Chess and Checkers: The Way to Mastership

ess after learning the moves of the men is like the soldier who is co

thoroughly conversant with the tactical possibilities afforded by the cooperation of the different u

infantry than to artillery and vice versa have their equivalent on the Chess board in the different ways

each man so that he may know exactly how much work to expect from him. The best way to accomplish this is the study

ENTAL

pture can be accomplished in the face of the best possible defense. Naturally a player must have a certain material superiority to be able to force a mate, a

rable position for the King is, of course, a corner of the board as there he has only three squares to go to while in the middle of the board eight squares are accessible to him. Con

en or with King and Rook. Supposing, for instance, White has his King on c3 and

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er to drive the King into a c

o that the King could simply capture her. A long range attack from h2, g3, d3 or h6 is not effective either as it would not re

aller and smaller territory until he finally has to back up against the side or

king him at the same time. This would be the case if he now moved Q-c7. For then Black could not move the King to b5, as this square is controlled by White's King, and he could not go to any of the othe

the Queen, the mating process would take a few more

best way to start will therefore be (1) R-e3. No matter what Black replies, he cannot prevent White

ce or the Rook to occupy e5. (2) ..., K-c5; (3) R-e5; K-d6; (4) K-d4, K-c6; (5) R- d5, K-b6; (6) R-c5, K-b7; (7)

six squares at Black's disposal are controlled by White's King and the other three by the Rook (or the Queen). If White had only a Bishop or a Knight in addition to the King he could never mate Black, for neither Bishop

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White plays (1) Kt-c5, K-h1; (2) Kt-e4. Now Black cannot continue with P-h2, as White would checkmate with Kt-g3. Therefore, he must play (2) ..., K-h2. White then gets the Knight in such a position as to deprive Black's

1; (2) Kt-c5, P-h2 Black is stalemate unless White moves his King so as to make the square g1 accessibl

and Black has the King on h1 and a Bishop or a Pawn on h2, then White on the move would mate by K-f2. But it is evident that Black must have made a blunder, for on the

ing and two Bishops

against King off

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fine the opposing King to the corner. In Diagram 11 for instance, it will be the best policy for White to advance right away

(7) B-d3, K-b3; (8) B-d2, K-b2; (9) K-c4, K-a3; (10) K-c3, K-a4; 11) K-c2 (not K-b2 which would

e lone King always makes the best move. Diagram 12 may serve as an example of this ending. White has a black Bishop and so he will

ing into the middle of the board. It is easy to see, by the way, that the Kt cannot be placed so as to control the square c8, thereby forcing the King into the corner, and

King is confined to the seventh and eighth ranks and it

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c6, K-d8; (5) Kt-g6, K-c8; (6) Kt-e7, K-d8; (7) K-d6, K-e8; (8) K-e6, K-d8; (9) B-h2. A waiting move. White wants to place the Bishop on c7 so as to make d8 i

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move. White cannot p

ate. (17) ..., K-g8;

2 m

er, the Knight who prevents the King from escaping is never ready to give the checkmate, and in order to prevent a stalemate the other Knight would have to let the Kin

VALUE O

onfine the hostile King with a few moves and force him into a mating net. Of the other pieces the Rook is no doubt the strongest for he is sufficient to force a mate in conjunction with his own K

n, and positions often occur in which a Knight is more valuable than a Rook or in which a Pawn might be preferable to a Bishop and so on. The reason is that sometimes the weaker man occupies

timation of their average strength. The Queen is about as strong as two Rooks or as three minor pieces (Bishops or Knights

ed mobility, that it seems hardly worth while to waste time on saving a Pawn that is attacked, as so much greater things are appa

ened. This knowledge is all the more indispensable to the Chess player as the vast majority of all games

Pawns and sometimes it is only by their exchange that the game can be w

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swer Q-d4 check with simultaneous attack on the Pawn. The correct way to play for White is (1) Q-d1+, K-a3 or b4; (2) Qxa4, Kxa4. Now that the Queens are exchanged White need n

ueening square. But the black King arrives there in the same number of moves, so that he can capture the Pawn the moment he queens. Consequently White will only b

Black will block the further advance of White's King by K-e7. However, White can force Black to give the way free. The maneuver by which he does this

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case Black's King-is compelled to allow the advance of the opposing King to the next line. If Black plays K-d7, White answers (6) K-f6, and if Black plays K-f7, (6) K-d6 would follow. Then, after Black's K-e8, White repeats the man

K-f7 and although after (6) P-e6, K-e7; (7) K-e5 White has regained the opposition he cannot keep it if Black continues correctly. The move which saves the game for Black is K-e8. K-d8 or K-f8 lose, as then White could go into opposition by K-d6 or K-f6. The play in these three cases would be this: A:

pposition of the Kings on the 6th and 8th ranks. If the weaker party succeeds

pose, for instance, White has the King on e6 and the Pawn on e5 while Black's King stands on e8 with White on the move. White must get out of opposition by playing K-f6 or K-d6 and Black keep

is ending by the exchange of all the other men left on the board, but also because it gives the first insight into the peculiar maneuvers of the King which have to

ority of pawn endings are of a much simpler form. The winning maneuver in these endings into which most Chess games resolve thems

nd, there cannot possibly be any advantage in advancing the Pawns on the other side of the board as there Black has the same number of Pawns as White and consequently there is no reason why one of the white Pawns should succeed in breaking thr

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's passed Pawn marches on and compels the opposing King to catch him, thereby giving the way free to his own King. According to this scheme play could proceed like this: (1) K-d3, K-d5; (2) K-e3, K-e5; (3) P-b4, P-g5; (4) P- b

he exchange, hoping that he may be able to regain the Pawn with his pieces. Therefore, he will permit his opponent an exchange only if, in avoiding it, he would sustain an additional loss. The position of Diagram 17 offers a simple example. White on the move will play R-e5, offering the exchange of Rooks. If Black tried to avoid the exchang

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may be advisable to sacrifice a piece if thereby the loss of a Pawn can be avoided. However, this idea, which is frequently met, is altogether wrong as the additio

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erence that White would win still more quickly. (1) Kt-c5, B-c6; (2) B-f3, Bxf3; (3) Kxf3, P-b6; (4) Kt-e6, P-c5; (5) P-a4. This move retains the black Pawns so that the Knight can a

o advantage for one or two Pawns thereby enforcing an ending whic

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hen White wins by capturing Black's g-Pawn and queening his own. Play might proceed as follows: (1) Ktxc2, Pxc2; (2) Ktxc2, B-d5; (3) Kt-b4, B-a8; (4) P-a6, K-g6; (5) P-a7, K-f6; (6) Kt-a6, K-e7; (7) Kt-c7, B-h1; (8) P-a8 (Queen), Bxa8; (9) Ktxa8, K-f6; (10) Kt-c7, K-g6; (11) Kt-d5, K-h6;

w possible for the beginner to understand that the leading rule for all maneuvers is to AVOID THE LOSS OF MATE

ecessary first to become acquainted with the different ways in which the various pieces can be made to do some useful work, where their strength lies and where their weakness, and how they are able

s way he will much more quickly arrive at a fair playing strength than by relying on the experience which he may gain in playing a great number o

FFERENT ME

driving away a hostile piece; it is clear that these attempts will in most cases be futile as they generally allow the attacked piece to move to another square just as or perhaps more favorable. The advantage of attacking two men at once is evident in that probably only on

in games of beginners on account of their placing the men on unfavorable squares. In studying them the eye of the beginner

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ituted by the Queen in the middle of the game. It is these attacks to which the beginner at an early stag

playing (1) Kt-d5. With this move he attacks the Queen and at the same time the Pawn c7. Black, in o

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calling Check and at the same time attacking the Roo

uations of that kind. If in the position of Diagram 21 White plays (1) Kt- d5, Black must protect the Pawn c7 by Q-d8

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am 22, which could be brought about by the moves (1) P-e4, P-d5; (2) Pxd5, Qxd5; (3) Kt-c3, Q-a5; (4) P-d4, Kt-f6; (5) B-c4, P-e6; (6) B-d2, white

ollowing opening will serve: (1) P-e4, P-e5; (2) Kt-f3, Kt-f6; (3) Ktxe5, Ktxe4; (4) Q-e2, Kt- f6. Bl

n a position to carry out a double attack. Two ty

is reached, in which Black wins a Rook by Q-h4+. White cannot reply (4) K-e2 on account of Qxe

uld have played (3) Kt-f3. The game could then have continued as follows: P-d6; (4) B-c4, Kt-f6; (5) Pxe5, Pxe5: Again Wh

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lack cannot castle as White would continue with Q-e4 threatening mate through Qxh7 and at the same time attacking the Bishop e7 for the sec

t always beware of an attack by the Queen a

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ccessible to him on account of the Pawn g7 protecting it. In the majority of cases the Knight goes to g5 from f3, and the Queen attacks h7 from h5, coming from her original square d1. Then, if Black c

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ll, at this stage of his development, not yet know why Black should be so anxious to defend the Pawn f7, considering that he is a Pawn ahead so that the loss of a Pawn would only equalize the forces but would not give White a material advantage. However, later

the other is to castle, so that the Rook procures the second protection for the Pawn f7 which is needed. It would then not be good for

ated only the first o

ves White an opport

awn h7 with Knight a

tory defense. Play wo

Kt-g

Q-h5

fense against the t

involved a double t

Pawn f7, and the lat

e up some mo

Ktxf

z.: (4) Ktxh6++, K-h8 or h7; (5) Kt-f7+ (discovered), K-g8; (6) Q-h8 mate. After giving up his Rook for the Knight on the third move Black has a l

f the King in the Knight's file. Diagram 26 illustrates several possibilities of this kind. White, on the move, can play (1) Q-g5, attacking for the second time the Pawn g7

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e helps only temporarily. White can force the mate within

t-h6+

es to h8 White

h6 (4) B-g5+

-g4 cannot be protecte

6 Pxf5

rough Q-g7 cann

stead of Q- g5 as suggested above. Black cannot take the Bishop as White would continue Q-h6 with Q-g7 mate. Neither can Black play P-g6 as then White would mate right away with Kt-h6. The latter mate with Knight and Bishop White can force,

g the Queen from occupying g5. Now Qxh6 would not be feasible as after Pxh6 W

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t plays K-h7, White goes back with the Knight to f5, again threatening Q-g5 and Qxg7. (3) ..., R-g8 is of no avail, as (4) Q-g5 thr

f Rooks with other pieces. Diagram 27 shows one of th

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makes an indifferent move he mate

-h6 and again Black cannot make an indifferent move such as P-d6 for instance, as White

shown above is one which usually occurs in the

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K-f8 White draws the game through perpetual check; for after (2) Kt-h7+, K-e8; (3) Kt-f6+ the King must go ba

Diagram 29. White plays B-f6, and there is no way for Black

f the most important lines for Rooks to occupy is-especially in the ending -the one in which most of the attackable Pawns of the opponent are standing, that is in the

mate equivalent of the Black Rook and the Pawn which Black is ahead. The Pawn a4 is rather dangerous for White, as he needs only three more moves to reach the first rank where he can be promoted into any piec

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f Black's Queen did n

to give a mate in

g7+, K-h8 (not K-f8

, K-g8; (4) R-g7

K-g8 it would not be good for White to take g7, giving up the two Rooks for the Queen, as he would then have no more attack while Black still has the dangerous Pawn in the a-line. If possible he will rather interrupt again the diagonal of Black's Queen. This suggests the move (4) Kt-

night f6 which White has just attacked by P-e5, plays Kt-g4 and after (2) P-h3 takes the Pawn e5 with the Knight g4, then White wins a piece by (3) Ktxe5, Ktxe5; (4) R-e1. This move "

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t few moves one of the Bishops, as a rule, finds an opportunity to pin a hostile Knight. For instance: (1) P-e4, P-e5; (2) Kt-f3, Kt-c6; (3) B-b5 and as soon as the Pawn d7 moves in order to giv

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ght be able to concentrate more men to attack the piece which is pinned than can

, the Knight f6 and the Pawn e5, and

ight and Pawn. However, he can win the Pawn by playing (1) P-d4. This attacks the Pawn for the third time and although Black can defend

protected as the Knight f6 cannot be counted as protection on account of his being pinned by th

ently this is possible as the Pawn d4 is protected only by the Knight f3 and the Queen. Indeed, the combination

txd4 Ktxd4 (3) Qxd4

t now Black loses the Bishop which is attacked by White's Rook

Pxf6 (6)

ime. It will not be evident to the beginner that White can derive any advantage from this double attack, as Black can answer either Q-d6 or Q-d8 keeping his Knight twice protected. Indeed, White does not gain anything on f6, the square itself upon which the pin is effected, but he uses

RIF

al. Such compensation can only be afforded by a superiority of the position. In as much as a position can only be considered superior if it enables the mating of the opposing King or the obtaining of an advantage in material which will secure a win in the ending, it is evident that in sacrificing a player

the effect of a sacrifice is a direct mating attack on the King, it is as a rule not difficult to foresee as long as the typical mating positions are known to the pla

his Rook on g3. The best protection against Rxg7 which Black has at his disposal is P-f6. But if he does not know the matin

Qxh7+ Kxh7 (3) R

onged the agony one m

4 on the t

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GRA

ith his Queen on h6 again threatening the checkmate on g7. He will, therefore, play either Q-f4 or Q-g5. Black has no other way to defend himself against White's thre

5 he could avert the mate by moving the Rook f8 a

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of Diagram 28 is liable to occur in several variations of

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way to parry White's threat is (1) ..., Kt-g6. However, this helps only momentarily as White continues (2) R-h3 threatening Q-g5, Rxh6+ and Qxh6 mate, a threat against which Black has no defense. White can very nearly force the mate by sacrificing his Queen on h6 instead of t

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via f8 if attacked by Q-h7 and Q-h8 would be rendered futile by White through (4) Qxf7+, K- h8; (5) Q-h5+, K-g8; (6) Q-h7+, K-f8; (7) Q-h8+, K-e7; (8) Qxg7 mate. Before making the sacrifice of the Bishop White will, of course, have to make sure that Black cannot save himself by evading altogether the attack which is threatened through Q-h5. Black could, indeed, avoid this variation by going with the King to g6 on the second move instead of g8. But in this case too White has a winni

is bound to yield a piece in return sooner or later. The

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g5; (4) Bxg5, Bxc3; (5) Pxc3. Now White threatens to play P-f4 and Pxe5 opening the line of his Rook and thereby attacking the pinned Knight for the second time. This threat cannot be effectively countered. Black could try to unpin the Knight by (5) .... K-g7; (6) P-f4, Q-e8. Indeed, Black saves his

Bishop f6, White would have forced the mate by sacrificing his Rook on f5, t

ersions which are essentially different from the one illustrated abo

ake the Pawn e4 although he can protect the Kn

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ite would obtain th

5 (2) Rxe4 B

freed the square e1 for the other Rook who now pins th

the sake of a pin is concerned. If White plays B-b5+ Black must not interpose his Bishop, for White will give up

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GRA

piece that defends a certain threat as long as it is mobile. White plays (1) Q-d5, and Black dar

could try i

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force the win by (2) Ra1- e1, threatening again the sacrifice of f7, as he now controls the square e8 twice. If Black replies (2) ..., Q-f6, protecting f7 for the fourth time and thereby making impossible White's sacrifice on that point, White continues with

omewhat similar to the examples discussed in the previous chapter is possible in the position of Di

xf3; (2) Pxf3, B-h3+; (3) K-g1 White's King is held in an immobile position by the

tinued (3 ) ..., R-e6, White would take the Pawn d3 with the Queen thereby defending the mate R-g6.

a8-e8, as then White cannot take the Pawn d3 on acco

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only way for White to defend himself is (4) P-f4. If now P-d2, then (5) P-f3, R-e1+; (6) K-f2 affor

llustrated by Diagram 30. What makes matters worse for White is that with (6) ..., R-g2+ he is forced into the line of the Bishop h3 so that he is exposed to a discovered check. After (7) K-f1

Rook and his Bishop. The only move which would save the Rook a1 from getting lost through R-g2+, followed by a discovered check with simultaneous attack of the Rook by Black's Rook

ual game to warrant its special mention is one in which the King is deprived of all mobility by his ow

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d e

GRA

o moves by (2) Rxe8+, Q-g8; (3) Kt-f7. This is one example of the "throttled mate" by the Knight. Another one, which is really the typical one, occurs if Black takes the Rook instead of the Queen. The mating process then is: (2) Kt-f7+,

al at least equivalent to the amount of material sacrificed, a question which to answer correctly sometimes requires a good deal of instinct trained by experience; all that is necessary if to ascertain whether the opponent can be mated in a definite number of moves or not. If the mate cannot be clearl

e: The position on

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Kt| | | |

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#P | #P | #Q

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| | | #P

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| | ^Kt|

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| ^P | ^

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| ^B |

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| ^P | | | ^

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| | | ^K

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d e

Ktxf6+ followed by Qxh7. If in the position of the diagram White played Kt-f6+, Black would retake with the Pawn, thereby protecting the Pawn h7 with his Queen. How

Kxh7 (2) K

Black's King in such a manner that he has only one square to go to until he is

Kte5

Black would play K-h

and there

5) P-g3+ K-f3 (6) B-e2+ K-g2

d of eight moves by playing (6) K-f1, or (6) o-o