l d b e a
d i ffe re n t p i ct u re . Then it beco m e s an easy wi n , as we s h a l l see
in En dgame 1 75 .
t r u m pets forward to make a n ew Q u e e n .
1 Ng6
2 . h7
3 . h8/Q
1 . Kf1
2. Kg1
Ng3 +
Ne2 +
3 . Kh1
D raw
(1-0)
hxg6
Kf8
mate
2 . Kf7, fo r
P I ECES A N D PAW N S I N ACT I O N • 2 2 3
222 • PA N D OL F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
1 75
EN DGAME
W : Ke6, N h S , Pg6
1 76
W : KcS , N a8, PbS
B : Kh8, Pg7
B : Kb7, Pc7
W h i te m oves a n d wi n s
White m oves and wi n s
Outflanking
Curled up
a
With B l ac k 's Ki n g i n t h e co r n e r, White m u st be wary o f stale
mate t ra p s , s u c h as 1 . Kf7 ? , leav i n g B l ack with n o m ove. The
w in n i n g idea i s to s m other B l ac k's Ki n g with the K n i g h t , 1 . Nf6 ! ,
so t h at the pawn m u st captu re t h e Kn ight, 1 . . . . gxf6 . The
captu re frees W h i te 's g-pawn to m e n ace . Afte r 2 . Kf7 , B l ack i s
trapped a n d can move o n ly h i s f-pawn . White soon m ates .
1 . Nf6
2. Kf7
3 . g7 +
4. g8/Q +
5 . Qg6
( 1 -0)
gxf6
f5
Kh7
Kh6
mate
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
White's K n i ght i s o n o n e of its fo u r wo rst s q u a re s . I t can m ove
to j u st two places fro m any corner. H e re the poor ho ofe r faces
captu re for n oth i n g . A sacri fice for a pawn , 1 . Nxc7, fai l s to 1 .
. . . Kxc7, a n d W h i te gets nowh e re . O d d ly, the K n i g h t really
s h o u l d be y i e l ded but n ot fo r i m m ed iate m aterial gai n . Rat h e r,
1 . Nb6! sets u p a w i n n i n g o u tflan k i n g after 1 . . . . cxb6 +
2.
Kd6 . Blac k's b- pawn t h e n k e e l s over b y force, and Wh i te h a i l s a
new Queen .
1 . Nb6
2. Kd6
3. Kc6
4. Kc7
5. Kxb6
6. Ka6
7 . b6
8. b7
9 . Ka7
cxb6 +
Kb8
Ka7
Ka8
Kb8
Ka8
Kb8
Kc7
Kc6
1 0 . b8/Q
( 1-0)
•
C H A P T E R
13
Heavy Pi eces
•
Q u een vs . Roo k and Pawn
E n dgam e
•
Q u ee n and Pawn vs . Roo k
and Pawn
E n d games 1 78-1 79
•
Q u ee n a n d Pawn v s .
Q u ee n
E n d games 1 80-1 84
1 77
P I EC ES A N D PAW NS I N ACT ION • 227
226 • PA N D O L F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
1 77
EN DGAME
W: Kd1 , Re7, Pc2
1 78
W: KeS , Qf1 , PdS
B: Kc3 , Qf4
B: Kd8, Rd6, Pc7
White m oves a n d wi n s
W h i te moves a n d wi n s
Breaking Down the Fortress 1
The Fortress
� �
�:,,�
�
�
,,�
m
m �
6
�
� ���
L ,:r'."
5 �
ft
�s;
- -
Black i n s i n u ates mate at d2. I f Whi te's Roo k guards d2 from d7,
t h e n t h e Q u e e n mates at f1 . The defe n s e 1 . Re2 also l oses afte r
3 . Re1 Qx e1 , a n d
( B ) 2. K e 1 Qg1 a re mate . White m e l d s t h e position a s 1 . Re3 + ! .
Captu ri n g t h e Rook with the Q u e e n , 1 . . . . Qxe3 , i s stal e mate .
A n d i f B lack's K i n g ve ntu res fo rward , 1 . . . . Kb2 , t h e Roo k
keeps away d i saster with 2. Rb3 + Ka2
3. Rd3 , when Wh ite's c
pawn ancho rs t h e castle secu rely at b3 or d3. Q u een checks
add u p to n oth i ng , a n d B l ack's Ki n g i s reb u ked from part i ci pat
i n g by checks a n d cut-offs . B lac k can not force a wi n .
1 . Re3 +
2. Rb3 +
3. Rd3
D raw
Kb2
Ka2
.
1
h
1 . . . . Qd4 + , w h e n both (A) 2. Kc1 Qg1 +
,
2
b
c
d
- - �e
f
g
h
W h i te's Q u e e n i s wo rth m o re than B l ack's Roo k , b u t with the
Roo k p rotected by the c-paw n , Wh ite's Ki n g can n ot make an
e n t rance , and his assi stan ce i s n o rmally req u i red to th reaten
B l ac k seri o u s ly. Perhaps some alchemy wo u l d pay off. Wh ite
s h o u l d g ive up t h e go l d e n Q u e e n fo r the bas e r Roo k . Afte r 1 .
Qf8 + Kd 7
2 . Qxd6 + ! cxd6 +
3 . Kf6, B lack i s o u tflan k e d a n d
loses h i s pawn . Wh ite's pawn is t h e n e levated t o a Q u ee n .
1 . Qf8 +
2 . Qxd6 +
3. Kf6
4. Ke6
5. Ke7
6. Kxd6
7. Ke6
8 . d6
9. d7
1 0 . Ke7
1 1 . d8/Q
( 1 -0)
Kd7
cxd6 +
Kd8
Kc7
Kc8
Kd8
Ke8
Kd8
Kc 7
Kc6
228
•
P I ECES AND PAWN S IN ACTION
PA N DO LF I N l'S EN DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
179
EN DGAME
W: Kh5, Qb4, PgS
W: Kf1
B : Ke8, Rg6, Pf7
<
�
- - �
�/,�
7
ft ,
� �
6
- - - -
�
�- �
7
t
& B
6
- g ·
5 �
• - 4 � 3 •
�
� � -
8
7.
5
-
.
:;!.; ,,,.,
�
�
a
c
�
• -
d
e
f
�
a
h
g
O n ce agai n , t h e Black Roo k c u t s off Wh ite's Ki n g , but White 's
Q u e e n re s c u e s with 1 . Qe4 + , confro n t i n g Black with two los
i n g res p o n s e s . He can b lock the check o n the e-fi l e , 1 . . . . Re6 ,
b u t afte r 2. Qxe6 + fxe6
3. Kh6, W h i te Q u e e n s a pawn at least
two moves ahead of Blac k . Or B l ac k cou ld escape toward t h e
K i n gside, 1 . . . . Kf8 , w h e n 2 . Qxg6 + fxg6 +
3 . Kxg6 estab
l i sh es Wh ite's k i n g o n a c ritical s q u a re for the g5-paw n , e n s u r
i n g vi ctory w hateve r B l ack decides to p lay.
A
1 . Qe4 +
2. Qxg6 +
3. Kxg6
4. Kh6
5 . g6
6. g7
7. Kh7
8. g8/Q
(1 --0 )
Kf8
fxg6 +
Kg8
Kh8
Kg8
Kf7
Kf6
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Qh3, Pf7 B: Ka2, Qf8
Lifting the Blockade 1
8
b
,
Wh ite m oves a n d wi n s
Breaking Down the Fortress 2
1� �
229
180
White m oves and wi n s
2
•
-
�
�
- - - 'if1
�
- �
- B.�b
d
c
e
f
g
h
If given t i m e free from oppos i n g c h e c k s , White wi n s i n s i m i l a r
situat i o n s b y goa l i n g h i s Queen to t h e 8 t h ra n k u n d e r p rotec
t i o n of its pawn a n d b reaki n g the Black Q u e e n 's b l ockad e . B u t
how d o e s Wh ite 's Q u een get to t h e 8 t h ran k wit h o u t l o s i n g
t i m e o r t h e pawn , n ow t h reatened b y t h e B lack Q u ee n ? The
wi n hi n ge s o n c h e c k . Afte r 1 . Qe6 + , p rotect i n g the pawn and
p re pa r i n g t ra n sfer to e8, Black i s d o n e i n . I f 1
Qe8 Qb4
3. f8/Q Qc4 +
4 . Qe2 + Qxe2 +
.
.
. . Kb2, then 2.
5 . Kxe2 leaves
White with t h e o n l y Q u een . An alternat ive wi n , tho u g h s l i g h tly
B
Qe4 +
Qxe6 +
Kh6
g6
g7
Kh7
g8/Q +
l o n ge r, begin s with 1 . Qg2 + fol lowed by 2 . Qg8 . That opera
Re6
fxe6
e5
e4
Kf 7
e3
t i o n also l i fts t h e b lockade.
1 . Qe6 +
2 . Qe8
3 . f8/Q
4. Qe2 +
Kb2
Qb4
Qc4 +
Qxe2 +
5. Kxe2
(1 --0)
(1-0)
230
•
P I ECES A N D PAW N S I N ACTION
PA N DOLF I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
1 81
EN DGAM E
W: Ke1 , Qe4, Pe7
•
231
1 82
B : Ka1 , Qe8
W: Ke7, Qg6, Pf7
Wh ite m oves and wi n s
B: Kc8 , Qe3
White moves and w i n s
Cross-Check 1
Lifting the Blockade 2
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
B l oc kade- b rea k i n g starts with a c h e c k . Afte r 1 . Qd4 + Kb l ,
A key reso u rce to stop e n e m y Q u ee n checks is to g ive a c ross
B l ac k 's Q u ee n i s forced o u t by 2 . Qe8. The Blac k Q u een m u st
che ck-b l o c k a c h e c k with a c h e c k . Afte r 1 . Qe6 + Qxe6 +
s u b s ide-it doesn 't have a check-an d Wh ite makes a n ew
Kxe6, B lack is h e l p l e s s t o halt the f-pawn 's advance to beco m e a
Q u ee n . If B l ac k 's Queen begi n s c h e ck i n g , Wh ite w i l l soon
n ew Q u e e n .
t rade Q u e e n s with a c ross-check ( b l o c k i n g a check and givi n g a
check with t h e same p iece on the same move). S h o u l d B lack
1 . Qe6 +
some how avo i d the Queen t rad e , Wh ite wou l d trap and mate
2 . Kxe6
3. f8/Q
Black's Ki n g an yway.
Qxe6 +
Kc7
( 1 -0)
1 . Qd4 +
2. Qd8
( 1 -0)
Kbl
2.
232
•
PI ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACT ION
PA N DOLF I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
183
EN DGAME
W: Kg7, Qg6, Pe7
233
1 84
W : Kg8, Qa4
B: Ka1 , Qd7
B: Kb1 , QeS , Pb2
W h i te moves and d raws
White moves and wi n s
Cross-Check 2
•
Perpetual Check
8
7
6
5
2
a
Black i s stak i n g h i s defe n s e o n p i n n i n g White's e-paw n , w h i ch
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
The defe n d i n g Q u e e n 's al most magical weapon is pe rpetual
is i m m obi l ized a n d t h reate n e d by B l ac k 's Q u ee n . When White
c h e c k-t h e a b i l i ty to c h e c k the oppo s i n g Ki n g e n d l e s s ly.
b reaks the p i n , 1 . Qf7 , B lack m u st c h e c k , 1
. . Qg3 + (1 . . . .
Though m ate can n ot be fo rced i n t h i s man n e r, perpetual check
B lack m u st re s o rt to a diago n a l p i n , 2 . . . . Qa3 . Wh ite eases
every m ove m u st get h i m o u t of check i n stead of d e l iveri n g
o u t of the p i n , 3. Kg8 , and seeks to make a new Q u ee n . If B lack
mate o r maki n g a new Q u een . The best way t o ward off per
conti n u e s with 3 . . . Qg4 + , the o n l y real n u isance m ove ,
petual c h e c k g e n e r a l l y is to pl ace you r own Queen on a cen tral
White respo n d s with a s i m p l i fyi ng c ross-check, 4. Qg7 + , forc
sq uare , for t h at re d u ces the opposi n g Q u e e n 's attac k i n g pos
i n g a trade of Q u e e n s a n d putt i n g an e n d to Black's d rawi n g
s i b i l ities. H e re , B lack's Q u een is in t h e ce nter, b u t i t sti l l can't
.
.
Qc3 + i s an swe red by the wi n n i n g p i n 2 . Qf6) ; b u t after 2 . Kf8,
.
p revents t h e s u pe r i o r s i de fro m p roce e d i n g with his plan s . H i s
stop the i n cessant c h e ck i n g of Whi te's Q u e e n from a4 to d1
attem pt s .
a n d bac k , ove r and ove r. The game i s d rawn by the th reefo l d
1 . Qf7
2. Kf8
3. Kg8
4. Qg7 +
Qg3 +
Qa3
Qg3 +
Qxg7 +
5. Kxg7
( 1 -0)
re pet i t i o n r u l e , w h i c h p e r m i t s a player to clai m a d raw if h e i s
abo ut to repeat t h e same position f o r t h e t h i rd t i m e .
1 . Qdl +
2. Qa4 +
3. Qd l +
4 . Qa4 +
D raw
Ka2
Kbl
Ka2
Kbl
C H A P T E R
14
Heavy Pieces : Rooks
•
Roo k a n d Pawn (7t h Ran k)
vs . Roo k
E n dgames 1 85-1 96
•
Roo k a n d Pawn (6th Ran k)
vs . Rook
E ndgames 1 97-204
•
Roo k and Pawn (5th o r 4th
Ran k) vs . Roo k
E n dgames 205-21 2
•
Roo ks a n d Paw n s
E n dgames 2 1 3-21 6
236
•
P I ECES AND PAW NS IN ACTION
PAN DOL F I N l'S E N DGAME COU RSE
EN DGAME
185
EN DGAME
W: Kb3, Ra8, Pa7
•
237
186
W: Ka4, Rh8 B: Kb2, Rh1 , Ph2
B : Kf7, Ra1
White moves and w i n s
White moves and wi n s
Hiding
Skewer 1
8
- - - ��
1m m a a
6 a m m .
5� m a m
4 \!t m a a a
3B a ·
a
2
�
�
•
. a � � .
ma
1m a .
a
Yo u wi l l fi n d t h i s position offe rs o n ly seven safe s q u a re s for
B lack's K i n g . Five a re near the a7-pawn-b7, c7, a6, b6, a n d c6;
the ot h e r two a re g7 and h7. O t h e r s q u a re s wo u l d o n l y p l ace
B lack 's K i n g i n c h e c k to W h i te's advantage, or w h e re it co u l d be
exploited tactical l y. S i n ce the Black Ki n g is not on a safe sq u a re,
he pays t h ro u g h t h e nose : 1 . Rh8 Rxa7 (ot herwi se t h e pawn
Queens)
2. Rh7 + Kg6
3. Rxa7. W h i te's skewe r to Black's
K i n g a n d Rook w i n s a Roo k . If i n t h e i n itial pos ition it were
B lack's move , he wou l d play K i n g to g7, avoi d i n g the skewer
and d rawi n g . W h i te's Roo k on a8 wou l d s i m ply have n o o u t l et .
! f Wh ite b ro u g h t u p h i s Ki n g to release the Roo k from defe n s e
of t h e a-paw n , B l ac k 's Rook wo u l d c o m m e n ce c h ec k i n g .
W h e re , th e n , wo u l d White's K i n g g o to h i d e from c h e c ks-t h e
m oo n ?
b
c
e
d
f
g
Wh ite's Kin g m u st seek sh elte r fro m the gu nfi re th reat of 1 .
. . . Ra1 + , fol l owed by 2 . . . . h1/Q. The o n l y p l ace to h i d e i s o n
t h e b-fi l e , i n the s h adow o f Blac k 's Ki n g : 1 . Kb4 ! . S i n ce B l ac k 's
Roo k has to p rotect h i s paw n , Black's o n l y chance i s to march
h i s Kin g acro s s t h e board to su pport t h e paw n , re l easi n g the
Rook . White 's K i n g has to match it: 1 . . . . Kc2
Kd4 Ke2
4 . Ke4 Kf2
2. Rh7 +
3 . Rxa7
(1-0)
Rxa7
Kg6
2 . Kc4 Kd 2
3.
5 . Kf4 Kg2 . O n ce Black's Roo k i s free to
move w it h o u t ri s k i n g pawn l o s s , Wh ite m u st check, 6 . Rg8 +
Kh3
7. Rh8 + Kg2
8 . Rg8 + , and Black's a go n e r. Sti l l , he t ri e s
9 . Rh8 Rfl , but t h i s fa i l s to 1 0 . Rxh2 + Kgl + 1 1 .
Kg3 , when Whi te's K i n g ret u r n s to defe nd h i s Roo k . N ote how
8 . . . Kf2
.
t h i s cape r wou l d have been a s u ccessfu l o n e if on Whi te's fi rst
m ove he h ad essayed 1 . Kb5 ? , ass u m i n g that to d raw it wo u l d
b e s u fficie n t t o s h elter h i s Ki n g a nywh e re o n t h e b-fi l e . Aft e r 1 .
Kb5 ? , B l ack t r i u m p h s with 1 . . . . Kc3 !
White's pawn i s o n e l i ttl e sq uare away from Quee n d o m , but h i s
B l ack's Roo k h o l d s the b-fi l e , p reve n t i n g escape of Whi te's K i n g
K i n g needs t o ste p c l ea r safely. The rightside exit i s b l o c ked by
to the Queen s i d e . W h i te c a n d rive off Black's Rook , h owever,
B l ac k 's K i n g , b u t a l eftsi d e side step m i ght wor k . A Q u e e n s i d e
u s i n g the a-fi l e as a cond u i t : 1 . Ra2 Rb3 (waiting for W h i te to d o
wa l k f o r White, h owever, m ight r u n h i m i n to barragi ng chec k s
somethi ng)
afte r 1 . K b 7 Rb1 +
than give way; Wh ite's King moves off the p romot i o n squ are,
2 . Kc6 Rc1
+
3. K b 6 R b 1 +
4 . Ka5 Ra1 + ,
and so o n , forci n g the King back to c8 . It's tota l l y se n s i b l e fo r
White 's Roo k to u s u rp the b-fi l e , 1 . Rb2 . Blac k has n ot h i n g
bette r t h a n a t e m po r izi ng 1 .
.
.
. Rc3 , a n d then Wh ite i m p l e
3. e8/Q + Rxe8
5. Kxe8, e m e rging with an extra Roo k .
ments h i s wi n n i n g plan : 2. Kb7 Kd7
Ke6
4 . Rd2 +
2 . Ra7 Rbl
3 . Rb7 . Blac k 's R o o k c a n d o n o less
and B l ac k h a s to sac r i f i c e h i s Rook f o r W h i t e 's p awn , 3.
4 . Kb8 Kd 7
"; . . Rel
5. e 8/Q + , and the d o u b le-c h e c k p roves
d e c i s ive . Anot h e r w i n n i n g i d ea from the i n itial position i s : 1 .
Ra2 Rb3
Ra1 +
2 . Ra8 R b 1
6 . Kb5 Rb1 +
3 . Rb8 Rc1
7. Ka4 Ra1 +
4 . Kb7 Rb1 +
8. Kb3 Rb1 +
B l ac k 's chec k i n g days a re over.
1 . Rb2
2 . Kb7
3. e8/Q +
4. Rd2 +
5 . Kxe8
( 1 -0)
Re 3
Kd 7
Rxe8
Ke6
j
1 . Ra2
2 . Ra7
3 . Rb7
4 . Kb8
5 . e8/Q +
(1-0)
Rb3
Rbl
Rel
Kd 7
5 . Ka6
9. Kc2 , and
[\
1
I\Ii
i'll
. ,,
j,
I �:
244
•
PAN DO LFI N l 'S EN DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION
193
EN DGAME
245
194
W: Kb8, Rc1 , Pb7 B: Kd7, Ra2
Wh ite moves and wi n s
The Bridge
•
W: Ke8, Rf1 , Pe7 B: Kg7 , Rb8
Wh ite moves and wi n s
With a K n i g h t-pawn o n the 7th ran k , White lac k s a maneuve ra
a
b l e c h al l e n ge to B l ack's Roo k on the Roo k-fi l e . So he goes to
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
wo rk aga i n s t t h e B l ack K i n g , 1 . Rd2 + . B l ac k bac k s off, 1 .
Blac k tries to d raw by attac k i n g White's King from the flan k .
2 . Kc8, and
Th i s va l i d defense m i ght succeed if B l ack's Rook were o n e fi le
3 . Kd8
farther left of W h ite's pawn . As it is, t h e Rook i s too close and
4. Rd7, and White th reatens 5. Kc8, 6 . Rc7 , and 7. b8/Q .
White gai n s a vital tempo, t u r n i n g the game i n his favo r : 1 . Kd7
. . . Ke7 , si nce alte rnatives a re wo rse : (A) 1 . . . . Kc6
the pawn Q u e e n s ; or (B) 1 . . . . Ke6
Rb1
2. Kc8 Rc1 +
2 . Kd8 Rb8 +
3. Kc7 Ra8 . When a Rook is far enough
White con t i n u e s i n the main l i n e ( l i sted b e l ow) with 2 . Rd4 ,
Rb7 +
begi n n i n g the p rocess cal l ed " b u i l d i n g a bridge . " After B l ac k
fro m t h e pawn it i s attac k i n g (at l east th ree files m u st l i e be-
4.
tween Rook and pawn to be effective), i t has " c h ec k i n g d i s
5 . Ka6 ( al so good is 5 . Kc6). F u rt h e r B lack Rook
checks are u se l e s s , for 5 . . . . Ra2 + is met by 6. Kb5 Rb2 + 7.
tance . " B l ack's Rook h a s j u st gotten t h e chec k i n g d i s tance at a8,
Rb4, revea l i n g that White's second m ove was played to c reate a
pawn . B ut it i s Wh ite's move, and h e c a n prevent B l a c k from
tempos with 2 .
Kb6 Rb2 +
..
. Ra2 , White's King e m e rges 3. Kc7 Rc2 +
when t h ree files-t he b-, c-, and d-fi les-d ivide it from t h e
b l o c k aga i n st Rook c h e c k s on the b-fi l e . Afte r 5 . Ka6, White
capi tal izing on it with 4 . Ral ! . I f Black takes the Roo k , Wh ite
means to transfer h i s Roo k to the 5th ran k , then ove r to the b
wi l l Queen , so he i n stead loses by 4 . . . Re8
fi le to p rotect h i s King from c h e c k s . Black c l o se s i n with h i s
Rfl + Kg7
K i n g , 5 . . . . Ke6 , but White sti l l wi n s with 6 . Ra4, safegu ard i n g
h i s King from c h ec k s a l o n g the a-fi l e . Blac k loses h i s Rook for
the pawn after 6 . . . . Kd6
7. Ka7 Kc7
Rc4 + Kd6
1 0 . Kxb8 .
1 . Rd2 +
Ke7
5 . Ka6
2 . Rd4
Ra2
Rc2 +
Rb2 +
6. Ra4
3. Kc 7
4. Kb6
7. Ka7
8. b8/Q +
Ke6
Kd6
Kc7
Rxb8
8 . b8/Q + Rxb8
9. Rc4 +
1 0 . Kxb8
(1-0)
9.
Kd6
.
7 . Kxe8 .
1 . Kd 7
2 . Kd8
3. Kc 7
4. Ral
5 . Kd7
6. Rfl +
7 . Kxe8
(1-0)
Rb7 +
Rb8 +
Ra8
Re8
Kf7
Kg7
5 . Kd7 Kf7 6 .
246
•
P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACT ION
PAN DOLF I N l'S EN DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
195
W : Ke8, Rf1 , Pe7
B: Ke1 , Rf8, Pe2
Bad King's Position
8 • B m®m � m
7
,,� �
.. ��
. •
6 - - - 5- - - 4 - - - 3- - - 2 - - - - BE ( �
�
a
a
b
c
d
f
g
h
2. Ra2 + Kd3
vital c h ec k i ng d i stance : 1 . Ral + Kd 2
3. Ra3 +
Kd4 , e n ab l i n g Roo k to to rment Blac k 's K i n g . White now m u st
check from a4, s i nce pu l l i n g h i s Roo k back to the fi rst ran k , 4 .
8 . Rb2 + Kd1
5 . Rb1 K d 3
9 . Rb1 + Kc2
6. Kf2 Rf8 +
7. Kg2
1 0 . Ra1 Ra8 ! , and B l ac k
wi n s , as d i d W h i te i n t h e p revious e n d game. B u t 4. Ra4 + h o l d s
fo r 4 . . . . Kd5
5 . Ra1 Ra8
d
c
e
f
g
h
s u ccessfu l flan k attac k, but h i s K i n g's position on g8 i s a s po i l e r.
f i l e s between the Rook and Black's pawn give White's Roo k the
Kd2
b
B l ack's Rook h a s the p roper checki n g d i stance to s u stai n a
e
White's flan k attack s u cceeds here because the th ree e m pty
R a 1 1 loses to 4 . . . . Ra8 !
B: Kg8, Ra8
W h i te moves and w i n s
White moves and wi n s
Flank A ttack 1
247
196
E N DGAME
W: Kg2, Ra7
•
6. Re1 Re8
7. Kf2 picks off the e
p aw n . A d raw a l s o e n su e s after 4 . . . . Kc3
Re3, aga i n s n a r i n g the paw n .
1 . Ral +
2. Ra2 +
3. Ra3 +
4. Ra4 +
5. Ra3 +
6. Re3
Draw
5 . Ra3 + Kb2
6.
Wh ite w i n s with e i t h e r of two methods. O n e i s to p l ay h i s King
to the Q u e e n s i d e : 1 . Kd 7 Ra7 +
possible because 3 . . . . Re6 r u n s i n to 4 . Rf8 + ) Ra8
(too late)
4 . Kc6 Kg7
5. Ral ! ( p reventing B lack from u t i l i z i n g c h ecki n g
d i stance to attack the flan k ) Rb8
Rfl + Kg7
6 . Kc 7 Re8
7. Kd 7 Kf7
8.
9 . Kxe8 , wi n n i n g a Roo k . I n t h e oth e r approac h ,
White's K i n g c i rc l e s aro u n d t o t h e K i n gs i d e : 1 . Kd7 Ra7 +
- -·7 1_ § _ - s m :a m m m,
5. - - 4 - - • 3- - - 2
- - - •
18 - - •
8 �-
.
a
h as a K n i ght-pawn a n d n o maneuve rab i l ity on t h e ri ght o f t h e
paw n , t h e passive stance o f Whi te's Rook su ffi ciently h o l d s t h e
gam e . B l ac k c a n not effective ly t h reate n , s o Wh ite m e rely
.
. .
Rg2 + , h o p i n g fo r White to b l u n d e r with 2. Kf1 ? . Then B l ack
rea l ly has somet h i n g after 2 . . . . Kh2, preparing 3 . . . . Rf2 + ,
4 . . . . Rf8, and 5 . . . . g2 . But after 1 . . . . Rg2 + , Whi te's Ki ng
goes to the corner, 2. Khl , an d Black gets n ow h e re with 2
Rh2 +
3. Kgl Ra2
.
.
.
.
4. Rel . N ote that if B l ac k an swe rs 3. Kgl
with 3 . . . . g2 ? , White s n aps h i s Rook by 4. Rb3 + .
1 . Rbl
2 . Khl
3. Kgl
Rg2 +
Rh2 +
Ra2
4 . Rel
D raw
d
e
f
g
h
fense" means t h at the Rook's sole fu nction i s t o p reve nt a
pass ive p o s it i o n , 1 . Rbl , defe n d i n g h i s 1 st ran k . Bu t as B l ac k
.
c
B l ack's Roo k defe n d s pas si ve ly on the first ran k . " Pa s s ive de
A m ate t h reat e n s White (1 . . . . Ra1 ), forc i n g h i s Rook to a
rickracks his Rook along the 1 st ran k. Blac k's best i s 1
b
mating check a l o n g the bac k ran k . Cou nte rattack i s o u t of t h e
q u esti o n . Pas sive defense wo rks if the adva n c i n g en emy foot
man is a Rook- pawn or a Knigh t-pawn . B u t pass ive defe n se fai l s
- aga i n st a B i s h o p- pawn o r a center- pawn . Whi te's Rook can
s u fficiently man euver in the latter two cases to operate on the
n arrow side of the pawn (whe re fewe r f i l e s separate the pawn
from the edge) to wi n . After 1 . Ra7 + Kb8
2. e7 + Ke8, White's
Roo k d ro p s to the bac k row a n d s k ewers the enemy K i n g and
Roo k , wi n n i n g the Rook be h i n d the Ki n g : 3 . Ra8 + Kd 7
Rxg8 co m p l etely sto m p s B l ac k .
1 . Ra7 +
2. e7 +
3. Ra8 +
4. Rxg8
(1-D)
•
5- • • •
4 • • • •
3 . B t i?J • •
2
. §• • •
�
1• • m
•
L�
6
a
b
•
•
•
c
d
e
f
g
a
h
Kd l Kc3
5 . Rc8 + Kd4
6 . Rd8 + Ke4
7. Re8 + Kf4
6th ran k , t h e attac k i n g King ( h e re , B lack) won't find s helter
fro m Roo k c h ec k s from the rear, becau se there i s no roo m i n
front o f t h e p awn . N o r d o e s it h e l p t o b u i ld a p rotective bridge ,
b r i n g i n g t h e B l ack R o o k bac k to block c h e c k s , fo r afte r the
exchange of Roo ks the King and pawn en dgame i s also d rawn .
1 . Re2 +
2. Re8
3. Kd2
4. Kd l
5. Rc8 +
6. Rd8 +
7. Re8 +
Kd4
Rnl +
Rh2 +
Kc3
Kd4
Ke4
Kf4
8 . Rd8
D raw
e
f
g
h
Rook s b e exchanged, al l owi n g King passage t o t h e g-fi l e . Fo r
exam p l e , both (A) 1 . Re1 + Kf6
8 . Rd8 ,
( h ere, W h i te) stands i n front of an e n e m y pawn advanced to its
d
Rook contests t h e f-fi le, White 's Rook m ight move away o r
4.
a n d B lack m u st hang o n a d raw. When t h e defe n d i n g King
c
u n able to occ u py a sq uare in the enemy pawn's path . But if h i s
B lack's K i n g with d raws, 1 . . . . Kd4, t h e n 2. Re8 prepa re s a
3. Kd2 Rh2 +
b
B l ac k 's K i n g is cut off from the Q u een i n g fi le, a n d thereby
B l ac k has two t h reats (1 . . . . R h 1 mate and 1 . . . . dxc2). Both
can be met by 1 . Re2 + , s i n ce 1 . . . . dxe2 is stalemate . I f
rou n d of c h e c k s from the rea r : 2 . . . . Rhl +
•
•
a
8 • • • 7• • - •
,_
Rxf8 Kxf8
2 . Rf1 + Kg7, as we l l as ( B ) 1 .
2 . Kg5 Kg7 are d rawn en dgames. White forges a w i n ,
h oweve r, by m a i n ta i n i n g h i s f-fi le gr i p : 1 . Rf5 ! , so that 1 . . . .
Rxf5
2 . Kxf5 Ke8
3. Ke6 Kf8
to rious sq u eeze of 5. g7 Kh7
4. Kf6 Kg8 lead s to t h e vic
6. Kf7. B l ac k fares no better by
an swe r i n g 1 . Rf5 with 1 . . . . Rf6, for 2 . Kg5 forces B l ack to react
u n favo rably. Aft e r 2 . . . . Ra6, Wh ite w i n s with 3 . g7 Ral 4.
Kg6 (not 4. g8/Q ? because of 4 . . . . Rg1 + , p i l fe r i n g the n ew
Q u e e n ) Rg l + 5 . Kh7 Rhl + 6 . Kg8 Rh2 7 . Rf4 , wh i c h
b ri n gs Wh ite t o a position i n w h i c h he c a n b u i l d a b r i d g e , as i n
E n dgame 1 93 .
1 . Rf5
2 . Kg5
3 . g7
4. Kg6
Rf6
Ra6
Ral
Rgl +
5 . Kh7
6. Kg8
Rhl +
Rh2
7. Rf4
(1-0)
252
•
PA N DOL F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION
20 1
E N DGAME
W: Kg2, Re8
•
253
202
B : Ke2 , Re1 , Pe3
W : Kd7, Rd8, Pd6
W h i te moves and d raws
B: Kf7, Ra1
White moves and wi n s
flank A ttack 2
The Short-Side Problem
a
G i ve n j u st o n e move (1 . . . . Ra1 ), B l ac k wi l l u n tangle h i s piece
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
A basic for a s u cc e s sfu l flank attack i s that t h ree em pty f i l e s (or
l i n e u p on the e-fi l e . White m u st strike q u ickly with the best
ra n k s , a s t h e case may be) sepa rate the checking Rook from the
fl a n k attac k , 1 . Ra8 ! , m ovi ng t h e Rook to the file fa rt h e st from
adve rse paw n . Th u s the Roo k can mai nta i n its c h e c k i n g d i s
the pawn to mai ntain its c h ecki ng d i stance. Blac k gears to
tance when attack i n g the rival K i n g . The Roo k and King m u st
block c h e c k s by 1 . . . . Rd l , after w h i c h may fol low 2. Ra2 +
wo rk as a tea m . Th e King s h o u l d stand on the s h o rt s i d e of the
Rd 2 , for 2 . . . . Ke1 c u l l s the stab i l iz i n g 3. Kf3 . Now Wh ite's
pawn to give the Rook maxi m u m roo m on the long side of the
s i m p l e st defense i s 3. Ral , to keep B lack's King off the 1 st ran k .
pawn for c h ec k i n g d i stance. I n t h i s position , that teamwo r k is
Wai ti n g move s , s u c h as 3 . . . . Rb2 , 3 . . . . Rc2, o r 3 . . . . Rd3,
b l atantly lac k i n g and the Roo k , chec k i ng on t h e s h o rt s i d e ,
can be an swered by a wait i n g move for Wh ite, 4. Kg3 . There's
q u i c k l y c o m e s to g r i e f : 1 . R c 8 R a 7 +
2 . Kc6 Ra6 + ( i f 2 .
no p rob l e m with 3 . . . . Kd3 + , fo r White gets a grip on the
. . . Ke6 , t h e n 3 . Re8 + a n d 4 . d 7 )
Q u een i n g squ are by 4. Kf1 . B l ac k tries 3 . . . . Rdl
the checks run out. Wh ite wraps it up after 4 . . . . Rd7
Kd 3
5 . Ra3 + Ke4
4. Ra2 +
6. Ra4 + Rd4 . An exchange of Roo k s , 7 .
Ra 7
6. Rc7 + Rxc7
3 . Kc7 Ra7 +
9. Ke1 e2 . But White evades the ex
1 . Rc8
change with 7. Ra8 (7. Ra1 i s a l so good), and whether B l ac k
2. Kc6
plays 7 . . . . R d 2 + or 7 . . . . Kd3 , White d raws eas i l y with 8 .
3 . Kc7
Kfl , taki n g co ntro l o f t h e Q u e e n i n g square .
4. Kb6
1 . Ra8
2. Ra2 +
3. Ral
Rd l
Rd 2
Rdl
4. Ra2 +
5 . Ra3 +
6. Ra4 +
Kd 3
Ke4
Rd4
7. Ra8
8. Kfl
Draw
Kd3
5 . Kc6
7. dxc7, m a k i n g a new Queen n ext move .
Rxd4 + Kxd4, wou l d y i e l d wi n n i n g Ki n g a n d pawn e n d game for
B l ac k afte r 8 . Kf1 Kd3
4. Kb6, and
5 . Kc6
6. Rc7 +
7. dxc7
(1-0)
Ra7 +
Ra6 +
Ra7 +
Rd 7
Ra7
Rxc7
254 • PA N DO L F I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
PIECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 255
203
EN DGAME
W : Kc5, Ra8, Pa6
204
W: Kb2 , Rh8
B: Kg7, Ra1
Flank A ttack
Pawn Shelter
a §• • • •
1.
B .
• �
� ��
,,�
s ft . E • •
8
7
5• m • a
4 • • • •
3. - • •
2 • • • 1�
�
�
�
a
B: Kc6, Rh1 , Ph3
Wh ite m oves and d raws
White moves and wi n s
b
c
e
d
f
4
3m
2 �
1�
-
h
g
a
b
c
d
e
g
f
h
White astutely has avoi ded p u s h i n g h i s pawn to the 7th ran k so
that his Ki n g co u l d shelter i n fro nt of the pawn at a7 aga i n st
White's Ki n g i s as we l l p l aced as it can b e , and in fact can n ot
c h ecks fro m B lac k 's Roo k . With 1 . Kb6, White's Ki n g steps i n to
Ra2 + , fol l owed b y 5 . . . . Rx h 2 . White 's Rook , h owever, can
stray fro m b2 : 1 . Kc2 ? Kd5
2 . Kd2 h2 !
3 . Ke2 Ra1
4. Rxh2
s u p po rt t h e paw n , a l so re leas i n g h i s Rook for actio n . B lack
acco m p l i s h l itt le on the h -fi l e a s l o n g as Blac k 's King has re fuge
forc i b l y takes ove r the b-fi l e , 1 . . . . Rb1 + , jam m i n g the Ki n g in
at h2. He n e eds a flank attac k , so W h i te gets goi n g with 1 .
at a7. Black rea l l y has n o alte rnative , for both 1 . . . . Kf7, t ryi n g
Rc8 + Kd5
2 . Rc3 , kee p i n g the h- pawn i n m i n d alo n g t h e 3rd
to b r i n g h i s K i n g closer, and 1 . . . . Rf1 , atte m pt i n g a fla n k
ran k . Black gets n owhere with 2 . . . . h2
attac k , give White t i m e t o activate h i s Roo k , 2 . Rc8 . Aft e r 2 . Ka7
Kf7, White contests the b-fi l e : 3. Rb8 Ral . Now Wh ite can win
lost h i s s h e lte r), and 2 . . . . Rh2 + 3 . Kb3 s i gn ifies zero . But at
least h i s 2 . . . . Kd4 th reate n s 3 . . . . Rb1 + , and wo u l d e l i m i nate
i n seve ral ways . Any safe Roo k m ove down the b-fi le i s accept
White's Roo k . So 3. Rf3 Ke4
a b l e , but the t h e m atic co n t i n uat i o n is 4. Kb7 Rb1 +
n at u r a l l y. With t h e h - pawn n ow p rotected by B l ac k 's k i n g ,
Ral
6. a7 Ke7
7 . Kb7 Rbl +
8 . Kc6 , w h e n B l ac k 's Roo k
c h ecks soon term i n ate and the a-pawn Q u een s .
1 . Kb6
2. Ka7
3. Rb8
4 . Kb7
5. Ka8
Rbl +
Kf7
Ral
Rbl +
Ral
5 . Ka8
6. a7
7. Kb7
8. Kc6
Ke7
Rbl +
(1-0)
4. Rg3 Kf4
W h i te m u st c h e c k : 6 . Rc4 + Kg3
3 . Rh3 ( h i s K i n g has
5. Rc3 Kg4 fol l ows
7 . Rc3 + Kh2
8 . Rc2 +
Kgl 9 . Rc1 + Kg2 1 0 . Rc2 + Kf3 1 1 . Rc3 + Ke4 1 2 . Rc4 +
Kd5 . Afte r 1 3 . Rc3, h owever, Blac k is bac k at t h e sta rt i n g post.
It's a d raw.
1 . Rc8 +
2 . Rc3
3 . Rf3
4 . Rg3
5 . Rc3
Kd5
Kd4
Ke4
Kf4
Kg4
6. Rc4 +
7 . Rc3 +
8 . Rc2 +
9. Rc1 +
1 0. Rc2 +
Kg3
Kh2
Kgl
Kg2
Kf3
1 1 . Rc3 +
1 2 . Rc4 +
1 3. Rc3
D raw
Ke4
Kd5
256
•
P I ECES A N O PAW N S IN ACTION
PAN OO L F I N l'S E NDGAME COU RSE
ENDGAME
205
E N DGAME
•
257
206
W: Kg1 , Rg8 B: Kh4, Ra3 , Pg4
White moves and d raws
W: Kf1 , Rd4 B: Kg4, Ra2, Pf4
Wh i te moves a n d d raws
Passive Defense Draws 2
Philidor's Draw
8
7
2
1
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
a
h
White's K i n g on t h e Queen i n g sq uare cou ld be d riven off,
especially n ow that Black's King and pawn have c rossed i n to
W h i te's h a l f of the board . The best way to keep Blac k 's Ki n g at
bay i s for Wh ite's Rook to sta nd guard along the 3rd ran k , 1 .
Rd3 . S h o u l d B l ac k t e m p o r i z e , 1 . . . . Rb2 , Wh ite a l so te m
p o r i z e s b y s h ift i n g h i s Roo k to any safe sq uare on the 3 rd ran k,
such as 2 . Ra3 . Eventually, to p rogress, B lack m u st try 2
.
.
.
.f3,
th reaten i n g advan ce to h i s Ki n g to g3 . Once the pawn occ u p ies
its 6th ran k , it can n o longe r p rov ide shelter i n fro nt for its King.
Th e Roo k t h e refo re wa rp-d rives to the 8th ran k, 3 . Ra8 , menac
i n g c h e c k s . If B l ac k then conti n u e s 3 . . . . Kg3 , the game e n d s i n
a n o - p ro g re s s d raw : 4. Rg8 + Kf4
P h i l i d o r's d rawi ng position is beyo n d White becau se B l ac k 's
Rook guards the 3 rd ran k-t he place Wh ite's Rook n ee d s to b e .
Meanwh i le , B lack th reate n s a s e r i o u s i n road w i t h 1 . . . . Kg3
a n d 2 . . . . Ra1 mate. If White p lays 1 . Kg2 to stop 1 . . . . Kg3,
B l ack forges ahead with 1 . . . . Ra2 + and 2 . . . . Kg3 . W h i te's
o n l y chance is to reca l l h i s Roo k , 1 . Rb8 , so that 1 . . . . Kg3 m ay
be a n swered by 2 . Rbl , cove r i n g agai n st a mating c h e c k along
the back ran k . Tru e , Wh ite's Rook i s passively positi o n ed , only
capable of m ov i n g a l o n g the edge , but agai nst a K n ight-pawn
( o r a Rook-paw n ) B lack can not take advan tage of White 's pas
3. Rel g3
sivity. Even i f Black regro u p s , 2 . . . . Kh3
4. Rbl , he
ca n n ot gene rate seri o u s th reats . But Bl ack n ow p lays 4 . . .
.
Ra2 , s h ifti ng h i s Rook from the 3 rd ran k to the 2 n d . White
tempos 5 . Rel , and the seq u e n ce conti n ue s 5 . . . . Rg2 + 6 .
Khl (n ot 6 . Kf1 , b e c a u s e of 6 . . . . K h 2 ) Rh2 + 7 . Kgl , and n o
p rogress i s poss i b l e .
1 . Rb8
2 . Rbl
3. Rel
Kg3
Kh3
g3
4 . Rbl
5 . Khl
Rg2 +
Rh2 +
6. Kgl
Draw
PIECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 259
2 5 8 • PAN DOL F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
207
EN DGAM E
208
8: Kc8 , Rg8
White m oves and wi n s
W: Ka5, Rh7, PbS
W: Kb5 , Rh6, Pc5
8: Kb8, Rb1
White moves and wi n s
Driving off the Promotion Square
Passive Defense Loses 2
8
7
2
a
b
c
d
e
f
a
h
g
Pass ive defe n se fai l s aga i n st a B i s h o p-pawn (or Cente r- pawn).
B l ac k 's Roo k on g8 offe rs re s i stance o n l y on the right of White's
pawn, n ot on the left, so White i n c h es ah ead by 1 . Kb6! Kb8
e6. I f B l ac k tries 2 . . . . Ka8
3. Rh7 R b 8 + , W h i t e sq uashes
c o u nterplay by 3 . Rb7, si nee 3 . . . . Rxb7 +
4. cxb7 + Kb8
Kc6 i s a wi n n e r. So B l ac k temporize s : 2 . . . . Rf8
6. e7 + Ke8
7. Ra8 + Kd7
5.
3. Rh7 Re8.
B ut now Wh ite i s ready for the fi nal p u s h : 4. Rb7 + Ke8
Kb8
2.
5. Ra7
8. Rxe8 Kxe8. Roo k s have
been exc h a n ged , a n d Blac k 's Ki n g is d r iven from the Queen i n g
sq uare . White fi n i s h e s with 9 . Kb7 Kd 7
1 0 . e8/Q + , a n d pawn
becomes a Q u een on the next m ove .
1 . Kb6
2. e6
3. Rh7
4. Rb7 +
5. Ra7
Kb8
Rf8
Re8
Ke8
Kb8
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
B l ac k 's Roo k has l i n ge red too l o n g beh i n d White's a-pawn , and
after 1 . Kb6 , it i s too late to retu rn to the 8th ran k by 1 .
. . . Rc1
Kxc8
2. Rh8 + Rc8, becau se White Q u ee n s with 3. Rxc8 +
4. Ka7, a l o n g with 5 . b6 , 6 . b7, and 7. b8/Q. Th erefore
B l ac k mu st vacate the Quee n i n g sq uare, 1 . . . . Ke8 2. Rh8 +
Kd 7 . The o n l y way to p repare the fu rther advance of the b-pawn
is 3 . Rb8! ( N ot 3. Ka6 Kc7 ! ). B l ac k can not p revent the advance,
so he tries to keep h i s King close by : 3 . . . . Rb2 4. Ka 7
Ke7 5 . b6 + Ke6 6 . Rc8 + KbS 7. b7 Ra2 + 8. Kb8 Kb6 .
Wh ite move s on with 9 . Rel , th reate n i n g 1 0 . Kc8. He can meet
9 . . . . Rb2 with 1 0 . Kc8 Ka7, then 1 1 . Ra1 + and 12. b8/Q + . And
after 9 . . . . Rh2, try i n g for a f l a n k attac k , 1 0 . Rbl + Ke6 ( o r 10 .
6. e7 +
7. Ra8 +
8. Rxe8
9. Kb7
1 0 . e8/Q +
( 1 -0)
Ke8
Kd7
Kxe8
Kd7
. . . Ka6, then 1 1 . Ka8 and 1 2 . b8/Q), White takes the a-fi le with
1 1 . Ral . At least the fi n i sh l i n e i s s i ghted : 11 . . . . Rb2
When White ca n n ot set u p P h i l i d o r 's d rawi n g position (the
B l ack's K i n g has been cut off fro m the Q u een i n g fi l e , a n d h i s
Rook occ u py i n g t h e 3 rd ran k , p reve n t i n g the en emy King fro m
Rook at b 8 lacks the req ui site t h ree- row checki n g d i stance.
approach i n g), t h e p roper p l ace for t h e defen d i n g Roo k agai n st
These two featu res al low W h ite's K i n g to pen etrate q u ic kly and
a B i s h op-pawn ( o r a cente r-paw n ) i s b e h i n d the pawn . The
adva n c e h i s paw n t o the 7th ran k : 1 . Ka5 Ra8 +
Kgl ! , White k e e p s a l ive : 1 . . . . Ral + 2 . Kh2 Rfl . B l ac k 's last
2 . Kb6
Rb8 + 3. Ka6 Ra8 + 4. Kb7 Ra2 5. b6 Rb2 6. Ka7 Ra2 + 7.
KbB Kd7 8 . b7 Ra3 . After 9. Rdl + Ke7, he b u i l d s a s he lteri n g
b r i d g e for h i s Ki n g , 1 0 . Rd4 . Aft e r t h e wai ti n g m ove , 1 0 .
. . . Ral , the W h i te K i n g rears from i n front of h i s paw n , 1 1 . Kc7
Re l + 1 2 . Kb6 Rbl + 1 3 . Kc6 ( 1 3 . Ka6 also w i n s). It's point l ess
move is the o n ly feas i b l e way to p repare the advance of h i s f
for Black to check a ga i n , 13 . . . . Rb1 + , s i nce White i s set u p to
p aw n , 2 . . . . Ke3 b e i n g an swe red by 3. Kg2 . H oweve r, t h e
m eet 14. KbS Rb1 + with the b l ocki n g 1 5 . Rb4 . And becau se
l i n e u p of B l ac k p i eces on the f-fi l e encou rages 3 . Ra8 , th reate n
W h i te also th reate n s to t ransfer the b r i d ge to the 5 t h ran k ( 1 4 .
ing a flan k attack . B lac k can try p reven tive meas u res with 3.
. . . Rel , to meet 4 . Ra2 + by 4 . . . . Re2 . Bu t, i n that case, Wh i te
( o r 14 . . . . Kf7
t h reat of 1 . . . . Ra1 m ate can n ot be met by 1 . Re8, as 1 .
. . . Ra1 + 2 . Re1 Rxe1 3 . Kxe1 a l l ows the decisive penetrati o n
3 . . . . K g 2 , a n d B l ac k 's p awn h a s e s c o rt to t h e Q u e e n i n g
sq uare. B u t b y p layi n g h i s Ki n g t o the s ho rt s i d e of t h e paw n , 1 .
RdS), Blac k t r i e s 1 3 . . . . Ke6 . T h i s t h e re by a l l ows 1 4 . Re4 + Kf6
1 5 . Res a n d 1 6 . RbS)
1 5 . Re8 , s u p po rti n g the
s i m ply retu rn s h i s Roo k to the f-fi l e , 4. RfB, sta n d i n g watch
Q u een i n g th reat while pe r m itti n g Wh ite to escape Blac k's Roo k
b e h i n d the pawn . The res u lt is a d eadlock.
check via t h e c- a n d d -fi l e s : 1 5 . . . . Re l +
Ra8 +
Rb8 +
Ra8 +
Ra2
Rb2
Ra2 +
Kd 7
Ra3
Ke7
Ral
Rel +
Rbl +
Ke6
Kf6
Re l +
Rdl +
Re l +
Rdl +
P I ECES A N O PAW N S I N ACT ION
EN DGAME
•
263
211
W: Kd2 , Rf1
B : Kf5 , Re8, Pf4
White moves and d raws
Breaking the Barrier
I t 's a sad b u s i n e ss when you r Ki n g is cut off from the Q u e e n i n g
fi l e , a s i s Wh ite's h e re . An added t ro u b l e i s that h i s Roo k o n f1
lacks the c h ec k i n g d i stance to halt the B lack K i n g's advan ce .
Wh ite j u st manages to contest the e-fi l e , 1 . Rel , and the Rook
exchange by 1 . . . . Rxe1
2. Kxe4 enables h i m to d raw the
K i n g- a n d - p aw n e n d i n g aft e r 2 . . . . Kg4
3 . Kf2 . B l ac k 's 1 .
. . . Re4 doesn 't h e l p : 2 . Rxe4 Kxe4 3 . Ke2 i s st i l l a d raw. When
B l ac k 's Rook bac k s off the f-fi l e , 1 . . . . Ra8, White's K i n g d oes
get back to the Q u e e n i n g fi l e , 2. Ke2 Ra2 +
3 . Kf3 Ra3 +
4.
Kf2 . T h u s pos i t i o n ed , White can h o l d out ad nauseam. If for
exam p l e , B l ac k's K i n g tries to penetrate with 4 . . . . Kg4 , then
5 . Rgl + d ri ves him back to 5 . . . Kf5, after which 6 . Rg8 sets
.
up an end less c h e c k from behi n d .
1 . Rel
2. Ke2
3 . Kf3
4. Kf2
5 . Rgl +
6. Rg8
D raw
Ra8
Ra2 +
Ra3 +
Kg4
Kf5
264
•
PAN DOL F I N l'S EN DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
PI ECES A N D PAWN S I N ACTION
212
pawn on the 5th ra n k needs o n ly a one-fi l e cut-off)
Kd6
W: Kc3 , Rd1 , Pc4
B: Kf6, Rc8
White moves and wi n s
1 1 . Rdl + Ke7
1 2 . Kb7 Rh8
2. Kb4
Two-file Cut-Off
3. KaS
4 . KbS
5 . Ka6
6 . Rel
7 . Kb 7
�
a
6
8. Kb6
9. cs
1 0. c6 +
1 1 . Rdl +
1 2 . Kb7
2
1
1 3 . c7
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
( 1 -0)
h
When Whi te's pawn is on the 4th Ran k , B l ac k's Roo k o pe rates
best on its h o m e ran k . Th ree empty ra n k s separate Roo k and
pawn , and the Rook can maintain its checki ng d i sta n c e . I f,
however, too many fl les cut off the d efen d i n g Ki n g from the
paw n , even the B l ac k Rook's spl end id placement can't ga rner a
d raw. There are w i n n i n g fo rm u las fo r a pawn on the 4th ran k .
With a Roo k-pawn , t h e e n e my Ki n g m u st be cut off b y five fi l e s :
a K n i g ht-paw n , th ree files ; a n d B i s hop-pawn o r a ce nter-pawn ,
two-fi l e s . With a B i s hop-pawn on the 4th . White co rrectly dem
o n strates by 1 . Rel , cu tti n g off Black's Ki n g by two files. After 1
.
. . . Kfs , he wo rks as close as poss i b l e , 2. Kb4 Rb8 + ( B l ack
cannot al low cS) 3 . KaS Rc8 4. KbS Rb8 + 5. Ka6 Rc8, be
fore e n l isting his Roo k to defe n d h i s pawn , 6 . Rel . Si nce the c4c5 advance i s i n evitab l e , B lack stra i n s h i s K i n g i n , 6 . . . . Ke6 ,
b u t too l ate : 7. Kb7 Res 8 . Kb6 Rc8 9 . c5 Kd7 (9 .
. . . Rb8 +
1 0 . Kc7 Rb2
1 1 . Rd1 i s a stan d ard win for a B i s h o p-
265
1 0 . c6 +
1 3 . c7, and the c-pawn
h o l d s up the victo ry ban n e r.
1 . Rel
•
Kf S
Rb8 +
Rc8
Rb8 +
Rc8
Ke6
Res
Rc8
Kd7
Kd6
Ke7
Rh8
P I ECES A N D PAW N S I N ACTION • 267
266 • PA N DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
213
EN DGAME
W: Kc2 , Rh3
214
W: Kb2 , Ra8, Pa7, Pf5
B: Kg5 , Rh1 , Pb4 , Ph2
White moves and wi n s
White moves and d raws
Active Defense
B : Kg7, Ra6
Skewer
4
3
�m"
2
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
1�
�
a
>�... •. ,,;:
"
b
�
•
c
d
e
f
g
h
Despite the two-pawn margi n , Black can not win if Wh ite de
U n l i ke t h e p revio u s endga m e , i n w h i c h B l ac k had a wo rt h less
fe n d s co rre ctly. H i s Rook i s i l l p lace d , and if White keeps h i s
g-pawn , W h ite's f-pawn p l ays a maj o r rol e . After 1 . f6 + , B l ac k
own Rook o n t h e h-fi l e , the h -pawn can g o n owhere. The b4
h a s a d i l e m m a . H i s Rook can 't capt u re t h e pawn because that
paw n , mo reover, p l ays no s i g n i f i cant rol e . The only t h reat is the
wou l d give W h ite's Rook the needed tempo to move c l ear of
s kewer 1 . . . . Ra2
a8. N o r can h i s K i n g take the f-paw n , 1 . . . . Kxf6, fo r that
2 . Rxh2 Ra2 + . W h i te cou nters eas i l y with 1 .
Kb2 . I f B l ack tries 1 . . . . b3 , h o p i n g for 2 . Kxb3? Rb1 + and 3 .
exposes B lac k's c rown head to a ki l l i n g check, 1 . . . . Kxf6
. . . h1/Q, Wh ite i g n o re s t h e pawn a n d waits on t h e h-fi le with
Rf8 + and 3 . a8/Q . A n d 1 . . . . K h 7 l o s e s to t h e s u rg i n g f-pawn ,
2. Rh8. To free h i s Rook for move m e n t , Black's Ki n g advances to
2 . f7, Q u ee n i n g to fol l ow. F i n a l ly, b l ockad i ng the pawn , 1 .
guard the h - pawn . But after 2 .
. . . Kf7 , sets u p a wi n n i n g x-ray ( s kewe r ) for W h i te's Roo k : 2 .
Rh8 Rxa7 3 . Rh7 + Kxf6 4. Rxa7.
.
.
.
Kg4
3 . Rh7 Kg3 , W h ite
c h ec k s h i m away, 4. Rg7 + Kf2 , and then ret u r n s to the h - fi l e , 5 .
Rh 7 . B l ack can make n o p rogress i f W h i te con t i n u e s t h i s pro
ced u re .
H avi n g two extra pawns i s very nice. Often you can give u p one
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Th e position appears to be a sta nd off. Each side has a pawn on
in order to reach a position where o n e extra pawn m ea n s
respective 7th ran k s , ready to Q u een . Both Roo k s are attac k i n g
victo ry. Th i s i s t h e g u i d ance beh i n d W h i te's f i rst move , 1 . b7.
t h e enemy's pawn w h i l e d efen d i n g t h e i r own . B u t W h ite can
Th reat of m ate at c 8 s t o p s B l ack's R o o k from desert i n g the back
w i n , than k s to an i d ea of Wo rld Champion Eman u el Lasker
ran k , so h e tem porizes with 1 . . . . Rh8. White fo l lows with 2.
Rc8 + anyway, fo rci n g s i m p l i fication by 2 . . . Rxc8 3. bxc8/Q +
Kxc8. Black has regained one of h i s l o st paw n s , but faces l o s s i n
( 1 868-1 941 ). The key p iece i s Wh ite's King, su pporti n g its own
the res u l ti n g Ki ng-and-pawn e n d ga m e . White conti n u es , 4 .
a new Q u een at c8. That forces 1 . . . . Rb2 + 2 . Ka7 Rc 2 . Now
Ka7, a n d t h e b 5 - p aw n c a n ' t b e s t o p ped from Q u e e n i n g .
begi n s the Las ker maneuver, 3. Rh5 + , p u s h i n g B l ac k 's K i n g
W h ite's K i n g contro l s a l l the squares i n front of the b-paw n ,
backward , 3
i n c l u d i n g the Q u e e n i n g sq uare, b 8 .
Ka6 Rc2 6 . Rh4 + Ka3 . B l ack's K i n g has avo i d ed the b-fi l e ,
keepi n g i t clear f o r h i s Rook t o give checks. After 7. Kb6 , White
.
1 . b7
2 . Rc8 +
3. bxc8/Q +
4 . Ka7
Rh8
Rxc8
Kxc8
pawn , re l eas i n g the Rook from its d efe n s ive chore . B l ack's Ki n g
m e rely gets i n Black's way. W h ite starts w i t h 1 . Kb7 , th reate n i n g
.
t h reate n s 8.
.
.
. Ka4. T h e p rocess conti n u e s : 4. Kb7 Rb2 + 5 .
Rxh2 Rxh2 9 . c8/Q . B l ac k c h e c k s aga i n : 7 .
. . . Rb2 + 8 . Ka5 ! Rc 2 . F i na l ly, 9 . Rh3 + Ka2 d rives B l ac k 's King
to the sam e ran k as h i s Roo k . White wi n s by 1 0 . Rxh 2 ! , p i n n i n g
B l a c k 's Ro o k t o h i s Ki n g a n d e n s u r i n g a n ew Q u e e n : 1 0 .
the n ext m ove . When Blac k 's B i s h o p leaves the h2-b8 d i agonal ,
col o r from t h e B i s hop.
( 1 -0)
b
Kxb8, h e l ps W h ite, fo r afte r 2 . . . . Kd7
q u ic kly, for W h ite's p i eces can move i n on s q u a res opposite i n
Bxf2
�
:o;,,.;o'
W h i te's efficient w i n starts with 1 . Bb8 , jabb i n g Black's B i s h o p
off t h e h2-b8 d i ag o n a l . ·i he exc ha n ge o f B i s ho ps , 1 . . . . Bxb8 2 .
Bi s ho p has n ow h e re to go. It m u st take White's B i s h o p, 1 .
. . . Bxf2, a n d W h ite gai n s a new Q u e e n , 2 . b8/Q. Mate occ u rs
1 . Bf2
�
� • �
� •
•
• • • •
a
T h i s i s a s i m p l e deflecti o n . W h i te p l ay s 1 . Bf2 a n d Black's
2. b8/Q
�
-
•
6
5
a
<\!/ �
D
� �
� •
,,.,,,,; ft g
·�· •
5
•
•
4
� • • •
•
3
• •
7
1 . . . . Bgl , he ca n not re position to stop W h i te from Q ueen i n g.
White merely bac ks o ut his B i s h op, say 2 . Bg3 , and t h e re goes
l
the b - pawn to Q u e e n d o m .
1 . Bb8
2. Bg3
(1 -0)
W h i te's victory weapon i s fou n d i n the r u l e book : "The two
playe rs m u st m ove alternately i n m a k i n g one move at a t i m e . "
Wh ite plays h i s fi rst move, 1 . Bb5, a n n o u n c i n g zugzwan g, i n
wh ich any m ove b y B lack me rely exacerbates h i s wea kened
s i t u at i o n . B l ac k can n ot stand pat , for the r u l e s says h e m u st
m ove . Any B l ack B i shop move on the a6-c8 d iagonal exposes
the Bi s hop to capt u re, and any B l ac k B i s ho p move on the a8-h1
d i agonal l ets the Wh ite pawn be Q u ee n e d . Any B lack Ki n g
move , say 1 . . . . KxbS , u n g uards B l ac k's B i s hop, expo s i n g i t t o
captu re b y W h ite's Ki n g . O n ce B lac k 's B i s hop i s gon e , White
Q u eens h i s pawn and fl i n g s h i s h at in the ai r.
1 . BbS
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
If White can ma nage to offe r a B i s h o p trade on the b8-h2
d iago nal , Black m u st then red e p l oy h i s B i s h op to a7, to stem
Q u een i n g . Then p ractical ly any Wh ite B i sh o p m ove o n to the
a7-g1 d i a g o n a l d e f l e c t s the B l ac k B i s h o p at a7, a n d Wh ite
Q u eens his pawn . Easy e n o u g h , b u t i t gets hard e r. H ow does
White ch a l le n ge the B lack B i s h o p h i d i ng at h2? The wi n n i n g
l i n e beg i n s with 1 . Bh4, i n te n d i n g 2 . Bf2 , the n 3 . Ba7 and 4 . Bb8.
Blac k co u n te rs with 1 . . . . Kb6 2 . Bf2 + Ka6, preve n t i n g 3. Ba7.
N ow comes an ace move , 3 . Bc5 ! , l u r i n g Blac k 's Bishop out ,
3 . . . Bg3 . W h i te 's B is h op a i m s at c7 by 4. Be7, compel l i n g
B l ac k's K i n g t o retrace h i s steps : 4 . .
Kb5 5 . Bd8 + Kc 6 . The
.
.
.
position is p racticall y identical to t h e d i ag ram with one essen
KxbS
2. Kxb7
(1--0)
tial d i ffe re n c e : the B lac k B i s h op i s exposed at g 3 , rat h e r than
safe at h 2 . W h i te exploits th i s , gai n i n g a tempo by attac k i n g the
B i s h o p : 6 . Bh4 B h 2
7 . Bf2 Kb5
8 . Ba7 Ka6
9. Bb8 . This i s the
278 • PA N DOLF I N l 'S E N DGAME COU RSE
PIECES A N D PAW NS IN ACTION • 279
sit uation Wh ite h o ped for at the o u tset. After Black red e p l oys,
9.
.
Bxf2
. . Bgl
1 0 . Bg3 Ba7, h e fal l s t o t h e d e f l e c t i o n 1 1 . Bf2
223
W: Kb7, Bb8, Pa6 B: KbS , Be3
Wh ite moves and w i n s
Push- Off 2
1 2 . b8/Q
( 1 -0 )
W h ite i m med iately pressu res B l ac k 's Bi s ho p off t h e a7-g1 d i ag
onal by 1 . Ba7. If Black excha nges Bi s h o p s , Wh ite Qu eens the
a-pawn in several m ove s . After 1 . . . Bf4, Wh ite's B i s h o p clears
.
out, 2 . Bf2 , letti n g t h e pawn advan c e . Black's B i s h o p d rops
back, 2 . . . . Bb8 , defe n d i n g against the pawn's marc h . The
B i s h op, of co u r s e , can't be captu red with loss of the pawn .
Wh ite's defl ecti o n , 3. Bg3 , h owever, e n s u res Queen i n g fo r h i s
paw n , si nce if Black does n 't take W h ite's B i sh op, Wh ite takes
B l ac k 's (3. Be1 a l s o wi ns). In the concl u d i n g positi o n , the de
fe n s ive d iago n a l a7-b8, conta i n i n g only two s q u a re s , is too
s h o rt . If it were l o n ger, Black's B i s h o p m i ght h ave an oth er place
to move w h i l e g u a rd i ng aga i n s t the paw n 's advance.
1 . Ba7
2. Bf2
3 . Bg3
4. a7
Bf4
Bb8
Bxg3
(1-0)
280
•
PAN DOLF I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
P I ECES AND PAW NS IN ACTION
Be6 Ba2
224
1 2 . Bxa2 Kxa2
1 3 . Kxb4 . I f the defend i n g K i n g can't
d eath , an attack on t h e pawn from b e h i n d cou l d save t h e ga m e .
1 . Kd6
2 . Bg4
Rear Defense
3 . Kc5
4. Kb6
5. Bdl
6 . Ka5
D raw
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
If W h i te's Ki n g doesn't get back i n t i m e , Black wi l l clear a pat h
for h i s pawn to Q u een . Blac k 's B i s h o p wou l d play to e4 and
t h en c2 , s h ov i n g away White's B i s h op. H i s pawn wo uld p u s h to
t h e 7th ran k , and o n l y the placi n g of White 's B i s ho p at a2 wou l d
s t o p t h e Q u e e n i n g . B l ac k 's Ki n g s t e p s o n a 3 , a n d W h i t e 's
B i s h o p m u s t a l l ow promot i o n . Th at's how Black wi n s i n t h e
a b s e n c e of Wh ite's K i n g . B u t i f W h i te's K i n g h i es bac k , he can
h o l d : 1 . Kd6 Bb3 ( 1
.
. . . Be4 2 . Kc5 Bc2
a n n i h i lates any wi n n i n g changes)
3. Bxc2 Kxc2
4. Kxb4
2 . Bg4 Kb2 (atte mpti n g a
situ ation where W h i te's B i s hop has a s ho rter defe ns ive d i ago
n a l to wo r k w i t h )
3 . Kc5 Ka3
4. Kb6 ( n ot 4. K b 5 , for 4 .
. . . Ba4 + c l e a rs the pawn 's path with a gai n of tempo)
Bdl Be8 ( t h reat e n s Wh ite's B i s h o p by 6 . . . . Ba4)
Bf7
5.
6. Ka5 , and
Black can n ot force White's B i s h o p t o yield without b l o c k i n g for
one m ove the advance of the pawn : 6 . . . . Bf7
( b l oc k i n g h i s pawn)
281
occupy a safe s q u are aga i n s t bei n g checked in the pawn 's
W: Ke7, Bd1 B: Kc3 , B d 5 , Pb4
White m oves and d raws
a
•
8 . Bf5 Ba4
9 . Be6 Bc2
7. Bc2 Bb3
1 0. Bf7 Bb1
11 .
Bb3
Kb2
Ka3
Bf7
Be8
282
•
P I ECES AND PAW NS IN ACTION
PAN DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
E N DGAME
225
E N DGAME
W: Kb6, BbS, PaS B: Kb4 , Bc8
W: Kf3 , Bf1
W h ite moves a n d d raws
B: KdS , Bf6, Pd4 , PeS
Bishops of Opposite Colors
- J_ - - 7- - - 6
m m m m
s rtit m - 4 � - - 3- - - a a a a
1B a � a
8
283
226
W h ite moves and wi n s
Zugzwang 2
•
.
2
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
8
7
6
4
3
2
1
a
h
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Black's Ki n g does attack the pawn fro m the rear, but o nce agai n
Black has two co n n ected paw n s and a dark- s q u a re B i sh op.
the defe ns ive d i ago nal a6-c8 i s too s h o rt. O n e more s q u are i s
White has a l i g h t- s quare B i s hop with no pawn s , but h e can
needed fo r Blac k 's B i s hop t o meet tempo for tempo . After 1 .
h o l d the d raw. He needs to set up a blockade on the l i gh t
Bc6, Blac k i s i n zugzwang. E i t h e r h i s B i shop m u st depart the
s quare s . W h i te 's K i n g and B i s h o p coope rate to g u a rd key l i gh t
a6-c8 d iago n al , a l l owi n g the pawn advan ce, o r h i s Ki n g m u st
· cease attac k i n g the pawn, g ranti n g W h i te a free, safe move to
s q uares (d3 a n d e4). Black's Ki n g can fight for t h o s e s q uares,
block Blac k 's B i s h o p with h i s own . B l ac k 's best is 1 . . . . Kc4 , but
s q uares , u n able to control d3 o r e4, o r to check away White's
that fai l s to 2 . Bb7 Bg4
3 . a6 , a n d Whi te's waiti n g pawn i s
but h e can n ot co u n t on aid fro m his B i s hop. I t moves on dark
Ki n g . After 1 . Bd3 , W h ite can u se t h e enti re b1-h7 d i agonal to
tempo, whenever he needs to waste a move . If B lack eve r
i rre p res s i b l e .
1 . Bc6
2. Bb7
3. a6
( 1 -0)
p u s he s h i s e-pawn , White's B i s h op gobbles it with i m p u n i ty,
Kc4
Bg4
p rotected by h i s K i n g . And if B l ack's Ki n g tries to wi n d a ro u n d
to c3 to g u a rd d 3 , White's k i n g m oves i nto e4 a n d h i s B i s h op
tempos a l o n g the a6-f1 d i agon al . The re are no w i n n i n g oppor
t u n ities for Blac k .
1 . Bd3
D raw
There 's menace in Black's passed pawn s : they're c o n n ected
U n l i ke the previ o u s en dgam e , h e re the attac k i ng K i n g (Wh i te)
and both l i e on the 6th ran k . If it were Bl ac k's m ove , he wo uld
can maneu ver to e i t h e r the left o r the r i g ht of h i s pawn s . He
play 1 . . . . b2 + , whereupon Wh ite wo u l d move his King to
can position h i m self to p rotect the c-paw n 's advance, from b7
safety and B l ack wou l d make a new Queen. But Wh ite has
o r fro m d7, depen d i n g o n where B l ac k 's Ki n g goes after it is
hope, because B l ac k has a l i ght- s q u a re B i s hop wh i l e Wh ite's
chec ked , 1 . Bf5 + . I f Black's K i n g head s toward the K i n g s i d e , 1 .
B i s h o p trave l s o n l y on dark squares. White can set up a two
. . . Kd8, Wh ite's Ki n g sets up at b 7 : 2 . Ka6 BeS
t i m e guard ove r b2-a square Bl ack can guard o n ly once. After
cl + Bxc7
1 . Bc3 , Blac k can never advance h i s b- pawn , for White wou l d
B l a c k i n stead adva n c e s h i s a-pawn , 1 . . . . a2 , W h i te 's Ki n g
Bf5 + by go i n g Q u ee n s i d e , 1 . . . . Kb8 , W h i te's Ki n g c o m e s to
d7, fo l l owed by a pawn p u s h : 2. Kc4 Bg3 3. Kd5 Bf4 4. Ke6
Kc8 (4 . . . . Be3 5 . c 7 + Kc8 6. Kd6 + ) 5 . Ke7 + Kb8 6. Kd7
Bg3 7. c7 + . B i s h o p s of oppos ite c o l o rs ofte n , but n ot always ,
h o r n s i n , 2 . Kb2 , a n d p rogress i s i m p o s s i b l e .
prod u ce d rawn e n d games.
sac rifice h i s B i s h op fo r Black's two paw n s , 1 . . . . b 2 + 2 . Bxb2
axb2
3. Kxb2 . B l ack wou l d l ac k e n o u g h mate rial to mate. I f
K n ig hts are u sefu l ly tricky but have l i m itations, especially when
they play n ea r t h e b oard's edge . H e re all fou r pieces g u a rd dB,
and Black i s wi l l i n g to sac rifice h i s Kn i ght for White's d-pawn
w h e n it adva n c e s . Wi n n i n g i s p o ss i b l e o n l y by d ef l ecti n g
Blac k 's K n i g h t , 1 . Nd6. Tak i n g Wh ite's Knight, 1 . . . . Nxd6 loses
i m m ed iately to 2. d8/Q + . A n d if B lack b locks the pawn , 1 .
. . . Nd8, White an swe rs 2. Nf5 + , when Black's Ki n g i s con
stra i n ed to dese rt the defen s e of his Knight. White's K i n g ta kes
the K n i g h t , m oves off dB, and the White pawn Quee n s .
1 . Nd6
2 . d8/Q +
(1-0)
Nxd6
1 . Nd6
2. Nf5 +
3. Kxd8
( 1 -0)
Black's K n i g h t . The game co u l d be d rawn , h oweve r, based o n
Blac k 's i n a b i l ity t o expend h i s pawn f o r White's k n i g h t . W h ite
begins 1 . Ne1 + , and B l ack can't p lay 1 . . . . d xe 1 /Q + because
2. Kxe1 leaves no mat i n g mate rial for either s i d e . Whatever
B l ac k p l ay s , W h i t e can c o u n te r. A s a m p l e v a r i at i o n :
. . . Kc1
2. Nd3 + Kc2
3 . Nel + Kc3
Nd8
Ke6
1.
4. Nf3 ( n ow that B l ack
does not t h reaten to Queen for at least a move, Wh ite can
atta c k B l ac k 's pa w n ) Kc2
5 . N xd 2 . Th o u g h B l ack w i n s t h e
K n i g ht , h i s mate r i a l i s too sparse to win .
B
A
B l ac k is about to Q u ee n at d1 . W h i te can n ot a n k l e h i s K n i g h t to
g u a rd d1 , for if the Knight moves to e 3 , he is captu red by
A B i s hop can r u i n a defe n d i n g K n i g ht's day. After 1 . Bd5 , B lack
i s in zugzwan g . If he m oves h i s K i n g , h i s Knight goes down for
n ot h i n g . I f he m oves h i s K n i g h t anywhere , White's Bishop
capt u res, a n d W h ite p roc l a i m s a new Queen o n t h e next m ove .
N ote h ow the B i s h o p from dS guards a l l the squares open to
t h e Kn i g h t : b7, c6, e6, and f7. The B i s hop i s said to "co rra l " the
k n i ght, and t h i s corral l i n g talent co ntrib utes to its g e n e ral
s u pe r i o rity over a Kn ight in the e n d ga m e .
1 . Bd5
2. Bxf7
3 . d8/Q
(1 -0)
Nf7
Kxf7
5. - • •
4 m B B m
3. - • �
2 • • - 1- B B m
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Blac k 's pieces are placed terri b ly. After 1 . Kg4 , Black m u st make
a move t h at loses h i s K n i g h t . H i s Ki n g can 't move and the
Kn i g ht's o n l y s q u a res (e8, e6, fS , and hS) a re all g u a rded by
W h ite's Pieces. O n ce Whi te has captu red the i m potent h o rs e ,
wi n n i ng d e p e n d s s i m ply o n not stalemat i n g t h e B l ac k K i n g .
W h i te p roceed s caref u l ly, p r o m ot i n g h i s pawn t o m ate . A
n u m b e r of ot her va riat i o n s win e q u a l l y we l l .
1 . Kg4
2. Bxe6
3. Kg5
4. Bd 7
5. Kf5
6. Kf6
7. g7 +
8 . Be6
9. g8/Q
1 0 . Qh8
( 1 -0)
K n i ght is n ow on a dark s q u a re , W h ite's K i n g also makes to a
dark s q u a re , 3 . Kd1 Kxa1 , tra ppi n g B l ack's King i n the co r n e r.
Black's moves no l o n ger matter. W h ite d raws by mov i n g h i s
Ki n g bac k a n d forth between c2 a n d c1 .
1 . Bal
2 . Kd2
3 . Kdl
4. Kc2
5 . Kc l
6 . Kc2
N b2 +
Nc4 +
Kxal
Ne3 +
Ndl
Nc3
7 . Kcl
8 . Kc2
9 . Kcl
1 0 . Kc2
Ne2 +
Nd4 +
Nb3 +
Nd2
1 1 . Kcl
D raw
294
•
PA N DOLF I N l ' S E N DGAME COU RS E
EN DGAME
P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION
237
EN DGAM E
W : Kb7, Nd4, Pd7
295
238
B: Kd3 , Bas
W: KbS, Nc8 , Pa6
Wh ite moves and w i n s
Driving Off
•
B: KdS, Bd4
Wh ite moves and w i n s
Block Out
- - - 1 8®8 ft 8 6 - - - sm - - �
4 p
"1 .
m tb!
• �
3 - -� - 2
- - - 18 - - -
84J B B B
18 B R B
6 ft B R a ·
s B®B�B B
a
8
4 B �J B B
3- - - -
·
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
a
h
W hatever its d rawbacks in endgames, don't s e l l a k n i g ht s h o rt .
After 1 . N c 6 , Black's B i s hop i s attacked a n d h a s n o safe place t o
move a n d st i l l p reve nt the Quee n i n g o f White's pawn . If it goes
to b6 o r c7, i t 's taken by White's Ki n g . If it goes to d8, the K n i g ht
becomes the g o b b l e r. A n d if it retreats a l o n g the a5-e1 d i ago
nal , W h ite Q u e e n s i t pawn .
- - - 18 - - -
2
b
c
d
e
(1 -0)
g
h
White's K n ight s h u ts out B l ac k 's B i s h op with 1 . N b6 + . Whether
Blac k then takes the K n i g h t , 1 . . . . Bxb6
2 . Kxb6 , o r m oves his
K i n g o u t of check. Wh ite pushes his a-pawn to Queen. Mate
soon fol l ows .
1 . Nb6 +
1 . Nc6
f
2. Kxb6
3. a7
(1 -0)
Bxb6
Kd6
296
•
PAN DOLF I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE
EN DGAME
23 9
G lossary
W: Kd5 , N e4, Pc5 B: K h 1 , B h2
Wh ite moves and wi n s
The fo l l owi n g t e r m s relate tec h n ica l ly to the e n d games i n the
Con voy
text, a n d may o r may n ot a l so be s tandard E n gl i s h u sage. The
g l o s sary e n t ri e s are desi gned to ass i st you r read i n g of the book
and yo u r u n d e rsta n d i n g of chess.
ACTIVE (a dj . ) Refers to a dynamic m ove o r place m e n t .
ANALYSIS (n .) T h e p roce s s of determ i n i n g , t h ro u g h caref u l
exa m i n at i o n , t h e best moves i n a va riati o n o r posit i o n .
ATTACK (n .)
A t h reat t o capt u re a n e n emy piece. A force
aimed at a specific objective or for a defi n ite pu rpose.
BAC K-ROW MAT E (n .)
A checkmate given by a Queen o r Rook
along the board 's edge. Also cal led a Back-Ran k Mat e .
I f the B lack K i n g we re closer, i t co u l d s h o u l d e r some of the
defe n s ive c h o res and the game wou l d d raw. But after 1 . Nd6,
the beleaguered Bi shop i s exi led from the proceed i n g s , and
W h i te lea n s o n Q u e e n i n g s h o rtly. B lack tries to relocate h i s
B i s hop a l o n g t h e a5-d8 d i ago nal : 1 . . . . Bgl
2. c6 Bb6 . Al
though the pawn i s momentarily stopped , Blac k 's King i s so
re moved that W h ite has t i me-p l u s to get h i s p i eces to the right
s q u ares to s h oo the B i s h o p : 3 . Ke6 B c 7
4. Kd7 Bb8 5 . Ne8
Kg2 6 . Nc7 Ba7 7. Na6 Bb6 8 . N c5 Kf3 9. Na4 Ba5 1 0 .
Nb2 Ke4 1 1 . Nc4, The B i s hop m u st clear out, perm itti n g a
triu m p hant co ro n ation .
1 . Nd6
2. c6
3 . Ke6
4. Kd7
5 . Ne8
6. Nc7
Bgl
Bb6
Bc7
Bb8
Kg2
Ba7
BACKWARD PAWN (n .)
A weak pawn that has fal len be h i nd
fri e n d ly paw n s wh ich can not p rotect it.
BAD B ISHOP (n .)
A passive B i s hop, often obstructed by its
own pawn s ; usually a pe rmanent d i sadvantage.
BARRI ER (n . )
A vertical or h o rizontal row of s q u a re s , gen e ra l l y
contro l led b y a Roo k , that the e n emy Ki n g can n ot c ro s s .
BASIC MATE (n .)
A checkmate that can b e forced with p u re ,
e l e m ental co m b i natio n s of p ieces ( n o pawns) aga i n st a l o n e
e n e m y Ki n g . Th e fo u r sta n d a rd c h e c k m ates are Ki n g and
Quee n ; Ki n g and Rook ; King a n d two b i s hops ; and King,
B i s h o p, a n d K n i g h t . Other basi c mates i n clude Q u een and
Rook , and two Roo k s .
7. Na6
8 . N c5
9. Na4
1 0 . Nb2
1 1 . N c4
(1 -0)
Bb6
Kf3
Bas
Ke4
B E H I N D A PASS E D PAW N (adv. )
G e n e rally u sed t o describe
the best p l ace fo r a Rook to station itself when attac k i n g an
advanci n g pawn . As the pawn adva nce s up the board , the
Rook's m o b i l ity i n creases.
BISHOPS OF OPPOSITE COLORS (n .)
A situat i o n i n which
each p l aye r has o n ly o n e B i s h o p-o ne t rave l i n g on l i g h t
297
I
298
•
G LOSSARY
G LOSSARY
•
299
s q uare s , the other on d a r k . They ca n n eve r attack eac h other o r
ra n ge p i ec e , f u n ct i o n s to best advantage when it is at least
g u ard the same sq uares . Also cal led O p po site-Color B i s ho p s .
t h ree sq uares away from its target (the en emy Ki n g o r pawn).
T h e s i de of the board away from t h e p ro
Th u s , if White's K i n g were on d4 and h i s pawn on e4, w h i l e
BLI ND S I D E (n .)
tected passed pawn or attac k i n g z o n e , in situat i o n s where
B l ac k 's Rook checked from d B , the th ree s q u a res between en
Kings and pawns confront each ot her over an exte nded area.
s u re that the Rook has the "chec k i n g d i stance" a n d cou l d
The l ive s i d e is the closer o n e .
p revent t h e adva n ce of K i n g and paw n . I f the Rook were a t d7,
A d efensive strategy that con s i sts of p revent
h oweve r, with only two squ ares between , the Rook wo u l d have
i n g the advance of an e nemy pawn (u sually a passed paw n ) by
n o "check i n g d i sta n ce , " and W h i te's K i n g cou l d approac h ,
occu pyi n g a n d/or g u a rd i n g the s q u a re in front of i t .
su bseq u e n tly escap i n g c h e c k s and advanci n g h i s pawn .
BLOCKADE (n .)
BP (n .)
T h e abb rev iation for B i s h op-pawn , a pawn o n either
t h e c- o r f-fi l e .
Another name for a
CORRESPO N D I N G
Another name for a
CORRESPO N D I N G
S Q UARE.
B R EAKTHROU G H (n . )
A pawn sacrifice whose pu rpose i s to
open l i n e s an d/o r to create a passed pawn .
BRIDGE (n .)
COMPANION SQUARE (n.)
A b l o c k i n g move ( u s u a l l y by a Rook ) that stops
e n e my Rook-c h e c k s .
B U I LD I N G A B R I DG E (n .)
CONJUGATE SQUARE (n .)
S Q UARE .
CONN ECTED PASSED PAWNS (n .)
Two friendly passed pawns
on adjacent f i l e s , w h i c h can p rotect each ot her.
I n Roo k e n d i n g s , w h e n the stronger
COORD INATE SQUARE (n.)
Another name for a
CORRES PO N D I N G
side has a pawn on the 7th ran k , h e p repare s to b l ock en emy
S Q UARE .
Rook-checks by positi o n i n g h i s own Rook on its 4th ran k ( o r
CORRALLI N G A KNI GHT (n .)
occas ionally, its 5th o r 6 t h ran k). Th e term was c reated b y Aron
along the edge of the board . Fo r exa m p l e , a B lack K n i ght o n aS
N i mzovich ( 1 886-1 935). See
CAN D I DATE (n .)
'
L U C E N A S POSIT I O N .
The pawn l i kely to be passed . Also cal l e d the
Trap p i ng a Kni ght with a Bi shop
i s corra l l e d by a Wh ite Bishop on d 5 .
CORRESPO N D I N G SQUARE (n .)
A sq uare acce s s i b l e only to
Ca n d i date Passed Pawn . U s u a l ly, it i s a pawn with n o e n emy
o n e Ki n g that c orrelates to a s q u a re accessi b l e o n l y to the
pawn in fro n t of it on the same fi l e .
o t h e r. In t h i s c o m p l e x o p p o s i t i o n a l relat i o n s h i p , in w h i c h
CAPABLANCA'S RUL E (n .)
A p r i n c i p l e t hat determ i n e s which
pawns are o b stac l e s , preferably on e's K i n g shou l d o cc u py its
pawn to m ove fi rst when p u s h i n g a g ro u p of paw n s . The p layer
co rrespon d i ng s q uare i m med iately after the oppone nt's Ki n g
s h o u l d start by advanc i n g t h e u nop posed pawn ( ca n d i d ate
occ u p i e s its . U su a l l y referred t o i n the pl u ral , "co rrespo n d i n g
pawn), as i l l u st rated by J o se Rao u l Capablanca i n seve ral of h i s
s q u a res . " Also c a l l e d Com pan ion S q uare , Con j u gate S q uare ,
books.
CENTRALIZ E (v. )
Coord inate S q u are, Re lated Sq uare, and S i ste r S q u a re .
To place one's p ieces i n , o r as close to, the
CP (n .)
The abb reviation for ce nter-pawn , a pawn on either
board's center (e4 , d4, eS , dS). S o p l ac e d , they h ave m o re scope
the d- o r e-fi l e .
and ca n l i m it t h e i r e n emy cou n te rpa rts .
CRITICAL SQUARE (n .)
A s q u a re whose occ u pati on by the
A f a m o u s e n d ga m e of K i n g ,
s u pe r i o r King e n s u res success of a tas k . If a playe r has a K i n g
B i s ho p, a n d K n i g ht-pawn vs . Ki n g a n d B i s hop, i n w h i c h a n
a n d pawn a n d h i s opponent h a s o n ly a K i n g , he w i n s i f h i s K i n g
e laborate B i s h op mane uver gai n s a tempo and wi n s .
c a n occ u py a n y of h i s paw n 's criti cal square s . Rook-pawn s have
C E N T U R I N l'S POS I T I O N (n .)
C H EC K I NG D I STA N C E (n .)
T h e m i n i m u m d i stance a Rook
o n ly o n e critica l sq uare , w h i l e ot h e r passed paw n s have t h re e .
n e e d s to t h wa rt a n enemy passed paw n 's advance and/or h a rass
F ixed paw n s m a y have as m a n y as s i x .
t h e e nemy K i n g , without fea r of attack itself. The Roo k , a l o n g-
CROSS-C H ECK (n .)
A c h e c k that b l o c k s t h e ene my's p revi o u s
300
•
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•
301
A s i m u lta n e o u s attack aga i n st two sepa
check. Espec i a l l y val u a b l e as a tact i c i n Q u ee n e n d i n g s to
DOU BLE ATTAC K (n .)
thwart perpet u a l attack from the oppos i n g Q u ee n .
rate targets, e i t h e r by one p i ece aga i n st two (a fo rk), o r by two
CROSSOVER (n .)
A mane uver by a K i n g i n front of a n d ac ros s
pi eces menac i n g d i fferent th reats (such as a di scovery).
Two frie n d l y pawns that l i n e u p on the
i t s passed pawn t o reach t h e o u t s i d e criti cal square. A l so ca l l ed
DOU BLED PAWNS (n .)
the Over pas s , d i sti n g u i s h i n g it from the U n derpass .
same file and ca n 't p rotect each othe r.
Creation of a barrie r with a Qu een or Rook ,
CUT-OFF (n .)
DOWN T H E EXCHANGE (adv. )
H avi n g a K n i g h t o r B i s h o p
which prevents the en emy Ki n g f r o m escapi ng across a ra n k o r
aga i n st a n e n emy Rook . See
fi l e or from partic i pati n g .
DRAW BY REPETITION (n.) See REPET I T I O N O F PO S I T I O N R U L E .
EDGE (n .) The board 's fou r outside rows of s q uare s : a-fi le, h
DARK-SQUARE B ISHOP (n .)
A B i s h op that trave l s o n ly on d a r k
s q u ares . F o r W h i t e , t h e B i shop that starts t h e game on c1 ; f o r
f i l e , 1 st ran k , a n d 8 t h ran k .
B lack, the o n e that b e g i n s on f8.
EXCHANGE (n .)
DECOY (n .)
An o u t s i de passed pawn offe red as a sac r i fice to
l u re an e n e m y p i ece ( u s u a l ly the K i n g ) fro m the main battle.
DIAGONAL MARCH (n .)
A man euver enab l i n g a Ki n g to ap
U P T H E EXCHAN G E .
The swapp i n g of a Roo k fo r a m i n o r piece
( B i sh o p o r K n i g ht). You either "wi n the exch ange" or " l ose the
exchan ge . "
FEINT (n . )
A K i n g mane uver, i n which a player th reate n s to
p roach two sq u a re s in opposite d i rect i o n s s i m u lta neously by
perform an action which gai n s time so that he can rea l l y d o
t rave l i n g a l o n g a d iagonal that i s e q u i d i stant from both.
someth i ng e l s e .
DIAGONAL OPPOSITION (n .)
An opposition i n w h i ch the
FI FTY-MOVE RULE (n .)
A l aw of chess that p e r m i t s a p l aye r to
Ki n g s are separated by one, th ree, or five-sq uare s a l o n g the
clai m a d raw if fifty moves have b e e n p l ayed without a pi ece
same d i ago n al . I t i n cl u des d iagonal opposition (one s q u are i n
havi n g been exchanged or a pawn moved .
betwee n ), d i stant d iagonal opposition (th ree squares i n be
FIXED PAWNS (n .)
twe e n ), and l o n g- d i stant d iago n al opposition (five s q u a re s i n
and b l oc k i n g each ot h e r a l o n g t h e same fi le, so that n e ither can
between). See
move.
O PPO S I T IO N .
DIRECT OPPOSITION (n . )
Two paw n s-one White, o n e B l ack-fac i n g
A n opposition on a f i l e , ran k , o r
A Roo k attack aga i n st the e n e m y Ki n g
FLA N K ATTAC K (n.)
d iagonal i n which t h e Ki n gs a re se parated b y o n e s q u a re .
from t h e s i d e of a passed pawn , as opposed t o an attack agai n st
D i rect ve rtical opposition i s along a f i l e , d i rect h orizo ntal op
t h e e n e m y pawn a n d Ki n g fro m beh i n d or i n front. When
position is a l o n g a ra n k , a n d d i rect d iago n a l opposition is a l o n g
effective rear attacks are i m pos s i b l e , t h i s may be the only way
a d i agonal . See
to save a gam e .
O PPO S I T I O N .
DISTANT OPPOS ITION (n .)
A n opposition on a f i l e , ran k , o r
FLIGHT S QUARE (n. )
A p lace fo r the K i n g to flee, avo i d i n g
d iagonal i n which t h e Ki n gs are sepa rated by three squ ares .
back- row mates a n d oth e r th reats . S e e
LU FT.
A d i rect attack , u s u a l l y by a Roo k on a
D i sta nt h orizonta l opposition i s a l o n g a f i l e , d i stant ve rt ical
FRONTAL ATTAC K (n .)
oppos ition is a l o n g a ra n k , a n d d i sta nt d iago nal opposition i s
passed paw n , a l o n g the fi l e of s q u a re s in front of the paw n , as
a l o n g a d iago n a l . See
opposed to a rear attack from behi n d . Ki n gs a l s o g ive frontal
OPPOSITI O N .
DISCOVERED ATTACK (n .)
With th i s tactic, o n e moves a pi ece,
attacks , especially by setti n g up blockad e s . See
FRONTIER (n .)
movi n g a n d stat i o n a ry p ieces g i ve s i m u ltan eous th reats, i t i s a
ran k s ; a term co i n ed b y Aron N i mzovi c h .
d o u b l e attac k . A l s o ca l l ed D i scove ry.
REAR ATTACK .
A n i magi nary l i n e separati n g the 4th and 5th
unve i l i n g a n other fri e n d ly pi ece's l i n e of power. Wh e n both the
GAIN A MOVE (v.)
To compl ete an action , seq u e n ce , o r p l a n
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•
G LOSSARY
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•
303
i n o n e l e s s m ove than apparently needed. A playe r ga i n s advan
squ ares on ly. For White, t h e B i s h o p that starts the game on f1 ;
tage by cau s i n g or fo rci ng his oppo n e nt to waste a move,
for B l ac k , t h e o n e t h at beg i n s on c8 .
u su a l l y a res p o n s e to a t h reat . Also cal l e d Gai n a Tem p o .
LIVE S I D E (n .)
HOLE (n.)
A weakness, u s u al ly a s q u a re on on e's 3rd ran k
w h i ch i s i n capable of b e i n g defe n d e d by a pawn .
H ORIZONTAL OPPOSITION (n.)
An opposition i n w h i ch the
Ki n gs l i n e up on t h e same ran k , sepa rated by one, t h re e , or five
The s i d e of the board closest to t h e protected
passed pawn or attack i n g zone w h e n Ki n g s and pawns co nfront
each ot her over a n extended area. The b l i nd s i d e is the more
d i stant o n e .
LONG-DISTANT OPPOSITION (n .)
A n opposition a l o n g a fi l e ,
s q u ares . D i rect h o rizo n ta l opposition has one sq u are betwe e n ,
ra n k , o r d iagonal i n which t h e Ki n gs are sepa rated by five
d i stant h o rizontal opposition has t h ree s q u ares betwe e n , a n d
s q u ares . Lo n g - d i stant ve rti ca l opposition i s a l o n g a fi l e , l ong
l o n g- d i stant h o r izonta l opposition h a s five s q uares b etwee n .
d i stant h o ri zontal opposition i s a l o n g a ra n k , and l o n g - d i stant
See
d i agonal opposition is a l o n g a d iagon al . See
O PPO S IT I O N .
I NS U FFICI E N T MATING MATERIAL (n .)
T h e state o f b e i n g i n a
LONG S I D E (n.)
O P PO S I T I O N .
F o r K n i g h t , B i sh op, a n d center-paw n s , the
d rawn position becau se neither s i d e has enough mate rial l eft
side that offe rs the greatest n u mber of fi les lead i n g to the e dge
to force mate as , for exam p l e , when o n l y two Ki n gs remain o r
of t h e board . The concept i s e s pecia l l y i m po rtant i n Roo k
w h e n one s i d e h a s a l o n e B i s hop or K n i gh t .
ISOLATED PAWN (n .)
A pawn with n o fri e nd ly paw n s o n ei
t h e r adjace nt fi l e a n d wh ich t h e refore can not be guarded by
e n dga mes , i n w h i c h the Rook m u st be fa r away i n order to give
a s u ccessf u l flan k attack . Th u s , the p ri n ciple "Move you r Rook
to the l o n g s i d e . "
LOSE A MOVE (v.)
KEY SQUARE (n.) A n other name fo r CRITI CAL SQUA R E .
K I N G-BISHOP (n.) Fo r eith er side, the Bishop that starts the
To create a zugzwang s i tuatio n by a s e r i es of
moves that fo rce t h e opponent to give way. It i nvolves keep i ng
the same positi o n , b u t transfe r r i n g t h e move to t h e opponent.
game on the K i n g s i d e (f1 fo r White, f8 for B lack).
Also ca l l ed Lose a Te m po .
a n other pawn .
K N I G HT'S CORRALL (n .)
A B i s h o p t rap of a Kni ght along the
edge.
LUCE NA'S POS ITION (n .)
Named after L u i s Ra m i rez Lucena
(fi ftee n th-sixte e n t h ce n t u ry), a n i m p o rtant p o s i t i o n in t h e
A u n it of d i sta nce based on h ow the
K i n g , Rook , and pawn on the 7 t h ran k vs . Ki n g and Rook
Kn i g h t move s . If s q uare a i s a K n i g h t's j u mp away fro m s q u a re
endgame. It i nvolves escap i n g the pesky checks of t h e e n e my
b, it mean s a K n i g h t sitt i n g on a cou l d m ove to b . Also cal l ed a
Rook by c reati n g s h elter for the harassed K i n g . The tech n i q u e
i s " b u i l d i n g a b ri dge"-pl aci n g one's Roo k fi rst on its 4th ran k .
KNIGHT'S J U MP (n .)
K n i g ht's Move .
KNIG HT'S-MOVE OPPOSITION (n .)
An opposition i n which
See
B R I DG E .
the K i n gs d o not occ u py the same row o r sit o n s q uares of the
LU FT (n . )
same color. They sta n d i n o pposi t i o n , even though they are a
b reath i n g space . A fl i ght s q u are created for a Ki n g by m ovi n g a
K n i g ht's j u m p away from each ot h e r, becau se b locked pawns
pawn i n front of t h e Ki n g so that it can escape back- row mates .
p reve n t t h e K i n g s fro m a s s u m i n g typ i cal o p p o s i t i o n a l d i s
MAJOR P I ECES (n .)
tan ces . Th u s , d i fferent r u l e s apply.
LICHT PIECES (n .)
Bi shops and K n i g ht s . Also cal l ed M i n o r
Pieces.
LICHT-SQUARE B I SHOP (n .)
A G e r man t e r m m e a n i n g "ai r" o r, f i g u rative ly,
Q u ee n s a n d Roo k s . Also cal l e d Heavy
Pieces.
MAN EUVER (n .)
A red eployment o r a series of move s , u sually
n ot i n vo lvi n g c h ecks o r exchan ges , d e s i g n ed to i m p rove t h e
A B i s h op that t rave l s on l i ght
place m e n t o f o n e o r more pieces.
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GLOSSARY
MI NOR PIECES (n .)
B i s hops a n d K n i g h t s . Also cal l e d Light
Pieces.
N P (n .)
for the e n emy Ki n g to defe n d . See
OUTSIDE PASSED PAWN (n.)
The abb reviat i o n for K n i g h t- pawn , a pawn o n either
the g- o r b-fi l e .
and
305
CRO S S OV E R .
A pawn free to m ove towa rd
promotio n , positioned away from the main figh ti n g area. It is
typ ical ly used to decoy the enemy King to one side of the board
O B LIQUE OPPOS ITION (n .)
A n othe r n a m e fo r
RECTA N G U LAR
(by th reate n i n g to become a n ew Q u ee n ), so that the fri e n d ly
K i n g can tri u m p h on t h e oth e r s i d e .
O PPO S ITI O N .
D i rect place m e nt of a p i ece o r pawn o n a
OVERPASS (n .) A n oth er name for crossover.
PASSIVE (adj.) Refers to a m ove that m e rely guards o r wa rds
A ve rtical row o f e i gh t s q u ares ( s u ch a s d 1
off, with n o e l e m e n t of cou n te rplay. A n example is a passive
OCCUPATION (n .)
specific s q u a r e .
OPEN F I LE (n .)
U N D ERPASS
•
th rough d8), devo i d of pawn s . A l i n e es pecial l y effective fo r
Rook 's defe n s e , w h i c h ge neral ly is played to stop mate a l o n g
Roo ks.
t h e board's e d g e .
OPPOSITE-COLOR BI SHOPS (n .)
See
B I S H O P S OF O PPO S I TE C O L
PASSED PAWN (n .)
A pawn free to m ove t o i t s p rom oti on
sq uare, with n o e n e my paw n s to block its p rogress to the last
ORS.
OPPOSITION (n . )
A Zugzwang re lat i o n s h i p between t h e
ran k .
K i n g s , depe n d i n g mai n ly on t h e d i stan ce separat i n g th e m . I f
PAWN ISLA N D (n .)
t h e Ki n gs " stan d i n oppos i ti o n , " w h i cheve r moves i s a t a d i sad
oth e r fri e n d l y paw n s by at least one f i l e . The fewe r pawn
A gro u p of fri e n d ly pawns sepa rated from
va ntage and m u st give g ro u n d . The Ki ngs use oppos ition i n
i s l a n d s a p laye r h a s , t h e better.
th e i r fight ove r a passed pawn's c r i tical s q u are s . The attack i n g
PAWN MAJ ORITY (n .)
A gro u p of paw n s in one area that
K i n g "takes t h e opposition" t ry i n g t o occu py a critical sq u a re ,
o u t n u mber t h e e n emy paw n s oppos i n g them . If a p l ayer has a
a n d t h e d efe n d i n g Ki n g "takes the opposition" to p revent t h e
h ealthy pawn maj ority, he can c reate a passed pawn . W h e n
e n e my Ki n g from occu pyi n g that critical s q u a re o r oth e r s . I n
both Ki n gs castl e Ki n gs i d e and a player has a Q u e e n s i d e maj or
sta ndard oppo s i t i o n s (vert ical , horizo ntal , o r d i agonal ; and
ity, h e can p rod u ce a passed pawn a n d use it as a decoy to l u re
d i rect, d i stan t , a n d long- d i stant), the Ki n gs occupy s q u a re s of
the e n e m y Ki n g from the K i n g s i d e , leavi n g that sector defe n se
t h e same col o r a n d are separated by an o d d n u m b e r of s q u are s
l e s s . See
Q U EE N S MAJ O R I TY.
( o n e , t h re e , o r five) a l o n g the s a m e row (fi l e , ran k , o r d iagonal).
PE RPETUAL CHECK (n .)
OPPOSITIONAL FIELD (n .)
Th e i nte rre lation of every pos s i b l e
e n emy Ki n g can n ot esape, b u t can n ot be mated , e i t h e r. Th i s
opposition, taken i n seq u e n ce, exte n d i n g across the enti re
tech n i q u e i s u sed b y the check i n g side to d raw t h e game by
A seq u ence of checks fro m wh ich the
board . Th u s , if a p l ayer gets the long- d i stant oppositi o n , he can
repetition of positi o n . As a playe r i s about to repeat a position
co nvert it to a d i sta nt opposi t i o n as the oppone nt's Ki n g ap
for the t h i rd ti m e , the ru l e s a l l ow h i m to c l a i m a d raw. The
p roac h e s , and t h e reafter to a d i rect opposition if h i s King steps
repetitions n ee d n ot occu r o n consecutive m oves for the r u l e
even closer. See
to a p ply. A l s o ca l l e d Perpetu al a n d Pe rpetual Attack .
O PP O S ITI O N .
OUTFLANKING (n .)
A n i nvas i o n by the King from the f l a n k ,
u s u a l ly re lyi n g o n the opposition an d often t o occu py a n out
PH I U DOR'S DRAW (n .)
I n sit uat i o n s of K i n g , Roo k , and pawn
vs . K i n g and Rook , cutt i n g off the app roach i n g K i n g by e stab
s i d e critical s q u a re , especial ly to w i n a fixed en emy pawn
l i s h i n g on e's Roo k on its 3 r d ran k , with one's own Ki n g stan d i n g
d efended o n l y by its K i n g .
i n the pat h of t h e e n e my paw n . A p l aye r can d raw b y s h i ft i n g
The critical s q u are farthest
h i s Roo k a l o n g the 3 r d ran k , p revent i n g the attac k i n g K i n g from
from the e n emy K i n g . I t i s ge n e ral ly the hardest critical s q u are
c o m i n g closer. If the pl aye r's opponent p u s hes the pawn to
OUTSIDE CRITICAL SQUARE (n .)
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GLOSSARY
GLOSSARY
•
307
b l ock out the Roo k a n d break the cut-off, a l l ow i n g the King to
d i agon a l , but do occ u py squares of the same col o r. I f a rec
advance, the d raw can be mai ntai n e d by tran sferri n g the Rook
ta ngle were d rawn a l o n g the peri meter of s q uares con ta i n i n g
to the back ran k , w h e re it can th reaten to give an a n n oyi ng
t h e two Ki n g s , a n d if both t h e l o n g a n d sh ort s i d e s of the
s e ri e s of checks.
rectan g l e con tai n an odd n u m ber of s q u ares, the Ki n g s sta n d in
In the Ki n g , Roo k , and Bi s h o p vs.
PH I L I DOR'S POS ITION (n.)
" recta n g u l a r oppositi o n , " whe reby it i s u n d e s i rable for either
K i n g a n d Rook e n d game, a w i n n i n g position co rrectly an alyzed
K i n g to m ove . It i s also ca l l ed O b l i q u e Oppos i t i o n . For exam
by Francois-A n d res Danican P h i l i d o r (1 726-95).
p l e , if W h i te's K i n g were on c2 and B l ack's King were on e6, the
POSITIONAL DRAW (n .)
A d rawn s i t uation in which the poor
p l ace ment of oth e rwise w i n n i n g m aterial , a n d/o r the exce l l e n t
Ki n gs wou l d t h e n be i n recta n g u l a r oppositio n , and w h i chever
one moves i s at a d isadvantag e . See
positions of the e n emy defe n d e r s , p reve nts the g a m e from
REPETITION OF POSITION RULE (n .)
b e i n g won . A n exa m p l e is K i n g , B i s h op, and Rook-pawn vs.
w h e reby as a p l ayer is about to create a posit i o n that has
King, when the B i s h op i s u n able to d r ive the enemy Ki n g from
al ready occ u rred tw ice, t h o u g h n ot nece ssarily on consecutive
the p ro moti o n s q u a re .
move s , he i s perm itted to c l a i m a d raw. Th is r u l e is u su a l l y
PROMOTION SQUARE (n .)
Th e s q u are on a passed pawn's
8th ra n k that the pawn m u st occu py to become a n ew pi ece .
k n own as D raw By Repetiti on .
RIG HT-TRIAN GLE CHECK (n. )
A pawn gua rded by a friendly
pawn , therefore safe fro m enemy Ki n g attac k .
PROMOTION (n .)
F o r e i t h e r s i d e , the B i s h o p that starts t h e
A n oth e r name for P ro m ot i o n
S q u a re .
ran k . If on a ra n k , the check comes from a l o n g the fi l e . I n a l l
cas es , a right-t r i a n g l e c h e c k d rives the e n e my K i n g back a row.
A l o n g the board's edge, s u ch a check g ives mate.
ROLL (n .)
QUEENSIDE MAJO RITY (n .)
An advantage in which havi n g
m ore paw n s o n t h e Q u e e n s i d e than t h e o p p o n e n t enables o n e
to c reate a p a s s e d pawn that may be u sed as a decoy.
REAR ATIACK (n .)
ch ecki ng major p i ece , placed at a right angle to the l i n e of
Ki n gs). I f t h e Ki n g s are on a fi l e , the major pi ece checks a l o n g a
g a m e on t h e Q u e e n s i d e (c1 f o r W h i t e , c8 f o r Black).
Q U E E N I N G S Q U A R E (n . )
An i ma g i n e d right triangle that
can be traced ove r the arrangement of th ree pieces (two Ki n gs
in the same ra n k or fi l e , separated by o n e square , a n d one
C reation o f a n ew Queen w h e n a pawn
reaches its last ra n k . Also ca l l e d Q u e e n i n g .
QUE EN-BISHOP (n .)
A r u l e of the game
i nvoked or s o u g h t by the i n fe r i o r s i d e to avert defeat. Also
A l s o ca l l e d the Q u ee n i ng Sq uare .
PROTECTED PASSED PAWN (n .)
OPPOSITI O N .
An attack by a Ki n g o r Rook from be h i n d a
A s e q u e nce of forc i n g checks by two p i eces of l i ke
power that d r ive a defen d i n g Ki n g to the edge or corner, row
after row, by co n s ecut ive f i l e s , ran k s , or d iagona l s .
R P (n .)
T h e abb reviat i on f o r Roo k-pawn , a pawn on e i t h e r the
a- o r h -fi l e .
passed pawn . Th i s i s ge nerally the most powe rfu l post i n g for a
SEVENTH RAN K (n .)
Roo k . Th o u g h the Ki n g tends to be bette r placed defe n sively i n
i nvad i ng Rook to occu py. A l o n g the 7th ran k , a n aggress ive
G e n e ral ly, an i m portant ra n k f o r a n
front of an advanci n g paw n , t h e reby b l ockad i n g it, someti m e s a
Rook may confi n e the e ne my K i n g , set up mat i n g th reats, and
game can be saved by me naci ng the pawn with the Ki n g from
often attack a n u m b e r of paw n s .
the rear.
S HORT S I D E (n .)
RELATED SQUARE (n .)
An oth e r n a me for
C O R R E S PO N D I N G
The s i de o f a Kn i gh t , B i s h op, o r ce nte r-pawn
offe ri n g the fewest n u mber of f i l e s to the edge of the board .
( Roo k-paw n s have o n l y o n e s i de). I d eally, the defe n d e r t r i e s to
S Q UA R E .
An oppos i t i on in wh i ch the
position h i s K i n g on the s h o rt s i d e of a passed pawn so that h e
Ki n gs d o n ot o p p ose each oth e r along the same ran k , fi l e , or
k e e p s the l o n g s i d e c l e a r fo r Rook-checks . Th u s , if a p l ayer's
RECTA N G U LAR OPPOSITION (n .)
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GLOSSARY
GLOSSARY
Ki n g m u st defe n d itself by moving to the s h ort or l o n g s i d e of a
•
309
pawn safely adva n ce s to the 7th ran k without gi vi n g chec k .
B i sh op or ce nter-paw n , t h e p r i n c i p l e says "Move to the sh ort
Some writers d i sti n g u i s h between s q u eeze and zugzwang. For
side."
t h e m , zugzwang means neithe r playe r wants to m ove, while
SIM PLI FY (v. )
To exchange pieces a n d red u ce com p l i cati o n s .
S I STER SQUARES (n .)
A n ot h e r n a m e f o r C O R R E S PO N D I N G
S Q UARES .
S KEWER (n .)
A tact ic by which a p i ece is forced to m ove o u t
o f the way, expos i n g a n other pi ece o r pawn to captu re . Th e two
m ost i m p o rt a n t types of e n d ga m e s kewe rs are t h o s e from
Q u een to e n emy Ki n g a n d Queen , and Rook to e n emy King
a n d Roo k . Also ca l l ed x- ray.
SQUARE OF THE PAWN (n .)
squeeze means o n l y one pl ayer doesn't want to m ove . I d o n ot
u s e the term the latte r way, h e re or anywh ere e l s e .
STALEMATE (n .)
A d raw becau se the playe r on the move , n ot
al ready in c h e c k , has no l egal m ove . The r u l e s of the game
make t h i s situat i o n a d raw. If you are l o s i n g , one re sou rce is to
f i n d a way to sac r i f i ce yo u r remai n i n g mate r i a l , le avi n g yo u rself
in stal emate, without a l egal play.
S U PPORT MATE (n .)
A v i s u a l trick to dete r m i n e if a
A checkmate give n by a Q u een on an
adjacent sq u are to t h e e n e m y K i n g . The Q u e e n m u st b e
Ki n g can ove rtake a passed paw n . You envi s i o n a gro u p of
guard e d b y a fri e n d ly pi ece o r pawn .
s q u are s as a s q u a re block, where the sides of the bl ock are
TAKING AWAY THE LAST SQUARE (n .)
e q u al in l e n gth to the n u mber of o r d i n a ry chessboard s q u ares
exte n d i n g from a passed pawn to its Q u ee n i n g squ are . I f, on
t h e m ove , t h e d e fe n d i n g K i n g can p l ay to an o r d i n a ry
Red u c i n g the te rritory
ava i l a b l e to a l o n e King by seiz i n g control of t h e s q u a re i t
previ o u s l y occu pied . A tact i c u sed to d rive a K i n g towa rd the
e dge o r co rner.
chessboa rd s q u a re with i n the i magi n ed b l ock k n own as "the
TAKING THE OPPOS ITION (n .)
s q u are of t h e paw n , " the Ki n g can ove rtake the pawn and
you r Ki n g by m ovi n g it to oppose the ene my Ki n g a l o n g the
p reve nt it from Q u ee n i n g . I f the Ki n g can 't move with i n the
same fi l e , ran k , o r d i agonal , l eavi n g o n e , t h ree, or five s q u a res
Getti n g the advantage for
" s q u are of t h e pawn , " the pawn beco mes a new Q u e e n . I f a
betwee n . Th e e n e my K i n g , occupy i n g a sq uare of the same
passed pawn occ u p i e s a6 , the " s q u are of the paw n " i s a th ree
col o r, then o r s oo n , has to give way. Also movi ng you r King i n to
by th ree block co ntai n i n g n i n e regu lar squ ares, i n c l u d i n g a6,
position with the e n emy Ki n g to s h ape a recta n g l e , as in rec
a7, a8 , b8, c8 , c7, c6, b6, a n d b7. If the paw n i s on aS , the
tan g u l a r oppos i t i o n , where both the long and s h o rt s i d es of the
"sq ua re" conta i n s 1 6 reg u l a r sq uare s , with bou n da r i e s r u n n i n g
recta n g l e a re o d d . See
from aS t o a8 t o dB t o dS . O n a4 t h e s q u are h o u se s twe nty-five
TEMPO (n .)
A u n it of time re p resented by one m ove .
THEORY O F CORRESPONDING SQUARES (n .)
A p rofo u ndly
s m a l l sq uare s , goi n g from a4 to a8 to e8 to e4. On a3 the s q u a re
consi sts of t h i rty- s i x reg u l a r squ ares, reach i ng from a3 to a8 to
f8 to f4 . If a passed pawn sits on a2 , because of its ab i l ity to
OPPOSITI O N .
com p re h e n s ive t h e o ry atte m pt i n g t o explai n all e n d games with
j u st Ki n gs and u n m ovab le paw n s , d rawi n g on el aborate ca lcu la
m ove two sq u a re s ahead on its fi rst m ove, you s h o u l d p rete n d
t i o n s , com p l ex ana lyses , n u m e ro u s p ractical exa m p l e s , a n d
it's really o n a3 f o r the p u rpose o f dete rm i n i n g i t s sq uare ,
abstruse fo r m u l as .
which therefore exte n d s from a3 to a8 to f8 t o f4 . The " s q u are of
THREAT (n .)
the paw n " is a l s o referred to as a Q u ad rant or Q u ad ra n g l e .
t u r i n g , an d/or i n fl ue nci n g the e n e my K i n g , host i l e fo rce s , and/
SQUEEZE (n .)
A zugzwang i n King a n d pawn ve rs u s Ki n g
An attempt to gain advantage by trapp i n g , cap
or squares .
e n d i n gs that forces the i nfe r i o r Ki n g to m ove off the p ro m otion
TRIA N G U LAT I O N (n .)
sq u a re , lead i n g to the pawn's Q u ee n i n g. It occ u rs when the
rarely t h e Q u e e n ) takes two m oves t o occu py a s q u a re it could
A m a n e u ve r i n wh i c h a K i n g ( a n d
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G LOSSARY
GLOSSARY
have reached in o n e . It is u s u a l l y done to l ose a move, p l ac i n g
t h e ot her s i d e i n zu gzwang . Wh i l e execut i n g t h i s maneuve r,
the Ki n g's move m e nt traces a trian g l e .
TWO BISH OPS (n .)
A type o f advantage, whereby one s i d e
has two B i s h op s a n d t h e oth e r h a s a B i s h o p and K n i g h t , or two
Kn i ghts.
U N DERPROMOTION (n . )
C reat i o n of a Rook , B i s h op, or
Kn i ght-i n stead of a Qu een-when a pawn reaches its 8th
ran k .
U N IVERSE (n .)
For a passed pawn , a n i m ag i n ed sect i on of the
board con s i sti n g of th ree files : the fi le the pawn occ u p i e s and
the adjacent files to the i m mediate l eft a n d right. When a Ki n g
a n d pawn face a l o n e K i n g , t h e f i g h t to p romote the pawn
genera l ly is confi n e d with i n t h i s z o n e .
UP THE EXCHANGE (a dv.)
H aving the advantage of a Rook
agai n st a m i n o r pi ece ( B i s h o p o r Knig ht).
VERTICAL OPPO S I T I O N (n . )
A n o p p o s i t i o n in w h i c h t h e
K i n g s l i ne u p o n t h e same fi l e , separated b y one, th ree, o r five
s q u are s . D i rect ve rt ical opposition has one squ are betwe e n ,
d i stant ve rtical opposition h a s th ree squ ares between , a n d
l o n g - d i sta nt ve rti cal opposition has five sq uares betwee n . See
O P P O S ITI O N .
WAITING MOVE (n .)
A move that s h ifts t h e t u r n t o o n e 's
opponent with out c h a n g i n g anyth i n g i m portant i n the posi
tion, often accom p l i s h e d by movi n g a pi ece one sq uare, ahead
o r b e h i n d , along the l i n e it al ready occup i e s .
WEAKNES S (n .)
A squ are or pawn that n o fri e n d l y pawn can
p rotect.
W RONG BISHOP (n .)
I n s i t u ati o n s of Ki n g , B i s h op, a n d Rook
pawn vs . a l o n e Ki n g , a B i sh o p that trave l s o n s q uares of
d ifferent col o r from the Rook-paw n 's p ro moti on square. Th u s ,
i t can not d rive t h e e n e my King from the co rner a n d t h e game i s
d rawn . I n sit uat i o n s of King a n d Rook vs. King a n d B i s h op, a
Bi s h o p that i s u n a b l e to occu py the s q u a res h o rizonta l ly o r
ve rtically adjace nt to t h e co rner. Th u s , it can n ot sati sfacto rily
s h elte r its Ki n g from Rook-ch ecks .
ZUGZWANG (n .)
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31 1
A wo rd from G e rman that means " co m p u l
s i o n t o m ove . " I n c h e s s e n d ga m e s i t h a s a n e gative co n
notation . I f a p laye r i s " i n Zugzwan g, " a n y m ove he ca n make
loses or worsens h i s position.
ZW ISCHENZUG (n .)
A German term me a n i n g " i nte r m e d i ate
m ove . " A l s o cal l e d I n -between Move . It's u s u a l l y an u n ex
pected m ove , such as a check, that a l l ows a p l aye r to delay
recapt u r i n g e l sew h e re for o n e m ove .
I ndex
Another Mate i n Fo u r, 37
O u t f l a n k i n g , 285
P u s h-Off 1 , 275
Push -Off 2 , 279
Any-Rook Move Mate, 27
Rear Defense, 280-81
Attac k i n g t h e Weak S i d e , 65
Stopp i n g the Advance, 284
Avoi d t h e Corner, 21 4
Avo i d i n g S ta l e m ate, 2 1 8
Stop the B l oc k , 272
Zu gzwang 1 , 276
Z u gzwang 2, 282
Active Defe n s e , 266
Alignment, 1 1 1
and pawn vs. k n i g h t , 288-92
Blockade, 291
Corra l l i n g, 292
Bac k i n g Off, 22
Back-Rank Escape, 241
Corral l i n g 1 , 288
Bad Ki ng's Po sitio n , 247
Badly Placed Roo k , 1 82
E n c i rc l e m e n t , 289
Zugzwang 3, 290
a n d pawn vs. pawn, 21 2-1 5
Avo i d t h e Co rner, 2 1 4
B i shop(s)
elem entary c h e c k m ates, 30-43
and k n i g h t , in e l e m e ntary checkmates, 34-43
The Drive, 42
Cornered, 21 3
Misplaced B i s hop, 21 2
S q u are of t h e Paw n , 21 5
K i n g S h ift , 4 1
The L o c k , 39
vs. pawn, 1 90-91
Creat i n g a B l oc k , 1 91
Mate in Fou r, 36-38
Mate in Three, 35
Di scovered Mate, 1 90
vs. roo k. See Rook, vs. b i s hop
Mate in Two, 34
Transition to t h e Lock, 40
v s . kn i g h t and paw n , 293-96
Block Out, 295
Convoy, 296
Driving off, 294
and paw n , 206-1 1
and rook vs. roo k . See Rook(s), and
b i shop vs. rook
B i s h op Rol l , 30
Bis hops of Opposite Colors, 283
Blockad e , 291
B l oc k i ng t h e Critical D i ago n a l , 1 64
Critical S q u a re 1 , 206
Blocking t h e Q u e e n i n g Sq uare, 1 72
C r i t i cal Sq uare 2, 21 0
Block O u t , 295
Board's Edge, 1 95
Breaki ng Coordi nati o n , 67
Critical-Squ are Fight, 21 1
M i s placed Bish op, 207
Wrong Co lor B i s hop, 208
Breaking Down the Fortress 1 , 227
and pawn(s) vs. b i s hop, 272-85
Bishops of Opposite Colors , 283
Breaking the Barrier, 263
Brea k i n g Down the Fortress 2, 228
Centu r i n i 's Pos i t i o n , 277-78
Break i n g t h e C u t-off, 243
Defl ecti n g Sacrifice, 273
Deflect i o n , 274
Breakt h ro u g h , 1 53
Breakthrough 1 , 146
313
31 4
•
I N DEX
I N DEX
D i scovered Mate, 1 90
Distant Opposition , 91 , 1 26, 1 42
F l a n k Attack 2, 252
B ridge, The, 244
Doubl e-Threat Q u e e n , 53
Cent u r i n i 's Pos i t i o n , 277-78
Driving Off, 240, 294
D r i v i n g Off the Pro m o t i o n S q u a r e ,
Force t h e Pawn to t h e 7t h , 21 7
Fortress, T h e , 226
From Edge to Edge, 52
Frontal Attack , 1 86
Breakth rough Com bi nation 1 , 1 65
B reakthrough Combi nation 2, 1 66
C h a n g i n g t h e C r i t ical S q u ares, 1 25
C h ase, Th e , 60
Drive, The, 42-43
259
Clos i n g I n , 21
Closing t h e Door, 32
Closing the Net, 28
Color R u l e , 21 6
Connected Pawns on 6th Rank, 1 84
Contro l l i n g t h e C r i t i cal Squ are, 1 02
Co nvoy, 296
Corner C u r l U p, 220
Corner Drive, 61
Corner Retreat, 293
Cornered, 213
Corral l i ng, 292
Corra l l i n g 1 , 288
Frontal Defense, 83
D u al Methods, 54
G a i n i n g Ti m e , 1 76
Getting Back, 1 1 3 , 1 79
Ci rcuit, The, 1 98
Cl earance, 1 36
C l ea r i n g the Pat h , 76
Forced Mate, 47
E l e m entary checkmates
Bac k i n g Off, 22
Clos i n g I n , 21
Closing the Net, 28
Erect i n g the Barri e r, 24
Q u een and Rook Ro l l , 1 8
Rol l i n g Barr i e r, 1 9
Rook Barrier, 20
Wa i t i ng-Move Mate, 25
m i nor pieces (bishop and k n i g ht),
q u e e n v s . q u e e n , 47-48
q u e e n v s . rook, 49-55
two q u ee n s , 46
elementary checkmates, 1 8-28
Any-Rook Move Mate, 27
Bac k i n g Off, 22
C l o s i n g I n , 21
C l o s i n g t h e Net, 28
Cut-Off, 23
"Cut-Off" Mate, 26
C r i t i cal Retreati n g D i ago nal , 1 22
K i n g S h i ft , 41
The Lock, 39
Mate in Fo u r, 36-38
Q u een and Rook Rol l , 1 8
Rol l i ng Barri e r, 1 9
Rook Barrier, 20
Criti cal Square 2, 99, 21 0
Cri tical Squ are s , 88--89
Critical-Square Fight, 21 1
Cross-Check 1 , 231
Cross-Check 2, 232
Cu rled U p, 222
Cut-Off, 23
Cut-Off Along Ran k , 1 78
"Cut-Off" Mate, 26
Cut-Off-No C h e c k i n g D i stance,
261 -62
Dangerous Rook-Pawn , 200
Decoy, 1 1 4
Defensive Pitch , 1 2 1
Deflecting Sacrifice, 273
Deflection , 274, 286
Diagonal Block, 1 30
D i agonal Marc h , 1 3 3 , 1 37
D i agonal S q u eeze, 81
Di rect Oppositi o n , 86-87, 1 58
Mate in Three, 35
Mate in Two, 34
Transition to t h e Loc k , 40
m i n o r pieces (two b i s hops), 30-33
Bishop Ro l l , 30
C l o s i n g t h e Door, 32
Erect i n g t h e Barrier, 24
Wai t i n g-Move Mate, 25
H i d i ng, 237
H o rizontal Oppos i t i o n , 1 59
I n s i de t h e Pawn's Square, 1 1 5
Po sitioning The King, 31
Ta k i n g Away Squares, 33
Q u e e n and Rook Rol l , 1 8
Rol l i n g Barrier, 1 9
Rook Barrier, 20
Waiti ng-Move Mate, 25
E n c i rc l e m e nt, 289
Erect i n g the Barrier, 24
Escap i n g Along t h e Fi l e , 242
Exchanging Down, 268
Extended Overpass, 93
Fei n t , The, 1 32
F l a n k Attac k, 255
F l a n k Attack 1 , 246
Clearing t h e Pat h , 76
C o n t rol l i n g t h e C r i t i c a l S q u a r e ,
1 02
H e avy p i eces. See also specific pieces
in combat, 45-55
34-43
T h e Drive, 42
Critical S q u a re 1 , 206
Tem po , 1 67
Tri a n g u l ation , 1 61
and pawn vs. k i n g , 73-1 03
D i rect Oppos i t i o n , 86-87
Distant Opposition , 91
escort p ro b l e m s , 76-77
Extended Overpass, 93
Correspo n d i n g S q u a r e s , 1 49-50
Creat i n g a Block, 1 91
C r i t i cal S q u are, Outside, 92
O p positional F i g h t , 1 62
Rear Outfl a n k i n g , 1 6 0
Critical S q u are, 78-79
Crit ical Squ ares #2, 99
Cu t-Off, 23
" C ut-Off" Mate, 26
Jett i s o n , 1 52
315
Oppos itional Field, 1 63
Glossary, 297-31 0
heavy pieces
Any-Rook Move Mate, 27
•
Frontal Defe nse, 83
K n i ght-Pawn Trap, 90
Long- D i stant Oppo s i t i o n , 1 00
Maintai n i n g the Opposition, 98
Opposing, 79
Opposi t i o n , 95
O p positional Squ eeze, 80
Rear Defe n s e , 1 03
Reserve Te m po, 96
Rook-Pawn Draws, 1 01
S h i e l d i n g Off, 77
S q u are of the Paw n , 74
The S q ueeze, 78
Stal e m ate, 85
Stepp i n g into t h e S q u are , 75
Transition to a Squ eeze , 84
U n d e rpass 1 , 94
Un derpass 2, 97
Ve rtical S q u eeze, 82
and pawn vs. k i n g and pawn , 1 1 71 33
C h a n g i n g t h e C r i t i ca l S q u a res ,
1 25
Critical Retreat i n g Diagonal , 1 22
King
a n d pawn, m i scellaneous posi
t i o n s , 1 5 7-67
B l oc k i n g t h e C r i t ical D i agon a l ,
1 64
Breakthrough Co m b i n at i o n 1 ,
1 65
Breakthrough Combi nation 2 ,
1 66
D i rect Oppos i t i o n , 1 58
Horizontal Opposition, 1 5 9
Defensive Pitch, 1 2 1
Diagonal Bloc k , 1 3 0
Diagonal March , 133
D i stant Oppos i t i o n , 1 26
F e i n t , The, 1 32
Outflanki ng, 1 1 8
Outfl a n k i ng Trebuchet, 1 2 0
passed pawn s , 1 2 9-33
pawns on adjacent f i l e s , 1 24-27
pawns on same f i l e , 1 1 8-23
S h i e l d i n g Off, 1 2 3
S kewer, 1 31
3 1 6 • I N DEX
K i ng lcont.J
S q ueeze, 1 24
S q ueez i n g I n , 1 29
Tre b u c het, 1 1 9
U nderpass, 1 2 7-28
and two pawns v s . k i n g , 1 05-15
Alignment, 1 1 1
connected pawns, 1 08-9
Decoy, 1 1 4
doubled pawn s , 1 0fr7
Getting Back, 1 1 3
I n side t h e Pawn's Sq uare, 1 1 5
Oppos i t i o n , 1 1 2
Pawn Mate, 1 08
Pawn Pitch 1 , 1 06
Pawn Pitch 2, 1 09
Spl it-Pawn Defense, 1 1 0
and two pawns vs. k i n g and paw n ,
1 35-55
a l l passed paw n s , 1 3fr37
backward pawn, 1 45-50
Breakt h r o u g h , 1 53
Breakt h ro u g h 1 , 146
C l earance, 1 3 6
connected pawn s , 1 51-55
Correspo n d i n g S q u ares,1 49-50
D i agonal March, 1 3 7
Distant Oppo s i t i o n , 1 42
jettison, 1 52
K n i g ht's-Move Oppos i t i o n , 144
Long- D i stant Oppos i t i o n , 151
oppos i n g pawns p l u s passed pawn,
138-41
Outflan k i n g , 1 54
Outfl a n k i n g 1 , 1 48
Outfla n k i ng-Oppo s i t i o n , 147
Outside Passed Pawn, 1 38
Pawn Pitch, 1 43
Pawn Sac, 145
protected passed paw n , 143-44
Rese rve Te m po , 1 55
Tempori z i n g , 1 39
t h ree adjacent f i l e s , 1 4 2
Tri a n gu l at i o n , 140-41
King and K n i g h t D u e l , 221
K i n g S h ift, 41
K i n g to the Short S i d e , 260
K n i ght(s)
and bi shop, in e l e m e ntary check
mat e s , 34-43
The Drive, 42
K i n g S h i ft , 41
I N DEX • 3 1 7
The Lock, 39
Mate in Four, 3fr38
Mate in Three, 35
Mate i n Two , 34
Transition to t h e Lock, 40
vs. bi shop and paw n , 288-92
Blockade, 291
Corral l i ng, 292
Corra l l i ng 1 , 288
E nci rclement, 289
Zugzwang 3, 290
and pawn, 21fr19
Avoid i n g Stalemate, 21 8
Color R u l e , 21 6
Force the Pawn to the 7th , 21 7
Rear Defe n s e , 21 9
vs. pawn, 1 92-203
The Board's Edge, 1 95
The Circuit, 1 98
Dangerous Rook-Pawn, 200
Knight Fork, 1 94
Mate in Four Moves, 203
Mate in t h e Corner, 1 99
Mate in Three Moves, 202
Mate in Two Moves, 201
Perpetual Check, 1 93
Setting t h e Barri e r, 1 96
Setting t h e Barr i e r 2 , 1 97
and pawn vs. bishop, 293-96
B l oc k Out, 295
Convoy, 296
Co rner Retreat, 293
Driving off, 294
and pawn vs. k n i g h t , 28fr87
Mainta i n i n g the Barri er, 251
Passive Defense Loses 2, 258
Mainta i n i ng the Oppos i t i o n , 98
Pawn(s). See also specific minor and
Major pieces. See H e avy pieces
Mate in Fou r, 36, 203
Mate in Fo u r, Another, 37
Mate in Four, A T h i r d , 38
Mate in t h e Corner, 1 99
Mate in Three, 35, 202
Mate in Two, 34 , 1 75, 201
M i no r pieces . See also specific pieces
b i s h o p and paw n ( s ) vs. b i s hop,
272-85
bi shop and pawn v s . k n i g h t , 288-92
elem entary checkmates, 30-43
bishop and k n i g h t , 34-43
two bi shops, 30--3 3
knigh t and pawn vs . b i s hop, 293-96
knigh t and pawn v s . kni ght, 286-87
and pawn , 205-23
bishop and pawn, 20fr1 1
bis hop and pawn vs. pawn, 2 1 2215
kn ight and pawn, 21 fr1 9
kn ight a n d pawn vs. pawn, 220-223
vs. pawn(s), 1 89--2 03
K i n g and K n i g h t D u e l , 221
Outfla n k i n g , 223
K n i g h t Fork, 1 94
K n i g ht's-Move Oppos i t i o n , 1 44
K n i ght··Pawn Trap, 90
Lift i n g the B l ockad e , 229
Lift i n g t h e B l ockade 2, 230
L i g h t p i eces. See M i n o r p i eces
Lock, The, 39
Long- D i stant Oppos i t i o n , 1 00 , 1 51
k i n g and two paw n s v s .
1 05-15
and pieces i n action , 1 69--296
h e avy pieces, 225-33
h e avy pi eces vs. pawn, 1 71-87
m i nor piece p l u s paw n , 205-23
m i nor pieces, 271-96
m i n o r pieces vs. pawn , 1 89--2 03
rooks, 235-69
a n d rook vs. queen and pawn, 227228
Pawn Mate, 1 08
Pawn Pitch , 143
Pawn Pitch 1 , 1 06
Pawn Pitch 2, 1 09
knight(s), 1 92-203
Pawn S h el ter, 254
and rook, 57-70
M i sp l aced B i s hop, 207, 212
king,
k i n g and two pawns vs. k i n g a n d
pawn, 1 35-55
m i s ce l l a n e o u s k i n g a n d pawn
positions, 1 57-67
Pawn Sac, 145
Pawn's Way, 1 92
Perpetual Attack, 55
Perpet ual Attack 1 , 50
Perpetual C h ec k , 46, 1 93 , 233
No Stalemate, 1 77
Opposition, 95, 1 1 2
Perpet u a l Threat, 1 87
Ph i l idor's Draw, 256
Phil i d or's Position, 51 , 70
P i n and Wi n , 59
Pos i t i onal Draw, 62
Prev e n t i n g t h e C h e c k i n g D i st a n c e ,
Oppos i n g , 79
Oppos itional S q u e ez e , 80
O u tflan k i n g , 1 1 8, 1 54 , 223, 285
Outfl a n k i n g 1 , 148
Outflanki ng-Oppos i t i o n , 147
Outfl a n k i n g Trebuchet, 1 20
Las ker's Pi n , 269
k i ng and pawn vs. k i ng , 73-1 03
k i n g a n d pawn v s . k i n g a n d
pawn, 1 1 7-33
b i s hop, 1 90--91
Deflect i o n , 286
Reduct i o n , 287
a n d pawn vs. paw n , 220--23
Corner Curl U p, 220
Cu rled u p, 220
heavy pieces
in act i o n , 71-167
Outside Critical S q u a re , 92
Outside Passed Pawn , 1 38
Passive Defe n s e D raws 1 , 248
Passive Defe n s e Draws 2, 249, 257
Passive Defense Loses 1 , 249
245
Push-Off 1 , 275
Push-Off 2, 279
Q u ee n
i n e l e m e ntary checkmat e s , 21-24
Bac k i n g Off, 22
C l o s i n g I n , 21
Cut-Off, 23
Erect i n g the Barr i e r, 24
vs. pawn(s), 1 72-77
Blocking the Q u e e n i n g S q u ar e ,
1 72
J i ii • I N DE X
(_)U('Cfl
(( <HJl. I
Gai n i n g T i m e , 1 76
Mate in Two, 1 7S
No Sta l e m at e , 1 77
Stal e m at e 1 , 1 73
Stalemate 2, 1 74
and pawn vs. q u ee n , 229-33
Cross-Check 1 , 231
Cross-Check 2, 232
Lift i n g t h e Blockade 1 , 229
Lifti ng t h e Blockade 2 , 230
Perpetual Check, 233
and pawn vs. rook and paw n , 227228
B re a k i n g Down t h e Fortress 1 ,
227
Bre a k i n g Down t h e Fortress 2,
228
Perpetual Check, 46
vs. q u een
Forced Mate, 47
X- Ray Attack, 48
a n d roo k , i n e l e m e ntary c h eck
mates
Queen and Rook Rol l , 18
Rol l i ng Barrier, 1 9
v s . rook, 49-55
Doubl e-Threat Q u e e n , S3
D u a l Methods, 54
I N DEX • 3 1 9
I lank
Po si tional D raw, 62
Ph i l i dor's Pos i t i o n , 70
Rook Lift 1 , 66
Rook L i ft 2 , 68
Sh ifting S i des, 69
e l e m entary checkmates, 2S-28
Clos i n g t h e Net, 28
"Cut-Off" Mate, 26
Rook Barrier, 20
Wait i ng-Move Mate, 25
vs. k n ight, 63-64
Rear Defe n s e , 1 03 , 2 1 9 , 280--81
Rear Outfla n k i n g , 1 60
Red uction, 287
Reposition , 1 80
Reserve Tem po , 96, 1 55
Right-Co r n e r Mate, 58
Rol l i ng Barri e r, 1 9
Rook(s)
vs. b i s hop, S�62
The Chase, 60
Co rner Drive, 61
Pin and W i n , 59
S q u a re of the Pawn , 74, 21 5
S q ueeze, 78, 1 24
Passive Defense D raws 2, 257
S q ueezi ng I n , 1 29
Passive Defense Loses 1 , 249
Passive Defe n s e Loses 2, 258
Stalemate 1 , 1 73
Sta l e m ate, 85
Checking
Stalemate 2, 1 74
Dis-
S h u t I n , 239
S kewer 1 , 236
Badly Placed Roo k , 1 82
C u t-Off Along Ran k, 1 78
Two- F i l e Cut-Off, 264-6S
Z u gzwang, 238
vs . queen , 49-55
Dou b l e-Threat Q u e e n , S3
Getting Back, 1 79
Repos i t i o n , 1 80
Saavedra's Pos i t i o n - U n d e r Pro
motion, 1 83
Tempo Fines se-Oppos i t i o n , 1 81
and pawns , 266--69
Active Defe nse, 266
Dual Methods, 54
From Edge to Edge, 52
Perpetual Attack, 55
Perpet ual Attack 1 , SO
Ph i l i dor's Po s i t i o n , 51
Stal e m ate Sacrifice, 49
and q u ee n , i n e l e m entary check
mates
and pawn vs. q u e e n , The Fortress,
q u e e n and
pawn,
227-28
B re a k i n g Down t h e Fortress 1 ,
227
B re a k i n g Down t h e Fortress 2,
Rear Attack o n Advanced Pawn, 1 8S
Skewer 1 , 236
S p l i t-Pawn Defe n s e , 1 1 0
K i n g to the Short Side, 260
Mainta i n i n g the Barrier, 251
Passive Defense Draws 1 , 248
228
and pawn vs. rook, 236--65
Back-Rank Escape, 241
Bad K i n g's Pos i t i o n , 247
Q u een and Rook Rol l , 1 8
Rol l i ng Barrier, 1 9
vs. two pawns, 1 84-87
Connected Pawns on 6th Rank,
1 84
Frontal Attack, 1 86
Perpet u al Threat, 1 87
Rear Attack on Advanced Paw n ,
1 8S
Rook Barri er, 20
Rook L i ft 1 , 66
Steppi n g i n to the S q u are, 7S
Stopping the Adva nce, 284
Stop t h e B l oc k , 272
The Bridge, 244
Cut- Off-No Chec k i n g D i stance,
261 -62
D ri v i n g Off, 240
D ri v i n g
Off
the
Promoti o n
S q u a re , 259
Escaping Along t h e F i l e , 242
.
·- ·-----
Tak i n g Away S q u ares, 33
Te m po, 1 67
Te m po Finesse-Oppos i t i o n , 1 81
Te mporiz i n g , 1 39
T h i rd Mate in Fo u r, A, 38
Togetherness, 64
Trnnsition to a S q u eeze, 84
Transition to the Lock, 40
Trebuchet, 1 1 9
Triangu lation, 1 4 0-41 , 1 61
Two - F i l e Cut-Off, 264-6S
U n d e rpass, 1 27-28
U nde rpass 1 , 94
U nde rpass 2, 97
Ve rtical S q u eeze, 82
Wai t i n g-Move Mate, 25
Wro n g Color B i s hop, 208
Rook L i ft 2, 68
Rook-Pawn Draws, 1 01
B reaking t h e Barr i e r, 263
B reaking the Cut-off, 243
······-··---· .
Sta l e m ate Sacrifice, 49
Stalemate Trick, 250
Sta l e m ate Tr i c k , 250
Laske r's Pi n , 269
S k ewer, 267
226
Q u e e n and Rook Ro l l , 1 8
S kewer, 1 31 , 267
Short-Side Pro b l e m , 253
vs. pawn, 1 79-83 . See a/so vs. two
pawns below
226
a n d pawn v s .
S h o rt-Side Prob l e m , 253
H i d i n g , 237
Preve n t i n g the
tance, 24S
Separation, 63
Togeth e rness, 64
Exchanging Down, 268
rook and pawn , The Fortress,
S h u t I n , 239
Pawn Sh elter, 254
P h i l idor's Draw, 256
Any-Rook Move Mate, 27
From Edge to Edge, 52
Stalemat e Sacrifice, 49
255
F l a n k Attack 2, 2S2
Attacking t h e Weak S i d e , 6S
Breaking Coordi n at i o n , 67
Perpetual Attac k , SS
Perpetual Attack 1 , SO
Ph i l i dor's Pos i t i o n , S1
vs.
Attack,
F l a n k Attack 1 , 246
Right-Corner Mate, 58
and b i s hop vs . rook, 65-70
X-Ray Attack, 48
Saavedra's Pos i t i o n-U n d e rpromotion, 1 83
Separation , 63
Sett i n g t h e Barr i e r, 1 96
Sett i n g t h e Barrier 2, 1 97
S h i e l d i n g Off, 77, 1 2 3
S hifti n g S i d e s , 69
Zugzwang, 238
Z u gzwang 1 , 276
Zugzwang 2, 282
Zugzwang 3, 290
About the Author
BRUCE PANDOLF I N I i s perhaps best k n own fo r h i s m o n t h ly Chess
Life "ABC's of Chess" co l u m n a n d for h i s seven i n st ructional
c h e s s b o o k s i n c l u d i n g Bobby Fischer's Ou trage o us Ch ess
Moves, Principles of th e New Chess, Russian Chess, Th e ABC's
of Chess, Let's Play Chess, Kasparov's Winning Chess Tactics,
a n d One Move Chess by the Champions. Pe rhaps the most
expe ri e n ced chess teac h e r in N o rt h Ame rica, and the executive
d i recto r of t h e Manhattan C h e s s C l u b , B ruce Pa ndolfi n i l ives i n
New Yo r k C i ty.
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�1chin9 ehorr·i:;iion::iplMpi 9r,;•r11: :.. � Ponriorfi.11r.1 t:mlganK: Cm.rrs a
119e:s oll 1hcl, IBo�ed � masitcr te�di�fl' Pn'"ttolfini's pri'IC!"c course
·s. easy-ro� vclurr.ie- e1C�· � irM;JhX'l
.,..ml'"P.T
or his :s.1udefi s,
c- de"' ooncepts ond e.iG!llr'l p1es. ir o deo ol'ld e n latai-1i1-S forma 'lh �
ow:s. �n� sluden� with a bcsi< k.rul¥1 · dq� ol .i:: h
IQ � n i °'Y
·.proving �'I asped ci hilli or
endgame- �y-w
also vasl
_
-
·
her chess play�
With ooe endgame example pe1 poge oi'ld oo._;e;fin9 every
endgicmi:t category in ordecr d difficulty, Pondoffirri walks. ttie teOder
through all Ae basic eoclgcme c-cni:ep1s iru:ludir'f:):
• squofB of �he pawn
cnii c aJ squares
• c.orms:poo cf ng -squares
• cmd ether nS\"" opproad1es oot mentioned n many of the
� lmsM: rcfcf(;rr.;; cs.
Wi h Q 9lo$Sory c <:ooa:p� 011r:f black-and-white diograms
1hr04.lghout ttiis bro hr.gu volume 1� the oo1-'So-se� password to
(I whole rM;W re""1 of .;; h c:ss pli;;,iy end icnterta11mcnt :or titc O"#era:Qe
pl�.
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