Pandolfi n i's

E N D G A M E
Also by Bruce Pandolfini:

Let's Play Chess

Bobby Fischer's Outrageous Chess Moves
One-Move Chess by the Champions
Course
Principles of the New Chess
The ABCs of Chess
Kasparov's Winning Chess Tactics by
Russian Chess B R U C E PAN D OLFINI
The Best of Chess Life and Review, Volume I
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 Introduction 9
New York, New York 10020
About Algebraic Notation 11

ITJ
Copyright © 1988 by Bruce Pandolfini

All rights reserved

including the right of reproduction PIECES IN ACTION
in whole or in part in any form.
1 Elementary Checkmates: Heavy Pieces 17
Published by the Simon & Schuster Trade Division
Queen and Rook (Endgames 1-2) 18
FIRESIDE and colophon are registered trademarks
Rook and Rook (Endgame 3) 20
of Simon & Schuster Inc. Queen (Endgames 4-7) 21
Rook (Endgames 8-11) 25
Manufactured in the United States of America
2 Elementary Checkmates: Minor Pieces 29
20 19 18 17 Two Bi sho ps (Endgames 12-15) 30
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Bishop and Knight (Endgames 16-24) 34

3 Heavy Pieces in Combat 45

Pandolfini, Bruce.
Pandolfini's endgame course I by Bruce Pandolfini. T wo Queens (Endgame 25) 46
p. cm. Queen vs. Queen (Endgames 26-27) 47
"A Fireside book." Queen vs. Rook (Endgames 2 8-34) 49
Includes index.
1. Chess-End games. I . Title. II. Title: Endgame course. 4 Rooks and Minor Pieces 57
CV1450.7.P45 1988
794.1'24-dc19 88-17465
Rook vs. Bishop (Endgames 35-39) 58
CIP Rook vs. Knight (Endgames 40-41) 63
ISBN 0-671-65688-0 Rook and Bishop vs. Rook (Endgames 42-47) 65

5
6 •CONTENTS CONTENTS• 7

0 [ill]
THE PAWNS IN ACTION PIECES AND PAWNS IN ACTION
5 King and Pawn vs. King 73 10 Heavy Pieces vs. Pawn 171
Square of the Pawn (Endgames 48-49) 74 Queen vs. Pawn(s) (Endgames 129-134) 172
Escort Problems (Endgames 50--51) 76 Rook vs. Pawn (Endgames 135-140) 178
Pawn on 7th Rank (Endgame 52) 78 Rook vs. Two Pawns (Endgames 141-144) 184
Pawn on 6th Rank (Endgames 53-59) 79
Pawn on 5th Rank (Endgames 60--63) 86 11 Minor Pieces vs. Pawn 189
Pawn on 4th Rank (Endgames 64-66) 92 Bishop vs. Pawn (Endgames 145-146) 190
Pawn on 3rd Rank (Endgames 67-69) 95 Knight vs. Pawn (Endgames 147-155) 192
Pawn on 2nd Rank (Endgames 70--72) 98 Knights vs. Pawn (Endgames 156--158) 201
Rook-pawns (Endgames 73-75) 101
12 Minor Piece plus Pawn 205
6 King and Two Pawns vs. King 105
Bishop and Pawn (Endgames 159-164) 206
Doubled Pawns (Endgames 76--77) 106 Bishop and Pawn vs. Pawn (Endgames 165-168) 212
Connected Pawns (Endgames 78-79) 108 Knight and Pawn (Endgames 169-172) 216
Split Pawns-1 File Apart (Endgames 80--83) 110 Knight and Pawn vs. Pawn (Endgames 173-176) 220
Split Pawns-2 Files Apart (Endgames 84-85) 114
1 3 Heavy Pieces 225
7 King and Pawn vs. King and Pawn 117
Queen vs. Rook and Pawn (Endgame 177) 226
Pawns on the Same File (Endgames 86-- 91) 118 Queen and Pawn vs. Rook and Pawn (Endgames 178-179) 227
Pawns on Adjacent Files (Endgames 92-95) 124 Queen and Pawn vs. Queen (Endgames 180--184) 229
Passed Pawns (Endgames 96--100) 129
14 Heavy Pieces: Rooks 235
8 King and Two Pawns vs. King and Pawn 135
Rook and Pawn (7th Rank) vs. Rook (Endgames 185-196) 236
All Passed Pawns (Endgames 101-102) 136 Rook and Pawn (6th Rank) vs. Rook (Endgames 197-204) 248
Opposing Pawns plus Passed Pawn (Endgames 103-105) 138 Rook and Pawn (5th or 4th Rank) vs. Rook (Endgames
Three Adjacent Files (Endgame 106) 142 205-212) 256
Protected Passed Pawn (Endgames 107-108) 143 Rooks and Pawns (Endgames 213-216) 266
Backward Pawn (Endgames 109-113) 145
Connected Pawns (Endgames 114-118) 151 15 Minor Pieces 271

9 Miscellaneous King and Pawn Positions Bishop and Pawn(s) vs. Bishop (Endgames 217-228) 272
Knight and Pawn vs. Knight (Endgames 229-230) 286
(Endgames 119-128) 157
Bishop and Pawn vs. Knight (Endgames 231-235) 288
Knight and Pawn vs. Bishop (Endgames 236--239) 293

Glossary 297
Index 313
About the Author 320
 Introduction

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

pieces grapple with advancing passed pawns.
Pandolfini's Endgame Course has a simple, easy-to-use for­
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
are impenetrable and therefore useless to the average
chessplayer. Every one of my 239 positions can be understood,
even by able beginners. And some of these positions-such as
those on the Queen and Rook mate-are discussed in no other
endgame book and, perhaps, in no other chess book.
I advise reading 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.
About Algebraic
Notation
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:
• The board is regarded as an eight-by-eight graph with sixty­
four squares in all.
• The files (the rows of squares going up the board) are
lettered a through h, beginning from White's left.
• 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 Reading the Line Score of a Game

Pawns are not symbolized when recording moves. But if Consider diagram B. White could mate in three moves, and it
referred to in discussions, they are named by the letter of the could be written this way:
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
1. Nc7 + Kb8 2. Na6 + Ka8 3. Bc6 mate

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
2
0-0 castles Kingside
0-0-0 castles Queenside
good move 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: •• PA R T

1. Nc7 + Kb8 ONE -

2. Na6 + Ka8 -
3. Bc6 mate
Pieces in -
In both cases: - Action
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
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
The basis of all chess knowledge is an understanding of the
mate.
powers of the pieces-their individual and collective poten­
tials.
Note that when the moves appear on a line across the page,
the number of the move is written only once, just before In �art One, the board is unencumbered by any pawns, and
White's play. In this book, the actual moves are given in the pieces hold full sway. The first two chapters demonstrate

boldface type. The analyzed alternatives appear in regular type.
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
"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
1
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
stronger side play s inaccurately, fifty moves might pass and the H eavy Pieces
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 P I ECES I N ACTION • 19

E NDGAME 1 E NDGAME 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 + Ke6 1. Qa5 + Kd6

2 . Rf6 + Ke7 + 2. Rb6 + Kc7
3. Qd6 + Ke8 3. Qa7 + Kc8
4. Rf8 mate 4. Rb8 mate
(1-0) (1-0)
20 • PAN DOLFI N l'S EN DGAME COURSE P I ECES IN ACTION • 21

E NDGAME 3 E NDGAME 4
W: Kf1, Rh2, Rh1 B: Kg8 W: Kd5, Qd7 B : Ka8
White moves and wins White moves and wins

Rook Barrier Closing In

8�

6
5
4
3

a b c d e t g h a b c d e t h
g

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.
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 Kb8
2 . Qb7 mate
(1-0)

A B
1. Rf2 Kg7 1. Rh7 Kf8
2 . Rgl + Kh6 2 . Rgl Ke8
3. Rh2 mate 3. Rg8 mate
(1-0) (1-0)
22 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES I N ACTION • 23

E NDGAME 5 ENDGAME 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
7-
6
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
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
j u m p away. " Ove rly r i g i d execution of t h i s p roced u re , h owever,
stalemates B l ack's Ki ng in the co r n e r-Black to move i s al ready
stalemate d . Wh ite to play wi n s by retreat i n g the Qu een one
s q u a re alon g the barr i e r (the b-fi le), giving Black breath i n g
room aga i n st stale mate . White's Ki n g then moves in to su pport
mate .
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
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
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
could take a w h o p p i n g five move s , as i n 1 . Kf6 Kh4 2 . KfS
Kh3 3 . Kf4 Kh2 4 . Kf3 Kh1 5. Qg2 mate. The m o re efficient
choice i s to execute a timely cut-off with the Q u e e n , forc i n g
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
final move, W h i te c o u l d also mate by 2 . Qh4 .

1 . Qb5 Ka7 1 . Qg3 Kh6

2. Kc6 Ka8 2. Qg6 mate
3. Qb7 mate ( 1 -0)
(1 -0)
 P I ECES IN ACTION • 25
24 • PAN DOLF I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE

ENDGAME 7 ENDGAME 8
W: Kc5, Qh1 B : Ke8 W: Ke6, Ra7 B : Kf8
Wh ite m oves an d wi n s White moves an d w i n s

freeling the Barrier Waiting-Move Mate

8 8

4 4
3 3
2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

To keep B l ac k 's Ki n g cage d on the edge , White's Queen is 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
posted on t h e very n ext l i n e . The p l acement estab l i s h es a even try to set o n e up ). Go fo r a bac k-row mate i n ste ad, the
cordon agai n st escape . Next, Wh ite's Ki n g c l a i m s the row be­ 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
h i n d its c o n so rt's, eventual ly overwhe l m i n g its cou nterpart fo r sq uares. Wh ite's King m u st sta nd d i rectly opposite B lack's on
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 , the same ran k or fi l e . (The excepti on : If B l ac k's Ki n g is in the
Blac k 's Ki n g occupies row 1 , W h i te's Queen row 2 , and White's corner, Wh ite's Ki n g need only be on the adjacent l i n e . ) H ow­
Ki ng row 3 . 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
A B 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
1 . Qh7 Kf8 1 . Qh7 Kd8 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
2. Kd6 Ke8 2 . Kd6 Kc8 tempo move or wai ting move. The Rook s l ides one s q u a re
3 . Qe7 mate 3. Qc7 mate along the 7th ran k , chan g i n g n oth i n g essential in t h e position ,
(1-0) (1 -0) b u t tu r n i n g the m ove over to Blac k .

1 . Rb7 Kg8
2 . Kf6 Kh8
3. Kg6 Kg8
4. Rb8 mate
(1-0)
26 • PANOOL F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE PIECES I N ACTION • 27

ENDGAME 9 ENDGAME 10
W: Ke6 , RdS B: Kf8 W: Ke6, Re2 8: Ke8
Wh ite moves and wins 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 triangle m ate . Th e sol ution i s q u ite aston i s h i n g , for Wh ite
more b y cordon i n g off the g-fi l e , fo rc i n g B l ack t o oppose 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 Ke8 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 ,
2 . Rg8 mate B l ac k's Ki n g wi n d s u p mated at e8.
( 1 -0)
A B
1 . Re5 Kd8 1 . Ra2 Kf8
2 . Rc5 Ke8 2. Rg2 Ke8
3. Rc8 mate 3 . Rg8 mate
(1-0 ) ( 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

Closing the Net

White moves a n d w i n s
2
El ementary Checkmates:
M i nor Pieces

• Two B ish ops Endgames 12-15

• B i shop and Kn i ght E n d games 16-24

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 3 . Kg6 (or 3. Re8 +
Kh7 4. Rf8 Kh6 5 . Rh8 mate) Kf8 4 . Re6 (th e te m po move
that can h a p pen anywh ere between e6 and e1 ) 4. . . . Kg8 5.
Re8 mate.

1 . Re7 + Kf8
2 . Kf6 Kg8
3 . Kg6 Kf8
4 . Re6 Kg8
5 . Re8 mate
(1 -0)
30 • PANOO L F I N l ' S EN DGAME COURSE P I ECES IN ACTI ON • 31

EN DGAME 12 EN DGAME 13
W: Kc7, B b4, Bb3 B: Ka6 W: Kc6, Be6, Bf6 B: Kb8
Wh ite m oves and w i n s White moves and wi ns

The Bishop Roll Positioning the King

a b c d e f h a b c d e f g h
g

Eve n as Rooks can occupy adjace n t rows an d d rive the King to Before deal i n g mate , White m u st prevent Black's escape by 1 .
the edge by alternate checks, so can bi shops, more or less. Ye s, Kb6. After 1 . . . . Ka8, W h i te dec l i n e s seiz u re of the adjace nt
they n eed help from their Ki n g , whereas Roo ks d o n ot . And leftwa rd d iagonal (2 . Be5 ), wh ich wou l d re s u lt i n stalemate . Th e
tru e , it takes a little longer, but neverth eless m ate i s forced i n 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
the c o r n e r. 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 squares along d i agonals each al ready contro l s (the c8- h3 d i ago­
2. Bc5 + Ka8 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
3 . Bd5 mate dark-squ are partne r). With 1 . Kb6 Ka8, Wh ite temporizes 2 .
(1 -0) 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 Ka8
2 . Be7 Kb8
3. Bd6 + Ka8
4. Bd5 mate
(1 -0)
 PI ECES IN ACTION • 33
32 • PAN DOLFI Nl'S E N DGAME COU RSE

ENDGAME 14 EN DGAME 15
W: Kc6, Bf7, Bg7 B: Kb8 W: Kc6, Bd5, Bes B: Kf8
W h i te moves an d wi n s Wh ite moves and wi n s

Closing the Door Taking Away Squares

6
5
4 4
3 3-
2 2
1 -
a b c d e f g h
a b 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

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
mayh e m . To confi ne Blac k's Ki ng to an outside row, W h i te's
back to the center 1 . . . . Kc8 , an d White's Bishops can n ot
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
guard both holes at d7 a n d d8 in one m ove . And White's K i n g
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 ,
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
adjacent d i agon a l s c a n be method i cal ly control l e d , one after
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,
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
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. of di fferent l e n gth a r e offere d . Va riation A conc l u d e s after 7 .
Kb6, as i n En dgame 1 3 ; variation B te r m i nates after 5 . Bd4 , as i n
B E n d game 1 4 .
A .
1 . Bd4 Kc8 1 . Bc4 Kc8
2 . Bf6 Kb8 A B
2 . Bf6 Kb8
3 . Kb6 Kc8 1 . Kd6 Ke8 1. Kd6 Ke8
3 . Kb6 Kc8
4. Be6 + Kb8 2 . Bg7 Kd8 2. Bg7 Kd8
4. Be6 + Kb8
5. Bes + Ka8 3 . Bf7 Kc8 3. Bf 7 Kc8
5 . Bes + Ka8
4. Kc6 Kd8 4. Kc6 Kb8
6 . BdS mate 6 . Bd5 mate
(1 -0) 5 . Bf6 + Kc8 5. Bd4 +
' .\
(1 -0)
�
. ..
6 . Be6 + Kb8 (1-0)
·\ ��
• .. 7 . Kb6
( 1 -0)
34 • PA N DOL FIN l'S E N DGAME COURSE PI ECES I N ACT I O N • 35

EN DGAME 16 EN DGAME 17
W: Kf7, Bf8, N g4 B: Kh8 W: Kf7, BgS , N eS B: Kh8
Wh ite moves and wi ns White moves an d wi n s

Mate in Two Mate in Three

a b c d e f g h

A B i s h op - K n i ght mate can be fo rced only in a corn e r guarded
by the B i s h o p. The two m i n or pieces share respon s i b i l ities. If
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
l ight sq uares. Here the B i s h o p f l u shes out the Ki ng and the
Kn i g h t confers the coup de grace.
In t h i s sce nario, the Kn ight sets up the death b l ow, and the
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 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,
c3 , d4, or eS. Meanwh i l e , the l i g h t sq uares are h e l d by the
ta ndem King and K n i g ht .

1 . Bb7 + Kh7 1 . Ng6 + Kh7

2 . Nf6 mate 2. Nf8 + Kh8
( 1 -0) 3 . Bf6 mate
(1 -0)
36 • PA N DOLF I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES IN ACTION • 37

EN DGAME 18 EN DGAME 19
W: Kg6, Bb4, Ng? B: Kg8 W: Ke8, Bf8, N e5 B: Kg8
White moves and w i n s White moves and w i n s

Mate in Four Another Mate in Four

8
7
6
5
4
3
2 2
1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Th i s position comes from i n c h i n g B l ac k's King step by step from 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
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 A B
sh ift a l o n g t h e a3-e7 d iagonal. 1 . Nd7 Kh7 1 . Nd7 Kh8
2. Kf7 Kh8 2 . Kf7 Kh7
1 . Nf5 Kh8 3 . Bg7 + Kh7 3. Nf6 + Kh8
2. Be7 Kg8 4. Nf8 mate 4. Bg7 mate
3 . Nh6 + Kh8 (1 -0) (1-0)
4. Bf 6 mate
( 1 -0)
38 • PA N DO L F I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES I N ACTION • 39

EN DGAME 20 E N DGAME 21
W: Ke6, Bg5 , Ne7 B: K h 7 W: Kd6, Bg5, N e5 B: Ke8
White moves an d wi ns W h ite m oves and wi n s

A Third Mate in four The Lock

4
3
2
a b c d e f g h

On the back row, Blac k's King h as a mere two squa re s-g8 and 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 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
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
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 Kh8 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
2 . Ng6 + Kg8 diago n a l . Mate fo l l ow s , as in ear l i e r e n dgam es .
3 . Nf8 + Kh8
4. Bf6 mate 1 . Kc7 Kf8
( 1 -0) 2 . Kd7 Kg7
3. Ke7 Kg8
4. Bh6 Kh7
5. Bf8 Kg8
6. Ng4 Kh7
7. Kf7 Kh8
8. Bg7 + Kh7
9. Nf6 mate
(1-0 )
40 • PAN DOLF I N l 'S EN DGAME COURSE
P I ECES IN ACTION • 41

EN DGAME 22 EN DGAME 23
W: Kd6, Be3, Ne7 8: Kf7
W: Kc6, Ba7 , N d5 B: Ke8
Wh i te moves a n d wi n s
W h ite moves a n d w i n s

Transition to the Lock

The King Shift

8 - -�- -
1g - - -
6 -�- - -
sm -4j- -
4 - - - •
3- - - -
2
- - - -
1- - - -
a b c d e f g h

If Blac k 's K i n g starts in a corner of opposite co lor to the B i s h op,

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
it m u st be syste mati ca l ly d r iven across the board to a co r n e r of
g5. Th e Ki n g then an k l es in from the fl a n k . The anti q u e move
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
here u s ed to be 1 . Bd4, ex p rop�iat i n g the a1 -h8 diagon al . B u t
forced to a dark o n e , if th at's the color trave led by the B i s h op.
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 .
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
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
to form a u n ited force. Here, W h i te's King occu pies d6 to
K n i g h t or at h8 by the B i shop. After th ree moves , the position
su pport the Kn i ght's reac h i n g e7, where it seals off c8 and
tran sfo r m s i nto E n d game 21 . Mate i s fo rced i n nine moves .
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
1 . Bg5 Ke8 7 . Bh6 Kh 7
t h e f i n a l positi o n , after 1 . Kd6 Kf7 2 . Ne 7 Kf6 3. Be3 Kf7 4.
2 . Ng6 Kf 7 8. Bf8 Kg8
Bg5 , White q u i c kly reaches the win n i n g lock.
3 . Ne5 + Ke8 9 . Ng4 Kh 7
4. Kc7 Kf8 1 0 . Kf7 Kh8 1 . Kd6 Kf7 9. Ke7 Kg8
5. Kd 7 Kg7 1 1 . Bg7 + Kh7 2. Ne7 Kf6 1 0 . Bh6 Kh7
6 . Ke7 Kg8 1 2 . Nf6 mate 3 . Be3 Kf 7 1 1 . Bf8 Kg8
(1-0) 4. Bg5 Ke8 1 2 . Ng4 Kh7
5. Ng6 Kf 7 1 3 . Kf7 Kh8
6. Ne5 + KeB 1 4 . Bg7 + Kh7
7. Kc7 KfB 1 5 . Nf6 mate
8. Kd7 Kg7 ( 1 -0)
42 • PA N DOLFIN l'S E N DGAME COURSE PIECES I N ACTION • 43

24
1 . Nc7 + Kb8
EN D GAME 2 . Bb6 Kc8
3 . Ba7 Kd8
W: Kc6, Be3 , N d 5 B: Ka8
4 . Nd5 Ke8
White m oves and wi n s
5 . Kd6 Kf 7
The Drive 6. Ne7 Kf6
7. Be3 Kf 7
8. Bg5 Ke8
9. Ng6 Kf 7
1 0 . Ne5 + Ke8
1 1 . Kc7 Kf 8
1 2 . Kd7 Kg7
1 3 . Ke7 Kg8
1 4 . Bh6 Kh 7
1 5 . Bf8 Kg8
1 6. Ng4 Kh7
1 7. Kf 7 Kh8
1 8. Bg7 + Kh7
1 9 . Nf6 mate
( 1 -0)

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 2 . Bb6 ( t e m p o) Kc8 3 . Ba7
Kd8 4 . Nd5 Ke8 , Wh ite w i n s , as i n the p revi o u s e n d game.
 C H A P TE R

3
H eavy Pieces i n Combat

• Two Q u eens Endgame 25

• Q u een vs. Q u een Endgam es 26-27

• Q u een vs. Roo k End games 28-34

46 • PA N DO L F I N l'S EN DGAME CO URSE PIECES I N ACTION • 4 7

EN DGAME 25 EN DGAME 26
W: Kb3, Q d 1 B: Kh1 , Qg1 , Qh2 W: Kb4, Qd2 B: Kb1 , Qa1
White moves and d raws White moves and w i n s

Perpetual Check Forced Mate

a b c d e f g h

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 + Qgg2 ple th reats of Qc2, Qd1 , o r Qe1 .
2 . Qd l + Qhgl
3 . Qh5 + Q2h2 1 . Kb3 Qc3 +
4. Qf3 + Qgg2 2 . Kxc3 Kal
5 . Qdl + Qhgl 3. Qb2 mate
6. Qf3 + (1-0)
Draw
48 • PA N DO L F I N l'S E N DGAME CO U RSE P I ECES I N ACTION • 49

EN DGAME 27 EN DGAME 28
W: Kd6, Qe8 B: Kf6, Qg1 W: Kg1 , Rh2 B: Kg3 , Qf3
Wh ite moves and w i n s Wh ite moves and d raws

The X-Ray A ttack Stalemate Sacrifice

8
7

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 + Kg6
2 . Qg8 + Kf5
3 . Qxgl
(1-0)
50 • PA N DOLFIN l'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES I N ACTION • 51

EN DGAME 29 ENDGAME 30
W: Kf1 , Rg2 B: Kh3, Qe3 W: Kf6, Qe8 B: Kh7, Rg7
White moves a n d d raws White moves a n d w i n s

Perpetual Attack Philidor's Position

0.
8
- - 8
�- -
- m
� ',
7
. a
� -
� 7
- - - �� :;.-,,,,..�

6 - - - 6 a m m
L�
0.
5
- - - - 5
- - -
4
- - - - - -
3
- � -� �
,
� -
- ,

2
-§- 2 - - -m -m
1 - - -�
�® . � 18 - � �
a b c d e f g h a 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. 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 2. Qe4+ Kg8 3 . Qa8 + Kh7 4. Qa7 + . What­
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
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 + KgB
1 . Rh2 + 2. QaB + Kh7
D raw 3 . QeB
( 1 -0)
52 • PA N DO L F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE PIECES I N ACTION • 53

EN DGAME 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

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black's p i eces are awry. N e i t h e r of h i s p ieces su pports the It's easy to go wro n g a n d waste tim e , even d raw t h e gam e .
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 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
vu l n e rab l e to di rect attack . The p roper seq ue nce of checks 1 . . . . Re7 + , when Wh ite m u st s i destep 2. Kd6 Re6+ 3. Kxe6
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 stalemate . You can fi n d the right move by prete n d i n g Blac k's
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 Roo k does n't exist. Pretend too that you have carte b l a n c h e ,
the a-fi l e : 1 . Qe8 + Kb7 2. Qd7 + Kb8 3 . Qd8 + Kb7 4. 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
Qc7 + Ka6 ( i f B lac k tries 4 . . . . Ka8, he's mated at o n ce by 5 . Queen can n ot actually move t h e re in the given position . I m ag­
Qc8) 5 . Qc6 + Ka5 . Wh ite's K i n g moves i n t o mop u p with 6 . 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
Kc5 , after w h i c h Blac k i s mated i n at most t h ree move s , even i f ti n u e the fan tasy, without the Roo k it wou l d be mate if W h i te's
h e d e l ays with a Rook sacrifice : (A) 6 . . . . Rb7 7. Qxb7 Ka4 8. Queen co u l d occ u py d7 or b8. But rea l l y, with the Roo k on the
Q b 4 mate ; o r (B) 6 . . . Rc7. 7 . Qxc7 + Ka4 8 . Qg3 Ka5 9. board, o n e Q u een m ove attac k s both points.
Qa3 mate.
1 . Qb5 Re7 +
1 . Qe8 + Kb7 6. Kc5 Rc 7 2. Kd6 Rc7
2. Qd 7 + Kb8 7 . Qxc7 + Ka4 3. Qb6 Ke8
3 . Qd8 + Kb7 8 . Qg3 Ka5 4. Qxc 7 Kf8
4 . Qc 7 + Ka6 9 . Qa3 mate 5. Qh7 Ke8
5 . Qc6 + Ka5 ( 1 -0) 6. Qe7 mate
( 1-0)
54 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S END GAME COURSE PI ECES I N ACTION • 5 5

ENDGAME 33 EN DGAME 34
W: Ke6 , Qc3 B: Kd8, Rd1 W: Ka1 , Rf2 B: Kg6, Qb3
White moves a n d w i n s White moves and d raws

Dual Methods Perpetual A ttack 2

4
3

a b c d e f g h

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 have s u pe r i o r force i s goo d . To exe rci se it wisely is better.
to p i c k off t h e Rook (variation A); o r execute a dou b l e th reat 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
(variation B), which mate s B l ac k or w i n s h i s Roo k . I n (A), 1 . it-lays g ro u n d s f o r a stalemate . Wh ite d raws by havi n g h i s
Qh8 + Kc7 2 . Q h 2 + Kd8 a l l ows 3 . Qb8 mate, wh i l e 2 . . . . Kc8 o r 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
2 . . . . Kc6 d rops the Roo k of 3 . Qc2+ . 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 .
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 . Rf6 + Kg7 2 . Rg6 + Kf7 3 . Rg7+ Kf8 4. Rg8 + Qxg8, a n d the
Qb8+ Rc8 3 . Qd6+ Ke8 4. Qe7. After 1 . Qb3 Re1 + 2 . Kd6, stalemate d i ssolves. I f B l ac k's King c l o ses to attac k the Rook ,
e i t h e r h e gets mated (2 . . . . Ke8 and 2 . . . . Rc1 are fol l owed by White checks an yway, for t h e Roo k ca n n ot b e ca ptu red . A n d if
3. Qg8 mate) or d rops the Roo k (2 . . . . Kc8 3. Qc3 + ) . 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
A B either, fo r Wh ite plays Rb2, p i n n i n g the Q u een .
1 . Qh8 + Kc7 1 . Qb3 Re1 +
2. Qh2 + Kb7 2 . Kd6 Ke8 1 . Rg2 + Kf5
3 . Qb2 + Ka7 3. Qg8 mate 2 . Rf2 + Ke4
4. Qa3 + Kb7 ( 1 -0) 3 . Re2 + Kd3
5 . Qb3 + Kc6
4. Rd2 + Kc4
6. Qxd 1
5 . Rc2 +
( 1 -0)
D raw
 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 PI ECES IN ACTION • 59

EN DGAME 35 E N DGAME 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 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
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 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
conti g u o u s to the Kin g's . Afte r 1 . Bd4 Rel + 2. Bgl , Black has Rook conq u ers by starti n g with d o u b l e attack , th reate n i n g the
no way to p rogre s s , and carefu l ly m u st keep Wh ite from a B i s h op a n d mate . After the x-ray assau lt 1 . Rf2 , Wh ite sta m ­
loom i n g stalemate . In the f i n a l positi o n , if everyt h i n g were 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
m oved o n e s q uare to the l eft, B l ac k wou l d force m ate by h i n d (f8). When the Roo k reac hes the l ast row, a d e l ayi n g move
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 forces mate .
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 . 1 . Rf2 Be6
2. Rf8 + Bc8
1 . Bd4 Rel + 3. Rh8 Ka8
2 . Bgl Rdl 4. Rxc8 mate
Sta l e m ate (1 -0)
60 • PA N OOLFI N l'S E N DGAM E COURSE PIECES IN ACTION • 61

EN DGAME 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

The Chase Corner Drive

8 8
7 7
6 6
5 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 2 . Rd3, and
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 2 . Rd 2 let the Rook b e c o m e m e n ac i n g at t h e
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 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) 3 . Kf6 Bd4 + 4 . Kg6 Bgl 5. Rfl Bh2 6 . Rf2 Bg3 7.
begin with 1 . Rfl Bh2 (cu r l i n g u p ) 2 . Rf2 Bg3 3 . Rg2 ! Th i s Rg2 and wi n s . The B i s h o p h as no ref u g e . Whereve r it goes , a
forces the B i shop i n to target ra n ge , s i nce 3 . . . . Bf4 and 3 . . . . 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 6. 1 . Ke6 Kf8
Rc8 + Bf8 7. Ra8 + (tempo) Kh8 8. Rxf8 mate. 2 . Rf7 + Kg8
3 . Kf 6 Bd4 +
1 . Rfl Bh2 5. Rc2 Bd6 4. Kg6 Bgl
2 . Rf 2 Bg3 6 . Rc8 + Bf8 5 . Rfl Bh2
3. Rg2 Bd6 7 . Ra8 + Kh8 6, Rf2 Bg3
4. Rd2 Be? 8 . Rxf8 mate 7. Rg2
(1-0) (1 -0)
62 • PA N DO L F I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES IN ACTION • 63

E N DGAME 39 I N OGAME 40
W: Kd1 , Bg3 B: Ke3 , Re2 W: KeS , Rc6 B : KbS, Ne8
Wh ite m oves a n d d raws W h i te m oves and w i n s

Positional Draw Separation

8
7
6
5

2
1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

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 Ng7
gresses . Th e star move i s 3 . Kc l ! It see ms a rare fo lly f o r White 2. Rg8 N h5
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 ( 1 -0)
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 Kd3
2. Kbl Kc3
3 . Kcl
D raw
64 • PA N D OLFIN l'S E N DGAME COU RSE PIECES I N ACT I O N • 65

EN DGAME 41 EN DGAME 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

Togetherness Attacking the Weak Side

4
3
2
a b c d e f g h

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 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 + 2. Kc6 Kb8 3.
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 4. Kxc7? is a stalemate t ry, but it fa i l s to 4.
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 5. Be6, p i n n i n g and wi n n ing the Roo k) 4. Kb6
Rf7 + 2. Ke8 Ra7 3. Kf8 Rh7 4. Ke8 Rf7 (4 . . . . Rg7 5. Kf8 Rh6 + 5. Bc6 Rxc6 + 6. Kxc6 Kc8 7 . Ra8 mate.
Rg6 6. N e7) 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 1 . Ra7 Rd8 +
mate. B u t o n ce again 6. Ng8 p u t s Wh ite's house i n order. 2 . Kc6 Kb8
3 . Ra5 Rh8
1 . Ng8 Rf7 + 4. Kb6 Rh6 +
2 . Ke8 Ra7 5 . Bc6 Rxc6 +
3 . Kf 8 Rh7 6. Kxc6 Kc8
4. Ke8 Rf7 7. Ra8 mate
5 . Nh6 Rfl ( 1 -0)
6 . Ng8
D raw
66 • PA N OO L F I N l'S E N DGAME COU RSE PIECES I N ACTION • 67

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

Rook Lift 1 Breaking Coordination

8
7-
6
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 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
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 Wh ite tips the scale s with the d i s ruptive 1 . Rd 7 + . B l ack m u st
f7. The key m ove i s the Roo k l i ft to t h e 4th ran k , 1 . Rf4 (th reat­ 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
e n i n g 2. Bc6 + Kd8 3. Rf8 + Re8 4. Rxe8 mate). If Black p i n s d i ately (1 . . . . Kc8 2 . Ra7), t h a n k s to the B i s h o p 's watch over
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 . b 3 . Therefore 1 . . . . Ke8 2. Rb7 (a mate th reat fe i nt to f u rther
Rg4) and Black can not get back to block the u pco m i n g back­ d i sturb B l ack's coordi nat i o n ) Kf8 3 . Rf7 + Ke8 (if 3 . . . . Kg8,
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 . . . . t h en 4. Rf3 + w i n s B l ack's Rook), and n ow the l i ft 4. Rf4 decides
Kd8. N ow Wh ite revea l s t h e secret of h i s fi rst move , 2 . Be4 ! , as i n the p revi o u s en dgam e .
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, 1 . Rd7 + Ke8
2 .Ke8, and White concl u d e s 3 . Bc6 + Kd8
. . • 4. Rf8 + Re8 5. 2 . Rb7 Kf8
Rxe8 mate. 3. Rf7 + Ke8
4. Rf4 Kd8
1 . Rf4 Kd8 5 . Be4 Ke8
2 . Be4 Ke8 6. Bc6 + Kd8
3 . Bc6 + Kd8 7. Rf8 + Re8
4. Rf8 + Re8 8. Rxe8 mate
5 . Rxe8 mate ( 1 -0)
(1-0)
 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
Wh ite moves and w i n s
W h i te mo ves 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 2.
13f3 Rd2 + , and t h e B i s h op is obl i ged to ret urn to d5 to b l ock

i ghty d a n g e ro u s . I t t h rea
�
t ns a B i s hop t h e chec k ; (B) 1 . Bf3 Ke8, and B l ack's Ki ng keeps the Roo k out
The Roo k l i ft (1 . Rf4) is m of f7. The day is saved by shift i n g White's Rook fro m Ki n gs i d e to
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 Queenside an d back again , start i n g with 1 . Ra7, th reate n i n g
g bec au se t h e Bish op co
·

co u nte ratt ack Wh ite's Kin i n g e8, t h e n 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
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 aga i n s t mate , 1 . . . Rel , b u t that l e t s White's Roo k reach t h e
. T h e ove r-
u 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 desi red sq uare w i t h te mpo, 2 . Rf7, becau se i t n ow m e n aces

done i n .
wro u g h t B l ack pie ces are 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 4 . Rb4
1 . Rf4 Kd8
Kf8 5 . Rg4, a n d mate at g8 fol l ows). W h i te's B i s h o p n ow
2 . Bh 5 Kc8
reaches its goal too, 3 . Bf3 , and B lac k 's Rook can not attack from
3 . Rb4 Rel
d1 . If 3 . . . . Ke8 , then 4. Rf4 transfo r m s i n to an earl i e r e n d ­
4. Bg4 + Kd8
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 .
5. Rb 8 + Rc8
�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
6 . Rxc8 mate
(1 -0)
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 Re l 4. Bc6 Rd J +
2. Rf7 Rel 5 . Bd5 Re3
3. BfJ Re3 6. Rd7 +
( 1 -0)
70 • PAN OOLFI N l 'S EN DGAME COURSE

• - - B
E N DGAME 47 P A R T -
W: Kd6, Rf1 , BdS B : Kd8, Re7
Wh ite moves a n d wi n s - TWO
-
Philidor's Position
m
- The Pawns 1n
•

-,
a m � � •
�,,,� • � Action -
7- % � - •
6 M •.
�� ·
· � • • - •
5 - -�· •
4 • • • •
3- • • •
2 • • • z

1 • • ·§-
a b c d e f g h
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
I n t h i s famous pos ition , Black t h reatens to Roo k-check W h i te's
· ·

the u n flappable foot s o l d i e r to be p romoted to a pos1t1on of

.
Ki n g fro m d7. Wh ite dare not oppose th i s by 1 . Bc6 (or 1 . B e6), power upon reac h i n g the 8th ra n k gives it suffi cient force to
for 1 . . . . Rd ? + 2. Bxd7 is sta l e m ate . Wh ite i n stead checks �
m te. And t h i s m e re va rlet, as a passed pawn with no host i l e
o n t h e l as t row to force Blac k's Rook off the 7t h ran k , 1 . Rf8 + .
neigh bors i n its path to t h e Queen i n g square , i s t r uly a foe t o
Re8. Now with 2. Rf7, Wh ite takes control of t h e 7th ra n k for 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
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 d a n ge ro u s passed pawn from reac h i n g Q u e e n s l an d .
check from beh i n d at d 2 on a s q uare that can not b e guard ed by The ru le of the s q uare , the co rne rsto ne of a l l Ki n g-and -pawn
W h i te's Bi shop. Howeve r, after the tempo move , 3. Rg7, B l ack's e n d game theo ry, dete rmi nes the ou tco me when the passed
Rook m u st co m m it to e1 or e3, wh e re the checks from the rear pawn alone g ra p p l e s with the e n emy Ki n g . The p ictu re be­
(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 ?
comes m re co m p lex when both Ki n gs enter the fray. H e re
fol l ows , as i n t h e preced i n g e n d games. very � rec 1se 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
1 . Rf8 + Re8 9. Rd7 + Ke8 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 .
2 . Rf 7 Re2 1 0 . Rb7 Kf8 Te rms such as opposition, tria ngulation, squeeze, and so o n
3 . Rg 7 Rel 1 1 . Rf? + Ke8 e m body fun d a m e n tal co ncepts characteri z i n g var i o u s as pects
4. Ra7 Rel 1 2 . Rf4 Kd8 of the exc l u sive, n u anced rea l m of mon arch ical com bat .
5 . Rf 7 Rel 1 3 . Be4 Ke8
71
6. Bfl Rel 1 4 . Bc6 + Kd8
7. Bc6 Rdl + 1 5 . Rf8 + Re8
8. Bd5 Rel 1 6 . Rxe8 mate
( 1 -0)
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
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
5
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 . Ki ng
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
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 • S q ua re of the Pawn E nd ga me s 48-49
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 • Esc ort Pro b le m s
E n d ga m e s 50-51
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 • Pawn o n 7th Ra n k En dg am e 52
chessmen .
• 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
THE PAWNS IN ACTION • 75

ENDGAME 48 E N DGAME 49
W : Kh1 , Pa2 B : Kg8
W: Kc6 B: Ka8 , Ph5
White moves and wi n s
White moves and d raws

Square of the Pawn Stepp ing into the Squa re

� B m® B
8 � 8 ·- - -
7- - - - 7B - �
z

6 - - - - �
6 M® -
� - �
5- - - - 5
4 - - - -
- mi
4 - - � B -
3
- - - - 3- a - a �
2 ft & - - - 2 - - - � · �
1B B B B® 1B - - -
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g .,

A Ki ng can ove rtake a speed i n g passed pawn two ways . O n e 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 .
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
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
pawn and Ki n g to reach the Queen i n g square . If it's the same, an i magin ary d i agonal l i ne from t h e pawn to the bac k ra n k­
t h e pawn i s cau g h t ; if the pawn needs l e s s , i t Queen s . Another
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
method i s to v i s ual ize the "squ are of th e pawn . " Afte r the pawn
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
moves to a4, i magine a box of twenty s q u ares , from a4 to a8 to
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
eB to e4 . B l ack's King m u st be a b l e to enter that box on the
nal . " In the d i agram it is d5-e4-f3-g2- h 1 . Retreat i n g the Ki n g
move to catch t h e pawn on a d i ago n a l i n to the back ran k . In
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 ­
the d i agram , t h e pawn starts on the 2nd ra n k , a n d the box 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
apparently r u n s from a2 to a8 to gB to g2, with B l ack's K i n g
attac k e r tries to o b s t r u ct i t .
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 1 . Kd5 h4
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, 2. Ke4 h3
Black's Ki n g l a n g u i s hes i n the outl a n d s . 3 . Kf3 h2
1 . a4 Kf7 4. Kg2 h 1 1Q +
2. a5 Ke6 5 . K x h1
3 . a6 Kd6 Draw
4. a7 Kc7
5. a8/Q
(1-0)
76 • PAN DOLF I N l'S EN DGAME COURSE T H E PAW N S I N ACTION • 77

EN DGAME 50 EN DGAME 51
W: Kb6, Pa2 B: Kd7 W: KgS , Pa2 B : Kf3
Wh ite moves and w i n s White m oves and w i n s

Clearing the Path Shielding Off

8
• - � • •
� 8 • � • �
7 • • •• a 7-�
I

�
6 m .. - • • •
}
6 - • •
5 • • • ��
� ;/ �.
�

5
• • • • o;�
4 • • • • 4 • • • •
3
• • - • 3 • • ••
2 ft • • • • 2 ft -
� • •
1• • � • • •
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

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
e n o u g h m ate r i a l to win (the pawn cou l d become a n ew
Q u ee n ), yet he can n ot force p romotion once Black's K i n g is on
c8. Even if White's K i n g moved to a7, thwarti ng Blac k 's King
from reac h i n g the corner, h e wou l d block the advance of h i s
own paw n , w h i l e Black's King fro m c8 o r c 7 den ies h i m egress.
N ow the "critica l sq uare" b 7 beco me s i mportant. If i t i s oc­
cupied by Wh ite's Ki ng, Wh i te wi n s , for the pawn p roceed s
forward u n c h a l l e n ged . If Black's K i n g reaches c8 , however,
White's King can not occupy b7, the a-pawn 's c ritical s q uare . I n
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
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
tion of the passed pawn . A pawn is " passed " when no enemy
pawn o b st r u ct s its path to the promotion squ are or guards a
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 Kd6 3 . a5 Kb5
2 . a4 Kc5 4. a6
(1-0)
B lack to play can d raw with a Ki n gly move to e4 o r e3 , gett i n g
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
ten d s from a3 to a8 to f8 to f3 . Th i s p reve nts Wh ite from
wi n n i n g by a straight pawn march . After 1 . a4 Ke4, B lack is i n
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
e4) and on the crit ical retreati ng d i agonal (e4-d5-c6-b7-a8), en­
a b l i n g Black's Ki n g to get back i n time. If White goes f i rst, the
win i s ac h i eved by Wh ite's Ki n g oppos i ng Black's , row by row,
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
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
comes when W h i te's King i s o n cs and Black's o n c3 . U n ab le to
move to b3 because Wh ite's pawn gua rds that s q uare , B lack
gives way to b 2 . Wh ite's pawn then util izes its two-sq u are
option to get beyond Black's grasp.
1 . Kf 5 Ke3
2 . Ke5 Kd3
3 . Kd5 Kc3
4. Kc5 Kb2
5 . a4
(1-0)
78 • PAN OOLF I N l'S E N DGAME COU RS E T H E PAWNS I N ACT ION • 7 9

E N DGAME 52 EN DGAME 53
W: Kg6, Pf6 B: Kf8 W: Kf1 B: Kg3, Pf3
White moves and wi n s White moves and d raws

The Squeeze Opposing

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
advance 1 . f7 s q u eezes him o u t . Black's King m ust exit to the
l eft, 1 . . . . Ke7 , al l ow i n g Wh ite's King t o enter o n the right. The
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
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 � square. White, t h e refore, m u st p l ay 1 . Kgl , opposi n g B l ack's
.
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. G e n e ral ly, if you are be i n g " sq u eezed , " you m u st make
a m ove that wor s e n s you r posi ti on .
The ot her s i d e of the coi n . If B l ack's pawn advances to the 7th
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•
decide whet h e r to put his K i n g on e1 or g1 . It wo rks out n i cely
after 1 . Ke1 if B lack coo pe rates and pushes h i s pawn with
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
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
B l ack's K i n g , Whi te's K i n g cannot be s q u eezed .

1 . f7 Ke7 6. Kf5 Kcb 1 . Kgl f2 +

2. Kg7 Kd6 7. Ke6 Kc7 2. Kfl Kf 3
3. f8/Q + Kd5 8. Qb5 Kc8 Stale mate
4. Qb4 Kc6 9. Kd6 Kd8
5 . Kf6 Kd5 1 0 . Qd7 mate
(1 -0)
80 • PA ND OL F I N l ' S EN DGAME COURSE
T H E PAWNS IN ACTION • 81

E N DGAME 54 E N DGAME 55
W: Kd5 , Pe6 B : Kd8
W: Ka5 .. Pc6 B : Kd8
White moves and w i n s
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 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

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
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

Wh ite on the spot and d raw. When the Kings stand in opposi­ i n " ho rizonta l oppositi o n . " And i f l i ned up on the same d i ago­

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 nal , they a re in "d iagonal opposition . " If they are separated by

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 one sq u are , the opposition is called " d i rect . " If t h e re a re t h ree

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 , s q u ares between the two K i n g s , the o pposition is " d ista n t . " I f

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 t h e separation i s five sq uares , t h e opposition i s " l o n g d i stant . "

way. The s i d e step 1 . . . . Ke8 , permits the u n i mpeded advance With the u pward 1 . Kb6, White takes the d i rect d iagonal op­

with advance 2 . e7 and 3 . e8/Q. And afte r 1 . . . . KeB, Wh ite pos i t i o n , and after 1 . . . . KcB , e d ge s by 2 . c7 Kd7 3. Kb7
Kd6 4. cB!Q. Mate soon fo l lows .
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 . Kb6 KcB 6. Kc6 Kf6
1 . Kd6 KeB 6 . Qe4 Kg5 2 . c7 Kd7 7 . Kd6 Kf 7
2. e7 Kf7 7. Ke6 Kh6 3. Kb7 Kd6 8 . Qg5 Kf8
3. Kd7 Kf6 8. Kf6 Kh5 4. cB/Q Kd5 9 . Ke6 KeB
4. eB/Q Kf 5 9 . Qd4 Kh6 5 . Qg4 Ke5 1 0 . Qe7 mate
5 . Qe3 Kf6 1 0 . Qh4 mate ( 1 -0)
(1-0) l
!
i
82 • PA NOO L F I N l 'S END GAME COU RS E
T H E PAWNS I N ACTION • 83

E N DGAME 56 E N DGAME 57
W: Ka5 , Pc6 B: Ka8
W: Ke2 B: Ke4, Pe3
Wh ite m ove s and wi n s
Wh ite moves a n d d raws

Vertical Squeeze frontal Defense

1
a b c d e f g h
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
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
" s q u are of t h e pawn ," (c6 to c8 to a8 to a6) so the h asty t h rust 1 . its 5th . A bad s i g n . White's Ki n g i s poised perfectly fo r defe n se :
c7? e n d s i n captu re after 1 . . . . Kb?. The pawn's forward m o ­
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 .
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
That's a clear d raw. White s i m ply s h ifts between e2 and e1 . I f
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
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
v icto ry. For exam p l e , 1 . Kb6? i s a m i stake . After 1 . . . . Kb8 , the
h i m (1 . . . . Kd3 2. Kd1 , o r 1 . . . . Kf3 2. Kf1 ), tak i n g t h e d i rect
pawn can reach t h e 7th ran k only with check, and Black d raws 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 ,
by 2 . c? + Kc8 3 . Kc6 stale mat e . Th e o n ly co rrect step for 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
Wh ite is to move h i s Ki n g in l i n e with Bl ac k 's , one sq uare 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
se parat i n g the two monarc h s , so they stand i n d i rect ve rtical sues.
opposition . With 1 . Ka6, Wh ite seizes the d i rect ve rtical op­
position on the a-fi l e . After 1 . . . . Kb8 2 . Kb6 Kc8 the squeeze 1 . Kel Kd3
is o n : 3. c7 Kd7 4. Kb7 a n d Q u e e n s on the next move . I f 2. Kdl d2 +
i n stead of 2 . . . . Kc8 , B lack plays 2 . . . . Ka8, Wh ite m u st avo i d 3 . Kel Ke3
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 Sta l e mate
pawn is convoyed to the Queen i ng s q uare .

1 . Ka6 Kb8 5 . c8/Q Ke5 9 . Kb6 Kd7

2 . Kb6 Kc8 6. Qg4 Kd5 1 0 . Qe5 Kd8
3. c7 Kd7 7. Qf4 Kc5 1 1 . Kc6 Kc8
4. Kb7 Kd6 8. Qe4 Kd6 1 2 . Qc7 mate
( 1 -0)
84 • PAN OOLFI N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE T H E PAWNS I N /\C l l Ofllt e M

E N DGAME 58 ENDGAME 59 -

W: Kg5 , Pe6 B: Kg? W: Kh2 B : Kf3 , l'g I

Wh ite moves a n d w i n s White moves a n d d r,1w1

Transition to a Squeeze Stalemate

a b c d e 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
pawn). Re l atively best i s 1 . . . . Kg8, givi n g Wh i te a chance to go caut i o u s about p u s h i n g yo u r pawn . It may be better to waste
wro n g . Wh ite contin ues 2 . Kg6 ! . But not 2 . Kf6 ? , fo r 2 . . . . Kf8, 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 ,
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 5 . Kf7. can not afford to be i m precise with a pawn . Someti m e s , after a
bad p i ece move , yo u can re tu rn to where you starte d . B ut
1 . Kf5 Kg8 7. Qa4 Kc5 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
2. Kg6 Kf 8 8. Ke6 Kb6 pawn to t h e 6th , a l l owi n g Wh ite t o d raw with a frontal d efe nse

3 . Kf6 Ke8 9. Kd6 Kb? va riation (see En d game 57). Afte r 1 . Khl , 1 . . . . Kf2 stal e m ates .
4. e7 Kd7 1 0 . Qa5 Kb8 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
5 . Kf7 Kd6 1 1 . Kc6 Kc8 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
6. e8/Q Kd5 1 2 . Qc7 mate wo u l d have s p r u n g any stale mate snares.
(1-0)
1 . Khl g2 +
2 . Kgl Kg3
Stal e m ate
86 • PA N DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COU RS E 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

EN DGAME 60 outside the u n ive rs e . I f White gets the opposition with in the
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
W: Ke6 , Pf5 B : Kf8 sq uare to s q u eeze out h i s opponent's K i n g .
White moves and w i n s
1 . Kf6 KeB
Direct Opposition 2 . Kg7 Ke7
3. f6 + Ke6
4. f7 Kd5
5 . fB/Q Kc4
6 . Qa3 Kd4
7. Kf6 Ke4
8 . Qc3 Kd5
9. Kf5 Kd6
1 0 . Qc4 Kd7
1 1 . Qc5 KeB
1 2 . Ke6 KdB
1 3 . Qc3 KeB
1 4 . QhB mate
(1-0)

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
88 • PA N DOLFI N l ' S E N DGAME COU RS E
T H E PAW N S I N ACT ION
• 89

not a Roo k-p awn ) occ u p i

es the 2 n d , 3 rd , 4th , or 5th
E N DGAME 61 s h o u l d not move yo u r paw
�
al rea y o n t h e 6th ran k a
n to the 6th ran k u n l ess yo
ran ks . Yo u
u r Ki n g i s
n d t h e advanc e take s t h e opp
W: Kd 5 , Pc5 B : Kb7 al l ow i n g Blac k 's K i n g to osit ion
be s q u eez ed . '
White moves and wi n s

1 . Kd6
Critical Squares Kc8
2. Kc6 KbB
3 . Kd7 Kb7
4. c6 + Kb6
5 . c7 Kc s
6. cBJQ + Kd 4
7. Ke6 Ke4
8 . Qc 3 Kf4
9. Qd3 Kg4
1 0 . Qd Kh 5
1 1 . Kf5 Kh4
1 2 . Qc 3 Kh 5
1 3 . QhB mate
(1 -0)

Critical sq uare s fo r pawns o n the 5 t h ra n k are one row ah ead of

the pawn-not two , as seen with paw n s on the 2 n d , 3 r d , and
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
 THE PAWNS IN ACTION • 91
AM E CO U RS E
90 • PAN D O LF I N l ' S EN DG

63
E N DG AM E 6 2
ENDGAME

W: Ka1 B : KbS , PcS

W: Kf7 , Pg5 B : Kh8
ns Wh i te moves and w i n s
W hit e mo ve s an d wi

Distant Opposition

�
an d be yo n d , fo i t i s
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
h ite 's Ki n g h a s rea ch ed a cri tic al s q u a re 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
W ran k to wi n . I t
t f o r W h ite 's Ki n g to oc c u py t h e 6th 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 .
suf fic ien n.
i n gs of a n ew Qu ee
aw n h as a l l t h e ma 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
ap pe ars t h at t h e g-p 's ed ge set s a n ast y
Ye t the B l ac k K i n g's p rox i m i ty to the bo ard
i s fo r W h ite to ret rac
� (taki ng the d i rect opposit � � n ) 2 . Kc2 Kc4 3 . Kd2 Kb3( the
�
t ra , 1 . g6 sta le m ate
. Th e wi n n i n g i d ea
�
ti_ n g B l a k s
t u r n i n g mane uve r) 4. Kc1 Kc3 5 . Kd1 Kb2 6 . Kd2 c4 and the
h i s ste p s , sta ti o n i n g h i s ow n k i n g on h6 , p reven �
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
Ki n g fro m u s i n g the h-f i l e to set u p a sta lem
ate t r i c k an d for ci n g
on � � '.11
e ove seizes the d i stant ve rtical opposi ti o n , 1 . Kb1 ,
i t o u t of the c o r n e r. �
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
t
1 . Kg6 Kg8 8 . Kg6
9. Kg5
Ke5
Kd6
� .
m mta m 1 n g , fro m move to move , s o m e form of opposition
_ ii'
r

II
I
2 . Kh 6 Kh 8 ( e i t h e r d i stant ve rtical or d i rect ve rti cal), White can p revent
1 0 . Kf6 Kd7
3. g6 Kg8 Black's K i n g from reac h i n g a c ritical s q u a re .
1 1 . Qc 5 Kd8
4. g7 Kf 7
1 2 . Qa 7 Kc8
5. Kh7 Kf6 1 . Kbl Kb4 5. Kc2 c3
1 3 . Ke6 Kd8
6 . g8/Q Ke5 2. Kb2 Kc4 6. Kcl Kd3
Kd6 1 4 . Qb8 mate 3 . Kc2 Kd4 7. Kdl c2 +
7 . Qc 4
(1-0 ) 8. Kcl Kc3
4. Kd2 c4
Stal e mate
i
',
I
92 • PAN OOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COU RS E
T H E PAWNS I N ACTION • 93

E N DGAME 64 EN DGAME 65
W: Ke4, Pd4 B : Kf8
W : Kb2 , Pe4 B: Ka8
White move s and w i n s
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
A n i n adeq uate w i n n i n g t ry i s 1 . Kb3 ? , which i s an swered by
j:
I'
� � criti cal sq u are . Th e " outside c r itical s q u are" i s the o n e
either 1 . . . . Kb7 ( o r even 1 . . . . Kb8). Both moves obstruct
o tsid 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
l
.
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 (d6, e6, o r f6). B u t White can fo rce destiny's hand with a l o n g
I
i
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 , ,

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 , convoyed h o m e .

i;
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 . "
1 . Kc3
2. Kd4
Kb7
Kc6
�.
·1
3. Ke5 Kd7 i

1 . Kd5 Ke7 4. Kf6 Ke8 r!

2. Kc6 Kd8 5 . Ke6 Kf8
3. Kd6 Kc8 6. Kd7 Kf 7
4. Ke7 Kc7 7. e5 Kf8
5. d5 Kc8 8. e6 Kg7
6. d6 Kb7 9. e7 Kf 6
7. d7 Kc6 1 0 . e8/Q
8. d8/Q (1-0)
(1 -0)
94 • PA N DO L F I N l 'S E NDGAME COU RSE T H E PAW N S I N ACTION • 95

E N DGAME 66 E N DGAME 67
W: Ke1 , Pg4 B: Kc8 W: Kd3 B: Kc5, Pc6
Wh ite moves and w i n s Wh ite moves and d raws

The Underpass 1 Opposition

a b c d e f g h

g gets to the Wh ite marks t i m e , f r ustrati n g the hostile i n tention s of B l ack's

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 . Ki n g by 1 . Kc3 tak i n g d i rect opposit i o n . Aft e r 1 . . . . Kd5 2 .
crucia l a rea befo re Wh ite's . A d i rect advan ce by W
Ke7 ! ( d i stant verti cal 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 . . . .
Ke2 i s sty m i e d by 1 . . . . Kd7 2 . Ke3
is solved by 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
oppos iti o n ) 3. Kf4 Kf6. O n ce aga i n , the r i d d l e
h ead i n g fo r the o utsi de critica l s q u are ( h e re , h6).
To get there, 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
l i d i n g behind his pawn : 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
White 's King execu tes the u n d e rpass , s
e1 -f2-g3- h4 . s q u are c3 . By 4. Kc2 Kd4 5 . Kd2 , W h i te sh u ts Blac k 's Ki n g out
of his c ritical 6th- ran k s q u a re s .
1 . Kf2 Kd7 7. Kg6 Kg8
2 . Kg3 Ke6 8. g5 Kh8 1 . Kc3 Kd5
3. Kh4 Kf6 9. Kf7 Kh7 2. Kd3 c5
'i
1 0 . g6 + Kh6 3 . Kc3 c4
4. Kh5 Kg7 ,,
5 . Kg5 Kh7 1 1 . g7 Kg5 4. Kc2 Kd4 I

6. Kf6 Kh8 1 2 . g8/Q 5 . Kd2 c3 + I ,

( 1 -0) 6. Kc2 Kc4

7. Kcl Kb3 :l !
,.
8. Kbl c2 + I '
9. Kc l Kc3
Stalemate

'11
96 • PA ND OLF I N l'S ENDGAME CO U RS E THE PAWNS I N ACTION • 97

E NDGAME 68 ENDGAME 69
W: KgS I
Pg3 B : Kg7 W: Kc1 , Pb3 B: Ke8
Wh ite moves and w i n s White moves and w i n s

Reserve Tempo The Underpass 2

2
1
a b c d e f g h

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 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

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 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
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 B l ack's King. B l ac k stops the Wh ite K i n g 's dash fo r the outside
his paw n , tra n sferr i n g the move to B l ac k and gai n i n g the op­ critical s q uare (aS) by l u n gi n g to b6, but with Kb4, W h i te g rasps
position for h i m self. After 1 . g4, Black gives g ro u n d , 1 . . . . Kh7 , hold of the d i rect ve rtical opposit i o n , reach i n g a critical sq uare '·'

I
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 . on the n ex t move .
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
I
echoes seve ra l we 've al ready se e n . 1 . Kb2 Kd7 9. b5 Kb8
2 . Ka3 Kc6 1 0 . Kb6 Ka8
1 . g4 Kh7 3 . Ka4 Kb6 1 1 . Kc7 Ka?
2. Kf6 Kh8 4. Kb4 Ka6 1 2 . b6 + Ka8
3 . Kg6 Kg8 5 . Kc5 Kb7 1 3 . b7 + Ka7
4. g5 Kh8 6. Kb5 Kc? 14. b8/Q + Ka6
5. Kf7 Kh7 7. Ka6 Kc6 1 5 . Qb6 mate
6. g6 + Kh6 8 . b4 Kc7 (1-0) "

7. g7 Kg5
8 . g8/Q +
(1 -0)
98 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE THE PAWN S I N ACTIO N • 99

E N DGAME 70 EN DGAME 71
W: Ka3 , Pg2 B : KbS W: Ke1 , Pe2 B : Ke8
White moves and w i n s Wh i te moves and w i n s

Maintaining the Opposition Critical Squares #2

8 �
� •
- •
-
8 - -® - �
7� . - - - 7- - - -
- - - -
.

6 � - - - 6

s M® B � s a, - - - '

4 - - - - 4 • • - -
3 �� � � .• D• 3- - - -
2 m B. B ft B 2 • - ft - �
1 --
.
1 •
� �B m
�� � ·
�
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

The pawn can't do fo r itself : 1 . g4 KcS ( ste p p i n g i n to the �

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
" s q uare of the paw n ") 2. gs KdS 3 . g6 Ke6 4. g7 Kf7 catc hes 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
the pawn . Wh i te 's K i n g m u st s e ize the d i rect ve rtical opposi­ rows in front of t h e e-pawn (d4, e4, or f4). Fo r exa m p l , 1 . �
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 . . . . Ke7 ( l o n g - d i sta nt ve rtical opposition) 2. Kd2 Kd6 ( d i stant
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 ve rtical oppositi o n ) 3 . Ke3 KeS (d i re ct oppos i t i o n ), and B l ac k
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 d raws . B u t i f Wh i te goes fi rst, he w i n s because h e a lways gets
or h4). Criti cal - s q u a re sets are two ran ks ahead of t h e i r pawns to a 4th - ra n k c ritical s q u a re : Kd2-e3-e4 (or to d4 or f4).
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 1 . Kd2 Kd8 8. e5 Kea
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 2 . Ke3 Ke7 9. Ke6 Kf8
passed pawn b y force. 3 . Ke4 Ke6 1 0 . Kd7 Kf7
4. e3 Kd6 1 1 . e6 + Kf8
1 . Kb3 Kc5 8. Kg4 Kf6 1 5 . Kf7 Kh7 5 . Kf5 Kd5 12. e7+ Kf7
2. Kc3 Kd5 9. Kh5 Kg7 16. g6 + Kh8 6. e4 + Kd6 1 3 . e8/Q +
1 0 . Kg5 Kf7 1 7. g7 + Kh7 7. Kf6 Kd7 (1-0)
3 . Kd3 Ke5
4. Ke3 Kf 5 1 1 . Kh6 Kg8 18. g8/Q + Kh6
5 . Kf3 Kg5 1 2 . Kg6 Kh8 19. Qg6 mate
6. Kg3 Kf5 1 3 . g4 Kg8 (1 -0)
7 . Kh4 Kg6 14. g5 Kh8
1 00 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COU RSE
T H E PAWNS IN ACTION • 1 01

E N DGAME 72 E N DGAME 73
W : Kc1 B : Kc8 , Pc7
W: Kf1 B: Kg3 , Ph3
W h ite plays and d raws
White moves a n d d raws

Rook-Pa wn Draws

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 .
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
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 .
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
B u t White, with the move, d raws by b l ocki n g B l ack from reach­
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
�7,
I'
ing his pawn 's critical squ are s . To w i n with the pawn at
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
Blac k's Ki n g m u st b e set to o cc u py either bS , cS , or dS. White
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 ,
starts by tak i n g t h e long- d i stant ve rti cal oppositi�n , 1 . Kc2 .
however, B l ack 's Ki n g has to occupy g2 , h i s h-pawn 's c r i tical
Both Ki n g s n ow stan d o n the same color square s ( l i ght), sepa­
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
rated by an odd n u m ber of square s (five) along the row they are
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
on (the c-fi l e). After 1 . . . Kb7 2 . Kb3 , the Ki n gs sta n d i n
�
.
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
d i stant vertical oppositi o n , a n d W h i te's h a s t h e advantage e­
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 .
cau s e he moves second . Final ly, with 2 . . . . Kc6 3 . Kc4, Wh i te
Th u s , fo r a Wh ite pawn on a2, a3 , a4 , o r as , for exa m p l e , the
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 � 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 .
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 . Kgl h2 +
1 . Kc2 Kb7 7. Kd3 c4 + 1 3 . Kdl c2 + 2 . Khl Kh3
2 . Kb3 Kc6 8. Kc3 Kc5 1 4 . Kcl Kc3 Stalem ate
3. Kc4 Kd6 9 . Kc2 Kb4 Stal emate
4. Kd4 c6 1 0 . Kb2 c3 +
S. Kc4 c5 1 1 . Kc2 Kc4
6. Kc3 Kd5 1 2 . Kcl Kd3
1 02 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S E N D GAME COURSE
T H E PAWNS IN ACTION • 1 03

EN DGAME 74 EN DGAME 75
W : Kd2 B: Kb3, Pa5
W: Kf4 B: Kh1 Ph3
I
Wh ite moves and d raws
White moves and d raws

Controlling the Critical Square Rear Defense

8
- - B B 8
a-
� a
7
a m B B 7
� - -
a a
6 B � m B B 6 B a B �
5• a a a
?';·
� --�·0< 5B - - -
4 B B B B 4 a a m �,.�;,t B
3
Bcfi'B B B 3
- B � a Bt
2 �
� L��m a
� a� 2
a - - - �
1
a - a a 1
� - - -� �
a b c d e f g h
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

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,
s q u are, 1 . . . . Kb2. I t 's c ri tical becau s e , if Blac k's King can oc­
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
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
t h e n White retreats h i s K i n g farther t o f2 , and Blac k , the su pe­
a-pawn 's adva n c e . Occu pation of a c r i tical squ are means t hat
rior s i d e , is stale m ated .
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
1 . Kg3 h2
K i n g n eve r gai n s h i s cri tical squ are and the pawn is t hwarted .
2 . Kf2
S ta l e m ate
A B
1 . Kcl a4 1. Kcl Ka2
2. Kbl a3 2. Kc2 a4
3 . Kal a2 3. Kc 1 al
Stale mate 4. Kc2 Ka1 !
5. Kcl a2 I
6. Kc2
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 T H E PAW NS I N ACTION • 1 07

E N DGAME 76 EN DGAME 77
W : Kc6, Pb6, Pb5 B: Kb8 W: Kb3, Pb5, Pb4 B: Kb?
Wh ite moves a n d w i n s White moves and w i n s

Pa wn Pitch 1 King Dance

8 - 8
- -
• � -
� 7
- �- a -
�- 6 • � • • • �
• 5 � ft · • •
4 • 4 �� • • •
� 3
-�- • •
2 • a a
� � 2 a • - •
1
- . a - 1 -
- - •
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

You have " d o u b l e d pawns" if two of yo u r paw n s occupy the 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
same fi l e because of a capt u re . D o u b l e d paw n s tend to be 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
weak , s i n ce they can 't p rotect eac h other as can "conn ected 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
pawns" on adjacent files . But when yo u have d o u b l e d pawns 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
a n d yo u r opponent has n ot h i n g , generall y you wi n . Whe never pawn fro m c4 if B l ac k attacks i t : 1 . Kc3 Kc? 2 . Kd4 Kb6 . N ow 3 .
yo u need to tempo, the rear d o u b l e d pawn cou l d be push e d 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
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 to captu re the fro nt pawn . Afte r the moves 3 . . . Kc ? 4 . Kc5 .
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 . Kb? 5 . b6, B l ac k sets a trap with 5 . . . . Ka6, ho p i n g for 6 . Kc6
Regardless of w h o gets the opposition i n that case, Blac k sti l l stalemate . B u t by d itc h i n g h i s lead paw n , 6. b7, W h i te averts
d raws if h i s Ki n g b lockades the Roo k-pawns o n the corner stalemate , takes t h e opposition afte r the b-paw n 's captu re, and
s q uare . H e re , the only poss i b l e l u rk i n g snafu i s stalemate, reaches the c r i tical s qu ares o n the 6th ran k . He c o u l d afford to
w h i c h occ u rs after 1 . b7 Ka7 2. Kc? ? . But by "pitc h i n g , " o r sac rifice the l ead pawn becau se he sti l l has one l eft .
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 1 . Kc3 Kc ? 7. Kb5 Ka? 1 3 . b7 Kc?
the pawn i s sacrifi ced . 2. Kd4 Kb6 8 . Kc6 Kb8 1 4 . Ka? Kc 6
3 . Kc4 Kc? 9. Kb6 Ka8 1 5 . b8/Q
1 . b7 Ka? 5 . b6 + Ka8 4. Kc5 Kb? 1 0 . b5 Kb8 (1-0)
2 . b8/Q + Kxb8 6. b 7 + Ka7 5 . b6 Ka6 1 1 . Ka6 Ka8
3 . Kb6 Ka8 7 . b8/Q + Ka6 6. b7 Kxb7 1 2 . b6 Kb8
4. Kc7 Ka? 8 . Qb6 mate
(1-0)
1 08 • PAN DOL F I N l'S EN DGAME COURSE THE PAWNS IN ACTION • 1 09

ENDGAME 78 ENDGAME 79
W: Kg6, Pg7, Ph6 B: Kg8 W: KdS, Pb6, Pa7 B: Kb7
W h ite mates i n o n e m ove 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 2. Kc7. The c u l p r it i s W h ite's a-pawn ,
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,
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 + Kxa8
2. Kc6
3 . b7
Kb8
Ka7
.1r
I
4. Kc7 Ka6
5. b8/Q Ka5
7. Qb3 Ka6
8. Qb6 mate
( 1 -0)
 THE PAW N S IN ACTION 111
PA N DOLFIN l'S EN DGAME COU RSE
•
110 •

EN DGAME 80 EN DGAME 81
W : Kg1 , Pf4, Ph4 B : KfS W: Kh1 , Pa4 , PcS B : Kb7
White m oves and w i n s White moves and w i n s

Split-Pawn Defense Alignment

8
8 - • - • � • •
1M m � B :1 B. fl B m m
�� �
6 B. m B B . · ·
.. ��. �
.·
s m. B Bfi' B
4 - �
� �-
� u �
� �
��
� 4 ft B B B
3• • • • 3. • •
2 m m m a 2 • • •
�
�
• �•
a. LmJ 1 8 - - -�
a b c d e f g h
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 ­
S p l i t pawn s, separated by one f i l e , defend each oth e r if they
assailable if B l ac k does not al ready attack e i t h e r of t he m . The n ,
occ u py the same ran k . When o n e is attac ked , the ot h e r ad­
after B l ac k 's King th reatens o n e of t h e m , the oth e r i s advanced.
vances. I f the back one is captu red, the pawn in front moves u p
While B l ack tries to hold the fo rt, Wh ite q u ietly hau l s u p h i s
the board u n checked, too fast to b e caught from b e h i n d .
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

Kf6 defen d , Wh ite h a s several ways to score the point.

1 . hs
2. Kg2 Kg7
1 . a5 Kc6
3. f5 Kh6
Kh7 2 . a6 Kc7
4. f6
3. Kg2 Kc6
5. Kg3 Kg8
Kf7 4. Kf3 Kc 7
6. h6
Kxf6 5. Ke4 Kc6
7. h7
6. Kd4 Kc 7
8. h8/Q +
7. Kd5 Kc8
( 1 -0)
8. c6 Kb8
9. Kc5 Ka8
1 0 . c7 Ka7
1 1 . c8/R Kxa6
1 2 . Rc7 Ka5
1 3 . Ra7 mate
(1-0)
 PAN DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COU RSE
THE PAWNS IN ACTION
112 •
• 113

EN DGAME 82 EN DGAME 83
W: Kd4 B : Kc7, Pb5, Pd5 W : Kh3 B : Kd4, Pf2, Ph4
White moves and w i n s W h i te moves and d raws

Opposition Getting Back

a - B B B 8 - • • -
� t�
1 m. :,;j .
� 7- - - -
6 • • • - 6 - • • -
5 -t•t• • 5• • • •
4 • d �m ,--� •
d • � 4 . · -
- -
. ���
3. - • • 3 • • • • <;!i
2 • • • • 2 • • f� •
1B B � B 1. - • •
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

An exce ption . I s o l ated pawn s-sta n d i n g on the same ran k , one White can d raw, b u t not by a b l u n d e r i n g captu re of the h-pawn ,
f i l e apa rt-do not n ecessa rily defend themselves i f the enemy which allows B l ac k a promot i o n at f1 . Rather, White retreats h i s
Ki n g i s aggressively poste d , posses s i n g the move and al ready Ki n g to g2, th reate n i n g the f- paw n . After B l ac k defe nds the
attac king o n e of the pawn s . Yet Wh ite can not j u st sw i m h o m e . pawn , White b l oc kades it: 1 . . . . Ke3 2. Kfl . Black then has
Taking the d-pawn loses : 1 . Kxd5 K b 6 2 . Kd4 Ka5 3 . Kc3 the u n enviable c h o i ce of two stalemate s : 2 . . . . Kf3 o r 2 . . . .
Ka4 4 . Kb2 Kb4 5. Ka2 Kc3, and B l ac k's Ki n g has reached a h3.
cr itical s q u are , e n s u r i n g h i s win . Correct i s 1 . Kc 5 , s l i p p i n g
between the pawns to seize the d i rect ve rtical oppositi o n . 1 . Kg2 Ke3
White fo l lows b y captu ri n g the pawn on the f i l e Blac k's Ki n g 2. Kfl Kf3
moves to . I f 1 . . . . Kd7, for exam p l e , White d raws by 2 . Kxd5 Sta l e m ate
Kc7 3. Kc5 Kb7 4. Kxb5, and B l ac k loses both h i s pawn s .

1 . Kc5 b4 6. Ke2 d3 +
2 . Kxb4 Kd6 7. Kd2 Kd4
3. Kc3 Ke5 8. Kdl Kc3
4. Kd3 d4 9 . Kcl d2 +
5 . Kd2 Ke4 1 0 . Kdl Kd3
Stalemate
 PA N DOLF IN l'S EN DGAME COU RSE
THE PAWNS I N ACTION
114 •
• 115

EN DGAME 84 E N DGAME 85
W : Kh1 , Pb4 , Pe4 B : KeS
W: Kg3 B : Kh8, PeS , PhS
White moves and w i n s
Wh ite moves and d raws

8
• • • Inside the Pawn's Square
7 . .. •
6 • • • •
5 •
. .• -
�
� •
4 � . ft • •
3• • • -
2 • • • •
1 • • • •®
a b c d e f g 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
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
squ ares ). I n that case the pawns are self-susta i n i n g , and one o r
them is a Roo k-pawn . Without the aid of B l ac k's K i n g , h i s split
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,
pawns, two f i l e s apart, can not defend themselves . Blac k m u st
it i s u sed as a decoy, allowi n g the second pawn to advance.
sac rifice h i s decoy, the good e-paw n , in order to save the bad
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 ­
h-pawn . Eve n t h o u g h Blac k's Ki ng comes fo rward , !t lacks space
tan e o u s ly. I f necessary, W h ite's King can then arrive i n t i m e to
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
save the rem ai n i n g pawn and escort it h o m e . I n th i s i n stance ,
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
however, the paw n s are yet to c ross the fronti e r l i n e and t�e e ­
occ u py the h - paw n 's critical sq u a re , g2 .
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
1 . Kh4 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
2 . Kg3 Kg7
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
3. Kf4 Kg6
Ki n g m u st retreat to ove rtake the decoy b-paw n , _w h i c h t�e n
4. Kxe4 Kg5
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
5 . Kf3 h4
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
6. Kg2 Kg4
front of h i s e-paw n .
7. Kh2 h3
1 . b5 Kd6 5. Ke5 Kc6 9. e6 + Kd6 8. Khl Kg3
2. Kg2 Kc5 6 . Ke6 Kc7 1 0 . e7 Ke5 9. Kgl h2 +
3. Kf3 Kxb5 7 . e5 Kd8 1 1 . e8/Q + 1 0 . Kh l Kh3
4 . Kf4 Kc5 8 . Kf7 Kd7 (1 -0) 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 • PA N DOLF I N l'S E N DGAME COU RSE THE PAWNS I N ACTION • 119

EN DGAME 86 E N DGAME 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

Outflanking Trebuchet

a B - 8.
1m� � m •
�
�-
�
6 a 1• •
5
• � .
4 � . • 8<fl8
3. • • ,
2 • • •
1 • • - �
a b c d e t g h
a 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
When both sides have a pawn that blocks the other pawn from
pathway to the p rey i s t rec hero u s . Zugzwan g positi o n s , whe re
m ovi ng, they a re fixed . I n fixed-pawn sit uati ons, someti m es a
the co m p u l s i o n to move cou rts fatal ity, abo u n d . I f, for exam­
King can outma n e uver the oth e r and win the enemy p aw n . The
ple, Wh ite tries the d i rect app roac h , 1 . Kd6, B lac k responds 1 .
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 . . . Kf5, setti n g u p a zugzwan g s ituation know n as the "tre­

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
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

momentar i l y g u a rd i ng i t . The b6-paw n 's critical squ ares are c6, captu re on e6 with an easy wi n . Obse rve the characte ristic
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 position of the Kings i n a t re b uchet, a Kn igh t's d i stan ce from

get to the s q u are e6 to o utflan k Black's King. each oth e r.

1 . Kg3 Kb7 7. Kd7 Kb8 1 3. b7 Kc7 1 . Kd7 Kf5 5. e6 + Kf8

2. Kf4 Kc7 8. Kc6 Ka7 1 4 . Ka7 Kc6 2 . Kd6 Kg6 6. e7 + Kf 7

3 . Ke5 Kd7 9. Kc7 Ka8 1 5 . b8/Q 3. Kxe6 Kg7 7. eBJQ +

4 . KdS Kc7 1 0 . Kxbb Kb8 (1 -0) 4. Kd7 Kf7 ( 1 -0)
5 . Ke6 Kc8 1 1 . Ka6 Ka8

6. Kd6 Kb7 1 2 . b6 Kb8

 THE PAW NS I N ACTION 1 21
PAN OOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE
•
1 20 •

EN DGAME 88 E N DGAME 89
W: Ka8, PeS B : Kf7, Pe6 W: Kg1 , Pf3 B : Kd4, PfS
White moves and w i n s White moves and d raws

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e fg h
The n earest criti cal s q u a res for Wh ite's Ki n g to w i n Black's pawn It's c r u c i al that yo u r fixed pawn be on t h e p roper ran k when
a re b6, c6, an d d6, and the closes t for Black's K i n g to win 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
Black's Ki n g
W h i te's pawn are fS , gS , an d h S . Even thoug h ra n k , yo u d raw. After 1 . Kf2 f4, B l ack ou tflan ks and wins White's
'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 pawn on f3 , w h i ch then becomes a critical s q u a re fo r B l ack's
who fi rst reache s one of the c r i t i cal s q u a re s . Th i s feat u re d e ­ pas � ed pawn at f4. The pawn then Q u e e n s . Afte r 1 . f4, B l ac k
.
c i d e s the o ut co m e . I f Black choos es t o d efend passiv
ely, W hite aga �� wi ns White's p �wn , b u t then Black's King d o e s not occupy
turning or
gai n s the o p positio n on t h e 7th ran k , exerci s es a 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
a n d p i cks u p ' '

outflan ki n g man e uver on the s q u a re s d6 a n d d7, and g3). The game is d rawn .
n st Wh ite's
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 1 . f4 Ke4
eS-paw n , then t h e same s q u a res-d 6 and d7-a l
2 . Kg2 Kxf4
execut e a wi n n i ng t re b u c h et .
B 3 . Kf2 Ke4
A
1 . Kb7 Kg6
4 . Ke2 f4
1 . Kb7 Ke7
5 . Kf2 f3
2. Kc7 Ke8 2. Kc6 Kg5
Kf5 6 . Kfl Ke3
3 . Kd6 Kf7 3. Kd7
4. Kd6 Kg6
7. Kel f2 +
4. Kd7 Kf8
5. Kxe6 8. Kfl Kf 3
5 . Kxe6 Ke8 Kg7
6. Kd7 Kf7 Stale mate
6 . Kf6 Kf8
7. e6 Ke8 7. e6 + Kf6

8. e7 Kd7 8. e7 Ke5

9 . Kf7 Kd6 9. e8/Q +

1 0 . e8/Q (1-0)
1 22 • PA N OOL F I N l 'S E N D GAME COU RSE T H E PAWNS IN ACTION • 1 23

EN DGAME 90 EN DGAME 91
W : Kb8 , Ph2 B : Kb6, Ph3 W: Ke6, Pa6 B: Kc3 , Pa7
White moves and d raws Wh ite moves and w i n s

Critical Retreating Diagonal Shielding Off

8 - - - -
1m m m m
6 ft - - \t> - -
5- - - -
4 - - - -
3 - �. - -
2 - - - -
1- - - -
a 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

W h i te's K i n g h as to move one of two ways . White can move it
same n u m b e r of move s , with th ree d i ff e rent fi rst move s : Kd7,
appa ren tly c l o s e r to the pawn s , 1 . Kc8, and lose (1 . . . . Kc6 2 .
Kd6, o r Kd 5 . O n l y 1 . Kd5 , howeve r, p revents Black's King fro m
Kd8 Kd5 3 . Kc7 Ke4 4 . Kd6 Kf3 5 . Ke5 Kg2 6 . Kf4 Kxh 2 7 . Kf3
maneuve r i n g to t h e critical d i agonal of retreat ( h2-b8) to con­
Kg1 8. Kg3 h 2 , Q u e en i n g). O r he can move to what seems
nect to c7, w h i c h encl oses White's K i n g at a7. The i n exact play
fart h e r away, 1 . Ka8! , and d raw, as i n t h e m a i n variation . Th e
1 . Kd6 ? , for exam p l e , d raws after 1 . . . . Kd4 2. Kc6 Ke5 3 . Kb7
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
Kd6 4. Kxa7 Kc7 5 . Ka8 Kb6 6. a7 Kc7 stale mate. Th u s , when
closer t o t h e "critical retreat i n g d i agona l , " a7-g1 , chan n e l i n g
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
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
find moves that also h a m p e r t h e movement of the enemy Ki n g .
h2.

1 . Ka8 Kc6 1 . Kd5 Kb4

2. Ka7 Kd5 2. Kc6 Ka5
3 . Kb6 Ke4 3 . Kb7 Kb5
4. Kc5 Kf3 4. Kxa7 Kc6
5 . l<d4 Kg2 5. l<b8 Kb6
6. Ke3 l<xh2 6. a7
7. Kf2 Khl ( 1-0)
8 . l<g3 h2
9. Kf2
Stal emate
 THE PAW NS I N ACT ION • 1 25
1 24 • PA N DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE

EN DGAME 92 E N DGAME 93
W: Kd6, PbS B: Ka8, Pa7 W: Kh2, Pe4 B : Kg4, Pf6
Wh ite moves and w i n s White moves and d raws

Squeeze Changing the Critical Squares

8 �- - - - a B B E B
1 r� a m � 7• • • • .
a ·m m m 6 - � - - ·
·
6 ,,
,,

5�� �-• . � .
5 . ft . - • - •
4 B B :tt B �B
4 - • • -
3- • • • 3• • • •
2 B B B B 2 B � · m m
� •
1• -
�
�- � � ��
1m a B a •
c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
a b

After 1 . Kc7 B l ac k 's K i n g is locked in with no way o u t . Th i s 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
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 : 1 . Kg2 Kf4 2 . Kf2 Kxe4, and B l ac k w i n s becau se h i s K i n g
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 sits on a critical s q u a re fo r the f 6 pawn . Wh ite reasons that
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 s i n ce the e-pawn can 't be saved , its loss m u st n eve rtheless
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 enco m pass a gai n . Wh ite p u s h e s his pawn to eS . Black's pawn
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 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
fi rst move forces B l ack to i m pai r h i s position and lose. Yo u are board . Th i s means the critical sq u a re s of Blac k 's pawn have also
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 . 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
1 . Kc7 a5 B l ack's K i n g from occu pyi ng th e m .
2. b6 a4 1 . e5 fxe5
3. b7 + Ka7 2. Kg2 Kf4
4. b8/Q + Ka6 3 . Kf2 e4
5 . Qb6 mate 4. Ke2 e3
( 1 -0) 5 . Kel Kf3
6. Kf l e2 +
7. Ke l Ke3
Stal emate
1 26 • PA N DOLF I N l'S EN DGAME COU RSE
T H E PAW N S IN ACT ION • 1 27

ENDGAME 94 EN DGAME 95
W : Ka1 , Pd4 B : Kb5, Pc6
W: Kc2, Pb2 B : Kf6, Pa4
White moves and d raws
Wh ite moves and w i n s

Distant Opposition Underpass

8 - � - - 8

1 m m B. - 7

s BtB m m
5 -� - B B
4 BB B �I
3- - - -
2 - - - -
1��� g � •
d • d 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
The K i n g w i l l ach i eve zero by movi n g d i rectly with 1 . Kb1
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
Kc4 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
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
critical s q u are for t h e c6 paw n . I n stead , W h i te m u sters a two­
pawn . D i rect assau lt by 1 . Kc3 fai l s . B l ack res po n d s 1 . . . . a3 ! ,
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
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 .
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
N o r does it h e l p after 1 . Kc3 ? a3 ! to p u s h the b- pawn : (A) 2 . b3
pawn to captu re on d5 . Seco n d , after aban don i n g h i s paw n , h e
Ke5 3 . Kc2 Kd4 4 . Kb1 Kc3 5 . Ka2 Kb4 ; o r ( B) 2 . b4 Ke5 3 .
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 ,
Kb3 Kd5 4 . Kxa3 Kc6 5 . Ka4 Kb6. The o n ly v i a b l e way to
to take the d i stant vertical oppositi o n .
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
1 . ds cxd5
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. Kbl Kc5
2. . . . Ke5 3 . Ka2 Kd5 4 . Kxa3 Kc5 5 . Ka4 Kb6 6 . Kb4,
3 . Kcl Kc4
White gai n s the o p position on the 4th ran k i n fro n t of h i s b­
4. Kc2 d4
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. Kd2 d3
5 t h rank via a t u r n i n g maneuve r.
6. Kd l Kc3
7. Kcl d2 +
1 . Kbl a3
8. Kd l Kd3
2 . b3 Ke5
Stal emate
1 28 • PAN DOLF I N l'S E N DGAME COU RS E T H E PAWNS I N ACTION • 1 29

3 . Ka2
4. Kxa3
Kd5
Kc5 EN DGAME 96
5 . Ka4 Kb6 W: Kb4, Pb6 B: Kd7, Pc6
6. Kb4 Ka6 W h i te moves and w i n s
7. Kc5 Kb7
8. Kb5 Ka7 Squeezing In
9. Kc6 Kb8
10. b4 Ka7
11. bS Kb8
12. Kb6 Ka8
13. Kc7 Ka7
14. b6 + Ka8
15. b7 + Ka7
1 6. b8/Q + Ka6
1 7. Qb6 mate
(1-0)

White t ri u m p h s d i rectly w i t h 1 . Kc5 , a n d whet her Black ret reats

h i s King to c8 or d8 does n 't matte r. On 1 . . . . Kc8, White
capt u re s t h e c-pawn and n u d ges B l ack fro m the back ra n k i n a
s q u eeze : 2 . Kxc6 Kb8 3. b7 Ka7 4. Kc7 Ka6 5 . b8/Q Ka5 6.
Qb3 Ka6 7. Qb6 mate. After the alternative 1 . . . . Kd8 , White
postpo n e s capt u r i n g the c-pawn in favor of 2. Kd6 , opposing
B l ack's K i n g and t h reaten i n g advance of the b-pawn . To stop
t h i s , Black m u st conti n u e 2 . . . . Kc8, after w h i ch Whi te's Ki n g
takes t h e pawn on c6 , chan g i n g it in to t h e in itial w i n n i n g l i n e s .

1 . Kc5 Kd8
2 . Kd6 Kc8
3 . Kxc6 Kb8
4. b7 Ka7
5. Kc7 Ka6
6. b8/Q Ka5
7. Qb3 Ka6
8. Qb6 mate
(1 -0)
1 30 • PAN DOL F I N l 'S EN DGAME COU RS E
T H E PAWNS IN ACT I O N • 131

E N DGAME 97 E N DGAME 98
W : Kd1 , Ph2 B: Kc3, Pf6
W: Kh2, Pa7 B: Kd3, Pf2
White moves and wi ns
Wh i te moves and wi n s

The Skewer

Can White's pawn win the race to Q u een ? Afte r 1 . h4 , B l ac k '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 ,
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 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 .
exte n d i n g from h4 to h8 to d8 to d4 when the pawn i s o n h4), 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
but t h e c rit ical retreat i n g d i agonal l ead i n g to the promotion Q ueen th rough an x- ray attack , o r s kewe r-attac k i n g t h e e n ­
squ are i s b l ocked by B l ac k 's own pawn at f6. Re move that paw 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
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 Q u ee n beh i n d .
pawn .
1 . a8/Q f l /Q
1 . h4 Kd4 2 . Qa6 + Kd 2
2. h5 Ke5 3 . Qxfl
3. h6 Kf5 ( 1 -0)
4. h7 Kg6
5. h8/Q

( 1 -0)
1 32 • PA N DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COU RSE T H E PAWNS I N ACT I O N • 1 33

E N DGAME 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

The Feint Diagonal March

E � - ;,
8
� �
- �,,,;� � 8
- - - m
�/....�

� m m a m m
..

7
. -� - 7

6 - - � �
�................� -
� 6 � - ft - - -
5 -� 5
, . m m ni
4 - m 4
m m m m
3 � - -
- 3 m m m m
2
- m -
�. 2
m m m m
18 1- - - -
a b c d e f 9 h a b c d e f 9 h

White's Ki n g see m s i n effectu al . It appears it i s too far beh i n d 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 A B
capt u ri n g t h e a-pawn, White's Ki n g can flag d own the f-paw n . 1 . Kg7 h4 1 . Kg7 Kb6
2. Kf6 hl 2 . Kf6 h4
A B 3 . Ke6 h2 3 . Ke5 hl
1 . Kc 7 f5 1 . Kc7 f5 4. c7 h l /Q 4. Kd6 h2
2 . Kb6 f4 2 . Kb6 Kxa4 5. c8/Q 5 . c7 hl/Q
3. a5 fl 3. Kc5 f4 6. c8/Q
4. a6 f2 4. Kd4 fl D raw D raw
5. a7 f l /Q 5. Kel f2
6. a8/Q 6. Kxf2
Draw Draw
 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 E n d gam es 1 03-1 05

Passed Pawn

• 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 T H E PAW NS I N ACTION • 137

EN DGAME 101 E N DGAME 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�-
•
-
• �
- �
.
6
• M ft M •
B � M .
s g m m® 8
4 - - - -
3- - - -
2 - - - -
1g - - -
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black's ext ra pawn confers obtrusi ve advantage, and if al l owed 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 2. Kd4 Ke7 (2 . . . . f5 i s al so good) 3. pawn ru ns fo r a Q u een . H e re the p resence of t h e f6-pawn
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 . nate too . Eit h e r way, White hau l s h o m e a d raw.
N ow Wh ite m u st t read carefu l ly, as 3 . Kxf6? Kd7 4. Kf5 Kc6 5.
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 . 1 . l<b6 l<g6
. . . Kc5 . Th e right way i s 3 . Ke6 ! f5 4 . Kxf5 Kd7 5 . Ke4 l<c6 6 . 2. Kxb7 c5
Kd4, a n d White recovers j u st i n ti m e . 3 . l<c6 c4
4. l<d5 c3
1 . e7 Kf 7 5 . l<e6 c2
2. e8/Q + Kxe8 6. f7 c l /Q
3. l<e6 f5 7. f8/Q
4. Kxf5 Kd 7 D raw
5 . l<e4 l<c6
6. Kd4
D raw
1 38 • PA N DOLFIN l'S E N DGAME COURSE T H E PAWNS I N ACT ION • 1 39

EN DGAME 103 E N DGAME 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

Outside Passed Pawn Temporizing

8 - - - -
7 a m B® B
6 . -
� �,��
� �-
� -
s B B r�®8 ft
4 - - -
3- - - -
2 - a a a
0- - -
a b c d e f g h a 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 3 . Kx h6 Kf6 locks u p Wh ite's King and th rows away of what Black does, and w i n s . Fo r exam p l e , if Black moves h i s
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 .
toward Q u e e n d o m u n molested .
A B
1 . e6 + Ke7 1 . Kf6 h5 1 . Kf6 h6
2 . Ke5 Ke8 2 . h3 h4 2. h4 h5
3 . Kf6 Kf 8 3 . Kg6 Ke7 3. Kg6 Ke7
4. Kg6 Ke7 4. Kg7 Ke6 4 . Kg7 Ke6
5 . Kxh6 Kxe6 5 . f8/Q 5 . f8/Q
6. Kg7 Kf5 ( 1 -0) ( 1 -0)
7. h6 Kg5
8. h7 Kf5
9 . h8/Q
(1 -0)
1 40 • PAN OOL F I N l'S EN DGAME COURSE THE PAWNS IN ACTION • 141

105
A B
E N DGAME 1 . Kd4 Kd8 1 . Kc4 Kb8
2 . Kc4 Kc8 2. Kd4 Kc8
W: KdS , PaS , Pc6 B: Kc8, Pa6
3 . Kd5 Kc7 3 . Kd5 Kd8
W h i te moves and wi n s
4 . Kc5 Kc8 4. Kd6 Kc8
Triangulation s . Kb6 Kb8 S. c7 Kb7
6 . Kxa6 Kc7 6. Kd7 Ka7
7 . Kb5 Kc8 7. Kc6 Ka8
8 . Kb6 Kb8 8. c8/Q + Ka 7
9. c7 + Kc8 9. Qb7 mate
1 0 . a6 Kd7 ( 1-0)
1 1 . a7 Kc8
1 2 . a8/Q + Kd7
1 3 . Qe4 Kc8
1 4 . Qe8 mate
(1 -0)

B l ac k t o m ove l os e s . I f 1 . . . . Kc7, t h e n White re p l i e s 2 . KcS,

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 . . . . Kb8), Wh i te sq ueezes Black
out with 2 . Kd6 Kc8 3. c7 Kb7 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 .
1 42 • PAN DO L F I N l'S EN DGAME COU RSE THE PAW NS I N ACTION • 1 43

E N DGAME 106 E N DGAME 107

W : Kg2, Pf3 B : Kd 1 , PeS , PgS W: KeS, Pf6, PgS B: Kf8, Pg6
Wh ite moves and d raws Wh ite moves and wi n s

Distant Opposition Pawn Pitch

8
• • • - 8
�
� �
� " , :
�//�
7- • m - B � 7
- - • �
6 • - � • ��'%•
� 6. &� B� � t�
I l ·.
5
• • � ��
� � ';/,,,rm .,
,,
,,
,
, �
5
B B
� � w �,,;1
1 B
�
,,,�
4 � • � - • 4 • • • •
3 • • � ft - 3 • • • ,

2 B© 2
• • • •
1B� •••
� �
1
• • •
a b c d e f 9 h a 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 .
Kf1 3 . Kh3 Kf2 4. Kg4 Kg2 S . KxgS Kxf3 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 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
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 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, 1 . f7 Kxf7 7. Kxg6 Kg8
when B l ac k e n v i s i o n s 2. fxg4 e4 3. gs e3 4. g6 e2 S. g7 e 1 / 2 . Kd6 Kf8 8 . Kh6 Kh8
Q + . But afte r 1 . Khl g4, i n stead o f 2 . fxg4, Wh ite an swe rs 2 . 3 . Ke6 Kg7 9. g6 Kg8
Kg2 , w h e n e i t h e r 2 . . . . gxf3 + 3 . Kxf3 Kd2 4 . Ke4 , or 2 4 . Ke7 Kg8 1 0 . g7 Kf7
. . . Ke2 3 . fxg4 e4 4 . gs e3 S . g6 Kd2 6 . g7 e2 7. g8/Q e1/ S. Kf6 Kh7 1 1 . Kh7 Kf6
Q wi l l d raw. 6. Kf7 Kh8 1 2 . g8/Q
(1-0)
1 . Khl Kel 4. Kh2 Ke3 7. Kxg4 Ke3
2. Kgl Ke2 S. Kg3 Kd3 8 . Kf5 Kxf3
3. Kg2 Kd2 6 . Kh3 g5 + 9. KxeS
D raw
1 44 • PAN DOL F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE THE PAWNS IN ACTION • 1 45

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

Knight's-Move Opposition Pawn Sac

. -
7 �,� -
6 n . •�• ,

5-•. ���
,J -
� � �
4 • •• •
3� - - •
2 • � • •
1 • • . •
a b c d e f g h

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 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 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 p
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 bxc6
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 c5
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 + Ka7
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 + Ka6
when it does , it is d eterm i n ed by a concrete analys i s of the 5 . Qb6 mate
po sition at h an d . (1-0)

1 . Kd5 Kb6 5 . Kb6 Kb8

2 . Kd6 Kb7 6. Kxa5
3 . Kc5 Ka7 (1-0)
4. Kc6 Ka8
1 46 • PAN DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COU RSE THE PAW NS IN ACTION • 1 47

EN DGAME 1 10 EN DGAME 111

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

8
- - � - 19u- �
8
- - - - �
7- · - �li'H/�� 7
� - •fl
- �"� �
ia:i
W//� � '"

6 - � - - ft - - - ft -
,
6
5 - _\fl_ ft _ 5
- - ��,;,� ft -�
4 - - - - 4 - - - -
3 - - - 3 - - B
2 B B - � - 2
B B B -
1B B B 1B� B - B �
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

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 3 . Ke5 , Wh ite has sto len the opposition and can outfla n k :
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 4 . Ke6 Kf8 5 . Kd 7 Kg8 6 . Ke7 Kh8 . N ow, i f Wh ite's
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 B m ate.
1 . f6 gxf6 1 . f6 Ke8
2 . g7 Ke7 2 . fxg7 Ke7 1 . Kd5 Kf6 7. f6 gxf6
3. g8/Q 3 . g8/Q 2 . Ke4 Ke7 8. Kf7 f5
(1 -0) (1-0) 3 . Ke5 Ke8 9 . g7 + Kh7
4. Ke6 Kf8 1 0 . g8/Q + Kh6
5 . Kd7 Kg8 1 1 . Qg6 mate
6 . Ke8 Kh8 (1-0)
1 48 • PAN DO L F I N l ' S E N D GAME COU RSE TH E PAWNS I N ACTION • 1 49

EN DGAME 112 E N DGAME 1 13

W: Kd S , PfS, PgS B : Kd 7 , Pg7 W: Ke3 , Pg4, Ph2 B: KdS, Pgs
Wh ite moves and w i n s Wh ite moves and wi n s

Outflanking 1

8 - - - -
7 - -· - u
6 - - - -
5 m m<;!;a ft r�
4 - - - -
3- - - -
2 - - � -
1- - - -
a b c d e f g h

Black has the d i rect ve rtical oppos i tio n , but Wh ite can p i n c h it The matter of "co rrespo n d i n g squares" i n volves o n ly K i n g s and
away at the right moment by u s i n g his reserve te m p o , mov i n g paw n s in the e n d g a m e . Co rres p o n d i n g s q u ares d e t e r m i n e
'
t h e g-pawn . Th i s co nverts t o the wi n n i n g fo rmat i o n s of the wheth er the game can be wo n . They relat e to each oth e r i n a
p rev i o u s two e n d games , and the same tactics wor k h e re . ce rtai n way. Eac h Ki n g has a sq uare that corresp o n d s to a
sq uare i m portant to the ot her Ki n g . I n order for o n e side to
1 . Ke5 Ke7 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
2. g6 Ke8 first.
3 . Ke6 Kf8 Correspo n d i n g sq uares general ly come i n sets of two : O n e
4. Kd7 Kg8 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
5 . Ke7 Kh8 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
6. f6 gxf6 nosticate l ittle practica l va l u e . Correspo n d i n g squ ares can be
7. Kf7 f5 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
8. g7 + Kh 7 si m p l e fo r m u las that can h e l p.
9. g8/Q + Kh6 Agai n , when two sq uares co rrespo n d , it is u n desi rab le for a
1 0 . Qg6 mate 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
( 1 -0) 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 .
 1 5 0 • PAN DOLF I N l'S EN DGAME COU RSE THE PAW NS I N ACTION • 1 5 1

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
wi n n i n g p roce d u re , therefore, is to create m u lti p le i nvas ion
EN DGAM E 1 14
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 : Ka1 , Pe4 B: Ka8, PeS , Pf6

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 W h ite moves and d raws

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 a b c d e f g h
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
B l ac k has an extra pawn , but if Wh ite's King seizes the l o n g­
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
d i stant opposition , 1 . Ka2 , B lack can be pre-vented fro m maki n g
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
i n road s i n to Wh ite's camp a n d the game i s d rawn . After 1. Ka2 ,
s h o u l d move to its corre sp o n d i n g sq uare fi rst. To hold the
the Ki n gs stand five sq uare s apa rt-an odd n u m be r-al o n g 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
d i rect path of the a-fi l e . The Ki n gs also occupy s q u a res of the
moved to g3. B l ack 's King can move to either of its two key
same colo r, which m u st be, if the Kings stand i n true opposi­
sq uares (eS and f6) o n ly from e6. Wh ite has an opti o n . From
tion, u n affected by the fixt u re of pawn s . By mai ntai n i n g the
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 ,
op pos i t i on a l o n g the enti re board , whether the d i stant or the
f3 o r g3 . Th u s h e wave rs between f2 a n d g2 , waits for Blac k to
d i rect k i n d , Wh ite h o l d s the position together.
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
1 . Ka2 Ka7 8. Kd3 Ke7
it's on eS, Wh ite's moves to f3 . Wh ite's King b reaks the co rre-
2. Ka3 Ka6 9. Ke3 Kf7
sponde nce and wi n s .
3 . Ka4 Kb6 1 0 . Kf3 Kg7
4. Kb4 Kb7 1 1 . Kg3 Kg6
1 . Kf3 Ke5 8 . h3 Kf6
2 . Kg3 Kf6 S . Kb3 Kc6 1 2 . Kg4 Kh6
9. Kd5 Kf 7
3 . Kg2 Ke6 6 . Kc4 Kc7 1 3 . Kh4
1 0 . Ke5 Kg6
4. Kf2 Kf6 7 . Kc3 Kd7 D raw
1 1 . Ke6 Kg7
5 . Kg3 Kg6 1 2 . Kf5 Kh6
6. Kf3 Kf6 1 3 . Kf6 Kh7
7. Ke4 Ke6 1 4 . Kxg5

� (1 -0)
1 5 2 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S EN DGAME COURSE TH E PAW NS I N ACTION • 1 5 3

EN DGAME 115 E N DGAME 116

W: Kh1 I
Pf4 , PgS B : KhS, Pf7 W: Kg4 , PgS , PhS B : KeS , Ph7
Wh ite moves and d raws Wh ite moves and w i n s

Jettison Breakthrough

8 - - - � 8 - - - �
7 8 -. im 7- - t
6 � - - � 6 - - - �.

s B m m �I* 5 � � �
• �:--� �� ft
4 - - � - 4 B B ®R
3- - - - 3- - -
2 - - - 2 - - - .
1g � ·� -
.

- - ,®
a b c d e f g h a 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
are lost : 1 : Kg1 Kg4 2 . Kg2 Kxf4 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
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 2.
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 3 . KhS Kg7 , and the pawn i s b l ockaded ; o r 1 . g6
pawn to captu re and move up, closer to White's own Ki n g . h x g6 2. h6 Kf6 3 . Kh4 Kf7 4. K gS Kg8 S . Kxg6 Kh8, with a
B l ac k's critical sq uare s , once eS , fS , a n d gS , now become e3 , f3 , positional d raw. To w i n , Wh ite defies the ru l e and p u s h e s the
and g3 . opposed pawn i n stead , 1 . h6. After 1 . . . . Ke6 2. g6, B l ack
ca n n ot stop Wh ite fro m promot i n g at h 8 .
1 . g6 fxg6 6 . Kf2 f3
2. fS gxf 5 7 . Kfl Kg3 1 . h6 Ke6
3. Kgl Kg5 8 . Kgl f2 + 2 . g6 h x g6
4. Kfl Kg4 9 . Kfl Kf3 3 . h7 Kf7
S . Kg2 f4 Stale mate 4. h8/Q
(1-0)
 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: Ke3 , Pc4, Pd4 B : Ke6, Pc6 W: Kh6, Pg5 , Ph2 B: Kg8, P h 7
W h ite moves and w i n s W h i t e moves and w i n s

Outflanking Reserve Tempo

8 . -� .
a • ai
6 � �
.. -. � ·
·. ��
5 • • • ·�
4 • • • •
3. • . •
2 - • • g
.
a= -=
.:.;.._
-_ =---
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h

F i rst Wh ite's K i n g takes the opposit i o n , then he wad e s in g rad­ "':' h ite can move h i s h- pawn either one or two sq uare s , and the
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 . right choice i s c rucial . A move of two square s , 1 . h4 ? , peeters
I f afte r 1 . Ke4 B lac k res ponds 1 . . . . Kf6, then Wh ite contin u e s the game to a d raw afte r 1 . . . . Kh8 2. h5 Kg8 3. g6 hxg6 4.
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 . hxg6 Kh8 5. g7+ Kg8 6. Kg6. A on e-sq uare move , howeve r,
d 5 ? , becau se o f 2 . . . . Ke7, afte r w h i c h Blac k i s p repared fo r gai n s Wh ite the opposition later when the g-pawn reach e s the
seve ral d rawi n g method s . So after 1 . . . . Kf6 2. Kf4 Ke6 3. 6th ran k . I f B l ac k 's King starts o n h8 i n stead of g8, Wh ite then
Kg5 Ke7 4 . KfS Kd7 5 . Ke5 , Wh ite gl ides i n to t h e mai n l i n e . 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
8. Kd6 Kb7 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,
1 . Ke4 Kd6
9. Kd 7 Kb8 m ove it to the same color sq uare occup ied by the enemy K i n g .
2 . Kf5 Kd7
1 0 . Kxc6 Kc8 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
3 . Ke5 Ke7
1 1 . Kb6 Kb8 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 :
4. c5 Kd 7
Kd8 1 2 . c6 Kc8 Rook-paw n s play t h e same, Kn i g ht-pawn s a d i ffe rent gam e .
5 . Kf6
6. Ke6 Kc7 1 3 . c7 Kd7
7. Ke7 Kc8 1 4 . Kb7 Kd6 1 . h3 Kh8 5 . hxg6 Kg8
1 5 . c8/Q 2 . h4 Kg8 6. g7 Kf7
( 1 -0) 3. h5 Kh8 7. Kh7 Kf6
4 . g6 hxg6 8. g8/Q
( 1 -0)
 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
1 5 8 • PANDOLF I N l'S EN DGAME COURSE T H E PAWNS I N ACTION • 1 59

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 2 . Kg8 ! , B l ac k 's
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
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 Kh6
2. Kg8 g5
A B 3. hxg5 + Kg6
1 . Kb5 Ka3 1 . Kb5 Kc3 4. Kh8 Kf7
2. Kxa5 Kb3 2. Kxc5 Kb3 5. Kh 7 Kf8
3 . Kb5 Kc3 3. Kb5 Kc3 6. g6 Ke7
4. a5 4. c5 7. g7 Kf7
( 1 -0) (1-0) 8. g8/Q +
(1 -0)
1 60 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE THE PAWNS I N ACTION • 1 6 1

E N DGAME 121 E N DGAME 122

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

Rear Outflanking Triangulation

8 - - - ®- a . - -�- 8
7a • - - 7- - - -
6 • • -� - 6 m i m ;n: m a
5. a m mi 5 • m •®•
4 • 8 ft 8 � 4 . m ;n: g B B
3- • • - 3 & ft B B g
2 g R m m 2 • - - -
18 - - - 18 - -
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g 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 A typical triangu l ation pro b l e m . It's Wh ite 's move, b u t to be
to retai n the d i rect ve rtical oppos i ti o n . Thu s , after 1 . Kh8, 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
B l ac k 's h6-pawn t hwarts its Ki n g from occupy i n g h6 to mai ntai n Black's t u r n . B l ack m u st then make some concess i o n either
the d i rect opposi t i o n . Wh ite wi n s both B lack h-paw n s : 1 . . . . 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 / B l ac k 's
Kf6 2 . Kh7 Kf 7 3 . Kxh6 Kf6 4 . Kxh5 . B u t t h e ravag i n g pawns), o r rewa rd i n g White with the opposi tion , at w h i c h poi nt
does n't stop t h e re . White a l s o wi n s the e-pawn : 4 . . . . Kf7 5. Whi te promotes the e-pawn d i rectly.
Kg5 Kg7 6 . Kf5 . Fro m t h e re, w h o cou l d n't Q u e e n a paw n ?
1 . Ke4 Kd8
1 . Kh8 Kf6 2. Kf4 Ke8
2. Kh7 Kf 7 3 . Kf5 Ke?
3 . Kxh6 Kf6 4. Ke5 Ke8
4. Kxh5 Kf7 5 . Kd6 Kd8
5 . Kg5 Kg? 6. Kxc6 Ke?
6 . Kf5 Kh6 7. Kd5 Ke8
7. Kxe5 Kh5 8. Kxc5
8 . Kf6 Kxh4 (1-0)
9. e5
(1-0)
1 6 2 • PAN OOL F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE THE PAW N S I N ACTION • 1 63

E N DGAME 123 E N DGAM E 124

W: Kc2, Pb3, f4, g3, h4 B: Ka3, PaS , fS , g6, hS W: KeS , PfS, PgS , PhS B: Ke7, Pg7 , Ph7
Wh ite moves an d w i n s White m oves and w i n s

Oppositional Fight Oppositional Field

8 - • • • 8 • • • •
7 . - • ·� 7• • � mi
6 - • &t• 6 • • • •
5 m� ·� ��1 • � 5 • m m :a tt :a
4 - • i� _ ��I 4 • • • •
3 � ft - • �. 3• • • •
2 .©. • • 2 • • • •
,• • • • ,• • • •
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

The c l u e here is t h at after the exchange of Q u e e n s i d e pawn s ,
B lac k 's K i n g wi l l b e o n e step be h i n d Whi te's i n reac h i n g the
K i n g s i de t h e ater. A rrivi n g first, Wh ite' early-bi rd �o narch � o r­
man dizes the g6-paw n , then marks t i m e with the di rect ve rtical
opposition . B l ac k 's King goes r i g ht or l eft, Wh ite's K i n g cap­
tu res the pawn on the same fi le as Black's K i n g , and B l ac k
rea lizes n ot h i n g i n exchange. Wh ite i s i n l i n e f o r a new Queen .
Wh ite's d o u b l e i n d e m n i ty either locks out B l ac k 's K i n g (varia­
t i o n A) or transfo r m s i n to positions s i m i lar to earl i e r e n dgames
(variation B). Eve n if B l ack exchanges paw n s , 1 . g6 hxg6 2.
hxg6, h e i s l eft with l o s i n g situat i o n s essenti ally l i ke the mai n
va r i ati o n s . I n va riati o n A, B l ack chooses h i s form of self-execu­
t i o n , a l l owi ng the Q u e e n i n g of Wh ite's f-pawn o r g- pawn . In B ,
B l ack gets m ate d .

1 . Kc3 Ka2 A B
2. b4 axb4 1 . g6 h6 1 . g6 h6
3 . Kxb4 Kb2 2. Kd5 Kf6 2 . Kd5 Kf6
4. Kc4 Kc2 3. Ke4 Kg5 3 . Ke4 Ke7
5 . Kd4 Kd 2 4. Ke5 Kxh5 4 . Ke5 Ke8
6. Ke5 Ke3 5. Ke6 Kg5 5 . Ke6 Kf8
7. Kf6 Kf3 6. f6 Kxg6 6. Kd7 Kg8
8. Kxg6 Kxg3 7. f7 h5 7 . Ke7 Kh8
9. Kg5 8. f8/Q 8. f6 gxf6
( 1 -0) ( 1 -0) 9. Kf7 f5
1 0 . g7 + Kh7
1 1 . g8/Q mate
(1-0)
 THE PAWNS I N ACTION • 1 65
1 64 • PA N DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE

E N DGAME 125 E N DGAME 126

W: Kf1 , Pa2 , Pd4 B: Kf3, Pe6, Pf7 W: Kh1 , PaS , PbS, PcS B: Kh8, Pa7, Pb7, Pc7
White m oves an d wi ns Wh ite moves and wi n s

Blocking the Critical Diagonal Breakthrough Combination 1

8 • • 8 • • • ��
7 . • tB �
7 �i� � � • •s.
6 • • • ,.
6 -. a i m • � ft �
5 • � . 5�� s. •
�,,� • �
4 �� �
� � �
. � 4 • • • •
3. ®� 3• • • •
2 • • • •
.

2 it B B •
1 a • . ©m 1 • • • •®
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h

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 exd5
2 . a4 d4
3. a5 d3
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.
A B
-

4. Kel 1 . b6 axb6 1 . b6 cxb6

( 1 -0) 2. c6 bxc6 2. a6 bxc6
3. a6 any 3 . c6 any
4. a 7 any 4. c7 any
5. a8/Q 5 . c8/Q
( 1 -0) ( 1 -0)
1 66 • PAN DOLFI N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE T H E PAWNS IN ACT I O N • 1 67

EN DGAME 127 E N DGAME 128

W: Ka1 , Pe5 , Pf4, Pg4, Ph5 B: Ka3 , Pe6, Pf7, Pg7, Ph6 W: Kg2, Pa6 , Pc5 B : Kc6, Pc7, Pf4 , Pg4, Ph4
-
W h i te moves and w i n s Wh ite moves and w i n s

Breakthrough Combination 2 Tempo

8 • • • •
7.. . � �• .
•
6 ft • ®• · - ·
s�
• �� �
u m � �
4 •• •� �
�Ail 1 �
�,.#
3 • • • •
2 • • .\!/ .
1• • • •
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g 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 , 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
B lack loses if he con ti nues 1 . . . . exf5 , for 2 . gxf5 Kb4 3 . e6 pawn t o g3 ; h owever Wh ite respo n d s , Bl ack promotes a pawn
fxe6 4. fxe6 leads to a new White Queen at e8 . Mo reover, to Q u ee n do m . N ote that the Q u e e n s i d e is frozen for both
1 . . . . Kb4 2 . g5 exf5 con c l u d e s s i m i larly after 3 . g6 fxg6 4. p laye r s . If B lack were to capt u re the c-pawn, White's a-pawn
e6. S i n ce the Kings are vacati o n i n g from the mai n action , the wo u l d Q u een in two moves . If Wh ite were to push h i s pawn t o
pawns aga i n spit thei r own fi re . Both s i des are gifted with 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
passed paw n s , but becau se Wh ite's starts off fart h e r u p the 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
board than B lac k 's , White Q u ee n s two moves ahead of h i s the Q u e e n s i d e , if B l ack then moves h i s King, White's a-pawn
opponent an d w i n s . 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 Kb4 stoppi ng t h e enti re t h ree-pawn c l u ster. After 1 . Kgl , there
2 . g5 hxg5 fol l ows eithe r : (A) 1 . . . . f3 2 . Kf2 h3 3 . Kg3 ; ( B ) 1 . . . .
3. f6 gxf6 h3 2. Kh2 f3 3 . Kg3 ; o r (C) 1 . . . . g3 2 . Kg2 ; B l ac k has met
4 . h6 g4 h i s Wate r l o o .
5 . h7 g3
6 . h8/Q g2 1 . Kgl f3 5 . Kg2 g3
7. Qg7 2 . Kf2 h3 6. Khl Kxc5
( 1 -0) 3 . Kg3 f2 7. a7 Kb6
4. Kxf2 h2 8 . a8/Q
( 1-0)
 - - • -
�
- P A R T

T H REE -
- Pieces and
Pawns in
-
B
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
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
10
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 . H eavy Pieces vs. Pawn
Paw n s near the edge of the board w i l l alter the scena r i o of
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
• Q u ee n vs. Paw n (s) E n d games 1 29-1 34
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
• Roo k vs . Pawn E n d games 1 35-1 40
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
• Roo k vs . Two Paw n s E n d games 1 41 -1 44
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 .
1 72 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAW N S IN ACTION • 1 73

E N DGAME 129 E N DGAME 130

W: Kg8, Qd6 B : Kf2, Pg2 W: Kf7, Ph7 B: Kc1 , Qd4
Wh ite moves and w i n s Wh ite m oves a n d d raws

Blocking the Queening Square Stalemate 1

8 - - - -
7 - - -�- ft
6. - - -
5- - - -
4 •. � �� .
• .
•
3- - - -
2 - - -
1 •
�
,,,� •
• r.

a b c d e f g h

I n o rder to w i n , White's King and Queen m u st act as a u n i ted
force agai nst B l ac k 's Ki n g and dangero u s paw n . But White's
Ki n g is too fa r away to h e l p the l ady. The wi n n i n g method i s for
the Q u een to gi ve a series of checks and th reats , u l ti m ately
forci n g B l ac k's Ki n g o nto the promotion square. T h i s grants
White a o n e - m ove re spite, becau se B l ack's pawn can 't move
with h i s own K i n g in the way at g1 , a n d White capitalizes by
b r i n g i n g h i s K i n g o n e s q uare closer. Th e proce ss is then re­
peated, agai n and aga i n forci n g B l ac k 's Ki ng in front of the
paw n , until White's Ki ng i s close enough to s u ppo rt mate o r
h e l p wi n t h e pawn .
If B l ack cou l d o n l y move first, he wo u l d play h i s Q u ee n to h8,
occ u pyi n g the pro mot i o n sq u are a n d d o u s i n g any real chan ces
for White to convoy h i s pawn . But White goes fi rst and p l ays 1 .
Kg8, th reate n i n g to make a new Quee n . After 1 . . . . Qd8 + 2 .
Kg? Qg5 + 3 . Kf7 Qh6 4. Kg8 Qg6 + 5 . Kh8, B lack sees the
handwrit i n g o n the wal l : he can 't take advantage of White's
pawn b e i n g b locked to bring h i s Ki n g closer becau s e it wou l d
stalemate W h i t e . N o r mal ly, a Q u een defeats a pawn o n e sq u are
fro m Que e n i n g by forc i n g the enemy King to occu py the pro­
motion s q u a re . B u t agai n st the Rook-paw n , t h i s strategy s u c­
cu m bs to the t h reat of stale mat e .
jl
,!

!I,
1 . Qf4 + Ke2 7. Kg6 Kfl 1 3 . Qh4 + Kgl 1 . Kg8 Qd8 +

1!
2 . Qg3 Kfl 8. Qf4 + Ke2 1 4 . Kg4 Kfl 2. Kg? Qg5 + I
3. Qf3 + Kgl 9. Qg3 Kfl 1 5 . Qh3 Kf2 3 . Kf7 Qh6 .
,
4. Kg? Kh2 1 0 . Qf3 + Kgl 1 6 . Qf3 + Kgl 4. Kg8 Qg6 +
5 . Qf2 Khl 1 1 . Kg5 Kh2 1 7 . Kg3 Khl 5 . Kh8
6 . Qh4 + Kgl 1 2 . Qf2 Khl 1 8 . Qxg2 mate D raw
( 1 -0)
1 74 • PAN DO LFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAWN S I N ACTION • 1 75

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
pawn ( i l l u strated in the previ o u s e n dgame). On ce W h ite's Ki n g
reaches g 8 a n d meets t h e antici pated Q u een check at g6, it i s
n ot o b l i ged to step bac k i nto t h e path of Whi te's pawn at f8.
I n stea d, Wh ite may safely aban don the pawn a n d curl up in the
co rner. I f B l ac k 's Q u een then captu res the pawn at f7, White i s
sta lemated . S o B l ack has n o better than a d raw.
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 .
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
m u st be able to play i nto the co rner ( h e re , h1 ). Seco n d , the
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
has n o escape t o the co rner and Wh ite's King i s at the door, so
W h i te w i n s easi ly. H e can trou nce on the f-pawn by 1 . Kd3
Ke1 2. Ke3 , or he can lob h o me to mate i n two moves by 1 .
Qg4 Kel 2 . Qd l .

1 . Ke7 Qe5 + 1 . Qg4 Kel

2 . Kd 7 Qf6 2 . Qd l mate
3 . Ke8 Qe6 + (1-0)
4. Kf8 Kc4
5 . Kg7 Qe7
6 . Kg8 Qg5 +
7 . Kh7 Qf6
8 . Kg8 Qg6 +
9. Kh8 Qxf 7
Stal e m ate
1 76 • PAN DOL F I N l'S EN DGAME COURSE PI ECES AND PAW NS IN ACTION • 1 7 7

E N DGAME 133 E N DGAM E 134

W: Kg7, Qg8 B: K h 1 , Ph2 W: Kf8, Qg8 B: Ka1 , Pa2, Pg4
White moves and wi n s White moves and w i n s

Gaining Time No Stalemate

8 - - - ¥flt - 8 - - �m�m
,;,� �
7 - � m -
.

- - �,,;,� 7
-� -� -�
6 - - - - 6 - - - -
5
- - � 5
�� - - � -
4 - - - - 4 - - m1m
3 - - � 3 - - -
2 -
- � - m
�//� 2 1 � - - -
1 -
� �- -� •
�/
-
1 " ',
..,,�
-
�
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Yo u can defeat a Rook's pawn on the 7th ra n k by c reat i n g a
" m ate net" with Ki ng and Queen . T h i s is done i n t h ree stages .
F i rst, White's Ki ng approaches two squ ares closer to B l ac k 's : 1 .
Kg6 Kg2 2 . Kf5 + Kf2 . Next, the Q u een as s u m es a post o n the
2nd ran k ( B l ac k 's 7th ran k), level with B l ac k's pawn : 3. Qd5 Kg1
( B l ac k can n ot perm it 4. Q h 1 ) 4. Qd1 + Kg2 5 . Qe2 + Kg1 .
Final ly, White's Ki n g advances two addit ional s q u are s , a pos i ­
t i o n that i s a K n i g ht's d i s tance from t h e Quee n i n g squ are ( h 1 ) :
6 . Kf4 h1 /Q 7 . Kg3 . At t h i s po i nt , B l ac k can delay mate for only
a few paltry move s , and o n l y by jettiso n i n g h i s Q u e e n .
A Rook- pawn o n the 7th ran k s u p po rted by its own K i n g d raws
aga i nst a Q u e en if the en emy K i n g can't also j o i n i n t h e attack .
Th e u s u a l tacti c of fo rcing t h e Blac k K i n g t o occupy t h e s q u a re
in front of its paw n , so t h at White's K i n g gains a m ove to come
closer, doesn ' t wo rk becau se of sta l e m at e . But here the p res­
e n ce of a seco n d B l ac k pawn on g4 evo kes anoth er poss i b i l i ty.
It al l ows Wh i te's Q u e e n to trap B l ack's Ki ng for two m ove s ,
w i t h o u t fear o f sta le mate, a s White's g-pawn plays to g3 and g 2 .
D u r i n g the i n teri m , Wh ite's Queen s l i ces t h ro u g h to u n st oppa­
b l e mate .

1 . Kg6 Kg2 1 . Qb3 g3

2 . Kf5 + Kf 2 2. Qc2 g2
3 . Qd5 Kg1 3 . Qc1 mate
4. Qd1 + Kg2 ( 1 -0)
5 . Qe2 + Kg1
6 . Kf4 h 1 /Q
7. Kg3 Qd5
8. Qe1 mate
(1 -0 )
1 78 • PA N DOLFI N l 'S EN DGAME COU RSE PI ECES AND PAWNS IN ACTION • 1 79

E N DGAME 135 EN DGAM E 136

W: Ka8, Rb7 B: Kg6, Ph5 W: Kf6, Rg8 B : Kc5 , Pb4

White moves a n d w i n s White moves and wi n s

Cut-Off Along Rank Getting Back

8
\!/- - - - 8
�
- - mam
Ba- - -
. .

7 7
- - � �
�
6 - � - -® - 6 - - m - A � .
�,...,.Q.

5
-� - - a1 5
- • 'i
�;;,/�
� '
- -
4 - - - - 4 �� I·�� - -
�,,..
3 -
- - - 3 - - -
2
- - - - 2
- IC& - - �
18 - - - 18 - -
,,

IC&
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

A Roo k 's powe rfu l ab i l ity to control an enti re ran k o r file means B l ac k's pawn and K i n g are farther advanced than in the pre­
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 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
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 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
from war gam es . After 1. Rb5 , W h i te's Roo k estab l i s he s a dense 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
force f i e l d ag ainst B l ack's Ki n g . If B l ack tries to Queen his pawn 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
without the aid of h i s Ki n g , Whi te's Rook moves in by itse l f. I t 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
waits f o r the pawn to reach its 6t h ran k , 1 . . . . h 4 2. Kb7 h3, 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
then attack s it di rectly f r o m a l o n g the ran k , 3 . Rb3. T h e pawn a l l the s q u ares the pawn m u st eventually pass over. O n ce
m u st t h e n advance to avoi d capt u re , 3 . . . . h2, and the Rook be h i n d the paw n , the Rook can also s h ift forward o r backward
gets be h i n d it, 4. Rh3, p reve nting the pawn 's promotion and one squ are , w h e n eve r W h i te needs to tempo, wit h o u t chang­
taki n g it n ext m ove . I n evitab le doom fo r Bl ack comes with the i n g the bas i c sit uatio n . In the fi na l po sition , B l ac k 's pawn is
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 . 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 9.
1 . Rb5 Kh6 7. Kf6 h3 Kxb3 Kc1 1 0 . Rd7 Kb1 1 1 . R d 1 ; ( B ) 8 . . . . Ka1 9 . Rxb3
2. Kb7 Kg6 8 . Rb3 Kh7 Ka2 1 0 . Kc2 Ka1 1 1 . Ra3 ; (C) 8 . . . . b2 9. Rxb2 + Ka3 1 0.
3. Kc6 Kh6 9 . Rxh3 + Kg8 Rb4 Ka2 1 1 . Kc2 Ka3 1 2 . Rc4 Ka2 1 3 . Ra4; or (0) 8 . . . .
4 . Kd6 Kg6 1 0 . Rh6 Kf 8 Ka3 9 . Ra7.
5 . Ke6 Kh6 1 1 . Rh8 mate 1 . Ke5 Kc4 4. Rc8 + Kb2 7. Rb7 Ka2
6. Kf7 h4 ( 1 -0) 2. Ke4 Kc3 5. Kd2 Ka2 8 . Kc3
3. Ke3 b3 6 . Rb8 Rk2 ( 1 -0)
1 80 • PA N DOL F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACT I O N • 1 81

EN DGAME 137 E N DGAME 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

Reposition Tempo Finesse-Opposition

8 • • • •
7 · \tf· · · .
6 • • • •
5 ·� · • •
4 [t • • •
3- • • •
2 �L
!) · �
s� • � ·
·
1. � • •
a b c d e f g h 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 Kbl l o n g - range piece .
2. Ka3 + Kal
3. Rh8 Kbl 1 . Rbl Kc4
4. Rhl + Kc 2 2. Ka6 b3
5 . Kxa2 3 . Ka5 Kc3
(1-0) 4. Ka4 b2
5 . Ka3 Kc2
6. Rxb2 +
(1--0)
1 82 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S EN DGAME COURSE
P I ECES A N D PAWN S I N ACTION • 1 83

E N DGAME 13 9 E N DGAME 140

W: Kf6, Pg6 B: Kb1 RhS
I
W: Kb6, Pc6 B: Ka1 , Rd5
Wh ite m oves and wi n s
Wh ite moves and w i n s

Badly Placed Rook Underpromotion

a b c d e f g h
If the powe rf u l Rook i s too close to its targets , d i saste r can Th i s position re l ates to the p rev ious o n e . After 1 . c7, B l ac k 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 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
Q u e e n i n g , and m e rely es says a fe eble chec k , 1 . . . . Rh6 + . 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 .
Wh ite eyes with d i st rust 2 . Kf7 ? , for that a l l ows Blac k to p i n the . . . Rd6 + 2 . Kb5 Rd5 + 3 . Kb4 Rd4 + 4. Kb3 Rd3 + 5 . Kc2 ,
pawn , 2 . . . . Rh7, and to sac rifice the Roo k for it the move after. 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 :
Gett i n g o u t of c h ec k by 2. Ke5 is no better, for Black then wi n s 5 . . . . Rd4 ! . N ow if Wh ite crow n s a new Q u een, 6. c8/Q ? , Blac k
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
.
p l ays 6 . . . . Rc4 + , forc i n g 7 . Qxc4 stale mate . White ave rts t h i 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 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
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 R o o k sacrifice 6 . . . . Rc4 + 7 . Rxc4 d o e s n ot prod uce stale­
t h e f-f i l e , 2 . Kf5 R h 5 + 3. Kf4 Rh4 + 4. Kf3 Rh3 + , Wh ite can m ate . Meanw h i l e , Wh ite th reatens mate at a8 with h i s Roo k , so
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 B l ack m u st conti n u e 6 . . . . Ra4 to s h ield agai n st the loom i n g
Q u een and tri u m p h s . 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
Rook is me n aced by the en emy K i n g ( Kxa4) and mate is prom­
1 . g7 Rh6 + i sed by W h i te's Rook ( Rc1 ). B l ack can not cope with the s i m u l ­
2. Kf5 Rh5 + taneous th reats .
3. Kf4 Rh4 +
4. Kf3 Rh3 + 1 . c7 Rd6 + 5 . Kc2 Rd4
5 . Kg2 2 . Kb5 Rd5 + 6 . c8/R Ra4
( 1 -0) 3. Kb4 Rd4 + 7. Kb3
4. Kb3 Rd3 + (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 142

W: Ka8, Rb7 B : Kh8, Pd3 , Pe4
W: Kh1 , Pd6, PeS B: Kb3, Rb7
White moves and w i n s Wh ite m oves and w i n s

Connected Pawns on 6 th Rank Rear A ttack on Advanced Pawn

�, 'Z
8 B -
�
8 ® B B M ll "l//�

7 � m
7
m§g B B
6 B �fl 6 M B B B
#�
,

5B � � a �/�
5
B B B
4 - - • 4 B . tB B
3 -� - - � �-
3 B �. t ��
•�
� B B B
� -
2
2 m m
-� 1� B B B
B� a b c d e f g h
a 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
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 ,
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
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
Rook m i g h t be able to do i n the pawns if the e n e my King
can n ot assist the Roo k . After 1 . e6, Wh ite Queens a pawn by
can n ot su pport t h e i r advance . The Roo k s i m ply attac k s the
fo rce . The s kewe r 1 . . . . Rb6 attacks both pawns in a l i n e , b ut
m ost advanced pawn along the fi le by going be h i n d it ( o r, if the
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 .
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
1 . e6 Kc4
d i agram, Wh ite p lays 1 . Rd7, and then b ri n gs bac k his King to
2. d7 Rb8
mop u p. B l ac k 's King, cut off and out of p lay, lac k s powe r to do
3. e7 Kd5
anyth i n g .
4. d8/Q + Rxd8
5. exd8/Q +
1 . Rd7 Kg8
( 1 -0)
2. Kb7 Kf8
3. Kc6 Ke8
4. Rd4 Kf7
5. Kd5 e3
6. Rxd3 e2
7. Re3 e l /Q
8. Rxel
( 1 -0)
1 86 • PAN OOL F I N l ' S E N D GAME COURSE PI ECES A N O PAW NS I N ACTION • 1 87

EN DGAME 143 EN DGAME 144

W: Kg7, Rg2 B: Kb7, Pe3 , Pf4 W : Kf6, Rg3 B: Kf8, Pg2 , Ph2
W h i te m oves and wi ns Wh ite moves and d raws

frontal A ttack Perpetual Threat

8 • - , 8 � �
. �
�,,!� .
..
7 ·�· .\!1. 7• • • •
6 • • • 6 •
. . � .
• � .
5• • • . . 5. - - •
4 .• .
• �
� . . 4 • • • •
3• • � • � R
3�
· � ��
• -
�
2 B a 8 §B 2 B B B t [i
1• • • • 1• • • •
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

O nce agai n , Wh ite's Roo k stops both pawns from advanci n g 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 Kc6 . .
eith e r pawn . Afte r B l ac k answe rs 1 . . Kg8 , Wh ite sta rts c h e c k­
2 . Kf6 Kd5 i n g , 2. Rg3 + Kh7 3 . Rh3 + Kg8 4. Rg3 + Kf85 . Ra3 , a n d t h i s
3. Kf5 f3 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
4. Rxe3 f2 B l ac k flees to the Q u eenside, 5 . . . . Ke8, but then Wh ite's King
5. Rf3 f l /Q joins the d rama with mat i n g th reat s , 6 . Ke6 Kd8 7. Kd6 Kc8 8 .
6. Rxf1 Kc6. If B l ac k tries 8 . . . . . Kb8, t h e n W h ite's R o o k starts th ree­
( 1 -0) 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 Kg8 6. Ke6 Kd8 1 1 . Rb3 + Kc8

2. Rg3 + Kh7 7. Kd6 Kc8 1 2 . Ra3 Kd8
3. Rh3 + Kg8 8 . Kc6 Kb8 1 3 . Kd6 Ke8
4. Rg3 + Kf8 9. Rb3 + Ka7 14. Ke6 Kf8
5 . Ra3 Ke8 1 0 . Ra3 + Kb8 1 5 . Kf6
D raw
 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

 P I ECES A N D PAW NS IN ACT ION • 1 91
1 90 • PAN DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COU RSE

EN DGAME 145 EN DGAME 146

W: Kc6, BdS B: Ka8, Pa7 W: KdS, Pas, Pg4 B: Kf6, B h 6
White moves and wi n s Wh ite moves and w i n s

Discovered Mate Creating a Block

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,

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
where it can be sac rificed for the a-pawn if n ecessary, and the
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
game recedes to a d raw. Wh ite could retreat his K i n g to e4, to
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
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
B i s h op. B l ack i s mated .
then cs, aga i n catc h i n g the a-paw n . B ut White can c ross Black
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
1 . Kc7 mate
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
(1 -0)
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 + Bxg5
2 . Ke4 Bh6
3. a6 Bf8
4. a7 Any
S . a8/Q
(1 -0)
192 • PA N DOLFI N l 'S EN DGAME COURSE PI ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACT I O N • 1 93

EN DGAME 147 EN DGAME 148

W: Ka7, N b 2 B: Kb3, Pd 2 W: Kg3 , Ne6 B: Kg1 , Pf2
Wh ite moves a n d w i n s Wh ite moves and w i n s

Pawn 's Way Perpetual Check

8 - - - - 8 - - - -
7m m m - 7 __ - - -
6 - - - •� 6 - - 4J - -
5. - - - 5- - - -
4 - - - - 4 - - - -
3 8® 8 - - 3- - - �
2 � [� - - 2 - - � -
1- - � - 1� � � �
� ��
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Agai nst a n e n e my K i n g and any pawn n ot on a Rook-fi l e , an I s White's position hope less? Black ve rges on m a k i n g a new
unassi sted Kni g h t can ward off the pawn i f the Knight occ u p i es Q u e e n , and n e i t h e r Wh ite's K i n g nor Kn i ght appears powered
any s q u a re i n the pawn's pat h , eve n a pawn advan ced as fa r as to stop i t . B u t after 1 . Nf4 ( n ot 1 . Nd4 f1/Q 2. N f3 + Kh1 , and
the 7th ra n k . W h e n the enemy Ki n g attack s the K n ight f ro m B l ack wi n s ) f l /Q 2. Nh3 + Khl 3. Nf2 + Khl 4 . N h 3 + , the
f l a n k s i d e , the steed s i m p ly d ressages t o t h e ot her. I f the e nemy o n ly way B lack can end the i n cessant c h e c k i n g i s to toss away
K i n g t ries to maneuve r to the ot h e r wing, W h i te's K i n g strides h i s lady. T h i s d raws , for both sides are left without a s h red of
back j u st for good measu re and enforces t h e d raw. m aterial .

1 . Ndl Kc2 1 . Ng4 f l /Q

2. Nf2 Kc3 2. Nh3 + Khl
3. Kb6 Kd4 3 . Nf2 + Kgl
4. Kb5 Ke3 4. Nh3 + Khl
5 . Ndl + Kd3 5. Nf2 + Kgl
6. Kb4 Kc2 6. Nh3 +
7. Nf2 Kbl D raw
8. Kb3 Kcl
9. Kc3 d l /Q
1 0 . Nxdl Kxdl
D raw
1 94 • PA NDOL F I N l 'S EN DGAME COURSE PI ECES A N D PAWNS I N ACTION • 1 95

EN DGAME 149 EN DGAM E 15 0

W: Kh1 , Nf3 B: Kb3 , Pb2 W: Kb8, Pb6 B : Kh4, Nf6
White moves and d raws Wh ite moves and w i n s

Knight Fork The Board's Edge

8 - - - -
7- - - -
6 - - - -
5- - - -
4 m B tf:J B B
3 - �- - -
2 �t B B B
1 B B B -�
a b c d e f g h

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 (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 .
Nd2 + !, h oweve r, wi n s plaudits, fo r 1 ..
. . Kc2 2 . Nc4 ! hol d s . . . . Nd7 + 2 . Kc8 Nb6 + 3 . Kd8, when it can't s h i ft to a safe
After 2 . . . . bl /Q, W h ite p i c k s off the newly tiara-ed Q u een sq uare to g u a rd b8 and stop the pawn . Move the whole scene
with the fork 3. Na3 + . If the K n ight can not occupy a s q u a re in 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
re stricted near the edge.
1 . Nd2 + Kc2
2. Nc4 b l /Q A B c
3. Na3 + l(cl 1 . b7 Nd7 + 1 . b7 Nd5 1 . b7 Ne4
4 . Nxbl Kxbl 2. Kc8 Nb6 + 2 . Kc8 Ne7 + 2. Ka8
D raw 3. Kd8 3. Kd7
(1-0 ) ( 1 -0) ( 1 -0)
1 96 • PA N DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES AND PAW N S IN ACT ION • 1 97

EN DGAME 15 1 EN DGAME 15 2
W: Kh7, Na3 B : Ke4, Pa2 W: Kh7, N d4 B : Ke3, Pa2
W h i te m oves and d raws White m oves and d raws

Setting the Barrier Setting the Barrier 2

8
- - - - � 8
-�
7
- - - B. ® - -�
6 - � - -
� - - - �
5
- - - - - - -
4 - � B.® B. - 4
-
� � - - �...IN�
, .

�-
3� - � � -
�......,.. :;;: 3 - •� ��/....
' ...... ';t
2 i
� - -
m � 2
1m - -
{«i
� -
1 1
-
� - � - •
-
•

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

White's fi rst m ove i s a forced 1 . Nc2 to stop the pawn from 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
Q u e e n i n g . At c2, the Knight m o reove r con s t ructs an i m pen­ 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
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 the corner. S o on 1 . Nc2 + , B lack wou l d win by 1 . . . . Kd2 2.
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 N a1 Kc1 3 . Kg6 Kb2 4. Kf5 Kxa1 , a n d the Knight goes d own .
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 Th e Knight c o u l d pe rhaps buy t i m e f o r its King to get back with
g e t t o the K n i g h t safe ly. After 1 . . . . Kf3 2 . Kg6 Ke2 3 . Kf5 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
Kd2, the K n i ght m u st retreat to the corner, 4. Nal . Meanw h i l e , B l ac k 's King o n the approachable squ ares d4, d3, d2, and e2,
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 than ks to the K n i g ht's defen s ive check at c1 . B l ac k's King now
pict u re stead i ly : 4 . . . . . Kc l 5 . Ke4 Kb2 6 . Kd3. T h e f i n a l e 6 . . m u st attack over a longer ro ute to get rid of the d efen d i n g
. . . Kxal 7 . Kc2 i s stale mate, as b rought on by the barri e r 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,
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 to stalemate B l ac k's King after it captu res the Knight at a1 .
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
Knight. A B
1. Nb3 Ke4 1 . Nb3 Kf2
1 . Nc2 Kf3 5 . Ke4 Kb2 2. Kg6 Kd5 2 . Kg6 Ke l
2. Kg6 Ke2 6. Kd3 Kxal 3. Kf5 Kc4 3. Kf5 Kdl
3 . Kf5 Kd2 7. Kc2 4. Nal Kc3 4. Ke4 Kc2
4. Nal Kc l Sta l e m ate 5. Ke4 Kb2 5 . Nal + Kb2
6. Kd3 Kxal 6. Kd3 Kxal
7. Kc2 7. Kc2
Stal e m ate Stale mate
1 98 • PA N DO LFI N l 'S E N DGAME COU R S E P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 1 99

EN DGAME 153 EN DGAME 15 4

W: Ka6, N g4 B: Kg3, Ph3 W: Kc2, Ne2 B: Ka1 , Pa3
Wh ite m oves a n d d raws White moves a n d w i n s

The Circuit Mate in the Corner

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
nate the d a n ge ro u s pawn : 1 . Ne3 h 2 2. Nf1 + Kg2 3 . Nxh2 . I f a2, however, the pawn sea l s off the last escape s qu a re a n d 2.
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 a2
2. Nb3 mate
1 . Ne3 Kf 3 ( 1 -0)
2 . Nfl Kf2
3 . Nh2 Kg2
4. Ng4 Kg3
Draw
200 • PA N DOL F I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE PI ECES A N D PAW N S I N ACT I O N • 201

E N DGAME 155 E N DGAME 156

W: Kh2 , Pas B : Kd8, N b7 W: Kg3 , N g4, N h2 B: Kh1 , Ph3
Wh ite moves a n d wi ns 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 2 . Nf2 . E rase B l ack's pawn from the
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
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 k n i g h ts al o n e can n ot mate .
2. a7 Nd6
3. a8/Q 1 . Nf3 h2
( 1 -0) 2 . Nf2 mate
( 1 -0 )
202 • PAN DO L F I N l 'S E N DGAME COU RSE PI ECES A N D PAW N S I N ACTION • 203

E N DGAME 15 7 E N DGAME 158

W: Kg4, Nd2, Nf1 B : Kg1 , Pf2 W: Kg6 , N d 7 , N h2 B: Kg8 , Ph3
W h i te m oves and wi ns White m oves and wi n s

Mate in Three Moves Mate in Four Moves

8 - - - - 8 - - -�-
7
- - - - 7
- -!fj - -
- -� - - - -® -
'
6 6
5
- - - - � � - -
5 -
4 - - �
- - -®- 4 �
3 - - 3- - � - - 1
2 :;o;_ �
r-
�
�,,,,,D.
�
?} i1f&
m · � - B �
- l
�...,,,:A.

!fj �, ',.,,�•;;, 1 - -
�,�� ..
�
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

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 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 ,
to win t h e pawn , b u t what a m i stake : 1 . Kf3 Kh1 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-
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 3 . Nf3 . 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
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 Khl 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
2 . Ng3 + Kgl 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
3. Nf3 mate h2 2 . N gf6 + Kh8 3 . NeS h 1 /Q 4. Nf7 mate.
(1-0 )
1 . Ng4 h2
2 . Nh6 + Kh8
3 . Nf6 h l /Q
4. Nf7 mate
( 1 -0 )
 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 P I ECES A N D PAW N S IN ACTION • 207

E N D GAME 15 9 EN DGAME 160

W: Kh5 , B h 8 , Pf3 B: Kf5 W: Ke4 B: Kc6 , B h 2 , Pg3
W h i te moves a n d w i n s White m oves and d raws

Critical Square 1 Misplaced Bishop

8
-� - - �� 0
.,,,,,,,,,,z
8
- -
�
7
� - -
- .
7
- -
6 - - � - 6 -�- - �
5 - - � -� 5 - - -
4 - - - 4 - -� - -
3- m :n: m 3- -
� - m�.,�
2 2
- - � - B - - � �"�

1B - B - 1B - -
�
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

B l ac k t h reate n s to d raw by 1 . . . . Kf4, followed by capt u re of 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

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 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
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 2. Kg2 Ke4 3 . K h l .
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
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 . . . . Kf4 4. Kg2 Bgl 5.
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 . Kf3 Kd5
1 . Be5 Kxe5 7 . f6 Kh8 2 . Kg2 Ke4
2. Kg5 Ke6 8 . Kf7 Kh7 3 . Khl Kf4
3 . f4 Kf7 9. Ke7 Kg6 4. Kg2 Bgl
4 . Kf5 Ke 7 1 0 . f7 Kf5 5. Kxgl Kf3
5 . Kg6 KfB 1 1 . f8/Q + 6. Kfl g2 +
6 . f5 Kg8 (1-0) 7. Kgl Kg3
Sta l e mate
208 • PAN DOL F I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE PI ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 209

EN DGAME 16 1 EN DGAME 162

W: Kf1 B : Kg3 , Bes , Ph3 W : Kg6, Be7 , Ph6 B : Kg8
White moves and d raws White m oves a n d wi n s

Wrong Color Bishop Right Color Bishop

8 • • -
. - -
6 • • • •
5 . • �. •
4 • • • •
3• • • �1
2 • • • •
1. . ,. ®
a b c d e f g h

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 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
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 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
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 2. Bf6 mate.
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 1 . h7 + Kh8
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 2 . Bf6 mate
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 (1-0)
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 h2 +
2 . Khl Kf2
Stal emate
21 0 • PAN DO L F I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAWN S I N ACTION • 21 1

EN DGAME 163 E N DGAME 164

W : Kc8, Bb4, Pas B: Ka6 W: Kf3 , Be4 , Ph6 B: Kf7
White m oves a n d wi n s White moves and wi n s

Critical Square 2 Critical-Square Figh t

8
- ®- - -� 8
- -
7 - - - -� 7 -
�
"w�
,,

- - - - -
.

6 �- 6 ��
5 �11�
�//. �. -
- 5 - - - - ,,
4
4 � � .
� - - - - - Jl -
� - - - 3 - - - ®-
:,.,,,.....�

3-
�
2 - - ,
2
- - - -
1 1
- - - - - - - - �
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

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 2 . Bel (actually, White could p l ay 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. 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 3. Bd2 (a te m p o m ove, forc i n g Blac k to c l ear o u t ) 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
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
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 ­
1 . KbB Kb5 m o l ested .
2. Bel Ka6
3. Bd2 Kb5 1 . Bh7 Kf6 6 . Kf6 KeB
4 . Kb7 2 . Kf4 Ke6 7 . BgB KfB
( 1 -0) 3 . Kg5 Kf7 8. h7 KeB
4 . Kf5 Ke7 9 . hB/Q
5. Kg6 Kf8 (1-0)
21 2 • PA N D O LF I N l'S E N DGAME CO U R S E P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 2 1 3

E N DGAME 165 EN DGAME 166

W : Kc3, Pb2 B : Kh1 , Ba2 , Pc4 W : Kf6, Bes , Ph6 B : Kh8, Ph7
W h ite moves a n d d raws 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 1 . Kf7 mate
it is tied to p rotecti n g Black's o n ly paw n . B l ac k 's o n ly poor ( 1 -0)
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 cxb3 5 . Kcl Kd3

2. Kb2 Kg2 6. Kb2 Kd2
3. Kcl Kf3 7 . Kal Kc3
4. Kb2 Ke2 Sta l emate
2 1 4 • PAN DOLF I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAW NS IN ACTION • 2 1 5

EN DGAME 167 E N DGAME 168

W: Kb1 1 Pa2 B : Kc3, Bd4 , Pa3 W: Kf81 Pe6 B : Ka7, Be2 , Pg6
W h i t e moves and d raws W h i te moves and d raws

Avoid the Corner Square of the Pawn

a 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 . 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
. . . Kc2 d i scovered mate). Any effort by B lac k to i n fi ltrate causes pawn with a th reat to Queen h i s e-pawn . What f u s e s the two
sta l e mate. For exa m p l e : (a) 1 . . . . . Kd3 2 . Kbl Kd2 , or ( B ) 1 . ideas is t h e ret reat along the c r i t i cal diagonal a7-g1 . White
. . . Be3 + 2 . Kb1 Kd2 3 . Ka1 ( h e re , t h i s corner retreat i s per­ 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
fectly safe) Kc2 . a th reat to i n vade the 11square of the g- paw n " ( h ere, an i m agi­
nary box exten d i n g from g6 to g1 to b1 to b6). B l ac k m u st
1 . Kc l Kd3 adva n ce h i s g- pawn : 1 . . g5 2 . Kd6 g4 3 . e7 Bb5 . N ow 4.
. .

2 . Kbl Kd2 Kc5 reveals t h e p u rpose of W h i te's Ki n g march . Attacki ng the

Stal emate 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
d raw is salvaged by 5 . . . . Kb6 6. Ke4 Kc7 7. Kf4 Kd6 8 . e8/Q
Bxe8 9. Kxg4, w h e n Blac k 's g-pawn keels over.

1 . Ke7 g5 6. Ke4 Kc7

2. Kd6 g4 7. Kf4 Kd6
3 . e7 Bb5 8. e8/Q Bxe8
4. Kc5 Bd7 9. Kxg4
5 . Kd4 Kb6 Draw
2 1 6 • PAN DOLFI N l'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAW N S IN ACTION • 2 1 7

E N DGAME 169 EN DGAME 170

W : Ke1 B : Kh1 , N d6, P h2 W : Kc3 B : Kb7, N b4, Pa3
W h i te moves a n d d raws Wh ite moves and d raws

Color Rule Force the Pa wn to the 7th

a b c d e f g h 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 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 ? ,
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 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
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 , 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
White's K i n g can o n ly sh uttle back a n d forth between f2 a n d f1 , 7th ran k , 1 . . . . a2 , aft er which t h e ga m e can not b e wo n , for
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 Wh ite's Ki n g can s ec rete itself in t h e co r n e r at a1 : 2. Kb2
does after 1 . Kf1 , for 1 . . . . N e4 i m m ed i ately guards f 2 a n d 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
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 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
started 1 . Kf2 , t h e n whatever B l ac k plays, he ca n n ot p reve nt t h e to the defe n s e of the a-pawn . And Black's Ki n g can com e in j u st
perpetual pac i n g o f White's Ki n g between f 1 and f2 . A col o r 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
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 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 .
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 1 . Kb3 a2
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 2 . Kb2 Kb6
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 3 . Kal Kb5
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 , 4. Kb2 Ka4
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 . 5 . Kal Ka3
That d raws , rega r d l e s s . Stal e m ate
1 . Kf2 Ne4 + 5. Kf2 Nd3 +
2. Kfl Ng3 + 6 . Kfl Nel
3 . Kf2 Ne2 7. Kf2 Nf3
4. Kfl Nf4 8. Kf l
D raw
21 8 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE PI ECES A N D PAW N S I N ACT I O N • 2 1 9

EN DGAME 17 1 EN DGAME 172

W: Kh3 , N g4 , Ph6 B: Kg6 W : Kb2, N g 7 , Pa6 B : Ka8
White moves a n d wi n s W h i te moves a n d wi ns

Avoiding Stalemate

8 - - - -
-
.

7- -
-
z

6 -�-
5' - - -
z

4 - - - 4:) -
3 - - - - <;li
2 - - - -
1 - - . · �.
a b c d e f g h

Fo r t h e m o m e n t , W h i te's K n i ght i s chai n ed to defen s ive d uty, W h i te's K i n g is too far away to s u p port h i s paw n , so t h e K n i gh t
g u a rd i n g t h e pawn on h6. By b r i n g i n g h i s Ki ng u p t h e board , 1 . ass u mes t h e tas k . I t q u ickly gets bac k , 1 . Ne6 Ka? 2 . Nc5,
Kh4 Kf7 2 . Kg5 ( o r Kh5), W h i te p rotects the pawn a n d rel eases d efen d i n g the pawn from beh i n d , so i f the K n i g h t were cap­
the K n i g h t fo r act ive relocation . Th e Kn i ght m u st m a n euver to t u red , the a-pawn co u ld n ot b e cau ght by B l ac k's K i n g . I f i n ­
f7 ( n ot to f6 , a b l u n d e r that often sets up stalemates) to guard stead White play s 2 . Nc7, d efen d i n g t h e pawn fro m i n fro n t , t h e
h 8 . So t h e K n i g h t j u m ps to e5 a n d then f7, aft er w h i c h W h i te p rotecti o n d i s s i pates after 2 . . . . K b 6 . If the Kn i ght then stays
soon mates . where it i s , Black can captu re it a n d s t i l l get over i n t i m e to stop
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
A B paw n . After defen d i n g the pawn from beh i n d with the K n i gh t ,
1 . Kh4 Kf7 1 . Kh4 Kh7 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
2. Kg5 Kg8 2. Kg5 Kh8 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
3. Kg6 KhB 3 . Kg6 Kg8 mate .
4. Ne5 Kg8 4 . Ne5 Kh8
5. h7 + Kh8 5. Nf7 + Kg8 1 . Ne6 Ka? 6. Kb5 Ka8 1 1 . a8/Q + Kd7
6. Nf7 mate 6. h7 + KfB 2. Nc5 Kb6 7. Kb6 Kb8 1 2 . Qe8 + Kd6
( 1 -0) 7. h8/Q + Ke ? 3. Kb3 Ka? 8 . Ne6 Ka8 1 3 . Qe6 mate
8. Qd8 + Ke6 4. Kb4 Kb6 9. Ne? + Kb8 (1 -0)
9. Qd6 + mate 5 . Kc4 Ka? 1 0 . a7 + Kc8
(1 -0)
 a

220 • PA N D OL F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAW NS IN ACT I O N • 2 2 1

EN DGAME 1 73 E N DGAME 1 74
W: Ke1 , Ph2 B : Kf3, N e4, Ph3 W: Ke6 , Ne7, Ph6 B: Ke8 , Ph7
White moves and d raws White m oves and wi n s

Corner Curl up King and Knight Duel

8 • • • • s . • •® • .
7• • • • 1 • • ll • t
6 • • • • 6 . • • ©. �,,�
5• • - • 5• • • •
4 • ·� · • 4 • • • •
3 • • •®• t 3• • • •
• • � - 2 �
2 • � 1��
,,,� • • • •
1� • � �
� - � � 1. 0 • •
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

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 2 . Kg1 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 .
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 2 . Kd7 Kf8 3 . Ke6 Ke8 4 . Kf6 Kf8, a n d White has n ot
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
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 2 . Kf7, fo r
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 t r u m pets forward to make a n ew Q u e e n .
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 1 Ng6 hxg6
in En dgame 1 75 . 2 . h7 Kf8
3 . h8/Q mate
1 . Kf1 Ng3 + (1-0)
2. Kg1 Ne2 +
3 . Kh1
D raw
 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 1 76
W : Ke6, N h S , Pg6 B : Kh8, Pg7 W : KcS , N a8, PbS B : Kb7, Pc7
White m oves and wi n s W h i te m oves a n d wi n s

Curled up Outflanking

a b c d e f g h

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 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
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 to j u st two places fro m any corner. H e re the poor ho ofe r faces
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 ! , captu re for n oth i n g . A sacri fice for a pawn , 1 . Nxc7, fai l s to 1 .
so t h at the pawn m u st captu re t h e Kn ight, 1 . . . . gxf6 . The . . . Kxc7, a n d W h i te gets nowh e re . O d d ly, the K n i g h t really
captu re frees W h i te 's g-pawn to m e n ace . Afte r 2 . Kf7 , B l ack i s 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,
trapped a n d can move o n ly h i s f-pawn . White soon m ates . 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
1 . Nf6 gxf6 new Queen .
2. Kf7 f5
3 . g7 + Kh7 1 . Nb6 cxb6 +
4. g8/Q + Kh6 2. Kd6 Kb8
5 . Qg6 mate 3. Kc6 Ka7
( 1 -0) 4. Kc7 Ka8
5. Kxb6 Kb8
6. Ka6 Ka8
7 . b6 Kb8
8. b7 Kc7
9 . Ka7 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 1 77

• Q u ee n and Pawn vs . Roo k E n d games 1 78-1 79

and Pawn

• Q u ee n a n d Pawn v s . E n d games 1 80-1 84

Q u ee n
 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 1 78
W: Kd1 , Re7, Pc2 B: Kc3 , Qf4 W: KeS , Qf1 , PdS B: Kd8, Rd6, Pc7
W h i te moves a n d wi n s White m oves a n d wi n s

The Fortress Breaking Down the Fortress 1

8
- - - � �
8 � �
- �:,,� -
7 - - �L,�,, � �
7
m
�
,,� �m �
6 � - - -
-
6 -
� ���
� L ,:r'." -
�(''�
5 � �s;
5 • - - - - ft
4
-
� e
�//� -� - -
�
3 - -
�
2
,

2 - ft - B
� . - -
ct; - 1
- �-
c d e a b c d e f h
a b f g h g

Black i n s i n u ates mate at d2. I f Whi te's Roo k guards d2 from d7, 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
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 Roo k p rotected by the c-paw n , Wh ite's Ki n g can n ot make an
1 . . . . Qd4 + , w h e n both (A) 2. Kc1 Qg1 + 3 . Re1 Qx e1 , a n d e n t rance , and his assi stan ce i s n o rmally req u i red to th reaten
( B ) 2. K e 1 Qg1 a re mate . White m e l d s t h e position a s 1 . Re3 + ! . B l ac k seri o u s ly. Perhaps some alchemy wo u l d pay off. Wh ite
Captu ri n g t h e Rook with the Q u e e n , 1 . . . . Qxe3 , i s stal e mate . 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 .
A n d i f B lack's K i n g ve ntu res fo rward , 1 . . . . Kb2 , t h e Roo k Qf8 + Kd 7 2 . Qxd6 + ! cxd6 + 3 . Kf6, B lack i s o u tflan k e d a n d
keeps away d i saster with 2. Rb3 + Ka2 3. Rd3 , when Wh ite's c­ loses h i s pawn . Wh ite's pawn is t h e n e levated t o a Q u ee n .
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 1 . Qf8 + Kd7
i n g by checks a n d cut-offs . B lac k can not force a wi n . 2 . Qxd6 + cxd6 +
3. Kf6 Kd8
1 . Re3 + Kb2 4. Ke6 Kc7
2. Rb3 + Ka2 5. Ke7 Kc8
3. Rd3 6. Kxd6 Kd8
D raw 7. Ke6 Ke8
8 . d6 Kd8
9. d7 Kc 7
1 0 . Ke7 Kc6
1 1 . d8/Q
( 1 -0)
228 • PA N DO LF I N l'S EN DGAME COURSE P I ECES AND PAWN S IN ACTION • 229

E N DGAME 179 EN DGAME 180

W: Kh5, Qb4, PgS B : Ke8, Rg6, Pf7 W: Kf1 , Qh3, Pf7 B: Ka2, Qf8
White m oves and wi n s Wh ite m oves a n d wi n s

Breaking Down the Fortress 2 Lifting the Blockade 1

<
8 �- � �
8
- - �
�/,�
�

7
- & Bt 7
� -
� ft ,
- - - -
7.
6
6 - g · 5
• - -
5 � - -
� -
4 � - - - - - �
-
:;!.; ,,,.,
� .
�

�
� - 'if1
� -
3 •
2 �
• - - �
�
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d a b c d e f g h
a b c e f g h

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 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
Q u e e n re s c u e s with 1 . Qe4 + , confro n t i n g Black with two los­ 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
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 , 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
b u t afte r 2. Qxe6 + fxe6 3. Kh6, W h i te Q u e e n s a pawn at least 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
two moves ahead of Blac k . Or B l ac k cou ld escape toward t h e 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
K i n gside, 1 . . . . Kf8 , w h e n 2 . Qxg6 + fxg6 + 3 . Kxg6 estab­ 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
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 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 . . . . Kb2, then 2.
i n g vi ctory w hateve r B l ack decides to p lay. Qe8 Qb4 3. f8/Q Qc4 + 4 . Qe2 + Qxe2 + 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
A B l o n ge r, begin s with 1 . Qg2 + fol lowed by 2 . Qg8 . That opera­
Kf8 1. Qe4 + Re6 t i o n also l i fts t h e b lockade.
1 . Qe4 +
2. Qxg6 + fxg6 + 2. Qxe6 + fxe6
Kg8 3. Kh6 e5 1 . Qe6 + Kb2
3. Kxg6
Kh8 4. g6 e4 2 . Qe8 Qb4
4. Kh6
Kg8 5. g7 Kf 7 3 . f8/Q Qc4 +
5 . g6
Kf7 6. Kh7 e3 4. Qe2 + Qxe2 +
6. g7
Kf6 7. g8/Q + 5. Kxe2
7. Kh7
(1 --0)
8. g8/Q
(1 --0 ) (1-0)
230 • PA N DOLF I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAW N S I N ACTION • 231

E N DGAME 1 81 EN DGAM E 1 82
W: Ke1 , Qe4, Pe7 B : Ka1 , Qe8 W: Ke7, Qg6, Pf7 B: Kc8 , Qe3
Wh ite m oves and wi n s White moves and w i n s

Lifting the Blockade 2 Cross-Check 1

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 + 2.
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 + Qxe6 +
some how avo i d the Queen t rad e , Wh ite wou l d trap and mate 2 . Kxe6 Kc7
Black's Ki n g an yway. 3. f8/Q
( 1 -0)
1 . Qd4 + Kbl
2. Qd8
( 1 -0)
232 • PA N DOLF I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE PI ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACT ION • 233

E N DGAME 183 EN DGAME 1 84

W: Kg7, Qg6, Pe7 B: Ka1 , Qd7 W : Kg8, Qa4 B: Kb1 , QeS , Pb2
White moves and wi n s W h i te moves and d raws

Cross-Check 2 Perpetual Check

8
7
6
5

a b c d e f g h

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 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
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
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
attem pt 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
a n d bac k , ove r and ove r. The game i s d rawn by the th reefo l d
1 . Qf7 Qg3 + 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
2. Kf8 Qa3 abo ut to repeat t h e same position f o r t h e t h i rd t i m e .
3. Kg8 Qg3 +
4. Qg7 + Qxg7 + 1 . Qdl + Ka2
5. Kxg7 2. Qa4 + Kbl
( 1 -0) 3. Qd l + Ka2
4 . Qa4 + Kbl
D raw
 C H A P T E R

14
Heavy Pieces : Rooks

• Roo k a n d Pawn (7t h Ran k) E n dgames 1 85-1 96

vs . Roo k

• Roo k a n d Pawn (6th Ran k) E ndgames 1 97-204

vs . Rook

• Roo k and Pawn (5th o r 4th E n dgames 205-21 2

Ran k) vs . Roo k

• Roo ks a n d Paw n s E n dgames 2 1 3-21 6

236 • PAN DOL F I N l'S E N DGAME COU RSE P I ECES AND PAW NS IN ACTION • 237

EN DGAME 185 EN DGAME 186

W: Kb3, Ra8, Pa7 B : Kf7, Ra1 W: Ka4, Rh8 B: Kb2, Rh1 , Ph2
White moves and wi n s White moves and w i n s

Skewer 1 Hiding

8 - - - ��
1m m a a
6 a m m .
5� m a m
4 \!t m a a a
3B a · a
2
. a � � .
� � •
1m a . ma
a b c d e f g h

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 Wh ite's Kin g m u st seek sh elte r fro m the gu nfi re th reat of 1 .
B lack's K i n g . Five a re near the a7-pawn-b7, c7, a6, b6, a n d c6; . . . 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
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 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
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 Roo k has to p rotect h i s paw n , Black's o n l y chance i s to march
exploited tactical l y. S i n ce the Black Ki n g is not on a safe sq u a re, 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
he pays t h ro u g h t h e nose : 1 . Rh8 Rxa7 (ot herwi se t h e pawn Rook . White 's K i n g has to match it: 1 . . . . Kc2 2 . Kc4 Kd 2 3.
Queens) 2. Rh7 + Kg6 3. Rxa7. W h i te's skewe r to Black's Kd4 Ke2 4 . Ke4 Kf2 5 . Kf4 Kg2 . O n ce Black's Roo k i s free to
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 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 +
B lack's move , he wou l d play K i n g to g7, avoi d i n g the skewer Kh3 7. Rh8 + Kg2 8 . Rg8 + , and Black's a go n e r. Sti l l , he t ri e s
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 . 8 . . . Kf2
. 9 . Rh8 Rfl , but t h i s fa i l s to 1 0 . Rxh2 + Kgl + 1 1 .
! 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 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
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 . 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
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 ove he h ad essayed 1 . Kb5 ? , ass u m i n g that to d raw it wo u l d
m oo n ? 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 ! 2 . Kc5 Kd3 3 . Kd5
1 . Rh8 Rxa7 Ke3 4. Ke5 Kf3 5 . KfS Rf1 6. Rxh2 Kg3 + , for Wh ite's Rook
2. Rh7 + Kg6 is lost.
3 . Rxa7 1 . Kb4 Kc2 5. Kf4 Kg2 9 . Rh8 Rfl
(1-0) 2. Kc4 Kd 2 6. Rg8 + Kh3 1 0 . Rxh2 + Kgl +
3 . Kd4 Ke2 7. Rh8 + Kg2 1 1 . Kg3
4 . Ke4 Kf 2 8 . Rg8 + Kf2 D raw
238 • PANDOLF I N l'S EN DGAME COURSE P I ECES AND PAW NS I N ACT ION • 239

EN DGAME 1 87 E N DGAME 1 88
W: Kc4, Ra8, Pa7 B: KeS, Re7 W: Kc3 , Rg8 B : Kh1 , Re7, Ph2
W h i te m oves a n d w i n s Wh i te moves and d raws

Zugzwang Shut In

8 §• • 8 • • · §-
� •
7 �?:� - ���-�� -.
18 •
-. ��
,,,,;� .
..
6 · · ,�· · 6 • • •
�
�;.:,� �
/.

5� - • 5• • • •
4 -\!; • . 4 • • • •
3- - . . 3.� :.�
,,�
, . .
• •
2 � � •. - • �� 2 • • • m
18 • . - 1 . - - ��
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black's Rook perfo r m s d o u b l e d u ty-gu a rd i n g h i s Ki ng from
checks on the e-fi le and kee p i n g the a-pawn u n d e r attack ,
p reve n t i n g Wh i te's pawn fro m movi n g away. With 1 . Kc5! White
stra i n s Black's defense to the l i m it , zugzwangi n g him so t h at
h owever he m ove s , h i s position deteriorate s . Fo r examp l e : (A)
1. . . . Rc7 + 2 . Kb6 e n ab l es Wh ite to move h i s Roo k away,
c l ea r i n g t h e p ro m ot i o n s q u a re ; o r ( B ) 1 . . . . Ke6
causes Black's Ki n g to block h i s Roo k from chec k i n g a l o n g the
ran k ; of (C) 1 . . . . Ke4 2 . Kd6, w h i c h , i f Black's Roo k departs the
e-fi l e , ga i n s Wh ite's Roo k t i me to free t h e pawn by chec k i n g at
Whi te's Rook at g8 block s t h e g-fi l e , i m p riso n i n g Black's Ki n g at
h 1 . Black wa n ts to s h oo White's Roo k by 1 . . . . Re1 , fo l l owed by
2 . . . . Rg1 . Wh ite's fi rst move is therefo re forced : 1 . Kd 2 , guard­
ing e1 . Black, meanwh i l e , app roac h e s the same p ro b l e m d if­
fere n t ly. H i s Roo k can s h i ft to t h e a-fi l e , then the 1 st ran k , then
to g1 . B u t afte r 1 . . . . Ra7 , Wh ite's King can speed bac k , 2 . Ke2
2 . Kb6 Ral 3 . Kf2 , so t h at 3 . . . . Rgl is i n effectual . Thou gh White's
Roo k m u s t y i e l d t h e g-fi l e , h i s K i n g is close e n o u gh to s h u t i n
Black's K i n g . S i m p l est n ow i s 4 . Rf8 , to prevent c h ec k i n g of
Wh ite's Ki n g off t h e f-f i l e . Black can check at g2 , 4 . . Rg2 + , . .

e8. H owever Black conti n u es, he m u st self-dest r u ct , w h i c h i s but t h i s check d i sso l ves afte r 5 . Kfl . White 's Ki n g ca n n ot be
the c h a r m o f zugzwang position s . d i slodged from both f2 and f1 , so Black's sove re i g n can n eve r
exit t h e c o r n e r.
A B c
1 . Kc5 Rc7 + 1 . Kc5 Ke6 1 . Kc5 Ke4 1 . Kd 2 Ra7
2 . Kb6 2. Kb6 2. Kd6 2. Ke2 Ra l
( 1 -0) (1-0) ( 1 -0) 3 . Kf2 Rgl
4 . Rf 8 Rg2 +
5 . Kfl
D raw
240 • PAN DOL F I N l 'S EN DGAME COURSE P I EC ES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 241

E N DGAME 189 E N DGAME 190

W : Ka8, Rh8, Pa7 B : Kd7, Rb1 W : Ka8, Rh8, Pa7 B: Kd6 , Rb1
Wh ite moves and w i n s Wh ite moves and wi n s

Driving Off Back-Rank Escape

· ..
8 �. .. • ..
• ��
�J
1& -� - -.
6 - -
sa - - a
4 - - - �
3- - - -
2
- - -/.

1- · - B. -
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Blac k 's Ki n g has n ' t reac hed c7, so White has time to ext ricate Wh ite c h a l l e n ges the b-fi le i n an effo rt to excavate h i s Ki n g
h i s Ki n g from t h e co rner. F i rst he takes the b-fi l e , 1 . Rb8 , fro m the c o r n e r, 1 . Rb8 R e l 2 . K b 7 . B u t n o w Blac k 's Ki n g at d 6
f o rc i n g B l ac k 's Roo k off, 1 . . . . Rel . Then Wh ite's mon arch h i n d e rs the W h i t e K i n g from escap i n g chec k s ove r t h e f i l e s , a s
c o m es out, 2. Kb7, ready to aid his pawn to Queen . Black's i n 2. . . . Rb1 + 3 . Ka6 Ra1 + 4 . K b 6 Rb1 + , and s o o n . The
Roo k w h i p s o u t s e r i a l c h e c k s , 2 . . . . Rbl + , b u t t h e se are W h i te Ki n g , t h e refo re , rushes to the bac k ran k , 2.
useless after 3 . Ka6 Ral + 4. Kb6 Rbl + 5. Ke5 Rel + 6 . Kd4 . . . Rbl + 3 . Ke8 Rel + 4 . Kd8 . After 4 . . . . Rhl , h owever,
Rdl + 7. Ke3 Rel + 8. Kd2. The c h ec k s e n d ed , the a-pawn Black g l owe rs mate at h8. For Wh ite to a n swe r 5 . Ke8 wo u l d be
ce rtai n l y Q u e e n s . futi l e , becau se of the s kewe r 5 . . . . Rh8 + 6. Kf7 R h 7 + , fol­
l owed by 7 . . . . Rxa7. But White can offe r 5. Rb6 + , when 5.
1 . Rb8 Rel . . . Ke5 is c o u ntered by 6 . Re6 + . N ow i f Blac k swa l l ows t h e
2 . Kb7 Rbl + Roo k , W h i te Q u e e n s w i t h c h e c k . So Black i s s t u c k w i t h 6 .
3. Ka6 Ral + . . . Kb5 , w h e n 7 . Re8 Rh8 + 8 . Ke 7 R h 7 + 9. Kb8 leave s h i m
4. Kb6 Rbl + n o adeq uate way t o o ppose t h e march i n g pawn .
5 . Ke5 Rel +
6. Kd4 Rdl + 1 . Rb8 Rel 6. Re6 + Kb5
7. Ke3 Rel + 2. Kb7 Rbl + 7. Rc8 Rh8 +
8. Kd 2 3 . Ke8 Rel + 8. Ke7 Rh7 +
D raw 4. Kd8 Rhl 9. Kb8
5. Rb6 + Ke5 (1 -0)
242 • PAN DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE PI ECES AND PAW NS I N ACTION • 243

E N DGAME 19 1 E N DGAME 192

W: Kc8, Rd2 , Pc7 B : Ke7, Rc1 W: Kc8 , Rd2 , Pc7 B : Ke7, Rb1
White m oves and wi n s White moves and w i n s

Escaping Along the File Breaking the Cut-off

8 -©- - - 8
- �- - -
� \; 'i
7 - ��I� � -
�.../. �
%,,,� ' \; ,, � 7
- ���
1%� ��
,,,� �
w,,,J� -
6 - - - - 6
- • • -
5
- - - - 5
- - - - �
4 - . - - 4
- • - -
3 - - . - 3 - • - -
- �� - - - -
:1.'!'""%
2 2
• � /,,.,.,,�
� �
1 -
a
,,,,:), -
b
� -
c
�
d e f g h

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

1 BEB - •
a b c d e f g h

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

j
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) 2 . Ra7 Rbl 3 . Rb7 . Blac k 's R o o k c a n d o n o less
afte r 1 . K b 7 Rb1 + 2 . Kc6 Rc1 + 3. K b 6 R b 1 + 4 . Ka5 Ra1 + , than give way; Wh ite's King moves off the p romot i o n squ are,
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 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.
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 "; . . Rel 4 . Kb8 Kd 7 5. e 8/Q + , and the d o u b le-c h e c k p roves
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 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 .
ments h i s wi n n i n g plan : 2. Kb7 Kd7 3. e8/Q + Rxe8 4 . Rd2 + Ra2 Rb3 2 . Ra8 R b 1 3 . Rb8 Rc1 4 . Kb7 Rb1 + 5 . Ka6

[\
Ke6 5. Kxe8, e m e rging with an extra Roo k . Ra1 + 6 . Kb5 Rb1 + 7. Ka4 Ra1 + 8. Kb3 Rb1 + 9. Kc2 , and
B l ac k 's chec k i n g days a re over.

1
1 . Rb2 Re 3
2 . Kb7 Kd 7 1 . Ra2 Rb3

I\Ii
3. e8/Q + Rxe8 2 . Ra7 Rbl
4. Rd2 + Ke6 3 . Rb7 Rel
5 . Kxe8 4 . Kb8 Kd 7
( 1 -0) 5 . e8/Q +
(1-0)

i'll
. ,,
j,
I �:
244 • PAN DO LFI N l 'S EN DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 245

EN DGAME 193 EN DGAME 194

W: Kb8, Rc1 , Pb7 B: Kd7, Ra2 W: Ke8, Rf1 , Pe7 B: Kg7 , Rb8
Wh ite moves and wi n s Wh ite moves and wi n s

The Bridge Preven ting the Checking Distance

a ��,,�
,,,� •©B
. .. �
�
-

• � �� L�
1� • �
r
6 • • • •
5• • • •
4 • • • •
3• • • •
2 • • • -
With a K n i g h t-pawn o n the 7th ran k , White lac k s a maneuve ra­ 1 - • - 8-
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 a 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 .
. . . Ke7 , si nce alte rnatives a re wo rse : (A) 1 . . . . Kc6 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
the pawn Q u e e n s ; or (B) 1 . . . . Ke6 2. Kc8 Rc1 + 3 . Kd8 farther left of W h ite's pawn . As it is, t h e Rook i s too close and
Rb1 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
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 + 2 . Kd8 Rb8 + 3. Kc7 Ra8 . When a Rook is far enough
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-
tempos with 2 . .. . Ra2 , White's King e m e rges 3. Kc7 Rc2 + 4. tween Rook and pawn to be effective), i t has " c h ec k i n g d i s­
Kb6 Rb2 + 5 . Ka6 ( al so good is 5 . Kc6). F u rt h e r B lack Rook 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,
checks are u se l e s s , for 5 . . . . Ra2 + is met by 6. Kb5 Rb2 + 7. when t h ree files-t he b-, c-, and d-fi les-d ivide it from t h e
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
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 . 5 . Kd7 Kf7 6 .
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 7 . Kxe8 .
K i n g , 5 . . . . Ke6 , but White sti l l wi n s with 6 . Ra4, safegu ard i n g 1 . Kd 7 Rb7 +
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 2 . Kd8 Rb8 +
the pawn after 6 . . . . Kd6 7. Ka7 Kc7 8 . b8/Q + Rxb8 9. 3. Kc 7 Ra8
Rc4 + Kd6 1 0 . Kxb8 . 4. Ral Re8
1 . Rd2 + Ke7 5 . Ka6 Ke6 9. Rc4 + Kd6 5 . Kd7 Kf7
2 . Rd4 Ra2 6. Ra4 Kd6 1 0 . Kxb8 6. Rfl + Kg7
3. Kc 7 Rc2 + 7. Ka7 Kc7 (1-0) 7 . Kxe8
4. Kb6 Rb2 + 8. b8/Q + Rxb8 (1-0)
246 • PAN DOLF I N l'S EN DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACT ION • 247

E N DGAME 195 E N DGAME 196

W: Kg2, Ra7 B: Ke1 , Rf8, Pe2 W : Ke8, Rf1 , Pe7 B: Kg8, Ra8
White moves and wi n s W h i te moves and w i n s

Flank A ttack 1 Bad King's Position

8 • B m®m � m
7
.. ��
. • ,,� �
6 - - - -
5- - - -
4 - - - -
3- - - -
2 - - - -
� - BE ( �
a b c d e f g h

B l ack's Rook h a s the p roper checki n g d i stance to s u stai n a

a b c d 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.
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
White's flan k attack s u cceeds here because the th ree e m pty
to the Q u e e n s i d e : 1 . Kd 7 Ra7 + 2. Kd6 Ra6 + 3. KcS (th i s i s
f i l e s between the Rook and Black's pawn give White's Roo k the
possible because 3 . . . . Re6 r u n s i n to 4 . Rf8 + ) Ra8 4 . Kc6 Kg7
vital c h ec k i ng d i stance : 1 . Ral + Kd 2 2. Ra2 + Kd3 3. Ra3 +
(too late) 5. Ral ! ( p reventing B lack from u t i l i z i n g c h ecki n g
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
d i stance to attack the flan k ) Rb8 6 . Kc 7 Re8 7. Kd 7 Kf7 8.
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 .
Rfl + Kg7 9 . Kxe8 , wi n n i n g a Roo k . I n t h e oth e r approac h ,
R a 1 1 loses to 4 . . . . Ra8 ! 5 . Rb1 K d 3 6. Kf2 Rf8 + 7. Kg2
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 + 2.
Kd2 8 . Rb2 + Kd1 9 . Rb1 + Kc2 1 0 . Ra1 Ra8 ! , and B l ac k
Ke6 Ra6 + 3 . KeS RaS + 4 . Kf6 Ra6 + 5 . Kg5 RaS + 6. Kg6
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
Ra6 + 7. Rf6! Ra8 8 . Rd6 Re8 9 . Rd8 Rxd8 1 0 . exd8/Q mate.
fo r 4 . . . . Kd5 5 . Ra1 Ra8 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 5 . Ra3 + Kb2 6. A B
Re3, aga i n s n a r i n g the paw n . 1 . Kd7 Ra7 + 1 . Kd7 Ra7 +
2 . Kd6 Ra6 + 2 . Ke6 Ra6 +
1 . Ral + Kd2 3. KcS Ra8 3. KeS Ra5 +
2. Ra2 + Kd 3 4. Kc6 Kg7 4. Kf6 Ra6 +
3. Ra3 + Kd4 5. Ral Rb8 5. KgS Ras +
4. Ra4 + Kc3 6. Kc7 Re8 6. Kg6 Ra6 +
5. Ra3 + Kb2 7 . Kd7 Kf 7 7. Rf6 Ra8
6. Re3 8. Rfl + Kg7 8. Rd6 Re8
Draw 9. Kxe8 9. Rd8 Rxd8 ( 1 -0)
10. exd8/Q mate
(1-0)
248 • PAN OOLFI N l 'S EN DGAME COU RSE PI ECES A N O PAWNS I N ACT I O N • 249

EN DGAME 197 EN DGAME 198

W : Kg1 , Rb4 B : Kh3, Ra2 , Pg3 W: Kb6, Rb7, Pc6 B: Ka8 , Rg8
White moves and d raws Wh ite m oves and w i n s

Passive Defense Draws 1 Passive Defense Loses 1

8 �- - -·-
7 1_ § _ - -
s m :a m m m,
.

5. - - -
4 - - • -
3- - - -
2 - - - •
18 - - •
a b c d e f g h

A m ate t h reat e n s White (1 . . . . Ra1 ), forc i n g h i s Rook to 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
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
rickracks his Rook along the 1 st ran k. Blac k's best i s 1 . .
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 + .
B l ack's Roo k defe n d s pas si ve ly on the first ran k . " Pa s s ive de­
fense" means t h at the Rook's sole fu nction i s t o p reve nt a
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 4.
Rxg8 co m p l etely sto m p s B l ac k .

1 . Rbl Rg2 + 1 . Ra7 + Kb8

2 . Khl Rh2 + 2. e7 + Ke8
3. Kgl Ra2 3. Ra8 + Kd7
4 . Rel 4. Rxg8
D raw (1-D)
 P I ECES A N D PAW N S I N ACTION • 251
250 • PA N DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE

EN DGAME 199 EN DGAME 200

W: Ke1 , Rc2 B : Ke3, Rh3, Pd3 W : Kg4, Rf1 , Pg6 B : Ke7, Rf8

White moves and d raws Wh ite moves and w i n s

Stalemate Trick Main taining the Barrier

8 • • • - a lj B
• •
7• • - • 7• • � •
6 • • • 6 • • • :n: •
•
5- • • • 5- • • •
4 • • • • 4 . R • • <\!?•
3 . B t i?J • • 3• • • •
2 . §• • • 2. • • • •
1• • m L� �
• 1 • • ·§ -
a
a b c d e f g h b c d e f g h

B l ac k has two t h reats (1 . . . . R h 1 mate and 1 . . . . dxc2). Both 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
can be met by 1 . Re2 + , s i n ce 1 . . . . dxe2 is stalemate . I f 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 Rook contests t h e f-fi le, White 's Rook m ight move away o r
rou n d of c h e c k s from the rea r : 2 . . . . Rhl + 3. Kd2 Rh2 + 4. Rook s b e exchanged, al l owi n g King passage t o t h e g-fi l e . Fo r
Kd l Kc3 5 . Rc8 + Kd4 6 . Rd8 + Ke4 7. Re8 + Kf4 8 . Rd8 , exam p l e , both (A) 1 . Re1 + Kf6 2 . Rf1 + Kg7, as we l l as ( B ) 1 .
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 ,_ Rxf8 Kxf8 2 . Kg5 Kg7 are d rawn en dgames. White forges a w i n ,
( h ere, W h i te) stands i n front of an e n e m y pawn advanced to its 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 . . . .
6th ran k , t h e attac k i n g King ( h e re , B lack) won't find s helter Rxf5 2 . Kxf5 Ke8 3. Ke6 Kf8 4. Kf6 Kg8 lead s to t h e vic­
fro m Roo k c h ec k s from the rear, becau se there i s no roo m i n to rious sq u eeze of 5. g7 Kh7 6. Kf7. B l ac k fares no better by
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 , an swe r i n g 1 . Rf5 with 1 . . . . Rf6, for 2 . Kg5 forces B l ack to react
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 u n favo rably. Aft e r 2 . . . . Ra6, Wh ite w i n s with 3 . g7 Ral 4.
exchange of Roo ks the King and pawn en dgame i s also d rawn . 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
1 . Re2 + Kd4 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
2. Re8 Rnl + E n dgame 1 93 .
3. Kd2 Rh2 +
Kc3 1 . Rf5 Rf6 5 . Kh7 Rhl +
4. Kd l
2 . Kg5 Ra6 6. Kg8 Rh2
5. Rc8 + Kd4
3 . g7 Ral 7. Rf4
6. Rd8 + Ke4
4. Kg6 Rgl + (1-0)
7. Re8 + Kf4
8 . Rd8
D raw
252 • PA N DOL F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 253

EN DGAME 20 1 E N DGAME 202

W: Kg2, Re8 B : Ke2 , Re1 , Pe3 W : Kd7, Rd8, Pd6 B: Kf7, Ra1
W h i te moves and d raws White moves and wi n s

flank A ttack 2 The Short-Side Problem

a b c d e f g h
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 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 ) 3 . Kc7 Ra7 + 4. Kb6, and
Q u een i n g squ are by 4. Kf1 . B l ac k tries 3 . . . . Rdl 4. Ra2 + the checks run out. Wh ite wraps it up after 4 . . . . Rd7 5 . Kc6
Kd 3 5 . Ra3 + Ke4 6. Ra4 + Rd4 . An exchange of Roo k s , 7 . Ra 7 6. Rc7 + Rxc7 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 9. Ke1 e2 . But White evades the ex­ 1 . Rc8 Ra7 +
change with 7. Ra8 (7. Ra1 i s a l so good), and whether B l ac k 2. Kc6 Ra6 +
plays 7 . . . . R d 2 + or 7 . . . . Kd3 , White d raws eas i l y with 8 . 3 . Kc7 Ra7 +
Kfl , taki n g co ntro l o f t h e Q u e e n i n g square . 4. Kb6 Rd 7
5 . Kc6 Ra7
1 . Ra8 Rd l 4. Ra2 + Kd 3 7. Ra8 Kd3
6. Rc7 + Rxc7
2. Ra2 + Rd 2 5 . Ra3 + Ke4 8. Kfl
7. dxc7
3. Ral Rdl 6. Ra4 + Rd4 Draw
(1-0)
254 • PA N DO L F I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE PIECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 255

EN DGAME 203 EN DGAME 204

W : Kc5, Ra8, Pa6 B: Kg7, Ra1 W: Kb2 , Rh8 B: Kc6, Rh1 , Ph3
White moves and wi n s Wh ite m oves and d raws

Pawn Shelter Flank A ttack

a §• • • • 8

1.B . • �
-
� ��
,,� 7

s ft . E • •
5• m • a
4 • • • • 4

3. - • • 3-
2 • • • - 2 �m
1�
� �
� 1�
-
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
White astutely has avoi ded p u s h i n g h i s pawn to the 7th ran k so 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
that his Ki n g co u l d shelter i n fro nt of the pawn at a7 aga i n st stray fro m b2 : 1 . Kc2 ? Kd5 2 . Kd2 h2 ! 3 . Ke2 Ra1 4. Rxh2
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
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 3 . Rh3 ( h i s K i n g has
attac k , give White t i m e t o activate h i s Roo k , 2 . Rc8 . Aft e r 2 . Ka7 lost h i s s h e lte r), and 2 . . . . Rh2 + 3 . Kb3 s i gn ifies zero . But at
Kf7, White contests the b-fi l e : 3. Rb8 Ral . Now Wh ite can win 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 4. Rg3 Kf4 5. Rc3 Kg4 fol l ows
a b l e , but the t h e m atic co n t i n uat i o n is 4. Kb7 Rb1 + 5 . Ka8 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 W h i te m u st c h e c k : 6 . Rc4 + Kg3 7 . Rc3 + Kh2 8 . Rc2 +
c h ecks soon term i n ate and the a-pawn Q u een s . 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.
1 . Kb6 Rbl + 6. a7 Ke7 It's a d raw.
2. Ka7 Kf7 7. Kb7 Rbl +
1 . Rc8 + Kd5 6. Rc4 + Kg3 1 1 . Rc3 + Ke4
3. Rb8 Ral 8. Kc6
2 . Rc3 Kd4 7 . Rc3 + Kh2 1 2 . Rc4 + Kd5
4 . Kb7 Rbl + (1-0)
3 . Rf3 Ke4 8 . Rc2 + Kgl 1 3. Rc3
5. Ka8 Ral
4 . Rg3 Kf4 9. Rc1 + Kg2 D raw
5 . Rc3 Kg4 1 0. Rc2 + Kf3
 P I ECES A N O PAW N S IN ACTION • 257
256 • PAN OO L F I N l'S E NDGAME COU RSE

ENDGAME 205 E N DGAME 206

W: Kf1 , Rd4 B: Kg4, Ra2, Pf4 W: Kg1 , Rg8 B: Kh4, Ra3 , Pg4
Wh i te moves a n d d raws White moves and d raws

Philidor's Draw Passive Defense Draws 2

8
7

2
1

a b c d e f
g 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 5 . Rf8 + Ke4 6 . Re8 +
a b c d e f g h
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
sivity. Even i f Black regro u p s , 2 . . . . Kh3 3. Rel g3 4. Rbl , he
ca n n ot gene rate seri o u s th reats . But Bl ack n ow p lays 4 . . . .

Kd4 7. Rf8. 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 .
1 . Rd3 Rb2 Khl (n ot 6 . Kf1 , b e c a u s e of 6 . . . . K h 2 ) Rh2 + 7 . Kgl , and n o
2. Ra3 f3 p rogress i s poss i b l e .
3 . Ra8 Kg3
4. Rg8 + Kf4 1 . Rb8 Kg3 4 . Rbl Rg2 +
5 . Rf8 + Ke4 2 . Rbl Kh3 5 . Khl Rh2 +
6 . Re8 + Kd4 3. Rel g3 6. Kgl
7 . Rf8 Draw
(1-0)
2 5 8 • PAN DOL F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE PIECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 259

EN DGAME 207 EN DGAM E 208

W: Kb5 , Rh6, Pc58: Kc8 , Rg8 W: Ka5, Rh7, PbS 8: Kb8, Rb1
White m oves and wi n s White moves and wi n s

Passive Defense Loses 2 Driving off the Promotion Square

8
7

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

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 has l i n ge red too l o n g beh i n d White's a-pawn , and
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 after 1 . Kb6 , it i s too late to retu rn to the 8th ran k by 1 .
pawn, n ot on the left, so White i n c h es ah ead by 1 . Kb6! Kb8 2. . . . Rc1 2. Rh8 + Rc8, becau se White Q u ee n s with 3. Rxc8 +
e6. I f B l ac k tries 2 . . . . Ka8 3. Rh7 R b 8 + , W h i t e sq uashes Kxc8 4. Ka7, a l o n g with 5 . b6 , 6 . b7, and 7. b8/Q. Th erefore
c o u nterplay by 3 . Rb7, si nee 3 . . . . Rxb7 + 4. cxb7 + Kb8 5. B l ac k mu st vacate the Quee n i n g sq uare, 1 . . . . Ke8 2. Rh8 +
Kc6 i s a wi n n e r. So B l ac k temporize s : 2 . . . . Rf8 3. Rh7 Re8. Kd 7 . The o n l y way to p repare the fu rther advance of the b-pawn
B ut now Wh ite i s ready for the fi nal p u s h : 4. Rb7 + Ke8 5. Ra7 is 3 . Rb8! ( N ot 3. Ka6 Kc7 ! ). B l ac k can not p revent the advance,
Kb8 6. e7 + Ke8 7. Ra8 + Kd7 8. Rxe8 Kxe8. Roo k s have so he tries to keep h i s King close by : 3 . . . . Rb2 4. Ka 7
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 Ke7 5 . b6 + Ke6 6 . Rc8 + KbS 7. b7 Ra2 + 8. Kb8 Kb6 .
sq uare . White fi n i s h e s with 9 . Kb7 Kd 7 1 0 . e8/Q + , a n d pawn Wh ite move s on with 9 . Rel , th reate n i n g 1 0 . Kc8. He can meet
becomes a Q u een on the next m ove . 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 .
Kb8 6. e7 + Ke8 . . . Ka6, then 1 1 . Ka8 and 1 2 . b8/Q), White takes the a-fi le with
1 . Kb6
2. e6 Rf8 7. Ra8 + Kd7 1 1 . Ral . At least the fi n i sh l i n e i s s i ghted : 11 . . . . Rb2 1 2 . Ka8

3. Rh7 Re8 8. Rxe8 Kxe8 Rxb7 1 3 . Re l + Kb6, 1 4 . Rbl + Kc6 1 5 . Rxb7.

4. Rb7 + Ke8 9. Kb7 Kd7
1 . Kb6 Kc8 6. Re8 + KbS 1 1 . Ral Rb2
5. Ra7 Kb8 1 0 . e8/Q +
2. Rh8 + Kd7 7 . b7 Ra2 + 1 2 . Ka8 Rxb7
( 1 -0)
3. Rb8 Rb2 8 . Kb8 Kb6 1 3 . Re l + Kb6
4. Ka7 Ke7 9 . Rel Rh2 14. Rb1 + Ke6
5 . b6 + Kc6 1 0 . Rbl + Kc6 1 5 . Rxb7
(1-0)
260 • PAN DOLFI N l 'S EN DGAME COU R SE PIECES A N D PAW NS IN ACTION • 261

E N DGAME 209 E N DGAME 210

W: Kf1 , Rf8 8: Kf3 , Ra2 , Pf4 W: Kb4 , Rc1 , PbS 8: Kd6, Rb8
White moves a n d d raws W h i te m oves and w i n s

King to the Short Side Cut-Off-No Checking Distance

8
-
. �� -
�///. � -. 8 �� -
,
�,• �
,
... � �
.,
��
. �
- � - m 7
-
• m -
6 - - - � 6
-
5
- - - � . 5 ft -
4
- � �,� � 4
�m
-��
..

3 -
� -�- 3
-
2
·- - � 2
- -
-
.

�� �� •
- -
•
1 1
� ·
L,,� �
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

When White ca n n ot set u p P h i l i d o r 's d rawi n g position (the
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
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
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
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 .
Kgl ! , White k e e p s a l ive : 1 . . . . Ral + 2 . Kh2 Rfl . B l ac k 's last
move is the o n ly feas i b l e way to p repare the advance of h i s f­
p aw n , 2 . . . . Ke3 b e i n g an swe red by 3. Kg2 . H oweve r, t h e
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
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
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
b e h i n d the pawn . The res u lt is a d eadlock.
1 . Kgl Ral +
2 . Kh2 Rfl
3 . Ra8 Rel
4. RfB
( 1-0)
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 at b 8 lacks the req ui site t h ree- row checki n g d i stance.
These two featu res al low W h ite's K i n g to pen etrate q u ic kly and
adva n c e h i s paw n t o the 7th ran k : 1 . Ka5 Ra8 + 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
for Black to check a ga i n , 13 . . . . Rb1 + , s i nce White i s set u p to
m eet 14. KbS Rb1 + with the b l ocki n g 1 5 . Rb4 . And becau se
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 .
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
( o r 14 . . . . Kf7 1 5 . Res a n d 1 6 . RbS) 1 5 . Re8 , s u p po rti n g the
Q u een i n g th reat while pe r m itti n g Wh ite to escape Blac k's Roo k
check via t h e c- a n d d -fi l e s : 1 5 . . . . Re l + 1 6 . Kd5 Rd l + 17.
Kc4 Rel + 1 8 . Kd3 Rdl + 1 9 . Kc2 and f i n i s .
262 • PA N DO LF I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N O PAW N S I N ACT ION • 263

211
1 . Ka5 Ra8 +
2 . Kb6 Rb8 + EN DGAME
3. Ka6 Ra8 +
W: Kd2 , Rf1 B : Kf5 , Re8, Pf4
4. Kb7 Ra2
White moves and d raws
5. b6 Rb2
6. Ka7 Ra2 + Breaking the Barrier
7 . Kb8 Kd 7
8. b7 Ra3
9. Rdl + Ke7
1 0. Rd4 Ral
1 1 . Kc7 Rel +
1 2 . Kb6 Rbl +
1 3 . Kc6 Ke6
1 4 . Re4 + Kf6
1 5 . Re8 Re l +
1 6 . Kd5 Rdl +
1 7 . Kc4 Re l +
1 8 . Kd3 Rdl +
1 9 . Kc2
(1-0) 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 Ra8
2. Ke2 Ra2 +
3 . Kf3 Ra3 +
4. Kf2 Kg4
5 . Rgl + Kf5
6. Rg8
D raw
264 • PAN DOL F I N l'S EN DGAME COURSE
PI ECES A N D PAWN S I N ACTION • 265

212
pawn on the 5th ra n k needs o n ly a one-fi l e cut-off) 1 0 . c6 +
EN DGAME Kd6 1 1 . Rdl + Ke7 1 2 . Kb7 Rh8 1 3 . c7, and the c-pawn
h o l d s up the victo ry ban n e r.
W: Kc3 , Rd1 , Pc4 B: Kf6, Rc8
White moves and wi n s
1 . Rel Kf S
2. Kb4
Two-file Cut-Off Rb8 +
3. KaS Rc8
4 . KbS Rb8 +
5 . Ka6 Rc8
6 . Rel Ke6
a
� 7 . Kb 7 Res
6
8. Kb6 Rc8
9. cs Kd7
1 0. c6 + Kd6
1 1 . Rdl + Ke7
1 2 . Kb7 Rh8
2 1 3 . c7
1 ( 1 -0)
a b c d e f g 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 c4-
c5 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-
266 • PA N DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAW N S I N ACTION • 267

EN DGAME 213 EN DGAME 214

W: Kc2 , Rh3 B: Kg5 , Rh1 , Pb4 , Ph2 W: Kb2 , Ra8, Pa7, Pf5 B : Kg7, Ra6
White moves and d raws White moves and wi n s

Active Defense Skewer

4
3
2 �m"
>�... •. ,,;:
"

�
1� �
•
a b c d e f g h 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 2 . Rxh2 Ra2 + . W h i te cou nters eas i l y with 1 . a8. N o r can h i s K i n g take the f-paw n , 1 . . . . Kxf6, fo r that
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 2.
. . . 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 . . . . Kg4 3 . Rh7 Kg3 , W h ite . . . 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 .
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 . Rh8 Rxa7 3 . Rh7 + Kxf6 4. Rxa7.
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 . 1 . f6 + Kf7
2. Rh8 Rxa7
1 . Kb2 b3 3. Rh7 + Kxf6
2. Rh8 Kg4 4. Rxa7
3 . Rh7 Kg3 (1-0)
4. Rg7 + Kf2
5 . Rh7
Draw
268 • PAN DO L F I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 269

E N DGAME 215 E N DGAME 216

W: Ka6, Rc6, Pb6, Pb5 B: Kb8, Rg8 W: Ka8, Rh7, Pc7 B: Ka5 , Rc2, Ph2
Wh ite m oves and w i n s White plays and w i n s

Exchanging Down Lasker's Pin

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
H avi n g two extra pawns i s very nice. Often you can give u p one 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. ( 1 868-1 941 ). The key p iece i s Wh ite's King, su pporti n g its own
Rc8 + anyway, fo rci n g s i m p l i fication by 2 . . . Rxc8 3. bxc8/Q +
. pawn , re l eas i n g the Rook from its d efe n s ive chore . B l ack's Ki n g
Kxc8. Black has regained one of h i s l o st paw n s , but faces l o s s i n 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
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 . . . . Ka4. T h e p rocess conti n u e s : 4. Kb7 Rb2 + 5 .
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 Rh8 t h reate n s 8. Rxh2 Rxh2 9 . c8/Q . B l ac k c h e c k s aga i n : 7 .
2 . Rc8 + Rxc8 . . . Rb2 + 8 . Ka5 ! Rc 2 . F i na l ly, 9 . Rh3 + Ka2 d rives B l ac k 's King
3. bxc8/Q + Kxc8 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
4 . Ka7 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 .
(1-0) . . . Rxh2 1 1 . c8/Q.
1 . Kb7 Rb2 + 5 . Ka6 Rc 2 9 . Rh3 + Ka2
2 . Ka7 Rc 2 6. Rh4 + Ka3 1 0 . Rxh2 Rxh2
3. Rh5 + Ka4 7. Kb6 Rb2 + 1 1 . c8/Q
4. Kb7 Rb2 + 8. Ka5 ! Rc2 ( 1 -0)
 C H A P T E R

15
Mi nor P ieces

• B i s h o p a n d Pawn (s) vs. E ndgames 21 7-228

Bishop

• K n i g h t a n d Pawn vs . E n d games 229-230

Knight

• B i s h o p a n d Pawn vs . E n dgames 231-235

Kn i g h t

• K n i g h t a n d Pawn vs . E n dgames 236-239

Bishop
272 • PAN DOLF I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES AND PAW NS I N ACTION • 2 73

E N DGAME 217 EN DGAME 218

W: Kf4, Bb7 B: Kg1 Bf1 P h2
I I W: Kb8 , Bf5 , Pc7 B: Kd6, Ba6
W h i te moves and d raws W h i te moves a n d w i n s

Stop the Block Deflecting Sacrifice

8
- - - 8 m - �� - -
�U/� �
7 - �- -
� - � 7-
� �
�
L�
,

- - - - rl,� -
,
6 6 A. �' �
,,
5
- - -� - 5
B
� �-
- - �m - a - -
,
4
...
,� 4
3 - - - - 3
- -
�
2 - - - m �,,% 2
- - - -�
1 g g - -
- -
�-'. �
�,:,·� 1
� -
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

At the moment, B l ack makes no t h reat to Qu een h i s pawn , for
1 . . . . h 1 /Q 2. Bxh1 Kxh 1 give s King vs . King and B i s h op­
d rawn becau se n e it h e r playe r has e n o u g h material to chec k­
mat e . B lack's rea l ch arge i s 1 . . . . Bg2 , i n te rcepti n g the d iago­
nal of W h ite's B i s h o p so that the pawn can Queen u n h i n d e re d .
W h ite i n te rfe res with 1 . Kg3 , w h e n 1 . . . . Bg2 fa i l s t o 2 . Bxg2 .
B l ack may try to de fl ect White's B i s h op, 1 . . . . Ba6 , for 2. Bxa6
al lows B l ac k to Q u ee n . B u t a s i m p l e , safe move a l o n g the a8-h1
d iagonal , 2. Bd5 , retai n s the d raw. As long as W h ite's K i n g
re m a i n s at g 3 , Black can't b l ock the l i n e a n d wi n .
A l o n e B i s h o p ca n not mate a lone Ki n g . White, t h e refo re , m u st
n ot p l ay 1 . c8/Q, b eca u s e 1 . . . . Bxc8 2 . Bxc8 is an u nwin nab le
e n d i n g . W h i t e s ho u l d co nce n t rate o n gett i n g the e n emy
B i s h o p off t h e a6-c8 d iagona l . A 1 . Bc8 chal l e n ge won 't d o ;
B l ack's B i s h o p j u st relocates : 1 . . . . B d 3 2 . B b l BfS , and W h ite
i s n o clos e r to Q u ee n i n g . But a d efl ecti n g sac ri fice , 1 . Bd3 ,
wo r k s . B l ack m u s t accept the sacrifice, 1 . . . . Bxd3 , and W h ite
makes h is Q u ee n , 2. c8/Q. The Q u een-vs . - B i s h op e n d game is
an easy win fo r W h ite, for White's Q u ee n and King move in to
d e l iver mate s h ortly.

1 . Kg3 Ba6 1 . Bd3 Bxd3

2. Bd5 2. c8/Q
Draw (1-0 )
2 74 • PAN DOLF I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE PIECES A N D PAW NS I N ACT I O N • 275

E N DGAME 219 E N DGAME 220

W: Kc8, Bg3, Pb7 B : Kc6, Ba7 W: Ka8, Ba7, Pb7 B : Kc6, B h2
Wh ite moves and wi n s Wh ite moves and w i n s

Deflection Push- Off 1

8
- <\!/ · • 8 <\!/ � • -
�
7 � ft �
,,.,,.-;. � • • 7
� •
,,.,,,,; ft g
D � -
�
6 -� · • • � 6 ·�· •
5
• • • • 5
• •
4 • • • • 4
•� • • •
3
• • • �a
,;,,; 3 • •
2
• • • • 2 � • �
� •
• � �

1. • • • 1
:o;,,.;o'

• • • •
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

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 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
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 . 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 .
. . . Bxf2, a n d W h ite gai n s a new Q u e e n , 2 . b8/Q. Mate occ u rs Kxb8, h e l ps W h ite, fo r afte r 2 . . . . Kd7 3 . Ka7, White p ro m otes
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 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 . . . . 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
1 . Bf2 Bxf2 the b - pawn to Q u e e n d o m .
2. b8/Q
( 1 -0) l 1 . Bb8
2. Bg3
Bgl

(1 -0)
276 • PANDOLF I N l 'S E N D G AME COU RSE P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 2 77

E NDGAME 221 E N DGAM E 222

W: Kb8, Bd7, Pc7 B: Kb6, Bb7 W: Kc8, Bd8, Pb7 B : Kc6, B h2
W h i te moves and wi n s W h i te moves and wi n s

Zugzwang 1 Centurini's Position

8 -©g • -
7 - ft · • -
6 -�· • •
5• • • •
4 • • • •
3 ,- • • •
2 • • • �
1m • • m
a b c d e f g h
W h i te's victory weapon i s fou n d i n the r u l e book : "The two If White can ma nage to offe r a B i s h o p trade on the b8-h2
playe rs m u st m ove alternately i n m a k i n g one move at a t i m e . " 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
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 Q u een i n g . Then p ractical ly any Wh ite B i sh o p m ove o n to the
wh ich any m ove b y B lack me rely exacerbates h i s wea kened 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
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 Q u eens his pawn . Easy e n o u g h , b u t i t gets hard e r. H ow does
m ove . Any B l ack B i shop move on the a6-c8 d iagonal exposes 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
the Bi s hop to capt u re, and any B l ac k B i s ho p move on the a8-h1 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.
d i agonal l ets the Wh ite pawn be Q u ee n e d . Any B lack Ki n g Blac k co u n te rs with 1 . . . . Kb6 2 . Bf2 + Ka6, preve n t i n g 3. Ba7.
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 N ow comes an ace move , 3 . Bc5 ! , l u r i n g Blac k 's Bishop out ,
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 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
Kb5 5 . Bd8 + Kc 6 . The
.

Q u eens h i s pawn and fl i n g s h i s h at in the ai r. B l ac k's K i n g t o retrace h i s steps : 4 . . . .

position is p racticall y identical to t h e d i ag ram with one essen­

1 . BbS KxbS 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
2. Kxb7 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
(1--0) 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
1 2 . b8/Q.
E N DGAME 223
W: Kb7, Bb8, Pa6 B: KbS , Be3
1 . Bh4 Kb6 Wh ite moves and w i n s
2 . Bf2 + Ka6
3 . Bes Bg3 Push- Off 2
4. Be7 Kb6
5 . Bd8 + Kc6
6. Bh4 Bh2
7. Bf2 KbS
8. Ba7 Ka6
9 . Bb8 Bgl
1 0 . Bg3 Ba7
1 1 . Bf2 Bxf2
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 Bf4
2. Bf2 Bb8
3 . Bg3 Bxg3
4. a7
(1-0)
280 • PAN DOLF I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE
P I ECES AND PAW NS IN ACTION • 281

Be6 Ba2 1 2 . Bxa2 Kxa2 1 3 . Kxb4 . I f the defend i n g K i n g can't

E N DGAME 224 occupy a safe s q u are aga i n s t bei n g checked in the pawn 's
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 .
W: Ke7, Bd1 B: Kc3 , B d 5 , Pb4
White m oves and d raws 1 . Kd6 Bb3
2 . Bg4 Kb2
Rear Defense 3 . Kc5 Ka3
4. Kb6 Bf7
5. Bdl Be8
6 . Ka5
D raw

a 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 3. Bxc2 Kxc2 4. Kxb4
a n n i h i lates any wi n n i n g changes) 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) Bf7 5.
Bdl Be8 ( t h reat e n s Wh ite's B i s h o p by 6 . . . . Ba4) 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 7. Bc2 Bb3
( b l oc k i n g h i s pawn) 8 . Bf5 Ba4 9 . Be6 Bc2 1 0. Bf7 Bb1 11 .
282 • PAN DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES AND PAW NS IN ACTION • 283

E N DGAME 225 E N DGAME 226

W: Kb6, BbS, PaS B: Kb4 , Bc8 W: Kf3 , Bf1 B: KdS , Bf6, Pd4 , PeS
W h ite moves and wi n s W h ite moves a n d d raws

Zugzwang 2 Bishops of Opposite Colors

8 - J_ - - -
. 8
7- - - - 7
6 m m m m 6
s rtit m - -
4 � - - - 4
3- - - - 3
2 a a a a 2
1B a � a 1
a b c d e f g h a 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 s q uares (d3 a n d e4). Black's Ki n g can fight for t h o s e s q uares,
· cease attac k i n g the pawn, g ranti n g W h i te a free, safe move to but h e can n ot co u n t on aid fro m his B i s hop. I t moves on dark
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 Ki n g . After 1 . Bd3 , W h ite can u se t h e enti re b1-h7 d i agonal to
i rre p res s i b l e . tempo, whenever he needs to waste a move . If B lack eve r
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,
1 . Bc6 Kc4 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
2. Bb7 Bg4 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
3. a6 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
( 1 -0) t u n ities for Blac k .

1 . Bd3
D raw
284 • PAN DOL F I N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAW N S I N ACTION • 285

EN DGAME 227 EN DGAM E 228

W: Kc1 , Bd2 B : Ka4, Be4 , Pa3 , Pb3 W: KbS , Bc2 , Pb6, Pc6 B: Kc8 , Bd6
White moves and d raws White m oves and w i n s

Stopping the Advance Outflanking

8 8 •®• • •
• • - • �
7
• • • • 7�� • • •
6
• • • • 6
�,,� ft 11
�:ii L� •� •�
5
• • • • 5
.\ti. • •
4
® • • .t. • • 4 • •
3 �1 1 • • • 3 • •
2 • � • • � -� 2 n 11 • ••
1. m •
� •
',.,/,,,/

�--�� •
a
•

b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

There 's menace in Black's passed pawn s : they're c o n n ected
and both l i e on the 6th ran k . If it were Bl ac k's m ove , he wo uld
play 1 . . . . b2 + , whereupon Wh ite wo u l d move his King to
safety and B l ack wou l d make a new Queen. But Wh ite has
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
B i s h o p trave l s o n l y on dark squares. White can set up a two­
t i m e guard ove r b2-a square Bl ack can guard o n ly once. After
1 . Bc3 , Blac k can never advance h i s b- pawn , for White wou l d
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
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
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 .
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)
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
can position h i m self to p rotect the c-paw n 's advance, from b7
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
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 .
. . . Kd8, Wh ite's Ki n g sets up at b 7 : 2 . Ka6 BeS 3 . Kb7 Bd6 4.
cl + Bxc7 5 . bxc7 + Ke7 6 . c8/Q . If Blac k 's K i n g an swe r s 1 .
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 ,
prod u ce d rawn e n d games.

1 . Bc3 1 . Bf5 + KbB

Draw 2. Kc4 Bg3
3 . Kd5 Bf4
4. Ke6 KcB
5. Ke7 + KbB
6. Kd7 Bg3
7. c7 +
(1 -0)
286 • PA N DO L F I N l'S E N DGAME COU RSE
P I ECES A N D PAWN S IN ACTION • 287

EN DGAME 229 EN DGAME 230

W: Kc7, N b7, Pd7 B : Ke7, Nf7 W: Ke2 , N g2 B : Kc2 , N c4 , Pd2
White moves and wi n s W h i te moves a n d d raws

Deflection Reduction

8
7

a b c d e f g h

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 .
A B
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
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 : 1.
. . . Kc1 2. Nd3 + Kc2 3 . Nel + Kc3 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 .

1 . Nd6 Nxd6 1 . Nd6 Nd8

2 . d8/Q + 2. Nf5 + Ke6 1 . Nel + Kc1
(1-0) 3. Kxd8 2. Nd3 + Kc2
( 1 -0) 3. Ne1 + Kc3
4. Nf3 Kc2
5 . Nxd2
Draw
288 • PAN DOLF I N l ' S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 289

EN DGAM E 23 1 EN DGAME 23 2
W: Kc7, Ba8 , Pd7 B: Ke7, Nd8 W: Kg3 , Bf7, Pg6 B: Kh8, N g7
Wh ite moves and wi n s W h i te m oves and w i n s

Corralling 1 fncirclemen t

8 .
- -
� . .
� �- ��
� .
7� • -� � -J
-��
�
6 • • • :a •
5. - • •
4 m B B m
3. - • �
2 • • - -
1- B B m
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

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 Blac k 's pieces are placed terri b ly. After 1 . Kg4 , Black m u st make
i s in zugzwan g . If he m oves h i s K i n g , h i s Knight goes down for 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
n ot h i n g . I f he m oves h i s K n i g h t anywhere , White's Bishop 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
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 . W h ite's Pieces. O n ce Whi te has captu red the i m potent h o rs e ,
N ote h ow the B i s h o p from dS guards a l l the squares open to 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 .
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 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
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 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 .
s u pe r i o rity over a Kn ight in the e n d ga m e .
1 . Kg4 Ne6
1 . Bd5 Nf7 2. Bxe6 Kg7
2. Bxf7 Kxf7 3. Kg5 Kh8
3 . d8/Q 4. Bd 7 Kg7
(1 -0) 5. Kf5 Kg8
6. Kf6 Kh8
7. g7 + Kh7
8 . Be6 Kh6
9. g8/Q Kh5
1 0 . Qh8 mate
( 1 -0)
290 • PA N DOLFI N l 'S E N DGAME COURSE P I ECES A N D PAWNS I N ACTION • 291

EN DGAME 233 EN DGAME 234

W: Ke7, Bf3 , Pd6 B : KcS , Nf8 W: Kd3 , N g2 B: Kb3 , Bes, Pc3
W h ite moves and wi n s W h ite moves and d raws

Zugzwang 3 Blockade

8 •
. . • • �,,,� •.
-
�
7 • • L� •m •
6 . .. �t� .. . ..
5 .. � .. ..
4 .. .. - ..
3 .. .. - � -
2 .. .. .. ..
1 .. .. .. ..
a b c d e f g h

B l ac k 's clu m sy K n i g ht gets corral led afte r 1 . Be4 . Blac k 's K i n g Blac k 's pawn and a stro n g B i s h o p face a weak Kn i g h t . But the
c o u l d attac k W h i t e 's B i s h op, 1 . . . . Kd4 , b u t t h i s re l e a s e s o l d s h oe fo r Wh ite wo rks : 1 . Nel ( p reventi n g t h e pawn 's m ove­
W h i te's pawn fro m attac k . Wh ite has a safe move to captu re ment) Bf2 2 . Nc2 Bb6 3. Nel Bc5 4. Nc2 Bf2 (tryi n g to
Blac k 's K n i g h t , and a new Wh ite Queen stands up. B l ac k has zugzwang the Kn ight) 5 . Na3, and W h ite h o l d s . B l ac k 's K i n g
been zugzwange d . c a n ' t captu re the K n i gh t becau se it wou l d l o s e h i s pawn . The
pawn m u st remai n on board to make a new Q u e e n , but B l ack
1 . Be4 Kd4 has no safe way to advance it. W h ite's pesky K n i g h t i s j u st
2. Kxf8 Kxe4 res o u rcef u l e n o u g h to mai ntai n the b lockad e .
3. d7
( 1 -0) 1 . Nel Bf2
2. Nc2 Bb6
3 . Nel Bc5
4 . Nc2 Bf2
5 . Na3
D raw
292 • PAN DO LF I N l'S E N DGAME COURSE PI ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 293

E N DGAME 235 EN DGAME 236

W: Kg8 , Ba2, Pb2 B: Ke1 , N a5 W: Kd1 , Bd4 B: Kb1 , Na4 , Pa2
White moves and wins White moves and d raws

Corralling 2 Corner Retreat

8
- - - -
7- - - -
6 - - - -
sm - - -
4 �- � B B
3- - - -
2 1 � - - -
1 -
� - \!( � -
a b c d e f g h a b c d e t g h

A Knight on the r i m is d i m , regard less of which ri m . H e re Wh ite l o o ks to sac rifice h i s B i s h o p for Black's pawn , o n ce the
W h i te's corra l , 1 . Bd5 , i s devastat i n g . The B i s hop traps the pawn advan ces to a1 . But Blac k p l a n s to thwart that by i n te rpos­
Knight, and after 1 . . . . Kd2 , t h e p�wn sh ags it, 2 . b4 . B l ac k i n g h i s K n i g h t at b2, b l o c k i n g the B i s h o p. With no ti m e to
o u g h t t o d ive rt the B i s hop, 2 . . . . N b 7 3 . Bxb7, t o give h i s K i n g spa re , White m u st p l ay 1 . Bal !. If Black capt u res t h e B i s h op,
t i m e t o g e t back i n the actio n , 3 . . . . Kc3 . But o n ce t h e pawn i s Wh ite d raws by m ovi n g h i s K i n g to c2, which is the same color
safe from capt u re , 4 . b5 Kb4 5 . Ba6 , Wh ite h a s t i m e t o b u rn t o squ are as that o cc u p i ed by Black's K n i g ht . Th i s traps Black's
b r i n g h i s K i n g toward Q u eenside as an esco rt for t h e pro m ot- K i n g , a n d h i s K n i g h t is u na b l e to reposition in order to d rive
i n g paw n . away White 's k i n g . If Blac k i n stead an swe rs by i n serti n g 1 .
. . . Nb2 + , W h i te plays 2 . Kd 2 . After 2 . . . . N c4 + , s i nce B l ack's
1 . Bd5 Kd2 7. Ke7 Kc7 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
2. b4 Nb7 8 . Ke8 Kb8 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.
3 . Bxb7 Kc3 9 . Kd8 Ka8 Black's moves no l o n ger matter. W h ite d raws by mov i n g h i s
4. b5 Kb4 1 0 . Kc7 Ka7 Ki n g bac k a n d forth between c2 a n d c1 .
5. Ba6 Kc5 1 1 . Bc8 Ka8
6. Kf7 Kb6 1 2 . Bb7 + Ka7 1 . Bal N b2 + 7 . Kcl Ne2 +
1 3 . b6 mate 2 . Kd2 Nc4 + 8 . Kc2 Nd4 +
( 1 -0) 3 . Kdl Kxal 9 . Kcl Nb3 +
4. Kc2 Ne3 + 1 0 . Kc2 Nd2
5 . Kc l Ndl 1 1 . Kcl
6 . Kc2 Nc3 D raw
294 • PA N DOLF I N l ' S E N DGAME COU RS E P I ECES A N D PAW NS I N ACTION • 295

EN DGAME 237 EN DGAM E 238

W : Kb7, Nd4, Pd7 B: Kd3 , Bas W: KbS, Nc8 , Pa6 B: KdS, Bd4
Wh ite moves and w i n s Wh ite moves and w i n s

Driving Off Block Out

8 - - - - a 84J B B B
1 8®8 ft 8 - 18 B R B
6 - - - - 6 ft B R a ·
sm - - - s B®B�B B
4 pm tb!
"1 . • �� 4 B �J B B
3 - -� - - · 3- - - -
2 - - - - 2 - - - -
18 - - - 18 - - -
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
W hatever its d rawbacks in endgames, don't s e l l a k n i g ht s h o rt . 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
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 Blac k then takes the K n i g h t , 1 . . . . Bxb6 2 . Kxb6 , o r m oves his
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 K i n g o u t of check. Wh ite pushes his a-pawn to Queen. Mate
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 soon fol l ows .
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 . 1 . Nb6 + Bxb6
2. Kxb6 Kd6
1 . Nc6 3. a7
(1 -0) (1 -0)
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 .
BACKWARD PAWN (n .) A weak pawn that has fal len be h i nd
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
fri e n d ly paw n s wh ich can not p rotect it.
defe n s ive c h o res and the game wou l d d raw. But after 1 . Nd6,
BAD B ISHOP (n .) A passive B i s hop, often obstructed by its
the beleaguered Bi shop i s exi led from the proceed i n g s , and
own pawn s ; usually a pe rmanent d i sadvantage.
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
BARRI ER (n . ) A vertical or h o rizontal row of s q u a re s , gen e ra l l y
B i s hop a l o n g t h e a5-d8 d i ago nal : 1 . . . . Bgl 2. c6 Bb6 . Al­
contro l led b y a Roo k , that the e n emy Ki n g can n ot c ro s s .
though the pawn i s momentarily stopped , Blac k 's King i s so
BASIC MATE (n .) A checkmate that can b e forced with p u re ,
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
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
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
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
Kg2 6 . Nc7 Ba7 7. Na6 Bb6 8 . N c5 Kf3 9. Na4 Ba5 1 0 .
Quee n ; Ki n g and Rook ; King a n d two b i s hops ; and King,
Nb2 Ke4 1 1 . Nc4, The B i s hop m u st clear out, perm itti n g a
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
triu m p hant co ro n ation .
Rook , and two Roo k s .
B E H I N D A PASS E D PAW N (adv. ) G e n e rally u sed t o describe
1 . Nd6 Bgl 7. Na6 Bb6
the best p l ace fo r a Rook to station itself when attac k i n g an
2. c6 Bb6 8 . N c5 Kf3
advanci n g pawn . As the pawn adva nce s up the board , the
3 . Ke6 Bc7 9. Na4 Bas
Rook's m o b i l ity i n creases.
4. Kd7 Bb8 1 0 . Nb2 Ke4
BISHOPS OF OPPOSITE COLORS (n .) A situat i o n i n which
5 . Ne8 Kg2 1 1 . N c4
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
6. Nc7 Ba7 (1 -0)
297
 298 • G LOSSARY
s q uare s , the other on d a r k . They ca n n eve r attack eac h other o r
g u ard the same sq uares . Also cal led O p po site-Color B i s ho p s .
BLI ND S I D E (n .) T h e s i de of the board away from t h e p ro­
tected passed pawn or attac k i n g z o n e , in situat i o n s where
Kings and pawns confront each ot her over an exte nded area.
The l ive s i d e is the closer o n e .
BLOCKADE (n .) A d efensive strategy that con s i sts of p revent­
i n g the advance of an e nemy pawn (u sually a passed paw n ) by
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 .
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 .
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 .) 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 .) I n Roo k e n d i n g s , w h e n the stronger
side has a pawn on the 7th ran k , h e p repare s to b l ock en emy
Rook-checks by positi o n i n g h i s own Rook on its 4th ran k ( o r
occas ionally, its 5th o r 6 t h ran k). Th e term was c reated b y Aron
'
N i mzovich ( 1 886-1 935). See L U C E N A S POSIT I O N .
CAN D I DATE (n .) The pawn l i kely to be passed . Also cal l e d the
Ca n d i date Passed Pawn . U s u a l ly, it i s a pawn with n o e n emy
pawn in fro n t of it on the same fi l e .
CAPABLANCA'S RUL E (n .) A p r i n c i p l e t hat determ i n e s which
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
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
pawn), as i l l u st rated by J o se Rao u l Capablanca i n seve ral of h i s
books.
CENTRALIZ E (v. ) To place one's p ieces i n , o r as close to, the
board's center (e4 , d4, eS , dS). S o p l ac e d , they h ave m o re scope
and ca n l i m it t h e i r e n emy cou n te rpa rts .
C E N T U R I N l'S POS I T I O N (n .) A f a m o u s e n d ga m e of 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
e laborate B i s h op mane uver gai n s a tempo and wi n s .
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
n e e d s to t h wa rt a n enemy passed paw n 's advance and/or h a rass
I
t h e e nemy K i n g , without fea r of attack itself. The Roo k , a l o n g-
G LOSSARY • 299
ra n ge p i ec e , f u n ct i o n s to best advantage when it is at least
t h ree sq uares away from its target (the en emy Ki n g o r pawn).
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
B l ac k 's Rook checked from d B , the th ree s q u a res between en­
s u re that the Rook has the "chec k i n g d i stance" a n d cou l d
p revent t h e adva n ce of K i n g and paw n . I f the Rook were a t d7,
h oweve r, with only two squ ares between , the Rook wo u l d have
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 ,
su bseq u e n tly escap i n g c h e c k s and advanci n g h i s pawn .
COMPANION SQUARE (n.) Another name for a CORRESPO N D I N G
S Q UARE.
CONJUGATE SQUARE (n .) Another name for a CORRESPO N D I N G
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.
COORD INATE SQUARE (n.) Another name for a CORRES PO N D I N G
S Q UARE .
CORRALLI N G A KNI GHT (n .) Trap p i ng a Kni ght with a Bi shop
along the edge of the board . Fo r exa m p l e , a B lack K n i ght o n aS
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
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
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
pawns are o b stac l e s , preferably on e's K i n g shou l d o cc u py its
co rrespon d i ng s q uare i m med iately after the oppone nt's Ki n g
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
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 ,
Coord inate S q u are, Re lated Sq uare, and S i ste r S q u a re .
CP (n .) The abb reviation for ce nter-pawn , a pawn on either
the d- o r e-fi l e .
CRITICAL SQUARE (n .) A s q u a re whose occ u pati on by the
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
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
c a n occ u py a n y of h i s paw n 's criti cal square s . Rook-pawn s have
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 .
F ixed paw n s m a y have as m a n y as s i x .
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 • G LOSSARY G LOSSARY • 301

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 .) A s i m u lta n e o u s attack aga i n st two sepa­
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).
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 .) Two frie n d l y pawns that l i n e u p on the
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.
CUT-OFF (n .) Creation of a barrie r with a Qu een or Rook , 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 U P T H E EXCHAN G E .

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 .

DARK-SQUARE B ISHOP (n .) A B i s h op that trave l s o n ly on d a r k EDGE (n .) The board 's fou r outside rows of s q uare s : a-fi le, h ­
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 .) The swapp i n g of a Roo k fo r a m i n o r piece
DECOY (n .) An o u t s i de passed pawn offe red as a sac r i fice to ( B i sh o p o r K n i g ht). You either "wi n the exch ange" or " l ose the
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. exchan ge . "
DIAGONAL MARCH (n .) A man euver enab l i n g a Ki n g to ap­ 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 .) Two paw n s-one White, o n e B l ack-fac i n g
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 O PPO S I T IO N . move.
DIRECT OPPOSITION (n . ) A n opposition on a f i l e , ran k , o r FLA N K ATTAC K (n.) A Roo k attack aga i n st the e n e m y Ki n g
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 O PPO S I T I O N . to save a gam e .
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.

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 .) A d i rect attack , u s u a l l y by a Roo k on a
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 OPPOSITI O N . opposed to a rear attack from behi n d . Ki n gs a l s o g ive frontal
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 REAR ATTACK .

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 FRONTIER (n .) A n i magi nary l i n e separati n g the 4th and 5th
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. GAIN A MOVE (v.) To compl ete an action , seq u e n ce , o r p l a n
302 • G LOSSARY G LOSSARY • 303

i n o n e l e s s m ove than apparently needed. A playe r ga i n s advan­
tage by cau s i n g or fo rci ng his oppo n e nt to waste a move,
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 .
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
s q u ares . D i rect h o rizo n ta l opposition has one sq u are betwe e n ,
d i stant h o rizontal opposition has t h ree s q u ares betwe e n , a n d
l o n g- d i stant h o r izonta l opposition h a s five s q uares b etwee n .
See O PPO S IT I O N .
squ ares on ly. For White, t h e B i s h o p that starts the game on f1 ;
for B l ac k , t h e o n e t h at beg i n s on c8 .
LIVE S I D E (n .) 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 ,
ra n k , o r d iagonal i n which t h e Ki n gs are sepa rated by five
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
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
d i agonal opposition is a l o n g a d iagon al . See O P PO S I T 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.) 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 . 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
ISOLATED PAWN (n .) A pawn with n o fri e nd ly paw n s o n ei­ a s u ccessf u l flan k attack . Th u s , the p ri n ciple "Move you r Rook
t h e r adjace nt fi l e a n d wh ich t h e refore can not be guarded by to the l o n g s i d e . "
a n other pawn . LOSE A MOVE (v.) To create a zugzwang s i tuatio n by a s e r i es of
KEY SQUARE (n.) A n other name fo r CRITI CAL SQUA R E . moves that fo rce t h e opponent to give way. It i nvolves keep i ng
K I N G-BISHOP (n.) Fo r eith er side, the Bishop that starts the 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 .
K N I G HT'S CORRALL (n .) A B i s h o p t rap of a Kni ght along the LUCE NA'S POS ITION (n .) Named after L u i s Ra m i rez Lucena
edge. (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
KNIGHT'S J U MP (n .) 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
K n i g ht's Move . 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 .
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
same color. They sta n d i n o pposi t i o n , even though they are a
K n i g ht's j u m p away from each ot h e r, becau se b locked pawns
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 ­
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 B i s h op that t rave l s on l i ght
LU FT (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,
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
pawn i n front of t h e Ki n g so that it can escape back- row mates .
MAJOR P I ECES (n .) 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
place m e n t o f o n e o r more pieces.
304 • G LOSSARY GLOSSARY • 305

MI NOR PIECES (n .) B i s hops a n d K n i g h t s . Also cal l e d Light for the e n emy Ki n g to defe n d . See U N D ERPASS and CRO S S OV E R .

Pieces. OUTSIDE PASSED PAWN (n.) A pawn free to m ove towa rd

N P (n .) The abb reviat i o n for K n i g h t- pawn , a pawn o n either promotio n , positioned away from the main figh ti n g area. It is
the g- o r b-fi l e . 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
O PPO S ITI O N . K i n g can tri u m p h on t h e oth e r s i d e .
OCCUPATION (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.
specific s q u a r e . PASSIVE (adj.) Refers to a m ove that m e rely guards o r wa rds
OPEN F I LE (n .) 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
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
ORS. sq uare, with n o e n e my paw n s to block its p rogress to the last
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 .) A gro u p of fri e n d ly pawns sepa rated from
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
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).
OPPOSITIONAL FIELD (n .) Th e i nte rre lation of every pos s i b l e
opposition, taken i n seq u e n ce, exte n d i n g across the enti re
board . Th u s , if a p l ayer gets the long- d i stant oppositi o n , he can
co nvert it to a d i sta nt opposi t i o n as the oppone nt's Ki n g ap­
p roac h e s , and t h e reafter to a d i rect opposition if h i s King steps
even closer. See 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
s i d e critical s q u a re , especial ly to w i n a fixed en emy pawn
d efended o n l y by its K i n g .
OUTSIDE CRITICAL SQUARE (n .) The critical s q u are farthest
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
PE RPETUAL CHECK (n .) A seq u ence of checks fro m wh ich the
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
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
repetition of positi o n . As a playe r i s about to repeat a position
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
repetitions n ee d n ot occu r o n consecutive m oves for the r u l e
to a p ply. A l s o ca l l e d Perpetu al a n d Pe rpetual Attack .
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
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
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
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
c o m i n g closer. If the pl aye r's opponent p u s hes the pawn to
306 • 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
advance, the d raw can be mai ntai n e d by tran sferri n g the Rook
to the back ran k , w h e re it can th reaten to give an a n n oyi ng
s e ri e s of checks.
PH I L I DOR'S POS ITION (n.) In the Ki n g , Roo k , and Bi s h o p vs.
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
by Francois-A n d res Danican P h i l i d o r (1 726-95).
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
d i agon a l , but do occ u py squares of the same col o r. I f a rec­
ta ngle were d rawn a l o n g the peri meter of s q uares con ta i n i n g
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
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
" 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 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
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
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 OPPOSITI O N .

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 .) A r u l e of the game
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 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
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 .
A l s o ca l l e d the Q u ee n i ng Sq uare . RIG HT-TRIAN GLE CHECK (n. ) An i ma g i n e d right triangle that
PROTECTED PASSED PAWN (n .) A pawn gua rded by a friendly can be traced ove r the arrangement of th ree pieces (two Ki n gs
pawn , therefore safe fro m enemy Ki n g attac k . in the same ra n k or fi l e , separated by o n e square , a n d one
PROMOTION (n .) C reation o f a n ew Queen w h e n a pawn ch ecki ng major p i ece , placed at a right angle to the l i n e of
reaches its last ra n k . Also ca l l e d Q u e e n i n g . 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
QUE EN-BISHOP (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 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
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). 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.
Q U E E N I N G S Q U A R E (n . ) A n oth e r name for P ro m ot i o n A l o n g the board's edge, s u ch a check g ives mate.
S q u a re . ROLL (n .) A s e q u e nce of forc i n g checks by two p i eces of l i ke
QUEENSIDE MAJO RITY (n .) An advantage in which havi n g power that d r ive a defen d i n g Ki n g to the edge or corner, row
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 after row, by co n s ecut ive f i l e s , ran k s , or d iagona l s .
to c reate a p a s s e d pawn that may be u sed as a decoy. 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
REAR ATIACK (n .) An attack by a Ki n g o r Rook from be h i n d a 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 .) G e n e ral ly, an i m portant ra n k f o r a 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
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 .) The s i de o f a Kn i gh t , B i s h op, o r ce nte r-pawn
RELATED SQUARE (n .) An oth e r n a me for C O R R E S PO N D I N G offe ri n g the fewest n u mber of f i l e s to the edge of the board .
S Q UA R E . ( 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
RECTA N G U LAR OPPOSITION (n .) 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
308 • 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
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
side."
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 .) A v i s u a l trick to dete r m i n e if a
Ki n g can ove rtake a passed paw n . You envi s i o n a gro u p of
s q u are s as a s q u a re block, where the sides of the bl ock are
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
chessboa rd s q u a re with i n the i magi n ed b l ock k n own as "the
s q u are of t h e paw n , " the Ki n g can ove rtake the pawn and
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
" s q u are of t h e pawn , " the pawn beco mes a new Q u e e n . I f a
passed pawn occ u p i e s a6 , the " s q u are of the paw n " i s a th ree
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,
a7, a8 , b8, c8 , c7, c6, b6, a n d b7. If the paw n i s on aS , 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
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
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
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
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 ,
which therefore exte n d s from a3 to a8 to f8 t o f4 . The " s q u are of
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 .
SQUEEZE (n .) A zugzwang i n King a n d pawn ve rs u s Ki n g
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
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
GLOSSARY • 309
pawn safely adva n ce s to the 7th ran k without gi vi n g chec k .
Some writers d i sti n g u i s h between s q u eeze and zugzwang. For
t h e m , zugzwang means neithe r playe r wants to m ove, while
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 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
guard e d b y a fri e n d ly pi ece o r pawn .
TAKING AWAY THE LAST SQUARE (n .) 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.
TAKING THE OPPOS ITION (n .) Getti n g the advantage for
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
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
betwee n . Th e e n e my K i n g , occupy i n g a sq uare of the same
col o r, then o r s oo n , has to give way. Also movi ng you r King i n to
position with the e n emy Ki n g to s h ape a recta n g l e , as in rec­
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
recta n g l e a re o d d . See OPPOSITI O N .
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
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
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
abstruse fo r m u l as .
THREAT (n .) An attempt to gain advantage by trapp i n g , cap­
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/
or squares .
TRIA N G U LAT I O N (n .) A m a n e u ve r i n wh i c h a K i n g ( a n d
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
310 • G LOSSARY
GLOSSARY • 31 1

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 ZUGZWANG (n .) A wo rd from G e rman that means " co m p u l ­
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, 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 ­
the Ki n g's move m e nt traces a trian g l e . notation . I f a p laye r i s " i n Zugzwan g, " a n y m ove he ca n make
TWO BISH OPS (n .) A type o f advantage, whereby one s i d e loses or worsens h i s position.
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 ZW ISCHENZUG (n .) A German term me a n i n g " i nte r m e d i ate
Kn i ghts. 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
U N DERPROMOTION (n . ) C reat i o n of a Rook , B i s h op, or pected m ove , such as a check, that a l l ows a p l aye r to delay
Kn i ght-i n stead of a Qu een-when a pawn reaches its 8th recapt u r i n g e l sew h e re for o n e m ove .
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 .
 I ndex
Active Defe n s e , 266
Alignment, 1 1 1
Another Mate i n Fo u r, 37
Any-Rook Move Mate, 27
Attac k i n g t h e Weak S i d e , 65
Avoi d t h e Corner, 21 4
Avo i d i n g S ta l e m ate, 2 1 8
Bac k i n g Off, 22
Back-Rank Escape, 241
Bad Ki ng's Po sitio n , 247
Badly Placed Roo k , 1 82
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 check-
mates, 34-43
The Drive, 42
K i n g S h ift , 4 1
The L o c k , 39
Mate in Fou r, 36-38
Mate in Three, 35
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
Critical S q u a re 1 , 206
C r i t i cal Sq uare 2, 21 0
Critical-Squ are Fight, 21 1
M i s placed Bish op, 207
Wrong Co lor B i s hop, 208
and pawn(s) vs. b i s hop, 272-85
Bishops of Opposite Colors , 283
Centu r i n i 's Pos i t i o n , 277-78
Defl ecti n g Sacrifice, 273
Deflect i o n , 274
313
O u t f l a n k i n g , 285
P u s h-Off 1 , 275
Push -Off 2 , 279
Rear Defense, 280-81
Stopp i n g the Advance, 284
Stop the B l oc k , 272
Zu gzwang 1 , 276
Z u gzwang 2, 282
and pawn vs. k n i g h t , 288-92
Blockade, 291
Corra l l i n g, 292
Corral l i n g 1 , 288
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
Cornered, 21 3
Misplaced B i s hop, 21 2
S q u are of t h e Paw n , 21 5
vs. pawn, 1 90-91
Creat i n g a B l oc k , 1 91
Di scovered Mate, 1 90
vs. roo k. See Rook, vs. b i s hop
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
Blocking t h e Q u e e n i n g Sq uare, 1 72
Block O u t , 295
Board's Edge, 1 95
Breaki ng Coordi nati o n , 67
Breaking Down the Fortress 1 , 227
Breaking the Barrier, 263
Brea k i n g Down the Fortress 2, 228
Break i n g t h e C u t-off, 243
Breakt h ro u g h , 1 53
Breakthrough 1 , 146
31 4 • I N DEX I N DEX • 315

Breakth rough Com bi nation 1 , 1 65 D i scovered Mate, 1 90 F l a n k Attack 2, 252 Oppos itional Field, 1 63
B reakthrough Combi nation 2, 1 66 Distant Opposition , 91 , 1 26, 1 42 Forced Mate, 47 O p positional F i g h t , 1 62
B ridge, The, 244 Doubl e-Threat Q u e e n , 53 Force t h e Pawn to t h e 7t h , 21 7 Rear Outfl a n k i n g , 1 6 0
Drive, The, 42-43 Fortress, T h e , 226 Tem po , 1 67
Driving Off, 240, 294 From Edge to Edge, 52 Tri a n g u l ation , 1 61
Cent u r i n i 's Pos i t i o n , 277-78 D r i v i n g Off the Pro m o t i o n S q u a r e , Frontal Attack , 1 86 and pawn vs. k i n g , 73-1 03
C h a n g i n g t h e C r i t ical S q u ares, 1 25 259 Frontal Defense, 83 Clearing t h e Pat h , 76
C h ase, Th e , 60 D u al Methods, 54 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 ,
Ci rcuit, The, 1 98 G a i n i n g Ti m e , 1 76 1 02
Cl earance, 1 36 Getting Back, 1 1 3 , 1 79 Critical S q u are, 78-79
C l ea r i n g the Pat h , 76 E l e m entary checkmates Glossary, 297-31 0 Crit ical Squ ares #2, 99
Clos i n g I n , 21 heavy pieces D i rect Oppos i t i o n , 86-87
Closing t h e Door, 32 Any-Rook Move Mate, 27 Distant Opposition , 91
Closing the Net, 28 Bac k i n g Off, 22 H e avy p i eces. See also specific pieces escort p ro b l e m s , 76-77
Color R u l e , 21 6 Clos i n g I n , 21 in combat, 45-55 Extended Overpass, 93
Connected Pawns on 6th Rank, 1 84 Closing the Net, 28 q u e e n v s . q u e e n , 47-48 Frontal Defe nse, 83
Contro l l i n g t h e C r i t i cal Squ are, 1 02 Cu t-Off, 23 q u e e n v s . rook, 49-55 K n i ght-Pawn Trap, 90
Co nvoy, 296 " C ut-Off" Mate, 26 two q u ee n s , 46 Long- D i stant Oppo s i t i o n , 1 00
Corner C u r l U p, 220 Erect i n g the Barri e r, 24 elementary checkmates, 1 8-28 Maintai n i n g the Opposition, 98
Corner Drive, 61 Q u een and Rook Ro l l , 1 8 Any-Rook Move Mate, 27 Opposing, 79
Corner Retreat, 293 Rol l i n g Barr i e r, 1 9 Bac k i n g Off, 22 Opposi t i o n , 95
Cornered, 213 Rook Barrier, 20 C l o s i n g I n , 21 O p positional Squ eeze, 80
Corral l i ng, 292 Wa i t i ng-Move Mate, 25 C l o s i n g t h e Net, 28 Rear Defe n s e , 1 03
Corra l l i n g 1 , 288 m i nor pieces (bishop and k n i g ht), Cut-Off, 23 Reserve Te m po, 96
Correspo n d i n g S q u a r e s , 1 49-50 34-43 "Cut-Off" Mate, 26 Rook-Pawn Draws, 1 01
Creat i n g a Block, 1 91 T h e Drive, 42 Erect i n g t h e Barrier, 24 S h i e l d i n g Off, 77
C r i t i cal Retreati n g D i ago nal , 1 22 K i n g S h i ft , 41 Q u een and Rook Rol l , 1 8 S q u are of the Paw n , 74
C r i t i cal S q u are, Outside, 92 The Lock, 39 Rol l i ng Barri e r, 1 9 The S q ueeze, 78
Critical S q u a re 1 , 206 Mate in Fo u r, 36-38 Rook Barrier, 20 Stal e m ate, 85
Criti cal Square 2, 99, 21 0 Mate in Three, 35 Wai t i n g-Move Mate, 25 Stepp i n g into t h e S q u are , 75
Cri tical Squ are s , 88--89 Mate in Two, 34 H i d i ng, 237 Transition to a Squ eeze , 84
Critical-Square Fight, 21 1 Transition to t h e Loc k , 40 H o rizontal Oppos i t i o n , 1 59 U n d e rpass 1 , 94
Cross-Check 1 , 231 m i n o r pieces (two b i s hops), 30-33 Un derpass 2, 97
Cross-Check 2, 232 Bishop Ro l l , 30 Ve rtical S q u eeze, 82
Cu rled U p, 222 C l o s i n g t h e Door, 32 I n s i de t h e Pawn's Square, 1 1 5 and pawn vs. k i n g and pawn , 1 1 7-
Cut-Off, 23 Po sitioning The King, 31 1 33
Cut-Off Along Ran k , 1 78 Ta k i n g Away Squares, 33 C h a n g i n g t h e C r i t i ca l S q u a res ,
"Cut-Off" Mate, 26 Q u e e n and Rook Rol l , 1 8 Jett i s o n , 1 52 1 25
Cut-Off-No C h e c k i n g D i stance, Rol l i n g Barrier, 1 9 Critical Retreat i n g Diagonal , 1 22
261 -62 Rook Barrier, 20 Defensive Pitch, 1 2 1
Waiti ng-Move Mate, 25 King Diagonal Bloc k , 1 3 0
E n c i rc l e m e nt, 289 a n d pawn, m i scellaneous posi­ Diagonal March , 133
Dangerous Rook-Pawn , 200 Erect i n g the Barrier, 24 t i o n s , 1 5 7-67 D i stant Oppos i t i o n , 1 26
Decoy, 1 1 4 Escap i n g Along t h e Fi l e , 242 B l oc k i n g t h e C r i t ical D i agon a l , F e i n t , The, 1 32
Defensive Pitch , 1 2 1 Exchanging Down, 268 1 64 Outflanki ng, 1 1 8
Deflecting Sacrifice, 273 Extended Overpass, 93 Breakthrough Co m b i n at i o n 1 , Outfl a n k i ng Trebuchet, 1 2 0
Deflection , 274, 286 1 65 passed pawn s , 1 2 9-33
Diagonal Block, 1 30 Breakthrough Combi nation 2 , pawns on adjacent f i l e s , 1 24-27
D i agonal Marc h , 1 3 3 , 1 37 Fei n t , The, 1 32 1 66 pawns on same f i l e , 1 1 8-23
D i agonal S q u eeze, 81 F l a n k Attac k, 255 D i rect Oppos i t i o n , 1 58 S h i e l d i n g Off, 1 2 3
Di rect Oppositi o n , 86-87, 1 58 F l a n k Attack 1 , 246 Horizontal Opposition, 1 5 9 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
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
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
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
Las ker's Pi n , 269
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
I N DEX • 3 1 7
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 heavy pieces
Mate in Fou r, 36, 203 in act i o n , 71-167
Mate in Fo u r, Another, 37 k i ng and pawn vs. k i ng , 73-1 03
Mate in Four, A T h i r d , 38 k i n g a n d pawn v s . k i n g a n d
Mate in t h e Corner, 1 99 pawn, 1 1 7-33
Mate in Three, 35, 202 k i n g and two paw n s v s . king,
Mate in Two, 34 , 1 75, 201 1 05-15
M i no r pieces . See also specific pieces k i n g and two pawns vs. k i n g a n d
b i s h o p and paw n ( s ) vs. b i s hop, pawn, 1 35-55
272-85 m i s ce l l a n e o u s k i n g a n d pawn
bi shop and pawn v s . k n i g h t , 288-92 positions, 1 57-67
elem entary checkmates, 30-43 and pieces i n action , 1 69--296
bishop and k n i g h t , 34-43 h e avy pieces, 225-33
two bi shops, 30--3 3 h e avy pi eces vs. pawn, 1 71-87
knigh t and pawn vs . b i s hop, 293-96 m i nor piece p l u s paw n , 205-23
knigh t and pawn v s . kni ght, 286-87 m i nor pieces, 271-96
and pawn , 205-23 m i n o r pieces vs. pawn , 1 89--2 03
bishop and pawn, 20fr1 1 rooks, 235-69
bis hop and pawn vs. pawn, 2 1 2- a n d rook vs. queen and pawn, 227-
215 228
kn ight and pawn, 21 fr1 9 Pawn Mate, 1 08
kn ight a n d pawn vs. pawn, 220-- Pawn Pitch , 143
223 Pawn Pitch 1 , 1 06
vs. pawn(s), 1 89--2 03 Pawn Pitch 2, 1 09
b i s hop, 1 90--91 Pawn Sac, 145
knight(s), 1 92-203 Pawn S h el ter, 254
and rook, 57-70 Pawn's Way, 1 92
M i sp l aced B i s hop, 207, 212 Perpetual Attack, 55
Perpet ual Attack 1 , 50
Perpetual C h ec k , 46, 1 93 , 233
No Stalemate, 1 77 Perpet u a l Threat, 1 87
Ph i l idor's Draw, 256
Phil i d or's Position, 51 , 70
Oppos i n g , 79 P i n and Wi n , 59
Opposition, 95, 1 1 2 Pos i t i onal Draw, 62
Oppos ition, D i stant, 126 Pos i t i o n i n g the K i n g , 31
Oppositional Field, 1 63 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 ,
Oppositional Fight , 1 62 245
Oppos itional S q u e ez e , 80 Push-Off 1 , 275
O u tflan k i n g , 1 1 8, 1 54 , 223, 285 Push-Off 2, 279
Outfl a n k i n g 1 , 148
Outflanki ng-Oppos i t i o n , 147 Q u ee n
Outfl a n k i n g Trebuchet, 1 20 i n e l e m e ntary checkmat e s , 21-24
Outside Critical S q u a re , 92 Bac k i n g Off, 22
Outside Passed Pawn , 1 38 C l o s i n g I n , 21
Cut-Off, 23
Erect i n g the Barr i e r, 24
Passive Defe n s e D raws 1 , 248 vs. pawn(s), 1 72-77
Passive Defe n s e Draws 2, 249, 257 Blocking the Q u e e n i n g S q u ar e ,
Passive Defense Loses 1 , 249 1 72
J i ii • I N DE X I N DEX • 3 1 9

(_)U('Cfl (( <HJl. I Po si tional D raw, 62 I lank Attack, 255 S h u t I n , 239

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 , 227-
228
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
From Edge to Edge, 52
Perpetual Attac k , SS
Perpetual Attack 1 , SO
Ph i l i dor's Pos i t i o n , S1
Stalemat e Sacrifice, 49
vs. rook and pawn , The Fortress,
226
Q u e e n and Rook Ro l l , 1 8
Rear Attack o n Advanced Pawn, 1 8S
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
Right-Corner Mate, 58 F l a n k Attack 1 , 246 S h o rt-Side Prob l e m , 253
and b i s hop vs . rook, 65-70 F l a n k Attack 2, 2S2 S kewer, 1 31 , 267
Attacking t h e Weak S i d e , 6S H i d i n g , 237 Skewer 1 , 236
Breaking Coordi n at i o n , 67 K i n g to the Short Side, 260 S p l i t-Pawn Defe n s e , 1 1 0
Ph i l i dor's Pos i t i o n , 70 Mainta i n i n g the Barrier, 251 S q u a re of the Pawn , 74, 21 5
Rook Lift 1 , 66 Passive Defense Draws 1 , 248 S q ueeze, 78, 1 24
Rook L i ft 2 , 68 Passive Defense D raws 2, 257 S q ueezi ng I n , 1 29
Sh ifting S i des, 69 Passive Defense Loses 1 , 249 Sta l e m ate, 85
e l e m entary checkmates, 2S-28 Passive Defe n s e Loses 2, 258 Stalemate 1 , 1 73
Any-Rook Move Mate, 27 Pawn Sh elter, 254 Stalemate 2, 1 74
Clos i n g t h e Net, 28 P h i l idor's Draw, 256 Sta l e m ate Sacrifice, 49
"Cut-Off" Mate, 26 Preve n t i n g the Checking Dis- Stalemate Trick, 250
Rook Barrier, 20 tance, 24S Steppi n g i n to the S q u are, 7S
Wait i ng-Move Mate, 25 Short-Side Pro b l e m , 253 Stopping the Adva nce, 284
vs. k n ight, 63-64 S h u t I n , 239 Stop t h e B l oc k , 272
Separation, 63 S kewer 1 , 236
Togeth e rness, 64 Sta l e m ate Tr i c k , 250
vs. pawn, 1 79-83 . See a/so vs. two Two- F i l e Cut-Off, 264-6S Tak i n g Away S q u ares, 33
pawns below Z u gzwang, 238 Te m po, 1 67
Badly Placed Roo k , 1 82 vs . queen , 49-55 Te m po Finesse-Oppos i t i o n , 1 81
C u t-Off Along Ran k, 1 78 Dou b l e-Threat Q u e e n , S3 Te mporiz i n g , 1 39
Getting Back, 1 79 Dual Methods, 54 T h i rd Mate in Fo u r, A, 38
Repos i t i o n , 1 80 From Edge to Edge, 52 Togetherness, 64
Saavedra's Pos i t i o n - U n d e r Pro­ Perpetual Attack, 55 Trnnsition to a S q u eeze, 84
motion, 1 83 Perpet ual Attack 1 , SO Transition to the Lock, 40
Tempo Fines se-Oppos i t i o n , 1 81 Ph i l i dor's Po s i t i o n , 51 Trebuchet, 1 1 9
and pawns , 266--69 Stal e m ate Sacrifice, 49 Triangu lation, 1 4 0-41 , 1 61
Active Defe nse, 266 and q u ee n , i n e l e m entary check­ Two - F i l e Cut-Off, 264-6S
Exchanging Down, 268 mates
Laske r's Pi n , 269 Q u een and Rook Rol l , 1 8
S k ewer, 267 Rol l i ng Barrier, 1 9 U n d e rpass, 1 27-28
and pawn vs. q u e e n , The Fortress, vs. two pawns, 1 84-87 U nde rpass 1 , 94
226 Connected Pawns on 6th Rank, U nde rpass 2, 97
a n d pawn v s . q u e e n and pawn, 1 84
227-28 Frontal Attack, 1 86
B re a k i n g Down t h e Fortress 1 , Perpet u al Threat, 1 87 Ve rtical S q u eeze, 82
227 Rear Attack on Advanced Paw n ,
B re a k i n g Down t h e Fortress 2, 1 8S
228 Rook Barri er, 20 Wai t i n g-Move Mate, 25
and pawn vs. rook, 236--65 Rook L i ft 1 , 66 Wro n g Color B i s hop, 208
Back-Rank Escape, 241 Rook L i ft 2, 68
Bad K i n g's Pos i t i o n , 247 Rook-Pawn Draws, 1 01
B reaking t h e Barr i e r, 263 X-Ray Attack, 48
B reaking the Cut-off, 243
The Bridge, 244 Saavedra's Pos i t i o n-U n d e rpromo-
Cut- Off-No Chec k i n g D i stance, tion, 1 83 Zugzwang, 238
261 -62 Separation , 63 Z u gzwang 1 , 276
D ri v i n g Off, 240 Sett i n g t h e Barr i e r, 1 96 Zugzwang 2, 282
D ri v i n g Off the Promoti o n Sett i n g t h e Barrier 2, 1 97 Zugzwang 3, 290
S q u a re , 259 S h i e l d i n g Off, 77, 1 2 3
Escaping Along t h e F i l e , 242 S hifti n g S i d e s , 69

······-··---· . . ·- ·-----
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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potmltial pO'iVElr of ea <:he55 ptece Ui mi.ery chess sil\1a1i0fl-from
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