Six

Hundred
Endings
Six Hundred Endings
PERGA:\ION CHESS SERIES

General Editor: DAVID :N. L. LEVY

Executire Editor: MARTIN J. RICHARDSON

ALEXANDER. C. H. O'D. & BEACH. T. J.

L.:arn Che~s: A :"Jew Way for All

AVERBAKH, Y.
Chess Endings: Essential Knowlcd:!L'

BARDEN, L. \\".
The Ruy Lopez: Winnin~ Ches~ with 1 P-K4

BELL. A.
The Machin,· Pl~1ys Chcss"!

CAFFERTY, B. & HOOPER, D.

A Complete Defence to I P-K4, 2nd Edition

GLIGORIC. S. & SOKOLOV. V.

The Sicilian Defcnce, Volume I

KEENE, R.
The Chcss Cnmbination from Philidor to Karpov

ANNOTATED BY KORCHNOI, V.
Viktor Korchnoi's Best Games

LEVY, D. N. L.
Learn Chess from the World Champions

COUNT O'KELLY DE GALWAY. A.

Tign:n Petrosian-World Champion
Six Hundred Endings

by

LAJOS PORTISCH & BALAzS SARK0ZY

Translated by Sandor Eszenyi

Translation editors: Kenneth P. Neat &
Jerry Payne

PERGAMON PRESS
OXFORD • NEW YORK • TORONTO • SYDNEY · PARIS • FRANKFURT
U.K. Pergamon Press Ltd .. Headington Hill Hall,
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Hammerweg 6. Federal Republic of Germany

C<'ryright jj C...>n·ina Kiad6, Budapest, Hungary, 1981

All Rights Resened• .Yo part of this publication may be
rc•produc, .!, stored in a retriel·al system or transmitted ill
any form~or by any means: electronic, electrostatic,
magnetic tape, mtclzanical, photocopying, rtcording or
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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Portisch. Lajos
Six hundred endings-(Pergamon Chess Series)
I. Chess-End games
I. Title II. Sarkozy, Balizs
794.1 '24 GV1450.7 80-40754
ISBN ()-80-024137-9 hardcover

This is a translation of the

original Hungarian edition entitled 600 t·igjdtek,
published by Sport (Budapest), 1976
Published in co-operation with Corvina Kiad6, Budapest
Printed in Hungary by Franklin Prlntilrg HoUR
Contents
Preface VII
Pawn Endings
I. Opposition
a) Geometrical Opposition
b) Square Opposition ( Co"esponding Squares) . 9
c) Knight Opposition 12
IJ. The Square of a Passed Pawn 13
III. The Outside Passed Pawn 16
IV. Pawn Break-through . . 19
V. Stalemating Combinations 23
VI. A voiding Stalemate . . • 28
VII. Pawn Obstruction and Zugzwang 2:-\
VIII. Space- and Time-winning Manreuvres, and P0sitional Struggles 31

Knight and Bishop Endings . . . . • . . 41

I. Mate with Two Minor Pieces (Including Two Knights against One or :!\f0re
Pawns) . . . . . . . . 4~
JI. One Side has a Knight 44
III. Knight v. Knight :'(1
IV. One Side has a Bishop 54
V. Bishop v. Bishop (same colour) 6-+
VI. Bishop v. Bishop (opposite colour) 71
VII. Bishop or Knight?! . . . 75
VIII. The Two Bishops
IX. Minor Pieces in Opposition 8t>

Rook Endings . . 91
I. Rook v. Pawns 91
II. Rook v. Rook 101
a) Rook and Pall'n l'. Rook 101
b) Rook and Two Pall'ns v. Rook . lOS
c) Rook and Pawn v. Rook and Pawn 110
d) Rook and Two Pmms v. Rook and Pawn 11~
,.; Contents

e) Rook E11di11gs wirtz SCl-eral Pwms: Material Advantage 117

/) Rook Endings trirll Sereral Pawns; Positional Ad•·antage 124
Ill. Two Rooks v. Two RL'oks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Queen Endings 133

I. Queen v. Pawns . . . . . 133
JI. Queen and Pawn v. Queen 137
III. Queen Endings with Several P.m ns 141
IV. Queen and Minor Pieces . . . . . 146
a) Queen and Bishop (or Knight) 1·. Queen ami Bishop (or IV1ight) 146
b) Queen v .•Minor Pieces . . . . . . 149
V. Queens and Rooks . . . . . . . . 155
a) Queen and Rook r. Queen and Rook 155
b) Queen 1". Rook . . . . . . . 157
c) Queen 1". Two Rooks . . . . . 160
VJ. Queen v. Rook ami \lilll'r Pi.:..:e 166

~liscellaneous Endings (Rooks and :\linor Pieces) . 169

I. The Advantage of the Exchange . 169
II. Rook and Minor Pie<.:e v. Rook 183
III. Two Minor Pieces v. Rook . . 187
IV. Rook and Bishop (or Knight) against Rl'ok and Bishop (or Knight) 191

Index of Players and Anaf.rsts • • . . . . . • • . • • • . . . • . . 195

Preface
The beauty of chess lies in the cut and thrust of combination and counter-combination,
and in the rapid and precise execution of ideas. Thorough preparatory study is, of course,
the prerequisite for quick and correct action, and for successful competitive play. It is
a mistake, however, to limit one's studies solely to opening theory; one must also delw
into the theory of the endgame.
Opening theory classifies possible continuations of the various opening moves, and
assists in the development of the battle forces. The theory of openings is ine:xhaustibk,
since it is constantly being developed and extended, and new analyses may well in-
validate established theory,
Endgame theory has a more permanent value, particularly the rules and principles
concerning elementary positions. These may be considered as being definitive:. Before
dealing with the endgame, we ought to know what part of the game should be so regarded.
Several problem composers hold that the endgame starts when the player who is about
to move can force a win or draw from the position against any variation. Artur Havasi.
the renowned Hungarian master problem composer, divided endings into three catef. ·-
ries: 1. theoretical, 2. practical, and 3. artistic endings (studies). He defined these cat~­
gories as follows: 1. Theoretical endings arc positions where the correct line is gcne•·ally
known and thoroughly analysed, and where the solution is, therefore, only a question of
technique. 2. Practical endings are positions arising in the course of games, which skilful
play should transform into theoretical endgame positions. 3. The artistic ending (study)
is a contrived position which contains the theoretical endgame shrouded in problem-like
complications.
In view of the vast amount of material to be processed, we could not, unfortunately.
aspire to comprehensiveness. We have, however, aimed at a systematic presentation l'f
the most important endgame principks. Our chief concern has been to bring together
instructive material which can be used in o\·er-the-board play, rather than to amass
endgame gems. The endings in this volume, of necessity, deal with the final moves of
games, but we wish to point out the importance of indh·idual research work. It pays
the student to trace the development of the ending from the earlier stages of the game.
We trust you will find the book both rewarding and entertaining.

THE AUTHORS

vii
 Pawn Endings
The pawn structure is the backbone of every position. The pieces are free to move in
any direction. but pawns can only march forward; this is why every pawn mo\e must be
car.:fully weif:hed up bcfi.,rehand, since a premature pawn advance may result in fatal
weaknesses.
Pawn endings require particular attention, since there arc no other pieces in play
which could possibly eliminate tactical weaknesses. or counterbalance them hy securing
other advantages.
It is difficult to draw a line between pure pawn endings arrived at in the course of
over-the-board play, and other types of endings, since the former generally arise after
an exchange of pieces.
Nevertheless, for the sake of easier understanding, we will deal only with pure pawn
endings in this section. Of course, the reader will also find examples where the final
moves are made by a piece, usually by a queen, since the basic aim of pawn endings
is the promotion of a pawn.
We have grouped our pawn endings according to the tactical and strategic manreuvres
used, rather than the number of men on the board. In this grouping perhaps the
greatest importance is attached to:

I. OPPOSITION a) Geometrical Opposition

The opposition induces a forced move Opposition means that the two kings
on the part of the opponent. A player stand opposite each other. Geometrical
occupies an important square with his opposition occurs when the opposing
king, forcing the opposing king to aban- kings are positioned on the same file,
don his advantageous position. rank, or diagonal, and they are separated
Three varieties· of opposition are known: by an odd number of squares; it follows,
a) geometrical opposition, therefore, that correctly opposed Icings
b) square opposition (corresponding stand on squares of the same colour.
squares), and When preparing opposition on a diqo-
c) knight opposition. nal. it is very important to ascertaim 1lhe
We should like to deal with geometrical number of separating squares since in1!bis
opposition first, for we consider it to be arrangement the kings occupy squares d
the most important of the three varieties. the same colour whether they are correotily

I
2 Six Hundred Endings

opposed or not. When there is only one K-K2 8 P-Q6+ K-Q2 9 K-Q5 K-QI!
sqJJare between the opposed kings, it is IOK-B6K-Bill P-Q7+ K-QI 12 K-Q6
caJJed close opposition. When three or stalemate.
five squares separate them, we talk about But if it is Black to move, White has the
the distant opposition. opposition, which enables him to squeeze
out his opponent from the area in front
1 of the pawn, and thus promote it: I ..•
=I= K-K4 2 K-B4 K-Q3 3 K-Q4 K-B3
4 K-K5 K-Q2 5 K-Q5 K-K2 6 K~B6
K-Ql 7 K-Q6 K-K I 8 P-Q4 K-Ql
9 P-Q5 K-Kl 10 K-B7 etc.

I. (Theoretical ending.) Black moves his

king backwards and forwards in front of
the pawn until the white king advances
to the sixth rank. Black then moves his
king opposite White's (close opposition).
I K-K5 K-KI! (if 1 ... K-Ql (BJ)?,
then 2 K-Q6 (B6) K-Kl 3 P-K7 and wins) 3. (Theoretical ending.) Since Black can
2 K-Q6 (B6) K-QI (Bl) 3 P-Ki + K-KI only oppose the White king on the
4 K -K6, stalemate. promotion rank, he loses because the
If Black moves first: l ... K-Kl! subsequent pawn move causes a change in
2 K-K5 K-K2! 3 K-B5 K-K1! 4 K-B6 the possession of the opposition: 1 K-K6
K-BI 5 P-K7+ K-KI 6 K-K6 stalemate. K-Kl 2 P-Q6 K-Ql 3 P-Q7 etc.

2
=I-

2. (Theoretical ending.) If it is White to 4. (Theoretical ending.) At first sight,

move, Black has the opposition, and it appears that Black, who holds the oppo-
therefore he can prevent the promotion sition, should be able to draw. However,
of the pawn: 1 K-K3 K-K4! 2 P-Q4+ a subsequent pawn move (reserve move)
K-Q4 3 K-Q3 K-Q3 4 K-B4 K-B3 5 allows White to take the opposition.
P-Q5+ K-Q3 6 K-Q4 K-Q2 7 K-K5
 Opposition 3

I K-Q2 K-Ql 2 K-K3 K-K2 3 K-K4 regain the opposition only on the eighth
K-K3 (the bl.1ck king has moved according rank, which is insufficient for a draw.
to the rules of the opposition) 4 P-K3!
K-Q3 5 K-D5, and White wins.

7. (Theoretical ending.) The white king

~.·annotmo\'e to Q2 or B2 because after
5. (Theoretical ending.) The essential I ... P-B5 the black king would drive
difl'crence betwc..:n this position and the him out. Therefore White pren~nts the
pre\ ious one is that the pawn is on the black pawn from advancing, and sacrifices
third rank, which deprives White of his his pawn, which in any case he must lose,
reserve move even if he moves first. There- in return for the opposition: 1 P-B4!
fore he cannot gain the opposition. K-K5 2 K-Kl K-K6 3 K-BI K-B6
1 K-K2 K-K2 2 K-Q3(B3) K-Q2(B2)! 4 K-Kl KXP 5 K-B2, with a draw.
(distant opposition) 3 K-K4 K-K3 4
K-Q4 K-Q3 etc. Draw.

6
+I=

8. (Theoretical ending.) If White moves

his king, he loses not only his pawn, but
6. Berger. (Theoretical ending.) Mate- also the opposition. As in the previous
rial is equal, and the pawns are not example, White sacrifices his pawn to
blockaded. The result depends upon who gain the opposition, the only difference
it is to move. being that it is the distant, rather than the
1 • . . P-K4! 2 K-B6 K-N3 3 K-Q5 close opposition.
K-B2 4 KXP K-K2 (opposition on file) 1 P-K5 PXP 2 K-Bl! K-Q4 3 K-Ql!
5 K-B5 K-B2 6 P-K5 K-K2 7 P-K6 K-Q5 4 K-Q2 etc.
K-Kl !, with a draw.
If White moves first, 1 P-K5! wins,
because after losing his pawn Black can
4 Six Hundred Endings

Black draws more. easily if it is him to

move first: 1 ..• P-R4! 2 P-N5! K-Nl!
3 K-B5 K-N2 4 P-N6 P-RS etc.

9. (TheoreticaJ ending.) The position

is fairly simple, but carelessness can still
lead to disaster. The correct line is:
I P-Q4 K-KI 2 K-B7 P-Q4! (this sacri-
fice enables Black to take the opposition; 11. Ebersz. (Theoretical ending.) The
2 . . . K-K2 is incorrect because of opposition is gained by instructive tempo
3 P-Q5 K-KI 4 P-Q6, and wins) 3 K-B6 play: 1 K-N4! K-N5 2 K-B5! (2 K-B3?
K-K2 4 KXP K-Q2, with a draw. K-B4! 3 K-K4 K-B5, and draws) 2 ...
If Black moves first, events can develop K-BS 3 K-K4!, and White wins.
like this: I . . . K-Kl 2 P-Q4 K-Ql
3 P-Q5 K-Kl 4 K-B7 (an aggressive
attempt to win) 4 ... K-K2 5 K-B8!
(after 5 P-Q6+? K-K3, it is Black who
wins) 5 ... K-Q3 (5 ... P-Q3? 6 K-Bl,
and White's ploy succeeds) 6 K-Q8 etc.,
again with a draw.

12. Dedrle. (Theoretical ending.) The

white king's task is to win the black pawn
and to occupy one of the key squares
QR5, QN5 or QB5. However, he cannot
achieve this goal by the shortest route,
because after 1 K-B3? P-R6! the white
pawn is forced onto the rook's file, where
10. Fahrni. (Theoretical ending.) Black's it can easily be stopped by the black king.
position looks hopeless, but again he can White therefore attacks the black pawn
gain the opposition and draw by sacrificing via the longer route: 1 K-Nl! P-R6
his pawn. 2 P-N3! (2 P-N4? K-K3, with a draw)
1 K-B7 K-Rl! 2 K-N6 P-R4! 3 P-N5! 2 ... K-K3 3 K-R2 K-Q3 4 KXP K-B3
K-Nl! (after 3 ... P-R5? 4 K-Bl the 5 K-R4! K-N3 6 K-N4 and White
white pawn queens with check) 4 KXP wins, since he has opposition and is
K-R2, and draws. able to occupy one of the key squares.
 Opposition 5

is: if there is a pawn move in resen·c.

one must not take the opposition, hut
force the opponent to take it.

13. Neustadtl. (Theoretical ending.)

White's own pawn gets in the way if he
chooses close opposition, and he is unable
to maintain it after I K-B1? K-Q7
2 K-B2 K-Q6!, when 3 K-N3 K-K6 15. Fahmi. (Theoretical ending.) If it is
4 K-N2 K-K7 5 K-N3 K-KS 6 K-R3 White to move, after 1 P-N4+ P ;< P-:-
K-B7 7 K-N4 K-N7 leads to a win for 2 K-N3 a draw is inevitable. To win,
Black. The game can be saved only by the Black must avoid the exchange of pawns,
distant opposition, and so the correct and also gain the opposition.
line is: 1 ... K-N3 2 K-N2 K-B3 3 K-B3
1 K-Rl! K-B7 (I ... P-N5 leads to a K-Q4 4 K-Q3 P-N5! (Black l!:ains the
draw after 2 K-N2! K-Q7 3 PXP) 2 K-N2 opposition) 5 K-B2 K-K5! 6 K-02
K-Q7 3 K-R2! K-K7 4 K-N2 K-K6 K-Q5 7 K-B2 K-K6 8 K-N2 K-Q7 etc.
5 K-N3 etc.

16. Fahmi. (Theoretical ending.) White

14. Gruber-81irkozy (Budapest, 1926). can dictate the tempo by moving his rook's
White can save the game only if he breaks pawn either one or two squares, and con-
the rule of the opposition: 1 K-Q1! sequently he can also acquire the oppo-
K-Q6 2 K-Bl P-B7 3 P-R3 (this pawn sition.
move made it necessary for White to err 1 P-N4 K-Rl 2 P-N5 K-Nl 3 P-R3!
against the rule of the opposition on his (had Black moved first, the immediate
first mov:e) 3 .•. K-B6, stalemate. 3 P-R4 would have won) 3 . . . K-Rl
Gruber adhered to the opposition, and 4 P-R4 K-Nl 5 P-R5 K-Rl 6 P-~
lost after 1 K-B1? K-Q6 2 K-Ql P-B7 + (White has the opposition) 6 ... PxP
3 K-Bl K-B6 4 P-RJ K-N6. The moral 7 PXP K-Nl8 P-N7, and wins.
 6 Six Hundred Endi11gs

2nd variation: 2 K-N3 (with the inten-

tion of outflanking the black king, and
attacking the black pawn from the rear)
2 .•• K-Q4(diagonal opposition)3 K-N4
K-Q5 (horizontal opposition) 4 K-N5
K-Q4 5 K-N6 K-Q3 6 K-N7 K-Q2 7
P-N5 (the outflanking mana:uvre has
not succeeded, so now it is the pawn's
turn to try) 7 . . . K-K3 8 K-B6 K-B4
9 K-Q5 KXP 10 K-K4 K-N3! 11 KXP
17. S8rlr.ozy-Zimler (Budapest Cham-
K-B3, with a draw. '
pionship, 1925). With knight's pawn and
If it is White to move, Black's task is
rook's pawn against knight's pawn, White
easier, since he can gain the opposition
wins only if his king is in front of his
right from the start.
pawns, otherwise he cannot gain the
opposition. 19
1 K-N4! K-B3 2 P-R4 K-N3 3 P-R5+ +I=
K-R3 4 K-R4 K-R2 5 K-N5! K-Nl
6 K-N6 K-Rl (Black is hoping for stale-
mate) 7 P-R6 K-N1 8 P-N4, and White
wins.
18
=I=

19. Lasa. (Theoretical ending.) 1 K-Q3

fails to win, since after 1 . . . K-Q4!
(not 1 ... P-Q4? 2 P-B3 K-B3 3 K-Q4
K-Q3 4 P-K3! K-K3 5 P-K4! etc.) 2
P-K4+ K-K4 3 K-K3 P-Q3! 4 P-B4
K-K3 5 K-Q4 K-K2 (5 • • . K-Q2?
18. Fabmi. (Theoretical ending.) White's would lose) 6 K-Q5 K-Q2 Black wards off
material advantage of a protected passed the danger. ·'
pawn promises him victory, but neverthe- White has to gain the opposition:
less he cannot win, since his attempt to 1 K-B3! K-Q4 (1 ... P-Q4 2 K-Q3
penetrate results in Black gaining the P-Q5 3 P-B3, and wins) 2 K-Q3 P-Q3
opposition. (2 ••• K-K4 fails to 3 P-B4 P-Q4 4 P-B5!)
1 ... K-Q3 2 K-Q2 K-B3! (2 •.• 3 P-B4+ K-B4 (if 3 • • • K-K4, then
K-K3? loses to 3 K-B3 K-Q4 4 K-Q3 4 K-K3 K-B3 5 K-Q4 K-K3 6 K-K4, and
K-K4 5 K-B4) 3 K-K2 K-Q3 4 K-Q3 wins) 4 K-B3 K-N3 5 K-Q4 K-B3
K-Q4 (Black has gained the opposition) 6 P-K3! (6 P-K4? K-B2! 7 P-B5 K-B3!
5 P-N5 K-K4 6 P-N6 K-B3 7 K-K4 draws) 6 . . . K-Q2 7 K-Q5 K-K2 8
KxP 8 KxP K-B3, with a draw. K-B6! K-K3 9 K-B7 K-K2 10 P-K4!
1st variation: 4 K-B2 K-K3 5 K-N2 K-K3 11 K-Q8 K-B3 12 K-Q7 K-K4
K-B3 6 K-R3 K-N4, draw. 13 K-K7, and White wins.
 Opposition 7

If Black moves first, White cannot tak~.: 21. Ed. Lasker. (Theoretical ending.)
the opposition, and the game ends in a The distant opposition enables White 10
draw: I ... K-B5 2 P-B3 P-Q4 3 P-KJ - invade on one of the flanks, and win a
K-B4 4 K-Q3 K-BJ! 5 P-B4 K-B4! pawn: 1 K-K2! K-K2 (after I ... K-QJ
6 PXP KYP etc. 2 K-B3 K-K2 3 K-K3! White still holds
the opposition) 2 K-K3 K-K3 3 K-K4
K-B3 4 K-B4! (after 4 K-Q5? Black
also promotes a pawn) 4 . . . K-N3
5 K-K5, and White wins, since after
winning the rook's pawn he also captures
the other pawn.

20. Ebersz. Against the white king's

march K-N3-B4-K5, Black can achieve
a draw by ... K-R5-N6-B5, since he
can answer 4 P-K3 with 4 . . . K-B4;
thus there is a battle in prospect for the
opposition. The pawn move that leads to
the gain of the opposition is prepared by
22. (Theoretical ending.) We saw in
very attractive and instructive tempo
example 17 that knight's pawn and rook's
play.
pawn win against knight's pawn, provided
1 K-N4! K-R5 2 K-B5 K-N6 3 K-K6!
that their king is positioned in front of
K-B5 4 K-K5 K-B4 5 P-K3! (White bas
them. The same danger would threafen
the opposition) 5 . . . K-B3 6 K-K6
White here, if the black king were to take
K-B4 7 K-Q7 K-B5 8 K-Q6 etc.
his pawn on the fourth rank. White cannot
Variation: 1 ... K-N3 2 K-N5! K-B3
save the pawn, but he succeeds in gaining
3 K-B6 K-N3 4 K-K6! K-B4! 5 K-B5!
the opposition in exchange for it.
K-B5 (on 5 . . . K-N4, 6 P-K3 wins)
1 P-N3! PXP 2 K-N2 K-B5 3 K-R3
6 K-KS K-B4 7 P-K3! K-B5 8 K-Q6
P-N7! (3 ••• K-B6 is stalemate) 4 K-R2!
etc.
K-B65K-Nl K-B56K-B2!KXP 7 KXP,
with a draw. The acquisition of the oppo-
sition was made possible by the stalemating
combination.
Variation: 1 .•. P--R6 2 K-B2! K-QS
3 K-Nl K-K6 4 K-R2, wit1a a draw.

23. Saekmaon. White makes a strateuic

withdrawal in order to acquire the oppo-
sition: 1 K-B5! K-N3 2 K-B6 K.-R3
3 K-K6 K-N3 4 K-Q6 K-N2 5 K-Q7J
 8 Six Hundred Endings

(5KXP? K-B2draws)5 ... K-N36K-B8 With the pawns static, the acquisition
K-R3 7 K-B7, and the black pawns fall. of the opposition takes on decisive import-
ance, but the black king can retain it only
for a short time: 1 K-Q3! K-Q2 (distant
opposition) 2 P-K4 P-BS 3 K-K2 K-K3
4 K-B2! and Black resigned, because after
4 ... KXP 5 K-B3 K-K3 6 KXP White
wins. Here we see a geometric pattern, the
main feature being the triangular move-
ment of the white king (K-K2-B2-B3),
which: secures a permanent pawn advant-
age.
24. Neustadt). White must attack the
bishop's pawn, otherwise he cannot hope
to win, but to do this he first has to seize
the opposition.
1 K-Q4 K-B3 2 K-B4 K-Q3 3 K-N5!
K-Q4! 4 K-N6 K-Q3 5 K-N7 K-Q2
6 P-R5! (this pawn move secures the oppo-
sition, and now the black king can be
dislodged) 6 . • . K-Q3 7 K-B8 K-K2
8 K-B7 K-K1 9 K-Q6 K-B2 10 K-Q7 26. Horwitz. White sacrifices a pawn in
K-B111 K-K6K-N212 K-K7, and White return for the opposition, but later re-
wins. covers it with interest.
Variation: 3 ... K-K4 4 K-B5 K-B5 I K-N7 (the immediate pawn sacrifice
5 K-Q5 KXP 6 K-K6 KXP 7 KXP will not do, because after 1 P-K6? PXP
K-N5 8 K-N6 P-R4 9 P-B6 P-R5 10 · 2 K-R7 K--Q2 3 K-N7 K-B2 the black
P-B7 P-R6 II P-B8=Q P-R7 12 Q-Bl. king has the opposition) 1 ... K-Kl
2 P-K6! PXP (2 ... P-B3 3 K-N8)
25. Alekhine-Yates (Hamburg, 1910). 3 K-N8 K-Q1 4 K-B8 K-Q2 5 K-B7
White's king cannot move to Q4 because K-Q3 6 K-K8!, and White wins.
of... K-K3, but 1 K-N4 K-K3 2 KXP Variation: 3 ... P-K4 4 QPXP P-K3
KXP 3 KXP K-K5 4 P-N4 KXP also (or 4 ••• K-Ql 5 K-B8 K-Q2 6 K-B7
leads only to a draw. P-K3 7 K-B6, and wins) 5 K-N7 K-K2
 Opposition 9

6 K-N6 K-QI (the black king is prevented squares "square opposition" in his series
from continuing to hold the opposition by of articles published on the pages of
his own pawn) 7 K-B6 K-Q2 8 K-B7 etc. Magyar Sakkelet in 1931, intimating by
this that opposition in the strict sense is,
b) Square Opposition (Corresponding essentially, a subspecies of corresponding
Squares) squares. Geza Barath is right in saying
that not all problems based on correspond-
Diagram 27 (an example of geometrical ing squares should be regarded as opposi-
opposition) and the following four dia- tion problems.
grams illustrate well the difference betW~en
~ ~ ~ ~
~~~~~~~%
"geometrical" and "square" opposition. 27

:•!"!I!~
The endgame column of the April 1954
issue of Magyar Sakkelet had the following
to say on this question: "According to the
problem composer Geza Barath, the term ~~~D~n"~
'opposition' should only be used in cases ~~ft~
~~~~ %~~~
~~~~~LJ~~
where it exists in the strictest sense, that
is when the two kings are positioned on
the same rank, file, or diagonal, separated
by an odd number of squares; but when 27. Barath. Returning to diagram 27,
a break-through is secured for the stronger the rules of geometrical opposition assert
side's king by the occupation of a square themselves fully here, but White's first
other than one of those in geometrical three moves, in the light of the foregoing,
opposition to the other king, one should can be regarded as the occupation of the
use the term corresponding squares, but "squares corresponding" to the bla:k
not that of opposition." king's position.
Magyar Sakkelet agrees with Geza I K-N2! K-l'\5 2 K-R2 K-B5 3 K-N2
Barath's conclusion, even more so since it K-N6 4 K-R3 (this is already standard
is a terminological question of purely geometrical opposition) 4 . . . K-B6 5
theoretical significance; however, it makes K-N3 K-Q!> 6 K-B3 K-B7 7 K-N2!
the point that the opposition is in actual (White lias to take the distant opposition,
fact a particular variety of "corresponding since after 7 K-K2? K-B6 his own pawn
squares", one in which geometrical rules prevents him from maintaining the oppo-
apply. It is most difficult for the chess sition, and he loses) 7 ... K-QS 8 K-Bl
player to ascertain in a given case whether K-Q7 9 K-B2 etc., with a draw. If the
the rules of opposition apply, or whether black king, in order to confuse the issue,
he shouJd find the "corresponding squares". were to move to his fourth or third rank,
This, in fact, depends on the position White's king would move back and forth
of the pawns on the board, and it is im- between KNI and KRI until his oppo-
possible to formulate a rule, the applica- nent returned to the fifth rank.
tion of which would automatically solve
the problem of corresponding squares in 28. Foltys. At certain stages of this
any position. Problem composer master ending it is again necessary to occupy a
Korm!l Ebersz called corresponding position of geometrical opposition. How-
 10 Si:t Hundred Endings

Thus the question naturally arises:

when should one strive to achieve the
opposition, and under what circumstances
does the opposition cease to offer ad-
\ ant ages? It is impossible to give an exact
answer. In practice it is best to ascertain
the corresponding squares in each in-
'tancc. This involves finding squares for
rhe white king against each square that
Black's king can occupy, in such a way
ever, the pawn position here is more
; hat the tatter is forced to vacate his
.:omplicated, and so an exact analysis of
favourable position. By so doing, White's
rhe "corresponding squares" is also ne-
;.,:ing can force his way into the opponent's
.:essary for the full solution of the problem.
position and win, or, if he is the weaker
I J..:.-lll! K.-K2 2 K-K.I! K-B2 3 K-QI
,ide, can prevent Black's penetration of his
i-:.-K2 .f K.-ll2 K-KJ (or 4 ... K-Q1
line, thus securing a draw.
5 K-.BJ K-B2 ,- K-Q1!, and Black loses
Jn contrast to the two previous posi-
:1is K.l'\P) 5 K-Q2 K-83 6 K-B3! K-K2
tions, this ending demonstrates in a fasci-
-:- K-N4 K-Q2 :-; K-R5 K-82 9 K-R6
nating way that there are cases where the
K-Ql 10 K-:\7 K Q:! II K-;-.i6, and
rules of geometrical opposition do not
White wins.
work at all.
I K-Q2! K-,QI 2 K-K2 K-Bl(KI)
3 K-83 K-B2(K2) 4 K-K3 K-BI(KJ)
5 K-Q4 K-Ql 6 K-K4 K-Q2 (if 6 ..•
K-Kl, then 7 K-B5 wins) 7 K-Q5 K-K2
:-! K-K5 K-KI 9 K-Q6, and wins.
Geometrical opposition on some squares
secures a draw for Black, while on others
it is ineffective: I K-K2? K-Ql 2 K-B2
K-Q2 3 K-K3 K-K2 4 K-B3 K-Q3
5 K-B4 K-Q2 6 K-K5 K-K2, with a
29. Ebersz. The endgame column of draw.
Jfagyar Sakkelet further elaborates its
assessment of the two pre\ ious positions
as follows: positions occur where it is
i:1correct to apply dogmatically the rules
of opposition. When we look at the cor-
responding squares in this position
(~o. 29), we find that they in no way
coincide with the ~quares of geoinctrical
opposition. If you were to apply the rules
of opposition in this position and neglect
to find the corresponding squares, you 30. £bersz. In contrast to the previous
would never reach your goal. example, geometrical opposition is of no
 Opposition II

significance here, since the game is decided lows: White's QR5 corresponds to Black's
by the occupation of the "corresponding ... QB3; QN4 and QR4 to ... Q2 and
squares". • • . Q1; then QB3, QN3 and QR3 to
I K-B2 K-K2! 2 K-Q3 K-Q2 3 K-K4 • .. K3, ..• K2 and ... Kl; then Q2,
K-K3 4 K-B4 K-Q2 5 K-B5 K-K1 QB2, QN2 and QR2 to Black's ... KB4
6 K-K4 K-Q1 7 K-Q4 K-Q2! 8 K-Q5 (KR4), ... KB3 (KR3), ... KB2 (KR2)
K-K2 9 K-K5 K-Kl 10 K-Q6 K-Q1 and •.. KBJ (KRI), i.e. the second rank
II K-B5! K-K2 12 K-N4 K-K3 13 corresponds to both the KB-file and the
KXP K-B4 14 K-N3 KXP 15 P-R4! KR-file; further, QJ, QBI, QNI and QRI
P-B4 16 K-B3 K-N5 17 K-Q2 K-N6 correspond to . . . KN4, . . . KN3,
18 P-R5! P-BS 19 P-R6 P-B6 20 P-R7 ... KN2 and ... KNI; and finally, as the
P-B7 21 K-K2 K-N7 22 P-R8=Q+, only exception to the rule, the square that
and wins. corresponds to ... KN5 is not on the
first, but the second rank-K2. A geome-
trical orderliness even becomes apparent,
since the corresponding squares proceed
towards the two sides of the board at
right angles to each other.
Black's , .. QBJ, ... QNI and ... QR1
have no importance. Black's king can
move there, just to create confusion. In
this case the white king should move
backwards and forwards on appropriate
31. Ebersz. The main feature of this squares (QR5 and QN5), which enables
superb ending is the interconnection of the him to return to the corresponding squar::s
squares ("corresponding squares" or as soon as the black king moves to ... Q2
"squar<! opposition"). or ... QJ. The solution is as follows:
Since the pawns are immobile, it is a I K-N2 K-N 1 2 K-Rl K-Bl 3 K-R2
battle between the two kings. One glance K-K2 4 K-N3 K-Q2 5 K-N4 K-B3
at the position reveals that the white king 6 K-R5 (with this the gap on the QB-file
is unable to penetrate Black's position, has been closed, and now the black king
whereas the black king can breach the heads for the other opening) 6 ... K-Q2
white lines at two points. It is evident 7 K-N4 K-K3 8 K-B3 K-B3 9 K-B2
therefore that, in the course of play, the K-N4 10 K-Ql K-N5 II K-K2 etc.,
the white king will have to occupy posi- and the game is drawn because the black
tions from which it can, in time, seal off king cannot penetrate through either of the
the break-through points . . . QB3 and openings. Of course, other series of mows
... KB6. To achieve this, a knowledge of are also possible, but, since the corre-
the corresponding squares is necessary. spondingsquarcsan:known,theyine\'itably
It is easiest to find these squares if we start lead to a draw. A player unacquainted
out from the critical squares QB6 and with the concept of corresponding squares
QR5 (Black's ... QB3 and ... QR4), and would fail in his attempt to solve this
find the horizontal and vertical correspond- masterpiece, and \\ould always lose with
ing squares. They can be grouped as fol- White.
 12 Six Hundred Endings

c) Knight Oppo.vition l K-R8! K-B4 2 K-N7 K-K5 3 K-B6

K-Q6 4 K-K5 K-B7 5 K-Q4 K-N7
r. K-Q3 KXP 7 K-B2, with a draw.
A false trail: 1 K-BS? (although this is
also knighi opposition, it nevertheless
results in the loss of a tempo, and the
white king fails to reach QB2 in time)
1 ..• K-BJ! 2 K-K8 (2 K-N8 no longer
helps) 2 ... K-K4 3 K-K7 K-Q5 4 K-K6
K-B6 5 K-Q5 K-N7 6 K-B4 KXP
~ K-B3 K-NS. and Black wins.

32. Dobias. (Theoretical ending.) \\'h..ite

cannN win by the application of geome-
trical opposition, becau~c after 1 K-Q5?
(1 P-B4? K-B5, draw) I ... K-:'\5!
2 P-B4 (2 K-K5? K-B5 3 K-B6 K-Q5
4 K>:P K-K5, draw) 2 ... K-B6 3 K-KS
K-Q6 Black's king attacks the white pawn
just in time.
Thererore White has to manreuue his
king in such a way that, by delaying Black's
counter-play, he can gain a tempo for the 34. Dedrle. (Theoretical ending.) White
decisi\e attack. This he can do b\· sta- a\'oids attacking the black pawn, since the
tioning himself a knight's JUmp away black king would reach . . . KR3 at just
from the black king (knight opposition): the right time, and would win the white
I K-Q4! ·K-B3 (1 ... K-N5 2 P-B4!) pawn, and with it the game. Therefore the
2 K-K5 K-B4 3 P-B4 K-B5 4 K-B6, white king approaches on the lower half
and wins. of the board, enabling him to gain the
opposition after the loss of his pawn.
1 K-N3! K-B7 2 K-B2 K-K6 (2 •..
K-K7 3 K-BJ! K-K6 4 K-Ql also leads to
knight opposition) 3 K-Ql K-BS 4 K-K2
K-B4(N4) S K-B3! KXP 6 K-N4, with a
draw.

33. Sackmllllll. (Theoretical ending). The

only way of achieving a draw is by a
seemingly absurd move, away from the
scene of battle. White's king will stalk
Black's right across the board, keepmg all
the time a knight's jump away.
 The Squme of a Passed Pawn 13

35. Grigoriev. White cannot allow the 8 P-N3) 8 K-K7 K-Q5 9 P-N3 K-B6
black king to attack his pawns straight 10 K-Q6 etc.
away. The correct line of play is therefore Variation: 2 ... K-Q6 3 K-B4 K-B7!
to take the knight opposition: 1 K -N3 4 P-N4! P-B5 5 P-N5 KXP 6 P-N6 K-Q7
K-B8 . 2 P-R4 P-N3 3 K-B4! K-N7 7 P-N7 P-B6 8 P-N8 =Q P-B7 9 Q-N2
4 P-R5 PXP 5 P-R4 K-R6 6 K-N5, K-QS 10 K-B3! K-Q7 II K-K4 K-Q8
and White wins. 12 K-Q3, and wins.
Variation: I ... K-K6 2 P-R4 K-K5 37 ,---;~=--~=~=---=~;m---=~=
3 K-N4 K-K4 4 K-N5 K-K5 5 P-R5 =~~~~-~~~
K-B5 6 K-B5! etc.
Ist trap: 1 K-NS? K-B6 2 P-R4 K-N7
,~~~--"~!~
~~~~~~~~
3 P-R5 K-R6! 4 K-N6 K-N5! 5 P-R3+ ~~~~~~~,
K-R5!, with a draw.
~~~~~~~"-··"
2nd trap: 1 K-N4? K-B7 2 P-R4 K-N7
~~~~~~,~
3 P-R3 P-N3 !, with a draw. It is wrong
to play 3 . . . K-R7!, because after ~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
4 P-R5 K-N7 5 P-R4 K-B7 6 K-B4!
K-K7 7 K-K4! K-B7 (or 7 ... K-Q7 37. Ebersz. White can draw only if his
8 K-B5, and wins) 8 P-R6 PXP 9 P-R5! king can outflank Black from the rear.
K-N6 10 K-B5 K-B6(R5) 11 K-N6 The white king therefore makes for the
White wins. eighth rank, and then pursues the black
king at a distance of a knight's jump.
1 K-N7! K-Q2! 2 K-N8! K-Q3 3 K-B8
K-K4 4 K-Q7 K-B5 5 K-K6 K-~6
6 K-B6 KXRP 7 K>~P. and draws.
Variation: 2 ... K-K3 3 K-:B7 K-B4
4 K-Q6 K-N5 5 K-K5 KXP 6 K-B6
P-1\;4 7 K-B5 P-~5 R K-B4 P-N6 9 K-BS
stalemate!
Jst trap: I K-:'\5"? K-Q3 2 K-B4 K-K4
3 K-Q3 K-B5 4 K-K:! K-1':6 5 K-Bl
36. Grigoricv. An immediate pawn K>:RP 6 K-B2 K-~5. and Black wins,
advance achieves nothing, since after ~ince he gams tile L'PPCISition.
1 P-B3? K-B6! 2 K-R4 K-B5 Black takes 2nd trap: 2 K-~6'! K-Q3 3 K-N7
the opposition, while also entering the K-K4 4 K-B6 K-B5 5 K-05 K-~6
square of a possible passed white pawn. 6 K-K6 KX;-\P! 7 K-B6K-r\6, and Black
But, by maintaining the knight opposition, wins.
he can eventually edge out the black king.
l K-N4! K-K6 2 P-B3 K-K5 3 K-N5
K-K4 4 K-N6 K-K3! 5 K-N7 K-K2 II. THE SQUARE OF A PASSED
6 P-B4! (a tempo-gaining move, which PAWN
compels Black to worsen his position)
6 ... K-K37K-B8K-K4{Blacksimilarly The square, one side of which is formed by
loses the opposition after 7 . . . K-B3 the line extending from the starting posi-
14 Six Hundred Endings

tion of a passed pawn to the queening the square) 4 K-Q5 P-R6 5 K-Q6 P-R7
square, IS • ""~' 4 t 1 11! ,.cA~
caueo ·square "·"»f·o t h c 6 P-B7, with a draw.
passed pawn. When a passed pawn is in Variation: 2 ..• P-R5 3 K-B5 P-R6
its original position (on the second rank), ~ K-Q6 P-R7 5 P-B7 etc.
the fact that it may ad\·ancy two squa_res (Marco created this ending of great
on its first move has to·~· ta'Kcri 1nto theoretical value in a competitive game.
account and therefote the "s.quare" h;;;; A magnificent achievement!)
to be calculated from the tlrtfC1·~nk.
A passed. oawn, \~'frtc.Yt"'fs no't~e~fri~'lecf
C"''' .. :1\,.4 .•.',f .;..·,-,/~ ,,.... t..U- ....<
Dy any of her p1ecc or· pawn, can be prc-
\-(rife·~ trom queening by the oppC'sing king
only if it can penet~Yit~pawn's "square··.
Tt is nN t1i'efe1of~ necessa;v tC' calculate · .
the number of mO\CS ~iec(tea.-'tcf re"Jc"li"'th'l;-·"'<''•·
queenim: square. . . .
~ ~ ...-~.. ~...1- ,1\f',itlUI /)4'>
lil the O\erwnemling maJorit:•. 01' tl)c
[r11tfngs iiiTt6ciflteBKiriV1b'i1 sect"1b~. it ..:i)
~ ·V"! /Ji;/Vf 'M'o4.;.4 t.ll4.S' ,#~~ ~/ p
a 060ble f'lueat trral torCes the ·Rmg 10
39. Reti. (Theoretical ending.) It appears
enter the square, since these examples are
that White is lost, yet he still has a way
most sUJ!ahle to demonstrate the problem;;
out, As in the previous game, here too the
involved. A double threat artSes when the
occupation of the centre makes it possible
attacking piece (the king) proceeds simul-
for White to create the double threat of
taneously towards two Important t:ugets.
promoting his pawn or entering the square
of the black pawn: 1 K-N7 P-R5 2 K-B6
P-R6 3 K-K7! K-N3 4 K-Q7, with a
draw.
1st variation: 2 ... K-N3 3 K-K5
KXP 4 K-B4etc.
2nd variation: 1 : .. K-N3 2 K-B6
P-R5 3 K-K5 P-R6 4 K-Q6 P-R7
5 P-B7 etc.

38. 1\larco-Schlechter. (Theoretical end-.,,

• • $..o,rUo'\!.t~ /'If,.,.,..
•ng.) The black kmg can '~aSH):' stop
White's pawn, 1~e'~lfntis king ~~~:rr~.-'' ·>
to be a Jo((;~~·itt~tance fMa'y from the
black pawn. By l&'~ffig for the centre,
the whit<! king is~"£,~~ to exert its power
in two directions: either to help the pro-
motion of his pawn, or to enter the square
of the black pawn.
I P-B6! P-R4 2 K-N4! K-N3! 3 K-B4 40. Feijter. (Theoretical ending.) Black
P-R5 (otherwise the white king enters has an obvious advantage, since his king
 The Square of a Passed Pawn 15

is inside tbe white Rawn's,s~are, ~h~~iai' ~

White Who '·thine~' eY,"~~.a~!?~6hi~~"
dt
his opponent's pawn. 1tow-e"ver, 1ifa'crc
canno.t win, sil\ee 7 tits kin~ is forced to
o!
~ard the prop1otion M'~ of the white
pawn, 1 th~\' all~~rig''ffi~~ white king to
enter comfortably the square of the black
pawn.
1 K-N7 P-R4 2 K-B7 K-B4! (other-
wise the white pawn also queens) 3 K-Q7
1 K-N3! K-R2 2 K-B4 P-R5 3 KXP
K-Q4 4 K-K7 K-KS! 5 K-K6! KXP
P-R6 4 K-B3, and White wins.
6 K-Q5, with a draw.
Variation: I ... P-K6 2 K-B3 P-RS
.s1 w~•~ ~ ~
~~~~~~~~
3 KXP P-R6 4 K-B3 etc.

= ~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~-->-~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
,~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
• .. :wc4)r;
41. Gorg1ev. The~oSition looks hopeless
for White, M'::~{he cannot gain any coun-
ter-play wi,th his king. But he n~{ert~1e-5~J 43.)Stoltz:-~iJ11zQwitsch (Berlin, 1928).
~4H i~to the square of the ~~pb~ing The eMe~tifi"'" i)btnt of _this position is ·
pawn with the help of a ~·rle' stalemating that Black has two""XYtdd)' ~epii'ra1'~d' fawns
combination. on the fifth rank. His immediate g6ai is to
I P-B6! P-R3! 2 P-R3! P-R4 3 P-R4 create a second passed pawn on the K'!'\-
P-R5 4 P-R5 P-R6 5 P-R6 P-R7 6 P-R7 file.
P-RS =R! 7 P-B7 K-Q2 8 P-B8 =Q + I ... P-B5 2 P>~P+ K-Q3! (gettin£.
KXQ stalemate. into the square 0f the white pawns)
Variation: I ... K-B2 2 P-R~ K~<P 3 P-R5 P-:M 4 P-R6 K-B2 5 K-K2
3 P-R5 K-N4 (3 . . . P-R4 4 P-R6! P-Q6+, and Bla.:k wins.
K-N3 5 P-R7 K-B2 stalemate) 4 K-::-·nt Variation: 3 P-B5 P-j'\6 4 P-B6 P-1'\7
KXP 5 K-B6 P-R4 6 K-Q5, and White's 5 P-B7 K-K2 etc.
king is inside the square.
42. (Theoretical ending.) Black's pawns, 44. Gellcr-Smyslov (20th USSR Cham-
separated by !w~ ,~Ies, wo~J.?. ~?rc.~ a win pionship). Black's pawn position is th<:
if they were ~({t'ft on the m'th rank~ut in riiht'e flexible, and this advantage is'!~trgil'
this position the rook's pawn is sfftfon for a win. It makes no difference that the
the fourth rank, and the white king has white~~ i~r £{;p€a'is~tfte, the nwre
time to capture one of the pawns and still active, smtJ Jt cannpt simultaneously trt$''
keep in the square of the other. Bl ac k•spawns and pre' /~,.,-.) '•1.. • •
ent the black k1ng·s
 16 Six Hundred Endings

E,ene~e_tio2.: ~l.ea~whjJ;,~~e .£!.~5~,Jing .is 45. Prokop. (Theoretical ending.) <;.are-

.!(Ve]J OeptovM' In ItS OWn "hinterland" In ful play is required for White to pfofi{
rf~aln"ess f~r a variety of tfsi.:S: r; from his outside passed pawn, because the
I ... P-R4! 2 P-Q~4 (On 2 K-Q-1 apparently natural continuation 1 K-K2?
SmysiO\ would ha\e wen by 2 ... P-R5 K-Q3 2 K-B3 K-Q4 3 K-K3 K-K3 4
3 PXP P '":P -1 K-B-1 P-95 5 K-Q4 K-Q3 K-K4 K-B3 5 P-B5 P-B6! 6 PXP P-R4
6 K-K-1 K-B4 7 K>: P K-N5. It is now teo 7 P-B4 P-R5 8 K-Q4 KXP gives him no
lat.: for 8 K-.\'4, since:, after queenin,;;. advantage. White must therefore imme-
Black's QRP will control. .. KRI. Aft.:r diately attack the black BP.
8 K-K4 KXP 9 K-Q4 K>~P Black als.-' I K-Q2! K-Q3 2 K-B3 K-Q4 3 P-B5!
wins since his KRP has crossed the K-K4 4 KXP! (4 P-B6? KXP 5 KXP
"equator") 2 ... P-B5! 3 Px BP P-:"J5! K-K4, with a draw) 4 ... K XP 5 K-Q4!
4 RPXP P-R5 5 P-B5+ K-Q2 6 P-K:'\5 (knight opposition) 5 ... K-K3 (5 ...
P-R6 7 P-1'<6 K-K2! (Black's king is K-B5 6 P-N4) 6 K-B5 K-K4 7 P-N4!
positioned so that he can catch any of K-K3 8 K-N6, and White wins.
the opposing pawns) 8 PxP P-R7 9 P-R6 A false trail: 3 K-N4? K-KS 4 KXP
P-R8=Q 10 K-!'6 K-Q3, and White KXP 5 K-N4(5K-Q4K-B6!,andBlack's
resigned. king attacks the white pawn in time)
5 ... K-K5 6 K-RS J(-QS 7 KXP (or
7 P-N4) K-BS, with a draw.
lll. THE OUTSIDE PASSED PAWN

A passed pawn which is away from the

immediate scene of battle is called an
outside passed pawn. It is generally ac-
cepted that, in an ending with equal
material, the player with the more outside
passed pawn has an ad\·antage, because
the advance of this pawn usually gains a
decisive superiority in time. Of. course,
even in such endings, there can be excep-
tions, since the superior position of the 46. Selemiev. Black cannot attack the
opposing king may balance, or even out- white knight's P.~~ ~eC:ilf. becaJ!S~S~
weigh, the advantage of the outside pass- rook's pawn ~d aa~ce. tttlius he
ed pawn. has to Jose time, and this~lfo~the white
 The Outside Passed Pawn 17

king to return to the main field of battle 48. Selezniev. Pawn endings where there
after capturing Black's outside passed is equality of material are usually won by a
pawn. player with an outside passed pawn.
1 K-B2 K-B4 2 K-N3 K-N4 3 KXP The rule does not apply to this position,
K-R5 4 K-B5! (after 4 K-B4? K-N6 because the position of White's king is
5 P-R4 KXNP! the black pawn queens superior to that of his opponent. The
with check on promotion, while after victory, which involves subtleties along the
4 K-B3? there is a deadly check at. .. long black diagonal and the KB-file, is
KR8)4 ... K-N65P-R4KXRP6K-K5 prepared by a fine strategic move.
K-N6 7 K-Q4, with a draw. I K-B4! KXP 2 P-Q5 K-K4 3 K-B5
P-R5 4 P-Q6 K-:K3 5 K-B6 P-R6 6 P-Q7
P-R7 7 P-Q8=Q P-R8=Q 8 Q-K8-:-
K-B3 9 Q-KR8+, and White wins.
Variation: 3 ... P-B5 4 P-Q6 K-K3
5 K-B6 P-B6 6 P-Q7 P-B7 7 P-Q8 "'-Q
P-BS=Q8Q-K8+ K-B39Q-KB8+ etc.

47. Reti. The see'~ly na~ural.cs_,It­

tinuation 1 K-N6? faiTs to win,'-fi~;e-~fte'f
1 ... K-K2 2 K-B5 K-B2 3 P-N5 P-Q4
4 K-K5 K-N3 5 KXP KXP the black
k mg · A~A,(
• succee d s tn reacmng t h e savmg. ...
QBl square. White needs to gain a te11_1po,
but he can only do this by ditlry1"ng the
49. Karaklajic-Czerniak(Belgrade, 1954).
attack on his outside passed pawn.
This position, where the outside passed
1 K-N5! K-B2 2 K-B5 K-K2 3 K-N6
pawn promises victory, !i'J,~s simple.
P-Q4 4 K-B5 K-Q3 5 P-N5 K-K2
Confident of winning, White did not ana-
6 K-K5, and White wins.
lyse the position .:.~af'gfutry',.e6'Htigt{--"and
Variation: I ... K-K2 2 K-N6 K-K3
chose the easy way by defending his
3 P-N5! P-Q4 4 K-R7 P-Q5 5 P-N6,
endangered pawn.
and the pawn queens with check.
The game went: 1 K-B3? K-R52 K-N2
K-R4 3 K-N3 K-N3 4 K-N4 P-B4+
5 Px P e.p. (5 K-N3 also would not win,
since White's king cannot leave his mfik's
pawn) 5 ... KXP 6 P-R4 K-N3 7 K~
(7 P-R5+ K-B3, with a draw) 1 .....
P-Q4! (7 ... K-B4? 8 P-R5, and wins)
8 PXP (8 P-R5+ KXP 9 PXP K-N!l!-
draw) 8 ..• K-B4 9 P-R5 KXP. Dmw.
Going back to the original position,
18 Six Hundred Endings

tlie winning line for White is: 1 P-BS! 6 P-KS+ K-K3.-J K-K4 K-K2 8 K-Q5,
K.-RS 2 P-B6! (2 PXP? PXP 3 K-B4 and White wins.- Even if Black has the
K~IU!, draw) 2 ... KXP 3 K-K4 K-NS first move, the essence of the position and
4 K-B5 K-B5 5 K-K6 K-B4 6 K-Q7 the result are ti~cn~Hged. A single tempo
K:XP 7 KXP, and White wins, because does not solve Black's problem.
his pa.Wiill is closer to the queening square
tE!n Brack·s.
~~~~~
s:~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
r~~~~~~­
~ ~~ ~:z ~~r'!f· ..
~~~~':.J~~~
~ ~~ ~(3'><,~~ ~

-
><, %

~~-~lf~
~~~~~,~~"ti~~ ~~-%~~~~~ ~~-%
~~--~~ ~(0><,~~ ~ ~ lf[!;4 ~ • •
~£---"~ ~~ ~~-~~----~
lf[!;4
~~"%~~~---%~~~
% ••
~ ~~ m ~ ~ ~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~ 52. Euwe. The pushing back of the
black king followed by the utilization of
50. Fahmi. (Theoretical ending.) White the outside passed pawn is the result of
creates an outside passed pawn on the fine tempo play, but the fight only starts
Q-side, and. while the black king is dealing after the blocking of the Q-side pawns.
with it, be \ffl!!tkS"hii~dc on the other side: 1 P-QR4 P-R4 2 P-B4 P-QB4 3 P-N3
I P-QR4K-Q42P-NSPXP3PXPK-B4 P-N3 4 P-R4 K-B4 (or 4 ... P-B4 5
4 KXP KXP 5 K-B5 etc. P-R5, and wins) 5 K-B3 K-K4 6 K-N4!
K-KS 7 P-R5 P-B4+ 8 K-R3! (8 K-N5?

~~~~~
P-B5, or 8 K-R4? P-B5 9 P-R6 P-B6,
or "8 K-N3? K-K6 9 P-R6 P-B5+ only
~f$.1%~Y3'><, ~~ ~
($.!'% draws) 8 •.. K-K4 (otherwise 9 P-R6
~~·~~
%~ %~ ~~%~ ~
... ~~
.... ...
wins) 9 K-N3 K-K3 10 K-B4 K-B3
~-%~~0~y~,~~~
jff'iij_ lf_fiij_ ;~ ~~~
~ 11 P-R6 K-N3 12 P-R7 KXP 13 KXP,
and White wins.
~o~ .. xo~ ~'§t y~
----·~-----~. ···~ "'~

."--~~~~~~~
Variation: 4 ... ~-B3 5 K-B3 K-B4
~ ~ ~ (or 5 ... P-B4 6 K-K3, and wins) 6 K-N3
K-K4 7 P-R5 K-B4 8 K-R4! K-K3
51. Fahmi. (Theoretical ending.) Black 9 K-N4 etc.
has no chance of creating a passed pawn,
and so the numerical weight of his Q-side
pawns cannot counterbalance the advan-
tage of White's passed pawn.
I K-B3 P-N5 2 K-K3 (taking the pawn
would give Black a passed pawn as well)
2 ... P-R5 3 K-B3 (taking the pawn now
would be even worse than before) 3 .•.
P X BP 4 P X P (Black has no more pawn
moves left) 4 ... K-K3 5 K-B4 K-B3
 Pawn Break-through 19

53. Rinck. Material is equal, and both TV. PAWN BREAK-THROUGH

players' outside passed pawns can be con-
tained. The advantage of the first move If positions wh~re the kin~ can also
'"•fO'- 7.
take part m the s ru~gle %e d•sfegar~eJ,
• ....r;
proves decisive, since it gives White's
king the opportunity to penetrate into the the precondition for a brlaf..tl1rough in
t>lack position. pawn endings is that the pawns are well
l P-R4! K-Q42 P-B4+ K-K5 3 P-BS! advanced. Consequently, the break-
(otherwise 3 ... P-N3! prevents the intru- through can only be made in the oppo-
sion ofthe white king) 3 ... K-B4 4 K-Q3 nent's half of the board. By sacrificing
K-N55K-B4KXP6K-N4K-N47K-R5 one or more pawns, the player making
K-B3! (after 7 ... K-B4 8 K-N6 P-R4 the break-through diverts the enemy
9 KXNP White's pawn queens with pawns, in order to clear the way for one
.:heck) 8 K-N6 P-R4 9 KX ~p P-R5 of his pawns .
10 P-B6 P-R61l P-B7 P-R7 12 P-BS=Q
P-R8=Q 13 Q-KRS+, and White wins.

~5. (Theoretical ending.) The black king

is •nsid'ctthe rook pawn's square, but if this
pawn advances the king ~tC:~not again
54. Denes. In this splendid ending the
enter !J!e square. White can t'fier~ore make
battle proceeds in four stages. White first
a brea1c'!tfitough and queen a pawn :
acquires an outside passed pawn, an?fligr(
1 P-R6! K-Q3 2 P-N6 PXP (or 2 ...
puts 1 his opponent in zugzwang, which
K-B3 3 PXP) 3 P-R7 etc.
pr9~ides 1 the opportunity for a pawn
brev'~:;through. At this stage it looks as
Ylio'ii~-:Btah may hold the draw, but a
second zugzwang signals his defeat.
s: --~·~-~~
~~~~~~~·
1 P-R4 K-K5 2 P-R5 PXP 3 PXP
(outside passed pawn) 3 ... K-B4 4
~~~~~~--"
~~~~~~---%~
K-Q2! P-B4 5 K-Q3 P-B3 (zugzwang) 6 ~~~~~~~~
P-KR6 K-N3 7 P-BS+! (break-through) ~~~~~~~~
7 ... KXRP 8 BPXP K-N2 9 P-K7!
K-B2 10 PXP K-K1 11 K-B4 K-Q2(B2)
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
12 P-R6! PXP 13 P-RS! (second zug- fr,.J<~.-1-41
56. Teed. (Theoretical en din~.) AJthoujb.
zwang) 13 ... K-K1 14 KXP P-Q6 15
the white pawns are in their ~Wh'half,cT
K -Q6, and White wins.
the board, they cari"'ttnf"~~1(g~ bmik
through with their king's assistance:
20 Six Hundred Endings

I K-B7! P-R4! (otherwise the black I P-Q4 P-Q3 2 P-N6! K-B3 3 P-Q5+!
pawns would be lost) 2 P-R4! K-R3 KXNP (or 3 .•• Kl'XP4P-K6 and wins)
3 K-B6 NPXP 4 P-N5+ K-R2 5 K-B7 4 QPXP K-B2 5 P-K7 K-Q2 6 PXP,
P'-ll6 6 P-N6+, and White wins. and wins.
A false trail: 2 K-B6? PXP 3 l'XP Afalsetraii:2PXP? KXP(Q3)3K-B2
K.-Rl 4 K.-B5 K-R2! 5 KXP K-N2, P-K4! 4 PXP+ KXP 5 K-N3 K-Q3
with a draw. 6 K-R4 K-B2, with a draw.
~ ~ ~
s_: ~~~~~~~~
~~~~~ z~
~~~~~!~!
~~~~~~~~
~ ~~ ~~1--,%~" ~

57. F~hrni: <X~~~J~J!ca~ en<Y!lJ)

black kmg, m sptte of tts tWeaf'l'ntng
-'!'.h!
~
.
••
~~~~
~ ~~~~~~~
~ ~~~-
~ ~[j
-~---%~

59. Behtiog. The white king has to

manceuvre so as to prevent Black from
position, can do nothing to prevent the keeping the opposition, and so that there
break-through: 1 P-B61 PXP 2 P-N6 should be no check after the break-
PXP 3 P-R6!, and queens, since Black's through.
king is blocked by his own pawn. 1 K-KI! {the immediate break-through
Variation: I ... K-K3 2 PXP L --B2 would lead to a win for Black) 1 ...
3 P-R6 K-NI 4 K-Q3 K-B2 5 K-K4 K-N7 (blocking his own potential passed
K-Nl 6 K-K5 K-B2 7 K-B5 K-Nl pawn, but after 1 ... K-R7 White gains
8 P-N6 PXP+ 9 K-B6! P-N4 10 K-N6 the opposition, and' the break-through
P-N5 II P-R7 mate. takes place in an everi more advantageous
situation) 2 P-N4! PXP 3 P-B5 P-1':6
4 P-B6! (the possibility of promoting
with check on the rook's file must be
given preference) 4' ••• PXP 5 P-R6
P-B4! 6 P-R7 P-B5 7 P-RS=Q P-B6
{bad White's first move been K-K2, Black
would now have gained a tempo by check-
ing, thus achieving a draw) 8 Q-RS !, and
White wins.

58. Prokes. It looks as though Black's 60. (Theoretical ending.) The kings are
centralized king should be able to offer far from the scene of action, and cannot
adequate resistance in the face of \Vhite's join in the pawn battle. B!it White's
material advantage, but after the first move pawns can still break through the black
he finds himself in zugzwang, and then line because they are in the opponent's
comes a decisive break-through. half of the board: 1 P-N6! RPXP (or
 Pawn Break-through 21

even so Black cannot prevent the break-

through supported by the white king.
1 P-R6! K-B3 (or I ... P-N3 2 PXP,
and wins) 2 P-N5+ K-B2 3 P-N6+
K-Nl (3 ... RPXP 2 P-Rl) 4 RPXP
PXP (or 4 •.. KXP 5 K-Q7, and wins)
5 P-B6 K-B2 6 P-N8=Q+ KXQ 7
K-Q7, and White wins.
Variation: I ... PXP 2 K-Q7 P-K5
3 P-B6 P-K6 4 P-B7 P-K7 5 P-B8=Q
I ... BPXP 2 P-R6, and wins) 2 P-B6!
P-K8=Q 6 Q-B5+ K-K5 7 Q-K7+
PXP 3 P-R6 etc.
etc.
A false trail: l K-Q7? P-R3 (I ...
P-K5? 2 P-R6) 2 K-B7 P-K5 3 KXP
P-K6, with a draw.

61. Maroczy. (Theoretical ending.) Al-

though the white pawns are in their own
half of the board, a break-through is
possible because Black's king is blocked 63. Berger-Bayer (Correspondence
by his own pawn at •.. Q3. game, 1889-91). Although White has an
1 P-K4! KXP 2 PXP K-Q4 3 K-Q2, extra pawn, it is backward, and it can be
and after 4 P-B6 the pawn queens. exploited only by a fine tactical operation.
Variation: 1 ... PXP 2 P-BS K-Q4 1 P-B4! PXP e.p. 2 K-K3 K-N4 3
3 K-Q2 etc. P-R4! KXP 4 P-N4! PXP S K-Q3!
P-R4 6 P-RS, and White wins. The break-
through only succeeded thanks to the
support of the white king.
A trap: S P-RS? P-N6 6 K-Q3 P-N7
7 K-B2 K-B6 8 P-R6 K-K7 9 P-R7
P-N8=Q+! 10 KXQ K-QS, With a
draw.

64. (From an analysis of the lPJJ1e

Smyslov-Tal, USSR Team Champio~,
61. Csontos. Black's king stands alongside 1964.) The immediate break-through;fafls
the white pawns, and his passed pawn can to win: I ... P-N4 2 BP X P P-BS 3 P..,lJS!
proceed toward its goal unhindered, but P-RS 4 P-N6 RPXP S P-N7 K..:.m
 22 Six Hundred Endings

64 three passed pawns decide the issue)

I+ 2 . . . K-K2 3 P-R4 K-Q2 4 P-QRS
K-B2 5 P-N4 K-N2 6 P-N6! (6 P-R6+?
K-N3, draw) 6 ... K-R37P-NS+ K-N2
8 K-K3! (gaining a tempo) 8 ... K-Nl
9P-R6K-R110P-N7+ K-R211 P-N6+
K-N1 12 K-B4 P-K6 13 KXP P-B5+
14 K-B2! P-B6 IS P-R7+ (so as to
avoid the stalemate) IS ... KXP 16 KXP,
and White wins.
6 P-B6 PXP+ 7 KXP P-N7 8 P-B7
P-N8=Q 9 P-N8=Q+ KXQ 10
P-B8=Q+.
But after the subtle 1 • • • K -Q I !,
White is lost in all variations. For instance:
2 K-K1 P-N4 3 BPXP P-BS 4 P-BS P-R5
5 P-N6 P-R6, and the pawn "arrives"
with check.
1st variation: 2 K-B2 P-N4 3 BPXP
P-BS 4 P-BS P-B6 S K-K2 (White
unfortunately has to lose time) S ••• P-B7
66. (Theoretical ending.) Only two of
6 K-Q2 P-RS etc.
White's four pawns are in the opponent's
2nd variation: 2 K-Q2 P-~4 3 BP~<P
half of the board, but this is enough to
P-R5 4 PXP P-N6 5 K-K2 (again the
guarantee a successful break-through.
king has to make an extra move) 5 ...
The kings cannot intervene in the battle
P-N7 6 K-B2 P-BS 7 P-RS P-B6 8 P-R6
here, and Black's efforts are to no avail:
P-B7 9 P-R7 P-N8=Q+, and White is
1 P-N5 K-NS 2 P-BS! K-B4 3 P-N6
one move too late.
BPXP 4P-"B6 NPXP S RPXP, and wins.
Variation: 2 ... QPX P (2 ..• RPXP
3 P-B6) 3 P-N6 PXP 4 P-Q6, and the
pawn queens.
~ ~~ ~
67
~~~~~~~~
+ ~;;a ~~ ~~ ~~
'm
~~~~,~~~
•
.:~ r::?:d"
~~ · "r::((f{
~a · · r::M
~~
,;.~ 0 --,;.~ 0 ,;.~x ___ ;.

~~~~~~~~
65. (Theoretical ending.) The favourable
position of the QRP makes the decisive ~ ~fJ'0"~~ ~~ ~
~ ?~ ~ ~
break-through possible: 1 P-B4! K-B2
(Black cannot accept the sacrifice, since 67. Salvioli. Only two of White's five
his king would be outside the square of pawns are in the opponent's half of the
the QRP) 2 PXP (now, however, White's board, yet a break-through is still possible,
 Stalemating Combinations 2.1

because the black king cannot intervene.

The break-through costs White four of
his pawns, but the fifth reaches its goal.
An interesting and instructive ending,
which involves an exact calculation of
tempi.
I P-Q5! PXP (after I ... K-B4 2 P-Q6
the protected passed pawn wins) 2 P-BS
PXP (on 2 ... K-B4 there follows
3 P-B6 and 4 P-K6) 3 P-K6 PXP 4 P-RS
rook's pawn: K-N2 K-Q6 2 K-BI
P-BS S P-N6 P-B6 6 K-Q2 PXP 7 P-R6!,
P-R6 stalemate.
and White wins, because his new queen
will control his QRI square.

V. STALEMATING COMBINATIONS

The stalemating combination is a tacti-

..:al weapon, and one that is generally
regarded as a last-ditch attempt to save
the game. In stalemating combinations
which occur in practice, the hard-pressed
party is often gambling on his opponent 69. Fahrni. (Theoretical ending.) Black
making a careless error. The chances of q~~i~~au~'t~-~dej~mo~p~Jhis f~nr~lo~~f~~
stalemate are greater in pawn endings h1s opponent to s afemat'e t1m Witll 'H1s
::.tv Oe~~t">+~ A , c: '2m_pAil' ~'I"Y'I. r
than in others, and even in elementary promotea
pro·rr.,.x:P<o
pawnJ no matter wnetner 1t
do e"F<-
positions it is the most frequent cause for btcomes a quee or a rook: I ..• P-R7 +
material advantage coming to nought 2 K-RI P-RS 3 P-N7 K-R6! 4
(cf. example 1). P-N8=Q(R) stalemate.
In endgame studies which result in stale-
mate, the weaker player sacrifices his
mobile pieces in order to encircle his own
king with the opponent's fire-power. The
stronger side is forced either to accept
the sacrifices or to suffer substantial dam-
age. Immobility of pieces can, of course,
also be achieved by means of pinning,
blocking, self-blocking and other tactical
means.
70. Selemiev. White's position Ioaks 1
68. Fahrni. (Theoretical ending.) Black hopeless, since I K-B4 can be met ~Y
is able to avert the stalemate threat at the 1 ... P-RJ!, and the subsequent displace-
cost of his more valuable pawn, but then ment of the white king. So he offers his
he is unable to promote his remaining own pawn as a sacrifice, which must be
24 Six Hundred Endings

refused by Black, since his NP would be for him to reach a distant stalemating
transformed into a RP. But then a stale- "nook".
mate "nook" is formed, in which the white 1 K-B6! K-Ql (otherwise 2 K-B7 wins)
kiitg:finds shelter. 2 K-Q5 KXP 3 K-K4! K-Q3 4 K-B3
t: F'-R5! P-N4! 2 P-R6! K-Q4 3 K-N4 K-K4 5 K-N4 K-B3 (White is in zug-
K-B:J 4 K-R5! K-B4, stalemate. For all zwang, but he nevertheless finds a "use-
its simplicity, this is a beautiful and in- ful" move) 6 K-R5! KXP, stalemate.
structive stalemate position. A false trail: 3 K-K5? K-K2 4 K-Q4
K-B3 5 K-K4 P-:t-;5, and Black wins.

73
=
~-~ ~ ~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~,~~~~~~

;·:·=·:·
71. Halberstadt. The stalemate "nook"
is ready for the white king, and it only has
io be seen and occupied.
:-:-:tt:•
73. Kubhel. Passed pawns with one file
between them ,can- defend each other
I K-Q7 K-Q6 2 K-K6 K-K6 3 K-B5 against the opposing king, so, on the face
P-N6 4 K-N4 K-B7 5 K-R3 P-R4! of it, the black king has plenty of time for
stalemate. the decisive intervention. White's counter-
Variation: 3 ... P-R4 4 K-N5 K-B7 play is magnificent. He first threatens
5 KXP P-N6 6 K-N6! KXP 7 P-R5 to win a pawn, and then to promote
K-B6 8 P-R6 P-N7 9 P-R7 P-N8=Q+ one. But his real aim is to create a stale·
10 K-B7! Q-Q5 11 K-N8, with a draw. mate "nook", into which the king slips
practically unnoticed.
~~~d~~
~~., •• 1 K-Q4 P-Q3! 2 K-B3 P-Q4! 3 K-Q4
P-N5 (the black pawns defend each other)
4 KXP! (and even 'so the king takes. one of
them!) 4 ... P-N6 5 K-B6! (threatening

~!•:-:-:
6 P-R7) 5 ... K-Nl 6 K-N6 P-N7 7
P-R7+ (White's plot is obvious now:

~~~~~~~~
we have already met it in example 69),
~ ~ ~ ~ 7 .. . K-Rl 8 K-R6! P-N8=Q(R)
stalemate.
72. Selezniev. For the moment White's
king cannot enter the square of Black's . 74. Rinck. White attacks 9 pawn and
passed pawn, as his pawns would be lost sunultancously prepares a stalemate
without compensation. He therefore "nook": 1 K-N3 (blocking the black king's
threatens to promote his pawn, thereby retreat) 1 ... P-R4 2 P-K4 (Black is in
gaining a tempo, which is just sufficient zugzwang) 2 ... K-~8 3 P-K5! (a decoy
 Stalemating Combinations 25

leads to an elementary draw) 4 P-BS K-Q I

5 P-B6! (a decoy sacrifice) 5 ... PXP
stalemate.

sacrifice, which brings the desired result)

3 ... PXPstalemate.

77. Troitsky. A rook's pawn or bishop's

pawn on the seventh rank can usually
dfaw against a queen, since the capture
of the pawn results in stalemate. In the
present example the black kfng is obliged
to stop White's RP, so that QB8 in effect
becomes the corner square, and White,
with a central pawn on the seventh rank
against a queen. is able to draw by stale-
75. Selezniev. Black is obliged to defend mate.
his pawns, but in so doing he also encircles 1 K-N6! K-Bl (otherwise after 2 K-/1.?
the white king: 1 K-B6! K-Nl 2 P-K5 the pawn queens) 2 P-R6 K-Nl 3 P-R7~
K-BI 3 P-K6 (there is no alternative other K-Rl 4 K-B7 P-R4 5 KXP(Q6) P-R5
than to take this pawn) 3 . . . PxP 6 KXP P-R6 7 P-K5 P-R7 S P-K6
stalemate. P-R8=Q 9 P-K7 Q-Q4+ 10 K-B7 Q-K3
11 K-Q8 Q-Q3+ 12 K-B8! Q-QB3-'-
(12 ... QXP-stalemate) 13 K-Q8 K-1'2
14 P-R8=Q+! (14 P-KB=Q? Q-B2
mate) 14 ... KXQ 15 P-KR=Q, draw.
~-~~~~
78 ~-·~~~~~~
= ~~~~~~~~
~~~~---~~~~~
~i~~~~~~
~-~---~~ ~~ ~~ ~
76. Troitsky. Black's need to defend his
~~~~~~~~
.~.~-~.!
pawns provides the opportunity for White
to block himself in, and the game takes its
inevitable course towards stalemate.
I K-N4 K-Nl 2 K-B5 K-B2 3 K-Q6 78. Grigoriev. Black's passed pawn
K-Kl (3 ... K-B3 4 KXP KXP 5 KXP would present a great threat if White's
26 Six Hundred Endings

king were to he driven away. White 80. Gorgiev. White threatens to queen
defends against this by a stalemating his pawn, in order to gain a tempo, with
combination, introduced hy \ery pretty the aim of holding up Black's 8P, and then
tempo pia). The king's jt,urne~ tl) the ,,f travelling to the developing stalemate
stal..:mate nook which d..:\elt'ps in thl..' '"nook".
course of the ~truggll..' is delightful. I K-!'15! P-84! (after I ... KXP?
I K-:\~ K-82 2 K-83 K-Q2! 3 K-84! 2 K-B4, it is White who wins) 2 K-B6!
K-K3 4 K-K4 P-Q4-;- 5 K-()-l K-Q3 K> P (otherwise 3 K-Q7 wins) 3 K-Q5
6 P-'\'6 K-K3 -: P-~5 K <)3 ~ P-'\4 K-83! 4 K-Q4 P-85 5 K-K4! (not 5 K> P
K-K3 9 K-85 K-K4 stalemat·.:. P-B6, and wins) 5 ... K-'\'4 6 K-B3
Variation: -l . . . P-'-.;3 5 K-Q4 P-Q4 K-B4 stalemate.
fi K-K3! K-K4 ~ K-Q3 P-Q5 !'i K-R4
K-K5 stalem.Jte.

81. Prokes. The idea is not new, but it

really is an achievement to create a stale-
mate nook in the middle of the board
79. Chigorio-Tarrasch ( :'\ urem berg,
with so few pawns around. The black
1896). Chigorin resigned in this position!
king, which is unable to break through
His decision was shown by subsequent
White's pawn defence, presents no danger,
analysis to be over-hasty; White could have
but the break-through by the QP has to be
saved the game \\ith a stalemating com-
prevented.
bination: 1 K-1'\4 K-K5 2 P-~6! P-R3
1 K-N6 P-Q4 2 K-B5! (not 2 KXP?
3 K-R5 Kx P stalemate.
P-Q5)2 ... K-Q23K-K5 K-83 4 K-Q4
Variation: 1 ... PXP 3 PxP P-B4+
K-Q3 stalemate.
4 K-N5 P-B5 5 P-R5 P-B6 6 P-R6
~~~~
-~~~~~~~
PXP+ 7 KYP,withadraw. 82
=
~~~~~~~
~~~~~~,~
~~~~~~"--"~

~~~~'
~~~~~~-,,%

82. Berger. Since White's king cannot

enter the square of Black's passed pawn,
 Stalemating Combinations 27

he naturally would like to equalize matters salvation in a stalemating combination,

by creating his own passed pawn. But since Black is unable to refuse the sacrifices
I P-NJ? K-B2 2 P-R4 K-Q2 is futile, and thus avoid the self-blocking of White.
since the black king arrives just in time to I P-B5! PXP 2 K-B4 K-!'l3 3 P-K6!
avert the danger. The situation is similar PXP (3 . .. KXP 4 PXP K-K2 5 KXP,
after 1 P-R4? P X P 2 P-B4 K -B2, so that with a draw) 4 K-K5 K-B2! 5 P-B4!
White has only one possibility of counter- P-B4 stalemate.
play.
1 P-B4! K-B2! (after 1 ... P-lU?
White breaks through with 2 P-B5 PXP
3 P-R4!, and queens with check; Black
has now defended against this threat,
and appears to be winning, except that
White has prepared a surprise) 2 PxP!
(White changes his plan) 2 . . . P-R4
3 K-NJ P-R5 4 K-R4 P-R6 S P-N3
P-R7 stalemate. Black could do nothing
to prevent White from walling himself in. 84. Selezniev. I P-B4? will not do,
The deliberate formation of a barricade, because of 1 ... KXP 2 P-N6 PXP+
when it leads to stalemate, is called 3 K-N5 K-B2!, and Black wins. If White
"walling-in". Only pawns are suitable for could move his king off the QR-file,
this operation, since they can be most things would be bad for Black. But this
easily immobilized precisely because of does not prove possible, and so White
the limitations of their mobility; but pieces has to seek a draw, which he does by means
can also assist in the walling-in of the king, of stalemate.
if they can be confined within the ring of I P-N6! P-QB3! 2 P-B4! P-B3 3 K-R6
pawns. P-B5 4 P-R5 P-B6, stalemate. Black is
unable to break the stalemate, because
after 4 ... P-B4 5 K-N5 P-B6 6 P-R6
P-B7 7 K-B6 P-B!bQ he is mated hy
8 P-R7.
A false trail: 2 K~R6? P-QB5 3 P-R5
P-B6 4 P-B4 P-B4 5 K-"5 P-B7, and
Black wins.

85. Csaszar. White has no time to

attack the Q-side pawns, because Black's
83. Gorgiev. After the natural I K-N4? KRP would be the first to queen. But
K-N3 2 P-B5+ PXP+ 3 K-B4 P-Q4 White can still sa\'e the game hy "walling
4 K-K3 P-B4!, the black passed pawns in" his king.
would eventually stalemate the white l K-K3 KYP 2 K-K2! (thct'taking of
king, and this could only be resolved by a the second knight:s pawn must be forced
forced move and consequent loss of one before the start of the walling-in ma-
of the white pawns. Wrute therefore seeks nceuvre, otherwise Black would adYance his
 ~8 Six HuiUirecl Endings

86. Fahrni. (Theoretical ending.) White

has Ill make a sacrifice to stave off the
~talemate danger, otherwise he cannot
win: I K-85 K-!'<2 2 P-R8=Q+! KXQ
3 K·-86 K-;"\;1 4 P-N7 etc.

KRP tu the lifth rank. ..J:·,d then llll'\;:

away his king. :h<!r..:b~ br..:a,.ing tho.: stal..:-
mat..:) 2 ... K P 3 K-QI K-87 4 K-81
K-1:\.7 5 K-'\2 K-Q7 n K-RJ K OP(8ol'
7 K-R.f K-Q-~ ::- P-83! K · P 9 I'-R3
K-Q7 stakmat;:.
87. (Theoretical ending.) White's bish-
Variati{'n: 3 ... P -R.f 4 K-BI P-RS
op's pawn is a threat to his own victory,
5 K-;\.2 P-R6 6 K-R3 P-R7 7 K-R.f
so he sacrifices this "harmful" pawn in
P-RR =Q S P-R3. a01d 81a~k is unable to
Nder to win the black pawn in return,
break the stal-:matc:.
and dri\e away the black king.
I P-87+ K-812 K-K7! KXP 3 K-K6
VI. AVO/Dil\"G STAL£.\!ATE K-81 4 K-Q6 K-N2 5 K-Q7 K-NI
6 K-86 K-R2 7 K-87 K-RI 8 KXP
It often happi!ns in the endgame that K-'1 (the opposition cannot help now
the weaker side will seek refuge in a stale- either) 9 K-R6 K-RI 10 P-N6, and White
mating combination, e•·en if he cannot wins.
force it, hoping that his opponent will over-
look the trap. These stalemate traps and
their amidance frequently require ex- VII. PAWN OBSTRUCTION
tremely careful play. The: most common AND ZUGZWANG
means of warding otT the danger are:
the expulsion of the opponent's king from A pawn sometimes obstructs the move-
the stalemate "nook'', the "sparing" of a ment of its own king in a pawn ending,
mobile piece or pawn. and the promotion and thus prevents the king from taking
of a pawn to a minor piece. part in the decisive stage of the game. In
such circumstances the pawn responsible
must be considered a positive liability to
its own side. The peculiar situation can
also arise in which a player loses only be-
cause he has no option but to make
a move detrimental to his own,.game. The
obligation to move in such situations is
called zugzwang. In pawn endings, zug-
zwang is usually caused by obstructing
 Pawn Obstructio11 and Zugzwang 29

pawns, and so it is appropriate to treat the king opposite it, thereby bringing about a
phenomena of pawn obstruction and zugzwang situation. Black's pawns would
zugzwang together. be captured, and then his king would have
to move, thus allowing the promotion of
one of the white pawns.
If Black moves first, one of his pawns
will queen, since after I ... P-B6! 2 P-R6
K-NI JK-N I P-R6, White is in =ug=wang.

~~~~
~~~~~~~~
90
+
,~,~~----~~ '~
•~...~~ ~~0,~~-~
~ -~~if~
~ ~~~-""~"····~~
. 88. Salvioli. (Theoretical ending.) The
~,~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
game would end in a draw if Black had

.~.~.~.~
no pawn, and so White must not allow his
opponent to rid himself of it while his
king is in an advantageous position.
I P-N5! (otherwise the black pawn 90. Fahmi. (Theoretical ending.) Black,
would advance, and Black would draw by in spite of his material advantage, gets into
taking the opposition) I ... K-B2 2 K-Q7 zugzwang because of his KP.,
K-BI 3 K-K6 K-N2 (Black's king has to 1 PXP K-K3 2 K-N4 (if the white
gradually give way, and he loses his pawn king had been differently positioned, a:.d
in an unfavourable situation) 4 K-K7 had been able to move to Ql':3. the win
K-N I 5 K-B6 K-R2 6 K-B7 K-R I would have been simpler) 2 . . . P-:\"4
7 K X P K-N I (it has already been dem- 3 K-N3 P-R4 4 K-R3 P-R5 (4 ...
onstrated that the opposition on the P-N5+ 5 K-R4, or 4 ... P-B4 5 K-N~.',
first rank is ineffective in such positions) and wins) 5 K-N4 P-B4-;- 6 K-R3!
8 K-R6 K-Rl 9 P-N6 K-NI 10 P-N7, P-B5 7 K-N4. and \\"hite wins, because
and wins. after the fall of the Q-side pawns Black's
king has to move to a wor.se square.
91
ti~~ ~
•
~~ ~
~~ ~ ~
~~~~~~~~
.l. ••

~~~~~~~~
L.~~ ~~ ~~%~~%
~ ~ l?'.f.% .t. l?'.f.%
~ ~~ ~~~---~~~---~
~~~~~~~~
.~.~.~-~
89. Ponziani. (Theoretical ending.)
White to move queens one of his pawns 91. Behting. To anyone acquainted with
after I P-R6 K-Nl 2 K-Nl !. Whichever example 89, the solution here presents no
black pawn moves first, White moves his problem. But this pt,sitil'n is not a theor-
 _?IJ Six Hwulrt·.l Endings

etical one in the strict sense of the word,

since \ictory is made possible by a tactical
InClVC.
I K- i\" I ! (any Nher move by Whi k
would throw away the chance of even a
draw, since I P-RfJ would he met by
I ... P-.\-6, and I K-Rl hy I ... P-B6,
winning in each c.ise) I ... K-R2(B2)
(of course, if one of the pawns moves,
the white king mows opposite to it)
2 P-~8=Q+ (a necessary sacrifice to
gain a tempo, since after 2 P-R6? K-NI.'
ii is White whn would be in =ugzwang) 93. Whitehead. White's RP, the key to
~ ... KXQ 3 P-R6! P-B6 4 K-B2 P-R6 'ictory, is endangered, and can only be
5 K-'-'3, and White wins, hecausc Black "aYed by a sacrifice. White still manages
h.1s no good mo' <' !:ft. to hold the advantage, because Black's
p.twn at. .. QB2 puts his own king in
:ug:wang.
1 P-Q4! P;..<P (if I ... K-NJ, then
~ P-Q5, 3 P-K6, and wins) 2 P-B5 P-N5
3 KXP P- N6 4 K-K3 P-R4 5 K-B3
P-R5 6 K-N2, and wins.

~~~~
~ ~~~~~~:
94
+

92. Horwitz. 1 Theoretical ending.) ~~···"~'·'~

~ ~~%~~~... ~~ ~
.t.
~ ;r~ ;r~ •
~~~,"~"· ·"~ ~~
Playing I K-K4 K :< P 2 K-B3, in order
~~~~~~~
to hold up the KRP, has the flaw that
after 2 ... P-R5 the black king makes for
~!0'1%~!0'1%~~"·"~
~ :r[!}. :r[!}. • ~
the Q-side and eliminates the remaining ~ ~ ~ ~
...
iJJf.l"·"·~~ ?,~ ~~ ~
white pawns. White th~:refore relies on
counter-play. 94. Lindner. In this position several of
1 K-K4(K5, K6l K..: P 2 K-Q5! K-N5 Black's pawns have the regrettable role of
3 K-B6 P-R5 4 K>~P P-R6 5 K-R7 limiting the free movement of their own
P-R7 6 P-i\"6 P-RX =Q 7 P-N7 (the king. White therefore wins not merely
knight's pawn on the se\enth rank would by virtue of his passed pawn, but also by
lose against the queen. were it not for the exploiting the unfortunate predicament of
assistance of the black pawn. Hindered by · these pawns, which enables him to mate
this pawn, which is now a liability, the the opponent or to win his newly-gained
queen cannot give check on the QR-filc, queen. The fact that Black h~a choice of
and cannot therefore force White's king to three different queening squares, none of
move in front of his pawn) 7 ... Q-R2 8 which is any good, lends added interest to
K-R8 Q-K5 9 K-R7 Q-Q5+ 10 K-R8 this ending.
 Space- and Time-winning Manrmvres, and Positional Struggles 31

1 P-R4 P-Q5 2 P-R5 P-B6 3 NPXP 96

PXP 4 PXP P-K5 5 P-R6 P-K6 6 P-R7 /+
P-K7 7 P-R8=Q P-K8=Q 8 Q-KB8+
K-K4 (8 ... K-N4 would also allow mate
in two moves) 9 Q-B4+ K-Q4 10 P-B4
mate.
lst variation: 2 . . . P-K5 3 P-R6
P-K6 4 PXP P-Q6 5 P-R7 P-Q7 6
P-R8=Q P-Q8=Q 7 Q-KB8+ K-K4
8 Q-B4+ K-Q4 9 Q-Q6+ K-K5 10
96. Randvir-Keres (Parnu, 1947). Exam-
QXQ etc.
ple64showed that sometimes the opponent
2nd variation: 2 . . . P-K5 3 P-R6
can be put in zugzwang by subtle tempo
P-K6 4 PXP P-B6 5 NPXP PXBP 6
moves. The immediate creation of a
P-R7 P-B7 7 P-R8=Q P-B8=Q
passed pawn would not be successful here,
8 Q-KB8+ K-K4 9 Q-B4+ K-Q4
because after 1 ... P-R4 2 PXP K-N2
10 P-K4+ K-Q5 11 QXQ, and White
3 K-B3 K-R3 4 K-N4 Black cannot
wins.
advanceanyfurther.Butafter 1 ... K-Bl!
White finds himself in the dilemma of
being forced to move. 2 K-K3 (if 2 K-Q4,
then 2 ... P-R4, and the white king cannot
reach KN4 in time) 2 ... K-K2 3 K-K4
K-Q3 4 K-Q4 P-R3 5 K-K4 K-B4
6 K-K3 K-Q4 7 K-Q3 K-K4 8 K-K3
P-R4 9 PXP KXP 10 K-B3 K-K3
11 K-N4 K-B2 12 K-B5 K-N2, and
White resigned.

95. Troitsky. Black has two routes

available to hold up White's dangerous Vlll. SPACE- AND TIME-WINNING
QRP; one of them leads through ... KB3, MANCEUVRES, AND POSITIO.l\'AL
and the other through ... QB3. White can STRUGGLES
only win if he succeeds in blocking both
ways. Winning space and mnnin~ time go
I P-KB6! PXP (one route is blockl!d) hand in hand. The examples illustratinf!
2 KxP (otherwise after 2 ... K-N6 how to enter the opponent's squarl! also
the RP would give mate) 2 ... K-N5 showed how double threats were used to
3 P-R4 PXP e.p. 4 PXP K-B4! (the gain time. The double threats were posed
black king attempts to get into the square by the weaker side's king mo'•ing diago-
of White's passed pawn) 5 P-R4 K-K4 nally and approaching two different targets
6 P-Q6! PXP 7 P-B6! PXP (now the at the same time. The best known way pf
second route leading to White's RP is also gaining space in pawn endings is by
impassable) 8 P-R5 K-Q4 9 P-R6, and displacing the opponent's king. In a
White wins. positional struggle the aim is to immobilize
3:! Six Hundred Endings

t~c enemy fl'rccs. or at least a part 0f In the actual game 2 K -Q6 was played,
t~em. to cre:Hc and subsequently auack and after 2 . . . K-Q5 3 K-B6 K-K4
weaknes>cs. 0r to prepare a decisi,·e pene- 4 K-~7 K-Q3 5 KXP K-B2. the result
tratic>n into the c>pponent"s position. was a draw.

97. Prokes. t Theoretical ending. l White·~

99. Duras. White's king has one extra
r.:sk is to force the opposing king to stay
tempo compared with Black's. This small
0:1 the rook's file after it has captured the
ad\antage has to be transformed into a
\\hi te pawn. ;..,u t fc>r this he is shc>rt 0f
winning one, and this is no easy task.
two tempi. He gains these by threatening
Black threatens not only a pawn advance,
t;,e black pawn. and by moving diagonally
but also to take his king across to stop
lL~wards his ultimate aim, QB2.
the white pawn. White therefore has to
I K-:'•17 P-R4 2 K-86! P-R5 3 K-Q.:'
manceuue, so as to prevent both lines of
P-R6 4 K-K4 K-:'-17 5 K-Q3 K ·.: P 6
counter-play.
I-:.-82. Draw.
I K-85! P-~4 2 P-N4 P-'1'5 3 K-Q4
Variation: 3 ... K-N7 4 K-84 K · P
K-~4 4 P-~5 P-N6 5 K-K3 K-N5
5 K-83! etc.
6 P-N6 K-R6 7 P-N7 P-N7 8 K-B2,
and White wins, because after 8 ... K-R 7
his pawn queens with check.
Variation: I ... K-N3 2 P-N4 K-B2
3 P-N5 K-K2 4 K-136! (4 K-N6? P-N4
leads to a draw) 4 ... K-QI 5 K-N7
P-N4 6 P-~6 P-N5 7 K-R7 P-N6
8 P-N7 etc.

98. Schlage-Ahues. (Theoretical ending.

Berlin, I92l.) White's king approaches the
black pawn diagonally, and gains a tempo
through the occupation of the centre.
I K-K6 K-B6 2 K-Q5! K-N5 3 K-86
K-B5 4 K-N7 K-B4 5 KXP K-B3 (the
black king is one move too late) 6 K-N8,
al"!d wins.
 Space- and Time-winning Mamzul'res. and Positional Struggles 33

100. Fahrni. (Theoretical ending.)

Black's king is able to hold back the white
pawns, but he cannot take them, since
pawns separated by one file can defend
one another even in their own half of the
board. White's king thus has plenty of
time first to eliminate the enemy pawn,
and then to engage in the decisive battle.
I P-R4! K-84 2 K-R5 K-N3 3 P-84!
(otherwise 3 ... K-R4 draws) 3 ... K-R4
I P-B4 PXP 2 P-Q4! K-K3 (Black's
4 P-85! K-R3 5 KXP K-N2 6 P-R5!
king has to go- round his own pawn)
K-83 7 P-R6! K-82 8 K-N6 K-83
3 K-N2 K-Q2 4 K-B3 K-82 5 Kx P
9 K-86 K-82 10 K-Q7 K-B3 II P-R7
K-N3 6 K-K4 KXP 7 K-Q5. and wins.
K-N2 12 K-K7, and wins.

101 ~ ~·~ ~
~-~~
~ ~~~ ~
~!·!~:~!
~~ ~~; w" •
%~ ',%~ ,,,,%~ ~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
101. Bebting. This position appears very 103. Kling and Horwitz. (Theoretical
simple, yet great care is called for, since ending.) Since the white king must keep
after I P-K7 K-B2 the hasty 2 K-K4? an eye on Black's protected passed pawn,
P-B4 3 K-Q3 K-KI 4 K-B4 K-B2 the latter's pawn deficit does not appear
would only result in a draw. However, serious. However, the white pawns are
if Black's king were now at. .. Kl, then able to advance, whereas Black's passed
5 KXP would win. It is the realization of pawn can only do this if White's king
this that prompts White to mana:uvre for were to move beyond striking range. It is
time. this difference in pawn mobility that
I P-K7 K-B2 2 K-B3! P-B3! 3 K-B4! enables White's king to force the issue.
P-B4 4 K-K4! (just at the right time) I K-K4 K-N5 2 P-R4 K-R4 3 K-B4
4 . . . K-KI 5 K-Q3(Q5) K-B2(Q2) K-R3 4 P-N4 K-N3 5 P-R5+ K~3
6 K-B4 K-KI 7KXP!, and White wins, 6 K-K4 K-N4 7 K-B3 K-R3 8 K-B4
since after 7 ... P-Q6 8 K-Q6 P-Q7 K-R2 9 P-N5 K-N2 10 P-N6! t(1'6J
9 K-K6 he gives mate. P-R6+? K-R2, with a draw) 10 ... K.~
II K-N4 K-N212 K-N5!(thereisno~
102. Prokes. White can only defend his for White to watch Black's passed pawn
passed pawn indirectly, by a pawn sacri- any longer) 12 ... P-Q6 13 P-R6+ K-,Wl •
fice, but this also gives him a decisive gain 14 K-86! P-Q7 15 P-R7+ K-RI 11"6
in time. K-B7, and White wins.
34 Six Hundred Endings

K-B1 4 K-N6 K:-::N1 s· K!..B6 K-R2,

and the black king .succeeds in r~aching
... QBl.
With Black to play: 1 ... K-B3 2 P-R5
K-B2 3 K-R7 K-B3! 4 K-NS K-N4
5 K-B7 KXP 6 K-K6 K-N3, with a
draw.
1st variation: 3 K-N5 K-N2 4 K-B5
K-R3 5 K-K5 KXP 6 K-Q5. K-N3
7 K-B5 K-B3 8 K-N5 K-K3 9 KXP
104. Fahnli. ('l'la:omial ending.) The
K-Q2 10 K-N6 K-B1 etc.
outcome of the game depends on whether
2nd variation: 2 K-R7 K-B2 3 P-R5
White's king can occupy QN7 after taking
K-B3! 4 K-NS K-N4 5 K-B7 KXP
the black pawn. The first move, therefore,
6 K-K6 K-N3 etc.
is of decisive importance.
1 P-R5! K-N1 2 K-B6 K-R2 3 K-K6 106
KXP 4 K-Q6 K-N3 5 K-B6 K-B2 I=
6 K-N6 K-K2 7 KXP K-Q2 8 K-N7
etc.
If Black moves first: 1 ... P-R4!
2 K-R5 K-R1 3 K-N6 K-N1 4 K-B5
K-R2 5 K-K5 KXP 6 K-Q5 K-N3
7 K-B5 K-B3 8 K-N5 K-K3 9 KXP
K-Q2! 10 K-N6 K-B1, with a draw,
since 11 K -R7 would obstruct the pawn's
106. Leio-Tal (32nd USSR Champion-
path, while if the pawn moves, the black
ship). Being conversant with the line of
king would occupy ..• QRl.
play demonstrated in the two previous
examples, White did not even attempt to
capitalize on his pawn advantage, but
agreed to a draw. The continuation might
have been as follows:
1 ... K-B5 2 K-Q~ (2 K-B4 KXP
3 K-N5 K-B5 etc.) 2 ... K-N6 3 K-Q5
KXP 4 K-K6 K-B6 5 KXP KXP 6
P-KR4 K-Q4 7 P-R5 K-Q3 8 K-N7
K-K2 9 KXP K-B2 10 P-R6 P-R4!
11 P-R4 K-Bl 12 K-N6 K-Nl 13 K-B6
lOS. Euwe. (Theoretical ending.) White K-R2, with a draw.
cannot promote his KRP, but he can win
the black pawn in exchange for it. How- 107. Polugayevsky-K. Grigorian (39th
ever, the QRP cannot be queened either, USSR Championship). The more acthe
since the black king can reach ... QBI . position of his king and the tempo ad-
and save the game. vantage of his pawns decide the issue
1 P-R5 K-B3 2 K-R7 K-B2 3 P-R6 in favour of White.
 Space- and Time-winning JlanaUI'res, and Positional Struggles 35

4 K-Q6 K-Q5 5 P-B5. and the pawn

queens.

I K-N4 K-B4 2 K-B5 K-Q5 3 P-R5!

(this paralyses the black pawns on the
K-side, and secures the tempo move
109. Grigoriev. Generally it is the
P-KN4) 3 ... P-QN4 4 P-QN4 P-R5
advance of the more distant passed pawn
(after 4 ..• PXP 5 PXP K-B5 6 KXP
that decides pawn endings. But in this
KXP 7 K-Q4! K-R4 8 K-B5! P-N5
instance the pawn which is closer to and
9 K-B4 K-R5 10 P-K5 the white pawn
within range of the opposing king moves
queens with check, and after the exchange
first, since otherwise Black's QP would
of queens, Black loses his K -side pawns;
also promote.
in this line Black's possession of an outside
I P-B4! K-N5 2 P-R4 P-Q4 3 P-B5
passed pawn does not help, because his
K-B4 4 P-R5 P-Q5 5 P-B6 K-Q3 6 P R6
king is too distant) 5 P-N4 K-B5 6 KXP
P-Q6 7 P-B7 K-K2 8 P-R7 P-Q7 9
K-N6 7 K-Q4! KXP 8 K-B3 K-R7
P-B8=Q+ KXP 10 P-RS=Q+ etc.
9 K-B2, and Black resigned. Winning
The sacrifice of one pawn in order to gain
White's QNP and having two pawns
a tempo and enable another pawn to
against one is of little help. He has been
queen with check is a well-known tactical
outpaced.
device.

108. Prokes. (Theoretical ending.) White 110. Mandler. White cannot win by
places his king to the rear of Black's driving the opposing king away, becnse
position, in order to be able to drive Black's the latter can respond to the white .Jcq~-s
king away from the area in front of the move by simply using his QP as an uis
white pawns. and revolving around it. In this way he·can
I K-K7! P-K5 (or 1 .•. K-Q5 2 K-Q6, keep the opposition. But there is a tacticBI
and wins) 2 P-B4+ K-Q5 3 PXP KXKP solution.
36 Six Hundred Endings

I K-N6! K-R3 2 K-N7 K-R2 3 K-N8 K-R2(N2), allows Black a successful de-
K-RI (the importance of the opposition fence. Moreover, I K-R7? can be met by
has forced Black's moves, but in the pro- the equalizing counter-attack I ... K-N4
cess.he has got himself into a bad position) and 2 ... K-B5. Therefore White's plan
4i P--B5! P X P 5 P-K5 P-B5 6 P-K6, and is to frustrate both possibilities of counter-
\\f.bio:. queens with check. play.
I K-N8! (the first move in a well-
+
111 ~-==-~~=~=--=·=---=·"""
~~~ ~~ ~~~ considered strategic plan) I . . . K-N3!
~~~~~~"·"~ (the black king cannot move onto the sec-
=~~~~~~, ond rank, for White would immediately
"···"~~~~~~~ gain the opposition, but I ... K-N4 is
~~~~~~~'!.... %
also not good, since after 2 K-B7 K-B5
~~~~~~~~ 3 K-K6 K-B4 4 K-Q7 the black king is

••••
~~~~%~~~ squeezed out) 2 K-B8! (against this
advance along the eighth rank Black can
only temporarily maintain the opposition)
111. Selezoiev. (Theoretical ending.) 2 ... K-B3! 3 K -K8 K --Q3 (he has moved
White's king cannot attack the black onto the file of his own pawn, and this
pawn while it remains in its present posi- will have grave consequences a few
tion, since Black's king could also attack moves later) 4 K-B7 K-Q2 5 K-B6 K--Q3
the white pawns and draw. White there- 6 K-B5! (Black's own pawn prevents him
fore sacrifices a pawn at an opportune from maintaining the opposition) 6 ...
moment in such a way that he can retake, K-Q2 7 K-K5 K-B3 8 K-K6 K-B4
and at the same time shut out the black 9 K-Q7! K-N4 10 K-Q6 K-B5 I I K-B6,
king. and White wins.
I K-N5 K-B6 2 K-B5 K-Q6 3 K-Q5
K-K6 4 K-K5 K-B6 5 K-B5 K-N6 6
P-R6! PXP 7 P-R5 K-R5 8 K-N6
K-N5 9 KXP, and wins.
A false trail: 5 P-R6? PXP 6 K-B5
P-R4! 7 K-N5 K-K5 8 KXP K-B4,
with a draw.

113. (Theoretical ending.) Both kings

are bogged down by the necessity of
watching the opposing pawns, but the
advanced position of the white pawns
(spatial advantage) makes a 'Vinning
combination possible.
I K-N6 (a necessary gain of time,
112. Dedrie. I K-N7 (R7)? fails to win, since after 1 KXP it is Black who would
since the horizontal opposition, I ... win) I ... K-Rl 2 K-B5 P-R4 3 K-K6
 Space- and Time-winning Man~uvres, and Positional Struggles 37

White has achieved his aim of securing the

horizontal opposition and he can now
squeeze out the black king) 4 ... K-N5
5 K-Q6! K-N6 6 K-K5 K-N5 7 K-B6
etc.
Variation: 3 ... K-N3 4 KXP K-N4
5 K-85 K-N5 6 K-Q4! K-N6 7 K-K4,
and wins.

114. Dedrle. White does not take the

NP straight away, since by the time he
promotes his own QNP, Black can cap-
ture the KNP and advance his pawn to
... KB7. with a draw. White, therefore,
postpones the capture of the QNP in
order to deal first with Black's KBP. 116. Bogoljubov-Selemiev (Moravska
I K-B6! K-N5 (if I ... K-NJ?, then Ostrava, I923). Reaching the KN-file with
2 K>:P) 2 K-Q6! (2K-Q5? would be his king would enable Black to draw.
met by :l . . . K-R4!, with the distant Therefore White's most urgent task is not
opposition) 2 ... K-]';6 3 K-K5 K-N5 to create a passed pawn, but to hold and
4 K-B6 K-R5 5 K-B5 K-N6 6 K-NS drive back the black king.
KxP 7 KXP, and White wins after the I K-B6! (1 K-R6? K-K3 2 K-N7 K-B4.',
fall of the remaining black pawn. with a draw) I ... K-Kl 2 K-N7 K-K2
3 P-N3 K-K3! 4 K-B8 K-B3 5 P-N4
115
~ ~ ~ ~
~~~~~~~~ K-K3 6P-N5! P-B4 7 P-RS P-BS 8 PXP,
+ ~~~~~~~~ and White wins.
~,~~~~~ 1st variation: 4 ... P-B3 5 K-N7 K-B4
~~%~~~i'Jl;-j~ 6 K-B7 P-N4 7 P-R5 etc.
'if!j ~ 'i~ ~ 2nd variation: 3 ... K-Kl 4 P-N4

:;:~:~:~
P-B4 5 P-R5 BPXP 6 P-R6 etc.

117. Brinekmaan-RabiDsteiD (Budapest,

I929). Black's advantage in space is
115. Weenink. A similar ending to the enough for a win. White cannot prev-ent
previous one, but the king's manreuvring Black's king from penetrating on one of
in order to gain space is even more intri- the flanks.
cate. I . . . K-K5 2 K-K2 P-N4 3 K-Bl
I K-K4 K-N5 2 K-QS! K-R4! 3 K-B6 (if 3 K-Q2, then 3 . . . K-B5 4 K-K1
(the critical moment. when Black can no K-N6 5 K-B1 K-R7 6 K-B2 P-KN5, and
longer keep the opposition) 3 ... K-N4 wins) 3 ... P-Q5! 4 PXP KXP 5 K-K2
4 K-B5 (by threatening to win a pawn. P-QN5 6 K-Q2 (after 6 PXP P-B6!
 38 Six Hundred Endings

119
I+

7PXP+ K-B5!8K-Q2P-R69K-Bl KXP 119. Cohn-Rubiustein (St. Petersburg,

10 K-Nl KXP, Black wins with his 1909). The line of white pawns is weak,
outside passed pawn. The correlation of bas no flexibility, and is unable to offer
the strategic and tactical elements-spatial effective counter-play. Black's plan is to
advantage, break-through, outside passed break up this line of pawns, and he starts
pawn-can be well observed in this his advance with an attack on the weakest
example) 6 ... P-N6! (Black increases his link in the opposing.fofiDation.
spatial advantage) 7 P-B3 + K-K5 8 K-K2 1 ... K-B3! 2 K--Q2 K-N4 3 K-K2
K-B5 9 K-B2 K-N5 10 K-B1 K-N6 K-R5 4 K-B1 K-:-R6 5 K-Nl. P-K4!
11 K-N1 P-N5 12 K-B1 K-R7 13 K-B2 6 K-R1 (any. pawn move would further
K-R8 14 K-N3 K-N8 15 KXP KXP, weaken his position) 6 . . . P-QN4
and White resigned. 7 K-Nl P-B4 8 K-R1 P-N4 9 K-NJ
P-KR4 10 K-Rl P-N5 (the liquidation
begins) 11 P-K4 BPXP 12 PXKP P-R5
13 K-N1 P-N6 14 RPXP PXP, and
White resigned, because 15 P-B4 is met by
15 ... PXP 16 P-K5 P-B6 17 P-K6
P-N7, when Black wins.

118. Walker. (Theoretical ending.)

White has positioned his king in front of
the base of Black's pawn chain, with the
plan of breaking it up, but first he has to
immobilize the chain before he can pro-
ceed with his main task. ·
1 P-B4! PXPe.p. 2 PXP P-R63P-B4 120. BotTinnik-Flohr (15th USSR Cham-
K-Q2 4 P-K4 K-B2 5 P-K5! PXP 6 pionship). I P-N4 (first of all White im-
KXKP K-B3 7 K-K6 K-B2 8 K-Q5 mobilizes the black pawns) 1 ... K-K2
K-N3 9 K--Q6, and White wins, because 2 P-R4 K-Q3 3 K-K4 P-N3 4 P-RS
after9 ... K-N210KXPK-B2theother (preparing to penetrate via KB5) 4 ...
black pawn also falls. PXP 5 PXP P-R4 6 K-B5 (6 PXP PXP
 Space- and Time-winning Manamvres, and Positional Struggles 39

7 P-N3! K-B4 8 K-B5 KXP 9 KXP K-R3 13 K-K5 KXP 14 K-Q5 K-N4 15
K~5 10 K-N6 would also have won, K-B6 K-B4 16 KXP K-K3 17 K-85
since White's pawn queens first and covers K-Q2 18 KXP K-B3 19 K-R5, and Black
the square QR1) 6 ... PxP 7 KXP resigned only after a further five moves. An
KXP 8 K-N6 K-K3 9 KXP K-B3 10 unusual waste of time in competitive play
P-N3 K-B2 11 K-N5 K-N2 12 K-85 at this level.
Knight and Bishop Endings
Countless hours have been spent meditating over the problem of whether a bishop or a
knight is the more valuable piece in the endgame. The answer invariably depends on the
pawn position, or rather on the position of the pieces relative to those of the king and
the pawns. A knight is generally more useful in blockedpawnpositions,since it is better
suited to the role of spoiler than is the bishop; but the longer and swifter stride of the
bishop makes it better equipped to fight against ragged pawn lines, and when there is
play on both flanks. A bishop, however, loses its flexibility behind its own pawns,
whereas a knight, with its ability to leap obstacles in its path, has fewer problems in
moving forward.
In the course of simplifying a position after the middle game, one should take care to
ensure the survival of a piece which is more mobile than that of the opponent; one ought
never to decide on the basis of theoretical values alone.
The endings shown hitherto have concentrated on pawn struggles. The idea behind
them was indicated by the title of each section, but the analyses themselves alluded to
strategic concepts and tactical manceuvres. In the following endings, pieces are involved
as well as pawns. They have been arranged according to which pieces play the principal
roles. These examples incorporate all of the various tactical manceuHes, so that it is
time to become acquainted with the concepts of strategy and tactics.
By strategy we mean purposeful development, that is, the drawing up of one's forces
in preparation for the decisive battle. The occupation or pressurizing of important
squares, the establishment of strong points, and tempo moves are the best known
weapons in the strategic armoury. Strategy also creates positions where tactics can be
employed, excepting, of course, those which come about as a result of the opponent's
errors.
By tactics we mean the exploitation of positions; by taking adnmtage of the means
available (capturing or threatening an opponent's piece, etc.) tactical play forces a sub-
stantial change in the position. A sequence of moves which results in a change to the
opponent's disadvantage is called a tactical manceuvre. These manceuvres have to be
executed as quickly as possible, to prevent the opponent from regrouping his men and
organizing an effective defence. This is the reason why the theoretical Yalues of the pieces
must be disregarded in the course of a tactical manceuvre-their real value is their
usefulness in achieving the aim the player sets himself.
The evaluation of an ending is determined by strategy and by tactical manceuvres.
These are amply explained in the analyses.

41
42 Six Hundred Endings

f . .\fATE W!TII Tll'O .\f!YOR PIECES

l.YCLCDfSGTII'O 1\S/Cil/TS ACiAI.\'ST
ONE OR .\fORE PAW.VS

~ ~ ~ ~
~~~~~~~~~
121
+
~~~~~W'~~
~~~~~'im~

121.
~::::::
tTheorcti~al ending.} \\.hitc •.:.Jn
I K-B.:J. K-QJ 2 K-B5 K-Q2 3 B-Q5
K-Q3 4 K-K4 K-K2 5 K-K5 K-Q2
t. B-85 K-82 7 K-K6 K-Ql 8 B-B6
K-B2 9 K-Q5 K-Ql 10 B-Q6 K-BI
II K-85 K-QI 12 K-N6 K-BI 13 B-K7
~ivc mate only in a corner of the ~:;me
K-:'•H 14 B-Q7 K-Rl 15 B-QR3 K-NI
..:olour as his bishop. Therefore his task
l(i B-Q6+ K-RI 17 B-86 mate.
in this JK~sition is to drive the black king
int0 ,me l~f the white-square corners.
I ~-87..,... K-~ I 2 B-K4 {gaining a
tempo) 2 . . . K-BI 3 8-R7 K-Kl
4 :"-K5! (players not familiar with this
particular technique are reluctant to ma;..e
this knight mow. for fear that the bla~k
king will walk away freely. Howe\e'f, the
king can get only as far as his. . . Q83
square, after which he will be driven back
;;tep by step) 4 ... K-Ql (after 4 ... K-Bl
5 N-Q7 ..._ he would be cornered e\ en 123. (Theoretical ending.) Theory states
sooner) 5 K-K6 K-82 6 l'\-Q7! K-83 7 that two knights cannot win against a lone
8-Q3 (the knight controls the black king, but when the weaker side also has a
squares, and the bishop the white ones, so pawn which is at 1_!:ast three squares from
theblackkingcannotbreakout)7 ... K-B2 the queening square, and when one of the
(or 7 ... K-N28 K-Q6 etc.) 8 B-K4 K-Ql knights is able to blockade this pawn,
9 K-Q6 K-Kl 10 8-N6+ K-Ql II B-R5 a win can usually be forced. This position
(gaining a tempo) 11 ... K-81 12 N-85! demonstrates the proper winning tech-
K-Ql 13 N-N7+ K-81 14 K-86 K-" nique.
15 B-N4 K-R216 K-B7 K-R3 17 8-K2- 1 K-N5 K-R2 2 N(6)-B5 K-N13 K-86!
K-R2 18 N-Q6 K-Rl 19 B-N5'(another K-Bl 4 N-N7 K-Nl 5 N-K6 K-R2
tempo gain) 19 ... K-R2 20. ~-88+ 6 K-NS K-Rl 7 K-R6! K-Nl 8 K-N6
K-Rl 21 B-86 mate. K-Rl 9 N-88 K-Nl 10 N-R7 K-R1
(White now moves in for the kill, and
122. (Theoretical ending.) The bishops brings his other knight into the action)
can mate Black's lone king in any of the 11 N-N4! P-K6 12 N-R6 P-K7 13 N-NS
four corners. P-K8 =Q 14 N(S)-87 mate.
 Mate with Tll'o Minor Pieces 43

J 24. Troitsky. (Theoretical ending.) the pawn, White still wins: I N-R3!
1 N-B4! P-R6 2 N-K5 P-R7 3 N-N6+ PXN 2 K-B2 P-R7 3 l"\-N3 mate.
K-R2 4 N-B8+ K-Rl 5 N-K7 P-RS=Q
6 N(7)-N6 mate.
If Black moves first, White has to force
a situation in which he has the right to
move first in the original position: I •..
K-R2 2 K-B6 K-Nl (or 2 ... K-Rl
3 K-K6! K-Rl 4 K-Bl etc.) 3 K-K7!-
K-Rl 4 K-B8 K-R2 5 K-B7 K-RI
6 N-B4, and wins.

127. Bolton. (Theoretical ending.) The

black king would like to escape towards
his ... KRI square, and this has to be
prevented by White in such a way that
the black pawn stays blockade<.l. 1 :\-B2
K-R4 (after 1 • ... K-.\'6 2 li"(B2)-N4 the
game concludes more qu!ckly) 2 l"(B2)- ~4
K-R53 K-N6! K-~6 4 K-::-.l5 K-N7 5
K-B4 K-R8 (or 5 .... K-:V8 6SJ!, and
125. Loyd. (Theoretical ending.) If the wins) 6 K-B3! K-:\18 7 K-:-.:3 K-R8 8
weaker side's pawn is on the sixth rank, K-B3 P-R7 9 N-B2 mate.
it is possible to win only in exceptional
cases. 128. Troitsky. (Theoretical ending.)
Mate is made possible only by pawn White could not win if the black king
move ending the stalemate position, which were to reach the haven of his ... KR I
arises after the king has been forced into square, since the knight on QB2 would
the corner. not be able to give mate in time. White,
I N-B6 K-R8 2 K-B2 KXN 3 N-N4+ therefore, has to manceu\ re to block the
K-RS 4 K-Bl P-R7 5 N-B2 mate. black king's escape route.
I N-Q5 K-Bl 2 K-K7! K-Nl 3 K-Q8
126. Loyd. (Theoretical ending.) Al- K-N2 4 K-Q7 K-R2 5 K-B7 K-R3
though neither of the knights is blockading 6 K-B6 K-R2 7 N-K7 K-R3 8 N-BS
 44 Six Hundred Endings

back the black king to force a win as in

example 124.
Instead of this, there followed: I
:\"-K5+? K-K5 2 N-KB7 (2 N-N6 is
answered by 2 ... P-B5!, and after the
capture of the BP Black plays 3 ... K-B4,
forcing the white king to move) 2 ... P-B5
3 ;-.:(6)-N5+ K-K6 4 NXP (White has
succeeded in capturing the more advanced
rook's pawn, but is unable to force a win
K-R4 ~ 1\-~6! (Black similarly must r~ol
because of Black's bishop's pawn) 4 ...
be Jlk)wed to escape vi;., ... QR5) 9 ...
P-B6 5 N-K5 K-K7! (not, of course,
K-R3 )l) :'\-B4 K-R2 II :\"-Q6 K-R3
5 ... P-B7?, because of 6 N-N4+)
l~ :\"-:\"7 K-R2 13 ::'\:-B5 K-:\"1 14 K-Q7
6 :--:-;-..:4 K-B8 7 N(4)-B2 K-K8 8 N-Q3+
K-R2 15 K-B7 t..:.-Rl 16 K-~6 K-:'-."1
K-K7 9 N(Q3)-B4+ K-B8 10 K-RI
17 ::\-:\7! 1-:.-Bl 18 K-B6 K-:\"1 19 l'\-Q6
K.-K8 11 N-Q3+ K-K7 12 N(Q3)-B2
K-R2 20 K-:\"5 K-Nl ~I K-:'-."6 K-Rl
K.-BS 13 N-N4 K-K8 14 K-Nl K-K7
22 :\"-BS K-:\"1 23 :'li-Ki K-RI 24 K-B7
15 l\"(4)-B2 K-KS 16 N-Q3+ K-K7
K-R2 25 ~-:--.;4! P-B7 26 ;-.:(7)-B6+
17 N(Q3)-B4+ K-KS 18 N-Q3+ K-K7
K-RI27 r\-Q5, and mate next move.
19 N(Q3)-B2 K-KS 20 N-N4 K-K7
21 :\'-R2P-B7+22K-N2K-K823N-B1
K-K7 24 N-B4+ K-KS 25 N-Q3+,
and a draw was agreed. White cannot
take the BP without allowing the RP to
advance.

II. ONE SIDE HAS A KNIGHT

U9. Taimanov-Milic (USSR-Yugosla.

via Match, 1956). When this ending has
occurred in practice, the two knights have
usually been up against two or more
pawns. In this case the stronger side must
first eliminate all but one of the oppo-
nent's pawns, and blockade the remaining
pawn with one of his knights, as was done
in the preceding positions. In the given
position, Whitecouldhaveplayed I N-Q6! 130. Stamma. (Theoretical ending.)
K-K6 2 1\"XP+ K-B6 3 N(5)-Q4+ Even a lone knight can give mate if the
K-K5 4 N-K2 K-B6 5 ~(2)-B4, and by opposing king is caught in a corner in
continuing with 6 N X P he would blockade front of one of his own pawns, and if this
the remaining pawn, and begin pushing pawn can still move.
 One Side has a Knight 45

1 N-N3+ K-R72N-B5K-R83K-B2! and fend off the threat) 4 N-N3 K-KS

K-R7 4 N-K3 K-R8 (if the black king 5 K-Q6 (help arrives too late) 5 ..• K-B7
were now on ... R7, the mating position 6 N-Rl + K-N7, and wins.
would be prepared by 5 N-N4+ K-R8 6 The correct defence is: 1 N-B7! P-R6
K-BI) 5 N-Bl P-R7 6 N-N3 mate. 2 N-N5 P-R7 3 N:...K4+ K-Q5 (the
essential difference between this and the
131 ~~~~ previous variation is that the black king is

~:~:~:·!l
prevented from moving to ... Q7, and the
futility of 3 ... K-Q6? has already been
demonstrated) 4 N-B2! (not 4 N-N3?
·~~ ~~ ~~ ~
~
K-K4, and wins) 4 ... K-B6 (Black's king

L%~~~!~~~
is forced to choose a roundabout route)

~~~~~~~~
5 K-Q6 K-Q7 6 K-K5 K-K7 7 N-Rl!
~ ~ ~ ~ (not 7 N-K4 K-B6, and wins) 7 ... K-B6
8 K-Q4 K-N7 9 K-K3 KXN 10 i<.-B2
131. Fahroi. (Theoretical ending.) stalemate.
A knight can stop an opposing rook's Variation: 3 ... K-B7 ~ N-N3 K-QS
pawn only if the pawn has r:tot yet reached 5 K-Q6 K-KS 6 K-K5 K-B7 7 K-B4,
the seventh rank, and if the knight con- with a draw.
trols the square in front of the pawn.
1 N-Bl K-N5 2 N-R2+ K-N6 3
N-Bl + K-N7 4 N-Q3+ K-B7 5 N-N4+
K-N6 6 N-Q3 P-R7 7 N-Bl+, with a
draw.

133. Prokop. The knight can pre\ent

the queening 0f the l':P only. from ... Q2,
where it nec:ds to be defended. But this
means that Black has no time to take the
BP, which subsequently makes a decisive
132. Grigoriev. Seeing that the first move advance.
decides the outcome of the game, let us 1 K-B6! K-K2 (Black makes room for
first examine the seemingly natural, yet his knight, and ensures the occupation of
incorrect continuation: 1 N-N6? P-R6 his ... Q2 square) 2 P-~6 N-B3 3 P-N7
2 N-B4 P-R7 3 N-K2+ K-Q7! (3 ... N-Q2 (the danger appears to be over
K-Q6? would be an error, because after on the Q-side, because 4 K-B7? N-B4!
4 N-N3 the black king could approach allows a draw, while also threatened is
the knight only by a roundabout way, 4 ... N-Nl+, with a simple draw)
via. . . QB7 and. . . Q8, and in the 4 P-B6+ ! (this sacrifice dispels Black's
meantime White's king would reach KB4 illusions, as the knight ha~ no time to take
 -In Six Hundred Endings

up an ~tdvantage0u;; positi0n) 4 ... K-1-\.3

~ P-B7! K-K2 (or 5 ... iV-Nl-7- fi J.:-B-
.\"-R3- 7 K-X6, and win>) G P-BX =Q- ~-
and wins.
:\false trail: I J..:.-87? :\-BS! 2 K -t.)r_,
'\-Q6 3 P-:\6 :'\-:\54 P-:"·.:7 1'\-R3. wiri1
a draw.

136. Fahrni. (Theoretical ending.) The

knight is the only piece that cannot gain
a tempo. This ending is an elegant and
convincing example of the knight's lack
of power in this respect. Here Black must
not let the white king out of the corner,
but he can manage this only if his king
134. Seleznin. The KP has to be aJ- mmes onto a square of the same colour
\,mced and qucencu because 0fthe threat- as that on which the knight is situated.
ened knight attack. but this allows \\'hit.: I ... K-B2! 2 N-K4 K-BI 3 ~-Q6+
the 0pportunity tc' give perpetual chcd.;: K-B2 4 N-N5+ K-BI, with a draw,
1 K-B7 P-K6 2 ~-B6- K-Rl 3 ~-Q5 hecause whatever the knight does it can
P-K7 4 N-B4! P-KS==Q 5 ~L< P-'- K-R~ attack the 'ital QB7 and QB8 squares
6 K-B8+ K-Rl 7 ~-:\6...;- etc. only with check, and is consequently
unable to free the white king.
~~~~
~~~~~~~~
135
=
L%~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~i~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
.~.-.~.~
135. Fahrni. (Theoretical ending.) If
White's pieces were all one rank lov.er
down the board, he w0uld win. But in the 137. Euwe. (Theoretical ending.) White's
given position the knight has only a pas- Yictory depends on the acquisition of the
sive role, because White's king cannot opposition, and therefore I P-BS would be
relieve it of its task of protecting the pawn. a mistake, because Black would be able to
due to the danger of stalemate: I K-B5 gain the opposition after taking the knight.
K-RI, with a draw, because White's king The correct line is: I N-R5! (Black's
cannot approach any nearer to his pawn. king must be forced into taking the wrong
path) I ... K-B4 2 K-N2 K-NS 3 K-B3
 One Side has a Knight 47

KXN 4 K-K4 K-N3 5 K--Q5 K-B2 6 A false trail: I N-N6? P-Q3 2 PXP
K-B5, and White wins. K-B3, with a draw.

138. Prokes. (Theoretical ending.) 140. Grigoriev. The knight can do

White's king reaches the pawns before nothing to help the promotion of White's
Black's and, by gaining the opposition, pawn, because of the need to deal with the
can draw since the knight cannot leave black pawn. Howe\er, the white pawn
its post. can help the knight to gin~ checkmate.
I K-B7 N-N5! 2 K--Q6 N-B3! 3 K-K6! I N-R2! (the black pawn has to be
(diagonalopposition)3 ... K-N24K-K7! immobilized, to allow the white king to
(horizontal opposition) 4 . . . K-N3 5 create a position famurable for the
K-K6 K-N4 6 K-K5 K-N5 7 K X~ knight attack) I ... K-Bl 2 K-B6! K-~·H
K-B5 8 K-K6 K-K6!, with a draw. 3 K-~6 K-Rl 4 ~-:t\4! K-Nl (or 4 ...
8 ... P-Q5? would be a mistake, since P-R7 5 NXP, and wins) 5 P-R7+ K-RI
after 9 K--Q5 K-K6 10 K-B4 White 6 :t\-Q3 P-R7 7 '\-K5 P-R8=Q 8 !\"-B7
would even win. A false trail: 3 K-K7? mate.
K-N2 4 K-K6 K-N3 5 K-K5 K-N4 6 A false trail: I K-B5? K-Nl! 2 K-'1':6
K-K6 K-B5! 7 K><N K-K6 8 K-K:' K-Rl 3 :-.:-R2 (3 P-R7 P-R7!, with a
P-Q5, and Black wins. draw)3 ... K-:',il4P-R7-.:.. K-R15l\'-N4
139 ,----,;~=-~~=--~~"""""'~ P-R7!, with a draw, because the knight
~ ~ ,,___ ------,;~:=~
; ~
can no longer reach KB7.
+ •••, • •

~·rP~·~·
=~~~=·
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
139. Prokes. (Theoretical ending.) Whit~
parries the threatened exchange of pawns by
a sacrifice, thereby gaining the opposition:
I K-B4 K-B3 2 N-N6 P--Q3 3 N-K7-'- 141. Fahrni. (Theoretical ending.)
K--Q2 4 P-B6+ KXN 5 K-Q5 K-KI! White's king is a long way from the scene
6 K-K6! K-Ql 7 KXP, and wins. of battle, yet he will arrh e in time to drin:
48 Six Hundred Endings

away the bla~.:k f..ing. if he c;,n !'Jrr:- til: 143. (Theoretical ending.) Black's RP
dangerous threat l"'f the Paw;> 1:-.:ing will queen before White's, and Black will
exchanged. thc:rcfore control the long diagonal. What
I ~- ~6 ·:· P /. ~ (I ... K-.\"~ r" m.:: by ,hould White do under these circum-
2 .\"-B-1 P-B3 3 P-S6.', and \vinsJ 2 K-B3 stan..:es'? He should block the diagonal and
K-~2 3 K-K-l K-B2 -l K-K5 ~(\\-hit.: has u'c it to his own advantage.
the oppllSitil'n) -l ... K-Q2 5 K-Q5 K-82 I ~-K6+ K-K6! 2 N-Q4! (a decoy
6 K-K6 K-BI 7 K-Q6, and \\"hite \'.in~ sacritice, with the intention of bringing
becau~.:. after losing his pawn, Black ~·an Black's king into the path of the queen
opp0se only on the first rank. which is about to appear) 2 . . . K X N
:\false trail: I l'-K7? K-'\i2 2 ~-Q5 3 P-R7 P-RS=Q 4 P-RS=Q+, and
P-B3, \\ith a draw. \\"hite wins.

142. Reti-;\larshall (Baden-Baden, 144. Gligoric-Marovic (Zagreb, I965).

1925). White would win easily if it \\ere Black's paramount task is to force the
Black to move first, because afr~r I ... advance of White's RP. It is the only
K-N3 2 P-Q6 the pawn queens. Therefore approach that promises success.
to win White has to give his opponent the: I ... N-K6 2 P-R4+ K-N3 3 K-B3
move. '\;-Q.J (3 ... N-B5! would have won
I K-N3 K-B4(B2) 2 K-B3 ~ K-B3 more quickly) 4 K-K4 N-N5 5 K-K5
3 K-~4 et~.:., and White \vins because '\;-B7 6 K-K4 N.-KS 7 K-B4 N-N7+
the original position has been reached with R K-i\3 N-K6 9 K-B4 N-B5! to K-K4
Black to move. White has achieved the J,"'ss K-B2! II K-B4 N-Q3 12 K-K5, and here
of tempo, by moving his king back to the White resigned. The continuation could
original square he oc:cupied before his have been 12 ... N-Bl 13 K-B5 N-K2+
triangular journey. 14 K-B4 N-N3+ 15 K-N3 K-K3, and
White would soon have to moYe one of
his pawns, after which winning is no
problem.

145. Fahrni. (Theoretical ending.) The

black king cannot be driven out of the
corner, and sacrificing the knight for a
pawn does not help in overcoming the
stalemate position. White therefore sacri-
 One Side has a Knight -19

flees his knight in such a way that both 147. Kubbel. White cannot prevent the
sides gain a passed pawn. promotion of Black's QP, and therefore
I :--:-Q6 K-Rl2 N-K4 K-Nl 3 K-K8! he organizes his defences to neutralize
(gaining a tempo) 3 ... K-Rl 4 N-B6! the effect of the new queen.
P>:;..; (there is no <:.·hoice) 5 K-B7, and I P-R7 K-)12 (I ... P-Q7] N-N6+
P,<N-"- 3 KXP, with a draw) 2 N>~ P!
KXP 3 N-R6 P-Q7 4 :\-N4 P-Q8=Q
stalemate.
The tactical move, whereby an opposing
piece is forced to immobilize the last
remaining mobile piece, is called self-
binding. (After Jeno Ban, the noted Hun-
garian theorist.)

146. Troitsky. It would be unwise for

White to try to win, since after I K-N6'!
NXP 2 KXP P-N5 3 K-K5 P-N6 4 K-Q6
N-Q6! 5 K-B6 N-N5+ 6 K-Q6 N-R3!
7 K-B6 NXP the dream would be over.
So White moves his KBP out of immediate
danger, in order to go about building
himself a stalemate nook.
I P-B3 N-K4 2 K-N7 NXP (2 ... 148. Riock. As in t!be :previous example,
N-Ql 3 K-N6 K-N2 4 K-B5, with a White avoids defea!t b:.v immobilizing his
draw)3 KXP P-N5 4K-B5 P-N65 K-N4 knight: l P-B7 K-'K.2 :2 N-K6! KXP
P-::'17 6 K-R3! (by chasing the unreachable 3 N-N5 + K-B3 4 NXIBP P-B7 5 N-M!
pawn, White's king has achieved his aim) P-BS =Q stalemate. '6 N-K2 enstu'.cs .a
6 ... P-N8=Q 7 P-N7+ KxNP 8 draw if the pawn's promotion is <de-
P-B8=Q+ KXQ, stalemate. layed.
Variation: 2 ... P-B4 3 K-B6 NXP
(3 ... P-N5? 4 KXN PXP 5 K-Q6! 149. Prokes. White offers sacrifices,
K-N2! 6 K-Q7, and White wins) 4 Kx P, with the aim of diverting one of the black
with a draw. pawns onto an unfavourable file, and ·of
50 Six Hundred EndiJifS

which cannot be refused) 4 ... PXN

5 K-Q2 K-R3 6 P-R4, and White wins.
1st variation: 3 ... PX~ 4 KXP K-R3
5 K-B3 KXP 6 K-N4 K~N3 7 KXP
K-B2 8 K-N5 K-K2 9 K-N6 K-Q2
10 K-N7, and wins.
2nd variation: 1 ... P-B6 2 K-K3
P-Q7 3 K-K2 K-R3 4 K-Ql KXP
5 K-B2 K-N5 6 N-Q4 K-B5 7 N-N5
K-K6 8 NXP, and wins.
mO'IIing another out of the way. If Black
accepts the sacrifices, his newly-gained
queen comes into a geometrical relation
III. KNIGHT V. KNIGHT
with his king, and is lost. But if he declines
them, he is not even able to promote his
We have already remarked upon the
pawn, since the white pawn queens with
difficulties of classifying endiil£s. Just as
check.
pawn endings may transpose into queen
I P-K5! PxN (the black pawn's
endings (as occurs very frequently in
queening square is now unfavourable)
competitive play), also minor piece end-
.2 P-K6 (this gets the BP out of the way)
ings may ofte!l transpose into pawn, or
2 ... PXP 3 P-B6! P-N6 4 P-B7 P-N7
even queen endings. However, there
5 P-BS=Q P-N8=Q 6 Q-QB5+, and
would be little sense in separating these
White wins.
endings, and discussing their final stages
Variation: 1 ... K-Q4 2 P-K6 PXP
in some other chapter. We shall continue
(2 ... K-Q3 3 N-K5 PXP 4 P-B6 P-R5
to take the starting position as the basis
5 N-B6 merely transposes) 3 P-B6 K-Q3
of classification, and hope that the con-
4 N-K5 P-R5 5 N-B6 P-R6 6 P-B7 P-R7
nections will be clear even to readers who
7 P-BS=Q+, and wins.
have but limited experience.
~ ~ ~ •
151
+ ~~~~~~~"----~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~!m~m~
~~ ~~ ~~ ·~ .-%~

••••
•• '

~~~~~~~~
150. Prokes. Black cannot wait for the 151. Troitsky. The promotion of the
white king to attack his pawns, and so he black pawn must be allowed, otherwise
quickly regains the material balance, but White cannot promote his own pawn,
in doing so he frees White's QRP. and without a queen he has no prospect
1 K-B4 P-Q7! 2 NXP P-B6 3 K-K3! of winning. White's positional advantage
P-B7 4 N-N3! (the decisive sacrifice, is that he can mount a direct attack against
 Knight v. Knight 51

the black king, immediately after the

promotion of the pawns.
I N-B5! P-Q7 2 P-B7 P-Q8=Q 3
P-B8=Q+ K-R2 4 Q-B7+ N-K2 (a
forced sacrifice to avoid mate) 5 Q><N+
K-NJ 6 N-R4+ K-R3 7 Q-B6-i- K-R2
g Q-B7+ K-Rl 9 N-N6 mate.
Variation: 2 ... N-K2 (this diverts the
dangerous knight, but it is also well
placed at K7) 3 Nx N P-Q8=Q 4
153. Selemiev. At first sight it appears
P-BS =Q+ K-N2 5 Q-KN8-'- K-B3 (the
that the black pawn can advance unmo-
black king has a\·oided mate, but now
lested, \vhereas White's pawn can be
another misfortune befalls him) 6 N-Q5+ !
stopped by the black knight. The solution,
K-K4 7 Q-N7+! K-Q3 (otherwise Black
however, requires the white puwn to
lo~es his queen immediately) 8 Q-QB7 +
advance, since it is vital for White to deny
K-K3 9 Q-K7+ !, winning the queen.
Black control of the square K2.
152 ••• it 1 P-K6! N-B4+ 2 K-K2 NXP (other-

+ ~;•:•&•; wise the pawns would queen simulta-

neously) 3 K-BI P-R7 4 N-K2+ K-B6
5 N-N I+ K-N6 6 N-K2+ K-R6 7

::;i::::
N-N I+, with a draw by perpetual check,
since after 7 . . . K-N5 8 K-N2 the
remaining pawn disappears from the
board.

152. Nieszl. Not all attacks against the

king are direct mating attacks. The threat
of mate may often be merely a tactical
manceuvre to gain some advantage.
I K-N6! P-Q7! 2 N-Q6! (if the pawn is
taken, the black knight reaches ... KBI
in time to avert any danger) 2 ... P-QS = Q
3 N-B7+ K-Nl 4 P-R7+ K-Bl 5
P-R8=Q+ K-K2 6 Q-B6+ K-Kl 7
Q-K6+ K-Bt 8 N-N5! Q-Q6+ 9 K-R6, 1>1. Villeneuve-Escaplon. Thef>e are
and White wins; as mate is inevitable. obstacles in the way of the white pawns,
The concluding stages of these two whereas the black pawn can 2llih!at1ce
examples are, strictly speaking, queen unhindered. White saves the game. vmich
endings, but we have chosen to treat them appears to be lost, by a stalemating ·Cfilm-
in this chapter. The point is that White bination, the crux of which is k surpriisin,g
won thanks to the strong position of his king move.
knight, but be had this advantage when 1 P-N6+ KXP (I ... K-N2? 2 N-1115.,
the pawns were still on the board. with a draw) 2 N-B8+ NXN 3 K-K6!
52 Six Hundred Endi11gs

(the king moves into a geometrical rela- knight, without getting into even deeper
tion with the queen-to-be, and yet this is difficulties.
the: only chance of averting danger, since 1 N-B3! K-R4 (I ... N-Kl 2 N-Q5
aflter. 3 K-B6? N-Q3 Black wins) 3 ... leads to the same situation) 2 N-K4!
l'LNT 4 P-N7 P-N8 =Q 5 P-N8 =Q (a sacrifice .which Black cannot accept,
Q~Nii+ 6 K-Q7! QXQ stalemate. because of the threatened mate after
3 K-R3) 2 ... N-Q4 3 N-B6+ NXN
~ ~l[j~

+!~~~~
155 •
4 PXN K-R3 5 K-B3 (Black is in zug-
zwang) 5 ... P-N4 6 PXP+ K-N3 1
K-B4, and White wins.
···~ ~
?.·:.~ Y%}.·~;.~
it.li ,;~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
155. Rinck. White somehow has to solve
the problem of controlling his K7 and
KB6 squares, in order to enable his
passed pawn to advance.
1 N-K7 N-Q2 2 N-B6+ ! K-N3 (2 •. :
157. Selezniev. White's only remedy
K-R3? 3 N-N8+, winning immediately)
against the extreme danger posed by
3 NXP N-B3 4 N-Q7+! (diverting the
Black's passed pawns is to attack the
defending piece) 4 ... NXN 5 P-K5!
opposing king.
N >~ P 6 P-N7, and White wins.
1 P-B7! N-Q2 2 P-N6+ K-Rl (or
2 ... K-R3 3 P-BB=Q NXQ 4 J:-B7
mate) 3 N-KS P-R7 4 P-B6 (threat-
ening 5 PXP mate) 4 ... N-K4+ 5 K-K4
NXNP 6 PXP+ K-R2 7 P-N8=Q+
K-R3 8 Q-N7+ K-N4 9 P-B8=Q
P-RS =Q 10 Q-B4 mate.
A false trail: 1 P-N6+? K-Nl 2
P-B7+ K-BI 3 N-K4 P-R7 4 N-N5
N-Q2 !, and Black wins.
156. Selezniel·. I N-N4? would be a
158
futile attempt to win, because after
I ... K-R4 and 2 ... P-R3 Black would +
be out of harm's way. Occupation of
KB6 appears to be an effecti\'e counter to
this plan, but how can White's knight get
there while Q5 and K4 are under Black's
control? It can be done on account of
Black's inability to take the attacking
 Knight v. Knight 53

158. Rinck. Black's knight can prevent

a white pawn from queening, but unfortu-
nately his king finds itself in danger.
The king has to escape, and this creates
a situation in which the black knight can
he forced to leave his post.
I P-B6! PxP 2 P-R5 :'\/P 3 P-R6
N-B4 4 P-R7 N-Q3+ 5 K-::-.:4 N-B2
6 N-K6! (threatening 7 :V-B5 mate)
6 ... K-N2 7 N-Q8+ IS>:;--; 8 P-RS =Q
I P-B6+ K-Q3 2 K-N5 P-R5 3 :\-N6!
etc.
P>~N 4 KXNP P-R6 5 P-B7 P-R7
6 P-B8=Q P-R8=Q 7 Q-B6 mate.
1st variation: 3 . . . P-R6 4 I\-B4.;-
K-Q4 5 NXP K-K5 6 K-R6 KXP
7 N-N5! KXP 8 NXP KXP (or 8 ...
NXP 9 N-K6+, and wins) 9 J\-Q5+
K-K3 10 P-B7 K-Q2 11 K-N7, and
wins.
2nd variation: 1 ... K-Ql 2 KXP
K-Bl 3 K-R6 K-NI 4 N-1\:6! PYN
159. Wolf-Balogb (Correspondence
5KxPetc.
game, 1930). White's RP is lost, but he
can set up another passed pawn on the
Q-side, and this one can make fast pro-
gress in view of the remoteness of the
opponent's king.
I P-K6 N-K5 2 P-K7 N-Q3 3 N-Q4
KXP 4 NXP! (a sacrifice which Black
cannot afford to accept) 4 . . . N-Kl
5 K-B7! (this second sacrifice is decisive;
5 N-Q6? would be bad, because after
5 ... NXN 6 P-N5 K-N2 7 P-N6 K-B2,
it is Black who wins) 5 ... NxN 6 P-N5 161. Portiscb-lvkov (Sarajevo, 1962).
K-N2 7 P-N6, and White wins. In the opinion of Fine, four pawns win
Variation: 2 ... N-B3 3 N-Q4 KXP against three, even if they are all on the
4 NXP K-N2 (4 ... N-KI 5 N-B7! same side of the board. The weaker side
leads to the previous variation) 5 N-Q6, cannot prevent his king from being driven
and wins. back, or a passed pawn created. In this
example the king has already been driven
160. Selezniev. Both knights can be shut back, so that White's next task is to centr.a1-
out of play, which suggests that the posi- ize his king, and then to make a brea'k-
tion is level, but the advantageous posi- through with his pawns.
tion of White's king and his advanced QBP 1 P-K4 N-K.2 2 N-B4! (preventing the
enable him to offer a winning sacrifice. exchange of pawns by . . . P-N3) 2 .•.
 54 Six Hundred Endings

N-B3 3 N-N6 K-K3 4 P-B4 N-Q5 5

K-B2 K-B2 6 N-R4 N-B7 7 K-K2
K.-K3 8 K-Q2 N-N5 9 K-B3 N-R7+
10 K-Q4 N-BS 11 N-B5 K-B2 12 P-K5!
PXP 13 PXP N-K7+ 14 K-Q5 N-B6+
15 K-Q6 N-K5+ 16 K-Q7 N-B4+
17 K-B6 N-K318 K-Q6 N-B5 19 N-K7!
N-K3 20 N-N6 N-N4 21 K-Q7 (the knight
cannot return to . . . K3, because of
22 N-R8 +,therefore Black is in zugzwang,
alas, the weakness of Black's ... Q4 costs
and cannot blockade the passed pawn)
him the game, because his bishop will
21 ... N-K5 22 P-K6+ K-N1 23 P-K7
come under fire from the white king, and
N-B3+ 24 K-Q8 K-B2 25 N-K5+,
this will prevent him from taking the KNP.
and Black resigned.
1 K-Q5! B-K42 P-N3+ (Black cannot
accept this sacrifice) 2 ... K-B4 3 P-N4+
K-B3(B5) 4 P-N5+ K-B4 5 P-N6 K-B5
6 P-QN7, and one of the pawns queens.

162. Prokes. The bishop alone cannot

halt the advance of the pawns, so the 164. Otten. The black king cannot get
1\ing has to come to its assistance. into the square of the RP, and therefore
I K-B2 P-B5 2 K-Ql P-B6 3 K-KI the task of stopping the pawn is allotted
P-B7+ 4 K-Bl K-B6 5 B-Q4 P-N6 6 to the bishop. But here we have a rare
BXP PXB, stalemate. instance, where, for all its long-range
l st variation: 2 ... P-N6 3 K-Kl P-N7 power, the bishop is unable to prevent
4 BXP+ KXB 5 K-B2, with a draw. the advance of the RP.
2nd variation: 1 ... K-B7 2 K-Q2 1 P-R5 B-BI 2 K-Q5 (the bishop
P-N6 3 B-Q4+ K-B8 4 K-K3 P-N7 cannot now go to . . . QB4, so it will
5 K-B4 etc. attempt to enter the action via . . . K6)
2 ... B-R3 3 P-N5+! (3 K-K4 leads to
163. Rinck. A bishop can contain two a repetition of moves, so another way of
opposing widely-spaced pawns only if it cutting off the bishop is needed) 3 ...
can do so on one diagonal. This is not BXP (after 3 ..• KXP, 4 P-R6 wins
possible here, although Black's king is immediately, but now the bishop's path
also able to take part in the defence. But to ... QB4 is blocked for good, and his
 One Side lws a Bishop 55

... K6 and ... KB7 squares can be con- 166. Lewitt. White twice puts his oppo-
trolled by White's king) 4 K-K4 B-R5 nent in =ug=wang. The first time it is
5 K-B3 K-K3 (opening the diagonal, but unpleasant for Black, the second time
it is too late) 6 P-R6, etc. fatal.
I K-K4 B-Ql 2 P-N6! K-R3 (forced,
because if 2 ... BXP, 3 P-Rl wins,
while 2 ... KXP is met by 3 K-B5!)
3 K-K5! B-N4 4 P-R7 B-B8 5 K-Q6
BX P 6 K-B7! B-K4+ 7 K-B6 B-B6
(there is nothing better) 8 P-N7 K-R2
9 K-B7 B-K4.+ 10 K-B8, and White
wms.

165. Prokes. The seemingly natural

1 K-N7 K-N5 2 K-R6 B-N4 3 P-N6
B-Ql 4 P-R3+ K-R5 5 P-N7 B-B2
6 K-R7 leads only to a draw, but I P-R4
also fails to win, because of I ... K-N5
2 P-R6 KxP. White's pawn at R5 has an
excellent chance of queening, because its
progress can only be hindered by the 167. Weenink. White's king cannot
bishop along a single diagonal. This pre- move, because after I K-K2? K-N7 Black
determines the roles of the other pawns, would win immediately. I B-N5? would
which will be to shut off the bishop's be just as bad, since after I ... K-R7
access to ... QR2, and at the same time the black king comes into play. The draw
to neutralize the black king. is achieved by an unexpected and very
1 P-N6! K-N5 2 P-N7 B-R2 3 P-R6 attractive self-pinning.
K-N4 4 P-N8=Q+ BXQ 5 K-N7! I B-N3! P-Q6 2 BXP P-Q7! 3 B-Kl!
K-R4 6 P-R4, and Black loses because P-Q8 = R (promoting to a queen would
he is in zugzwang. give stalemate) 4 K-K2 R-N8 5 B-R4
Variation: 3 ... K-R4 4 P-N8=Q R-N6 6 B-NS, with a draw.
BXQ 5 K -N7 K-N4 6 P-R3! K-R4
7 P-R4, and wins.

168. Prokes. The loss of White's lJP

without any compensation will reduce his
56 Six Hundred Emlings

winning chances to nil, and therefore he

has to get rid of his king's pawn which is
a. Jilindrance, so as to open a way for his
kiing.
l P-Q6! BXP 2 P-K7! BXP 3 K-K6
(threatening 4 K-Q7!)3 ... KXP 4 KXB
K-B3 5 K-K6 K-B4 6 K-K5 K-B3
7 P-Q4 K-Q2 8 K-Q5, and White wins.

169 • • •••

!=-~·~·~
171. Bondarevsky. White cannot attack
the black pawn from in front, because the
.Lj~~-~.~ bishop would occupy ... QBI, and Black

;·;·;·;·
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
would win. White therefore attacks the
pawn from the rear, which forces it to
move. Mter this surprise begi'nning, Black
is two tempi up, and yet this is the only
~ ~ ~ ~ way that White can draw. He threatens to
promote his pawn, then attacks the bishop
169. (Theoretical ending.) White's
which has moved up to save the situation,
bishop, which is restricted to the dark
and by so doing makes up for the lost
squares, cannot force the opposing king to
tempi.
leave his corner, which means that the
1 K-BS! P-N4 2 K-Q7 B-B4+ 3 K-Q6
RP cannot be promoted: I B-Q4 K-Nl
P-~5 4 K-K5 K-N5 5 K-Q4, with a
2 B-K5+ K-Rl, with a draw.

170
.~. ~-'-·%· ~
•• =• draw.
Variation: 2 ... P-N5 3 K-K6 K-B5
4 K-Q5 B-B5 5 K-B4 etc.

~=='='=
=

~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
170. Reti. (Theoreticalending.) Black's
bishop can restrain the white pawn only
from squares which can be attacked by
the white king. This aJlows White to gain 172. Fahmi. (Theoretical ending.) This
a tempo, which is just sufficient for him to position is similar to example 169, except
enter the square of the black pawn. that White's bishop controls QR8, and
1 K-K7! P-N4 2 K-Q6 P-N5 3 P-K7 that Black has a pawn on his second rank
B-N4 4 K-B5 B-Q2 5 K-Q4 K-N3 This pawn is invulnerable, and this means
6 K-K4 K-B3 7 K-B4 K-Q3 8 P-K8=Q, that Black's king cannot be budged from
with a draw. its post.
 One Side has a Bishop 57

I K-B6 K-Bl! (I K-Rl? 2 K-B7 mate) the geometrical motif of the long diagonal.
2 K-Q6 K-Nl 3 B-K6 K-Rl 4 K-B6 1 ~5 K-K7 2 P-K4 K-K6 3 P-K5
K-NI 5 B-Q5 K-Bl !, with a draw. K-QS 4 P-K6 KXB 5 P-K7 P-R7 6
P-K8=Q P-R8=Q 7 Q-QR8+, and
173 ~ ~·~ ~
~~~~~~~~ wins.

:~:~:~!!
Variation: I ... P-R7 2 B-RI! (not
+ 2 B-N2? or 2 B-B3+ ?, 2 ••• K-KB 3

:::*}:
P-K4 K-B7, with a draw) 2 ... K-K7
3 P-K4 K-B7 4 P-K5 K-N8 5 B-R8 etc.

~ ~ ~<fit~
~~~~~~~~
175
~~~~~~--% +
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~---%
173. Troitsky. We have already seen
~~~~~~~~
that a rook's pawn cannot win if the -~;)0~~ ~~~
colour of its queening square differs from
-~~~
~~----"~ ~~ ~~
%~~~~~~
that of its own bishop, and if this square
can be occupied by the opposing king. •..

White therefore manreuvres to pre,·ent the

black king from taking up this favourable 175. Fritz. White's king approaches the
position at ... KRl. centre diagonally to achieve the desired
I B-K6! K-K2! (1 ... K-Bl? 2 P-R6 result, by the dual threat of mating or
and wins) 2 P-R6 K-B3 3 B-B5! K-B2 entering the square of the black pawn.
(the black king makes for . .. Kl'\1) I K-B7 P-R4 2 K-K6 (2 B-B6? K-N6,
4 B-R7 K-B3 (now it becomes clear that draw) 2 ... P-R5 3 K-Q5 P-R6 (if 3 ...
the black pawn is a Jiability, because K-N4, 4 K-K4 wins) 4 K-B4! P-R7
without it, in view of the threat of ... 5 B-1'\4 P-R8=Q 6 P-N3 mate.
K-N4, all White could do would be to
move his bishop, when there would follow 176 ~~~~
~·· ~ ~
~~t:•:•
5 ... K-B2 or 5 ... K-N3, with a draw)
+
5 K-N3 K-B2 6 K-N4 K-B3 7 K-R5!
K-B2 8 KXP, and White wins.
L%~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
174
+ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~~~~~~~
~0"·~~w~~­
~
y,,%~
~~%
•
%~--%~
••
%~
176. Paulsen-Metzger (Nuremberg,
I888). In the game I K-B4? was played,
and after I ... P-N4+ 2 PxP e.p.+
~ ~·~ ~ K-N2 3 K-N5 K-Rl 4 B-NS KXB
5 K-B6 K-BI, the game ended in a draw.
174. Prokes. White is able to capitalize Of course, I K-B5 similarly does not win,
on his material advantage, by exploiting since after I ... P-1'\3+ the same theoret-
 58 Six Hundred Endings

ically drawn posit it'll is reach.:J. \\'hite has

to prevent his opponent from ~etting rid of
his own pawn in this way.
I K-Q4! K-83 ton I ... P-:\"3 or
... P-.\'.J. : P-·Rfi wins) 2 H-:"o K-Q3
3 K-84 K-B3 4 K-:"4 K-Q3 5 K-:--;5
K-Q2 6 K-B5 K-8 I 7 8-R 7! K-B2 (if
7 ... P-.\"3-, then 8 K/ P. or 7 ... P-.Y.J
8 P-R6, and wins) S K-!\5 K-Q2 9 8-:--;8
K-BI 10 8-B4 K-Q2 II K-'6 K-8 I
178. Euwe. (Theoretical ending.) The
12 8-,3. and White win~.
idea is identical to that in the previous
example. The main variation is also simi-
lar, the only difference lying in the sub-
\ ariation.
f B-K5+ K-R2 2 B-B7 K-Rl 3
K-N6! P-N54 PXP P-R6 5 P-N5 P-R7 6
B-K5, and wins.
1st variation: 2 ... K-R3 3 B-'6 P-N5
4 PXP P-R6 5 P-N5 mate.
2nd variation: 1 . . . K-B1 2 B-B7
P-N5 3 PXP P-R6 4 P-N5 P-R7 5 P-N6
177. Kling and Horwitz. 1Theoretical
P-R8=Q 6 P-N7 mate.
ending.) White would be unable to win if
Black had no pawns remaining on the
board, but as it is they arc forced to mo\e
when their king is in a stalemate position,
thereby enabling the white pawn to trans-
fer to the knight's file. Black can avoid
the stalemate position, but then his king
has to leave the safety of the corner.
1 B-Q2! K-R3 (or 1 ... K-R4? 2 P-RJ
and 3 PXP) 2 K-B6! K-R2 3 .ij-K3-
K-NI4 B-~6 K-R15 K-B7 P-'6 6 P 'P
P-N5 7 B-R5 etc. 179; Troitsky. The threat of stalemate
Variation: I ... K-B2 2 K-B5 K-Q1 jeopardizes White's victory. Even though
(after 2 ... K-N2 3 B-Kl K-B24 B-S3-'- White's last pawn has to be sacrificed to
K-N2 5 B-84 K-R3 6 B-B7 K-.\'2 7 B-.\'6 meet this threat ,it is still the correct solu-
the stalemate position is again reached) tion, because his lone minor piece can
3 K-N6! (it is too early to take tbe pawn)" give mate, thanks to the placing of the
3 ... K-Q3 4 B-B4+ K-Q4 5 K~<P opposing pawns.
K-K3 6 K-B6 K-K2 7 K-B7 K-K3 I B-R6+ K-Nl 2 P-N7 K-B2 3
8 B-Q6 K-Q4 9 BXP K.-B5 10 P-R3 P-N8=Q+! KXQ 4 K-K6 K-R1 5
K-N4 11 K-N7 K-R5 12 K-~6 K-'6 K-87! (Black's king is stalemated, but
13 K-N5, and wins. one of his pawns can still move; situations
 One Side has a Bishop 59

like this generally result in defeat) 5 ... 181. Sike. White cannot accept the pawn
P-K 4 6 B-N7 mate. sacrifice offered on the QR-file, because
A false trail: 3 K-K5? P-K3 4 K-Q6 the colour of the queening square would
P-K4! 5 KXP K-Nl, with a draw, be wrong. He prefers to allow Black
because the bishop cannot be relieved of yet another passed pawn. A highly
its defending role. · instructive struggle ensues.
Variation: 2 ... P-K3+ (2 ... P-K4 I KXP P-R5! 2 P-N4! K-N2 (2 ...
3 K-K6 comes to the same thing) 3 K-Q6! P-R6? 3" K-B6 P-QR7 4 B-N6 P-RB=Q
K-B2 4 K-K5 K-Nl 5 K-B6! (this tempo 5P-N5mate)3 K-B4 K-R3 (if now it were
move is necessary to ensure that the KP Black to move, White's king could reach
is taken at the right time) 5 . . . P-K4 QR3 and subsequently capture the QRP;
6 K-K6! P-K5 7 K-B6 P-K6 8 BXP, there follows some clever tempo play,
and White wins. aimed at reversing the obligation to move)
4 B-R2 K-N3 5 B-K5 K-R3 6 B-B4
K-N3 7 B-R2 K-R3 8 B-Nl! (Black is in
zug=wang) 8 ... K-N2 9 K-B3 K-R3
10 K-N2 K-N4 II K-R3 K-R3 12 KXP,
and White wins.

180. A. Larsen. Black's RP cannot be

stopped, but the two pawns on the knight's
file provide a stalemate nook for the
white king.
I B-R7! KXP (1 ... K-K4? 2 P-Q6,
with a draw) 2 B-B5 P-R7 3 B-B8 K-B3 182. Reti. White can achieve nothing by
4 B-N4! P-R8=Q (if the pawn is pro- strategic means, because after 1 K-R7?
moted to a bishop, the game is drawn, B-Bl 2 K-NS BxP 3 P-Q6 K-K4, or
since the white king cannot be shifted 1 K-N8? K-K42 P-BS=Q BXQ 3 KXB
from its position) 5 B-B3+! QXB ·stale- KXP, Black's pawn would queen. There-
mate. fore White has to block the KR3-QB8
diagonal ih order to sa'e his knight's
pawn.
· 1 P-Q6 K-K3 2 P-Q7! (forcing the
closing of the vital diagonal) 2 ... K X P
3 K-R7! B-K7 4 K-NS B-R3 5 K-R7
B-Bl 6 K-N8 B-R3 7 K-R7 KXP
8 KXB K--Q3- 9 K-N5 K-K4 10 K-B4
K-B5 II K-Q3 KxP 12 K-K2 K-N6
13 K-B1, with a draw.
 60 Six Hundred Endings

183. Riibesamen. Even though the path P-~5 4 K-B4 P-N6 (4 ... PxB? 5 P-N3
of th.: white pav•ns leads across the firing mate) 5 K-B3, and White wins.
line of Black's bish0p, and the black \"ariation: 2 ... K-N4 3 K-K5 K-R3!
pawn is only one mo\c away from queen- 4 K-B4 P-N4+ 5 K-N3 P-:-.l5 6 BXP
ing, White c:m force stalemate if he cal- P ;.: B 7 K~< P K-N3 8 P-N3, and wins.
culates correctly the order of hi5 sacritlccs. The capture of the bishop did not result
1 P-Q6 BYP 2 P-:\S=Q-:- B <Q in mate as in the main variation, but it
3 P-B7 K(B)>~P stah:mate. nevertheless brought Black little comfort.

184. Fahrni. (Theoretical ending.) Vic- 186. Prokes. White can ward off the
tory eludes 'White, in spite of his bishop danger of stalemate only by a pawn
advantage, because he is unable to drive sacrifice, but in th~ process he endangers
the black king out of his corner, and other his other pawn. The problem is how to
attempts end in stalemate. save this pawn; White finds a solution
I B-B6 K-Nl! (not I ... P~/ B 2 K-B7! and blocks the long diagonal.
andwins)2K-K6PXB!(not2 ... K-Rl? I K-N3 P-R5+ 2 K-B4 P-R6 3 K-Q5
3 K-B7!, and wins) 3 KXP K-Bl, with a P-R8=Q 4 BXQ P-R7 5 K-K5! KXP
drmv. 6 K-B5+, and White wins.

185. Prokes. White can save one of his 187. Duras. A RP and bishop of the
pawns, but not without his bishop getting wrong colour can still be a winning
into trouble. A close-fought struggle for combination if the opposing king can be
the bishop ends in a mating threat, and prevented from occupying the queening
victory for White. square. The various diverting moves serve
i B-B5+ KXP 2 B-R3 P-N4 3 K-B5 precisely this purpose.
 One Side has a Bishop 61

qualification for the Candidates' Matches,

in fact hung by a thread. I retired, fully
confident of an easy win, but fortunately
my sense of danger did not Jet me rest.
I re-examined the position on my own,
and was quite perturbed to find that,
uwing to the "wrong" colour of KR8,
the bishop advantage could be exploited
only by extremely accurate play. My
analysis went on until four in the morning,
I B-N2! (this not only opens the way
and it revealed that White had to prevent
for the pawn, but is also a diverting move)
the advance of the black pawns by I B-K8!
I ... K-K6! 2 P-R4 KXP 3 B-B3! (the
Of course, such a move might also be
second diverting move, forcing the king to
found in over-the-board play after due
go around its own pawns) 3 ... K-K4
study of the position. But anyone taking
4 P-RS K-K3 5 B-Q5+! (the third
the complacent approach of "Ah well,
diverting move puts paid to Black's
it's an easy win anyhow" is likely to be in
attempt to reach the queening square)
for a nasty surprise.
5 ••• K-K2 6 P-R6 K-Bl 7 K-Q2, and
So I played: 1 B-KS! K-K2 2 B-N5
White wins, as after the fall of his pawns,
P-B4 (2 .•. K-B3 or 2 ..• K-Q3 is met
Black's king must abandon its post.
by 3 B-B4!, and in the latter case after
Variation: 3 ... KXB 4 P-R5 K-N7
3 ... P-B3 4 B-NB P-RJ 5 B-R7 the black
5 P-R6 P-BS 6 P-R7 P-B6 7 P-R8=Q
pawns are securely blockaded) 3 K-K3
P-B7 8 Q-N7+ K-R7 9 Q-R6+ K-N7
K-B3 4 K-Q4 P-R4 (or 4 . . . K-JI:4
10 Q-N6+ K-R7 I I Q-R5+ K-N7
5 K-K5 P-R4 6 P-R4+! K-N5 7 K-B6
12 Q-N4+ K-R7 13 Q-B3 K-N8 14
KXP 8 K-N5! P-B5 9 B-QJ P-B6 10
Q-N3+ K-B8 15 Q-R2 P-B4 16 Q-R1
BXP P-B7 11 B-QJ, and wins) 5 K-K3!
mate.
P-R5 (if 5 . . . P-.\"4, then 6 K-Q4!
deals with any pawn adYance) 6 P-'1'\4
K-K4 7 B-Bl K-B3 X K-B4 P-N4+
9 K-K3 K-K4 10 B-R6, and Black
resigned.
An analysis by grandmaster Averbakh,
published later in Slzakhmatny Bulletin,
convinced me that my opponent had
calculated the chances offered by the fol-
lowing variations: I K-K3? K-K4 2 B-N5
188. Portisch-Stein {Sousse, I 967). This P-B4 3 B-Q3 P-'1'\4 4 K-B3 P-B5 5 P-N4
position is a good example of what can (of course, the pawns cannot be exchanged)
happen if only superficial attention is 5 •.. P-R4, and now:
given to the problems involved. It appears lst variation: 6 PXP K-B3 7 P-R6
that White should win easily, and no one K-B2 8 B-R7 K-B3 9 K-N4 K-B2,
working on the analysis of the adjourned and the king cannot approach closer
position thought that victory, and with it without allowing the BP to advance.·
 62 Six Hundred Endings

2nd \ariation: 6 B-:\6 P;<P- 7 P -<P without interference. White succeeds,

K-Q5 R K-K2 K-B6 9 8-Q3 K-Q5 however, in deciding the game in his
10 K-Q2 K-K~ II K-83 (otherwise favour by means of a clever tactic based
\Vhite is tirJhk to mak~ an~ progress) on the awkward position of his opponent's
II ... P-8A! 12 K-Q2 K-BS 13 B-B5 king.
K-:-.:6 14 K-KI K-"7!. with a draw. I K-85 P-B6 (otherwise White's king
enters the square of the pawn) 2 B-B6
~~
189 ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~
~f@J-~~-0 ~ P-B7 3 B-N5! P-88 =Q 4 P-~4+ (a rude
+~~w~~
~~ ~~ ----"~ """~ shock for Black, who is forced to open
~~~~~~~~ the decisive diagonal) 4 . . . P X P e.p.
~~~~~~~~ 5 BXQ P-N7 6 B-K3, and White wins.
~~~~~~~~
,~~---"~~~
~·~ ~ ~
189. Raina. An immediat~o: bishop move
v.;ould b~.: a loss l~f time. therefore White
has to s~o:t about defending his K~ pawn.
1 K-~7 K-Bi! 2 8-Rl! K-:\8 (if] ...
K-Q6 then 3 P-K5.' wins) 3 8-Q4 (tempo
:noves to ensure the right timing of the 191. Lewitt. The bishop is unable to
::..:ing's arrh·al on the battle ~cene) 3 ... halt the black pawns, and therefore its
P-K~ 4 8 <P K-B7 5 B-Rl P-K4! most urgent task is to help the promotion
6 K-B6! K-Q6 7 K-Q5, and White wins. of one of its own pawns.
A trap: 2 B-Q4? P-K4 3 B/ P K-Q6 I B-K8 P-R6 2 BXP (a diverting sacri-
~ K-B6 Ki<P(K5) 5 B-Q4 P-R8=Q. fice) 2 ... PXB 3 P-R7 P-R7 (Black has
Draw. set a stalemate trap) 4 P-R8=B! (4
Variation: I ... P-R8=Q 2 8/Q P-R8=Q P-R8=Q 5 QXQ stalemate)
KXB 3 K-86 K-:\7 4 P-K5! K-86 4 . . . K-R6 5 K-B2 P-N6+ 6 K-B1
5 K-Q7 K-Q6 6 KXP(K7) K>:P 7 K/P K-N5 7 K-N2 K-85 8 K-R3, and White
etc. wins.
1st variation: 2 ... P-R7 3 B-87+
K-N7 4 BXP KXB 5 P-N6 P-N6 6
P-N7! etc.
2nd variation: 2 . . . K-:"117 3 8-87
P-N6 4 P-N6 PXP 5 P-R7 P-R7 6
P-R8=Q+ K-N8 7 BXQNP P-R8=Q
8 B-82+ K-R7 9 Q-KN8+ K-N7
10 Q-N7+, and White wins. The queen
marches towards Black's king along the
diagonals, and mates in a few moves.
190. Prokes. It appears that Black's
Q8P can ad\ance to the queening square
 One Side has a Bishop 63

K-BS P-N6! 2 PxP P-N7 3 B-K3

K-R5 Black succeeds in drawing. It
follows, therefore, that the pawn which is
to deliver the final blow should first be
safeguarded.
I P-N3! P-R3! (if I ... P-R7, or 1 ...
PXP, then 2 K-B5, with mate to follow)
2 B-K3 P-R7 (or 2 ... PXP) 3 K-B5
PXP 4 B-B2 P-R8=Q 5 P-N4 mate.
~ ~ ~

.:·:~1·:·:
192. Kling and Horwitz. Example I84 194 •
demonstrates that, even with a bishop
advantage, White does not always win +
if the black pawns are not far advanced
from their initial positions. Black was r~~~~'~'
~.~.~~!~
saved by stalemating possibilities. White, ~~~~~~~--%
therefore, begins here with a waiting move ~~~~~~~~
instead of an immediate capture, in order
to spare one of Black's pawns, and make
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~.t~
use of it later to avoid stalemate.
194. Lomov. The solution of this posi-
I K-Q7 P-BS (I ... K-Rl? 2 K-B7
tion shows a battle which is both fascinat-
leads to mate) 2 BxP P-B6 3 B-R3
ing and instructive. Each move by a black
P-B7 4 B-BI K-Rl 5 BXP PX B6 K-B7,
pawn opens one diagonal, but closes
and White wins.
another. The white bishop has to find a
Variation: 1 ... P-N6 2 B-Q5 P-BS
way through the gaps to attack Q':\7
3 B-B3 P-N7 4 BXKNP P-B6 5 B-Bl
and the opposing king.
P-B7 6 K-Q8! (gaining a tempo) 6 ...
I P-R7+ K-Rl 2 B-N5! (after 2
K-Rl 7 BXP K-N1 (acceptance of the
B-N2? P-Q4 the advance of the KBP
sacrifice loses even more quickly) 8 B-B1
would be decisive) 2 ... P-':\6 (forced,
K-R1 9 B-N2 K-N1 10 K-Q7! K-R1
in view of the threat of mate from QB8;
11 K-B7! P-B8=Q 12 BXP mate.
now the bishop has to retreat, since
Black's KNP would qu~cn with check;
on the other hand. Black has l0st control
of his... KB6 square) 3 B-BI P-K4
(3 ... P~4? 4 B-lv'1! P-B5 5 B-BJ.
and Black comes to grief because of
zugzwang) 4 B-R3! P-K5 5 B-"l2! P-Q3
6 B-B I P-04! (neither the KP nN the
KBP can move, since this would open
the bishop's path to Q~7) 7 B-R3! P-Q5
(the only move that does n0t open a
193. Prokes. This ending resembles diagonal for the bish\)p, hut n0w the ...
example 190. Creating an immediate mat- KN8-QR2 diagonal is blocked, and the
ing threat does not win, because after KNP cannot give check on promotion)
64 Six Hundred Endings

S B <I'~ P-~7 9 B-BS P-::'118=0 10 B'-'P bishop's control of ... KBl can be lifted.
matt!. Since the opposing bishops are of the
same colour, White can neutralize the
black bishop, for which he has to manceuv-
re his king to K'::'l/8.
I B-N7 B-N5 (1 ... K-K2 2 B-B6+
K-K3 3 B-N5 B-N5 4 K-N7 transposes
into the main \ariation) 2 B-R6 (making
room for the king) 2 ... B-B4 3 K-N7
B-N5 4 K-N8 B-B4 5 B-B8 B-K6 6 B-N4
B-R3 7 B-Q2!, and White wins.
Variation: 3 ... K-B4 4 K-!\8 K-N3
195. :\loller. This ending demonstrates
5 B-B8 B-K6 6 B-N4 B-R3 7 B-B3;
a splendid idea. :he object of which is the
Black is in =ugzwang, and can no longer
perpetual pursuit of the enemy bishop.
prevent the promotion of the pawn.
I P-:'\4! P'<P (otherwise] P-B5 wins)
2 P-B5! P /- P (.1fter the bh:king of the 197
KR3-QB8 diagonal, the persecution t'f =I=
the bi~h0p can regin in earnest) 3 K-B5
B-IB-+ K--;\6 B-BI 5 K-B7 B-K3 6 K-Q6
B-B5 - K-B5 B-R7 8 K-Q6! B-B5!
(othcJ wise the QBP cannot be stopped)
'! K-B5 B-B8 10 K-N6! B-B5! II K-B5
.:h:. Draw .
.-\ false trail: I P-B5? P;<P 2 K-B5
B-K7 3 K-:l\:6 B-N5! 4 P-B7 P-B5
197. (Theoretical ending.) White's king
5 P "~p K:<P 6 K-N7 P-R5 7 P-B8=Q
cannot get across to KN8, and this means
BXQ+ 8 KxB P-R6, and Black wins.
that the black bishop cannot be driven
off both the vital diagonals( ... QR6-KB1
and ... KR3-KB1).
I B-B8 B-K4 2 B-R3 B-N2 3 B-N2
B-R3 4 B-Bl B-N2 5 B-Q2, and since
Black is not in zugzwang, he can still
draw by playing either 5 ..• K-Q3 or
5 ... K-B4.
198
+I-

196. Fabmi. (Theoretical ending.) There

is no chance of a win unless the black
 Bishop v. Bishop (same colour) 65

198. Ccnturini. !Theoretical ending.)

Against a knight's pawn on the seventh
rank, the black bishop has only one diag-
onal. White's most important task is to
manceuvre his bishop to QN8.
I B-R4 B-B5 2 B-B2 B-R7 3 B-R7
B-N6 4 B-NS B-B7 5 B-R2 B-R2 6 B-N I!,
and wins.
Variation: 1 ... K-1"4 (Black tries to
deprive the white bishop of the square
200. Bokosievic-Freitag (Chernovitsky,
QR 7) 2 B-B2 K-R3 3 B-B5! B-B5 4 B-K7
1934). Black's bishop perpetually pursues
K-N4 (the threat was B-QS and B-B7)
its white opponent, the former being
5 B-Q8 K-B3 6 B-N5! B-R7 7 B-K3,
invulnerable due to the danger of stale-
and all the same the white bishop reaches
mate.
QR7.
I ... B-Q4 2 B-R7 B-B2! 3 B-N6
(3 P-N6? BXP!, with a draw) 3 ...
B-R7 4 B-B5 (4 B-K8 B-B2 5 B-Q7
B-K3, with a perpetual attack) 4 ... B-K3
5 K-;-.;6 B-B2+ 6 K-B6 (this pawn
sacrifice wards off the perpetual attack,
but even this fails to bring victory) 6 ...
BXP 7 B-K6 B-N3! 8 B-B7 B-Q6 9 B-N6
B-B5 10 B-B5 B-B2 !, with a draw.

199. Foriotos-Liberzon (Moscow, 1971).

Black's bishop can cross the white pawn's
path on two diagonals( ... QR6-KB8 and
... Q 1-KRS), yet White still wins, because
Black's king is badly positioned.
I K-KS! (I K-B6? K-B5 2 K-B7 K-B4
would only help the black king to occupy
an advantageous position) I ... B-N5
2 K-QS K-Q6 (2 ..• K-B5 will not do
because of 3 B-K5 + and 4 B-Q6) 3 B-B6 201. Sackmann. After White's first
B-R6 4 B-Q8 B-N5 5 B-B7 (threatening move, the black bishop is threaJtene.d ·with
6 B-Q6) 5 . . . B-K2 (hoping to stop the a discovered attack, and so it ta'k!es up
pawn from the other diagonal) 6 K-B6 position on the other diagonal, iWbicn
(this move gains a decisive tempo f9r looks more suitable for control ·of ;the
White's attack on the bishop; Black's queening square, but it is driven aw~ :by
king would have had to be on . . . KB4 a move of compelJing force, as a restihtt:if
to prevent this manceuvre) 6 ... K-K5 which the KP reaches its target.
7 K-Q7, and Black resigned, since either 1 B-B8! B-B8 (1 ... K-Q3 2 P-K7!,
8 B-Q8 or B-Q6 will be decisive. and wins)2P-K7B-N4 3 P-B4+! (a dual-
66 Six Hundred Endings

purpose sacrifice, which either forces but its purpose soon becomes clear)
the bishop to leave its advantageous post, I ... B-N4 2 B-Q2! (a dual-purpose
or lures the king onto a fatal square) sacrifice, which draws the black bishop
3' ...... KXP 4 B-R6!, and White wins. away from the favo~rable ... KR5-Ql
"Variation: I ... BXP 2 BXB+ KXB diagonal, and lures it on'to the unfavour-
.7 :K;:-K4 K~3 4 K-Q4 etc. able square ... Q7) 2 ... · BXB (or 2 ...
~==~==~==~~ B-R5 3 K-Q7, with a draw) 3 P-K7

2~ ~~-~·~· P-B8=Q+ 4 K-Q7, and the position is

!!~~;4
drawn, since the queen cannot give check
because the bishop is in the way, and the
white pawn queens.

• ••• •
i.~ ~ ~ ~
.~.~.~.~
Variation: In an analysis published in
the July 1974 issue of Magyar Sakkelet,
grandmaster Adorjan demonstrated that
1 K-Q7 (and, indeed; 1 K-Q5 or 1 K-N7)
also leads to a draw, for after 1 ... B-B5
202. Prokes. The loss of his QP would 2 B-R3! KXB (or 2 ... B-N4 3 B-BJ!)
put paid to White's chances of winning, 3 P-K7 P-B8=Q 4 P-K8=Q .Black
therefore he makes a sacrificial offer in only has some innocuous checks, and the
order to save it. result is still a draw.
1 P-R6 B-N1 2 B-N3 (this either lures
the black bishop away from its post, or
else drives it into an unfavourable square)
2 ... B-R2 3 B-B2+! (this second sacri-
fice has to be accepted) 3 ... K X B 4 P-Q4
B-K5 5 P-Q5, and White wins, since one of
the pawns wiii queen.

204. Heuiicker. White must prevent the

opening of the long diagonal leading to
KR8, and so he diverts the black bishop
in such a way that his king can gain time
to blockade the enemy pawn.
1 B-R7! (a diverting sacrifice, which
Black cannot accept) 1 ... B-R8! 2 K-N1
203. Troitsky. The position seems hope- B-B6 3 K-B2 B-R8 4 B-Q4! (a sacrifice
less for White, since after I B-Q8 B-B5 which enables the white king to reach
2 P-K7 the black pawn queens with check, K4 with gain of time) 4 ... BXB (after
while I B-B5 B-N4 wins for Black. There 4 ... PXB White blockades the black
is, however, another line which offers an pawn from Q3) 5 K-Q3 B-R8 (the bishop
effective defence. has to be moved to safety) 6 K-K4!, and
I B-N4! (an apparently pointless move, White wins.
 Bishop v. Bishop (same colour) 67

of the defending pieces) 4 KXB

5 P-N8 =Q, and White wins.

205. Duras. White's bishop can occupy

the desired square in one move, but it takes
three moves for Black to do the same, and
even then he is hampered by his Q:\P. 207. Selezniev. Exploitation of the pawn
Thisgi\ .:s White the opportunity to engage, advantage is no easy task, because after
or, to put it more accurately, to drive on· I B-R6! BXP 2 B-N7 BXB 3 KXB
the defending piece. P-N7 the black pawn also queens. White
I B-B7 B-B7 2 P-K6 B-B4 3 P-K7 must therefore find a better situation in
B-Q2 4 K-B5 K-Nl 5 K-Q6 K-BI which to promote his pawn.
6 B-K6 !, and wins. I K-B7 K-B5 2 K-NS K-Q6 (now is the
1st variation: 4 . . . K-~2 5 K-Q6 time to promote the pawn, for Black's
B-B3 6 B-Q5! etc. king is in a geometrical relation with his
2nd variation: 4 ... P-QN5 5 K-Q6 promotion square)3 B-R6! (3 P-R8=Q?
B-N4 6 B-Q5+ K-Nl 7 B-B6 etc. BXQ 4 KXB K-B71eads only to a draw)
3 ... BXP 4 B-N7 BXB 5 KXB P-N7
6 P-R8 =Q P-N8 =Q 7 Q-R 7 +, and
White wins.

206. Rinck. The black pieces appear to

be well in control of White's pawns, but
a fine sacrifice still ensures that one of
them is queened. 208. Herbstman. It is vitally important
I B-K4! B-Nt (Black's bishop is no for Black to control the long diagonal,
better placed than in the previous example) otherwise he cannot stop White's RP.
2 P-Q5+ K-B3 (after 2 ... K-Q3 the A fight develops between White's king :aDI!I
advance of White's king is decisive) the black bishop, and to all appearanceslit
3 P-Q6 B-K3 (or 3 ... K-K3 4 B-Q5+ ends in a victory for the bishop. But im tihe
and wins) 4 B-BS! (this drives off one end it is White who wins the day.
68 Six 1Iuntlred Endings .

I K-K.3! B-B2 2 K-Q4 B-K I (2 ... P-R7

i&c:learly inadequate) 3 P-R 7 B-B3 4 B-Q7!
B:XB S P-RS=Q+, and White wins.
209
~~
~~ ~j_~
~~ ~~~-•... J
+ ~~~~~~~~
~£---~~ ~~ ~~·0,~
~~!~,~~~
~~~~~~~~
:~:~~-~
211. Selezniev. Black's pawns obstruct
their own bishop, but the white bishop
still has to produce an extraordinary per-
formance to force promotion.
209. Selezniev. This seemingly well-
1 B-N7 B-R2 2 P-R6 K-N3(Nl)! 3
balanced position hides a tactical point
B-R8! B-B7! (if 3 ... B-Q5 4 P-B7!
which favours White, and enables him to
wins) 4 P-R7 B-R5 5 P-B7 B-N4+
clinch the game.
(5 ... B-K2 6 B-B6!, and wins) 6 K-Q3
I K-R6 B-B2 2 B-Q3 B-K3! 3 P-NS
B-R3 7 B-N7! (making room and blocking
B-Nl (at this point a draw seems inevit-
the diagonal) 7 ... KXB 8 P-B8=Q+,
able, since the RP is adequately protected,
and wins.
and the two bishops have roughly equal
Variation: 1 ... B-B2 2 P-R6 K-Nl
mobility) 4 BxP! (a bolt from the blue;
(N3) 3 B-BS! B-N3 4 K-Q3 B-B7
suddenly Black's king is in danger) 4 ...
5 P-B7+ etc.
BXB (4 ... BXP is met by 5 P-N6 and
matenextmove)5P-N6BXP(5 ... B-Nl
6 P-N7 mate) 6 KXB, and White wins.

210 B B*B B
+ ~ ~ ~ ~
:~:~z~;~
wB B.tB •
~ ~ B ~
~~~-~~~~"--~~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~ 212. Kubbel. After a bitter struggle,
Black wins the white bishop for his passed
210. Selezniev. Both players can pro- pawn, but it is a hollow victory because
mote a pawn, and the issue is decided by the bishop's capture stalemates his oppo-
the poor position of Black's king on the nent.
... Kl square. 1 B-Q6+ K-B2 2 B-B5 K-K3! 3 B-Q4
1 P-B7 K-Q2 (or I . . . B-Q2+ 2 B-K84BXKPB-Q75B-N5K-B46P-B4
B-B6.f) 2 B-B5! KXP 3 BXB P-B7 BXP 7 K-R5! BXB stalemate.
4 P-N8=Q P-B8=Q 5 Q-QB8+, and A false trail: 3 K-N5? K-Q4! 4 B-N6
wins. B-N8 5 B-R5 K-B5, and Black wins.
 Bishop v. Bishop (same colour) 69

l ... B-R5! (threatening 2 ... B>:P!)

2 PxB P-N6! 3 PxP P-R7, and Black
wins.

213. Prokes. A draw looks likely in

view of the threat of l ... P-K6, but the
position contains a tactical point which
enables White to mount a mating attack.
215. Selezniev. If it were Black to move
1 B-K2! P-7'J7 2 B-R5+ K-Nl3 K-R6
first, he could capitalize on his "good ..
(threatening 4 P-B7 mate) 3 . . . P-K4
bishop by I ... K-K4 or I ... P-R3.
4 B-N6 P-N8 =Q 5 P-B7 + (forcing the
Positional disadvantages, howe\cr, can
blocking of a fatal square) 5 ... BXP
sometimes be redressed by tactical means,
6 B-R7 mate.
and this is what happens here. White
exploits the advantage of the first move,
214
acquires a strong passed pawn, and breaks
/+ through, sacrificing a pawn in the process.
1 P-R6 PXP 2 P-B6! B-K3 3 P-B7!
(Black would win after 3 B-N3+? K-K4
4 P-B7 BXB+) 3 ... BXP 4 B-N3+,
and wins.
Variation: 2 ... K-K3 3 B-B5+ KXP
(or3 ... KXB4P-B7)4BXBetc.

216 ~~~~
~ ~ ~·~
214. Fahrni. (Theoretical ending).

~~~~!--"·
Black's positional advantage is obvious. +
His bishop is able to attack the oppo-

:~!~:-!i
nent's pawns, while White can only "fire
into the air", and is powerless to prevent
a break-through. A bishop capable of ~~~ -"~-%~~,)'--"~
attacking the opponent's immobile pawns ~ ~ ¥~ ~
is called a "good" bishop. In the endgame,
an advantage of this kind is usually deci-
~~ ~-~
~ ''""·~
~ ,,%~
~~
sive. It underlines the necessity of giving 216. Ivkov-Pomar (Wijk aan Zee, 1972).
due consideration to the colour of the A passed pawn, a more active king and the
squares on which pawns will eventually weakness of the black pawns give W1lillie
become fixed. The following examples are such an advantage that Black has no hope
intended to throw more light on the prob- of a draw.
lem of "good" and "bad" bishops. 1 K-B5 K-N2 2 K-Q6 K-Bl 3 P-QB4
 70 Six Hwull'ed EI'Uiings

K-Q1 4 B-R5+ K=-KL 5 P-B5 B-Q5

li P-B3 B-B7 7 P-N4 B-N6+ 8 K-B6
P'-B49B-B3PXP IOPXP K-B211 K-Q7
B'-Nl 12 K-B8 B-B5 13 P-B6 P-N3 14
K-Q7 B-N1 15 B-N4 PXP 16 PXP
P-K.4 17 K-B8 B-R2 18 K-N7, and
Black: resigned.

,--------c~==-~;=·=-i
~'?;~~
21"7 -=~·=-0-----=·"""
"''"~-%~~ ~
+ ;r.li ~ j_;r.li ~ i
L.%~~~c---%~ ·~
_____ ,~ ~~~~r~~ 4 P-B5 BXP 5 BXP, while after 3 ...
BXP 4 BXP P-B3 5 B-N6 K-Q3 6 P-R5
~~'?;~~~- J~~~~~-'2
;rf'!!j ~ ~ ;rf'!!j K-K2 7 P-R6 K-Bl 8 K-B3 the penetra-
f!J·--;~ ~~ ~~"-·--; tion of White's king is decisive) 4 BXP
L.%~~~~~~~ K-K2 5 P-R3 B-B4 6 K-B3 B-Q2 7 K-N3
.~.~.,.~ K-Bl 8 B~N4 P-B4 (Black is forced to put
this pawn, too, on a white square, other-
wise his bishop.: would be imprisoned at
217. Smejkal-Jakobsen (Raach, 1969).
. .. K1) 9 B-K2 ·K-N2 10 P-R5 K-R3
Black's KRP and KNP are fixed on
11 K-R4 B-Kl (Black has apparently
squares of the same colour as his bishop.
succeeded· in ·erecting a fortress, but
White first opens an important diagonal
White's bishop, at the price of his KRP,
for his bishop, enabling him to penetrate
still breaks in and captures Black's weak
towards the pawns.
pawns) 12 B-Q3! B-Q2 13 B-R6 B-K3
1 P-Q6! K-Kl (after 1 ... PXP+
14 B-N7 B-Q2 15 P-R4! (zug=ll'ang)
2 KXP either White's king invades one
15 ... B-Kl 16 B-B8 BXP 17 B-Q7
of the flanks, or Black sits idly by and
(this wins more quickly than 17 BXP)
witnesses the capture of his pawns)
17 ... B-Q8 18 BXQBP K-N3 19 P-R5
2 B-B4 B-B3 (the square ... KNI cannot
K-B3 20 P-N5, and Black resigned,
be defended) 3 B-N8 B-R5 (Black plans
because after 20 ... B-R5 21 P-R6 he has
to trap the "daring" bishop, but the price
no effective defence against the threat of
will be too high) 4 BXP K-B2 5 PXP
22 P-N6.
K-N2 6 BXP! (the bishop has done its
duty,nowitisuptothepawns)6 ... KXB
7 K-Q6 K-B2 8 P-R5 K-Kl 9 K-K6,
and Black resigned, since he has no
defence against K-B6, followed by the
advance of the KNP and KRP.

218. Portiscb-Reshevsky (Palma de

Mallorca, 1970). 1 P-N4! B-N8 (Black is
forced to give up his KRP, since after
1 ... PXP 2 PXP the passed white KRP
would win easily) 2 PXP PXP 3 P-B4 219. Queckenstiidt. Example 215 dem-
K-Q3 (the winning reply to 3 ... B-N3 is onstrated the folly of evaluating any
 Bishop r. Bishop (opposite colour) 71

position in a stereotyped manner. Here too 1st variation: 2 ... KXP 3 BXP
it appears that after I P-R6 B-K I Black P-N5 4 B-K5 B-BI 5 P-N7 BXP 6 BXB
has the stronger bishop, and that White's P-N6 7 K-N6 P-N7 8 BXP+ KXB 9
adventurous pawn will be lost. White, K-B6 P-R410 KXP, with a draw.
however, can still seize victory by exploit- 2nd variation: I ... B-Q5 2 P-B5 PxP
ing tactical opportunities. 3 B-B6! BXB stalemate.
2 P-N4! B-B3 (if 2 ... P-K5 then
3 B-N2 P-B4 4 QPXP B-B3 5 KPXP,
and wins) 3 B-N2! (a sacrifice with the
aim of blocking the long diagonal)
3 ... BXB 4 P-K4! P-B4! (a counter-
move to open the diagonal) 5 NPX P P X P
6 P-R7 PxP (threatening 7 ... PXP+,
opening the long diagonal) 7 P-Q4! (the
promotion of a pawn, originally planned
by blocking the diagonal, now takes on a
difl"erent form) 7 ... P-K6 8 PXKP
K-N4 9 P-K6, and White wins.
Variation: 4 ... P-B5 5 P-R7 PXP+
6KXP P-B4 7 P-R8=Q BXP+ 8QX
XB+, and wins. 221. Fahmi. Even an advantage of two
or three pawns may sometimes be in-
sufficient to secure a win when bishops of
opposite colour oppose one another. Here
White would win if the whole position were
moved back one rank, but, as it is, Black is
able to prevent a dangerous pawn advance
by taking advantage of the stalemating
opportunity.
1 ... K-Rl! 2 P-N7+ BXP (2 ...
KXNP? 3 P-R8=Q+, and wjns) 3 P-B6
220. Selezniev. Only tactics can help in BXP 4 KXB stalemate.
strategically lost positions. I K-N6 would A trap: 1 ... B-B6? 2 P-R8=Q+!
be a vain bid for a draw, since after 1 ... KXQ 3 P-B6 K-N1 4 K-K7 B-N5+
B-Q5, Black's overwhelming advantage 5 K-K8 B-B46 B-Q5+ K-Rl 7 P-N7+,
on the Q-side would win. But a stalemating and wins.
combination can save the game.
I P-N6 B-B4 2 B-B6! B-BI 3 P-B5 222. (Theoretical ending.) 1'helle :are
PXP (3 ... PXB? 4 PXP, and one two moves available to Black's bisJzno ;so
of the white pawns queens) 4 B-K7! BXB parry White's threat of P-K6+, but 'ori!y
stalemate. 4 ... P-B5? would be bad, one of them secures a draw.
because after 5 BXB P-B6 6 B-B5 P-R4 1 ... B-Q2! 2 K-K4 B-Bl, and White
7 K-N4 P-N5 8 PXP PXP 9 KXP P-N6 can make no further progress, because!his
10 B-Q4 it is White who wins. king is tied to the defence of the BP..
72 Six Hundred Endings

222 game could not be won. After playing

I= 1 K-K6 B-NS 2 B-B3 K-Ql 3 K-B7
B-R6 4 P-K6 B-N5, White could ad-
vance no further, because the black king
controls both pawns.
r-=------;=----z:=-----z:;;=
224 ••••

!::z:::!•. . .z
= D ~ ~ ~

Black moves hi& Msl!lop between ..• QBI

and. • . Q2, until' k is forced to sacrifice it .~.l-···z
after P-K6+. ~~ ~~~~:~
A trap: I ..• B-N6? (this also looks ~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
good enough to draw, since the KP cannot
advance) 2 K-B5! B-R7 3 K-Q6, and
224. Rinck. Black would win in spite of
White wins by P-K6+ and then P-B6.
the opposite coloured bishops, were it not
If the pawns reach the sixth rank together,
for the stalemate opportunity.
the defending player can no longer hold
1 K-R3 K-B6 2 B-Nl (otherwise 2 •..
the draw (except against NP and RP).
B-B7 wins the QP) 2 -; .• B-B7 3 P-Q4
B-B4+ 4 K-R2 B-N5 (White is in zug-
zwang, yet he still has a useful move)
5 B-B2! KXB stalemate.

• • -~-
+~~~~~~~~
225
~~~~~~~~
~£-->~~~~~~
~~~~"--->~~~
~~~~~~~~
223. Salrioli. (Theoretical ending.) In
endings with bishops of different colours,
isolated pawns are normally more dan-
gerous than connected pawns! Here White
defends one of the pawns with his bishop,
~ .
-~~~~~~~
~~~-"~~-~~~
~ ~
225. Nyeviczkey. In this position the
outcome is decided by the fact that,
when his king is free to ·assist the other while the black bishop is required to make
one. two moves, White'sbishopisstrongenough
1 B-B3 K-Ql 2 K-K6 B-N5 3 P-B6 where it is, and therefore his king can
B-R4 4 P-B7 B-N5 5 K-B6! B-B6+ join the fray sooner than Black's.
6 K-N6 B-N5 7 K-N7, and wins. 1 P-K6! B-N4 2 K-R3 B-K2+ 3 K-R4
The greater the distance between the K-Q6 4 K-N5 K-B6! 5 K-B6! (now the
pawns, the greater the chances of a win. black king cannot capture the NP with
If, for instance, in this example White had impunity) 5 . . . KXP 6 K-Q7 B-B4
a pawn at K5 instead of the KBP, the 7 P-K7+, and wins.
 Bishop v. Bishop (opposite colour) 73

A trap: I B-.84+? K-B6 2 P-K6 nate this pawn, thereby reaching a theoret-
B-N4 3 K-R3 B-K2+ 4 K-R4 K-KS ically drawn position.
5 K-NS B-B4 6 K-B6 K-K4 7 K-Q7 I P-K6! PXP 2 PXP BXP 3 K-KS
K-B3, with a draw. White lost a tempo by B-N6 4 K-Q6 P-BS 5 K-BS K-B4 6 K-N4
giving check with his bishop. P-R7 7 K-R3 K-KS 8 K-N2 K-Q6 9
K-Rl!. Draw.

2~!!·~~~
~~~~-~~~
228·~~~~
+
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~"~~-~~ ~~~~~~~~
~ ~~f" ~~,}- j~ ~ ~~~~~~~~
~ ~~.i.~ •
~~ ,,%~ """~ ~~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ .
226. Rubiostein-Griiafeld (Karlovy Vary,
1929). The seemingly natural move is
~~~~~~~~
~j§if/'~~~~~ ~~-~
~.t~
=----"~
~ %~
%,,,,,% ~ %·~
~
~ ~~"
,,%

228. Kazaotsev. This example illustrates

I P-R7, yet, had White chosen that line, a surprising idea in a game-like position.
he would have been disappointed, because White's bishop takes up position on a
after I ... BXP 2 KXB K-K6 3 B-Nl comer square, in order to open the way
K-Q7 4 K-N6 K-B8 5 B-Q3 K-Q7 the for the king's fastest possible interven-
game is drawn by repetition of moves. tion.
Therefore White did not rush ahead with I B-R8! BXP 2 K-N2 K-N2 3 K-B3
his pawn advance, but instead tucked his B-B4 4 K-Q4 K-B3 5 K-KS K-Q2 6
bishop safely away, thereby gaining a vital K-B6 K-Kl 7 K-N7 (the reason behind
tempo. White's first move now becomes clear;
1 B-Nl! B-QS 2 P-R7 BXP 3 KXB it was the only way to shut out the black
K-K6 4 K-N6 K-Q7 5 K-BS K-B8 king from the rest of the battle) 7 ... P-K4
6 B-Q3 K-Q7 7 K-B4 P-B7 8 BXP 8 P-R6 P-KS 9 P-R7 P-K6 10 K-R6
KXB 9 K-QS, and White won. P-K7 11 B-B3, and White wins.
Variation: 2 ... P-K4 3 K-B3! B-N8

2~ ~-=-!-: (after 3 . . • B-K5 the bl~ck pawn can

simply be taken) 4 K-B4 K-N2 5 K-Q5

~
~~'w~

~~ ~ ..
~ ~~f%~W'% ~"'"''"'" ~
,%~'r~£3J•
~~~~i~~~
--%~ '"'%~

%--,%~--%~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
K-B2 6 K-K6 K-Ql 7 K-B7 etc.
A trap: I B-R3? BXP 2 K-N2 P-K4!
3 K-B3 B-K5! 4 K-Q2 K-N2 5 K-K3
B-B4 6 B-N2 K-B3 7 B XP K-Q4 8 K-B4
K-K3 9 B-N2 B-B7 10 K-N5 K-B2,
with a draw.

227. Mar6czy-Pillsbury (Munich, 1900). 229. (From the analysis of the Portisch-
As long as Black's KBP remains on the Besser game, Halle, 1967). White can
board, he has a chance of winning. win only if his king assists the QBP. But to
White therefore makes a sacrifice to elimi- do this he must defend his RP with his
 74 Six Hundred Endings

K-B4! 9 B-B8 P-N3 10 K-Q4 B-N7 11

K-B5 K-K3 12 K-~6 K-Q2, with a
draw.
rn the actual game 8 . . . B-N7? was
played, and after 9 K-B4 P-N3 10 P-KN4
P ,< P II K~< P B-R8 12 K-N5 K-B2
13 B-Q4 B-N7 14 P-R4 B-R8 15 P-N4
B-'\;7 16 P-N5 B-RS 17 B-B6 B-N7
IS P-R5! PXP 19 K-B5 Black resigned,
hecausc the white king penetrates to QB7.
bishop. which al10ws the black rook'$
rawn w :Hhancc. E\cn so ...
I B-Q3! P-R4 ~ K-B6 P-R5 3 K-Q'7
P-R6 -1- P-B6 P-R 7 (if 4 ... B-K4 then
5 B-BI P-R7 6 B-.Vl, and Bbck cann0t
pre\'ent the loss ('f a piece. Of cours~.
White could not win if the KBPs were not
on the board. \Ve can see that, in ending;;
\\ith bishops of opposite colour, the
greater the number of pawns, the better
tl:e winning chances) 5 P-B7 P-RS=Q
6 P-B8=~7! K-'\1 7 P-R7-' K-'\2 231. Foltys-Szab6 (Prague, 1951).
S B -K4-'-. and \\"bite wins. White's bishop cannot move, and his king
has to ,,,.aste valuable time in coming to
its assistance. By sacrificing his bishop,
Black is then able to queen a pawn.
I ... K-K3 2 K-B3 P-R4! 3 KXB
P-N4 4 K-B2 P-R5 5 PXP PXP etc.
White's king is outside the pawn's square,
and his bishop is unable to reach KB4.

230. Euwe-Yanofsky (Groningen, 1946).

Black cannot accept the bishop sacrifice,
as this would delay his occupation of the
long diagonal. For this reason he must
gi...-e up another pawn which, if followed up
accurately, could have saved the_ game.
1 ... B-Q6! 2 BXP BXP 3 P-R6
P-B4 4 BXP P-R4! (not 4 ... K-K3? 232. Krenosz-Voros (Budapest, 1952).
5 K-B2 K-Q4 6 B-B8! P-N3 7 B-R6! This position introduces a king in the
K-B5 8 P-KN4, and wins) 5 K-B2 B-Q6! role of active hero. The outcome of the
6 P-R7 B-K5 7 P-KN3 K-K3 8 K-K3 game is decided by his intervention.
 Bishop or Knight?! 75

I P-Q6! (paralysing the black bishop) 234. Fischer-Taimanov (Vancouver,

I ... K-B2 (after I ... K-R3 2 B-QI the I971). Utilizing the fact that KR8, the
black king has to retreat) 2 B-K4! B-N3 pawn's queening square, is of the opposite
(after 2 •.. K-KI 3 B-B6+ the king is colour to White's bishop, Black could have
again repulsed) 3 K-B3 B-R2 4 B-B6 drawn in two ways: J • • • N-Q6 2 P-R4
B-NI 5 P-Q7 K-K2 6 K-K4 B-R2 7 N-BS 3 K-B5 K-Q3!, and by sacrificing
K-Q5 B-N3 8 P-Q8=Q+! (the scene his knight, Black's king reaches the corner.
is set for the final assault) 8 ... KXQ Or I ... 1<.-Q3 2 B-K2 N-Q2+ 3 K-B7
9 K-K6 K-B2 10 B-K4 B-R4 11 KXP K-K4 4 P-R4 N-B3, with a draw.
K-Q3 I2 K-N7 B-QI J3 P-B6, and White Instead of either of these, Taimanov
wins. carelessly played I ... K-K5?, and after
2 B-B8! K-B5 (2 •.. N-Q6 is met by
3 B-B5 +, while if 2 . . . N-B6, then
Vll. BISHOP OR KNIGHT?! 3 B-N7 +) 3 P-R4 N-B6 4 P-R5 N-N4
5 B-BS! N-B6 6 P-R6 N-N4 7 K-N6
found himself in zug::wang. The knight
cannot hold the pawn, and after 7 ...
N-B6 8 P-R7 N-K4-:- 9 K-B6 Black
resigned.

233. Claparede-Grob (Correspondence

game, 1950). Black twice offers the sacri-
fice of his knight, in order to open the
way for his king to the safety of the corner
square.
235. Zakhodyakin. Black would have no
I ... N-K4! 2 B-K6 (after 2 KXN the
trouble if his king could occupy ... KN2,
black king reaches ... KR1, while 2 P-R6
when he would be immune ·to the white
loses the pawn to 2 ... N-N4+) 2 ...
bishop's attempts to driYe him off. But
N-B2! 3 K-N6 K-Nl 4 BXN+ K-Rl,
the black knight is not safe either, and it is
with a draw.
this that White exploits, by pursuing the
knight, and forcing it to block ... KN2.
The rest of the fight is a very fine and
instructive example of tempo play, which
ends in zugzwang for Black.
I K-B5! N-B2 2 K-Q6 N-Kl + 3
K-K7! N-N2 (if 3 ... N-B2?, then
4 K-B7 followed by 5 P-N6, and wins,
but now the knight blocks its king's
access to the important square ... KN2)
 76 Six Hundred Endings

4B-~6! (th.: noose tightens) 4 ... K-Nl completes the rescue operation) 4 ...
5 B-B7+ K-R2! 6 K-B6 K-RI 7 K-K5! P X :--J' stalemate.
(7 K-N6? X-K3, \\·ith a draw) 7 ... A trap: 4 N-R3?P-N6!5 N-N5 K-Q6
K-R2 8 K-K4! (a necessary loss of tempo, 6 l\"-B3 K-B7 7 K-R4 B-B3 8 N-N2
to ensure th.!t the king reaches KN4 at B-l\"4 9 N-B4 K-B8 10 N-N2 K-Q7!,
the right time) 8 ... K-Rl 9 K-B4 K-R2 and Black wins, because the knight is lost,
lO K-:l'\4 K-Rl II P-1"6!, and Black i~ but there is no longer a stalemate.
forced to gi\e up his knight.
236

238. Selezniev. Black has a three-pawr

236. Reshe,·sky-hkov (Palma de Mal- advantage and a good position; what hope:
Iorca, 1970). After 1 B-R3! Black resigned, can White have of escaping defeat? It i~
5ince after any moYe he quickly ends up a stalemating combination, which crowm
in ::tg:wang. a struggle of changing fortunes and mount·
1 ... K-R3 2 B-Bl + K-R4 3 B-B4! ing tension.
etc. 1 ~-R5P-N7 2 N-B4P-N8=N! (Black
1 ... K-B-t 2 B-Q7, and wins. could not promote to a queen because of
1 ... K-R4 2 B-l\"4 K-N4 3 B-K2-r- the knight fork, but now he threatens mate)
K-B4 4 B-B4! ~-B3 5 P-N7, and the 3 N-K2+! K-Q7! (capturing the knight
pawn queens.- gives stalemate) 4 NXN K-K6! (the
knight is encircled) 5 N-R3! (it still man-
ages to break out) 5 • • • B X N stalemate.
Capturing the knight is obligatory, other-
wise the black pawns fall after 6 N-B4.
Two stalemate positions in the middle of
the board, with minimal material, is a rare
achievement.

239. Kliog and Horwitz. (Theoretical

ending.) Victory depends solely on the
237. Selemie,·. By giving up his knight effective blocking of the bishop's approach
for the NP, White would achieve a theor- to the queening square.
etically drawn position. Black prevents 1 K-K7! K-R22 P-B7 B-R6+ 3 K-K8
this, but only succeeds in giving stalemate. K-N2 (threatening 4 .•• K-BJ, providing
I N-Q2+ K-K7 2 N-Nl! B-Q4+ adequate cover of ••• K2) 4 N-B41
3 K-Rl P-R7 4 N-B3+ (a sacrifice which B-N5 (4 ..• B-B4 5 N-N6! B~J 6 N~5
 Bishop or Knight? I 77

4 K-Q7 and S N-B4!, driving off the

bishop) 4 K-Q7 B-Nl 5 N-N5 K-N7
6 N-B7 K-B6 7 K-B8 B-IZ2 8 N-N5 B-N3
(if 8 ..• B-K6, then 9 N-Q6 B-N3 10 N-B4
B-B7 11 K-Q7 B-N6 12 N-Q6 etc.) 9
N-Q6! followed by IO N-B4, and White
wins.
A trap: 9 K-N7? B-Ql 10 N-R3
K-K5 11 N-B4 K-Q4, with a draw,
because White does not have time to drive
comes to the same) 5 N-K3! B-B4 6 N-Q5
off the bishop.
B-Q3(B1) 7 N-K7, and White wins.
Variation: 1 ... B-R6+ 2 K-K8 B-Bl
(or 2 . . . B-B4 3 N-N6, and wins) 3
P-B7+ K-N2 4 N-N6! B-Q3 5 N-K7
etc.
A trap: I P-B7+? K-N2! 2 K-K7
B-R6+ 3 K-K8 K-B3, with a ·draw,
because the bishop cannot be exclud-
ed from the defence of ... K2.
As demonstrated by Fine, White wins
only because his pawn advances to B7 with
241. Selemiev.lt would be a mistake for
check. If the black king were at ... KRl,
White to attempt to keep his B5 pawn,
White could not play 1 K-K7 because of
for after 1 P-B6? B-B5+ 2 K-N7 B-R7
I ... B X N 2 P-B7 B-N2. Only I P-B7
3 P-B7 BXP 4 KXB K-B4 5 K-K7 P-K5
would be feasible, after which 1 ... K-N2
6 P-B4 P-K6 his other pawn would also
leads to a draw, as shown above.
be lost. White therefore has to eliminate
the black pawn immediately;
1 K-K6! B-Bl+ 2 KXP BXP (the
pawn has to be taken, since with two
extra pawns the win is ·very simple)
3 P-B4+ K-N3(NS) 4 N-R4(K3)+, and
White wins. Checking with the pawn
allowed his knight to make this fork.

242. Berger. The blocking of the bish-

op's approach is often a decisive fac-
240. Kosek. (Theoretical ending.) When tor. Sometimes the opponent himself can
the weaker side's king is remote from the be forced to set up the barrier.
action, the knight can block the bishop's 1 P-BS B-N8 (the bishop can avert the
path, allowing the pawn to advance un- threatened pawn break-through only from
hindered. . •• KS) 2 N-K6! (a sacrifice, which opens
1 N-Q6 B-N8 2 P-B6 B-N3 3 K-K6 the way for his BP, and also forces the
B-B2 (essential, in view of the threat of opponent to block his own access route)
 78 Six Hundred Endings

244

2 ... P · ~ (.? ... B-1\5 fails to the knight ofr the same distance from home. Yet
fc•rk) 3 P-86! B-K.:' (3 ... B-B-14 P;.-·p Black·s knight would catch up with the
etc.) -l P-W ~. ;.Jrd Whit.: ''in~. pawn in this instance, were it not for the
bishop driving it in the wrong direction.
I P-R5 N-K5 2 P-R6 N-B3+ 3 K-RS
'-.:-K I (if 3 ... N-Q2, the sacrifice would
be offered on QB5) 4 B-Q6! NXB 5
I'-R7, and wins.
Variation: I ... P-N5 2 P-R6 P-N6 3
B-B5 :-.:-K5 4 P-R7 NXB 5 P-R8=Q
P-Q5 6 Q-Q5...,- etc.

243. Selemiel·. If White wants to win,

the black pawn guarding the knight must
be eliminated. It follows that the black
king must first be driven out.
I B-B6! (this move has a pdralysing
effect; Black can mo,·e only his king for
the remainder of the contest) I ... K-Ql
2 K-B5! (bearing the opposition ;n mind,
and also remembering that Black's king 245. Selezniev. ·The activity of the two
has to be given room to breathe, for after minor pieces is limited to one move each,
2 K-B6? :V-B/! the impending stalemate bur their consequences arc radically
threat allows only the promotion to a different. So as to save its king from mate,
knight, which is insufficient to \\in) 2 ... the knight offers itself as a sacrifice.
K-K2 (2 ... K-Bf comes to the same) White accepts it, and in turn sacrifices his
3 K-K5 K-B2 4 K-Q-l K-K3 5 K-B5 bishop to lure the opposing king onto an
K-K2 6 B-B3 K-Q2 7 B-::'114-:- K-K2 unfa\·ourable square.
8 K-B6 K-Ql 9 K-N7, and wins. I K-N5! N-N3 (forced, since after 1 ...
P-N7 2 P-B8=Q P-N8=Q, there follows
244. Rinck. The long-striding bishop 3 Q-B6 mate) 2 KXN P-N7 3 B-Q4!
is better suited than the knight for the KXB 4 P-B8=Q P-N8=Q 5 Q-QB5+,
containment of passed pawns which set and wins.
 Bishop or Knight?! 79

1st variation: 3 •.. P-N8=Q 4 BXQ P-R8=Q 4 BXQ NXB 5 K-B5 K-B2
P-R7S~!KXB6P-B8=QP-R8=Q 6 K-N4(threatening 7 K-B3, trapping the
7 Q-KR8+ etc. knight) 6 ... N-B7+ 7 K-R5! (not only
2nd variation: 3 ... P-R7 4 P-B8=Q threatening the pawn, but also entering
P-R8(N8)=Q 5 Q-B6+! KXB 6 a stalemate nook) 7 ... K-N2 stalemate.
Q-B6(BS)+ etc. In all the three variations
~~~~
~~:" ~}%!i ~/,( "" -~
Black's king is lured into a geometrical
relation with his queen.
248
+ •
}%!i
<.
~~ %~ "~··"~
-·~t[j
.---=~==-...,......,:=,...----,;,"""

~~·-~ ~~~!~~--->~~
•

+~
246
~ ~~ ~~~~~~~--->~
~~~~%-.>~~~
~~~~~,~~
~~~~"---,~~m ~~~~~
~~~~~~~----% ~~~~
~~~~,~~­
~~~~~~-----
~ ~ ~
246. Selezniev. Black's knight is in
.
danger of being cut off, but its escape spells
248. Fiister-Florian (Hungarian Cham-
pionship, 1951). The outcome of the game
turns on the weakness of Black's BP.
His ldng cannot arrive in time to defend it.
I N-B8 K-QI 1 NXP! (an offer which
disaster for his king. cannot be accepted, in view of 3 P-B7)
I K-NS N-NS (after 1 ... KXP 2 KXP 2 ... K-Kl 3 N-K5 B-N6 4 NXP Bx~
the knight has no further role to play) 5 P-N6, and wins.
2 KXP NXP (there is nothing better)
249 t[j~ ~ ~ ~
3 K-K6 N-B3(N3) 4 B-R5(N5) mate.
=~ ~·~ ~
~~~~"~~~~
~ ~·~i.~
247
~!~~~~~~
=~~~~- ~~~~~~% ,~
~~~~~~~~
__

~~~-~~~~
~~~~~~-,,
:·:·:·;·
~ ~ ~ ~
.
~;i{0"~~ ~~ ~~
~w" ~• ~• ~•
...... %~ %~ %~

249. Selezniel'. Instead t)f fleeing, th~·

knight captures the RP in order to drive
•

247. Kubbel. The bishop must be liber- the other one onw the wrong file. White
ated in order to stop Black's passed pawn. can then exploit his passed pawn and force
By threatening mate, White opens the stalemate.
bishop's diagonal, and gains a very im- I N-N6+ K-B3 21\:>~P! PX N 3 P-N6
portant tempo. Although he is left a piece K-N4 4 P-N7! B-K4-:- 5 K-R3! BXP
down after the initial skirmish, he is later stalemate.
able to force stalemate. A trap: 2 N-BS? B-BI 3 P-N6 (after
1 P-K7! (threatening 2 K-K6 and mate) 3 N-R7+? K-N3 4 NXP KXN 5 P-N6
1 ... KXP 2 K-K5 P-R7 3 B-Q5 K-N5 Black's material ad\antage is now
80 Six Hundred Endings

decisiw) 3 ... K-'\i2 -l K-B3 P--:\"5-i-! 3 P-R4 and then mate by the knight)
5 K-B4 P-~6 6 P <P P-R6! 7 N-Q6..,- 2 ... K-N4 (or 2 ... B-B4 there follows
K-NI. and the black pawn cannot be mate in two, while after other moves by
stopped. the bishop it is simply lost) 3 P-R4+
K-B4 4 N-Q7+ K-Q5 5 NXB K-K6
6 N-!'16 K-B7 7 K-B4 KXP 8 K-B5,

ti"
and White wins.
2s2 ~ EltJ~ ~
+ ~ ~.- ,%~ ~~
~·~ ~ ~
~~~~-ti"~'
~~~~~~-­
~~~~~~~~
250. Paoli. Capit.::.lizing on his material
ad\·ant:~ge i5 not an easy task for White. ~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
because after 1 P-N3 K-N5 2 ;\-K2
B-N3...:..! 3 K-N2 B-B2 4 ~-B4 (0r 252. Selezniev. Some very fine sacrifices,
3 K-R2 B> P-'-, with a draw) 4 ... B-Q3 which allow the activation of the white
\Vhite has no useful move, since 5 king, decide the outcome of this game.
K-B2(R2) B>.-:~ or 5 ~XP B;<P leads l K-N4 K-Bl 2 K-R5 K-Ql (the time
oni ·to a draw. has come for the knight to sacrifice itself,
White therefore d,,es not try to maintain but on which square?! Jf 3 NXQBP, then
his material ad\·amage, but rather ex- 3 ... KXN 4 K-N6 K-QI 5 K-B7 K-Q2
changes it for a positional ad\·antage: 6 K-N8 K-K2 7 KXB K-B2 stalemate,
1 K-l'i3! B-B2...:.. 2 K-R3 B-N6 3 N-~3! while 3 NXKBP is even worse, for after
BXP (otherwise 4 P-N4 mate) 4 P-1"4+ 3 ... BXN 4 K-N6 K-K2, Black wins)
K X P 5 ~-Q2 !, and wins. Black is in 3 N-N7! (drawing the bishop away from
rugzwang, and his bishop can only mo\e the queening square) 3 ... BXN (the
into a fork. capture is forced, as otherwise 4 K-N6
wins) 4 P-R8 =Q+ ! (this is the point;
4 K-N6? B-Rl leads only to a draw)
4 ... BXQ 5 K-N6 K-K2 6 K-R7 K-B2
7 KXB K-BI 8 K-R7 K-B2 9 K-R6,
and White wins.

251. Kobbel. By a sacrifice, White blocks

the black king's escape, and the subsequent
mating threat forces him the wrong way.
l P-B6! PXP 2 K-N3! (threatening
 Bishop or Knight?! 81

253. Troitsky. Black threatens to queen 9 K-R6 K-B2 10 B-R2! and Black res-
a pawn and give mate. White defends with igned.
great artistry: first he immobilizes his Fischer, who as a rule prefers the bishop
·~F 1~'\IFI
own knight, and then forces stalemate. t() the kn_~!i~t.e m"~~ nave felt WlComlort-
I N-K5 P-R7! 2 N-Q3+ K-Q7! 3 able in fbi~ ending. Bu! in the following
N-B2 BxP 4 N-RI! B-B5+ 5 K-B2 example .. fi~ shccessfulfi'"aemonstrates all
B X P stalemate. the advantages of the bishop over the
A trap: 1 K-Nl? P-R7+ 2 KXPP-B7 knight.
etc. 255

The preceding examples have demon-

strated the main features of the struggle
between bishop and knight. If he has
followed the positions attentively, the
reader will have drawn certain conclu-
sions regarding the strength of the two
pieces. We have seen that the long-range
bishop is particularly useful against enemy 255. Fiscber-Taimanov (Vancouver,
passed pawns or in open positions, while 1971). This example clearly illustrates the
the knight's strength lies in its tactical superiority of the bishop over the knight
ability in closed positions. The next four in an open position. The pawn position is
examples are fought between evenly- almost symmetrical, but the fact that
matched forces, with several pawns on each Black's KNP can be attacked by the bishop
side. In them we see that the positional and the fact that Black is unable to exer-
advantage of one of the minor pieces cise sufficient control over the light squares
suffices for victory. on the Q-side, are in White's favour.
The American grandmaster exploited his
positional advantage in masterly fashion.
1 K-Q3 N-K2 (Black is forced to move
his knight, and thus open up the bishop's
path towards the weak KNP, for he was
threatened with 2 BXN KXB 3 K-B4,
when the pawn ending is lost) 2 B-K8
K-Q4 3 B-B7+ K-Q3 4 K-B4 K-B3
5 B-K8+ K-N2 6 K-NS N-Bl 7 B-B6+
K-B2 8 B-QS! N-K2 (8 ••• N-Q3+
254. Spassky.:..Fiscber (Santa Monica, 9 K-R6 N-K5 10 B-B7 NXNP II BXP
1966). Black's knight is pinned down by K-B3 12 B-KB+ K-B2 IJ K-R7 N-K.7
the passed KRP, so essentially White has 14 BXP NXKBP 15 B-B7, and the ad-
an extra piece on the opposite flank, where vance of the rook's pawn decides) 9 B-':B7
in the end he wins the QRP. K-N2 10 B-N3! (The purpose of illbis
1 K-Q3! K-K4 2 B-R8 K-Q3 3 K-B4 tempo move is to penetrate with the !kiJ1g
P-NS 4 P-R4! N-Nt 5 P-RS N-R3 6 to QR6. If now /0 ... N-B1, then JJ
B-K4 P-N6 7 K-NS N-Nl 8 B-Nl N-R3 B-Q5+ wins) 10 ... K-R2 11 B-:Q.J
 82 Six Hundred Endings

K::-N2 12 B.:_B3+ K-B2 (forced, since 20 KXP K-K6 21 P-QS PXP+ 22 KXP
atTter 12 ... K-R2 13 B-N2 the knight P-BS, and White resigned.
lias &o move, and White's king breaks in
tluoogh QB6) 13 K-R6 N-Nl 14 B-Q5
N-K2 15 B--B4! N-B3 (15 . . . K-B3
16 B-N5+ comes to the same thing)
16 B-B7 N-K2 1rz B-K8! (zugzwang)
17 ..• K-Ql llJ B.X:Pl NXB 19 KXP
K-Q2 20 KXBP' N-K2' 2'1 P-QN4 PXP
22 PXP N-BI Zl P~RS N-Q3 24 P-N5
N-KS+ 25 K-N6 K-Ill 26 K:-B6 K-N1
27 P-N6, and Blad resigned.
257. Rcshevsky-Woliston (USA Cham-
~~~~
256
~~~~~~~~ pionship, 1940). Black's protected passed
I+~.~.!.~.
~ ,,,, ~ ~
pawn is quite worthless, whereas White
has K4 as a strong base for his pieces.
~ ~·~·~ Black's bishop is passive, and his pawns

•·~·~ ~·~
.~:rM·3•·":r~~
Ko~ ~ ?.'c.:v
are weak. A decisive break-through is in
the offing on the K-side, but White first

~~;~~;~
~ ~ ~ :,;,,,.!.
secures the opposite flank.
1 P-R3! K-B3 (1 ..• K-B5 2 N-Q2+
K-B4 3 P-N4+ K-B3 4 N-B3 comes to
256. Henneberger-Nimzowitsc:h (Winter- the same thing) 2 P-N4 B-Bl (the king
thur, 1931). A mere glance at this position cannot move, since it must guard against
is enough to tell us that the bishop, a break-through at . . . Q4) 3 P-NS!
imprisoned as it is by its own men, is RPXP 4 N-R2! B-N2 5 N-N4 K-Q3
worth considerably less than the opposing 6 P-R6 B-R 1 7 P-R 7 B-N2 8 N-R6 K-K2
knight. The only question is: where will 9 K-QS, and after capturing the QNP
Black's break-through come? White wins without difficulty.
I ... N-N4! 2 B-Q2 N-R6 3 B-B1 Variation: 1 ... P-NS (this is what
(3 B-Kl loses immediately to 3 ... happened in th~ actual game) 2 P-R4
JV-B7+ 4 K-Q2 NXB 5 KXN K-K5 P-N6 3 N-Q2 K-N5 4 P-R5 K X P?
6 K-K2 P-R6!) 3 . . . N-N8 4 B-N2 (an oversight, but Black's position is in
P-R6! 5 B-RI (a wretched position for a any case beyond repair. For instance:
bishop!) 5 . . . K-Q3 6. K-K2 K-B3! 4 ... B-B2 5 P-R6 B-NJ 6 K--Q5 K-N4
(triangulation) 7 K-Q1 (if 7 K-K3, then 7 NXP KXP 8 N-Q2 K-N4 9 N-K4,
7 ... K-Q4 8 K-B2 N-Q7, followed by and wins) 5 N-B4+, and Black resigned.
9 . . . N-N6!, winning) 7 . . . K-Q4
8 K-B2 K-K5 9 KXN K-B6 10 B-N2!
(the sole chance of counter-play) 10 ... VIII. THE TWO BISHOPS
PXB 11 P-R4 KXP 12 P-R5 K-R7
13 P-R6 P-N614P-R7 P-N715 P-R8=Q 258. Euwe. (Theoretical ending.) The
P-NS=Q+ 16 KXP Q-N7+ 17 QXQ+ strength of the two bishops is well dem-
KXQ 18 K-R3 K-B6 19 K-N4 KXP onstrated by this simple ending. What
 The Two Bishops 83

I B-N5! B-Q6 2 B-Q5 B-B7 3 K-87

B-Q6 4 K-B8 B-B5 (otherwise 5 B-.\'8-+-
followed by mate) 5 BXB K-RI 6B-Q5
K-R2 7 B-NS.:.. K-Rl R B-B6 mate.

160 ~~~~
+ ~ ~ ~·~
~~~~~-~~
~~~~~-~~~
~~~~~~~~
cannot be done with a single bishop ~~~~~,~~
(we know that the positi0n would be drawn ~~~~~~~~
if the two dark-squared bishops were 1wt ~~~~~-,~~~
on the board) is no trouble at all with ~ ~ ~ ~
two. White only forces the exchange of the
260. Kling and Honvitz. (Theoretical
dark-squared bishops when mate is at
ending.) Two bishops generally win against
hand.
a lone knight. The weaker side has to
1 P-R4 B-B6 2 K-i'\4 B-N7 (Black's
defend himself not only against the con-
bishop guards the long diagonal) 3 K-N5
centrated drive against his king, but also
K-N2 4 P-R5 B-B6 5 P-R6+ K-RI
against the possibility of his knight being
6 K-'1'6 B-K4 7 B-QB5 K-:NI 8 B-B4+
encircled. Endgame specialists are of the
(8 P-R7+? K-Rl, with a draw) 8 ...
opinion that the weaker side can draw
K-Rl 9 B-B8 B-Q5 10 B-N7+ BXB
only if p.e is able to position his knight
II PXB mate.
at . . . KN2 and his king at . . . KN3
or . . . KB2 or on the corresponding
squares in the other three corners.
I B-QN4 N-R2 2 B-B3 K-KI (even
worse is 2 ... K-Nl 3 B-Q5+ K-Bl
4 K-N6, while after 2 ... N-Bl the
knight is quickly lost: 3 B-R5+ K-Nl
4 B-K8! K-R2 5 K-B6 K-R3 6 B-Q2+
K-R2 7 B-N4K-Nl8 B-Bl +) 3 B-KR5+
K-BI 4 K-N6 K-NI 5 B-KN4! N-Bl +
6 K-B6 N-R2+ 7 K-K7 N-N4 8 B-B6
259. DalkO-Fazekas (Szolnok, 195I). N-KS 9 B-K6+ K-R2 10 B-B5+ K-Nl
Two bishops can, in some cases, win II B-R4 (stalemate has to be avoided, of
without pawns against one minor piece. course) II . . . N-B6 I2 K-K6 N-N4
In this example Black missed the oppor- 13 B-KB2 :K-B2+ 14 K-Q7 N-N4
tunity of ridding himself of his bad pawn, 15 B-Q3 N-B6 16 B-Q4, and the knight is
by offering to sacrifice it at . . . KN4. lost.
This would have given his king enough 1st variation: 1 . . . N-Q2 2 B-Q5+
freedom. Instead, White pushes the black K-N2 3 B-B4 N-B1 4 B-B3+ K-RJ
king into the comer, where he delivers the 5 B_:_B7 N-R2 6 B-K8 N-B I 7 B-N2
coup de grace. N-R2 8 B-Q4 N-Bl 9 K-B6 N-R2+
84 Six Hundred Endings

10 K-B7! N-N4+ 11 K-N8 N-B6 12 1 B-N5! Mter pondering over the posi-
11-IO+ N-N4 13 K-B8!, and again tion at length, Black did not even attempt
White captures the knight. to hold the position, but resigned. Indeed,
2nd variation: 1 ... N-N1 2 B-Q5+ after the only possible continuation,
K-N2 3 K-N5 K-R2 4 B-B8! K-R1 5 1 ... N-B3 2 BXQP N-Q3 3 B-B3, the
B-K.C. and wins.
161
+
. ~
-----·~ •
~~~%~~~~
~~•
~~•
~<iitw~ • •
~ :;~ --%~~~~
~

~i0!'" ~%'><,~~ ~~
passed pawn and the weakness of Black•s
pawns must suffice for a win.
263
--~~~~~~==
•••••
+ • • •, . ,
• ·"'· ,%.
• ,%~~~ ~~~
!'3J W!'3Jl~~ • B ~~~~~~~
~~~~~~,~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ..
~-!if""~'"'"~~~ ~

261. Nyeviczkey. White has to give up

his pawns, but he still wins, because
_,,~~~~~
~~."'>< ~~ "'""i0!%~i0!%%
!'3J~ • r~t3Jr~
~ ~ ~ ----"~~f--"
• "'""~ ~-~ LJ

263. Flohr-Veltnander (Tartu, 1950).

Black•s king comes under the cross-fire Black is troubled not only by his oppo-
of the white bishops, from which he can nent•s pair of bishops, but also by the
extricate himself only at the price ofheavy weakness of his own pawn position. If
material loss. his pawn at ... KB4 were at . . . K3, he
I B-Q5 K-B6 2 BXNP KXP 3 B-B3! would have reasonable drawing chances.
KXP 4 B-Q1+ K-R4 5 B-B7+ K-N5 1 K-B1 (the first task is to centralize
(5 . . . K-R3? 6 B-N6, and mates) 6 the king) 1 ..• B-B2 2 P-N3 P-N3 3 K-K2
BXP+, and wins. B-Q3 4 K-Q3 N-B2 (Black has succeeded
Variation: I ... P-N8=Q 2 B-R7+ in defending the break-through points,
K-B6 3 BXQ KXP 4 B-N31 K-R4 and to increase his advantage White has to
5 B-N6+ K-NS 6 P-R5, and White winsa advance his pawns) 5 P-QR4! K-B1 6
B-B6 P-QR3 (were this move to be post-
~ 1.1)~ ~ ~
262
~~~~%"'"~' ~ poned, White would stabilize the Q-side
+ . ,• • •
~.~.%----.:. pawns by K-BJ l"ollowed by P-QN4-N5,

•--".r.~.r
and would then prepare a break-through)
~~ ~i0!% ~!% ~i0!%%
!'3J~ w~ ~ r~
""
7 K-B2 K-K1 8 B-B1 K-Q2 9 B-KN2
P-KR4 (an unnecessary weakening; in
~ "':z-0[""~ --;-·~ '""

:-:-~:m
such endings the pawns stand best on their
initial squares) 10 K-Q3 B-NS 11 B-Q4
P-QN4 12 B-QN7 (not 12 PXP? as after
12 ..• PXP the QNP would be less of a
262. Botvinnik-Bronstein (World Cham- weakness than the QRP is now) 12 ...
pionship Match, 1951). In spite of being PXP 13 PXP B-KS 14 P-K4! (This
a pawn down, White's superiority is reveals the structural weakness of Black•s
decisive, and his next move puts Black in pawn position. When playing with a pair
zugzwang. of bishops, it is always important to open
 The Two Bishops 85

up the position at the right moment) K-B24B-Q3B-Q45 B-B3! B-N26 B-KI

14 ... PXP+ 15 KXP B-N5 16 B-N6 B-Q47K-N2B-B5 8B-B2B-Q49PXP!
N-K3 17 K-Q5 N-B2+ 18 K-K5 (sim- PXP 10 B-KN3 N-B5 II K-B2 N-Q7
plifying into an ending with opposite- I2 BXP BXP 13 B-BS B-B3 14 B-K5
coloured bishops would hardly be sufficient N-K5+ 15 K-K2 P-N4 16 BXP B-Q2
for a win) 18 ... B-K2 19 P-R4 P-B3+ 17 B-QN7N-B3 18 B-N2 B-B419 BXN!
(this weakening move is unavoidable, KXB 20 P-K4 B-K3 21 K-K3 B-B5
since after the passive 19 . . . B-Ql 20 22 B-B3, and Black resigned.
B-KJ White threatens 21 B-N5. An im-
portant aspect of exploiting a pair of
bishops is that the game can always be
simplified into an advantageous bishop
v. knight or a favourable bishop ending)
20 K-K4 B-Q3 21 K-B3 K-K3 22 B-B8+
K-B2 23 B-R5 P-N4 (against passive
defence, White would move his king to
QB4, threatening to exchange the dark-
squared bishops) 24 K-K4 PXP 25 PXP
K-N3 26 B-N6 N-Rl 27 B-Q4 N-B2 265. Petrosiau-Gurgenidze (Tbilisi,
28 B-Q7 B-N5 29 B-N6 B-Q3 30 B-R5 1956). A pair of bishops is particularly
K-N2 31 B-BS K-N3 32 P-B4 K-N2 powerful when the pawn position is asym-
33 B-R3! K-N3 34 P-B5+ K-B2 35 B-BI metric and there is the possibility of creat-
K-K2 36 B-K1 B-K4 37 B-K2, and ing a passed pawn. In this position Black
White wins. cannot make any use of his Q-side pawn
majority, whereas White can create a
passed pawn on the opposite wing.
I P-B51PXP+ 2BXPN-N23B-N5+
K-B2 (after 3 ••. K-K4 the bishop would
again retreat, when the advance of the
KRP would be even more dangerous)
4 B-Q7! N-K3 (Black can do nothing
against the threat of P-R5 and B-Q8)
5 BXN+ (the simplest: White simplifies
into a won bishop ending) 5 ••• KXB
264. Gheorghiu-Oiafsson (Athens, 1969). 6 B-Q8 P-RS 7 BXP (denying Black the
I P-N4! (limiting the mobility of Black's chance of creating a passed pawn after
K-side pawns) 1 . • . B-N2 (I ... N-B5 7 PXP P-Q4) 7 •.• P-Q4 8 PXP+ KXP
was perhaps better, although after 2B-QBI 9 K-B5 PXP 10 PXP B-K6 11 P-lt.S.,
a subsequent . • • P-QR4 will involve a and Black resigned, since after ll __ _
pawn sacrifice) 2 K-B2 P-B4? (an un- B-Q7 12 B-Q8 K-Q3 13 B-NS the ·~
necessary weakening of his position. It is change of bishops is forced, when the pawn
true that it gives him temporary control of ending is a straightforward win.
• • • K5, but it also gives White the oppor-
tunity of play against the KBP) 3 P-RJ I
 86 Six Hundred Endings

266. Prokes. Black's knight has only one

escape route, one which involves blocking 268. Ellinger. Black wards off the stale-
in his king. As a result he gets into zug- mate danger, and increases his material
zwang, the outcome of which is a dis- advantage by promoting to a minor piece,
covered double attack. but White succeeds in simplifying to a
1 K-Q2 N-N7 2 K-B2 N-RS 3 K-N3 theoretically drawn position.
K-R4 4 N-Q6! P-BS+ (this move is 1 N-Nl+ K-N6 2 B-,.Ql PXB=N
forced, since 4 ..• N-N3 5 N-N7 is mate) (promoting to a queen· .or 'rook gives
5 NXP+ K-N4 6 N-N2+, and White stalemate) 3 N-Q2+ ! K-B5 (J ·... NXN
wins. is again stalemate) 4 NXB, with a draw.
1st variatio}l: 2 ... PXB=B 3 N-Q2+
267 K-B6 4 NXN, with a draw.
I+ 2nd variation: 2 ... N-K6 3 N-Q2+!
K-B6 4 N-K4+ K-Q6 S N-BS+ K-QS
6 BXP, with a draw.
3rd variation: 1 •.. K-NS 2 K-N2
N-K6 3 N-R3 NXB 4 NXP+, with a
draw.

267. Browne-Portisch (Wijk aan Zee,

1972). Black has to force the exchange of
knights in such a way that his bad rook's
pawn moves onto the knight's file. Since
the opposing knight has to keep out of
range of Black's bishop, the winning pro-
cedure is quite easy.
I ... K-B3 2 N-K4+ K-K4 3 N-B2 269. Bron. Black eliminates the danger-
K-QS 4 K-B3 N-K4+ S K-N3 B-K6 ous white pawns, sacrificing a piece in
6 N-R3 (6 N-Ql K-Q6 7 N-N2+ K-B7 the process, and calculating that his oppo-
8 N-R4 K-N6, and the errant knight is lost) nent's two remaining pieces no longer
6 ... K-KS 7 K-R4 N-B6+ 8 K-R5 constitute a decisive material advantage.
(or 8 K-N3 N-N4 9 K-N2 K-Q6 10 K-N3 Black's reckoning would be correct, were
 Minor Pieces in Opposition 87

it not for the splendid mating attack which

the position offers White.
I P-R5! NXP+ 2 K-B6 N-K5+!
3 NXN PXP (the white pawns ha\c been
successfully eliminated, but now the black
king is in trouble) 4 l'\-N5+ K-RI!
5 B-R2! (otherwise 5 ... B-Q4 parries all
the threats) 5 ... B-N2 6 K-B7 B-R3
7 K-B8 B-Q6 8 B-N8 B-N3 9 B-R7!
(a fitting end to a magnificent battle)
9 ... Bx B 10 N-B7 mate. one? True, this problem is of rather the-
Variation: 5 ... P-R5 6 K-B7 P-R6 oretical interest, in that such a situation
7 K-B8 P-R7 8 N-B7+ K-R2 9 B-NI+ is rather unlikely to occur in over-the-
B-K5 10 Bx B mate. board play. Grandmaster Adorjan sets
out from a position (White: K KR7,
270 ~ ~·~
~~~~~ ~
~~~ N-K7, N-KRl; Black: K-KR7, N-QB6,
+ ~~~~:~/ij'0~~ N-K6, P-KN5) where Black can indeed
~ ~%~ ~~~·~"
··"·f·"~ ~
promote his pawn to a knight after 1 N-B2

~~!m·~~~
%
P-N6 2 N-N4+! NXN 3 l'<-B5 P-N7
~ ~~~, ~~~ ~ 4 N-R4, instead of 4 ... P-N8 =Q.

:~:·~~
There is only one winning line in the
position shown: I ... N-Nl (I .. . N-N3
or I ... N-Q4+ is met by 2 K-Q6 and
3N-B6 mate) 2 N-N4! (of course, not
270. Rinck. After the natural I N x P 2 NXN because of 2 ... K-B2, and
B-R5 2 P-B5 K-Q2 White's extra pawn Black exchanges a whiteknight)2 ... K-B2
is insufficient for a win. Realizing this, 3 N-B4 N-K2 4 N-Q6+ K-~2 5 K-Q7
White first attacks the pawn defending N-N3 6 N-K6+ K-Rl 7 N-B6 N-K4+
the black knight, and then deals with the 8 K-B7 followed by the 9 N-B7 mate.
defenceless knight. Variation: 5 ••• N-N1 6 K-K6 N-R3
1 P-B5! PXP (1 ... N-B3 is met by the 7 N-B6! N-Nl 8 N-B5+ and 9 N-N6
same continuation 2 NxP-threatening mate, while after 7 ... K-Bl . or ·7
3 B-R5 mate-2 ... BXN 3 KXB, and K-Rl there follows 8 N(Q6)-K8!
White wins, since Black's QP also falls in
viewofthethreatof4 B-N5) 2 NXP BXN 272. Sergeev-Kotov (Moscow, 1935).
(forced, in view of the threat of 3 B-R5 If the black knight at ... QR5 were to
and mate) 3 KXB N-Q2(B2) 4 B-N5(R5), stray too far, White's passed pawn would
and White wins. become very dangerous. But as it is Blac:!k:
succeeds in achieving a theoretical draw.,
271. Adorjao. We know that two knights by sacrificing both of his knights.
cannot checkmate a lone king. But what 1 ... N-N3! 2 N-K7 (2 NXN K-:s2.,
will be the outcome of the game if both with an immediate draw) 2 . . . K~lJ
sides have an additional knight, that is, 3 P-B7 N-Q1 +! 4 K-Q6 N-BS+ 5 K-'~
the attacker has three and the defender KXN!, with a draw, since White cannot
88 Six Hundred Endings

272
I=

promote to a queen. while after 6 KX N and wins) 4 K-R4 N-N2 5 K-NS B-Q:
K-Q2 the pawn is captured immediately. 6 K-B6 N-R4+ 7 K-Q7 N-N2 8 K-BS.
and White wins. The black pieces impedee
each other's ftight.
Variation: 1 .•. K-Bl 2 P-R7 K-N2
3 N-R5+ K-R1 4 N-B4 K-N2 5 N-N6
N-B2 6 NXN, and wins.

273. Troitsky. White cannot hope to

promote his pawn, and therefore he starts
an attack against the black king, which is
hampered in its movements. The black
knights inadvertently assist in bringing
about a mating position, but the star role 275. Aronin-Boleslavsky (20th USSR
is nevertheless played by the white pawn. Championship). White's positional ad-
1 P-Q6+ K-Q2 2 N(R4)-B5+ K-K1 vantage is obvious: not only his bishop is
3 P-Q7 + (Black is forced to capture the better positioned, but his knight as well.
adventurous pawn, but it results in a fatal 1 P-R4! J:I-R4+ (forced, otherwise
blockage)3 .•• NXP4N-Q6+ K-Q1(B1) White plays P-RJ, and breaks through
5 N-K6 mate. with his king) 2 K-R3 B-B2 3 P-B3 B-K1,
Variation: 1 •.. K-B12 N-N6+ KXN and Black resigned without further play,
3 PXN, and wins. since after 4 P-N4! PXP+ (otherwise
5 PXP and 6 N-N3, winning a pawn)
274. Rinck. To hunt down and then 5 PXP he is helpless against the threat of
capture Black's freely moving bishop is 6 P-N5 followed by K-N4 and P-R5.
an outstanding performance on the part of White's Q-side pawn majority decides the
White's three short-stepping pieces. game practically on its own.
1 N-B6+ K-R1 2 N-B3 (threatening
3 N-K5 followed by mate) 2 •.. B-B6 276. Smyslov-Golombek (USSR v. Great
3N-Q5 B-R4 (or 3 .•• B-R8 4 K-R2, Britain, 1947). White's advantage in space
 Minor Pieces in Opposition 89

I P-QR4! K-Q2 2 N-R3 P-KN4 lafter

2 ... K-B2 3 N-B4 BXN 4 KXB N-K2
5 P-Q4 PxP 6 KxP Black cannot avoid
loss of material) 3 1\-B4 B X N (after 3 ...
K-B2 4 BXN White wins a pawn, but this
would have given Black the best practical
chances) 4 KXB K-Q3 5 K-N5 K-B2
6 BXN PXB+ 7 K-R6 P-N5 8 P-N3!
(a battle for a tempo: White will answer
8 . . . P-R4 with 9 P-N4) 8 . . . P-B4
and the weakness of Black's KNP are
9 K-1':5 K-N2 10 J>-R5 PXP II KXBP,
enough to ensure victory.
and Black resigned.
1 P-N5! (blockading the weak pawn. ~==~==~==~==

If there were no knights on the board, 278 •••••

this move would be incorrect-cr. the
section on "good" and "bad" bishops-
but of course Black is in no position to
force the exchange of knights) I ... B-QI
/+ • • • • •
~.
~ ''····· ~
.~.~~
~ ~
~
••• f'j.
"~ ~~-'% 0i;i"'/~ 0i~
j,;~jjflw~llJ~ ~
.t. ~['!}
. .%.•
2 K-N4 BXB (what else? 3 N-R4 was ~['!} ;~
threatened, winning a pawn) 3 PXB "'"'~U'"~.- 0i~
K-Q3 4 N-K5!, and Black resigned, since .; .. f~ %%~ %%~-~~--""
•
~ ~ ~
. - 5 K-N5
after the retreat of his knicltt
wins easily.
218. Euwe-Averbakh (Zurich, 1953).
Black does not bother to defend his
attacked pawn, but sacrifices a piece in
order to open the way for his Q-side pawns.
An interesting feature of the ending is that
although the white king stands alongside
the battlefield, it is no more than an idle
spectator of the struggle.
I ... NXRP 2 BXN N-N4·3 B-Bl
NXBP 4 N-K2 :\'-N8!, and White
resigned.
277. Portisch-Smyslov (Wijk aan Zee, A false trail: 4 ... N><N? 5 KXN
I972). Owing to his weak pawns on the P-B6 6 K-Q3 P-N7 7 BxP P <B 8 K-B2
QK- and K-files, Black cannot hold the P-R6 9 P-N5! P-R3 I0 P-R4, with a draw,
position, in spite of the material equality. since Black's king is restricted by its
With his first move White prepares a defensive duties, and is unable to approach
decisive knight manreuvre. White's KBP.
Rook Endings
Rook endings are the most common in practical play. This is the stage where the rook
displays its true worth, and its strength against the minor pieces. The rook is excdlently
suited for destructive work, asserts itself along open files and ranks, and, apart from in
exceptional positions, supports a passed pawn best when it stands behind it.

280. Kling and Horwitz. {Theoretical

ending.) The rook threatens to pin the
pawn, or to occupy the KN-file, and
thus prevent tht> pawn's promotion.
White frustrates this plan by moving his
king down the ranks; parallel with the
movement of the rook, until he can con-
trol KNl.
1 P-N7 R-R4+ 2 K-B4 R-R5+ 3
K-B3 R-R6+ 4 K-N2, and White wins.

279. {Theoretical ending.) The rook

can checkmate Black's lone king on any
square on the edge of the board.
1 K-B3 K-B42 R-Q3 K-N4 3 R-Q5+
K-B3 (3 ... K-R5 4 R-KR5 K-R6 5 R-R5
mate) 4 K-B4 K-N3 5 R-Q6+ K-N2
6 K-N5 K-B2 7 R-Ql K-N2 8 R-Q7+
K-Bl 9 K-B6 K-Nl 10 K-N6 K-B1
11 R-Ql K-Nl 12 R-Q8 mate.

...
281. Saavedra. {Theoretical ending.)
280 ••••
The occupation of QB2 takes place as in

+ ·~·~·~·~u'"
-~~~
the preceding example, but the rest of the
battle is much more beautiful and instruc-
~~~.~~~-~------"
~~ ~~ tive.
~~~~~~~~ I P-B7 R-Q3 + 2 K-N5 (2 K-B5 ?R-QB,

~~~~~~~~ with a draw) 2 . . . R-Q4+ 3 K-N4

~~~!~~~~
R-Q5+ 4 K-N3 R-Q6+ 5 K-B2 R-Q5!
~ ~-~ ~ 6 P-B8=R! (6 P-BB=Q? R-QB5+ 7
92 Six Hundred Endings

Q;·.R swlem.:!tt:J 6 ... R-I)R:'-; K-:-.:Y. J K-'-:7 R-QN8+ 4 K-R8! R-QBS 5

and \\"hit.: win~. sin~·.: tht: threat or mat;.· P-R7! RXP 6 K-N7, and White wins.
se.:~J.; the bbck rN'k's fat.:. Variation: 5 . . . K-B5 6 K-N7
R-Q~S+ 7 K-R6 R-QR8+ 8 K-N6
R-Q~~. 9 K-B5 R-QBS+ 10 K-N4
R-Q~7 + 11 K-B3 R-QRS 12 P-B7
K-K4 13 K-N2!, and wins.
1st trap: I P-B7? R-Q8+ ~ K-B8
R-QRS 3 P-R6! K-B5! 4 K-N7 (see
helow for 4 K-Q7) 4 ... R-QN8+ 5
K.-B6! R-QB8+ 6 K-1\16 K-K4! (not
tJ ••• R-QN8+ 8 K-R5, and wins) 7 P-R7
K-Q3 8 P-R8=Q R-QN8+ 9 K-R7
282. Stamma. (Theoretical .:nJing. i Thc R-QRS-7- (the winning attempt 9 ...
rook cannot pr.:\·ent th.: prC'motiL'n (•f th.: A: ;<P! comes to a sorry end after /0
pawn, but it can manceu\ rc in such a way Q-R8!) 10 K-N7 RXQ, with a draw.
as to force stalemate. 2nd trap: 4 K-Q7 R-Q8+ 5 K-K8
1 R-Kl'\7- K-BI .::! R-,5! P-B~- Q (after 5 K-K6 R-K8+ 6 K-B6? R-QB8

=•
3 R-B5+ Q -:R stalemate. 7 P-R7 R-B3+! it is Black who
\Vins) 5 ... R-K8+ 6 K-BS R-KR8!
283 ~
~~~---%~ ~
~~~ 7 P-R7 R-Rl+ 8 K-K7 R-Rl 9 K-Q6
-- ~~~~~~~~ K-B4! 10 K-B6 K-K3 11 K-N7 K-Q2!
~~~~~~~~ 12 KXR KXP, stalemate. The traps are
L.>~~~~~~~ even more beautiful and difficult than the

~~~~~~-~ winning variations.

~~~~~~~--~~
~~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ,., .. V.

283. Berger. (Theoretical ending.) The

preceding examples show that, in excep-
tional cases, one pawn can win against
a rook. The rook's task is naturally more
difficult against a greater number of
pawns. In this instance Black's rook ha~
to prevent the promotion of the pawns 284. Tarrasch-Jaoowski(Ostende, 1907).
single-handed, since his king is far away It looks as though White should win
from the battlefield. It would seem that easily, since his pawns are well advanced
the isolation cif White's pawns ·should and enjoy the protection of their king,
allow Black to draw by checking or by whereas Black's king is some distance
attacking the pawns, but subtle manceu- away. Jn the course of the game, however,
vring by White's king and his pawns enables the king meets a serious obstacle: neither
him to win. of his pawns can be promoted without
1 P-R6! R-QS+ 2 K-B7 R-QR8 him crossing the seventh rank.
 Rook l'. Paw11s 93

1 K-Q4 K-N6 (or 1 ... R-B4 2 K-K4

RXNP 3 P-B7, and wins) 2 K-KS K-B5
3 P-N6 R-K8+ 4 K-Q6 R-KN8! (in the
game itself 4 ... R-Q8+ was played,
and White won easily after 5 K-K7
R-K8+ 6 K-B7) 5 P-N7! K-QS 6 K-B6!
(White's king cannot yet step onto the
seventh rank, because of 6 . . . K-K4,
while 6 P-B7 fails to 6 . . . R-N3 + .')
6 ... K-B5 7 K-Q7! K-Q4 8 K-K8 (at
last White's king has crossed the perilous 5 R-Kl+ K-R7 6 R-KNl(KRl)! (Black
seventh rank) 8 ... K-K3 9 P-B7 R-QR8 has no good move) 6 ... P-R7(N7) 7
10 P-B8=N+, and White wins. R X P( + ), and White wins.
lstvariation:3 ... K-Q84K-Q3K-B8
~ ~ ~ ~
2~ -~~~~~~~ 5 K-K3 P-R7 6 R-Rl + K-N7 7 R-R 1
LJ~~~~~~~ K-B6 8 K-B3, and wins.
~~~~~~~~ 2nd variation: 2 ... P-R7 3 R-Ql +

~~~~~~~~ K-R7 4 R-KRI etc.

~~~~~~-~
~~~~~~:~
~~~~~~-,,%
~~~ ~ .
285. Moravec. (Theoretical ending.)
Black has no time to promote a pawn,
as his king is continually forced to flee
from perpetual attack and the threat of
checkmate.
1 R-QRI+ K-Nl 2 R-QNI+ K-Bl
3 R-QRI K-Ql 4 K-Q6 K-Kl 5 K-K6 287. Prokes. The apparently natural
K-Bl 6 K-B6 K-Nl 7 R-R8+ K-R2 continuation I R-BI P-N7 2 K-KI is
8 R-R7+ K-R3 9 R-RS K-R4 10 K-B5 only enough to draw, and 'Black would
K-R5 11 K-B4 K-R4! (11 ... K-R6? even win against any other rook mow.
12 R-R8 mate) 12 K-B5, with a draw, White's king, therefore, has to attack the
because the best that Black can do is to pawns.
return to ... QR2. 1 K-Q2! P-B7 2 R-Ql P-1'\7 (on 2 ...
K-K4, 3 K-K3 wins, but now the dis-
286. Shapiro. The two pawns on the covered double attack decides the issue)
sixth rank would win, were it not for the 3 K-K2+, and White wins.
fact that their king is cornered. As it is,
Black gets into zug::wang, and loses his 288. KliDg and Horwitz. As in example
pawns. 286, White prevents the advance of the
1 R-Q2+ K-N8! 2 K-B3! K-B8! black pawns by mating threats.
3 R-QR2 K-NS 4 R-K2! P-N7(R7) I R-B7+ K-Nl 2 R-KN7+! K-Bl
 9.J Six Hundred Endings

White's king has gained a tempo) 4 ..•

K-B8 5 K-Q2, and White wins.
A false trail: I R-QB8? K-N6 2 R-B4
K-B6 3 RXNP K-K6 4 R-QB4 K-Q7,
with a draw.

3 R-N7 (thr.:atening mate and attacking

a pawn) 3 ... K-K I -+ R ~· P etc.
1st \ariation: 2 ... K-Rl 3 R·-:\7
P-R6 -1- K-~6 P-R7 ~ R--..:i\ mat.:.
2nd \ariation: I ... K-R3 2 R-B2!
K-R4 3 R;< P, and wins.
290. Knicst. White must not allow the
289 l'lack king to reach ... QN7, since this
would prevent his own king from penetrat·
ing among the black pawns, and dispel any
hopes of winning.
I R-QN8! K-R6 2 K-QI P-N6 3 K-BI
K-R5 (after 3 ... P-B7 White \\ins by
.J R-QRB+ K-N5 5 K-N2) 4 R-QB8
K-:"5 5 K-Nl! (:::ug:::wang forces Black to
spoil his pawn position) 5 . . . P-N7
6 K-B2 K-R6 7 RXP+ K-R7 8 R-QN3,
289. Herberg. The rook can easily
and White wins.
capture one of the pawns, but a win
A false trail: I K-Ql? K-~7 2 R-B4
requires that both be taken. A careful
P-:"6 3 R-B8 P-B7+ 4 K-Q2 K-N8 5
examination of the position reveals that
R-B3 K-N7 6 R-B8 K-R7 7 RXP+,
White's king can catch up with the pawns
with a draw.
if he can gain one tempo; consequently
White fights for that' ital move.
1 K-B4 P-B7! 2 R-KR8+ !* K-N7
(it will be seen that the seventh rank is an
unfavourable position for Black's king)
3 R-QB8 P-~6 4 K-K3! (the purpose of
\Vhite's second move now becomes clear:
the black pawns ha\e come to a halt, so

• In Slrakhmaty v SSSR 1979 No. II, L. Popo\·

points out an alternative win by 2 R-QBS P-N6
3 R-86 (or 3 R-B7 ), and after 3 ... K-N7 (3 ... 291. Keidanski. Although he cannot
K-R5 4 R-KR6 mate, or 3 ... P-N7 4 R-B3+!
and 5RXP) 4 K-KJ the same linish results. [Edi·
attack the black pawns, White's king can
tor's note.] still help in averting the danger; the rook's
 Rook v. Pawns 95

manceuvre and the perpetual attack are R-QB3+ K-N8 (8 ... K-N7 9 R-B3,
made possible with the king's assistan~. draw) 9 R-N3+, with a draw, as 9 ...
I R-BS P-K7 2 R-Q8+ K-KS 3 K-B4! K-R7? would even Jose after 10 R-KB3
K-K6 4 R-K8+ K-Q7 5 R-Q8+ K-B7 then II K-B3.
6 R-K8 P-B6 7 R-K3! K-Q7 8 R-Q3+ 1st variation: 3 ... P-N7 4 R-B3+
K-B7 9 R-B3+ K-N7 10 R-N3+ K-R7 K-R5 5 R-B4+ K-R4 6 R-B3, with a
11 R-K3!, with a draw. draw.
1st variation: 5 ... K-K8 6 R-K8 P-B6 2nd variation: I ... K-N4 2 R-BI
(6 ... K-B7 7 K-Q3 P-B6 8 K-Q2 K-B8 P-B7 3 R-QNI + K-R5 4 K-B4 K-R6
9 R-K3 K-B7 10 R-K8, with a draw) 5 K-B3 K-RS!, with a draw, whereas
7 K-Q3 K-Q8 8 R-QR8 K-KS 9 K-K3 after 5 •.. K-R7? 6 R-KBI! White
K-B8 10 R-Rl + P-K8=Q+! (10 ... would win.
K-N7?losesto II R-Kl K-N612 R-KNJ +
K-R7 13 K-B2) 11 RXQ+, with a draw.
2nd variation: 4 ... K-B7 5 K-Q3 P-B6
6 K-Q2 K-B8 7 R-K3 K-B7 8 RXBP+,
and draws.
3rd variation: 3 ... P~B6 4 R-K8+
K-BS 5 K-Q3 K-N6 6 RXP etc.
4th variation: I ... P-B6 2 R-Q8+
K-K5 3 K-B4 P-B7! 4 R-K8+ K-B6
5 R-KB8+ K-K7 6 K-Q4 K-Q7 7 R-B3,
with a draw. 293. Lasa. (Theoretical ending.) This
5th variation: I . . . K-Q5 2 R-B8 position first appeared in chess literature
P-K7 3 RXP+ K-Q4 4 R-BS K-Q5! over a hundred years ago, and many
5 R-K8, with a draw. endgame composers ha\e since tackled it
with greater or lesser success. The pawns on
the sixth rank would win against the rook
if their king were not driven to the edge of
the board, where he has continually to be
on his guard against the threat of check-
mate.
I R-BI P-N7 2 R-KNI + K-R6 3
K-B3 K-R5 (3 ... K-R7? loses to 4
R-Nl !) 4 K-B4, with a draw because the
continual threat of mate prevents Black
292. Wotawa. Although the black pawns from playing ... P-R 7.
appear to be unstoppable, White can still Variation: I ... P-R7 2 R-KNI +
escape! The perpetual check which brings K-R6 3 K-B3 K-R5 (3 ... K-R7? 4
the draw is prepared by some extremely R-QRI! P-N7 5 RXP, and \\'bite wins,
neat strategic moves. since in taking the RP he also pins the NP)
I R-B4+ K-N6! 2 R-B4P-B7 3 K-B5! 4 K-B4, with a draw.
K-B7 4 K-Q4 K-Q7 5 R-B3 K-K7 A trap: I ... K-N4? 2 K-Q3, and
6 R-K3+ K-Q8 7 R-Q3+ K-B8 8 White's king is able to catch the pawn~.
9fi Six Hundred Emlings

and what's more, if Black moves first the

same stalemate results. The technical
solution, involving the sacrifice of one of
the pawns, is of theoretical interest.
I K-R7 K-B3 2 P-B8=Q+! RXQ
3 P-:'\7 R-B2 4 K-R8 RXP. stalemate.
The ('!her variation is: I K-N7 R-QR l
2 K-R 7 K-B3 3 P-BR =Q+ RX Q 4 P-N7
R-B2 5 K-RS RXP, and White is stale-
mated.
294. Moravec. Although White cannot
TfBlack moves first: I ... K-B3 2 K-R 7
stop the promotion of the RP, he can force
R-KBI 3 P-N7 RXP 4 K-R8 RXP,
his opponent to promote it to a knight.
.~talemate, or 1 ... K-Bl 2 K-R7 R-Rl
Capturing the knight close to the comer
3 K-RS! R-N1 4 K-R7 K-K2 5 K-N7
square is then an easy task, but t'llC with
R-KBI 6 K-R7 K-B3 7 P-N7 RXP 8
which it i~ \Jseful 10 be· familiar.
K-R~ R X P stalemate.
I K-R.?: P-R:' 2 K-:-\6 P-R6 3 K-:\5
P-R7 4 K-'4 P-RS=N (after 4 ...
P-R8=Q? 5 K-.\'3 Black is mated. Had
White taken the :'\P on the first move.
5 ... 0-J...'R/ w0uld now win) 5 K-B3
P-N3 6It-Q~2 P-::'\47 R-Q2! (the knight
cannot escape) 7 ... P-N5-;- S K:.<P
N-B7+ 9 K-B3 "l-R8 10 R-QR2, and
White wins.
Variation: 1 ... P-N4 2 K-:\6 P-N5
3 K-N5! (this time it is the RP that has
296. Kliog aDd Horwitz. White can draw
to be spared, as after 3 KxP? P-N6
onlv if his king is able to take part in the
4 K-N4 P-Nl 5 K-N3 K-R8 6 RXP
fight. It is the rook's duty to see that it
Black would be stalemated) 3 ... P-N6
has the time to do this.
4 K-R4! P-N7 5 K-R3 K-RS 6 R X P.
1 R-B7+ K-N5 2 R-QN7+ K-B4
and wins.
3 R-NJ K-B5.4 K-N2 K-136 5 K-B2
K-B7 6 K-K3, with a draw.
295
Variation: 1 ... K-Q5 2 R-Q7 + K-K5
='= 3 R-K7 + K-B4 4 R-KB7 + K-K4
5 R-BI K-K5 6 K-N3! K-K6 7 R-KRI!
K-K7 8 R-R2+ K-QS 9 R-R8! K-B7
10 R-QB8+, with a draw.
Berger has pointed o.It that if White's
king were initially at KR3, Black would
win:
I R-B7+ K-Q5! 2 R-Q7+ K-K6
295. Cozio. (Theoretical ending.) White 3 R-K7+ K-B7 4 R-KB7+ K-N8
can draw with two possible first moves, 5 R-KN7+ K-R8.
 Rook l'. Paw11s 97

297 (Juring the rook onto a bad square) 5 ...

RXQ 6 P-B7! R-KBl 7 K-B6! K-N2
S P-K7!, with a draw.
Variation: l ... R-K6 2 P-K7 K-B.2
3 K-N4! (after 3 K-N5? R-QN6+ 4 K-B6
R-Nl 5 K-Q7 R-Kl the pawns are lost)
3 . . . R-K8 4 K-B5 (White's king has
succeeded in closing up on his pawns,
and checks from the rook can no longer do
any harm) 4 ... R-QB8+ 5 K-Q6 R-BI
291. Prokes. Here it is White who has
6 K-K5!, with a draw.
to struggle for a draw. He cannot sir back
and let the black king move over to the
299
Q-side, since this would mean the end of
his pawns. He has to break across the I+
K-file, even at the cost of one of his pawns.
An immediate sacrifice, however, would
be wwng, because the other pawn would
also be lost. Therefore White must first
approach closer with his king.
I K-B4! K-N2 2 P-R8=Q! RXQ
3 K-KS K-B2 4 K-Q6 K-Kl 5 K-B6
R-BI 6 K-Q6! R-Rl 7 K-B6 R-Bl
299. Portisch-Spassky (Amsterdam,
8 K-Q6, with a draw. Jf it were now
1964). After the obvious I ... K-K5, the
White to move, he would lose.
game quickly concluded: 2 K-N4 K-K4
3 K-B5 R-BI, and White resigned, be-
cause of 4 P-N3 R-QNI 5 P-N4 R-QBl +
6 K-N5 K-Q3, when he loses his pawns.
Variation: 2 P-Q6 K-K4 3 P-BS
R-B8+ 4 K-N4 K-K3 5 K-N5 K-Q2
6 P-N4 R-QNS 7 K-B4 K-B3 8 K-B3
K-N4 9 K-Q3 R-N6+ !. followed by
10 ... RXP, and Black wins.
A trap: 3 .•• K-Q4? 4 P-N4 K-B3
5 K-N2! (it is an important element in
298. Rinck. Black can choose between the defence .not to a:llow the rook to get
two possibilities: he can either keep the behind the pawns) 5 ..• K.-N4 6 K-B2
white king's route to his pawns under fire, R-B6 7 K-N2! (not· 7 K-Q2? K-B5!)
or attack the pawns themselves straight 7 . . . R-Q6 8 K-B2 R-QS 9 K-BJ
away. White uses tactics to draw in the R-QB5+ 10 K-Q3 R-B8 11 K-Q2
first variation, and strategy in the second. R-KR8 12 K -B2 !, and Black cannot l!l.mke
1 P-Kfi R-QB6 2 K-N5! (parrying the any progress. The variation and the tr.a,p
threat of ... R-B3) 2 ... R-Bl 3 K-N6 are more instructive for this type of en&_g
K-R2 4 K-N7 R-Kt 5 P-NS=Q+! than the continuation of the game itsdf.
98 Six Hu.Jred Endings

1 R-B1+ (1 R-KN4f P-R7 2 RXP

stalemate) I •.• K-R7 (threatening 2 ..•
P-N8=Q+ 3 RXQ stalemate) 2 K-K2!
(K3 must b~ reserved.for the new queen)
2 ... P-N8=Q 3 RXQ KXR 4 P-K7
P-R7 5 P-KS=Q P-RS=Q 6 Q-K3+
K-R7 7 Q-B4+ K-R6 8 Q-R6+ K-N7
9 Q-NS+ K-R6 10 Q-RS+ K-N7 11
Q-N4+ K-R7 12 K-B2, and White wins.
Variation: 2 ... K-N6 3 P-K7 P-R7
300. Reti. White. :lllas. JW, time to take
4 P-KS=Q P-R8=Q (4 ... P-N8=Q
the NP, since after I KXP K-KS 2 K-B2
5 Q-N6+, and wins) 5 Q-K3+, and wins.
P-KS=Q+! 3 KXQ (3· RXQ+ K--Q6,
draw) 3 ... K-Q6 4 R-Rl K-B6 5 ·R-BI 302
K-Q6, Black can hold the draw. Conse- I+
quently, the black king has to be kept
away from the pawns -until the white
king's occupation of Q2 or KB2 is guar-
anteed.
I K-B2! K-K5 2 KXKP K-QS 3
R-KNI K-KS 4 R-KI! K-K4 5 K-K3
(the time-gaining tempo moves have
created the desired position) 5 •.•
302. Polerio. By a sacrifice Black stale-
K-Q4(B4) 6 K-Q2(B2), and White wins.
mates the opposing king, forcing White to
1st variation: 3 ... K-B6 4 R-Kl!
advance his NP.
K-N7 5 K-Q2 K-N6 6 K-Bl etc.
1 ... R-QR1! 2 KXR K-B2! (in the
2nd variation: 1 ... K-B5 2 KXKP
initial position, White's QRP held out the
K-N6 3 K-K3 K-R7 4 K-B2 K-R6
chance of a draw, but now it has become
5 K-Nl etc.
a liability) 3 P-N4 PXP 4 P-R5 P-N6
5 P-R6 P-N7 6 P-R7 P-NS=Q 7
P-R8=Q Q-N7 mate.
A trap: 1 ... R-B6? 2 P-R8=Q
R-N6+ 3 K-R7 R-R6+ (3 ... K-B2?
loses to 4 Q-KB8) 4 K-N7 RXQ 5 KXR
K-K3 6 K-N7 K-B4 7 K-B6 K-NS
8 K-QS KXP 9 K-K4 KXP 10 K-B3,
with a draw; White's king has arrived just
in time.

301. Prokes. White's victory is endan- 303. Troitsky. White cannot prevent
gered by stalemating threats. Countering the promotion of his opponent's advanced
these threats leads to material equality, pawn, but on the other hand the black
but this is nevertheless the correct solution, king is unable to avoid perpetual check.
since White's new queen is the stronger. I R-N3 K-Q7 2 RXP! (2 R-N2? K-Q6,
 Rook v. Pawns 99

305

and wins) 2 ... P-B8=Q 3 R-NI! QXP 305. V. Platov and M. Platov. The rook
4 R-N2+ K-B8 (4 ... K-Q6 5 R-N3, cannot prevent the promotion of the pawn,
draw) 5 R-NI +,with a draw by perpetual so White's king goes onto the attack.
check, since after 5 ... K-B7 6 R-QBl + Chasing the unstoppable pawn looks
KXR, White is stalemated. pointless, but is in fact the right approach,
for it is the only way the king can reach
a faraway stalemate nook.
I K-B6 P-K5 2 K-Q5 P-K6 3 K-K4
P-K 7 (3 ... P-B7 4 R-KB6, draw) 4 K X P
P-K8=Q 5 R-KR6+ K-N8 6 R-Rl +
K X R stalemate.
r--=~==------.,=v----==

306 ••••

+ ·~·~·~·~
~~~~-~~~
~~----%~~~~~
~~-,~~~~
304. Prokes. The only way for Black to

~~"---~~ ~~ ~C"
avoid mate is to promote his pawn to a
knight, instead of a queen. But as we know,
·~ ~ ~ ~~
a knight in the corner is easy prey for a ~ ~~ ~~
~-~ ~ ~-~
~ ""'"
rook.
1 P-N4! (a necessary sacrifice, since 306. Behtiag. The natural I R X P is
I K-N3? P-B5+ leads to a draw) I ... good enough only for a draw, while
PXP2K-N3P-R8=N+ 3 KXP N-B7+ I KXP? P-R'8=Q+ 2 K_.N3 loses to
4 K-B3 N-R8! 5 R-QN2+ K-B8 6 2 ... Q-QRl. It :f"'Dows that White must
R-QR2 K-N8 7 RXP N-B7 8 R-K6! block the lolltg wbite .dia_gonal before the
N-R8 9 R-K2, and the knight is lost. black pawn QIJCCI'IS.
1st variation: 8 ... N-R6 9 R-KI + I P-B6! !PX:P .l KXP P-R8=Q+
K-R7 10 R-K2+ K-R8 11 K-N3 N-N8 5 K -N3, and 'W.hite ....Uns.
12 R-R2 mate. lst variation: 2 .... 'IL.;£8=N 3 R-KN2
2nd variation: 3 ... P-R4+ 4 K-B3 (waiting for the black 'Pawn to advaoce)
P-RS 5 R-QN2+ K-B8 6 R-QR2 K-N8 3 •.• P-B4 4 R-K2! (ensuring that the
7 RXP N-B7 8 R-K4, and wins. knight cannot subsequently occupy •••
3rd variation: 1 ... P-R8 =Q 2 R-K I+ K6) 4 ... P-BS 5 KXP N-B7 6 K-ID~
K-N7 3 RXQ KXR 4 PXP, and wins. N-R8 7 R-KR2 etc.
 100 Six Hundred Endings

2nd variation: 1 • . • P-B7 2 R -R 1+ avoided in any of the variations, because

P-BS=Q 3 RXQ+ KXR 4 P-B7! the black king has limited room for
P-R8=Q5 P-B8=Q+ K-N7! 6 Q-N7+ rnanreuvre.
JC.-B8 7 Q-B7+ K-N7 8 Q-N6+ K-B8
9 Q-B5+ K-N7 10 Q-N4+ K-R7 II 309 ~~ ~ ~
~~~~ ~~ ~
~
K-B2, and wins. + ~~~d~~~
m!~•!•!
m
-~
~-~~
••,,.
~

309. Rinck. Black's passed pawn

;r~ ~

reaches its goal before White's, and even

the rook cannot prevent it from queening.
307. Troitsky. White must acquire White averts the danger by luring his
control of KB6, otherwise the new black opponent's king onto the;Q-file (a geome-
queen will easily parry his mating threat. trical relation), turning the situation to hls
1 P-R6! (a sacrifice aimed at preventing own advantage.
Black's queen-to-be from moving to ... 1 R-K4+ K-B4 2 R-Q4! KXR 3
KB3) 1 •.. PXP 2 K-B3 P-R8=Q+ P-Q7 K-K6! (a clever move, which counts
(how to win against a knight we already on his opponent overlooking that 4
know) 3 K-N3, and White wins. P-Q8=Q? P-Q8=Q 5 QXQ gives stale-
mate) 4 P-QS=R! K-K7 5 K-R3!
308 ~ ~ ~·~ P-Q8=Q 6 RXQ KXR 7 K-1'4, and

= ~~~----~ White wins.

~=~~-~-~
~~~-~~-~%~
~~ ~ ~ ~
3~ ~~~~~~~~
~~-~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~,
~~"---~~ ~~ ~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~ ~ ~
308. Weenink. It is fruitless to try and
!~~~-0.-
if~-~~~
~~~ -"-~ 0.~
stop the black pawns, so _White goes onto ~~~~~~w--~
~ ~ ~ ~
the attack against the black king.
l K-B6! P-B7 2 R-Kl P-Q7 3 R-K8+ 310. Zakhodyakin. Black is able to
K-B2 4 K-Q7 P-Q8=Q 5 R-K7+, with promote his pawn, but he cannot bring
perpetual check. his new queen into play, owing to his
lst variation: l ... P-Q7 2 K-Q7 P-B7 king's restricted movements and inability
3 R-N8+ K-B2 4 R-K8, with a draw. to avoid perpetual check.
2nd variation: 1 • • • K-B2 2 K-Q7 1 R-QB8+ K-Q7 (the rook must not
P-Q7 3 R-KBl+ K-N3 4 K-K7!, with be allowed onto the back rank) 2 R-Q8+
a draw. The perpetual check cannot be K-K7 3 R-K8+ K-B7 4 R-KB8+ K-N7
 Rook v. Rook 101

(the rook cannot continue checking, but

on the other hand the black king is now
badly placed) 5 R-QN8! P-R8 =Q 6
R-Nl! (the queen has to be ousted from
the eighth rank, otherwise Black's king
will he able to cross his fourth rank)
6 ... Q-R4 7 R-N2+, draw. Black has
to make do with perpetual check, since to
sacrifice his queen would court disaster.
~ ~ ~ ~
~,~~~~~~
311 P-N4+ (Black has succeeded in getting
+ rid of his bad pawn, and has opened tlw
~~~~~~~~ way for his king) 4 KX P K-N2, and Black
~~~~~~~% .... %
wins.
~~~~~~~~ It should be mentioned, for the sake of
~~~~~'(..%~~ historical truth, that on the previous
~~~~~~~~ mo\·e the World Champion could haYe
-~~~~~~.j
L.~~~~
moved his king to K2 instead of KN4
in answer to the rook check. This would
have ensured that Black could not prevent
311. Kissling. It would be a mistake to
the pawn from queening.
eliminate Black's passed pawns immedi-
ately, since after 1 R-N7? P-N7 2 RXP
P-N8=Q 3 RXQ+ KXR Black's ad-
1/. ROOK V. ROOK
vantage in space would become a winning
factor. The splendid move which leads to
a) Rook and Pawn l'. Rook
a win for White is not easy to find.
1 R-N5! (this not only diverts the RP,
but also lures it onto a bad square) I ...
PXR (Black has to accept the offer, since
after 1 ... P-N7 2 RXP P-N8=Q 3
R-R5 + the advance of White's BP is
decisive after the exchange of pieces)
2 P-R6 P-N7 3 P-R7 P-N8=Q 4
P-R8=Q+ Q-N7+ (or 4 ... K-R7
5 Q-R8+, and wins) 5 QXQ+ KXQ
6 PXP, and White wins.
313. Laceaa. (Theoretical ending.) 'IlUs
312. Em. Lasker-Loman (Simultaneous is a theoretical winning positioo, where the
game, London, 1913). Hampered by his essential feature is that the black kmJfs
"bad" pawn on . . . KN2, Black appar- access to the pawn is blocked, aTtd drat
ently has no chance of stopping White's White's king is positioned in front olf his
passed pawn, but there was a surprise in pawn, and only comes out when the time
store for the great player. is ripe, namely when his rook is capable:df
1 ... R-BS+ 2 K-NS R-KRS! 3 KXR preventing the troublesome checks.
 102 Six Hundred Endings

l R-QB2+ K-N2 (I ... K-QJ? 2 manage to draw if the pawn is on the

K~8, and wins) 2 R-B4! R-Q8 3 K-B7 KB-, K-, Q- or QB-file. It is very important
R~8+ 4 K-K6 R-K8+ 5 K-{..16 in the above position (i.e. with a bishop's
R~.8+ (or 5 . . . R-K7 6 R-B5 etc.) pawn) that Black's king should move out
6 . .K.-K5 R-K8+ 7 R-K4, and White towards the shorter side of the board
wins •. (with respect to the white pawn), since the

--~~
~~~---%~~~~
314 longer side has to be reserved for his rook.
I=
~~~~~~~~
If the white pawn were on a knight's file,
Black's king could only move. towards
~ ~~ ~~-'""-~~ ~ tbe longer half of the board (unless he
~~~~~~~~ could defend the back rank with his rook)
~~~~~~~~ and would himself be shielding the white

:•:-:-:~
king from possible side checks.
The play can develop as follows: 1 •..
~-----(, ~ ~ ~ K-N1! (the king heads towards the shorter
314. Philldor. (Theoretical ending.) side of the board) 2 R-R8+ K-R2
A critical position, where Black's king is (Black's king has been half forced out)
positioned opposite the white pawn, and 3 R-KB8 (3 K-K6 K-N2! draws, because
his rook has the Q-side entirely to itself. the pawn cannot advance) 3 ... R-QR8!
It would be incorrect to begin with 1 ..• 4 R-K8 (any move by the king would be
R-K8+, since after 2 K-Q6 R-K1 3 answered by a check) 4 ... R-KB8!
R-R7!Whitewinstherook.1 ... R-R4is (as soon as the white rook vacates the
also bad, because of 2 K-K6!, when the KB-file, Black occupies it) 5 R-K7+
black king is forced out. K-N1 6 R-QR7 R-B7! 7 R-R8+ K-R2
Black's rook has to occupy the third 8 K-K6 K-N2!, with a draw. Black's
rank, and the correct defence is: 1 ... rook wiii only leave the KB-file if it
R-R3! 2 P-Q6 R-R8! (as soon as the becomes necessary to harass the white
pawn advances to the sixth rank, the rook king with side checks, in other words,
again takes up position on the eighth rank, if White again moves his rook to KB8.
in order to harass the opposing king with A trap: 1 ... K-K1? 2 R-R8+ K-Q2
checks from behind) 3 K-K6 R-K8+ 3 R-KB8! R-KN8 4 K-B7 R-KBS 5 P-B6
4 K-Q5 R-Q8+, with a draw. R-B7 6 R-KNS R-B8 7 R-N2 K-Q3 8
R-K2 R-B6 9 K-N7 R-N6+ 10 K-B8
315 ••••
t~ ~:~:~;~:
R-KB611 P-B7 K-Q2 12 R-Q2+ ! K-B2
(12 ... K-K3 /3 K-K8) 13 R-Q4!, and
~~~~~--%~~ White wins. The familiar Lucena position
~~~~~~~~ (example 313) has been reached.
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
316. Botvinnik. (Theoretical ending.)

~~~~~~~~
White's position is much more active here
~ ~ ~~.~ than in the previous example, and also
his pawn is one rank further forward.
315. (Theoretical ending.) Black's king 1 K-B8! R-R8 2 P-B7 R-R1+ (Dr
can be partly forced out, but he can still 2 .•. R-R2 3 R-KB6 etc.) 3 R-K8 R-R2
 316
+I=
. ~ ~ ~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~-
.. •:r~ •
~ @.~~~ ,%~~
Rook v. Rook

unchanged after 7 . . . R-Q3 8 K-B5)

8 R-B7! K-Q5 (White has achieved his
goal: the position is the same as it was
103

after his fifth move, but now it is his turn

~~~~~~~~ to move) 9 R-BI! R-Q3 10 R-Ql+.
-~~~~~~~ and White wins.
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
4 R-Q8 K-N3 5 R-Q6+ K-R2 6 K-K8,
and White wins.
If it is Black to play, he can draw
by preventing White from occupying the
eighth rank: 1 ... R-RI! 2 R-K8
R-R2+ 3 R-K7 (if 3 K-B8, then 3 ...
K-N3l) 3 ... R-Rl 4 R-Q7 R-QNl 5
K-K7 K-N3, and White cannot make 318. Kling and Horwitz. (Theoretica I
any progress, since _6 P-B7 can now be ending.) White has more room for manceu-
countered by 6 ... K-N2. vre, and can easily parry the side checks.
I K-B7! R-KB8+ 2 K-K7 R-K8
3 P-K6 R-K7 4 R-KB8 R-K8 5 R-B2
R-K6 6 R-B2+ K-N2 7 K-Q7 R-Q6+
8 K-K8 R-Q8 9 P-K7 (the Lucena win-
ning position) 9 ..• R-KB8 10 R-B4! etc.
Variation: 1 ... R-KR8 2 R-KN8!
R-R2+ 3 R-N7 R-RI(R8) 4 K-K7 R-QI
5 P-K6 R-Q8 6 K-K8+ K-BI 7 P-K7
R-KR8 8 R-N2, and White wins.

317. Weenillk. Even simple, apparently

drawn positions may sometimes conceal
a winning variation. In this example
White achieves a won position by gaining
a tempo.
1 P-Q7 R-Q4! (not 1 ... R-N1? 2
R-B7! R-Q1 3 K-N2, and wins) 2 K-N2
K-B7 3 K-B3 K-Q6! 4 K-B4 K--Q5!
5 R-B7! (if it were now White to move
again he would win; he therefore begins a 319. Tarrasch. (Theoretical endil!g.)
fine tempo-winning manceuvre) 5 ••• K-Q6 The difference between this and the Lm::ena
6 R-N7! K-Q5 (or 6 ... K-B5 7 K-K4 position is that the black rook is able':to
R-QB 8 K-K5 K-B4 9 K-K6 etc.) 7 give checks from the side. White can win
R-R7! K-Q6 (the position is essentially if he can transfer his king to the KN-file,
104 Six Hundred Endings

in.such a manner that the black king bas

no .chance of attacking his pawn.
I' ... R-Rl+ 2 K-Q7 R-R2+ 3 K-K6
Jt:....Jt3+ 4 K-K5! (4 K-B5? K-B2, draw)
41 ..... R-R4+ 5 K-B6 R-R3+ 6 K-N5
R:-R4:+ 7 K-N6 R-R3+ 8 R-B6 R-Rl
9-'R~and wins. If in the initial position
the· l!l'liltk king had been at . . . KN2
mber than ..• KNJ, White could not
have won.
321. Grigoriev. (Theoretical ending.) It
has already been demonstrated in the
previous games that squeezing out the
black king does not necessarily result in
victory. When the pawn has not advanced
beyond the fourth rank, the defensive
strategy is as follows: the rook attacks
the pawn and hinders the advance of the
king by giving checks. The position of the
defending king is very important, because
320. Tarrascb. (Theoretical ending.) if White's rook is able to defend his pawn
The white rook is less effective here than and thus free his king, he will be able to
in the previous position and, while it can win.
parry the side checks, it is unable to assist 1 R-Q4 K-K4! (just in time; had the
in the queening of the pawn. king been originally at . . . K2, \\''bite
I R-Q8! R-R2+ 2 R-Q7 R-R1! 3 would have had time to play 1 R-Q4 K-K3
K-Q6+ K-Bl 4 P-K7+ K-K1 5 K-K6 2 K-B4, and after 2 ... K-K4 3 R-Q5+
R-R3+ 6 R-Q6 R-Rl !, with a draw. K-K3 4 P-N5 R--QB1 + 5 R-B5 K-Q2
1st variation: 3 ... K-B3 4 R-KB7+ 6 P-N6 would have won) 2 K-B3 (2 R-Q7
K-N3 5 R-Bl R-R3+ is also a draw, K-K3 3 R-QR7 K-Q3 4 K-B4 K-B3 is
because Black's rook is four squares also a draw) 2 ... R-QBJ + 3 R-QB4
away from the pawn and cannot be forced R-QNl! 4R-B6K-Q45 R-QR6 R-QB1 +
off the third rank. 6 K-N3 R-B3! 7 R-R7 R-QN3 8 R-QB7
2nd variation: 3 R-Q6 K-N3! (3 ... K-Q3 9 R-B4 R-B3, with a draw.
R-QN1? is bad because of4 R-Q8 R-Nl+ Variation: 1 K-R4 R-QRl + 2 K-N5
5 K-Q6 R-N3+ 6 K-Q7 R-N2+ 7K-B6) R-QN1+ 3 K-R5 R-QRl+ 4 K-N6
4 R-B6 (4 K-Q7 K-B3 5 P-K7 + K-Bl R-QN1+ 5 K-B5 R-QB1+, and the
draw) 4 ... K-N2!, with a draw. king can find shelter from the checks only
3rd variation: 2 K-K8 K-B3 3 R-Q6 behind the pawn.
R-K2+ etc.
4thvariation:2K-Q6 R-R3+ 3 K-K5 322. Cheron. (Theoretical ending.) The
R-R4+ 4 R-Q5 R-R8!, with a draw. defence demonstrated in the previous
example is effective only against a knight's
pawn. Similar positions with a centre pawn
 Rook l'. Rook 105

R-QN4 9 K-Q6! K-R4 10 K-B6 etc.

2nd variation: 3 ... R-QNS 4 K-K.5!
K-BS 5 R-QB8+ K-N6 6 R-B6 K-R5
7 K-Q6 K-R4 8 K-B7 K-R3 9 R-BI!,
and wins.
A trap: 1 K-K5? K-Q7 2 K-Q5 R-B2
3 K-Q6 R-B5 4 P-N3 (or 4 P-N4 K-B6
etc.) 4 .-•. R-KR5! 5 K-B5 K-B6, and
White cannot win.
or a bishop's pawn can be won, since there
is enough room for the white king to rna-
nceuvre.
J K-Q4R-Ql+ 2K-B5!R-Kl3 K-QS
R-Ql+ 4 K-K6! (in the case of a QBP
or QP, White would take his king to the
left, defend his pawn from behind with
his rook, and then, in order to counter the
approach of the black king, would gain a
decisive tempo by K-N7 or K-B7, attacking
324. Grigoriev. The difference between
the black rook. But here he has to be
this and the previous example is that the
careful, since after 4 K -B6 R-Kl 5 R-Kl
stronger side's king and rook are slightly
K-N2 6 K-Q7 the rook could switch to an
less favourably positioned.
attack from the side by 6 ... R-QRJ!)
I K-K7 P-N5 (1 ... K-K5 is no better
4 ... R-Kl+ 5 K-B6!,and the threat of
in view of 2 K-B6 P-X5 3 K-N5) 2 K-B6
mate !ains White a decisive t:-mpo for the
P-N6 3 K-N5 R-KB7 (3 ... R-K7 fails to
advanee of his pawn.
4 R-B3+ R-K6 5 K-IN.') 4 R-R5 P-1'7
5 R-R3+ K-Q5 6 R-R4-;- K-B6 7
R-R3+ K-B7 (or 7 ... K-B5 8 R-KA3
R-BI 9 K-R6! R-KRJ + 10 K-Ni R-R7
11 K-B6 K-Q5 12 K-B5, draw) 8 R-Rl !,
and Black can make no progress.
325
I=

323. Grigoriev. 1 P-N4! K-Q7 2 P-N5

K-B6 3 P-N6 K-N5 4 R-K8! R-B3+
5 R-K6 R-BI 6 K-K7, and wins.
1st variation: 3 ... R-B3+ 4 K-K7
K-N5 5 P-N7 R-QN3 6 K-Q8! R-N4
(after 6 ... K-N4 7 K-Q7! Black is in 325. Tarrasch. (Theoretical ending.) The
zugzwang) 7 K-Q7 R-Q4+ 8 K-B6 black king is restricted to moving be-
J(l6 Six Hundred Ending1·

rw.:.:n ... K~.::! ;~n,i ... KIC. 'inc.: I ... II K-R7 K-B212 R-QNS K-K213 R-N6
K-B2':'i.·lcli'Y2R.-R:-i!R ·1'3R-R7+, K-02 14 K-N7 (only now that he is 00
winning r!·.~ r0ok, whil.: after I ... K-B3'? longer exposed to checks can White's
2 R :-...B' the p:mn qu.:l'll·. '\.:\.:rthc- king clear the way for his pawn) 14 ...
k~~. \\"hi:: canrll'l win. because, •n I K-!':<i R-QB8 15 P-R7 R-B2+ 16 K-R6 R-BI
BL1·:f. d1.:, ~s the king away from rh.: pawn. 17 R-NS, and White wins.
and rh.:r' ·eturn~ hi~ r<)('J... It' 1h.: QR-11k.
Thu., \\'hi:.:'s rC't'k cann0t l:a\l' the el'rnn
witht'tll 1-.··ing hi ..; pawn .
.?26

327. (Theoretical ending.) Victory de-

pends upon whether White is able to free
his king from the corner.
326. l Theoretical ending.) A rook I R-QB2 K-K2 2 R-B8! K-Q2 3
supports ;; passed pawn best from behind. R-QNS! R-QR8 4 K-N7 R-QN8+ 5
but here :his rule does not help White, K-R6 R-QR8+ 6 K-~6 R-QN8+
for after : R-R5 R-BI 2 K-N3 K-::\3 7 K-B5!, and wins.
3 K-B4 K-B3 etc. Black win.; the pawn. A trap: 2 R-B7+ K-Q3 3 R-QN7
White the~efore places his wok in front R-KRS !, with a draw, because White's
of the P'-'Wn, lea\ ing QR7 free for his king ca~not escape from the comer.
king.
1 R-JS3 R-QR8 2 R-QR8 R-R4!
3 K-N3 R-Kl\"4+ 4 K-B4 R-N3 5 K-K5
(5 P-R7 R-QR3 leads to the pre\ious
example) 5 ... K-N2 6 K-Q5 R-KB3
7 K-B5 K-R2 S K-N5 R-B4+! 9 K-N6
R-B3+ 10 K-::\7 R-B2+ II K-B6
R-B3+ 12 K-1\5 R-B4+ 13 K-N4
R-B3! 14 P-R7 R-QR3'15 K-N5 R-RS,
and we h~Ye again reached the previous
example. Ii Black does n<?t realize in time
that he ha5 to mo\·e his rook to the third 328. Salvioli. (Theoretical ending.) In
rank, he loses. the previous example White was able to
A trap: 2 . . . K-N2 3 K-N3 K-R2? win thanks to the fact that Black's king
(3 . . . R-KNB + .' 4 K-B4 R-NJ is still could not reach the QB-file. But here
a draw) 4 K-B4! R-R4 5 K-K4 K-N2 Blac~'s king is on the spot, and is able to
6 K-Q4 K-B2 7 K-B4 K-N2 8 K-N4 forestall the promotion of the pawn.
R-R8 9 K-N5 K-Bi 10 K-N6 K-N2 I R-KB6+ K-K2 2 R-KN6 R-KBSI
 Rook t•. Rook 107

3 R-N2 K-B2 4 R-N7+ K-Bl 5 K-N6

R-KN5+ 6 K-B6 RXR 7 PXR+ K-NI
8 K-N6 stalemate.

331. Troitsky. Black's king must all the

time stay on the same file as White's,
otheiWise White checks with his rook and
queens his pawn. But this works only
329. Ponziani. (Theoretical ending.)
until the QB-file is reached.
White needs to control the KR-file, and to
I K-B4 K-B7 2 K-K4 K-K7 3 K-Q4
achieve this the black king must first be
K-Q7 4 K-B5! K-B6 (or 4 ... R-QBB+
forced back.
5 K-N4 R-QN8+ 6 K-R3 etc.) 5 R-QB8!
I K-N8 R-KN7+ 2_ K-B8 R-KR7
(the pawn falls, but the rook waits in
3 R-N6+ K-B4 4 K-N7 R-KN7+
ambush) 5 ... RXP 6 K-N6+, and
5 K-B7 R-KR7 6 R-N5+ K-B5 7 K-N7
wins.
R-KN7+ 8 K-R6 R-KR7+ 9 R-KR5,
and wins.

332. Portisch-Farago (Hungarian Cham-

330. Troitsky. (Theor~tical ending.) pionship, 1965). Since the black king is a
Although Black can control the queening long way from the pawn, it would seem
square from behind or from the side, that ·1 R-N5 should wi:1 relatively easily.
a diverting sacrifice nevertheless ensures White in fact made this move, but mis-
the promotion of the pawn. takenly, for after I ... R-KS+ 2 K-B6
1 P-R7 R-QI 2 R-QB4+ (forcing K-Q3 3 P-R5 R-KB8- 4 K-N7 K-K2!
Black's king onto the same file as his 5 P-R6 R-B2+ 6 K-N6 R-B3+ 7 K-R5
rook) 2 ... K-Q7 3 R-Q4+! (luring the K-B2 8 P-R7 R-BS! he had to agree to a
rook away from its post) 3 ... RXR draw.
4 P-R8 =Q etc. But in the initial position, White could
Variation: 1 ... R-R7 2 R-BI+ K-Q7 have gained an important tempo, sufficient
3 R-B2+ RXR 4P-R8=Q. to win the game: I K-K6+! K-B3 (after
 ](18 Six Hundred F11Ji11gs

1 ... J\-Q5 2 R-l. ..".\5thc hlack king is cut rank on which his king is placed, :md his
otr from the pawn along the rank) 2 king blockading the two pawns, he can
R-K'\;5 R-KS- 3 R-K5! (the difl'ercnce) suc:..:essfully hold them at bay.
3 ... R-KR8 4 P-R.:' K-B2 5 R-Q5! I R-Q4 R-N3! 2 R-QS! (the only
K-83 6 R-KB5. alld \\.hite \\in.; h pos,ible winning chance is to drive the
appwaching th..: pawn with his king. kin~ awJ.y) 2 ... R-N5+ 3 K-K5 R-N2!
4 R-K'\;8- K-R2 5 R-Q8 K-'\3, and
b 1 Rook and T1ro Pc;tm' •·. Rook \Yhite cannot make any furth~r progress.
.-\. trap: 3 ... R-N5? 4 R-KN8+
333
K-R2 5 K-85! R-QR5 6 R-.\.17- K-Rl
7 R-'\7!, removing the threat of stale-
mac.:-, after which White wins.
\·ariation: I K-l\:4 R-QB3 2 R-KB4
R-R3 3 R-86-:- RXR 4 PXR .KXBP!,
with a draw. This variation demonstrates
that White would win with ~p and BP,
oec..;use it would not matter which pawn
were captured after the forced e:\.change
333. Heilmann-Bernsteia (Berlin. 1904 ). of the rooks. With its king's as;istance,
One of the white r~m ri,; i;; further ad\ anced the remaining one would queen.
than it ought to be. and this gives Blac:k the
~ ~ ~ ~
chance of a stalemating combination.
I ... R-QB8- 2 K-'\6 (if\Vhite takes 3~ -~-~-~-~
~~~~~~~~
his king back w the sec.~nJ ra:rk, BlacJ..
~~~~~~~-~
prevents the RP from advancing to th.:
sixth mnk) 2 ... R-B2! 3 P-R6 R < P- ~~~~··"~!~
~~~~~~~r.;.
-1- PY.R stalemate.
~~~~~~~~
-~-~-~~~
Variation: 3 K-R6 R-B3- 4 R-'\6
RXR+ 5 PX R stalemate. This is a good
example of how, in rook endings, careless
play can bring an advantage of as much 335. Zukertort-Steinitz (London. I 883).
as t\VO pawns to nought. One<! the pitfalls are known, the winning
technique is simple: the pawns have to be
334
ad\ anced in such a way that Black cannot
blockade them, or mana:u\Te his way
into a stalemate.
I P-R5+ K-R3 2 R-KB5 R-QR6
3 R-B3 R-R8 (after 3 ... R-R4 4 K-N3?
will of course not do, because 4 ...
J\-S4! leads to the previous position,
therefore 4 R-B6+! K-N4 5 R-KN6+
ct~. should be played) 4 K-N3 R-KN8+
334. Kling and Horwitz. (Theoretical 5 K-R4 R-KR8+ 6 R-KR3 R-KN8
ending.) With Black's rook guarding the 7 R-R2 R-QR8 8 P-NS+ K-N2 9
 Rook v. Rook 109

R-KB2! (a necessary shield against side even though he has forced Black's rook
checks) 9 ... R-R8+ 10 K-N4 R-KN8+ onto the back rank. With the second
1I K-B5 R-KRS 12 P-R6+ K-R2 pawn, on the other hand, the exchange of
13 R-B4 R-KNS I4 R-K4 R-KB8+ rooks is feasible. With a bishop's pawn,
15 K-N4 R-KN8+ 16 K-R5 R-KR8+ after R-R7, with the threat of mate, the
I7 R-KR4 R-KNS 18 R-R2! (the same position would be won even without the
as before) IS ... R-N619R-K2R-KR6+ extra pawn) 3 R-R6! R--QBl 4 P-1'4
20 K-N4 R-R6 2I R-K7+ K-NI 22 R-QNIS P-N7 R--QBI 6 R-KB6 followed
P-N6 R-R5+ 23 K-B5 R-R4+ 24 R-K5 by 7 R-B8+, and wins.
R-Rl 25 K-B6 R-R3+ 26 R-K6 R-Rl If it is Black to mo,·e, he, of course,
27 R-Q6 R-Kl 28 R-Q5 R-Rl 29 K-K7 immediately occupies the third rank by
R-R2+ 30 R-Q7 R-Rl 31 R-Q8+, and playing I ... R-1'3 !, and after 2 P-:"6
wins. R-N8 he is assured of a draw. In this case
336
= ~--~
~~~~~~~
the extra pawn is of no consequence.

~~~~~~~-"~
"'"-'~~ ~~ ~~%'''"
~~ ~ ~ ~!'!3t'!J
---"~ ""~ ""~ ~ ,;.~
~~~~~~%0"~

:·:-~:~
336. (Theoretical ending.) It is futile
for White's king to advance towards his
pawns, for he bas no defence against the 338. Duras. (Theoretical ending.) Here
side checks. White's rook is also in an the second pawn at "6 is a hindrance to
unfortunate position, from which it cannot White, because with normal play he is
escape. It is very important to keep this unable to free his king. White theref0re
danger in mind, although it only applies has to sacrifice his rook. SCI as h• make
with NP and RP; with any other pair of room for his pawn.
pawns the king could escape from the I R--Q2+ K-K22 R-Q6! KXR 3 K-B8
checks. R-QB6+ 4 K-QS c:11:.
33r ~~ B B*B Variation: 2 ... R-QB6 3 R-QB6~
+I= ~~-- "~ ~~ ~~ ~
,,,Y.~ ~~ ~~ ~~
RXR 4 K-R7, and win~.

~~~~~~~=
~~~~~~1-"~
339. Bondarevsky-Keres(Training game.
1939). While the problems presented by
~~~~~~~~ this ending are by no means completely
~~~~~~~~ clarified, the weaker side can put up a

-~-~-~~~ successful defence against BP and RP.

1 ... R-KN7 2 K-K5 R-QR7 3 K-Q6
337. (Theoretical ending.) I K-R6! R-R4! 4 P-B6(the bishop pawn is White's
R-N3+ 2 P-N6 R-Nl (White would be only winning hope) 4 ... K-N3 {../ ...
unable to win without his KN2 pawn, KXP 5 K-K7 R-Rl/ also draws) 5 R-KR
 Iff) Six llrmdred Endings

339 <"l Rook and Pawn 1'. Rook and Pawn

R-fU-- 6 K-K7 R/P 7 R-Kl\~+ K-R2

!' R-~7+ K-RI 9 K>--R stalemat~!
341. Em. Lasker. White can win only
if he is able to force his opponent's rook
off the QB-file, but first he must dri\e the
black king up t.o the seventh rank.
I K-~8 R-QN7+ 2 K-R8! R-QB7
3 R-R6-:- K-R4 (the king cannot mo'e to
the knight's file, for it would be blocking
its own rook) 4 K-N7 R-QN7+ 5 K-R7
R-QB7 6 R-R5+ K-R5 7 K-N7
R-QN7..;... 8 K-R6! R-QB7 9 R-R4+
K-R6 10 K-N6! R-QN7+ (11 RXP
340. Boh·innik. (Th~:oretical ending.) If would win against any other move) II
the white kin~ is able to secure tile squa;-.: K-R5! R-QB7 12 R-R3+ K-R7 13 RXP
in front of his BP, 'ictory is not far (a decishedivertingsacrifice) 13 ..• RXR
away. 14 P-B8 =Q, and wins.
I ... R-R2 .:. 2 K-88 R-IO+ 3 R-KS r--=----;~....,.--,;=----.,;o"""'

R-R3 4 R-K7..:.. (\Vhite gains an impor- 342 •••••

+ ~ ~ ~ ~g
tant tempo. du.: to Black's inability to
~~~---->~:~~~
capture th~: rvl)k's pawn) 4 ... K-R I
~~~~~~~~
5 R-K6 R-Rt..:.. 6 R-Kg R-R3 7 P-86!,
~~~~~~~~
and since the pawn cannot be taken be-
~~~~~~~~
cause of the discll\cred check, Whit..:
,~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
wms.
1st 'ariatiL•Il: I ... R-R7 2 P-80 ~ ~ ~ ~
R-IO 3 R-KS R-R2-~- 4 K-K6 R-R3--
5 K-85 R-R4-:- 6 R-K5 R-R8 7 P-B7 342. Bogoljubov-Thomas (Hastings,
R-KB8+ 8 K-K6 K-~3 9 R-K~5-:-! 1922). ~ot realizing that he could have
KXR 10 P-R7 R-KS-i- II K-Q7, and .1chicvcd a theoretical winning position by
wins. a king mana:uvre, Bogolyubov accepted
2nd variation: I ... R-RI 2 R-K8 Thomas's offer of a draw in this position.
R-R2+ 3 K-B8 Kx P 4 R-K6+! K-~4 l K-Q5 R-R4+ 2 K-B4 R-R5+
5 P-B6 K-B4 6 R-Q6 K-N3 7 P-B7+ 3 K-NJ R-R6+ 4 K-B2 R-QB6+ 5
K-R2 8 K-K8, and wins. K-N2 R-B5 6 KXP R-B6 7 K-N2 R-B3
 Rook ''· Rook Ill

8 K-N3 R-B4 9 K-N4 R-B8 10 K-N5

R-QN8+ 11 K-B6 R-QB8+ 12 K-N7
R-QN8+ 13 K-B8! R-Q8 14 R-R8+
K-K2 15 R-Q8 R-QN8 16 R-Q2 (the Lu-
cena position bas been reached) 16 ...
R-N6 17 R-K2+ K-B2 18 R-K4! etc.

3~ r~•r~!i•r~•
rlf6 ~, rlrl rlrl rlrl
.~r~ r~~rr~ r~ cannot win. He therl.!fL'fe offers a sacrifice
• rlrl ~ "'"rl rlrl to lure the black rook onto a fatal square .
• < jrl rlrl rlrl rl 1 R-KNI+ K-R2 2 P-K5! RXP+
rl rlrl rlrl rlrl 3 K-B7 K-R3 4 K-B6, and wins.
rl
rl rlrl
rl rlrl
rl rlrlrl rl
Variation: 2 ... P-B5 3 P-K6 P-B6
(or 3 •.. R-KB4 4 K-Qfi, and wins) 4K-B6!
343. Selezniev. As they say, it never P-B7 5 R-KBI K-J\1 6 RXP K-B1 7
rains but it pours. Here Black, attempting R--QN2 R-Rl 8 R-KR2 K-NI 9
to avoid the loss of a pawn, inexorably R-KN2+ K-BI 10 P-K7.!..., and win~.
worsens his own position and, instead of a
pawn, he loses a rook.
1 K-B7 R-B2 2 K-Q6 K-B5 3 R-Q8
K-Q5 4 P-K6! (now it becomes evident
that White's aim was more than simply to
capture the pawn) 4 ... PXP 5 KXP+,
and wins.

346. Tarrasch-Biiimich (Breslau, 1925).

'Vhite's pawn can be stopped, while
Black's can queen in two moves. White i~
apparently lost, and in fact resigned, but
by a sacrifice he could h:t\C saved the game.
I P-R6 R-N3 2 R-R5 P-R7 3 P-R7
344. Ponziani. Even an apparently R-N1 4 R-QN5+, with a draw.
hopeless position may conceal a saving 1st variation: 2 ... R-Nl 3 P-R7
combination: 1 K-N5! (not attacking, but R-KRI 4 K-N4 P-R7 5 R-QN5+ K-B6
moving into a stalemate nook) I ... (5 .•. K-RB 6 R-N7, <.!raw) 6 R-QR5
R-KJ\8-i- 2 K-R6 P-RS=Q 3 R-R8+! K-N6 7 R--QN5-i- K-R5 S R-N7 R-Rl
QX R stalemate. 9 R-R7+, with a draw.
2nd variation: I ... P-R? (I ... R-N~
345. Selezniev. White can capture the or 1 ... R-Nl 2 K-R4, draw) 2 P-R''
black pawn, but after I ... R-R2+ he R-Nl 3 R-QN5+ etc.
I 1] Six HwrJred Emling.\

5 K-B7 P-R4 6 P-B6 P-R5 7 K-N8,

~:1d ·.vins) 3 R-1"6 R-B2 4 K-Q5 K-B2
1:h.: r.nvn can no longer be saved, so Black
r!ns his hopes on bringing his king into
the ,,.::tion) 5 RXP K-K2 6 R-K6+!
1-:.-QI 7 R-Q6+ K-K2 (Black has to
..,.:cert the exclusion of the king, since on
- ... K-BI, 8 R-QB6 wins instantly)
:-. 1'-85 R-BI (if 8 ... R-R2, then 9 K-B6
R-R.'- 10 K-B7 R-R2+ 11 K-N6 etc.)
347. Kopae,·. This i~ a more ar:isti<:
':J P-B6 R-B2 10 R-R6 K-QI I I R-R8+
\<?rsi(>Jl ·.'f the Cc'n<:.:pt u:1derlying ex.m1pl·:
1A <:<'urse, not l1 K-Q6? R-Q2..,- !) 11 ...
3-f!. Jt ~,,h ~S t h: pr0t'lclll P:· tving ur I h.:
J:..:.-J:-.:.2 12 R-RS !, and Black resigned,
rook ur:(kr nH:-: 11 ll1l'f<? Jiffii.:t;ir cir~~~~~:­
f,,r te is in =ugzwang, and White wins
stan<:e~.
e..isil: .lfter 12 ... K-82 13 K-Q6.
I R--135- J.: -R5 2 R-QR5-'-! (:h.: Q"\:-
tik mu~t he :.....:pt ..:k,~.:J) 2 ... K-:'\5
R. .-k wr,l Two Paw11s 1'. Rook and Pawn
3 R KR5 R-Q(•-+ K-87 R-BC>..,- 5 K -:'\h
(the P('i1~t nf \\'hit.:'~ .;ecoJ;d mov.: 7<('\\'
b.:comes d~:~r: if Bb:k's king were· at
... QR5. 5 ... R-QYfi_:_ would sxur.:
a draw) 5 . . . R-Q6 6 R-R4..,- K-R6
7 K-87 R-QB6- S K-QS l\\'hite's ~:inf:
can achie\·e it;; g0al c'nl~ by me>-. in~
around his pawn) S ... R-87 ') K-K7
R-K7--:-- 10 K-Q6 R-Q7-- I! K-86
R-QB7-+- 12 K-:\5 R-Q:\7+ 13 K-R5
R-Q7 14 R-R3_:_ K-R7 15 R>'P!. and
349. Selezniev. White sacrifices his pawn
White \vins.
in orc~r to open a file for his rook, giving
him:! decisive attack.
1 P-N6! (a diverting sacrifice to open
J:1 ir.,portant file; after 1 R-Rl? P-QR4!
Black· s rook would also come into play)
I ... PXP 2 R-Rl K-Bl 3 K-B6 K-Ql
4 R-RS-i- etc.
1st Yariation: I •.• K-KI2 PXP K-B2
3 R> P+ RXR 4 P-R8=Q+ etc.
2r.d variation: 1 ... P-QR4 2 PXP
R-R3-i- 3 K-Q5 R-R3 4 RXP K-K2
348. Fischer-Portisch (Stockholm, 1962). 5 R-RS! (5 R-R7+? K-Bl, draw) 5 .••
The considerably greateracti\ ityofWhite's R -;P 6 R-R7+ etc.
pieces assured him of a win.
l K-Q6 R-B3+ 2 K-K5 R-B2 (or 350. Klnger-8indor (Hungarian Cham-
2 ... R-H8 3 P-B5 R-B8 .f K-Q6 R-Q8- pionship, 1954). Here we encounter the
 Rook v. Rook 113

taken) 2 R-R8+ R-RJ 3 R-Kl\:8!

K-R5 4 R-:1\"1 R-R4+ 5 K-84 K-R6
6 R-KRI-:-, and wins.
lst\ariation:3 ... R-R~-lR-i'.:l K-R3
5 K:-:P K-R4 6 R-KRI-;- etc.
2nd \ariation: 3 . . . P-R6 4 R-~ I
K-R5 5 R-KRJ..,.. K-N6 6 RXR P-R7
7 R-RI CIC.

352 ~-~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~%
~~1.%~~~~~
same idea as in example 344, but tht:
+
~~~~~~~~
gi\"en position is much more complicated.
Despite being short of time, Black solved
his difficult task, for which he rc~:ehed a
brilliancy prize.
~~~~~-~­
~ ~~~~~~f
I ... R-R6+ 2 K-N2 K-N5 3 P-R7 ~~%'' ,(,~ ~~ ~%--~
R-R7+ 4 K-NI K-B6 5 K-Rl! P-R5! ~/""~ ~~ •~~-~?~
~r~ •
~ ~ ~ """
~
(otherwise there can be no stalemate)
6 P-B5 K-l\:6! 7 R-KNR+ K-R6!
352. Moravec. Black's rook cannot leave
8 K-Nl R-KN7+ 9 RXR stalemate.
his lone pawn undefended, but it also has to
1st \"ariation: 8 P-RS=Q R-RS.-
stop the opposing pawns. This dual task
9 QXR stalemate.
is beyond its powers.
2ndvariation:5P-B5 R-KN7+ 6 K-Rl
1 K-Nl! R-KB7 2 R-B4 R-R7 3 P-R4
R-N2! 7 P-B6 R-KB2 8 K-R2 K-B5
R-KB7 4 R-B5 R-R7 5 P-R5 R-KB7
9 K-R3 K-B4 10 K-R4 KXP II KXP
6 R-B6 R-R7 7 P-R6 R-KB7 8 P-R7
K-B4, with a draw, because Black has the
(on the seventh rank the pawn no
opposition on the KB-file.
longer needs to be directly defended,
because Black's rook will be in a geomet-
rical relation with his own king if he takes
the pawn) 8 ... R-R7 9 R-QR6 KXP
10 R-R8! RXP II R-R7+, and White
wins.

351. Selezniev. Although the white

pawn's life is but short, it is enough to
transfer possession of the vitally important
K::"!-file to White. Close combat develops
around Black's king, and it ends with the
white rook landing a decisive blow. 353. Kling and Horwitz. Despite liis
1 R-R8 RXP (the pawn has to be material advantage, things are bad for
 114 Six Hu.lred Endings

Black. He has a sad choice between losing 355

bis rook and being mated. +I=
t P-R6 R-QI8 (an attempt to stop the
pawm from qaeening) 2 P-R7 K-B2
3 R-RS! RXP 4 R-R7+, and White
wins.
Variation: 1 .... P-K6 (Black also
wants to promGte.a·pawn) 2 P-R7 P-K7
3 P-RS=Q R-08'-!i- 4-K-N5 R-KN8+
5 K-R5 P-K8=Q: 6• <Q;..N7+ K-Bl 7
situation, and it is worth remembering
R-KB6+ K-Kt 3· (Ql-Dlh+ K-Ql 9
that once the connected pawns reach the
R-Q6+, and mat:c·iirtlttctemeves.
fourth rank they invariably win.
354~~~~~ White to play wins easily by 1 P-B4!
+ ~ ~~·~ ~ K-BI 2 P-K5 K-NJ 3 P-K6 K-Bl (or
~~u·"~~~~~
~ ~~f%~~ ~~-~
3 ... K-Rl 4 P-K7 R-K8 5 K-B6!) 4
K-B6!
.. jf~ .. jf~
~.u%~~-•u%~ But ifit is Black to move, he can simplify
~ ~~~~ ~~~ into a theoretically drawn position by
~~~~~~~~~ I ... R-KB8! (in the nick of time!)
~ ~~ ~-~ouuY.~ ~ 2 RXP RXP+.
~ ~ ~ ~·
354. Vlk. White can win only if he
can gain a tempo so as to queen with
check. He solves this task by chasing both
the opposing rook and king into awkward
positions.
I K-N8! R-B3 2 R-B6! P-BS! (Black
hurries to advance his pawn, since after
the exchange of rooks he would clearly
be too far behind) 3 R-R6+ (this check
makes it feasible for White to exchange 356. (Theoretical ending.) This position
rooks) 3 ... K-N7 (White's pawn would is an exception to the rule, in that White
also gain a tempo after 3 . . . RXR) wins even though his rook's pawn has not
4 RXR! PXR 5 P-N6P-B66P-N7 P-B7 yet reached the fourth rank.
7 P-N8=Q+, and White wins. I P-N5 K-N2 2 K-R5! R-R8 3 R-R7+
K-BI 4 RXP RXP+ 5 K-N6 R-KN6
355. (Theoretical ending.) A very com- 6 R-R8+ K-K2 7 R-KN8! and we reach
mon problem in rook endings is that of the Kling and Horwitz position as in
exploiting the advantage of two connected example 318, except that the pieces are on
pawns against a solitary pawn. The the KN-file instead of the K-file. In the
stronger side generally wins, but if the earlier position, Black to move could have
opponent's passed pawn is well advanced drawn by I ... R-KR8!, with the threat
he has chances of a draw. This is a typical of a flank attack, but here the Jack of
 Rook v. Rook 1/5

space on the K-side does not allow this, Variation: 2 R-l\7 + K-N3 3 P-R5+
and Black is powerless against 8 K-R7 K-N4 4 R-N7+ K-B5, with an easy
followed by P-1'6. draw.
If White's pawns had initially been at A trap: I ... K-B3? 2 P-R5! K-:'\2
K:--:3 and KR4, he would not ha\e been 3 P-N5 R-QB7 (or 3 ... k"-S/ 4 R-l\"1
able to win, since he would ha\e lost his K-Rl 5 P-R6 R-QB7 6 R.<P R-B.J
knight's pawn. The position with bishop's 7 R-N3, and wins, since 7 ... K-Rl can
pawn and knight's pawn is also drawn, be met by8 P-N6+) 4 RXP R-B4 (4 ...
since if White is left with his knight's R-B5 5 K-N2) 5 R-N3 R-B5 6 K-R2
pawn at the decisive moment, the black R-KR5+ 7 R-KR3 R-KN5 8 P-R6-;-
rook returns via the KB-file to the back K-R2 9 R-KN3, and White wins.
rank. Against a bishop's pawn, Black's
358
king 1110\ es towards the shorter side of the
board, J.nd by flank checks his ro0k +
ensures a draw. The situation would he
the same with centre pawns.
On the other hand, if one of White's
pav. ns is on the seccnd rank, White in-
,·ariably wins, since he can advance his
king and his other pawn. The attack by
the black rook on the pawn on the second
rank is ineffective, since White's rook, by 358. (Theoretical ending.) The defence

-
capturing the black pawn, would defend it. demonstrated in example 355 rules out
I K-R3?, since after 1 ... P-N7 2 K-N4
~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~~~~~~~~ White can only ad\·ance at the cost of
~~~~~~=~ exchanging the Q~P and KNP. But
~~~~~~~~ White can still win by keeping his king on
~~~~~~,~ the second rank, and simply advancing his
~~~~~~~'0 .... %
pawns.

~~~~~~~~~ I P-N4! P-N7 2 R-N6+ K-N2 3 P-R5

~-~ A~~~ ~(c0"~

~ ~ ~ ~
..
K-R2 4 K-R2! K-~2 5 P-N5 R-QB8
(Black can delay no longer, since after
5 ... K-Bl 6 R-Nl+ K-Nl 7 P-R6
357. Rudakovsky-Tolush (14th USSR R~B8 8 RXP R-B4 9 R-N2 White wins,
Championship). If the defending side as in the trap from the previous example)
succeeds in forcing the opposing king onto 6 RXP R-84 7 R-~2! (the purpose of
the back rank, his chances of a draw are White's fourth move now becomes clea:r),
improved .. and wins.
I ... K-N2! 2 R-N6 K-R2 3 P-R5
(3 K-Bl is met by 3 . . . R-KR7!) 359. (Theoretical ending.) With :JilP
3 ... R-QB7! 4 RXP R-B5 5 R-N3 (on and NP, White would win as in the JPU!-
5 R-Nl+ there follows either 5 ... K-Nl! vious example, but here the situati~m ;is
or 5 ... K-Rl!) 5 ... K-R3 6 K-N2 quite different.
K-N4, with a draw, as in example 334. I R-N6+ K-B2 2 P-K5 K-K2, and
116 Six Hundred Endings

3 K.-B2 even Jioses to 3 ... R-K.RS, but is blocking his own pawn) 2 P-R7 K-R6
otbawise the extra pawn cannot be 3 K-B3! K-R5 4 P-R8=Q+ K-N4
realized. 5 KXP R-QNS+ 6 KXP, and wins.

360. (From the game Kholmov-Pogats,

Pees, 1964, based on analysis by Khol· 362. Lazard. By the time the black
mov.) Black failed to find the variation pawn promotes, White's king has moved
leading to this position (which required into a stalemate nook.
a timely advance of his pawn) where a 1 R-N7+ (I R-QB7? R-R4+ 2 K-Q4
draw is inevitable. R-QB4.', and Black wins) I ... K-B6!
1 K-B6 R-R7 2 K-N5 R-QN7 3 R-R3 2 R-QB7! (2 R-Nl? loses to 2 ... K-K7)
(making room for his king) 3 ... R-N7+ 2 ... R-R4+ 3 K-Q4! R-QB4 4 RXR
4 K-R6 R-KB7 5 P-N7 R X P 6 K-N6 PXR+ 5 K-Q3! P-B8=Q(R) stalemate.
P-R8=Q! 7 RXQ R-B3+ 8 KxR If the pawn is promoted to a bishop
stalemate. (or knight), then after 6 K-B4 B-R6
Variation: 3 P-B6 R-N7+ 4 K-B5 7 P-Q4 the remaining pawns are exchanged
R-KB7+ 5 K-K5 R-K7+ 6 K-Q4 anyway.
R-KB7 7 P-B7+ RXP!, with a draw.

361. Stamma. White cannot advance!

his pawn, because the black pawn queens
first. White therefore entices the black
rook to . . . QB8, thereby gaining a deci-
sive tempo.
I R-BI! RXR (on 1 ... P-N7, 2
P-R7 is decisive, but now Black's rook
 Rook 1'. Rook l/7

363. Selezniev. The immediate exchange 365

of rooks fails to win, since after
1 R-K2+ K-Q4 2 RX R+ KXR 3
K-B3 K-B4! Black maintains the oppo-
sition. White therefore has to delay the
exchange until he can take the opposition.
1 R-Ql! R-K3 2 R-K.1-!- K-Q4 3
P-B4+ K-Q3 4 RXR+ KXR 5 K-B4
K-B3 6 P-B3! K-K3 7 K-K4 K-Q3 8
K-B5, and White wins.
likely to win, but a further stalemating
Variation: 1 ... P-B5 2 R-Kl + K-Q4
combination finally saves White.
3 RXR...!.. KXR 4 K-NS! K-K5 5 K-B6
I K-RI P-BS 2 R-KNS R ·:P 3 R-N7!
K-K6 6 K-K5 K-Q7 7 K-Q4, and wins.
R-R3 4 R-N6! P-B6! 5 RXR P-B7
6 R-KB6! K-N6 7 R-B7 P-K4 8
e) Rook Endings with Sereral Pawns;
R-KN7+ K-B6 9 R-KB7+ K-K7 10
.lfarerial Adl·antage
K-N2 P-R6+ 11 KXP P-B8=Q+
364 12 RXQ KXR 13 K-N4, with a draw.
Variation: II ... P-K5 12 K-N2 P-Kti
13 R-B3 K-Q7 14 RxBP+. Draw.

364. Selemiev. There are exceptional

situations where material advantage is not
the decisive factor. White's territorial
advantage is decisive here, since in view of
the mating threats Black's men cannot 366. Selezniev. White looks to be losing,
exert their power. but the hapless position of Black's king
I K-B7 RXP 2 R-N8+ K-R2 3 and rook brings an unexpected tactical
R-N7+ K-Rl 4 K-N6 P-N5 5 R-QR7 tum. The apparently dangerous KRP is in
R-KN4+ 6 KXP P-N6 7 KXR P-N7 reality a damp squid.
8 R-RI P-B6 9 K-N6 P-B7 10 R-R8 1 R-NS! P-R7 (the im;peoding sacrifice
mate. also works in the •event of 1 _ .. R-K5 or
Variation: 1 ... K-R2 2 R-N7+ 1 ... R-KB5)2P-R3+ KXP3R-QR5+
K-Rl 3 K-N6 P-B6 4 R-QR7, and K-N5 4 R-R4+, and wins.
mates. 1st variation: 1 ... R-Q5 2 P-R:3+
KxP 3 KXP, mating or winning the
36S. Dobrescu. To avoid the impending rook.
stalemate, Black is forced to sacrifice his 2nd variation: 1 ... R-R3 2 P-R»+
rook. Even so, his remaining forces seem KXP 3 R-N4! P-R7 4 R-QR4 mate.
 liB Six H.ufred Endings

367. Nilllm.ibicfu.. White does not even 369. Selezniev. Black's passed pawn
need his king's; assistan~· in, this ending, seems to be too strong, for after 1 KXP
for his overwh:diniirg_ spatial advantage P-R7 2 P-N6+ K-N1 3 R-N7! (3 R-BI
and the restricted. position Qf Black's K-Bl! 4 K-N5 RXP 5 R--QRJ K-K2,
rook give him tire "PP"rtunity to imple- and the black king reaches ... QR6)
ment a deadly trap.. 3 ... K-BI! 4 R-N8+ K-K2 5 R-N7+
1 R-R7! R-KI (oc I •.• R-R2 2 PXP, K-Ql 6 R-N8+ K-B2 Black wins.
and wins) 2 P-Q7 R-K2 3 P-Q6! RXP White therefore gives up the attempt to
4 R-R8 mate. restore material equilibrium, and prevents
the promotion of the pawn by a· stale-
mating combination. ·
1 P-N6+! K-R3 2 R-B3! RXP 3 RXP
R-N2 4 R-QN3, ·with a draw, since the
capture of the rook results in stalemate.
Variation: 1 ... KXP 2 R-B6+ K-R2
3 R-QR6 P-N3 4 K-N5 P-R7 5 RXP
K-N2 6 R-R6 K-B2 7 R-R4, with a draw.
Black cannot capitalize on his pawn
advantage.
368. Selemiev. Black threatens the
immediate promotion of his pawn after
I ... R-Q8+, and the apparently ob·
vious 1 R-R8+ does not satisfactorily
counter this, in view of 1 ... KXR 2
P-K7 R-Q8+ 3 K-~4 P-B8=Q 4
P-K8 =Q+ K-R2 5 Q-R5+ Q-R3, when
there are no more checks. White therefore
sacrifices his K6 pawn in order to set up a
perpetual threat situation:
1 P-K7! K-B2 2 P-K8=Q+ KXQ 370. Boh·innik-Fiscber (Varna, 1962).
3 K-K6! R-KB8 4 R-R4 R-QS 5 R-R4, White's chances of holding the game would
with a draw. diminish if he chose to restore material
equality by capturing Black's KNP,
because after 1 R X NP P-N5 Black's
 Rook v. Rook 119

connected pawns would be considerably the futility of playing 011, agreed It) a
stronger than the white rook's pawn, draw.
unaided by its partner. White prefers 10 A trap: I ... K-B2? 2 R-B7+ K-Bt
sacrifice his RP in exchange fm Black's 3 K-R5 !, and wins, f0r the wok cannot
QNP. leave the QN-file without allowing the
I P-R5! R-R6+ 2 K-N2 (Black's white king in at QN6.
last mo\e was aimed at pushing back the ,----,~==-~~c=,----,~==-----=~=
white king) 2 ... PXP 3 R-N5+ K-Q3 372 ~ ~~%~~ ~~ ~
+-~~~~
4 RXNP P-R5 5 P-B4 K-B3 6 R:-NX
·~·t~~~~·
P-R6+ 7 K-R2 P-R4 8 P-B5 K-B2
~~~~~~~~
~~~=~=~=~
lJ R-N5 K-Q3 10 P-B6 K-K3 II R-N6+
K-B2 12 R-R6 K-'t'\3 13 R-B6 P-R5
14 R-R6 K-B2 15 R-B6 R-Q6 16 R-R6 ~~ ~ ~w~~
~.z~~~~~ ~z~
P-R6 17 K-NI, and the players agreed
to a dra\Y. ~ ~~ ~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
371
372. Prokes. White threatens to promote
I= his pawn, but his real aim is checkmate.
1 P-N7 R-B3+ (if 1 ... R-KN3 2
R-R5+ wins) 2 K-K4 R-KN3 3 K-B5
RXP(N2) (or 3 ... R-N4+ 4 K-B6, and
wins) 4 P-N4+ RXP 5 R-R3+ R-R5
6 P-N4 mate.

371. Tal-Botvinnik (World Champion-

ship Match, 1961). Black's active rook
secures the draw here, particularly since
there are no weak links in his defences.
I . . . R-QR8+ 2 K-N4 R-QN8+
3 K-B3 R-QB8+ 4 K-Q2 R-B8! (White's
king cannot cross the KB-file) 5 K-K3
K-B2 6 R-B7+ K-Ql 7 K-K2 R-B5
8 K-Q3 R-B6+ 9 K-Q2 K-Bl 10 K-K2 373·. Euwe-Aiekbioe (World Champion-
R-B5 11 K-K3 R-B8 12 R-BS+ K-Q2 ship Match, 1937). Black's passed pawn
13 R-B6 K-B2 14 R-B7 + K-Q115 K-K2 does not make up for White's material
R-B5 16 K-Q3 R-B6+ 17 K-B2 K-B1 superiority, since it is not only unable to
18 P-B6 K-Q1 19 R-B8+ K-B2 (not advance, but also even needs to be de-
19 . . . K-Q2?, of course, since after fended.
20 P-B7! the obligatory 20 ... K-K2 1 P-N4+ K-K3 (1 ... K-N4 is met rhl.y
loses the bishop's pawn) 20 K-Q2 K-N2 2 P-B3 and 3 R-B5 +, with a rapid ad-
21 K-K2 R-B5 22 K-K3 R-B8 23 R-B7 + vance of the pawns) 2 P-B4 K-Q4 ·~r
K-B1 24 K-Q2 R-B6 25 K-B2 K-Q1 2 . • . R-N6+ 3 K-K4 K-Q3 4 P-.R4,
26 R-B8+ K-B2, and White, realizing and wins) 3 R-Q4+ K-K3 4 P-:85+
120 Six Hundred Endings

K.-K2 5 R-K4+ K-B2 6 P-R4 R-N8 play, in view of the following variation,
7, K-B4 R-QB8 8 R-R4 P-R3 9 in which the advance of the white king is
R~R7+ K-N1 10 P-N5 R-B5+ 11 decisive.
IC-KS, and Black resigned, since 11 ..• I P-K3! RXRP 2 RXNP R-R8 3
RXD'is answered by 12 P-N6 R-QN5 13 R-QR5 P-R6 4 K-B3 P-R7 5 K-K4
P'-:MR-N/14 R-KN7+ K-B/15 R-KR7, R-KN8 6 RXP RXP 7 K-BS R-N6
wiimiog. 8 R-R7+ and after 9 P-K4 White wins
the BP, and with it the game.
Variation: 1 ... K-Q2 2 RXBP'RXRP
3 R-QN6! R-N6 4 P-NS, and Black
cannot play 4 . . . K-B2 in view of 5
P-N6 !, and otherwise the white pawns are
the faster.

374. Spassky-Portisch (Lugano, 1968).

Black cannot avoid loss of material, but
by restraining for a time the advance of
White's K-side pawns, he draws, thanks
to his passed QBP.
1 ... P-N4! (blocking the white pawns)
2 RXKRP R-Q5 3 RXP RXP 4 P-R4 376. Ivkov-Portisc:h (Santa Monica,
PXP 5 K-R3 P-B5! 6 KXP (or 6 R-QB6 1966). It has been demonstrated in several
R-Q5 7 KXP K-Q2 8 R-B5 K-Q3, of the preceding examples that the rook
driving the white rook off the QB-file) placed behind a passed pawn is stronger
6 ... R-QB4!, and White offered a draw, than the one in front of it. The relative
since he can halt the pawn only from in positions of the rooks can decide the out-
front and with his rook in such a passive come of a game. A pawn advantage can
position he has no hope of winning. generally be driven home with an active
rook, and an active rook can also com-
~~~~
~~~~-~~~
375
pensate for the lack of a pawn (cf. examples
+
~e;· 0~~~, ~~.%~~ 371 and 374).
~~~!{'~~
·u·u"~ %%,~ C,u,e;~ %%, 1 ... R-Q2! (Black's QRP is more

!~~~~~,~ valuable than White's QP) 2 P-RS K-Bl

~~~ ~~"-u"~ ~ 3 R-R5 R-N2 (White's rook has done the

L>.~~~,=~~ attacking, yet Black's is the more active)

~~~~wj~~ 4 P-Q5 P-N5 5 P-Q6 P-N6 6 R-Rl

~ ~ ~ ~ P-R4! 7 P-R6 P-N7 8 R-QNI K-Nl
9 P-Q7 (White cannot delay this, in view
375. Portisch-8hishkio (Leningrad, of the impending advance of the black RP)
1960). Black sealed his last move, ... 9 ... RXP 10 RXP R-R2! 11 R-R2P-R5
K(B2)-K2, but resigned without further 12 R-R3 K-R2 13 K-N4 R-R4 14 K-B4
 Rook v. Rook 121

KXP (if the rooks' positions were re- 8 K-K3, with a draw after 8 •.. P-Q4?
versed, Black could hardly win in spite of 9 PXP PXP 10 P-B4. But both players
his advantage of two pawns; but, as it is, overlooked that after 7 . . . R-KB4!
White is powerless against a manc:euvre 8 K-K3 the continuation 8 ... K-R61
by the black king) 15 R-R3+ K-N2 is decisive: 9 PXP PXP 10 RXQP-10
16 R-R3 K-Bl17 K-K4 K-K218 K-Q4 P-B4 P-N5 11 R-N5 fails here to 11 ...
K-Q3 19 P-BJ R-QRI! (White's king is RXR 12 PXR P-R5, leading to a queen
forced to move to oneside)20K-B4K-K4 ending with two extra pawns for Black-
21 K-QJ K-B5, and White resigned in JO ••• P-N5! 11 R--Q4-otherwise Black
view of 22 K-K2 K-N6, and the advance plays ... K-N7, ... R-B6+, ... RXBP
of the BP. and . . . KXP, winning easily-] 1 ...
K-N7 12 R-KB4 RXR 13 PXR P-R5
14 P-B5 P-R6 15 P-B6 P-R7 16 P-B7
P-R8=Q 17 P-B8=Q Q-K8+ 18 K-Q3
QXP, and the queen ending is lost for
White in view of the unfavourable placing
of his pieces) 8 RXBP PXP (8 ... P-N5
9 RXP K-N7 10 R-KB6 K-B8 11 K--Q3
R-K7 12 P-B4 R-KN7 13 R-KR6, and
White's passed pawns assure him of a
draw, since he can give up his rook for
377. Portisch-Gligoric (Vrnjacka Banja, the knight's pawn, or 8 ... R--Q4+ 9
1966). I K-Q2! (1 K-B3 is less promising K-K3 PXP 10 PXP KXP 11 P-B4, and
since Black plays ... K-B4, ... P-B3 and again White is saved by the advance of his
. . . P-N4, and the QP could become pawn) 9 RXP PXP 10 PXP KXP 11
dangerous. The move played is also better R-KN6+, and within a few moves a
than K-Q3, because it takes control ofKl) draw was agreed. As we already know, the
1 . . . K-B4 2 R-R7 P-B3 3 R-KN7 rook's pawn cannot be promoted, since
R-K3 (3 ... P-N4 is for the moment after ... K-R7 and ... P-R5-R6, the
premature, in view of 4PXP PXP 5 P-B3! manceuvre . . . R-QR4-R8-K:K8 is in-
R-K3-if the white king were at Q3, effective, since the white king reaches
5 ... R-K8! would be strong here- KB2 in time. Another ending demonstrat-
6 R-KRi K-N3 7 R-R8, and Black can ing that the endgame is probably the most
make no progress) 4 R-N8 P-N4 5 difficult part of the game.
R-KRS! K-N5 6 R-KN8! R-K4 7 PXP!
PXP 8 P-B4 R-QB4 9 K-K3 R-B6+ 378. Griinfeld-Balogh (Correspondence
(Black has no useful move: -since 9 .- .. game, 1928). Four pawns against three,
KXP? fails to 10 RXP+) _IQ_ K-Q4 RXP if they are connected and on the same side
11 RXP+, with a theoretical draw. of the board, cannot win. Nevertheless,
False trails for both-players:-7 R-N6? the defending side has to play very accu-
(this is what White actually played, owing rately. For this reason, the conclusions
to time trouble) 7 ... K-R6 (at the critical of Dr Balogh, who successfully defended
moment Black also goes wrong. White this position, are recommended to the
intended answering 7 . • . R-KB4! with reader. Not only do they facilitate the
122 Six Hundred Endings

to win) 8 . . . R-B4 9 R-R4 K-K3!

10 P-N4 PXP 11 PXP R-B3! (when only
two pawns are left to fight against three,
'he defending rook should be on the third
rank) 12 P-R5 PXP 13 PXP P-B3! (at last
the bishop's pawn can move) I4 PXP
1': '< P 15 R-R7 R-B5+, with a draw.

379 •••••
= ~
~~ ~
~~ ~·­
!~Cuu%~
recognition of drawn positions, hut they ~~~~~~~%··-"
also gi\e valuable methodological guide-
~~~~~~~~~
·~-=-~~=
lines concerning correct defence.
I. The admnce of the opponent's ki::lg
or his pawns presents no danger for t!lc ~ ~ ~[Jp. ~[Jp.
~ ~~ ~-~~·u"f0~""
weaker side, provided that he does ne>t ~ ~ ~li?~
mo\·e his bishop's pawn. Consequently,
tl:Us pa\vn should stay on its origi::al 379. Eliskases-Bogoljubov (Match
square. By advancing the rook's pawn to game, 1939). White's doubled pawns, far
the fourth rank, the opponent's pawn on from being a weakness, are a strength,
the same file can be halted. It follows th:"lt, ~ince they facilitate his defence. Black
in the position in question, the correct cannot even create a passed pawn, because
arrangement of the defending pawn~ is at the squares KN2 and KN3 afford White's
. . . B2, ... ~3 and ... R~. This allcws king a convenient post .
the capture of the white ~P,. it" it sho·.:lJ I R-RI P-N4 2 P-R3! K-N2 3 R-R5
be advanced, and if a passed RP is created K-~3 4 K-N2 P-R4 5 R-QB5 P-B3
it can be halted. 6 R-R5 R-N6 7 R-B5 P-K4 8 R-B6
2. The stronger party may threaten to K-B4 9 R-R6 R-N5 10 R-B6 R-KB5
break up the defensive pawn chain by the · II R-~6 P-N5 12 RPXP+ PXP 13
advance of his bishop's pawn. The de- PXP+, with a straightforward draw.
fending rook should be on its fourth rar.k,
in order to deal with this eventuality. 380~~~~­
%""0~~ ~~"::uoo~faid" .J
3. The defending king should take up +~~~~~~
~---~~ %%~ %%~%~%~
position on the K-file, if possible on the ~~~~~~~~---·"
third rank, in order to pre\·ent the oppC's-
~~~~~~~~
ing rook from invading his fourth rank.
In the game in question, which is of .,.,.~ •• %

%%~ ~~ ~~ ~~
.~.~-~-~
theoretical value, events developed as
follows: I ... K-K3! (otherwis~ White's
rook occupies the fifth rank) 2 R-R2
R-QN4 (the immediate 2 . . . P-R4 is 380. Selemiey. Black somehow copes
more accurate) 3 R-R6+ K-K2 4 K-B4 with the pawn break-through, but the
P-R4! 5 P-B3 P-N3 6 R-R3 K-B3! subsequent mating threat sets him insol-
7 R-R6+ K-K2 8 P-K5 (a last attempt uble problems.
 Rook v. Rook 123

1 P-B6! R-KNl 2 R-KB7! P--Q7 that the rook is cornered, but it can be
3 PXP+ RXP 4 KXP! (the point of freed in two different ways) 7 P-N4!
White's second move now becomes clear: (this variation was pointed out by Fischer,
his rook is defended) 4 . . . P--Q8 =Q 5 and is far more convincing than the con-
R-B8+ R-Nl 6 P-N7 mate. tinuation chosen by Petrosian) 7 ... P-B3
A trap: 2 P-B7? R-KBl! 3 R-Rl P-N7 8R-R5+ K-N39PXP+ !KXR lOPXP,
4R-Kl P-Q7 5 R-KBl P-N8=Q 6 RXQ and Black is powerless against the enemy
R--Ql 7 R-KBl P--Q8=Q 8 RXQ pawns, since 10 ... R-R7 is answered by
R--Q4+! 9 K-N4 P-R4+! 10 K-R3 11 P-Q5, while if 10 . . . K-N3, then
R--Q6+ 11 K-N2 R-KN6+ 12 K-B2 11 P-R5+.
R-KB6+, with a draw. Variation: 7 P-R5 (this i~ what Petro-
1st variation: 1 ... R-QN1 2 RXP sian played) 7 ... R-R7 8 P-N4 K-R3
P--Q7! (2 ••. P-N7 3 R-KR7+ K-NJ 9 R-N8 K-R2 (White's task would have
4 P-B7+ etc.) 3 R--Q7 P--Q8=Q+ (or been more difficult after the immediate
3 ... P-Nl 4 KXP P-N8=Q 5 P-Nl+, 9 ... PXP+) 10 R-K8 PXP+ 11 K-N3
and wins) 4 RX Q P-N7 5 KXP P-N8 =Q K-R3 12 R-K7 K-N2 13 R-B7 R-N7
6 RXQ RXR 7 P-B7, and White wins. 14 R-B5 K-B3 15 P--Q5! R-N5 16 P-R6
2nd variation: 1 •.• R--Ql 2 RXP PXP 17 RXP K-N3 18 R-Q6+ K-N4
P-Q7 3 R-KR7+ K-Nl 4 P-B7+ K-Bl (18 ... P-B3 19 P-Rl R-Nl 20 R-Ql, and
5 R-R8+ K-K2 6 RXR, and wins. wins) 19 P-R7 R-N1 20 R--Q1 R-KRl
21 R-KRl, and in this hopeless position
:~ ~ ~ ~
~~~~~~~~
381 Black overstepped the time limit.
+
~~~~,,~~ ~ ~ ~s ~
-~~~~----(,~!
382
~~~~~~-j~~ +
~~~~~,~~ ""!i"~ ~~ ~~ ~~
{'"'"'~~~,~~ ~~ ~
-~---~~j~! ~~-~~~~~
~- ~--%~%­ ~~{1l%~j0~~~
-~-~.--%.~
381. Petrosian-Tal (Cura9ao, 1962). If
it were Black to move, he could reinforce
his weak rook's pawn by . . . K-N3,
and it would be questionable whether
.
~ !?'.f.'%
-~"-~--"•l~~
~- ~- ~.--"
!?'[54

382. Herbstman. Black intends to play

his rook to the fourth rank to threaten
~·

White could exploit his pawn advantage, mate, and hopes that White, to counter
although five pawns against four always this threat, will queen his pawn, which
give better prospects of a win than four allows stalemate. White sees through the
against three. White exploits his tempo plot, promotes his pawn to a bishop,
advantage, and launches a decisive attack which puts paid to Black's dreams of
against the weak pawn. stalemate.
1 R-KN8! (cutting off the king from 1 P-N4R-Kl2RXP R-K43P-R8=B!
the pawn) 1 . . . R-N7 2 K-B3 R--Q7 (on 3 P-R8=Q? or 3 R-R5? there follows
3 P-R4! K-K2 4 R-N5 K-Bl 5 R XRP 3 ... K-B5+, when capturing the rook
K-N2 6 R-N5+ K-R2 (it would seem gives stalemate) 3 . . . R-N4 4 B-B6
 I24 Six Hundred Endings

R-Q4 5 R-R5 K-B5+ 6 R>~R. and Black's K-side pawns. The defensive ma-
White wins. nc.euvres of White's king are quite re-
A trap: I RXP? R-B4 2 P-N~ R-~4! markable.
3 R-R5 K-B5-:- 4 RXR stalemate. I P-N4+! K-K4 2 K-K3 P-N3 3 K-K2
K.-K5 4 K-KI! R-R2 5 K-K2 K-Q5
383
6 K-Q2 R-R4 7 K-QI! R-RI 8 K-Q2
I+ R-R4 9 K-QI K-B4 IO K-B2 K-BS
II K-BI! (The essence of White's defence
is that his king stays in the shadow of the
black king, while his rook guards the third
rank. Now II ... K-N5 can be met simply
by 12 R-K3, and White's rook is free)
II ... R-QB4 (a final attempt) I2 K-N2
K-N5 13 R-K3 R-B5 I4 R-K6, and a
383. Keres-Taimanov (33rd USSR draw was agreed.
Championship). Black operates with his
king on the Q-side, where he has a pawn
f) Rook Endings with Several Pawns;
majority.
Positional Advantage
I ... P-B4! 2 R-QI K-Q2 3 P-QB4
K-B3 4 P-KN3 P-Q4 5 P-B4 R-B4
6P-N3 P-QN4! 7 RPXP+ PXP 8 R-Kl
(passive defence similarly fails to save the
game)S ... QPXP9P>:PP~<P IOR-K&
R-Q4! (cutting off the white k:ng from
the pawns) 11 K-K2 K-~4 12 R-Q~8+
K-R5 I3 R-R8+ K-!'6 14 R-Q:K8-i-
K-B7 15 R-N6 P-B6 16 RXP K-;-.;6,
and White resigned, since after I7 R-:t-;6+
Black wins by 17 ... K-B518 R-~1 P-B7
19 R-QBI K-B6. 385. Prokes. White's spatial advr.ntage
r--=-----o;==------,-;m;;------=""' is considerable, but he has to be careful
3~~~~~
~~ ~~ ~~-%~
to leave the black king enough room to
move, since after I K-B7? R-QB3 2 R-K4
%~~~~~~-~
•
~~ ~~ ••w~
'•u•%~ ~~ u•%~
%·-~~~~~~~
R-B2+ 3 R-K7 R-R2! 4 K-B8 R-Rl+
5 R-K8 R-R2 he cannot win. White
therefore goes for rapid simplification,
~ • •w•!'!:,
'·"~~~~~~~
after which he only needs to gain a tempo

-~-~-~-~
to clinch victory.
1 K-K7! R-Nl (after 1 .•• RXP, 2
K-B7 wins instantly) 2 R-Q4 R-Rl
384. Gligoric-Hort (Wijk aan Zee, I975). 3 R-Q8+ RXR 4 KXR K-Nl 5 K-K71
Black is a pawn up, and also his rook is (gaining a tempo) 5 .•• K-Rl 6 K-Q6
behind his passed pawn, yet White is still K-Nl 7 K-BS K-B2 8 K-N4. and White
able to draw, thanks to the weakness of wins.
 Rook v. Rook 125

386. Prokes. White forces the exchange his passed pawn would be attacked from
of rooks on QN7, as a result of which his the rear.
pawn queens. 1 R-BI! (to drive the black rook off
1 R-QN2! RXBP 2 R-N8+ the Q-file) 1 ... R-Q7+ (or I ... RXR
K-B2(N2, R2) 3 R-N7 R-K2+(B2, N2) 2 P-Q7, and wins) 2 K-B3 K-Q5 3 R-B2!
4 K-Q6(K6, B6) (the king's attack forces R-Q6+ (the rook still cannot be taken)
thedecisiveexchange)4 ... RXR 5 PXR 4 K-K2! R-K6+ 5 K-Ql! R-QR6 (or
etc. 5 ... R-Q6+ 6 R-Q2) 6 P-Q7 R-Rl
7 R-B8, and wins.

387. Rinck. White's BP cannot advance,

since the advanced black pawn would then 389. Troitsky. White cannot prevent the
become a threat. For the moment the black rook from occupying the QR-file,
QRP is also not dangerous, since after so he launches an attack on the enemy
I ... K-B7 it can be stopped from behind. king. Although he fails to give checkmate,
Therefore White forces Black to block the he gains the opportunity to divert the
QR-file, after which his pawn can reach black rook away from the favourable
its goal. QR-file.
1 R-KN7! K-B7 (or I . . . R-K8 2 1 P-R7 R-N4+ 2 K-B6! R-QR4 (or
R-Nl! RXR 3 P-R7, and wins) 2 R-N2+ 2 ... R-N3+ 3 K-B5 R-QR3 4 RXP+
K-N6 3 R-QR2! (the decisive decoy K-R3 5 R-B6+!, and wins) 3 K-B7!
sacrifice) 3 ... KXR 4 P-R7, and White (White correctly spares the life of the
wins. QBP) 3 ... K-R3! 4 R-B6+ K-R2(N4)
5 R-B5! RXR (5 ... RXP? 6 R-R5
388. Barbieri. White must not let the mate) 6 P-R8=Q, and White wins very
black king over onto the K-file, since then easily.
 /26 Six Hundred Endi11gs

390 there appears to be no natural good move,

since after 1 K-N2? R-Q7+ 2 K-Bl
P-B7 Black wins. White therefore decides
tl' exchange his positional disadvantage
for a material one, in order to secure
mobility for his king and to keep the
opponent's king away from the action.
I K-K2! RX NP 2 K-B2 R-Q6 3 K-N2
K-K3 4 K-R2 K-Q3 5 K-N2 R-Q7+
(a final attempt to win) 6 K-1'3 P-B7
390. .\"laroczy-Marco (:\fonte Carlo.
7 K-R4! R-N7 8 K-N5 R-1'8 (8 ...
1902). The adva:1tagc of an J.<.:tivc rN>J..:
K-KJ 9 K-B4 K-BJ 10 R-B~..:... K-K2
<"'\W a pa~si .. c o:•e \.'an suffic~ for vi~o:t(·r:­
11 P-Q5 also leads to a draw, sin..:e the
~\en when therc i' mat.:rial equali:,·.
only change in the position is that White's
Here the ou::>idc pass.::d pawn completc·h
ba~..: on the QB-file has moved from the
paralyses the bla.:-k I'L'Ok ••l!ld this cnab:c~
fifth to the sixth rank) 9 RXP K-Q4 10
Whit~ t<"> acquire .; del.'i.;ivc territorial
K-B4 KXP 11 R-Q2+, with a draw.
adYantJ.ge.
I R-R2 R-0'.'6 2 P -R6 R-"1 3 P-R7
R-QR I .t R-R6! (..:•:ttin~ otT the bla.:k
392
+ • • ~s••
~~~~~---"~~
king's a~·cc;;;; to the QBP) 4 . . . P-B3 ~~~~,~~~
~~~~~~~"----~
5 K-B3 K-~3 6 K-K.t P-B5 (there is
nothing bettcr) 7 K-Q.t K-B4 S K: P
K-~5 (8 ... K-K5 loses :u 9 J.:-B5 PfH-!
10 R-R-1-'- K-fltl II K-;V6J 9 K-Q4
•
~~~~~~----~~
··??~ ~
~~~~~----"~~
~~~~~~~~
R-QI-'-- 10 K-K-~ R-KI-:- II K-Q5
R-QRI 12 K-K6 P--B.t (/2 ... K/P
.~.~~~-~
13 K:/..P K-K5 /4 K-K6, and wins)
392. Prokop. Black's only useful moves
13 K-K5 R-KI-- 14 R-K6 R-KBI 15
are with his BP, and not of course I ...
R-K7 K-R-+ 1•1 R-KB7!, and White
P / P, since 2 P-R7 + then wins imme-
wins.
diately. This factor allows White to make
the decisive manc:euvre, beginning with the
blockading of the BP.
I R-B6! P-K6 (the only move that
docs not ruin Black's position. It is not
without its tricky side too, since after
2 KXP? the pin 2 .•. R-KI would equal-
ize immediately. Thus White has to give
his opponent the move) 2 K-B1! P-K7+
3 K-K1! (now Black is in zugzwang)
3 ... K-Rl4 R XP R-Kl 5 P-K7 K-Nl
391. Spielmann-Capablanca (Moscow, 6 R-B8+! RXR 7 P-R7+, and White
1925). After moves by his rook or his wins.
pawn, White loses his base at QB5, and A trap: 1 P-K7? R-Kl 2 RXKP K-R2
 Rook v. Rook 127

3 K-K3 KXP 4 K-Q4 K-N4 5 K-QS

P-B4 6 R-K1 P-BS 7 K-Q6 P-B6 8 K-Q7
R-QR19P-K8=QRXQ 10RXRK-N5
11 K-Q6 P-B7 12 R-KB8 K-N6, with a
draw.
~ ~ ~ ~
3~ ~~~~~~~~

=·=~=~!~
·~ ~ .~.;?'~
L,,;~ ~~ ~~"----"~
~~~~~~~~ 3 R-KBS (threatening 4 R-B4 mate)

~~~~~~!~ 3 ... R-N7+ 4 R-B2 RXR+ 5 KXR

~~~~%--~---"
P-R76P-N8=QP-R8=Q7Q-QB8mate.
~~~~~w
395
393. Selezniev. It seems improbable that
White can win, since he cannot defend
his BP owing to the threat of mate, while
in addition Black has a dangerous passed
pawn. But by a surprising and elegant
diverting sacrifice White tips the scales in
his favour.
1 R-K5+! RXR 2 P-N4! (preventing
mate and controlling the important square
KB5; the position has changed radically, 395. Em. Lasker-Rubinsteio (St. Peters-
and now Black must rack his brains over burg, 1914). \Vhitc has a clear positional
how to prevent the pawn from queening) advantage, since he is able to set up an
2 ... R-K8+ 3 K-N2 R-K7+ 4 K-N3! outside passed pawn. Despite the presence
(4 K -B 1? would be bad, since Black would of the rooks, this pawn wins the game.
later queen with check) 4 . . . R-K6+ 1 P-B5 PXP 2 P:<P R-B3 3 R-B4
5 K-B2 R-K5 6 P-B8=Q R-KB5+ P-:t\5 (4 P-N4..!- was threatened) 4 P-N3
7 QXR PXQ 8 P-R4 P-QN4 (it now R-B2 5 P-B6 K-03 6 K-Q4 K-h3
becomes clear that the black king is badly 7 K-B2! K-Q3 li R-QR2! R-B2 9 R-R6-:-
placed) 9 P-R5 P~<P 10 PXP P-N5 K-Q2 10 R-Nii!. :l!ld BhK~k resigned.
11 P-R6 P-N612 P-R 7 P-N7 13 P-R8 =Q
P-N8=Q 14 Q-R8+ K-N5 15 Q-N7+, 396. Hcrbstman. \\'hitc h~l!> a \cry
and White wins. difficult task: he has to promote his pawn,
while simultaneously defending against
394. Selezniev. The black king cannot the mating threats.
leave the KN-file, in view of check followed I R-R8+ K-Q2 2 P-N7 P-K't'6!
by the queening of the pawn. It follows (threatening 3 ... R-R8 mate) 3 R-RS!
that, by chasing the black king, White (the black rook has to be chased off the
can gain the important tempo required for QR-file immediately, since 3 R-Q8+?
victory. K-B3! 4 R-QR8 R-R4+ 5 K-J\'1 KXP
I P-R3+ K-i':4 2 P-R4+ K-N5 is to Black's advantage) 3 . . . R-QB4!
128 Six Htmdred Endings

396 ~. ~
~~~<.J ~- ~
~ R-~:': 13 KXP R-QB8 14 K-Q6 R-B7

+ ~;3!%~~-~~"·v 15 P-Q5 R-B8 16 R-QB7 R-QR8 17

~!I~~--~~~~
K-B6 RXP 18 P-Q6, and Black resigned.
--"~ 0.~ c.. "~ . -~ Variation: 4 ... RXP 5 K-B6 K-KI!
~- ""rai% ~fa!%~~ ~~ t'l R:-·p R~<P 7 P-N7 R-KN5 8 RXP!
~.li ~.li .. ' ..
~"--"~"--"~ 0.~ P-Q5 9 P-~8=Q+ RXQ 10 R-R8...:..,
~~~~~~~%
0.
•
and wins.
~~~~~~~­
~ ~ ~ ~~
4 R-Q8...:..! K-K3 (4 . . . K-BJ? 5
R-QB8-!-. and wir.s) 5 R-Q6-:-! K-K4
(after 5 ... K-B4 f) R-Q5-:- \\ins; now
White plays a preliminary mo,·.:- to open
the di2gonal for his queen-t0-b.:, while at
the same time dealing with the threat of
mate) 6 R-B6! R-~4 (c.:hemise the pawn
queens) 7 R-B5+! (a beac:iful dh·erting
sacrifice. 2~d a wNthy culrr:inati0n 10 the 398. Rubinstein-Reti (Berlin, 1928 ).
white roo!.;'s mana!U\Tes) 7 . . . R :,.-: R One's first impression might be that Black
8 P-~S=Q-7- K-K5 9 QXK~P. and stands better, since his rook on the seventh
White ,-.,ins. rank is poised to mow down the white
pawns. But a position should never l:-e
eYaluated mechanically, and it is essential
to consider the whole picture. Black's
weak pawns, White's more active king,
and not least White's passed KP on the
fifth rank altogether add up to more than
the black rook on the seventh rank.
I P-B4! RXP 2 RXP K-Q2 (forced,
since after 2 ... RXP 3 R-Q3! there is
no satisfactory defence against the ad-
397. Capablanca-Tartakol·er(Kew York. ,·ance of the KP) 3 R-R3! K-K3 4 RXP
1924). White's ro0k is excellently pbccd (now White's rook has also reached the
on the seventh rank, and his knight's pawn sc,·cnth rank) 4 ... P-R4 5 P-R4 R-1'5
is also strong. Compared to the penetration 6 K-Q4 P-N3 7 R-KN7 R-N8 8 K-K4
of White"s king, the black rook's material R-N7 9 R-QB7 R-QB7 10 K-Q3 R-BS
winning is of little consequence. 11 P-K4! R-Q8+ 12 K-K2 R-QB8 13
1 K-N3! R>~P...:.. 2 K-R4 R-B6 (or K-Q2 R-B5 14 K-Q3 R-B8 15 R-KN7
2 ..• R-B8 3 K-R5!, and wins)-3 P-N6 R-Q8+ (15 . . . R-KN8 loses after
RXP+ 4 K-1'5 R-K5 5 K-B6! K-Nl 16 K-Q4 R-Q8+ /7 K-B5 R-KN8 18
6 R-N7+ K-R1 7 RXP R-K1 8 KxP! RXP+! RXR 19 P-B5+) 16 K-K3
R-K5 9 K-B6 R-B5+ 10 K-K5 R-N5 R-K8+ 17 K-Q4 R-Q8+ 18 K-B5
11 P-N7 + ! K-N1 (after the exchange of R-QB8+ 19 K-N6 P-B4 20 RXP+
rooks the QP decides matters) 12 RXP K-K2 21 P-BS R-B5 22 K-B6 RXP
 Two Rooks v. Two Rooks 129

23 K-QS R X RP (although material equal-

ity has been re-established, White's
centre pawns are now free, and they settle
the issue) 24 R-N7 + K-BI 25 P-B6
R-KBS 26 K-K6 R-QR5 27 R-QB7
R-R3+ 28 K-B5 P-R5 29 R-B8+
K-B2 30P-K6+, and Black resigned.

399 ~~
~ ~~ ~
~~ ~ ~
~;}l'%~
+ ~-~~~~·~---%~
~·~~·
.[i"~~~~~
posted, since they cannot avert the danger
threatening their king on the edge of the
~~~~~~---%~ board. White ruthlessly pursues the black
~~~~~~~~ king until he can deal the death blow.
~~~~~~"~w~
~ ~ ~~~~"
I R-QBl+ K-Q2 2 R-Ql+ K-Kl
~ -~ --~----% 3 R-Kl + K-BJ 4 K-K6+ K-KI 5
~ ~ ~ .....~ % K-Q6+ K-Ql 6 R-B8 mate.
Variation: 3 ... K-Q2 4 R-Q2+ K-B3
399. Alekhine-Euwe (World Champion-
5 R-QBl + K-N4 6 R-QN2+ K-R5
ship Match, 1935). Black's rook is active
7 R-QRl mate.
behind the white pawns, and we>uld easily
secure a draw if it only had one pawn to
control. But in view of the weakness of
Black's QNP, the white king can safely
abandon his K-side pawns and bead for
the Q-side.
I K-K2! P-K4 (or I ... R-N7+ 2
K-Q3 RXP 3 K-B3! R-N8 4 R-R6
R-QB8+ 5 K-N3! R-QNB+ 6 K-R3
and wins, becausetheQNP is lost)2 K-Q2
P-B3 3 K-B2 R-N5 4 K-B3 R-Q5
(Black has succeeded in building a base 401. Rinck. Owing to the impeding rook
on the fifth rank, thus preventing White at ... QN5, Black can extricate himself
from acquiring two connected passed from a close-range fight only at the cost
pawns, but White's king is so active that of a rook.
he carries the day with just one pawn) 1 R-KR3+ K-B52K-B2! R-N4(2- ..
5 R-R6 K-N3 6 RXP! RXP 7 R-R6 R-Q5? 3 R-QB3 mate) 3 R-KR4+ K-B4
R-Q5 8 P-N6, and Black resigned. 4 R-R5+ R-Q4 5 RXR(NS)+, and
wins.
Variation: 1 ... K-QS 2 R-KR4+
Ill. TWO ROOKS V. TWO ROOKS K-B6 3 R-QR3+ R-N6 4 R-R3+ R-Q6
5 RXR(N3)+ etc.
400. Rinck. The concerted play of two
rooks is well demonstrated in the following 402. Rinck. One of the black rooks iis
examples. Here Black's rooks are badly badly posted, and the white battery
I30 Six Hundred Endings

404. Prokes. The sole function of

White's pawn is to divert the black rook
away from the eighth rank, after which
Black is mated or loses a rook.
1 P-Q7! R-Q8+ 2 K-K3 RXP 3
R-BI+ ! K-R7 (capturing the rook allows
mate) 4 R-R8+ K-N6 5 · R-B3+ K-NS
6 R-KN8+, and wiris.

(discovered attack); operates to inflict

defeat.
1 K-N6+! K-QJ (1 • . • K-NI? 2
R-R8+! KXR 3 R-m mate) 2 R-R8+
K-K2 3 R-R7+ K-BJ 4 R-B6+ R-K3
5 RXR+, and wins.

405. Mandler and Ktioig. White's ad-

vantage lies in the fact that his king is
attacking one of the black rooks (which
are defending one another), and that he
can use the black pawn as a cover against
checks. Victory depends upon whether
White is able to lure the opponent's
403. Rinck. The intrusion of two rooks other defending rook onto the same file
onto the seventh rank almost invariably as his king. To do this he immediately
results in a decisive attack. So it does in rids himself of his own pawn, in order to
this example. prevent the black king from also finding
I R-K7+ K-Rl 2 K-R6! R(Nl)-Kl cover.
3 R(Ql)-Q7! R-Rl 4 R-KR7+ K-Nl I P-B7 K-N2 2 P-B8=Q+! KXQ
5 R(Q7)-KN7+ K-BI 6 R-R8 mate. 3 R-BI+ K-K2 (or 3 . . . R-KB6 4
Variation: 2 ... R(Nl)-Bl3 R-KR7+ R(K2)-B2) 4 R(Bl)-KI R(N6)-B6+ 5
K-NI 4 R-KNl mate. K-N4R-QN6+ 6K-R4RXR 7RXR+,
and wins.
Variation: 3 . . . K-N2 4 R-KN2+
K-R3 (4 . . . R-N6 5 R(Bl)-NJ) 5
R-KRl+ R-R6 6 R(N2)-KR2 R(N6)-
QB6+ 7K-N4R-QN6+ 8 K-R4 RXR
9 RXR+ etc.

406. Schlechter-Mar6czy (Karlsbad,

I907). The action of two rooks working
 Two Rooks r. Two Rooks 131

down, but also his second rank is very

weak.
I ... QR-Ql! 2 R-QR4 (White cannot
afford to exchange by 2 R-KB4, since
Black easily capitalizes on his Q-side pawn
majority) 2 ... R-B2 3 R(NI)-Rl P-QR4
4 R-K4 R-Q7 5 R-NI R(B2)-B7 6 RXP
RXP+ 7 K-BI RXP 8 R-N8+ K-B2
9 R-N7 + K-B3 10 R-N6+ K-N4 I I
K-)11 R(Q7)-KN7+ (a familiar method
together was clearly obser\able in the
of gaining time by then threatening mate)
preceding composed endings. Although
12 K-Bl R-QB7 13 K-NI R(R7)-Q7!
such positions occur only rarely in actual
14 R-Nl, and without resuming White
play, the principle remains the same:
resigned, because the advance of the KRP
whichever side manages first to harness
is decisi\ c.
the power of both of his rooks has an edge
over the opponent. A pair of rooks on
tl1e seventh rank is particularly powerful,
and can c0mpensate for considerable lack
of material.
I ... R-Ql! 2 RXP R(Ql)-Q7 (at the
moment Black is two pawns down, but
he will soon regain one, since White can
reduce the power of the black rook only
by an exchange) 3 R-R3 K-Bl! (avoiding
a dangerous trap: after 3 ... RXP 4 R-
408. Pilnik-8zaoo (Candidatt:s' Tourna-
KN3+ K-Bl 5 P-QR3!) White neutralizes
ment, 1956). White's domination of the
the black rooks, and safeguards his extra
se\enth rank provides him with an attrac-
pawn) 4 R-KBI (on 4 R-K.B3or4 R-KN3
tive tactical opponunity to exploit his
Black again answers 4 . . . RX RP) 4
king's pawn .
. . . RX RP 5 RX R RX R, and White can-
I R-KN7+ K-Rl 2 PXP RXBP 3
not realize his extra pawn.
P-K7! R-K3 (the rook on KN7 can now
maraud undisturbed, since it is protected
by its partner's threat of discovered check.
After 3 . . • R-K4 the coup de gr.ice is
delivered by 4 R-KB7) 4 RXP+! K.-Nl
5 R-KN7 + K-Rl 6 R-N6l R(.K3rK4
7 R-QB6, and Black resigned.
Variation: 3 . . . R-R7+ 4 X....;K3
R-K4+ 5 K-Q4 R-K8 6 R-R7! R~Q8-;!-
7K-K5R-K7+ 8K-B6R-Q3+ 9K.-Jl'Z,
and White wins.
407. Szab6-Portisch (Hungarian Cham-
pionship, 1959). White is not only a pawn
Queen Endings
With the reduction of the forces in the endgame, the queen's mobility and power is
greatly increased, and it becomes a highly dangerous piece both in attack and in defence.
Many of the pawn endings examined earlier in the book developed into queen endings.
The first part of this section will show the battle of queen against pawns. In contrast
to other endings, the pawn(s) can draw against the queen only in exceptional circum-
stances, and it is quite unrealistic to expect them to win.

410. (Theoretical ending.) Apart from

409. (Theoretical ending.) If the pawn in exceptional positions, the queen cannot
on the point of promotion is a centre win against a rook's pawn or bishop's
pawn or a knight's pawn, the queen wins pawn on the point of queening, if its king
even if its king is right next to it. is in support, since the danger of stalemate
1 Q-B4+ K-N7 2 Q-K3 K-BS 3 prevents the approach of the stronger
Q-KB3 + K-KS (the king has been forced side's king.
to block the promotion square, so that 1 Q-Q2 K-N8 2 Q-N4+ K-R7 3 Q-B3
White's king can approach the pawn) K-NS 4 Q-QN3+ K-R8! 5 QXP
4 K-BS K-Q7 5 Q-B4+ K-Q8 6 ~+ stalemate.
K-B7 7 Q-K3 K-Q8 8 Q-Q3+ K-K8
9 K-Q4 K-B7 10 Q-K3+ K-B8 11 411. (Theoretical ending.) 1 Q-QN4+
Q-KB3+ K-K8 12 K-Q3, and White K-B7 2 Q-R3 K-NS 3 Q-QN3+ K-RS!,
wins. and although White can avoid the staJe..

JU
 134 Six Hundred Endings

I Q-Q4+ K-B8 2 Q-N4! (otherwise

Black draws by heading for • . . QR8)
2 • • • K-Q8 3 Q-N3 K-Q7 4 Q-N2
K-Q8 5 K-B3! K-Q7 (5 ... P-B8=Q
6 Q-K2 mate) 6 K-K4 K-Q8 7 K-Q3
P-BS =Q 8 Q-K2 mate.
,,
,-------,;~==-------=>~=----=~~---,~=-

4~ ~~~~~~~<j
~~~~~~~~
mate, he gc.-ts nowhere by checking with his ~~~~~~~~
queen. ~~~~~~~~
!~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~w--"
~ ~ ~
414. {Theoretical ending.) Black's "bad"
QRP provides two tempi for White, just
.
enough for him to give mate.
1 Q-N7 + K-R8 2 Q-R6 K-N7 3
Q-N5 + K-R8 4 Q-R4 K-N7 ~ Q-KN4+
412. Lolli. {Theoretical ending.) This is K-R8 6 Q-R3 K-N8 7 Q-KN3+ K-R8
an exceptional position, because White's 8 K-N4! P-R6 9 Q-B2 P-R7 IO Q-Bl
king can approach by releasing the stale- mate.
mate situation. Although Black queens, he
is unable to avoid checkmate.
I K-N6 K-N7 2 K-B5+ K-B7 3
Q-KN2+ K-N8 4 K-N4! P-R8=Q
5 K-N3 Q-B3 6 Q-QB2+ K-R8 7
Q-QR2matc.

415. Kling and Horwitz. (Theoretical

ending.) Both black pawns are on the
point of queening, but even so, Black
cannot draw because of the influence of
the nearby white king.
I Q-R6+ K-Q6 2 Q-Q6+ K-B6(K6)
3 Q-B5+ K-Q6 4 Q-QB2+ K-K6 5
413. (Theoretical ending.) If the king is Q-B3+ K-B7 6 QXP, and White wins,
close enough to take part in the fight,
a queen can also win against a bishop's 416. Bekey. (Theoretical ending.) The
pawn on the point of promotion. queen cannot force Black's king to stand
 Queen v. Pawns 135

K-R7 3 Q-B2 P-N6 4 Q-Q2 K-R8

5 Q-R5+ K-N8 6 Q-N4!, and then,
depending on which way the black king
goes, White wins by 7 Q-QR4+ or 7
Q-QB4+.

in front of his pawn, and neither can the

white king operate effectively while the
Q3 and KB3 squares are under fire. It is
evident therefore that White must capture
the ... K5 pawn, otherwise he cannot win,
but then Black also acquires a queen.
418. Berger. (Theoretical ending.)
Nevertheless, this is the correct plan for
Black's RP is detrimental to his position,
White, but it has to be executed in such
because it frustrates any opportunity of a
a way that the new queen is unable to
stalemate. It is important to realize this
parry the threat of mate.
since theca pture of such a pawn rnay result
1 Q-R4+ K-:&8 2 Q-Rl+ K-Q7
in the loss of half a point.
3 Q-R5+ K-Q8 4 Q-R5! K-Q7 (the first
1 Q-N4+ K-R7 2 Q-B3 K-N8 3
part of White's plan has been carried out;
Q-KN3+ K-BS (Black's king cannot
his king is no longer in the way of his
move into the corner, because of his rook's
queen) 5 Q-KN5+ K-Q8 6 Q-N4! K-Q7
pawn) 4 K-B4 P-R4 5 K-Q3 P-R5
7 Q-N2 K-Q8 8 KXP! P-K8=Q+
6 Q-R3+ K-K8 (or6 ... K-N87 K-K2)
9 K-Q3!, and White wins.
7 QXP, and White wins.

~~~~~~~~
419 ••••
=
,~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~-~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~.~~
~~~~~-L%~
~ ~ ~ LJ
417. Bekey. (Theoretical ending.) 419. GrigorieY. In Berger's opil:iian,
Black's only hope is his pawn at •.• N5. White would be unable to win if his :Icing
Once that is lost, the game is over. were one square further away, at Qlr1.
1 Q-N8+! (according to Grigoriev, Grigoriev, however, demonstrated !flJat
this is simpler than the original solution, the correct line of defence ensures a <draw
1 Q-N3+ K-R7 2 Q-B2 K-R8 3 Q-Q4 for Black even if the white king is at QR6.
K-R7 4Q-Q5+ etc.) 1 ... K-R62Q-N6 I Q-KN4+ K-B8! 2 K-N5 P-:R4 3
 136 Six Hundred Endings

Q~N6 (the capture of the RP, of course,

ll:ads to a theoretical draw) 3 • . . K-K7
4 Q-K4+ K-BS 5 K-B4 K-N8! (5 ..•
P'-R5? would be a major error. because by
6 K-QJ K-N8 7 Q-KN4+ White would
win) 6 Q-K.3 K-N7 7 Q-N5+ K-R7
8 Q-R4+ (capturing the rook's pawn
would not do here either, since White's
king is too far nay) & • • • K.-N7 !, and
since White is unable to give check on
1st variation: I . . . P-B6 2 Q-QJ\'8!
KN4, be cannot male any further progress.
P-B7 3 Q-B4, and wins.
420 ~~~~ 2nd variation: 1 ... P-R72Q-N2P-N6

+ ~ ~ ~ ~·
~~~~~~~~
3 Q-B3 K-R6 4 K-B2 etc.

~~~~~~~~
3rd variation: I ... K-N6 2 Q-KRI!
K-B7 3 K-B2 P-N6 4 QXP P-N7 5
LJ~~~~~~~
m:•!l):
Q-R4+ K-B6 6 Q-Kl, and White wins.

~~~~-·--"-~
~~~L.~
420. Grigoriev. The white king is one
square closer than in the previous example,
and this enables him to create a mating
threat.
I Q-N4+ K-B8 2 K-N4 P-R4 3 Q-N6
K-K7 4 Q-K4+ K-B8 5 Q-Rl+!
(cutting off the black king from the corner 422. Bekey. (Theoretical ending.) The
square; now White wins, as in example queen forces promotion to a minor piece,
413) 5 ... K-K7 6 Q-N2 K-K8 7 K-B3! after which Black cannot parry the mating
P-R5 (queening the pawn allows 8 Q-Q2 threats.
mate) 8 Q-K4+ K-B8 9 K-Q2 K-N8 1 Q-QN7 K-R7 (or 1 ... P-R7 2 Q-K4,
10 Q-KN4+, and White wins. This and wins) 2 Q-Q7! P-N8=N (promotion
important discovery by Grigoriev was to a queen is answered by 3 QXP mate)
pointed out by Henkin pn the pages of 3 Q-Q6! N-K7 4 Q-Q2 P-N7 5 QXN
Shakhmatny Bulletin. K-R8 6 Q-B3 P-R7 7 Q-K4! K-N8
8 Q-KI mate.
411. Berger. (Theoretical ending.) The
queen delays the advance of the black 423. Horwitz. Black's K-side pawns are
pawns until the arrival of White's king at so close to promotion that White has no
the scene of battle. time to threaten mate in one move.
I K-N2! P-N6 2 Q-B3 K-N4 3 K-B2 Of course, Black tries to get rid of his
P-N7 4 Q-B2 K-N5 5 K-Q2 P-B6 6K-K3, "bad" pawns as soon as possible, and the
and White wins. win depends on whether in the meantime
 Queen and Pall"n 1'. Queen 137

after 10 ... P-N8=Q+ 11 QxQ+ KxQ

12 K-N4 K-N7! the result was a draw)
10 ... P-R6 11 K-B3 K-RS 12 Q-N3!
P-N8=Q 13 QXP+, and White wins.

II. QUEEN AND PAWN V. QUEEN

If the weaker side's king is some dis-

tance away from the pawn, and not in
White can move his king close enough
front of it, it is relatively easy to push
to the black king.
home the advantage with a bishop's
1 Q-N6! (in order to relieve his king
pawn or centre pawn. With a rook's
fromguardingKNI) I ... P-B7+ 2KXP
pawn the result is usually a draw, victory
P-BS=Q+ 3 KXQ P-N7+ 4 K-K2!
being possible only in fortunate circum-
P-N8=Q 5 QXQ+ K-N7 6 K-Q2!
stances. The real problem concerns the
(White's king has arrived, so he can now
knight's pawn. For a long time it was
allow Black to have a queen) 6 ...
thought a knight's pawn, like a rook's
P-R8=Q 7 Q-N6+ K-R6 8 Q-R5+
pawn, could not be realized, until the
K-N7 9 Q-N4+ K-R7 10 K-B2, and
following famous ending changed this
White wins.
assessment.

424. Yates-Marshall (Karlsbad, 1929). 425. Boh·innik-::\line,· (Amsterdam,

White's queen cannot win single-banded 1954). I Q-B6 Q-Q4+ ~ Q-B5 Q-Ql-
against the black pawns, so the help of the 3 K-R5 Q-Kl (after 3 . . . Q-KR1 +
king is required. But it is the queen's task 4 K-N4 there are no more checks, and
to gain the time necessary for this ma- White wins by 4 ... Q-N2 5 Q-B7! Q-B6
nceuvre to be carried out. 6 P-N7!) 4 Q-B4+ K-R4 5 Q-Q2+
1 K-K6 P-N6 2 K-Q5 P-N7 3 K-Q4+ K-R5 6 Q-Q4+ K-R4 7 K-N5 Q-K2-:-
K-R6 (or 3 ... K-R8 4 Q-QR8, and wins) 8K-B5Q-Bl+ 9 K-K4Q-R310Q-K5+
4 Q-KB8+ K-N6 5 Q-B3+ K-R7 K-R5 11 P-N7 Q-RS+ 12 K-Q4 Q-QS..;-
6 Q-Q5+ K-R6 7 Q-QB5+ K-R7 8 13 K-B5 Q-QB8..;- 14 K-Q6 Q-07-:- 15
Q-B4+ K-R6 9 Q-Q3+ (9 Q-B2? K-K6 Q-QR7..;- 16 Q-Q5 Q-K7+ 17
P-N8=Q, draw) 9 ... K-R7 10 Q-B2! K-Q6 Q-KR7+ IS K-B5!, and Black
(in the game 10 K-B4? was played, and resigned, because the queens would be
 138 Six Hzm.!red Endings

exchanged after the next check. and there moves his king to KNI, where it is
is no other way for Black to prevent the screened against checks, and then, as in the
promotion of the pawn. previous example, the white queen makes
White's convincing pb:. r:tisc~ the f0r KB8, forcing the promotion of the
question as to whether Black wac; correct pawn. All Black can do is to delay matters
in moving his king to ... QR5. \\"ould it with a few checks.
not have- been better to keep the king as I ... Q-Q4+ 2 K-Kl! Q-RS-:- 3 K-B2
f;u awa) from the pawn as possible, at Q-R7+ 4 Q-N2!, and White wins.
... QR 7 or ... Q~S? This is where the A trap: 2 K-K2? Q-QN4+ 3 K-B2
problem starts. Fortunately, grandmaster Q-~3+ 4 K-N2 Q-QB3+ 5 K-R2
Averbakh. the renowned Soviet endgame Q-K R3 + !, and there is no escape from
expert, was able to shed some light on this perpetual check.
q ucsti0n.

~·~·~·r
.J26

~~~~~pi{~,%~
_;_I_

~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~-~-~-~­
~~~~~~~~
~-~ ~ ~ 428. Averbakh. (Theoretical ending.)
426. Al·erbakh. (Theoretical ending.)
White can promote his pawn, but what
This is a relatively simple position, be-
piece he chooses is a question of great
cause Black's queen is passive. If it is
importanc<:.
\Vhite to mov~, he wins easily after 1
A trap: 1 P-NS=Q? Q-B3+ 2 Q-N5
Q-N5+! K-R7 2 Q-R4..L. 3 Q-Q~4+
Q-B7 + 3 K-R5 (after 3 Q(N8)-N3, 3 ..•
and 4 Q-BS. Black cannot parry the threat
Q-B5+! forces stalemate) 3 ... Q-B2+
by moving his king, while if his queen
4 Q-N6 Q-B6+ 5 K-R6 (or 5 K-N5
moves the pawn is soon promoted.
Q-QN6+t) 5 ... Q-B5+! 6 QxQ stale-
The reader may like to prove this to his
mate.
own satisfaction.
The correct line is 1 P-N8 =·R !, and
427 White's. king then retreats to KRI. Black
1- can give check only on the KR-file, on
which there follows Q-R2, or on the ...
QR 1-KRS diagonal, in which case R-N2
wins.

429. Averbakh. (Theoretical ending.)

If the black queen is active, White's king
moves to QRS to avoid the checks (or to
KRS, if the black king is on the other side
of the board). The key to White's victory
 Queen and Pawn l'. Queen 139

6 K-R7 Q-R7+ 7 Q-KR6 Q-B2 8

Q-Q21 followed by 9 Q-Q4!. After the
occupation of Q4, the king moves either
to QR4 or QN4, and clinches victory in
the way already demonstrated.
If it is Black to play, he moves his
king off the dangerous . . . QN8-KR2
diagonal-by I ... K-R7!, and after
2K-N6Q-N5+ 3K-B6Q-B6+ 4Q-KB5
Q-B6+ 5 K-B7 Q-B2+ 6 K-N8 Q-Ql+
is his control of Q4. Once his queen is
7 Q-KBS Q-Q5! he takes possession of the
established there, the win is merely a mat-
vital centre square, after which White is
ter of technique.
unable to realize his pawn advantage.
1 . . . Q-N7 2 Q-QN4+ K-R8 3
Variation: 4 K-K7 Q-N2+ 5 K-Q8
Q-Kl+ K-N7 4 Q-K5+ K-N8 5
Q-NJ+ 6 Q-B7 Q-Q5+ 7 Q-Q7!
Q-N8+ K-R8 6 P-N8=R!, and the
Q-NJ + (Black must defend very accu-
preceding position has been reached.
rately: after 7 ... Q-B3 + ? White wins by
1st variation: 1 ... Q-N4 2 Q-Q3+
8 K-BB Q42B6+ 9 Q42B7 Q-KR6+
K-RS 3 Q-Bl+ K-N7 (or 3 ... J(-R7
10 K-N8 Q42N6 + 11 Q-N7 Q-Nl +
4 Q-B7+ etc.) 4 Q-N5+, exchanging
12 K-R7) 8 K-BS Q-B4+ 9 K-N7
queens.
Q-N5+ 10 K-R6 Q-R6+! (again, 10 ...
2nd variation: I ... Q-N3 2 Q-QN4+
Q-QB5 + ? is a mistake in view of the
K-R8 3 Q-Kl+ K-R7 4 Q-K2+ K-N8
reply 11 K-R7 Q-B4+ 12 K-RB!) II
5 Q-N5+ K-RS 6 Q-K5+ K-N8 7
K-N5 Q-QN6+ I2 K-R5 Q-QB6+ !,
Q-NS+ K-R8 8 Q-QRS! (8 P-N8=R
and White cannot make any further pro-
also wins, but the mo\·e played is not only
gress.
simpler, but also more instructive) 8 ...
This important Yaria tion was pointed
QXP 9 K-N3+, and mate in two moves.
out by Novotyelnov.
431 ,-~,..--~==----=~=---=~,_,....-.....,.=
~~~~~~~~
430

+ ~~~~~~~~
+I=

-~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~
~~~~~~~~
.~.~.~-~
430. Averbakb. (Theoretical ending.) 431. Van Vliet. This artistic ending
White can win only by manreuvring with demonstrates that it is better fort he weaker
his king. side's king to stay well away from the
1 K-N6 Q-B3+ 2 K-N5 Q-N7+ pawn, if it is not possible to stand in
3 K-B6 Q-BJ+ 4 Q-K6! (denying Black front of it. The game hinges on White
Q7) 4 •.. Q-QB6+ 5 K-N6 Q-KN6+ promoting his pawn by means of a queen
 f.IU Six li1111.irecl D1di,:gs

~.lcrificc, and then ,uhsequently capturing I Q-Q5! Q-KN3-;- 2 K-84+ K-R7

the opponent's queen. The same motif is 3 Q-K5! Q-82-;- 4 K-N4-'- K-N7 5
r.:peatcd in a number l'f \ ariations, giving Q-:-.13+ K-B8(RS) 6 Q-K83-'-, and after
a particular beau<y to this ending. Black the exchange of queens White wins.
L-.Jn ;t\oiJ the- geometrical situation. but 1st variation:3 ... Q-KR3-'- 4 K-~4+
c:mnut prc\er.t the promotion oft he pawn. K-N7 5 Q-N3+ K-88 6 Q-84+, and
I Q-:'\4! Q-R~ (the queen cannot \vins.
ka\e the Jon& diagonal) 2 Q-JU-;- K-~3 2nd variation: 3 . . . Q-Q6 4 P-~5!
3 Q-i'2- K-B2 4 Q-KR2-:- Q ·'Q 5 Q-QX 5 P-N6 K-RS 6 Q-K4-.,. K-R7
P-:"-lS=Q+, :lnd Whit..: wins. 7 P-N7Q-K88+ S K-N5 Q-r-.;4+ 9 K-R4
1st \ariatk,n: 3 ... K-B4 4 K-R7! K-NS 10 K-N3 (10 Q-KN4+ K-R8 11
(l-R2 5 Q-:'\6-'- K-Q4 6 K-R6! Q-Q6, Q-R3-'- K-N8 12 Q-KN3+ K-R8 /3
; Q-:'\5-, ar.d wins. P-N8=Q Q-KR4+ 14 KXQ stalemate)
2nd \;:~iatic,n: 2 ... K-:"-l4 3 Q-:'\2+ 10 ... Q-:--16+ (10 ... Q-S4+ 11 Q-KN4
K-B5 (3 ... K-84 leads to the pre\ious or 10 ... K-B8 11 Q-KB4+. and wins)
\ariation, while after 3 . . . K-R5 4 II Q-83 Q-Nl + 12 Q-:--14, and White
Q-QR2-"- K-.Y5 5 Q-.VJ, White wins) \vins.
4 K-R7 Q-R2 5 K-R6 Q-:'•B-:· 6 Q-:'\6 3rd variation: I ... Q-i\:6 2 K-85 + !
etc. K-NS 3 Q-Ql+ K-87 4 Q-Q2-;- K-BS
3rd \J.riation: 1 ... Q-~7 2 Q-R3+ (N8) 5 Q-84+ (N5), and wins.
K-:\'4 3 Q-:'\2-.,- Q ··Q 4 P-~R=Q-. 4th variation: I ... Qxr~ 2 K-83!
and wins. K-R7 (.? ... Q-B6-;- 3 K-B2+ K-R7
4th \a~iation: I ... Q-B6 2 Q-R4, 4 Q-N2 mate) 3 Q-KR5+ K-NS 4
~-~3 3 Q-'-:3- QxQ 4 P-~8=Q-'- Q-KN5-:- K-88 5 Q-:'J2+ K-KS 6 Q-K2
etc. mate.
5th variation: I ... Q-Q4 2 Q-R4-'-
433 ~ ~ ~ ~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~s~i
K-:'\3 3 Q-:'\3-'- Q;-:Q 4 P-~S=Q+,
and White wi:-.s. +
~~~~~~-j~~
~~~~~~~~
-~~~~~~~
L.J~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~ LJ ~ ~
433. Fontana. In the introduction to this
chapter we mentioned that positions with
a rook's pawn are generally drawn. The
only reason why White can win here is that
432. :\'eumlUUI. Because his pawn is not the black pieces are awkwardly placed.
\cry far advanced, White can obtain win- 1 Q-K4! (threatening 2 Q-R8+) 1 .••
ning chances only by launching an attack Q-N7+ 2 K-Ql Q-Rl (or 2 ... Q-N6+
on the opposing king. For this purpose he 3 K-QlQ-QN14Q-Q3+ K-R75Q-B2+,
sets up a discovered check so as to ap- and wins, while on 2 . . . Q-R8 + there
proach closer with his king. follows 3 K-Q2 Q-Rl 4 K-K3! K-N6
 Queen Endings with S.:l"eral Pmnts 141

5 Q-{?3+ K-Rl 6K-{?2!, threatening 7 moves onto the KR-file with check) 3
Q-B2+) 3 K-Q2 K-N6 4 K-K3! K-R7 Q-B3+ K-B7 4 Q-RS! Q-RI 5 Q-N6+
5K-Q3!K-R6(or5 ... K-N8 6 Q-{?N4+ foiJowed by 6 Q-NS, and wins.
K-R77Q-{?R4+ K-N88Q-N3+ etc.)6Q- 2nd variation: I ... Q-RI 2 Q-B3+
K7+K-R5(if6 ... K-N7, then 7 Q-N4+ K-N5 3 Q-N4+ K-!"114 4 Q-NS Q-R8
K-R7 8 Q-R4+ K-N8 9 Q-N3+, or 5 Q-N8+, and wins.
6 ... K-Rl 7 Q-R7+ K-N8 8 Q-{?N7+ 3rd variation: 1 ... Q-B3 2 Q-K3+
K-B8 9 Q-{?B7+ and 10 Q-B2+) 7 K-R7 3 -Q-R7+ K-N6 4 Q-NR.J.. etc.
Q-Q7+ K-R4 8 Q-Q5+ K-R3 9 Q-N8!, 4th variation: I ... Q--N7 2 Q-Q37
and White wins. K-R7 3 Q-R6+ K-~8 4 Q-KN6-'-
1st variation: 1 ... Q-N4+ 2 K-Ql K-R8 5 Q-KN1 + K-R7 6 Q-]'1:~ ~. and
Q-N8+ (2 ... Q-KR4+ is answered by wins.
3 K-Kl Q-R4+ 4 K-K2, when there are 5th variation: I .. _ Q-R7, 2 K-B6!
no more checks) 3 K-K2 Q-R7 + 4 K-Bl Q-R7 3 Q-Q3+ K-R7 4 Q-Q5+ K-1'\S
Q-R6+ 5 K-NI Q-KN6+ (5 ... Q-Bl 5 Q-N3+, and White wins.
6 Q-B3+ K-R5 7 Q-B4+ K-N6 8
Q-N3+ K-R79Q-KN8+,or6 ... K-Rl
7 Q-N2+ K-N8 8 Q-N6+ K-B8 9
Q-KR6+ etc.) 6 Q-N2 Q-K8+ 7 K-R2
Q-K 1 8 Q-R3 +, and White wins.
2nd variation: 1 ... Q-KR3+ 2 K-Q1
Q-Q3+ 3 K-K2 Q-R7+ 4 K-B1 Q-R6+
5 K-NI, and White wins as before.
434
/-
435. Fontana. Here the black queen is
well positioned and White cannot win.
1 Q-K4 K-N6! (this move was nt•t
possible in example 433 because of the
lack of control of ... QN7) 2 Q-K6-
(2 Q-{?3+ K-N5, and White canne>t make
any progress) 2 ... K-N5! (the only
square available for the king, sud1 that
434. Fontana. This position differs from White cannot now gi\e check at Kl:i N
the previous one in that Black has suc- KR3). Draw, because White cannot im-
ceeded in driving the white king into the prove his position without expl'~ing himsdf
centre. But even here perpetual check is to perpetual check.
not possible.
I ... Q-Q8+ 2 K-K6 Q-N6+ 3 K-K7
Q-QNI 4 Q-Q3+ K-R7 5 Q-B2+, and Jli.QUEENENDI\'GS WITH SElERAL
White wins. PAWNS
1st variation: 1 ... Q-N2 2 K-K6!
K-N6 (or 2 ... Q-R3+ 3 K-Q7 Q-R6+ 436. Morphy-Anderssen (Paris. IS57 ).
4 K-K7 Q-Bl 5 Q-B3+, and the queen Black's unconm:cted pawns do not look
 142 Six Hundred Endings

Q-R5+ 12K-R50-KI+ 13K-R4K-Nl

(13 ... Q-R5+ 14 Q-B4, and again there
are no more checks) 14 P-N6! O-K2+
(of course, the pawn cannot be taken,
because 15 Q-N4 would force the exchange
of the queens and gain White the oppo-
sition) 15K-N4Q-K3+ 16Q-B5Q-K7+
17 K-R3!, and Black resigned since he
has no more checks, and 17 ... Q-KI
leads to a lost pawn ending after 18
\ ery promising, and promoting one of
Q-B7+ QXQ 19 PXQ+ KXP 20
r~em calls for careful strategic preparation.
K-R4!
I ... 0-05+ 2 K-BI P-R53Q-KB5+
~-B3 -+ 0-0B8 K-N4! 5 K-KI P-B4
6 0-1\7+ K-B5 7 Q-KB7+ K-B6
S 0-B3 + O-Q6 9 0-KB6+ K-N6 10
Q-Q~6-:- K-B7! 11 0-R7 Q-0B6 + 12
K-K2 P-R613 Q-R4+ K-N714Q-N5+
Q-~6! 15 0-R6 P-B5 16 Q-KB6+
P-B6 17 0-1\7 P-R 7, and Black wins.

438. Kling and Horwitz. The following

three examples show that material ad-
vantage is not always the decisive factor
in queen endings, and that a spatial ad-
vantage is often more valuable. Here
Black's king cannot leave its corner posi-
tion, since his sole queen needs to be
defended.
437. Reshevsky-Geller (Sousse, 1967). White's queen can approach the corner
With one knight's pawn the win would be position unhindered, and there deli\'er the
highly problematic, but two pawns, even coup de grace.
if they are doubled, provide cover for the 1 Q-Rl+ K-Nl 2 O-R2+ K-N2
ki:Jg. 3 Q-QN2+ K-R2 4 Q-QB2+ K-N2
1 K-R3!0-K7(1 ... Q-KB8+ 2K-R4, 5 Q-B3+ K-Nl 6 Q-B4+ K-N2 7
a:-.d there arc no more checks) 2 Q-Q7 + Q-Q4+ K-R2 8 Q-K4+ K-N2 9 Q-K5+
K.-N3 3 0-06+ K-N2 4 K-R4! (White K-Nl 10 0-K6+ K-R2 II Q-B5+
h~s succeeded in taking another- square K-N2 12 Q-B7 mate.
ur.der his control, and in the process has
defended KN3 withhisqueen)4 ... Q-K5 439. Berger. A brief struggle concludes
5 Q-Q7 -i- K-R3 6 0-Q2+ K-R2 7 with Black in zugzwang.
Q-Bl! Q-Q4 8 P-N5 Q-K5+ 9 Q-KB4 1 Q-K2 Q-N8 2 Q-K5 + P-N7 3 Q-QS
Q-RS + 10 K-N4 0-08+ 1I Q-B3 P-B5 4 QXP, and White wins.
 Queen Endings witlz Several Pawns 143

Variation: 1 •.. Q-B7 2 Q-Kl + Q-N8 441. Csom-Tatai (Palma de Maliorca,

3 Q-B3+ P-N7 4 Q-B4 etc. 1971). The queen is the most powerful
piece, as we know, but the fact that it
is sometimes too strong, we are inclined
to forget. Example 428 showed an instance
where White could win only if he refrained
from promoting to a queen, and was
content with a rook. In queen endings,
the danger of stalemate is always ,·cry
great.
In the above position Black was the
victim of a typical stalemating combi-
nation, when on the previous move he
440. Havasi. The power of White's
captured his opponent's last mobile pawn
centralized queen is considerably greater
by Q(KB7) X NP, presumably in anti-
than that of its opposite number on the
cipation of his opponent's resignation.
edge of the board. White creates a situation
His opponent's reply, 1 Q-KB8+ !, must
where Black cannot make any useful
have come as a rude shock. Black is forced
moves, and once he has used up the in-
to take the queen either now or on his
different ones, he has no alternative but to
next move, when White is stalemated.
walk into a checkmate.
The following stalemate positions are well
1 P-R6+ KXP (forced) 2 K-B6 Q-R4
worthremembering:K-QR1/ ... Q-Q1'6;
3 Q-Q3 Q-K1! 4 Q-KR3+ Q-R4 5
K-KRI/ ... Q-KN6; K-KRS.' ... Q-KN3,
Q-B5P-Q66QXP(Q3)Q-K17Q-KR3+
and K-QR8/ ... Q-Ql'\3.
Q-R4 8 Q-BS P-Q5 9 Q~3 Q-K1
10 Q-KR3 + Q -R4 11 Q-B5 P-Q6
12 QXQP Q-K1 13 Q-KR3+ Q-R4
14 Q-B5 (Black is in zugzwang) 14 ...
P-N5 15 Q-B4+ K-R2 16 Q-B7+ K-R3
17 Q-KN7 mate.
Variation: 3 ... P-'NS 4 Q-Q2+ K-R2
5 Q-QB2+ K-R3 6 Q-Bl + K-R2
7 Q-B7+ K-Nl 8 Q-K1'7 mate.
 ~~~. Prokes. Capturing th.: BP k;.H.b che<.:ksJ 8 K-IQ Q-Rl 9 P-R7 Q-RI
,,nl~· to a draw, Sl' Whitt: ~pares it and with 10 Q-~2+ K-R3 I I Q-M>, and White
:! decPy sacritk·.: i..iu:Khcs .u: a; lad, l'i' the wins.

I 1'-:'\7-! K · '\P ~ P-R6 K-'\1

-~ Q-J.:.g._ Q-BI 4 Q-~5-- K-RI 5
Q-ll6-'-- K- ~I f K-BI !, anJ Bb<.:h. who
i.; in :::ug:::11·ang. c·::n ~1\oid m:tl~ 011 tht:
1110\..: only ;,y sa.:riticing hi~ queen.

-1-1-1. Portisch-Filip (Vrsac, 19711. The

g1catcr the number of pawns, the easier
it is for the stronger side to escape from
..:hccks. The pawns not only defend the
J...ing, but also restrict the mobility t'f the
t'pposing queen. As we have seen in the
-143. Barcza-~ luger (lOth Hungarian pre\ ious example, the winning technique
Championship)..-\Iter \\.hite has parri~d is for the king to seek shelter on the side
the threat L'f p~rr~tual check, the outcome where he has a passed pawn, or a pawn
,,f the gan;~ is d.:.:ided by the strength of majority.
hi; rook\ pawn. Here Black is not threatening perpetual
1 Q-KR~..,... ! (driYing the black 1-.ing check, so White may safely play: I P-86!
0nto the knight's file; :he point of this Q-KR8+ 2 K-N4 Q-N7+ 3 K-R4
will be re\·ealed ten moves later) 1 ... Q-KR 7 + 4 K-NS! (this forces the queen
K -;-..;2 2 Q-R2 Q-KS..L 3 K-B4! Q-KBS+ into a less active position, since 4 ..•
4 K-K5! Q-K~...:.. 5 K-Q6 QYP- 6 Q-N6+ fails to 5 K-R6 QXP(./\6)+
K-Q7! (Black\ bishop pawn has to he 6 KXP, when there is no fear of stalemate,
spared, for it serves as a shield against since Black's QP is still mobile) 4 ...
perpetual check) 6 ... Q-N5+ 7 K-B7 Q-R4+ 5 K-B4 Q-R7+ 6 K-B3 Q-R8+
Q-85-'- 8 K-N7 Q-B2-r- 9 K-~6 Q-K2 7 K-B2 Q-R7+ 8 K-K1 Q-N8+ 9 K-Q2
10 Q-Q~2- (had the king moveu to ... Q-N7 + 10 K-B3! (there are no more
'\I on the first rr:oYe, the winning contin- checks, and now Black has only one move)
uation here would ha\e been 10 P-B5-'-) 10 ... Q-KS II Q-QS+ K-N2(on ll ...
10 ... K-R3 11 Q-Q2..;- P-;-..;4 12 P-R7 K-B2 there follows 12 Q-B7+ K-Nl
Q-BI 13 P-B5 K-R-l 14 Q-KR2-:- K-~5 /3 Q-N8 + and then 14 Q-R7 +) 12
15Q-l'\SQ-B416Q-Q8 Q-NS+ 11 K-87, Q-K7+ K-N1 13 Q-B5! QXP(K4)+
and Black resigned. (Black has achieved material equal-
Variation: 4 ... Q-83+ 5 K-K4 Q- ity, but now White's BP is irresistible)
B4-i- 6 K-K3 Q-K4+ 7 K-B3 Q- 14K-N3Q-K5(14 ... Q-B2is,ofcourse.
KR4+ (7 . . . Q-KB4+ 8 K-N2 Q- hopeless because of /5 QXQP+ or 15
1\5+ 9 K-R2!, and there arc no more QXNP) 15 P-B7 Q-N8+ 16 K-B3
 Queen Endings with Se1-era/ Pawns 145

Q-QR~!... (,w /6 ... Q-QB8+ 17 K-Q4 Q-KS-;- Q-N34P>~P-r K-::--.145Q-K5+

~tc.)17 K -Q2 !, and Black resigned, sine.: K~<P 6 Q-B4-:- K-R4 7 Q-KR4 mate.
after 17 ... Q-~7+ IR Q-82 Q>-:P-;- Variation: I ... P>: P+ 2 K-R3 Q-N3
19 Q-83 there arc no more checks and 3 P-~·h K-N4-+ Q-K5+ Q-B-1- 5 QXQ
White wins. mat~.

447
I+

447. Szily-Ozsvath (Hungarian Cham-

445. Al"erbakh-Suetin (Kiev, 1953). pionship, 1954). Convinced that Whit~
Although White has no passed pawn, as would have perpetual check after 1 ...
in the pre\·ious example, he can still P-K6 2 Q-B4+ P-K7 3 Q-B4-:- Q-B7
realize his advantage in view of Black's 4 Q-Bl+ P-K8=Q 5 Q-QB4+, Black
weaknesses on the K-side. \Vhite's king is sealed I ... Q-B8?, and after 2 Q-B7+
well defended by his line of pawns, and K-K83QXPQ-KB5+ 4K-N1 Q-KB8+
can even initiate the decisive attack. 5 K-R2 Q-QB5 6 QXBP P-K6 7 Q-Q6
I P-:K4 Q-Q7 2 K-N3 Q-B6+ 3 K-R4 the game did indeed end in a draw.
Q-Q5 4 Q-B5+ P-N3 5 Q-B7 + K-R3 Nevertheless, this problem-like ending
6 Q-B6 K-R2 7 K-N5 Q-Q7+ 8 P-B4! could have been won. The pawn advance
PXP 9 Q-B7+ K-Rl 10 K-R6, and was correct, only Black should promote his
Black resigned, since after 10 ... P-B6+ pawn to a knight instead of a queen. The
11 P-N5 he cannot parry the threat- game could then have continued 4 ...
ened mate. P-K8=N! 5 Q-QB4+ Q-K7 6 Q-KB4+
N-B6+! 7 QXN QXQ 8 PXQ K-B7,
and Black wins.
~-~~-~cfir~-~~-=
448
~~~~~~~~
+ ~j0~\m);~~ ~~-%
•
'f!Jt,%~ ~'!§~,%~ • 'f!Jt
• • uo%

~~~-~~~,J~
ou

~~~~%~,~~
446. Lic:hteostein-8temberg (Vienna,
1923). In this and the following two posi-
tions, a win proves possible thanks to the
weaker side's poor king position.
•• .if
~~%%~~~~~
~ ~~~~~~~
~
448. Barbieri~ Black's queen in :the
corner is no match for his opponent!&
I P-B3! Q-r-13 2 Q-K5+ Q-N4 3 centralized queen. Black can avert ·the
146 Six Hundred Endings

mating threats only at the cost of hts

queen.
1' Q-N3+ K-B3 2 Q-N7+ K-K3 3
Qo-K.7+ K-Q4 4 P-B4+ K-B3 5 Q-QB7
tnate:.
Vas;m:tion: 1 ... KXP 2 K-B7 Q-R4+
(!£" 2' ••• K-R4, then 3 Q-N6+, winning
tlaequeen)3 K-B6 Q-N5 4 Q-R2+ Q-R4
5 Q-B4+ K.-R2 6 Q-B7+ K-R3 7 Q-N7
mat~.
gain a big material advantage by playing
#J if~ ~ ~ ~
~~~~~,.~ 1 QXBP, but after 1 ... Q-Q4! Black's

~~~~'··:.~
+ !*!%~~~~%~~~
~[!j ~ ~.1% .. i
otherpassedpawn,supported by his queen,
would be strong. The Hungarian grand-
L"~ ~~%"~ ~~
master, a great endgame artist, chose a

~~~~~~~""" safer line.

~~~~~~~~ 1 P-B4! P-K5 2 P-BS P-B4 (Black is

-~-~---"-~
forced to lose time, since 2 . . . P-K6
fails to 3 Q-Q4 +. This tempo advantage
enables White's pawn to advance more
449. Euwe-Reshevsky (Nottingham,
quickly) 3 P-B6 Q-Rl + (3 . . . P-K6
1936). White is not threatened by perpetual
is again met by 4 Q-Q4+, and after
check, so that he can safely advance his
4 ..• Q-K5 5 QXQ+ PXQ White queens
passed pawn. Black's counter-play is
with check) 4 P-B3 P-K6 5 Q-N6+
based on an attack on . . . KB7, and
K-B5 6 P-B7 P-K7 7 Q-K6 K-B6 (what
although it does not appear dangerous,
else?) 8 QXBP+ K-N7 9 Q-N4+ K-B7
accurate play is required to repel it.
10 Q-KB4+ K-N7 11 Q-K3 K-B8
I P-R6 Q-R6 2 P-R7 P-K5 3 Q-QN8
12 Q-B3+ K-K8 13 Q-B4 Q-QBI 14 Q-
Q-KB6+ 4 K-N1 Q-Q8+ 5 K-R2 Q-K7
Q6 K-B7 (Lilienthal gives 14 ... K-B8!
6 Q-K5 + !, and Black resigned, since
retaining good drawing chances) 15 Q-Q8
after6 ... K-R2(or6 ... P-B37Q-B7+
P-K8=Q (15 ... QXQ 16 PXQ=Q
K-R3 8 Q-KB4+, and wins) 7 Q-B6
P-KB=Q 17 Q-R4+, and White wins)
Q-R7 8 QXBP+, White wins.
16 QXQ Q-Q7+ 17 K-R3 Q-B8+ 18
Variation: 1 ... Q-R7 2 P-R7 P-K5
K-R4 Q-B5+ 19 P-B4, and Black re-
3 Q-N7 P-K6 4 P-R8=Q QXP+ 5
signed.
K-R3 Q-B8+ 6 K-R2.! P-K7 (6 ...
Q-B7+ 7 Q-KN2, and wins) 7 Q-QN2+
P-B3 8 Q-R7+ K-R3 9 Q-K3+, and
White wins. IV. QUl...EN AND MINOR PIECES

450. Maroczy-Marshall (Karlsbad, a) Queen and Bishop (or Knight) v. Queen

1907). When both sides have passed pawns, and Bishop (or Knight)
the one whose pawns advance faster has
the advantage. Also important is which 451. Lewitt. The plausible 1 Q-QN3+
king is better defended. Here. White could K-B8 2 Q-Ql + leads only to a draw,
 Queen and 1\finor Pieces 147

N-K3+ K-N6 2 0-:-.14~- K-B7

3 O-KB4+ K-K7 4 Q-Bl + K-Q7
5 0-01 + K-B6 6 0-B2+ K-N5 7
0-N2+ N-N6 (7 ... K-R4 8 .Y-B4+,
and mates) 8 O-R3 +! (a beautiful and
lethal deco\' sacrifice) 8 ... K X 0 9 N-B2
mate.
453 ~'if~ ~ ~
+ ~"'" ~ -~ ~
~}fl-~ ~~ ~~ ~~
so therefore White must also mobilize his
~-~·;.~ ~~ ~~ ~
knight. As the black pawn prevents him ~~~·~ ~~
from doing this, his first task is to elimi-
~ -~ m ~~~•~
~~''--~
nate the bishop which is defending the ~~%~0~~
pawn, and then the pawn itself.
~~~­
I 0-R7+ K-N7 2 0-R8+ K-1{7 ~ ~'if~ ~
3 OXB-7- K-l\'7 4 0-N7+ K-B7 5
453. Prokes. A sequence of white checks,
O-KR7+ K-;-,n 6 0-K;-\7-1- K-R7 7
which drive Black's king into an increas-
0-0R7 + K-N7 8 Q-04+ K-R7 9
ingly bad position, is followed by a quiet
OXP+ K-:K7 10 0-N3+ K-B8 11
m~ve, which provides a pretty ending.
0-01 + K-1'7 12 N-B4+ K-R7 13
I N-K6+ K-K5 (1 ... K-K4 would
O-B2+ O-N7 14 OXO mate. It is fortu-
shorten the struggle by two moves) 2
nate for White that the black king is
O-K2+ K-04 3 0-03+ K-K4 (if 3 ...
hemmed in, otherwise his queen and knight
KXN 4 Q-KR3+ wins) 4 0-04+ K-B4
could not win against the black queen.
5 0-KB4+ K-N3 6 0-1\5 + K-B2
Variation: 1 . . . K-B6 2 O-KN7 +
70-N7+ K-K18 N-B7+ K-019 K-B6!
P-05 3 0-0B7+ K-N7 (or 3 ... K-N5
O-B4 10 0-N8+ K-K2 11 N-05+,
4 Q-QB4 -1-, and wins) 4 O-N6+ K-B7
and White wins .
.5 O-N3+, and White wins as from move
Variation: 2 •.. K-B4 3 0-B3+ K-N3
·w of the main variation. (3 ... K-K4 4 Q-B4+ K-Q4 5 Q-Q4+
KXN 6 Q-KN4+) 4 0-N4+ K-B3 5
O-N5+, transposing into the main va-
riation.

452. Kubbel. The flight of the black

king brings him into close proximity with
White's king, and a decoy sacrifice draws
him into a mating net.
148 Sb: Hundred Endings

a position where it is no longer capable of 456. Fischer-Keres (Bled, 1961). When

participating in the battle. The game is supported by its queen; a knight is an
then decided by a· struggle for space, excellent blockading piece. While a passed
which results in the complex encirclement pawn supported by a bishop will usua1Jy
ofBJack's king. win in materially balanced positions
1 Q-KB6 QXP 2 Q-R8+ Q-Bl 3 without queens (as was demonstrated
(}-RS+ K-Ql 4 Q-Ql+ K-B2! 5 earlier), this is less likely with queens
Q-QBI + (the check has to be given from on the board. The knight is generally
a black square, sim:e-after 5 Q-lil2 + ? K -Q3 able to block the pawn, while the queen is
Black's troubles WCilWkl be over) 5 ... 1 active on the other wing, and a draw can

K-N2 6 Q-B6+ K-JU 1 Q-R4+ K-N2 frequently be secured by _perpetual check,

8 Q-N5+, and WE!itewins. even at the cost of sacrfficing the knight.
Variation:5 .•. K-QI6Q-Q2+ K-B2 White cannot win here. even if Black
7 Q-R5+ K-N2 8 Q-N5+ K-R2 9 choses the passive continuation I ...
N-B6+ K-Rl 10 Q-R6 mate. N-NJ, since Black\ cd~tralized queen
allows him to defend his'knight while at
455·~~~ the same· time preparing for perpetual
~~~~~~~~
+ ~~ ~~-,.,;<~f"'"~~ check. But. this is also possible if the knight

•
• • m
~ ~%(o'~"'""Y//.'':.t"'";% ~
jf~ ~.~ •
~ is sacrificed.
I ... N-Ql! 2 B-B3 (2 QXN Q-K8+,
~~% ;.~% ,;.~:.;:~ ~(0'/,(
%"''~~~ • ~ with perpetual check) 2 ... NxP! 3 BXN
~-~~
y,,/~ ~~~~~~ Q-R8+ 4 K-R2 (the king cannot move to

~~-~-~-~
B2 because of the double attack 4 ...
Q-R2+) 4 ... Q-K4+, and a draw was
agreed, since after 5 P-N3? QXP+ only
455. Rinck. Black's queen has no choice Black can win.
but to take the white knight, which is
threatening a fork, but it ends up in a
dangerous position where it is vulnerable to
attack.
I N-05+! QXN! 2 Q-KN3+ K-B4
3 Q-N5-i- K-KS (3 ... K-K3 4 Q-N8+)
4 Q-N2-7 K-QS 5 P-B3+! K-B5 6
Q-QR2-i-, winning the queen and, of
course, the game.
456
457. Krejcik. The white pieces gradually
I= drive Black's king into a position where he
is either mated or loses his queen.
1 N-Q4+ K-B4 2 Q-B8+ K-NS
(2 ... KXN 3 Q-B3+ K-K6 4 Q-Kl+,
and wins) 3 Q-B3+ KXP 4 Q-Rl+
K-N5 5 K-N2! (the only quiet move
available threatens mate) 5 • • • Q-R5
 Queen and Minor Pieces 149

(or 5 ... K-84 6 Q-R3+ KXN 7 Q-B3-'c- B-N2+ B-Q4 (or I ... K-R2 2
K-K6 8 Q-kl +, and wins) 6 Q-KI + P-K4+) 2 P-K4 BXP 3 Q-Nl !, and
K-B4 7 Q-B3+ K-Q3 8 Q-B7 mate. White wins because the black bishop is
Variation: I ... K-Q3 2 Q-B4+ Q-K4 pinned against both king and queen.
(2 ... K-84 3 N-NJ-:-) 3 :'\i-B5+ K-K3 Variation: 1 ... K-NI2Q-R2.!... K-Bl
4 N-N7 +. K-Q3 5 N-KS-:- K-K3 t1 (or 2 ... K-R2 3 Q-B7+ etc.) 3 B-R3,
Q-KN4+ Q-B4 7 1'\-:'.i?+ etc. and White wins.

458·~~~~
+ ~iV~~~ ~
~~~.J~~~~~ b) Queen v. Mino1· Pieces
~~~~~~~~
~-,~~~~~ The queen is, of course, stronger than

.
....

\.
%~~~~~~
~~~~~~~
-~~ ~~ ~~-~
~ ~ I];
458. Lewitt. White can win only with a
two minor pieces, but in certain cases the
minor pieces, particularly a pair of bishops,
can achieve a draw and, less frequently
and mostly in studies, can even win.
On the other hand, three minor pieces are
usually stronger than a queen.
mating attack, but first he needs to cap-
460
ture the black bishop and knight's pawn.
1 Q-RS+ K-R2 2 Q-QRl+ Q-R3
3 QxB+ K-:'12 (3 ... K-Rl? 4 Q-NB+
K-N2 5 Q-/1,'8 mate) 4 Q-:i'i2+ K-R2
5 Q-KB2+ K-:1'\2 6 Q-B3...!.. K-R2 7
Q-K3+ K-N28Q-K4+ K-R29Q-Q4+
K-N2 10 Q-Q5+ K-R2 II Q-QB5+
K-N2 12 Q X NP+ K-R2 13 Q-N8 mate.
Victory with queen and bishop against
queen is possible only under exceptionally 460. Lolli. (Theoretical ending.) The
favourable circumstances. essence of this drawn position is that the
bishops should stay close to their king.
In this way Black's king defends the bish-
ops, which keep the white king at bay.
I Q-Q7+ K-Ni 1 Q~6+ K-N2
3 K-B4 B-R2! f'Jl the bishop is forced
to move, it shtYrM .stay close to the king
and avoid being p~4·Q-Q7+ K-N3
5 Q-K8+ K-N2 6 K-N4 :B-N3, With .a
draw.
Variation: 5 K-N4 B-Nl! 6 Q-K'8+
459. Prokes. Although Black is able to (6 Q-B5+ K-N2 7 K-R5 B-B2+) ti ......
avert the threat to checkmate him or K-N2 7 K-B5 B-R2+ 8 K-B4 B-NR,
capture his queen, his bishop gest into with a draw.
trouble, and is pinned and captured. A trap: 1 ... B-B2? 2 K-B5 B-B6
 150 Six Hundred Endi11gs

(the price for allowing the other bishop

t:o be pinned is that this bishop has to
leave the safety of the K-side) 3 Q-B7
111:-RS 4 Q-R7 B-N7 5 Q-N6 B-R6
6 Q--Q4+ K-BJ 7 Q-R8+ K-K2 8
Q-K5+ K-B1 9 K-B6 B-K1 10 Q-B7
B-R4 11 Q'-KN7+ K-KJ 12 Q-R8+
etc. There are· other secondary variations,
the solutions to·wllicllcan be found with-
out great difticulty~.
of movement; the king covers the knights,
461~~~~~~~~ and the knights keep the enemy king
away.
+ ~~~~~~~~ 1 Q-Q1 N-Q7+ 2 K-K2 N-N6 3
~~~~~~~~ Q-K1+ K-B5 4Q-R4+ :K-B6 5 Q-B6+
~~~~~~~­ N-Q5+ 6 K-B2 N-Q4, with . a draw,
~~~~~~~t because White's king• ca-nnot attack the
;;;i~ ;;;i~ ;;;i~---"~ knights. Of course, White can keep up
~ ~~ ~~ ~('~"'"<~
~ ~ ~ ~v
the assault, since the defender's job is
always more difficult than that of the
attacker.
461. Dedrle. (Theoretical ending.)
Black's king is pushed to the edge of the
board, and stalemated by the white queen,
forcing a bishop move and allowing the
penetration of the white king.
1 Q-K4+ K-R4! (avoiding a bishop
move until it is forced) 2 Q-K8+ K-N4!
3 Q-K3+ K-R5! 4 Q-R6+ K-N5 5
Q-K6+ K-R5 6 Q-KN6! (White has
achieved his aim: one of the bishops is
forced to move to a worse square) 6 ...
B-N5 7 Q-R6+ B-R4 8 K-N2! B-K4 463. Lolli. (Theoretical ending.) It is
9 Q-K3 B-N1 10 Q-Q4+, and White wrong for the knights to be in a position
wins. where they are defending each other,
Variation: 6 ... B-B5 .7 K-B2! B-N5 since it gives the white king an opportunity
(or 7 ... B-N4 8 Q-R7 + K-N5 9 Q-K4+ to penetrate.
K-R4 10 K-N3, and wins) 8 K-N2! B-R4 1 K-K4 K-N6 2 K-Q4 K-N7 3 Q-N7 +
(8 ... B-R6+ 9 K-BJ B-N4 10 Q-R7+) K-B7 4 Q-N5 K-Q8 5 Q-N3+ K-K7
9 Q-B5 B-R3 (9 ... B-N4? 10 Q-R3 6 Q-N3 K-B8 7 K-K4 N-B2 (forced)
mate) 10 Q-B6+ B-N4 11 Q-B2+ K-N5 8 K-Q5! N(B2)-K4 9 K-Q4 (and here
12 Q-B3+ K-R5 13 Q-KR3 mate. Black finds himself in zugzwang) 9 ...
K-K7 10 Q-N2+ K-QS 11 Q-KB2 K-B8
462. Lolli. (Theoretical ending.) The 12K-B3K-N813Q-B2+ K-R814Q-N3,
defending pieces have a certain freedom and wins.
 Queen and Minor Pieces 151

any time, or if it is pinned his king can

move to ... KR2.
I K-K7 B-RI 2 Q-KS+ K-R2 3 K-BS
B-N2+ 4 K-K7 B-RI 5 Q-R5+ K-NI
6 Q-N5 -i- B-N2 7 K-K6 K-R2 etc.

466 ~ -~--
~~~- -~~~---J~ ~
+ ~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~C"'~
464. (Theoretical ending.) The defence ~~~-~~~~
looks strong, because White's king is
stalemated. However, the black king can -~-~-~-~
~~~~~~~~
also be immobilized, and as a Jesuit one
of the knights must move.
I Q-B6 K-N6 2 Q-B5 K-N7 3 Q-B4
-~-~-~-~
466. Karstedt. (Theoretical ending.) The
K-N8 4 Q-B3 K-R7 5 Q-N4 K-R8
position is the same as the previous one,
6 Q-N3 N-QI 7 Q-R4+ etc.
except that all the pieces have been moved
It is interesting that, if in the initial
one file to the left. It is precisely this which
position Black's king is next to his knights,
allows White's queen to use the KR-file,
for example at ... QN3, it is not possible
and thus dislodge the knight.
for the white queen to immobilize him,
I Q-R6+ K-Nl 2 K-Q7! N-N5(B6)
and so the game ends inevitably in a
3 Q-N5+ K-BJ(RI) 4 Q-QB5(K5)+,
draw.
and wins.

465. Karstedt. (Theoretical ending.) 467. Prokes. It is not enough for the
A queen nearly always wins against bishop white king to vacate the queening square.
and knight. This is the only position where since Black is not only threatening to
the weaker side can manage to draw queen his pawn, but also to give perpetual
without any trouble. The essence of the check. It is the queen's job to count.e:r
position is that the bishop is defending these dangers.
the knight, and the opponent's king cannot I Q-N6! (threatening 2 K-N7 follOWCl!l
attack the bishop. Black can always move by the queening of the pawn) 1 ... ~
without essentially altering the position, P-N8=Q! 2 QXQ B-Q4+ 3 K-NB!!
because his bishop can go to . . • K.Rl at (3 Q-N7? fails to 3 •.. B-N3.f) -3 ...
 152 Six Hundred End;ngs

R-B2+ 4 K-BS B-K3+ 5 K-N7 B-Q4+ B-N5. Drawn, because both bishops are
6 K.-R6 B-B5+ 7 Q-NS! (just in time, defended, and the white king cannot
since. the other bishop is now powerless) break across the Q-file. Black played
7 .... BXQ+ 8 KXB, and White wins. . . . P-R4 only when this achieved the
Vaciiltion: 1 ... K-Q22Q-N7+ K-Bl immobilization of the pawn structure.
JQ.-N'Z'+ K-Ql4QXPB-Q4+ 5Q-N7!, This move would have been a great mis-
andwiils. take before t~e exchange of White's
A IDp: I Q-R7? B-QB2! 2 K-N7 KBP, in view of the possible break-
B-QJ+ 3 K-R6(B8) B-B5(K3) +, with through by P-N4, P-R5 and P-R6.
perpetual check.
4611 ,----.,.:=;0%,-------,·=0%,......,..t--.,•=·!i,......,·.....,.,
469
~ ~ri'f%~~ •u•%f*J~
I= ~~~~:xl/~~~~f*l% I+
• ~ ~ 1~
~~~--"~~~
~f*J.%~! ~~ ~~·%
.%

;1~ ~ ~ ;1~
•u•~~ ~~ ~~ ~••••~

-~~~~='~
-~-~.J-~
468. B. Larsen-Portisch (Match game, 469. Thomas-Reshel'Sky (Nottingham,
Porec, 1968). Because White's bishop's 1936). Although it appears that the white
pawn is too far advanced, his pawn for· pieces control all the important squares,
mation is inflexible, and the bishop pair the invasion of the black king is decisive.
can easily prevent the creation of a passed I ... Q-B6! (tying White's king down
pawn. The black pawns cannot move, to the defence of his RP, and at the same
but they serve to prevent the penetration time opening the way for the black king)
of the white king. 2 N-R6 (the black Jdng advances whatever
I ... B-K2! 2 P-N3 P-B4 3 K-K3 White plays) 2 ... K-Q4 3 N-N8 K-B5
B-B2 4 Q-N7 B-Kl 5 K-Q3 B-K.B3 4 N-K7 P-Q4 5 N-N8 K-B6! (a subtle
6 Q-NS B-K2 7 K-B4 K-B2 8 K-Q5 point: the immediate 5 ... K-Q6 is met by
K-Bl! 9 P-B6 (White cannot progress 6 N-K7 K-K7 7 N-B5 K-B8 8 N-N3 +)
any other way, since if 9 K-K6, then 6 N-K7 K-Q6! 7 K-Nl (now 7 N-B5
9 ... P-N6, with a draw) 9 ... BXP fails to 7 ... P-R4, while other knight
(the simplest; 9 • . . P_XP 10 Q-B4! moves are met by 7 .. . K -K7) 7
would be dangerous) 10 KXP B-K2+ QxRP, and White resigned.
·11 K-Q5 K-B2 12 Q-B4+ K-Nl
13 Q-N8 (after 13 K-K6 Black equalizes 470. Grigoriev. Only by the immediate
by 13 ... B-B1 14 P-N4 P-N6! 15 P-N5 promotion of his pawn can White avert
PXP 16 PXP B-N3!) 13 ... K-B2 14 the powerful threat of 1 ••• QXB+.
Q-N7 K-B1 15 K-K5 P-R4! 16 Q-N8 But this enforced sacrifice has a deeper
K-B2 17 Q-N7 K-Bl 18 Q-N8 K-B2 significance: the point of the combination
19 Q-B8P-N6!20Q-B4+ K-Bl21 QXP is to paralyse White's last remaining mobile
B-Q2! 22 Q-KB3+ B-KB3 + 23 K-Q5 piece.
 Queen and Minor Pieces 153

1 P-R8=Q QXQ+ 2 P-N7 Q-R2 the stronger side. But if the king moves
3 B-B2 Q-Nl 4 B-N3+ KXB 5 N-B6! forward to assist his queen without due
QXP stalemate. care and attention, he can get into un-
Variation: 2 ... QXN 3 P-N8=Q+ comfortable situations as is shown in this
QXQ 4 B-N3+ KXB stalemate. artistic ending. This study's beauty and
interest lie in the repeated zugzwang posi-
tions that precede checkmate.
I B-B6+ P-N42 K-R2! QXN 3 B-B3
(the first zugzwang) 3 ... Q-KB7 4 B-K5!
(this second zugzwang is lethal) 4 ...
Q-K8 5 P-N3+ Q><P7 6 By.P mate.

471. Prokop. The threat of a discovered

check prevents White from stopping the
promotion of his opponent's pawn, and
his position looks hopeless. But a beautiful
stalemating combination saves the game.
I QXP(N2) P-K7+ 2 K-N8 B-R7+
3 K-BS P-KS=Q 4 Q-Q2+ QXQ 473. Prokes. A less likely position than
stalemate. the previous one. What is the queen
1st variation: 3 ... B-B4+ 4 K-Q8 doing in the corner? Under the circum-
P-K8=Q 5 QXP+ KXQ stalemate. stances it is not surprising that White
2ndvariation:2 ... P-K8=Q3Q-B3+ can easily win the queen by I N-B6+,
Q X Q stalemate. but then he only draws because of the
''wrong" rook's pawn. In the variation
472. Rinck. As we have seen in the 1 B-K3 Q-R2 Black is saved by his king's
preceding example, the queen can some- pawn, but this pawn also restricts the
times be at a disadvantage against two queen, and White exploits this to force
minor pieces. Of course, there are only Black into zugzwang.
rare examples of this in actual play, mostly I B-B4+ K-R2 2 B-K3+ K-Nl
as a result of carelessness on the part of 3 K-Q8! (here is the zugzwangl) 3 ...
 154 Six Hundred Endings

Q-R24 N-B6+ K-R15 :-.i>:Q!,and wins

(bu: n0t 5 BXQ P-K().' etc.) .
./i4

476. Rinck. The concerted play of the

three minor pieces is too much for the
queen. The bishops chase the king until
474. Troitsky. Bbck's king is again in
the knight can make a decisive double
the worst possible position, se> that,
attack.
despite the quccn's great mobility, she is
I B-B2+ K-Q4 2 B-B4+ K-B3 3
unable to find refuge.
B-N5.- KXB 4 ~-Q6+, and White
1 N-K8! Q-R7 2 :'\-KB6+ K-K4
wins.
(2 ... K-B5 3 N-Q3 mate) 3 ~-N·++,
and wins.
1st \·ariation: 1 .. . Q-NI(QI) 2
~-KB6+ K-K4 3 :--i-B6, etc.
2nd variation: I ... Q-B6 2 N-KB6 +
K-K4 3 N-Q3+ K-Q3 4 t-\-K-h etc.
Th. · win is even easier in Cit her \·ariatio:ls.

477. Rinck. The theme of this ending is

the capture of the queen by means of
discovered check. The favourable position
for the knight's fork is prepared by the
two bishops.
1 B-N2 (parrying the threat of perpetual
check at . . . KBS and ... KR6) 1 •..
475. Schwers. The concerted action of Q-K61 (the queen would be lost imme-
the knights quickly simplifies the position, diately on any other square, for example
and White's passed pawn then wins. 1 . . . Q-R6(QB6) 2 NXP+ K-R2 3
1 P-R7! QXP (1 . . . QXN 2 N-N5+) 2 NXP+ K-R2 3 B-NJ! (there
P-R8=Q!) 2 N-K6+ K-R3! (2 ... are now 22 squares available to the queen,
K-B3 3 N-Q7+, and wins) 3 P-N5+ but on none of them can she find refuge)
K-R4 4 N-N61 (threatening5 N(N6)-B4 3 .•. Q-K1 (comparatively best, since
mate) 4 ... QXN 5 N-B4+ KXP 6 3 ... Q-Q6 is met by 4 N-B6+ and
NXQ P-B4 7 P-R5 P-BS 8 N-B4, and 5 N-N4+) 4 N-N5+ K-N15 B-R7(R2)+
White wins. K-Bl 6 N-Q6+, and White wins.
 Queens and Rooks 155

ing of a square, and at the same time opens

a vitally important diagonal for the white
queen.
1 R-K6+! (a decoy sacrifice, which
also opens a diagonal) I . . . R X R
2 Q-R6+ K-Q4 (the second rank is
taboo for Black, due to the geometrical
relationShip) 3 Q-B4+ K-Q3 (3 ... K-K4
would produce a diagonal geometrical
relationship) 4 Q-B5+ K-Q2 (the rook
478. Troitsky. Here one gains the
deprives the king of an important square)
impression of a shoot-out, the queen
5 Q-R7+, and White wins.
being unable to break out of the ring of
~ ~ ~
4~-j-~.~~~
minor pieces, and being gunned down. ;''/.

1 B-K4 Q-B1 2 N-BS! Q-K1 (there is

nothing better) 3 B-QS Q-N3 (compara- ~~ ~~---%~~~
tively best, since after 3 . . • Q-R4 4 ~ ~r-~~~ ~:z-~
N-Q7 + the queen is lost) 4 N-Q7 + ~~~a~~~~~
K-K15 B-B7+! K(Q)XB 6 N-K5(Q6)+, ~~~~~~~~
and White wins. ~~~~~~~~
Variation: 3 ... Q-B14 N-K6+ K-B2 ~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~
Lj
5 N-Q6+ etc.
480. Rinck. The line 1 Q-K3+ K-B2
2 R-B5+ K-N2 3 Q-K7+ is ineffecti'.c,
V. QUEENS AND ROOKS
since 3 ... K-Nl is a satisfactory defence.
For this reason White builds up his attack
a) Queen and Rook I'. Queen and Rook
so as to bring about a zugzwang situation.
1 R-B7 + R-Q2 (moving the king
allows mate in a few moves) 2 Q-B5+
K-Q1 (on 2 ... K-K3(Kl) 3 Q-B5(K5)+
is decisive. But now, if it were Black to
play, his only good move would be
.•. R-Q-1+. White's aim, therefore, is to
eliminate this possibility, while at the
same time preserving the character of the
position) 3 K-R6!, and White wins,
because Black is in zugzwang.
479. Troitsky. In practice, endings with
queen and rook against queen and rook, 481. Rinck. White threatens mate, but
without pawns, usually develop from rook his real aim is to pin Black's rook and thus
endings where both sides queen a pawn. gain a decisive material advantage.
The side which begins checking normally 1 Q-K4+ K-R3! 2 R-R6+ R-B3
bas a decisive advantage. Here the sur- 3 Q-B5! RXR 4 QXQ R-QB3 5 K-B3,
prising opening sacrifice forces the block- and White wins.
/56 Six Hundred Endings

\"~triati(ln:
2 ... K·R-+ 3 Q-K:'- (an instructive re-grouping: White's queen
K-~5 4 R-Q:\t, :- i:-:.--R.:' .5 R-QR6 ·· i~ now attacking the black BP, and also
K--..;s 6 Q-QR5 m:tt<>. supporting his rook's activity) 3 ... K-B2
(Black has no good move) 4 P-N4! K-Bl
(the pawn sacrifice is forced, since White
\\ins easily after 4 ... PXP 5 Q-R7+
K-816 Q-RB+ and 7 RXP) 5 PXP Q-Kl
6 R-K4 Q-R4 7 R-KN4 Q-B2 8 Q-K3
Q-KR2 9 R-N6, and Black abandoned
the hopeless struggle.

48.:. Prokes. In the examples given abo\.:

the rook came under a d0ubh: pin, and
this led either to the loss ·,f the rook N
to the queen bei~g undefended. In this
example the roles are reversed, in that it
is the queen that is pinned. and the rook
that turns out to be undefended.
1 Q-B4-:- Q-Q4! (I ... Q-B2 2 QXQ7' 484. Alekhine-Keres (AVRO Tourna-
KXQ 3 R-KB4-'-) 2 P-QS=Q! R>:Q ment, 1938). In view of the weakness of
(or 2 ... QxQ 3 QXR-.-, and wins) Black's king position and his second rank,
3 R-Q4! QXQ 4 RXR+ .:tc. White could have won by force.
A trap: 1 P-QS=Q? Q-B8-;- 2 K-Q2 1 RXP! QXP (I ... RXP fails, of
Q-B7+ 3 K-B1 QXQ+ -+ K~<Q RxQ, course, to 2 Q-N6+) 2 Q-B4+ K-B1
and Black has the better position. (2 . _. Q-Q4 3 R-N7+ and 4 Q-B7)
3 R-N7 R-Q2 4 Q-B8+ K-K2 5 R-N3!
483. Alekhine-Colle (Baden-Baden, P-B4 (if 5 . - . K-B2 6 R-N8!, or 5 ...
1925 ). With major pieces on the board, R-Q/ 6 Q-N4 K-Bl 7 R-N7, and wins)
a blockaded passed pawn can be realized 6 Q-Kl"8 K-B3 7 Q-K8! R-KB2 (7 ...
only if there is some other weakness in K-lf4 is met by 8 R-Q31 Q-N3 9 P-B4+)
the opponent's position. 8 P-B4!, and Black is helpless against the
1 Q-QB4 Q-Q2 2 R-Q4 K-N2 3 Q-Q3! threat of 9 R-N6 and 10 Q-K5 mate.
 Queen and Rooks 15i

A false trail: Alekhine played the weaker 486. (Theoretical ending.) To capture
1 Q-N6+, and after 1 ... K-B1 2 Q-R7 the rook, White has to force it away from
K-B2 the players agreed a draw. 2 R-N4 the king.
is insufficient, in view of 2 . . . Q-B~ 1 Q-R1+ K-N1 2 Q-R5! (2 Q-R6
3 RXP QXQ 4 PXQ RXP 5 R-N8+ R-KB5+ 3 K-X6? R-B3-:- draw) 2 ...
K-K2 6 R-N8 P-B4 7 RXP+ K-B3 R-QR2 (2 ... R-KR2? 3 Q-KB mate)
8 R-N8 R-Q2 9 K-R3 R-KN2 etc. 3 Q-Q5+ K-R2(Rl) 4 Q-RI + K-~1
5 Q-KN1+, and White wins. The rook
~ ~~ ~~ :~~
485 •••• '..-ould also be lost in other YJriations .
/-'-
. ~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
487 • • • •
~~~~~y;~tt~
··if~iif~i
..~r~~.Jfr~rfti~/r~f>i··~~ --- ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
~
~~~~-~~~
. .. .
;(A':.&;(Q;..SS,;(Q;.
%~ %~ %~ ~
~~ ~~~,. -~~ ~~
... ... ....

~-0 ~% ~\\ill~~-~
•

~~~~~~~~
""

:f~ ~~ ~t§r~<i!/~~
•~ ~~-~ {.~~-A~~~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~-~
~-0,~~~~ ~~~
485. NimzO\vitseh-Capablanca (New
York, 1927). There is an immense dis-
m ~ B •
487. (Theor~ti..:;1l cnditjg.) To capnrre
parity between the effectiveness of the the rook, White first I1as to push back 1he
two players' pieces. Furthermore, White opposing forces, and then to separate lh<>
has to concern himself over the safety rook from the king.
of not only his pawns, but also his king. I K-:'-\2 R-B5 2 K-B3 R-K5 3 K-(>.3
I ... Q-QB8! 2 K-~3 (\Vhite"s other R-QS..:... 4 K-K3 R-Q-1- 5 Q-7'3-:- K-1-i
pieces cannot move, and any pawn move 6 Q-B-l--:- K-K3- K-K~ R--Q3 S Q-B5-
would result in a further weakening of his K-K2 9 K-K5 R-Q2 JL, Q-B6-:- K-h.l
position) 2 ... Q-KRS! 3 R-Q3 R-K~; II Q-RR-:- (II K-f,/i:' R-Q3-- dr;·,.,,,
4 R-KB3 R-QS 5 P-N3 R-QBS! 6 R-K3 II ... K-B2 i2 Q-!C -- K-KI 13 Q-:\'·-
(White is in zugzu:ang; he cannot moYe his K-K2 14 Q-QB~· ~ R- Q'· (th(' queen :1;:~
rook's pawn in view of 6 ... R-KN8--c-) achieved her aim: t~h.' i'l'Clk has kft ,;;.;
(• ... R-B8, and White resigned, since if kingt 15 Q-QB:',- 1-\.-QI 16 Q-R:· --
I Q-"2, then 7 ... R-K'-:s, while- Q-K2 K-K217Q-"-'-l-- K <,tl!·K-K6!(atl::st
is met by 7 ... Q-~t:+ ~ K-R3 R-H7. \Vhi:e's kin,: C:.tll !. ,,·.-.: ::~ain; now ;lc'
~·an:-.·:->t l'e ~·!;.:c·h.:d• P• ... K-B2 i''
b) Qti<'< 11 \'. Ru£1k () K!34- K--Bi: :-:-' Q H-l-i- K.-01 2i
'J-:\3! R-l-:.~· ~~ h 06 K--BI ':
Q-QB3-:-, and\\ hi!,' v.i:>.

488. Ponziani. 1 l!t::•.'r~·tkal ending.,

Black cannot an1iJ p~rp.:tual check, si:::..:.:
his king cannot approac:h dose enough tc
the white king in \ie\·: of the stalem;!te
danger, and he <:annct step onto the K-11k
as this would lo.,e his qu.:.:n.
 158 Si.r: Hundred Endings

I R-KR2-i- K-N2 2 R-KN2+ K-B3

black pawn from the rear. The king's
3 R-KB2+ K-N4 (3 ... K-K4? 4 R-K2,
advance is prepared by the queen.
draw) 4 R-KN~_!- K-B5 5 R-KB27
I Q-R7+ K-K3 2 Q-QB7 R-QB4
K-;'-:6 6 R-Kl\:2-i- K-R6 (6 ... K-B6
3 Q-QS R-K44Q-K8+ K-Q45 Q-QB8!
7 R-.V3+ K~<R stalemate) 7 R-KR2.:..
R-K5+ 6 K-B5 R-K4+ 7 K-B6 R-K5
K-:\6 (7 ... K:-~ R sr:~Iematc) 8 R-R3.:..
8 Q-B3 (Philidor gave 8 Q-KB5+, but
K>: R stalemate.
the:-~ the win takes slightly longer) 8 ...
R-K3-!- 9 K-B7 R-K4 10 K-B8! R-K5
II Q-Q3+ R-Q5 12 Q-BS+ K-BS
13 Q-QB2+ K-Q4 14 K-K7 K-K4
15Q-K2+ K-B516K-Q7R-Q417K-B7
R~5 18 K-B6 K-B4 19 Q-K3, and
White \'vins.
1st variation: 5 ... K-Q5 6 Q-B6
R-Q-l- 7 K-B3 K-K4 8 Q-B3+ K-B4
9 Q-B4 R-K4! 10 Q-KB7+ K-N4
II Q~7 R-KB4+ 12 K-N3 R-Q4 (or
489. (Theoretical ending.) The queen 12 ... R-BJ 13 Q-N4+ K-R3 14 K-R4,
cannot win against a rook and a NP, BP, and wins) 13 Q-K6 R-Q6+ 14 K-B2
QP or KP if the latter is on its original R-Q7+ 15 K-B3 R-Q6+ 16 K-K4,
square. There is insufficient room behind and wins.
the pawn for White to force a way in for 2nd \ariation: 4 ... K-B3 5 ~7
his king, and without this he cannot win. R-K3 6 K-N4 K-K4 7 K-N5 K-Q4
1 Q-!\7 K-Ql 2 Q-B8+ K-B2 3 8 Q-KB7 !, and wins.
Q-K:"/8 R-QB3 4 K-K5 R-K3+ 5 K-Q5 3rd variation: I ... K-Ql 2 Q-KB7
R-QB3 etc., with a draw. K-Bl 3 Q-QR7 K-Ql 4 Q-N8+ K-Q2
It should also be mentioned that the 5 Q-~7+ K-Ql6 Q-B6 K-K2 7 Q-B7+
queen similarly cannot win if the pawn K-K3 8 Q-Q8 R-KB4+ 9 K-N4 R-K4
has reached the sixth rank under th~ pro- 10 Q-K8+ K-B3 (10 ... K-Q4 II
tection of the rook. Q-QB8! leads to the position after the
fifth move ofthe main variation) 11 Q-Q7
490. Guretzky-Cornitz. (After Philidor; R-Q4 (if 11 . . . R-Ia, 12 K-B4 wins)
theoretical ending.) White's king must 12 K-B4 R-Q5+ 13 K-K3 R-Q8 14
break across the fifth rank and attack the Q-Q8+ K-B2! 15 Q-R4!, and White
 Queens and Rooks 159

wins, becaus~ the black rook is forced to 492. (Theoretical ending.) The rook"s
abandon the Q-file. This line is the most pawn on its original positi0n limits the
straightforward one.! movement of the king to such an extent
The queen's manCEuvre is not quite so that the latter is unable to ward off the
effective against a bishop's pawn, but it is threats from White's quet>n, unlike 'in the
still difficult to find the correct defence. previous example. ·
A knight's pawn secures a draw on any 1 Q-Q7! K-~1 2 Q-K7! K-RI 3
rank, since there is insufficient room on Q-QB7!R-N24Q-B8+ R-~15Q-B6+,
the edge of the board for the queen to
force a way round for the king.

~ ~ ~
4~ ~~~~~~~~
!I~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
. and White win<.

~~!~~~~~
m~~~~~~~
L-~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
493. Guretzky-Cornitz. (Theoretical end-
491. Guretzky-Comitz. (Theoretical end- ing.) White can win only by attacking the
ing.) The black king has sufficient freedom, opponent's pawn with his king. Iri thi<:
while White's queen is unable to get position the queen can open up a passage
behind the pawn, and thus help his king to for the king, since it ha~ sufficient n·~'­
cross the QN-file. Consequently the pawn r:ceuYring room o·1 th.: eighth rank.
cannv: be captured. I Q-Q5 K-R3 2 Q-B6+ K-R2 3 K-Q3
1 Q-K7+ K-Nt 2 Q-KS+ K-::\2 3 R-N3 4 Q-B7 -:- K-R3 5 Q-BS.:. K-R2
Q-Q8K-R2 4 Q-QBS R-N2! 5 Q-QB5-'- 6 K-B4 R-N2 i Q-QS :K.-R3 8 Q-QRS+
K-Nl 6 Q-Q6+ K-R2 7 Q-Q4+ K-Rl K-N~ 9 K-::'\3 R-QR2 10 Q-Qi\S-'-
S K-B5 K-R2 9 K-B6+ K-R1 10 Q-QS -:- K-R3 11 K-R4 R-Q'\2 12 Q-QR~-,-.
R-Nl! 11 Q-Q5 R-N2, with a draw. :md White win,:.
A trap: 4 ... K-N3? 5 Q-Q!'8+ 1st variatio;t: 2 ... R-'\'3 3 0--R~-:
K-B3 6 Q-R7 R-N3 7 K-Q4 K-N4 K-N4 4 K-~3 R-QR3 5 Q-Q5-- K-:\.~
S K-Q5 K-R49Q-QB7 K-~410Q-B5+, 6 K-R4 R-R2 7 Q-Q•'- K-'<2 S K-:'\.:'
and White win~. J-:-Bl9Q-B8+ K-'\~ JOQ-1'-7- K-'::
1 I Q-Q8+ K-~::! 1.:? Q-:\6~- K-Rl 13
K-B6, and wins.
2nd variation: I ... R-:\4 2 Q-Q6.!-
K-N2 3 K-B4 R-~3 4 Q-Q5+, anc
\\'bite wins. The bbck pawn is lost, sin<:.?
4 ... R-QB3+ is answered by 5 K-:'-\5,
which wins the ro0k, while on 4 ... K-R3
there follows 5 Q-R8 mate.
160 Six Hundred Endings

escapes from this by a stalemating com-

bination, and the result is a draw, because
Black's king cannot cross the fifth rank and
his queen is powerless on its own.
1 P-N7! QXP 2 RXP Q-K4+ 3
R-QB3 QXNP 4 K-R3! Q-N4 (4 ...
Q;..: R stalemate) 5 K-~2 K-N5 6
R-B4+, with a draw.
A trap: I P-K7? QXP (after 1 .•.
P-N7? 2 P-R4+ K-R4 3 R-N3 QXR 4
494. Troitsky. White restricts the queen 's
P-K8 =Q White's artful manceuvre would
mobility with a decoy saclificc, which
h:nc succceded)2 RXPQ-K4+ 3 R-QB3
enables h:m tc uraw by perpetual check.
Q-~2! 4 P-R3 Q-B3 5 P-:-.14 K-R5
The acc~j)tan.:.o' 0f the sacrific~ i.;; I:C't
6 P-N5 P ;<P 7 P-B6 P-N5 8 PXP Kx P,
obligatory for Black, hut its refusal !.:ads
;:Pd Black wins.
to materi.ol equality being re-established.
1 P-K6 P::P 2 R-R2! Q-B3 3
R-KN2-;-, with a draw.
VariatiL'n: I . . . K-B3 2 P-K7!
Q-K3+ 3 K-B2 Q-Kl 4 P-R4! Q><P!
(forced, since 2-iter 4 ... P-Q4? 5 P-R5
P-Q5 6 K-Kl.' P-Q6 7 R-K3 K-B2 S
K-Q2! K-B3 9 P-R6 K-N2 10 P-R7 K-B:
11 R.-K4.' K-B3 12 P-R8=Q \VI:ite win,.
No better is - ... P-Q7..:,, since aft;?r
8 KXP Q-Q.:'+ 9 K-Kl K-BJ 10
P-KB=Q~ th<! black Lng is outside the
squareoftheQRP) 5 RXQK;..:R6K-K3
-196. Salvioli. Two rooks are normally
K-Q3 7 K-Q4. with a draw.
-<tronger than a·queen, so that the latter
.:.!il win only in fortunate circumstances.
495
Here the rooks cannot carry out their
defensive functions effectively, since their
own king prevents them from working
together.
I Q-B4! R-R6+ 2 K-N4+ (there was
no defence against this discovered attack)
2 ... K-N7 3 Q-K2+, and White wins.

497. Rinck. Here again Black's rooks

495. Selemiev. Black's strong passed cannot combine together properly, but it
pawn has to be countered by \Vhite's is considerably more difficult for White
pawns on the sixth rank. These pawns to exploit this than in the previous
are duly exchanged, but then the rook is example.
subjected to a dangerous pin. But White I Q-KNI + K-Bl! 2 Q-BS+ K-NI!
 Queens and Rooks 161

497 ~~
~~ ~
--"~ ~•~s
~~ ''"
+ ~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
L,;~~~
(2 ... K-Kl 3 Q-B6+) 3 Q-K7 R-Q6 499. Rinck. The queen is badly placed
4 Q-K8+ K-N~ 5 Q-K5+ K-R2! 6 on the edge of the board, and she can do
Q-K4!, mating or winning a rook. nothing to hinder the rooks. Black tries
1st Yariation: 3 ... R-QS 4 Q-K8+ to find cover behind the white king, but
K-N2 5 Q-K5+ K-Nl 6 Q-1':3+ K-Bl unsuccessfully.
7 Q-QNS+ K-N2 8 Q-N2+ K-R2 9 I R-K6+ K-N4 2 R-K5+ K-R5
Q-QB2! R-KB8+ 10 K-K6+ K-R3 II 3 R-K4+ K-R6 4 K-B4+ K-R5 5
Q-KR2+ K-N2 12 Q-KN2+, and wins. K-Q5+ K-N4 6 R-QN3+ K-R4 7
There is a blemish to this variation, in that R-QR3+, etc.
White also wins after 6 Q-N8+ K-N2
7 Q-N7+ K-R3(Bl) 8 Q-B6(B8)+ K-N2
9 Q-QB3+ K-R2 10 Q-KR3+ K-N2
11 Q-N4+.
2nd variation: 3 ... R-Rl 4 Q-K6+
K-N2 5 Q-KN6+ K-Bl 6 Q-KB6+
K-Nl 7 K-N6 R-KR2 8 Q-K6+ K-Rl
9 Q-K5+ K-N1 10 Q-Q5+, and wins.

500. Lommer. Victory is achieved by

a skewer, set up by a decoy sacrifice.
I R-R6+ K-Q2! 2 R-B7+ K-Kl 3
R-QR7! Q-K4 4 R-KR8+ QXR 5
R-R8+, and White wins.
Variation: 3 ... QXR4 R-R8+ K-B2
5 R-R7+ etc.

498. Prokes. (Theoretical ending.) The 501. Feijter. Black's king mustlbe·dciwm
position of Black's king is so bad that he away from his queen, otherwise the ;eost
can counter the opponent's mating threats of capturing will be too high for Wliite.
only by giving up his queen. 1 R-KN7! K-Bl (the queen haB ;no
1 R-K6+ K-Q1 (1 ..• K-B2 2 R-KB5+) good move) 2 R(7)-N7 Q-R4 3 R(?r-M!
2 R-R5! Q-B6+ 3 R-Q5+, and White Q-R3 4 R-N8+ K-K2 5 R(4)-N7+
wins. K-Q3 6 R-N6+, and White wins.
162 Six Hundred Endings

A trap: 1 R(7)-QN7? Q-R4 2 R(7)-N5 5 K-B6+ K-RJ 6 R-Q8+ K-R2 7 R-R5

Q-R3 3 R-N8+ K-Q2 4 R(4)-N7+ mate.
K-B3, with a draw, since Black wins both 1st variation: 3 ... Q-Nl 4 R-KN7+
rooks for the queen. K-Rl S R-R5 mate.
2nd variation: 2 ... Q-KB I 3 R(5)-K 7
P-R6 4 R-KN7+ K-Rl 5 R-KR7+
K-NI 6 R(Q7)-KN7+ etc.
3rd variation: I . . ·: K-BI 2 R-KB7+
K-Nl 3 R(3)-K7 Q-QBI 4 R-KN7 +
K-R15 R-KR7+ K-Nl6 R(K7)-KN7+
K-Bl 7 R-R8 mate.

502. Prol•cs. No danger threatens Black

from the fact that his queen cannot move
along the second rank. The important
thing is for it to be free to move diagonally
and along the file. The black pawn is
already blocking the diagonal, so White
must force the black king to block the
other important approach. 504. Henkin. If White's king leaves
l R-QB5+ K-NI 2 R-QS+ K-R2 the corner square, there is no defence
3 R-QR5+ K-N3 4 R(8)-QR8!, and the against the queen's checks.
qu.:~n is h'sl. 1 K-N7 Q-QN4+ 2 R-QN6 Q-Q4+
3 R(8)-B6 Q-B2+ 4 K-NS Q-Kl + 5
503. Prokes. Black's queen is restricted R-B8 Q-K4+ 6 R-B7 Q-Kl + 7 K-N7
by his own pawns, which prevents him Q-K5+ 8 R(6)-QB6 Q-QN5+ 9 K-RS
from defending against the white rooks' Q-KS 10 K-NS Q-QN5+ 11 R-QN7
attack. Q-BI + 12 R-BS Q-Q3+ 13 K-RS
1 R-Q7! (threatening 2 R(3)-K7) 1 ... Q-Q4, with a draw.
Q-Nl! 2 R-K5! (with the threat of Black was able to draw only because his
3 R-KN7+ K-Bl 4 R-B5+) 2 ... king was far away and did not hinder his
Q-NS+ 3 R-B5 Q-N8+ 4 R-N5 Q-N8+ queen. If the king cannot be in front of
 Queens ancl Rooks 163

the pawn, the defending side has the best

L:hancc for a draw when his king is as far
away as possible.
,-~,-,~==-=:a:=~=---=~,_,----,~=
~~ ~~ ~~ ~
505 f*!'"
+~~
~ 3~ ~-~
i~ 0.~ ~0.~
~~~~~~~~
:m:l:•:•
~~~~~~~~ K-Q2 6 K-R7 Q-K6 7 R(5)-B6 Q-K5
.~.~-~-~ 8 P-R6 Q-B6 9 K-N7 K-Q1 10 P-R7
Q-B2+ 11 K-1"8, and Black resigned, sin-
ce after I I . . . Q-KB5 + the counter-
505.Henkio.l R(8)-B7+ K-Ql2K-N7
check 12 R-Q6+ wins.
Q-QN4+ 3 R-QN6 Q-Q4+ 4 R(7)-B6
Q-B2+ 5 K-NS Q-KB5+ 6 R-Q6+,
and White wins.
If the black king were at ... K4, with
the positions of the other pieces un-
-:hanged, there would follow:
1 K-N7 Q-N4+ 2 R-QN6 Q-Q4+
3 R(8)-B6 Q-B2+ (3 ... Q-Q2+ 4 K-R6
Q-Ql 5 R-N8 Q-Q6+ 6 R-N5+ etc.)
-1- K-NS Q-K1+ 5 R-B8, and wins.
Or with the Black king at . . . K5:
1 K-N7 Q-QN4+ 2 R-QN6 Q-Q4+ 507. Henkin. Supported by a king and
3 K-N8Q-K4+ 4R-B7Q-Kl+ 5K-N7, two rooks, a knight's pawn wins C\cn
and again Black's king is in the way, so that if it has only reached the third rank. But
White wins. it is important that the rooks should be
Of course, in practice the rook's pawn doubled on the correct file, this being two
seldom reaches the seventh rank. If his files away from the pawn. In this position
king is in front of the pawn, the defending Black cannot prevent his king from being
side can always sacrifice his queen for forced back onto the first rank.
the two rooks. If the rook squeezes the With White to move: 1 R-Q6+ K-B2
king away from the square in front of the 2 R-Q7! forces the exchange of the rooks
pawn, the king must flee into the "drawing for the queen, since Black's king cannot
zone", to avoid hindering the queen. return to the third rank because of the
danger of mate.
506. Osnos-simagin (Moscow-Lenin- With Black to move, he must fu&t
grad Match,' 1960. With colours reversed). attempt to parry the above threat: 1 •••
Black has defended badly, and his king is Q-KB1+ 2 R-Q6+ K-B2 3 K-NS
"stuck" in the danger zone. Q-QN1+ 4 K-B5 Q-KB1 (4 ... Qx.P
1 K-B6 Q-Q3+ 2 K-N7 Q-Q2+ 3 loses the queen after 5 R-Q7 + K-Nl
K-R6 Q-Q6 4 R(4)-B5 Q-KB6 5 R-N6+ 6 R-QB+ K-R2 7 R(2)-Q7+, while if
164 Six Hundred E11dings

4 ... Q-R2+ then 5 K-B4) 5 R-Q5! Q-K2 509. Henkin. A bishop's pawn does not
(o ... Q-Bl+ 6 K-N5 Q-Kl+ 7 R-Q3 ensure a win even when it has reached the
merely transposes) 6 K-N5 Q-K7+ seventh rank, but the defending side has
7 R.-Q3 Q-K4+ 8 R(6)-Q5 Q-Kl + to defend very accurately, even when the
9 R..-Q7+ K-Bl 10 K-:1'6 Q-N3+ II pawn has only reached the sixth rank.
R~7}-Q6 Q-Nll+ 12 R(3)-Q4 followed by I R-Q4! (1 R-Kl does not get White
J!3l R-Q8+, and White wins. anywhere after I . . . K-N3 2 K-Q8
Variation: 3 ... Q-B8+ 4 R(2)-Q3 Q-QB4!) 1 ... K-R3! 2 R-B6 K-N3!
Q-B4-i- 5 R(6)-Q5 leads to the mam (a position of mutual zugzwang) 3 R-Q2
variation. Q-R5 4 R-QN2+ K-R2 (4 ... K-R3?
loses to 5 R-QR2! QXR 6 P-Bl-7-)
5 K-B7 Q-R4+ 6 K-88 Q-R3+ 7
R-N7+ K-RI 8 K-Q8 Q-R4+ 9 R-QB7
(the sim"plest answer to 9 K-K8 is 9 ...
Q-Ql+.') 9 ... K-Nl 10 R-87 Q-Q4+
II K-K8 Q-K3+, with a draw.
Variation: 3 R-QN4 QXR 4 P-B'+
K-R2! 5 P-BS=Q Q-K2+ 6 KX Q
stalemate.
1st trap: I ... K-Nl '? 2 R-86! K-R2
508. Henkin. The weaker side has no 3 R(B6)-B4, and White wins.
hope of a draw if his king is cut off from 2nd trap: I ... K-N3? 2 R-B6! Q-QB4
the pawn. (or2 ... Q-K43P-Bl+ QXR4R-Q6-r)
I P-N4 Q-R5 2 K-B3 Q-R3 3 R-Q5~­ 3 P-B7+ K-~2 4 R-QN4+ etc.
K.-K5 4 P-N5 Q-R4+ 5 K-B4 Q-RS
~ ~ ~ E
6 P-1\6 Q-QB8+ 7 K-N5 Q-Bl l> R-Q7
s1o
I= ~~~~~~~~-_;.
Q -B6 9 P-'\7 Q-QN6+ 10 K-86 Q-85+
~~:~~~~­
! I K-N6 Q-N5+ 12 K-R7 Q-R5..;-
~~~~~~~~~
I3 K-l\8 Q-R4 14 R-K7+ K-86 15
~~~~--"~~~
~~~~~~~~
.
R-Q6 K-B5 16 R(7)-K6! (doubling rooks
on the sixth rank provides the safe~t
~~%·"~~~~~
tkkiK·~ against ~:hecks by the queen)
16 ... K-B6 17 R-QR6 Q-QI- 18 K-R7 ~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~
Q-1.)5-- IY K-JU; Q-Q4 21.1 R(K6)-QB6~.
;llld Whit~ wins. 510. Henkin. White can push back th~
black king using the same method as
\vith the knight's pawn (example 507),
but since Black can also manreuvrc on
the QR-file he is able to draw.
I ... Q-KNI + 2 R-K6+ K-Q2 3
K-B5 Q-QBI+ 4 K-Q4 Q-KRI+ 5
R(2)-K5 Q-R5+ 6 R-K4 Q-B7+ 7 R-K3
Q-Q7+ 8 K-B5 Q-K87 9 P-B4 Q-NS
10 R-K7+ K-Bl II K-B6 Q-N7+
 Queen and Rooks 165

11 R(3)-K4 K-N1! 13 P-BS Q-B6 14 4 R-KS Q-Q7+ 5 K-K7 Q-N5 -1- 6 K-KS,
R-K8+ K-R2 15 K-IH Q-QR6! 16 P-B6 and White wins.
Q-R4+ 17 K-BS Q-KB4+ 18 R(4)-K6
Q-Q419 R(8)-K7+ K-RI20 P-B7 K-R2
11 R-K5 Q-NI+ 22 K-Q7 Q-N5+
23 K-QS Q-Q5+ 24 R-Q7 Q-KRS+
25 R(5)-K7 Q-Rl+, with a draw by
perpetual check, even though the pawn
has reached the seventh rank.
The queen's mobility asserts itself
against a centre pawn, and the checks
given from either side cannot be avoided.
A win is possible only if the pa\\ n has 512. Petrosian-Geller (21st USSR
reached at least the sixth rank. Championship). In endings with a material
advantage, a queen is particularly strong
if its pawns are connected. Such positions
often occur in practice, and the only chance
for the defending side is to activate his
rooks. In this example the black king is
also badly placed, and so his rooks cannot
leave the second and third ranks. The
advance of the white pawns decides the
issue.
1 P-N4! R-KB3 (this only temporarily
511. Henkin. I R-K4! Q-KN4 (1 ... delays the creation of a passed pawn)
K-N3 2 R-N6 K-B3 is ineffective here, 2 P-RS! (this fixes the weak QNP, and
since after 3 R-QB4 QX R 4 P-Q7 + at the same time forces Black to show his
.md the promotion of the pawn Black hand) 2 ... R(3)-K3 (2 ... R(2)-KB2 is
.;annot play for stalemate) 2 R-QN4+ met by 3 Q-K5) 3 Q-N2+ K-N1 4 Q-N3
K-R2 3 P-Q7! Q-QB4+.4K-B7 Q-Q4+ K-R2 5 Q-Q3+ K-N1 6 P-NS PXP
(or 4 . . . Q-KR4+ 5 K-K6 Q-K7+ 7 PXP R-K4 8 K-B4 R(4)-K3 (the rooks
IJ K-Q6 Q-Q7+ 7 K-B7 Q-B6+ 8 R-B6, cannot go behind the pawns, as Black
Jnd wins) 5 R-K6! Q-KR4+ 6 K-K7 would be mated) 9 P-N6 P-N3 10 P-QR6!,
Q-QB4+ (6 . . . Q-KN4+ 7 K-Q6 and Black resigned.
Q-N6+ 8 R-K5 Q-Q6+ 9 K-B6 Q-QB6+
!0 R-B5, and the king hides from the 513. Tola6-BotriDBik (i Ith USSR
diagonal checks at QB8) 7 K-K8 Q-K.R4+ Championship). In OR!!I!JI:ast to the pre-
S K-Q8 Q-R4+ 9 R(4)-N6 Q-KN4+ vious example, here White"s king is some-
!0 K-B8! Q-QB4+ 11 R(K6)-QB6, and what better placed. If he had time 100>
White wins. connect his rooks behind Black's passccl
Variation! 1 . . . Q-KR4 2 P-Q7 pawns, he wouJd have chances of a draw_
Q-R2+ (or 2 . . . Q-QB4+ 3 K-K8 But he first has to escape from the annoy-
Q-KR4+ 4 R-Bl Q-Rl + 5 K-K7, and ing pin, and the swift advance of the pawns
:here are no more checks) 3 K-Q6 Q-R7 + settles the issue.
 166 Six Hundred Endings

513
~ ~ ~·~
~·~~~~%~~~
1 K-R61 (J P-N6? B-K4 2 PXP+
I+
it~·- it~·-·
RXP+ would be catastrophic for White)
L:.~ :.:.~%:.~·~ I ... B-K4 2 K-N7! :Q-R7 (after 2 ...
~~~~~~~~ BXQ+? 3 PXB Black .would lose his
~~~~~~~~ rook and the game because of zugzwang)
~~~~~~~~
• ..:.:.. :. •..:..:i
3 P-B4! PXP (or 3 ••. P-N5 4 P-B5!,
~~ ~~Cu :.f*!%~f@!%
.. and wins) 4 P-K5! BXP 5 PXP R-RJ
..'iifit~ !'!J it~ (5 .•. B-R7 6 P-BS!} 6 KXR K-Q2 7
K-N8! BXQ 8 PXB K-K3 9 K-N7,
and White wins.
1 ... P-QR4 2 R.:(Ji)l-Ql ~BS (making
room for the QNP, and ensuring that the
pawns advance together, not separately)
3 K-B3 P-QN4 4 R-Q7 P-N5 (time is
more important than anything else: Black's
KP is of no consequence, and 5 ... P-N6
would win ifit were taken) 5 R-R7 P-R5!
6 R-Q8+ (not, of course, 6 RXRP
Q-B3+) 6 ... K-N2 7 R(8)-R8 P-R6
8 P-N3 Q-N4!, and White resigned
because the QNP cannot be stopped.
515. Fiue-stahlberg (Match game, 1937).
A classic example of the queen's superior-
ity when the pawn position is balanced.
VI. QUEEN V. ROOK AND MINOR
Black's defence appears sound in every
PIECE
respect, yet he still loses because he
cannot control the dark squares, and
White's king penetrates his position.
1 P-N5! (depriving the rook of the
defended ..• QB3 square) I ... PXP
2 PXP R-B5 3 P-R4! R-B7 4 P-R5
R-B5 5 K-N3! R-B6 ·6 Q-Q6 R-B7 7
Q-KN6+ K-Rl. 8 Q-K8+ K-R2 9
K-B4! R-B8 10 Q-N6+ K-R1 11 K-K5
B-Q2 12 Q-N6! B-BJ 13 K-Q6 K-Nl
514. Reti. As a result of the white 14 Q-K3!, and Black resigned, because
king's endangered position, a position of his rook is forced off the vitally im-
mutual zugzwang is reached. The win for portant QB-file.
White demands great care, since Black
threatens mate after . . . B-K4 and •.. 516. Halberstadt. Were White to move
R-Rl. White has no chance of winning his rook, he would lose one of his pieces,
after 1 Q-Bl B-K42 QXNP+ K-K2 3 and his bishop similarly cannot protect
Q-N7+, when he bas to give perpetual his rook. But there is one possible bishop
check. The king therefore bas to move move that gives him an escape route:
towards KR5 and out of the danger zone. if the rook is taken, White can force stale-
 Queen v. Rook and Minor Piece 167

mate, while if the bishop is captured he she can only find temporary refuge, be-
can give perpetual check. causetheconcerte·d manceuvring ofWhitc's
1 B-Kl! Q-K6 (1 . . • QX R 2 B-B2 pieces forces her into a geometrical rela-
QXB stalemate) 2 B-N3 K-N3 (2 ... tion with her king.
QXB 3 R-QR5+, with perpetual check 1 R-R8! Q-R7 (the queen is safe only
on theQR-file)3 R-B2!QXB4 R-QN2+, on the ... KN1-QR7 diagonal) 2 RXP!
with perpetual check on the second rank, (now the "safe" position disappears like a
since Black's king cannot reach ••• KR6 mirage) 2 ... Q-Nl 3 R-R8 Q-R2 (up
without losing his queen. till here the rook has been playing a
supporting role to the bishop, but now
they change roles) 4 B-1'\6! QXB 5
R-R6-i-, and wins.

517. Troitsky. White can only make up

for his considerable material disadvantage
by an attack against the black king, but he
must hurry before the queen escapes from 519. Schwers. Rook, minor piece and
the corner. Black has to ward off mating pawn are generally considered equivalent
threats, and finally has no choice but to to a queen. But here, the poor position of
give stalemate. Black's king allows White the chance 10
1K-R3 K-N8 2 B-N6! P-N4 (2 •.. simplify.
P-N3? loses to 3 R-B4!) 2 R-B61 QXR 1 B-K2! (threatening 2 B-Q.3 mate»
4 BXP+ QXB stalemate. 1 .•. QXP (or 1 ... Q~2 2 B-BJ+!.,
and wins) 2 B-N5! (now Black is :in
518. Rinck. The successful co-ordination zugzwang) 2 •.• QXR 3 B-Q3+ K-1m
of rook and minor piece can occasionally 4 BXQ KXB S K-Q3, and winning .S
prove stronger than a queen. Here, Black's a straightforward technical task fur
queen has only two squares, but even there White.
168 Six Hundred Endings

520. Scbwers. White's pieces achieve queen. Of course, much depends on the
decisive simplification by a splendid pawn structure and on the position of the
example of team-work. The preparation kings. White can hardly exploit his· ma-
of the zugzwang which leads to the terial superiority here by technique alone,
exchange of pieces is particularly fine, but he can take advantage of the black
and pushing home the pawn advantage king's poor position, -the latter . having
becomes an easy task. strayed from his own camp. The solution
I N-Q6+ K-B3 2 R-N5! K-K3 demonstrates the well-known knight chase,
3R-K5+ K-B3 (3 ... K-Q2 4 R-K7+, but first a difficult preparatory move has
and wins~ K-K2! (Black is in zugzwang) to be found to ensure the efficient opera-
4 ... Q B5 5 R-B5+ QXR 6 NXQ tion of White's rook.
KXN 7cK-K3 K-N4 8 P-Q4 KXP 1 P-N6! (this opens up the fifth rank
9 P-Q5 eti. for the rook) 1 ... PXP 2 R-Rl! Q-N7!
1st varration: 2 ..• KXR 3 N-B7+ (the queen is trapped even more quickly
KXP 4 NXQ KXN 5 P-Q4 K-N3 after 2 .•• QXQP 3 R-R4+ K-K4 4
6 P-Q5 K-B3 7 P-Q6, and wins. R-R5!)3R-KNI! QXQP4R-N4+ K-B4
2nd variation: I ... K-K3 2 R-KI + (now the point of White's first move
K-B3(Q4) 3 R-K5!, and again Black is in becomes clear; the rook can also attack
zugzwang. on the K-side on the fifth rank) 5 R-N5!
Qx R 6 N-K4+. and White wins.
521. Kubbel. Rook, minor piece and
two pawns are normally stronger than a
 Miscellaneous Endings
(Rooks and Minor Pieces)
I. THE ADVAiYTAGE OF THE 523. (Theoretic:ll ending.) BlacJ.."s king
EXCHANGE has fled into the wrong corner, so that his
bishop is separ;Jted from him by one
square.
1 K-:!\6 K-'.;1 2 R-R8 K-RI 3 RXB
mate.
~ ~
~ ~~ ~~ ···"~~~
524 ••
+
~~~~~~···~~
~ ~~~~~.. J~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
522. (Theoretical ending.) The capture ~~~~~~~~
of the cornered knight was demonstrated ~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
in some of the earlier examples (Nos. 294
and 30-1), but the bishop is able to achieve 524. Kling and Horwitz. (Theoretical
a draw e\·en in a cornered position, pro- ending.) Black's king cannot re:-~ch .••
vided that it is a corner of the correct KRJ, because the K?\-file is und~r attack.
colour. If the king has been driven into Black loses because the mating threats
the corner, the bishop must take up posi- prevent his bishop from finding safety
tion alongside it. anywhere. White must act quickly to
1 K-N6B-R2+ 2 K-R6B-N13R-QR2 force the bishop ofr the K-file, as well as
(3 R-NB stalemate) 3 ... B-R2 4 K-N5 the adjoining files.
K-N2 5 R-R2 K-Rl, the game ends 1 R-N3 B-K5 2 R-K3 B-N7 3 R-K2!
with a draw. B-B6 4 R-KB2! B-K5('.;5) 5 K-K5(:\5)-:-,
and wins.
1st variation: I ... B-R42 R-KR3 B-B2
3 R-R8+ B-NJ 4 K-:\6 etc.
2nd Yariation: I ... B-B3 .::! R-QB3
B-Q2 3 R-QN3! K-:;\1 4 R-~8+ K-R2
5 R-N7, and White wins.

525. Euwc. (Theon.:ii<.:al ending.) It

follows from the preceding three ~xamples
 170 Six Hrmdrccl Endings

P-Rfi :• 8-R2, draw) 5 . . . B-K4 6 R-

QR7-i-! K-NI 7 R-Q7! (threatening
mate, and preventing the check by the
bishop)7 ... K-R18P-R68-R79P-R7,
and White wins.
Variation: 7 ... K-81 8 K-B6 B-B5
9 P-R6 K-N I 10 P-R 7 + K-RI II K-N6
etc.
If the black king stands initially at ...
Q~l. and hastochoosewhich way to get
that the weaker side can hope for a dr:.1w
l'UI of check, only I ... K-BI! leads to
even against a rook <1lld rook's pawn, if the
a draw, as demonstrated in the previous
colour of the queening square is different
example, whereas the immediate occupa-
from that of the hish0p. The king controh
ti0n of the corner square is fatal.
... Q~2. while the pa\\ll .:;uards ... QR~.
so that the pawn cannot reach these\ enth
rank.
I R-N7 8-QS ~ R-'\~ B-K6 3 R-K~
8-87 4 R-K8- K· H2 (rwt 4 ... 1\-QJ:'
5 R-KB8 8-84 6 R-85 B-l\·8 7 A."-:Yi,
and wins) 5 R-K.:! 8-Q5 6 R-Q82-:-
K-Nl, with a draw.
Variation: 2 R-:\6 B-87! (taking the
ro-1k would lose the game) 3 K-;\;5 8 ·· R !.
Nuw this leads to a draw.
527. Guretzky-Cornitz. (Theoretical
ending.) The reason why Black succeeded
in drawing in example 525 was that White
had incautio~sly advanced his pawn too
soon. By keeping the square QR5 for his
king until the black king is forced out of
the corner, White wins.
I R-N7+! K-Bl (on 1 ... K-R1?,
as we know, White wins by 2 P-R5)
2 R-N3! K-82 (after 2 ... B-Q53K-N5!
Black's king cannot move onto the QN-
526. Euwe. (Theoretical ending.) In file in view of the loss of his bishop, and
order to win, White must advance his 4 K-86 wins. If the bishop leaves the ...
pawn to R7. Although Black's king is in QR2-KN8 diagonal, White's king
the favourable comer, he still loses, reaches QR8 with an easy win, while 2 ...
because his bishop is immobilized by the 8-NB 3 R-N51eads to the main variation)
threat of mate. 3 R-QB3+! (this line, found by grand-
1 R-N7 B-R7 2 R-N8+ B-N13 K-N5 master Barcza, is, simpler and clearer
K-N2 4 R-N7+ K-RI 5 K-N6! (the than the original 3 K-R5) 3 .•. K-Nl
pawn advance would be premature: 5 4 R-B3 B-N8 (the only square for the
 The Adralltage of the Exchange r; I

hishop, because after 4 . . . B-Q5 5 R-KR4 B-N6 12 R-RR+ K-B2 13

R-QNJ + K-B2 6 K-N5 White wir.s, while R-R7+ K-Bl 14 P-B7 K-K2! 15 K-1\6
4 ... B-R5 is met by 5 R-B8+ K-B2 6 B-B5! 16 R-N7 8-N6 17 P-BR=Q-
K-Rl) 5 R-QN3+ K-B2 6 R-N7 + KXQ 18 K-86 K-KI 19 R-K7+ K-Ql,
K-BI (or 6 ... K-B3 7 R-N1 followed by with a draw.
check on the QB-file, driving the king A trap: I ... B-N4? 2 P-B7! K-1\2
away) 7 R-N5! B-K6 8 K-R5 B-Q7+ 3 K-B5 B-R5 4 R-N7 B-Q8 (4 ... B-BJ
9 K-;-.;6 K-NI (otherwise 10 K-B6 or loses to 5 K-K6 BX R 6 K-Kl) 5 K-K6
10 K-Rl) 10 R-K5! K-BI II P-R5, and B-R4 6 R-B7 B-~·B 7 P-B8=Q-'-! KXQ
White wins. g K-B6 B-R4 9 R-88-'- B-K I 10 R-R~.
winning the bishop.
~-~-~~-~----~----~=
5~ ---~~ ~~ ~~ ~
- ~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
r~~~~~~~
~~~~('"'""~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
528. Szabo-Botvinnik (Theoretical end-
ing, Budapest, 1952). !\lore than 200 years 529. Benko. Compared \\"ith the previous
ago del Rio demonstrated that a bishop example, \\'hite has a much more difficult
can achieve a draw against a bishop's task here, yet a stalemating combination
pawn which has advanced too quickly to still saves the game.
the sixth rank, if the bishop moves on I 8-87! (the only mo\e. Black w.:.:'
squares of a different colour to that of threatening to move his ro0k to the KB-
the queening square. White cannot move file by attacking the:- hishop. Thus if
his king alongside his pawn, since the 1 B-K5? or 1 B-Q6 ?, then correspondingly
bishop would chase it away instantly. 1 ... R-R4! or 1 ... R-R3) l_... R-~­
And the ... QR7-KNI diagonal is too (or 1 ..• R-R2 2 B-N6.') 2 ;B::-Q6! ~-A-:'
long for the bishop to be forced off it, (2 .•. R-N3 3 B-B5) J B-K5 R-Q7 4 B-B~
with the result that White cannot realize R:-K7l (the ro0k cann0t be:- wken, l'f
his pawn. course, and the bishop must mo\e, but
I R-QB7 B-R7 (when attacked by the where to?) 5 B-~8! (the only corrc:-..:t
rook, the bishop takes up a position from square. After5B-Bl? R-R7 !, or 5 B-Q6?
which it can give check in reply to K-N6) R-Nl! 6 B-K5 R-N4 7 B-Q4 K-N6 .'
2 R-BI B-Q4 3 K-B5 K-B2 4 K-K5 8 BXP+ K-B6, White loses his bishop)
B-N6 5 R-B7+ K-BI 6 R-QN7 B-B5 ~·. R-:K1 6 B-N3! (6 B-Rl? K-l\·6
7 R-1\4 B-R7 8 K-B5 B-Q4! (Black's 7 BXP+ K-B6 and wins, a~ before) 6 ...
defence must be accurate. Here 8 ... !-(-N5(or7 ... KxB stalemate) 7 KxP.
K-B2 ?, which would temporarily avert the with a draw.
threat of K-N6, would lose to 9 R-Nl +)
9 K-;-.;6 B-B2+ 10 K-N5 B-Q4 11
 172 Six Hundred Endings

no simple matter, since the hasty I B-B6?

fails to ... R-Q3 and 2 ... R-R3, when
Black's pawn is securely defended and
the approach of his king is decisive.
I B-B7! KXP (1 ... R-Q2? 2 B-B4+,
and the black pawnislost)2 B-K6! R-Q3
3 B-R3! (preventing the rook from moving
to ... KR3) 3 ... R-Q7 4 B-N2 with a
draw, since Black's king is too far away,
and the white king has plenty of time to
530. Guretzky-Cornitz. (Theoretical move out of the dangerous corner.
ending.) The basic difference here is that
one of the diagonals adjacent to the p:!wn 532
is shon;:r, and so the bishop can bt: dri,en +
off. White queens his pawn l'r gains a
decisive positional advantage.
1 R-:'•M B-R3 2 R-::\lH- K-Q.:! 3
R-1"7-:- K-Ql ~ K-Q5 B-l\"4 5 K-B5
B-Q6 6 P-Q7 K-B2 I R-K7! B-B4
S P-QS=Q-:-! KXQ 9 K-Q6 K-Bl 10
R-QB7-:- K-1" I (the king has been chased
into the bad cNner) 11 K-B6 B-K5-:- 532. Korchnoi-Tal (32nd USSR Cham-
12 K-::\6 B-::\S! 13 R-BI B-R 7 14 R-B2 pionship). White's problem is that his king
B-::\0 15 R-Q!\.2! B-Q4 (vr 15 ... B-R5 is hemmed in. Korchnoi succeeded in
(85) 16 K-R5(B5).:,..) 16 R-Q2 B-K3 17 extricating it with a beautiful manreuvre.
R-QS-:-, and mate in twc moves. I R-NS B-N5 2 R-K5 K-B7 3 R-KS
Variation: I ... B-B2 2 R-1"4 B-R7 3 B-K7 4 R-KB8+ B-B6 5 R-B7 K-K6
R-~8-:- K-Q2 4 R-N7-:- K-Ql 5 P-Q7 6 K-N1 (one step) 6 ... B-KS i R-B8
K-K2 6 R-~2! B-BS 7 R-Q2, and wins. B-Q6 8 R-QR8 B-B4 9 R-RS B-NS
10 K-N2 B-B6+ ll K-B1 B-K7+ 12
K-K1 (another step) 12 . . . B-NS 13
R-R3+ (he now starts to force Black
back) 13 . . . K-K5 14 K-B2 B-Q8
15 R-RS B-NS 16 R-R8 K-B4 17 R-QN8
K-KS 18 R-KB81B-R619K-K2B-N5+
20 K-Q2 B-B4 21 R-B7 B-NS 22 R-B4+
K-K4 23 K-K3 B-K3 24 R-B8 B-R6
25 R-QR8 K-B4 26 R-R5+ K-N3
(26 ••• K-N5 is answered by 27 K-B2!)
27 K-B4 P-RS (it does not matter now,
531. Holzhausen. White cannot wait the pawn cannot survive for long in any
while Black's king advances and defends case) 28 R-R6+ K-N2 (if 28 ••• K-R4,
his pawn, and therefore he must separate then 29 P-N4+, winning the bishop)
the black rook from the pawn. But this is 29 PXP B-B8 30 R-QN6 B-K7 31 K-NS
 The Adrantage of the Exchange 173

B-Q8 32 R-N7+ K-NI 33 K-R6!

B-B6 34 R-N3 B-K5 35 R-N3+ K-B2
36 K-N5 B-B7 37 K-B4 B-N3 38 R-N5
K-B3 39 P-R5 B-K5 40 P-R6 B-N3
41 R-N3 B-N842 R-N7 B-N343 R-QR7,
and Black resigned.

that this position is definitely drawn,

since Black's pressure on the white king is
in vain. Neither would anything come of
forcing the white king away, but in fact
the king is in a worse p0sition near t0 his
pawn than far away fwm it!
533. Maizelis. (Theoretical ending.) The I ... R-KB6! (cutting t'lf the white
only way that Black would win would be king's accc~s t0 the centre) 2 B-R6
by giving up the exchange for the white R-B2 3 B-~5 K-Q6 4 K-~3 K-K7
pawn, in such a way as to prevent the 5 K-N2 R-B7+ 6 K.-~3 R-B6-:- 7 K-l\2
white king from getting back in time. R-QR6! (the ro0k is aiming fN ... K;"\5)
I K-B4 K-K5 2 K-B3! R-Q6+ 3 8 B-K7 (8B-B4 R-R5 9 B-.\"5 R-K.\"5-
K-B2! R-Q2 4 K-B3 K-K6 5 K-B2 10 K-R3 K-B6 II K-R: R-.V7+ 12 K-R3
K-K7 6 K-B3 R-Q6+ 7 K-B4! (7 K-B2? R-N6.:,- 13 K-R2 K-.\"5 1-1 B-B6 R-KB6
fails to 7 ... R-K/\"6!8 K-N2 K-Q89B-B4 15 B-N5 R-B7--- 16 K-.\'1 A"-X6, and
R-N5 10 B-N5 R-QB5; cf. the trap) Black wins)~ ... R-R:' Y B-Q~ R-K.~5-
7 ... R-KN6 8 K-Q4 R-'N5+ 9 K-B3! 10 K-R3 K.-B6 II B-B7 R-~S 12 B-R2
R-K5 10 B-B6 R-K3 II B-N5, with a R-KB8 13 B-B7 R-KRS-,- 14 B-R2, and
draw. as Maizelis has dcnwn,irated. it Ilt' l0nger
A trap: 3 K-B4? R-KN6! 4 B-B6 matters that \\"hite"s hi,1wp can return 10
R-N3 5 B-N5 R-QB3-i- 6 K-l\3 K-B6 :'\5 after I-I ... K-K5 ~ J 5 K-~2 R-QS :.
7 K-N2 K-N6 8 K-1'\3 R-BI 9 B-B6 since aft.:r 16 B-:'\I ( lti B-B7 R-Q2
R-B8 10 B-N5 R-KRS II K-B2 R ·<I' 17 B-l\'8 K-84 18 ;..··-B_,' R--(lfJ - /9 K-.\·:
12 BXR-i- KXB, and Black wins, be· J.."-S5, 0r 16 B-.\"3 J.."-B4 F K-B3 R-Q6-,-
cause he is able to occupy ... K'J7 with /S K-.\l K-.\'5 !!) B-1..! R -Q.\'0 ::o B-B::
his king. R-N7 21 A"-BI K-Bo, ;:nd "ins) 16 ...
Thus Black would ha\e won if he could K-B5 17 B-B5 K-:\5 lx B-K7 R-K:\!
have cut off the white king beyond the 19 B-~5 R-K"i'-:- 20 K-"\1 K-~6 21
QB-file, but as we saw, White found a K-BJ R-K I~ \\'hitc J,,ses his pawn anu
satisfactory defence in diagonal oppo- also the game.
sition. A trap for b('th pla~ers: In the actual
game Black allo\vcd the king t0 escape
534. Salwe-Rubinstein (Prague, 1909). by playing 1 ... K.-B-1 '?. ;!nd after2 K-B2!
The preceding example would suggest K-N5 3 K-K2 R-KB6 -1 B-R6 K-:'\(•
 174 Six Hw:dred Endings

5 B-"5 R-BI 6 K-K3 R-KI + 7 K-Q3

K-86 s K-Q4 R-K3 9 K-Q3! R-Q3+
10 K-B3, \Yhitc could have drawn hy
the method dcnwnstrated in the preceding
example. But White too was unacquainted
with all the subtleties of this ending, and
after 9 K-QS'? (instead of 9 r,·-Q3.')
9 ... _R-K5! Ill B-B6 K-B5 II B-QX
K-B.t 12 B-~5 R-K'-15 13 B-K7 R-~·-12
I.J. 8-BS R-Q2..:.. 15 K-86 R-Q5 16 B-K7
536. Moiseev-Botvinnik (20th USSR
K-K3 17 K-B5 R-Q4+ 18 K-84 R-KB4
Championship). White would ha\·e man-
19 8-Q~ K-Q2! 20 B-~6 (l'T 10 B-N5
aged a draw if he had been able to set up
R,-,B, and winq 20 ... R-85+ Black
the KN3-KR4 defensive position, keeping
won.
his bishop on the long diagonal. But as it is,
Black plays the highly powerful move
... P-~4. fixing the white pawn at N2.
I ... K-B3 2 B-Q7 P-N4 3 PXP+
K ~< P 4 B-B8 P-R5 +! 5 K-B3 R-QB8
6 B-Q7 R-B7 7 B-K6 R-B2! (Black's
tempo play is aimed at reaching ... KN6.
The immediate 7 ... R-B6+ would not
bring him any nearer to this goal, because
of 8 K-K4) 8 P-N4 (White is in zugzwang.
535. Barcza. ! From an analy~is of the
If the bishop leaves the QB8-KR3 di-
Donner-Barcza game, Havana, 1967.)
agonal, Black wins by 8 . . . R-B6 +,
White cannot in the long run save his
followed by 9 ... K-N5 or 9 ... K-B5,
pawn, but he has to lose it in such a way
whileif8B-R3,the'n8 ... R-B6+ 9K-K4
that the black pawn is forced to advance.
R-KN6.' 10 K_;_K5 R-K6+ followed by
I K-KI! R-RS-7- 2 K-K2 R-QBtl
II . . . K-B5) 8 . . . R-B6+ 9 K-N2
3 K-Q2! R-KRS 4 K-K2 R-R7 5 K-BI
P-R6+ 10 K-R2 K-R511 P-N5 R-B7+,
P-B6 6 K-~1! (White loses his bishop
and White resigned.
after 6 PxP..:.. ?) 6 ... R XP_:_ 7 K-BI,
with a draw.
537
Variation: 2 ... R-Rll 3 B-KI! R-R7
4 K-Bl P-B6 5 PXP+ KxP 6 K-NI I=
R-KN7+ 7 K-RI, with a draw.
A trap: l B-KI? R-RR 2 K-B2 R-B!l!
3 B-'N4(or 3 K-Bl P-B6 4 P-N3 RXB_:_ !,
and wins) 3 ... R-B7+ 4 K-Nt R-K7!
5 K-B1 R-N7 6 B-R5 K-N6 7 B-Kl +
K-R7 8 B-B3 RXP 9 B-K5 K-N6!
10 BXP+ K-B6 ll B-K5 R-N4 12
B-B6 R-KB4 13 B-K7 R-B2 14 B-N5 537. Korcbaoi-Karpov (Final · Candi-
K-N5+, and Black wins. dates' Match, Moscow, 1974). In spite of
 The Advantage of the Exchange 175

the penetration of Black's K-side by the

white king, his strong passed pawn and
centralized knight assure him of a draw.
1 ... N-K4! 2 R-R3 K-B4 3 R-QB3
K-K5 4 R-BI K-Q5 5 P-B4 N-Q6 6
R-BI K-K5 7 P-B5! N-K4 (7 .•. PXP
would, of course, be a serious error, in
view of 8 P-R5) 8 K-B6 N-N5+ 9 K-N5
(or 9 KXP PXP with an easy draw, since
the knight can stop the rook's pawn)
in time to thwart the promotion 0f the
9 ... N-K6 10 PXP PXP 11 R-BI
black pawn.
K-Q6 12 KXP N-N7!, and the players
1 P-N7 R-BI 2 J\-Q5 K-K3 (compara-
agreed a draw, since Black can sacrifice
tively best) 3 N X P P-R6! (after 3 ...
his knight for the white pawn, and easily
R-KNI 4 NXP RXP the knight would
draw with his remaining pawn.
comfortably trot hack 1l' its king) 4 NXR
Variation: 2 R-QB3 K-B4 3 R-Bl
K-B2 5 N-K7! (if 5 X-Q6-l-, then 5 ...
K-K3 4 P-B4 N-B6 5 RXP NXP 6
K-NI, and wins) 5 ... K X P 6 N-B5+
R-B6+ K-B4 7 R-B6+ K-N5 8 KXP
K-B3 7 N-K3 P-R7 8 ~-B2, with a draw.
P-N4, with a draw (Botvinnik).

s: -~~~~~~~
~
?li~~ ~~ ~~~~
~ ~ ~

~~~~~"--"~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~-~-~-~
538. Havasi. The knight, separated 540. Troitsky. A pawn often wmpen-
from its king, can gallop to either side of sates for the lack 0f the exch:mge. and in
the board, hut its stride is not long enough some cases may e\ en 0utweigh it. Here
to save it. White's passed pawn is \Cry far ad\am:eJ
I R-~2 P-B4.:.. 2 K-Q3! 1'\-Kll+ and, due to the black k ing's had po~iti<'ll.
(or] ... N-R6 3 R-N3, and wins) 3 K-K3 he can pre\ent the rook from holdinf! II)'
P-B5+ 4 K-K4 P-B6 (4 ... KXP loses the pawn. White is faced with a twofold
to 5 R-K2!) 5 R-QR2! N-N7 6 KXP task: he has to keep the wok t>frthe Q-file.
~-R5+ 7 K-K4 N-N3 8 R-KN2 N-Bl and he must also l'Ut pff its approach 10
(8 ... N-R5 9 R-N4) 9 R-N7+ KXP ... Ql along the back ranJ....
10 K-B5 K-N3 II R-KB7, and White 1 B-N6! R-R6 (I ... R-J.:-1?: B-B7--
wins. K-N5 3 P-Q7 and wins, therefore the rooJ..
aims to attack the queening square from
539. Boros. Even though the knight the back rank) 2 P-Q7 R-RI 3 B-KS!
is engaged all over the board, it still arrives la decisi\e bl0cking of the rank) 3 ...
176 Six Hundred Endings

R-RS- 4 K-K~ R-R7,.. 5 K-K3! (the 3 B>< P K-B5 4 B-K8! (opening the way
rook must be denied the Q-file) 5 ... for the NP, and blocking the rook's
R-R6...:... 6 K-K-+ R-R5+ 7 K-K5, and access to ... KRI) 4 ... RXB 5 P-N6,
\\"hit.:- wins, because the rook can d0 and White wins.
nothir.~ t0 pre\·ent the pawn fwm queen- A trap: 4 B-B7? KXP 5 B-N8 R-B6+
in;. 6 K-~4 R-KR6, with a draw.
A tr;tp: l K-Q2? R-K5! (the rt1t1k now
543 • .~. • • •
ha:> a free passage) :2 K-QJ R-Q~5 ~
~·· .%~ ~!iJ,i'%~!iJ,i%~
3 P-Q"' R-~Jl4 K-Q4R-Ql, withasimpk + ~~ ~~~~~~~~
draw.
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
11i~~~~~~~
..;... f.~~~~~~~
~ ~~ ~~ ~-~~...~
~ ~ ~ ~
543. Vancsura. The struggle starts with
a tactical surprise, which leaves no time
for the black king to take up an advan-
tageous position. The rest of the battle,
541. Kubbel. A violent fight precedes in which the bishop distinguishes itself, is a
the ,Jecish·e cl0sing of the rank, the hew beautiful and instructive example of inter-
in this case being the bishop. ference.
I P-R7 R-B..J...:... 2 K-K2 R-K·h (.:' ... I P-KS=Q! RXQ 2 B-B8 R-K7+
R-BI 3 B-B6...:... K-B4 4 B-K7 +,and wins) 3 K-R3 (3 K-Nl? R-KJ, with a draw)
3 K-Q2 R-Kl ..J B-B2..!.. K-K4 5 B-~3+ 3 ... R-K6+ 4 K-R4 R-K5+ 5 K-R5
K-K3 6 B-KS, and White wins. R-K4+ 6 K-R6 R-K8! 7 B-B5! (con-
trolling the sql)are KNl) 7 . . . R-Kl
542 ~ ~ ~ ~
~~~~~~~~ 8 KXP(threatening9B-B8)8 ... R-Ql!
+ ~~~~~~!~ 9 B-K7! R-QBI 10 B-B8 R-B2 11 B-Q6,
~~~~~~~.... ~ and White wins.
~~~~~~~3~

•.
Variation: 5 • • • R-K8 6 B-K7!
m~~~~~~~ R-KR8+ 7 B-R4 R-KN8 8 B-N5

"'"'"~~~~~~­
R-KR8+ 9 K-N4 R-KN8+ 10 K-B5

.~.,.~ :.
R-KB8+ 11 B-B4+ etc.

544 ~ ~.,t~
~w·%~~ ~.~.~
~w~
+ ~ !?'~~~ if~
542. Neustadt!. We know that two ~~"~~~ ~~" .. ~~
connected pawns, if they have reached the ~~~~~~~~
sixth rank, win against a rook. White must
~~~~~~~~
therefore immediately free his blockaded
~~~~~~~~
NP.
~~~~~~~~
I B-R5 K-N6 (1 ... PXB? 2 P-R7
R-BI 3 P-N6, and wins) 2 P-R7 R-BI
• • • ••
~ ~ ~ ~
 The Adl'Ontage of the Exchange 177

544. Prokes. 1 K x P? does not win,

since after I ... RXP 2 B-Q7 R-Nl
Black secures a draw. White must there-
fore drive the rook off the back rank.
1 K-K6! (in order to prevent the rook
from taking the pawn with check, and to
give room to the bishop) I ... RXP
(or I ... RXB 2 K-Q7, and wins) 2 B-Q7
(blocking the rank, and clearing the way
for the pawn) 2 ... R-N1 3 K-B7 R-KR 1
I P-R 7-1- (after I B-N5? the rook could
4 K-N7 R-Rt 5 BXP+,andWhite wins.
put up a successful defence on the KR-file)
.~~ ~ ~ ~
5~ ~~~~~~~~
I ... K-N2 2 P-R8=Q+! (preparing a

~~~~!.!i
decisive threat) 2 ... KXQ 3 K-B7!
(threatening mate, or, after 3 ... RXB,
~~~~~~ti~~~ the promotion of the pawn)3 ... R-KB8+
~~~~~~~~ (the only move, but it does not help)
~~~~~~~~ 4 B-B6+ RXB+ 5 KXR K-Nl 6 P-N7,
L.~~~~~~~~ and White wins.
~~~~~~~~
545. Selemiev. The point underlying
White's first move, which at the first glance
looks like a mistake, is revealed by his
second and third moves. Black must
reconcile himself to a draw by stalemate,
since a forceful attempt to win can come
to grief.
1 P-N7! R-R2 2 B-B7! RXB 3 K-R8!
P-R7 (not 3 ... K-K2? 4 P-NB=Q 547. V. Platov and M. Platov. One of
R-BI 5 P-B6+ K-K1 6 P-B7+ K-K2 the pawns is lost, but in return White
7 K-N7!, and wins) 4 P-N8=Q P-R8=Q gains two tempi, quite sufficient to reach
5 Q-N7+! RXQ stalemate. a theoretically won position after a decoy
sacrifice.
546. Steinitz. Supported by a bishop, 1 K-N4 R-B4 2 P-B6 RXP 3 P-B7
two connected pawns win against a rook R-RS+ 4 K-NS R-R4+ 5 K-N6 R-R3+
if they reach the sixth rank. If the rook is 6B-Q6! RXB+ 7 K-NS R-Q4+ 8 K-N4
badly positioned, they may even win if R-QS+ 9 K-B3 R-Q8 10 K-B2 R-Q5
only on the fifth rank. But the situation is 11 P-B8=R! (11 P-BB=Q'? R-QBJ+
different with RP and NP, where a win 12 QXR stalemate) ll ... R-QRS 12
is possible only if the attacking king K-N3, and White wins.
succeeds in taking up an advantageous
position. Here White achieves his aim 548. Dehler. The pawns have readhed
by attacking the black king. the sixth rank, but even a hopeless Iookin_g
178 Six Hundred Endings

position may conceal a saving combina- and his rook behind them. But a passive
tion: 1 R-B2+ K-N6(N8) 2 R-B2 PXR rook position can often lead to disaster.
stalemate. Here the rook can easily capture one of the
Variation: I ... K--R6 2 K-QI K-N6 pawns, but it cannot get at the other one
3 R-B2 B-)\;6 4 K-Bl B(P)X R stalemate. because the K~file and the K-side of the
eighth rank are shut off by the knight,
while the black king shuts off the Q-side.
The lack of room results in a zug::wang.
1P-Q4R XQP2P-K7R-Q3+ 3 K-N7!
R-Ql 4 K-B7, and wins.
1st variation: 2 . . . R-K5 3 N-K6
K-Q2 4 N-B5..:..., and wins.
2nd variation: I ... K-Ql 2 K-B7
K-Bl 3 P-K7 R-Ql 4 P-Q5, and wins.
3rd \ ariation: I ... K-B2 2 P-Q5 R X P
3 P-K7 R-QI 4 N-K6+ etc.
549. Korteling. Though White's king
seems hopelessly far away from the black
pawns. it can still reach the refuge at KN I.
The journey is made possible by an interest-
ing and instructive tempo-gaining ma-
11L1:U\ re.

1 R-QS+ (in order to enable the rook

w occupy the K:-.T-file with check) I ...
K-'2 2 R-Q3 B-B3+ 3 K-'4 P-N7
~ R-K 'i3-:- K-B3 5 K-B5! (gaining an-
L)ther temp(), so that the RP still cannot
advance) 5 . . . B-N2 6 K..:.Q4 P-R4 551. Lazard. The previous position
7 K-K3 P-R5 8 K-B2 PXR+ 9 K-NI, showed an example of a knight closing a
with a draw, because releasing the stale- rank. Even in the least expected situations,
mate involves the loss of both the pawns. line-clo!>urcs can ensure the advance of
a pawn. In this position White's king is
550. Reti. Two connected pawns and a remote, yet his knight can still execute a
knight cannot win against a rook if the winning Iine-clClsure by sacrificing one of
defending king is in front of the pawns the pawns.
 The Advantage of the Exchange 179

I N-B4+ K-R3 (the king makes for the R-N4 draw) 2 ... R-QB7+ 3 K-Q7
second rank) 2 N-K6! R-KI (otherwise (the rook must not be allowed onto the
3 N-Q8 wins) 3 P-N8=Q! RXQ 4 N-BS backrank)3 ... R-Q7+ 4K-K7 R-K7+
R-N4! (a clever trick, since after 5 5 K-B7 R-KB7+ 6 K-N7 R-KN7+
P-K8=Q? R-K4+ 6 QXR Black would 7 N-N4! (this sacrifice is decisive, because
be stalemated) 5 N-N6!, and White the fifth rank is bad for Black) 7 ...
wms. RXN+ 8 K-B7 R-KB5+ 9 K-K7
R-K5+ 10 K-Q7 R-Q5+ II K-B7
R-QB5+ 12 K-N7, and White wins.

~~ ~ ~ ~
•ti"~,~~fj~
554
+ ~ ~ ,%

~,~-~·-·
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
552. Tacu. White cannot allow the rook
to capture his QP, since then his other
~~~~~~~~
~ LJ ~ ~
pawn would also be lost. He therefore
sacrifices his knight, in order to draw the 554. Prokes. Three pawns for the
rook away from the Q-file, thus gaining a exchange is a considerable advantage, but
decisive tempo. White's king is very remote here, and
I N-Kl RXN (otherwise 2 N-B2 wins) therefore swift action is called for. I B-B4?
2 P-Q5 R-Q8 3 P-Q6! K-N6 (or 3 ... would be wrong because after I ... KX P
RXP4 K-Bl, and wins)4K-B7 R-QB8+ 2 B-K6 (threatening 3 P-Q8=Q and then
5 K-N6 R-QN8+ 6 K-B6 R-QB8+ the interference 4 B-B8) 2 ... R-Ql!
7 K-Q5! R-QN8 8 P-Q7 K-B5 9 K-B4! White's plans are spoiled and the game
R-QB8+ 10 K-N3, and White wins. ends in a draw. White therefore has to
find a solution to the problem of where to
+ ~~~~~~~~
553 •••• put his bishop.

!I~~~~~~ I P-Q8=Q! (opening the way for his

~~~~~~~~ bishop and drawing the rook into a bad

~~~~~~~~
position) 1 ... R X Q 2 B-Q7! (threatening

~~~~~~~~
to close the rank with 3 B-B8) 2 ...

"--"~ ~~ ~~ ~~
R-QNI!3P-N8=Q+ RXQ4B-B8,and
White wins.

-~-~-~--
553. Bernhardt. The rook can give per-
555. Fine-Keres (AVRO ToullJaiJlmt,
1938). Black has to fight for victory •011
petual check from the seventh rank, the K-side, since his Q-side pawns me
therefore if White wants to promote his effectively blocked by the white liil!g.
pawn it has to be lured onto the fifth But these pawns still play an impor:tant
rank. role, because they tie down the king, <&nil
1 P-R7 R-QN7+ 2 K-B7 (2 K-R6? the rook on its own is powerless. Blac-k
 180 Six Hundred Endings

(5 RXB secures a draw if the pawn is

promoted to a rook) 5 R-N8+ ! Qx R
stalemate.

sacrifices in oroo t.Q gain. another passed

pawn.
1 • • • P-N5£ 2 PXP P-B5 3 P-N5
(otherwise 3 •.. K-N4 and 4 ... P-B6 557. Selezniev. Black's rook can nc\er
wins easily) 3 ... B-Q5 4 R-Ql B-K6! capture the passed KNP, since his king is
5 KXP B-BS 6 R-Q6+ KXP 7 R-QN6 posted at the intersection of the wor~t
(the advance of the KBP wins after possible diagonals.
7 K-B2) 7 ... P-B6 8 K-Q3 K-B5 9 R-N8 1 P-N7 R-~8+ (after 1 ... R-.Vl(l\"6).
K-N6, and White resigned. A possible 2 BXP+ wins) 2 K-K2 R-N8 3 K-B~
continuation might have been: 10 R-N8+ R-N3 4 P-R5 R-N4 5 B-Q2! Rxl\P
K-B7 11 K-B2 K-K7 12 R-K8+ K-B8 6 B-B3+, and White wins.
13 R-KB8 P-B7 14 R-B7 K-K7 15 1st variation: 2 . . . R-N7 + 3 K-B3
R-K7+ K-B6 16 R-KB7+ B-B5, and R-N6+ 4 K-~4 R-N8 5 BXP+ K-B3
\\'ins. 6 P-N8=Q R-N8.J.. 7 B-N3 etc.
556 2nd variation: 1 ... R-Q6+ 2 K-K~
R-Ql3 BxP..:.. etc.
r::-::::-=m7----.:'777777"----,'77777"7~""'

558 ~- • -~­
~~~ "•
+ •~~~~~~ ~~
~~~-~-~~

556. Kubbel. It would be a grave error

to play for the capture of the KNP,
because after 1 R-N4? B-R7+ 2 K-Q5
~
~
~·-
~ ~ ~ ~
~~~
~ ~
-~~~---%~
~~ ~%i ~%i ~~
~ -~~~1'"'"~ '
.
~~ ~%i ~%i .J!--:;,~

558. Kubbel. White develops his attack

'"
'

P-N8=Q 3 RXQ BXR 4 KXP K-K3, in such a way that his knight is able to
Black would have an easy win. The way control not only Q7, but also Q8. The
to avoid impending disaster lies in a stale- execution of this demanding task displays
mating combination. an excellent example of cavalry virtuosity.
1 R-B4+ K-Kl! 2 RXP+ K-QJ 3 1 N-R6! K-Q6! (1 ... R-Ql? is met by
R-R4! BXP! (3 ... K-Kl leads to a 2 N-B7 RXP 3 N-K5 +,but now White has
repetition of moves, and the threat of to meet the threat of mate) 2 P-B3 K-K6
mate has to be parried) 4 R-1\4! P-N8 =Q 3 N-BS+ K-Q6 4 N-K7! K-K6! 5
 The Advantage of the Exchange 181

N-Q5+ K-Q6 (if 5 • . . K-Q5 then results in material gain. White attacks and
6 N-B7.' follow.:d by 7 N-K6+ wins) wins a piece here, because Black's bishop
6 N-B7! R-Ql 7 N-K6!, and White wins. has no good retreat squares.
A trap: l N-K7? K-B4! (after 1 ... 1 R-K8+ (forcing the black king onto
R-Ql? 2 N-B6! wins) 2 N-BS! R-R8+ an unfavourable square) 1 . . . K-N2
3 K-K2 R-R7+, with a draw. Black gives 2 R-K3 B-N5 3 R-N3 N-B3 (after 3 ...
perpetual check or attacks the pawn from N-K4, 4 N-B4! would attack the defending
the rear. piece)4 N-K4! NXN 5 RXB+, and wins.

~ ~~ ~~ ~
561 . . . .
'''"~ ~
~
+ ~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~!­
~~~~~~@-~
~~~~

~~~·~·'!-
~ ~ ~ ~
SS9. Selezniev. There is insufficient 561. Havel. The winning line leading to
space on the fifth rank for Black's rook, the capture of a bishop consists of a fine
and the QJ'.<-file is too short, since the sequence of carefully worked-out moves.
vacant squares on them can be controlled The ease of the technical solution, and the
by the knight. way the rook chases the black bishops into
I P-N6 K-K3 (there is no other de- the worst possible positions lends con-
fence) 2 N-B6! R-KB5 3 N-Q8+ K-B3 siderable theoretical value to this ending.
4P-N7 KXP 5 r-:-K6+, and White wins. 1 B-B2! B-K3 ( ... KN1 has to be
Variation: 2 . . . R-KR5 3 P-N7 defended) 2 R-N6 B-Q4 3 R-N5 B-B5
K-B2 4 N-K7! KXP 5 N-BS+ K-B3 4 R-N4 B-N6 5 R-N3 B-R7 (this bishop
6 NX R K-N4 7 K-N2 KX N 8 K-B2

~ ~ ~
~~~~~;,_;.~~ .
K-N4 9 K-Q2 K-B5 10 K-K2, and wins.
has escaped further pursuit, but as a
consequence it cannot move. Now the
other bishop comes under fire) 6 R-KB3

.
560 B-K2 (. . • QR6 has to be defended)
+ ~~~~~~~~ 7 R-K3 B-Q3 8 R-Q3 B-N5 (8 ...

~~~~~~~~~
~-'--' ~~ ~
B-K2 9 R-Q7, and wins) 9 R-Q4! B-B4
(Black is lost whatever he plays) 10

~~~~~~~! R-Q8 +, and White wins.

~~~~~~~~ 1st variation: 4 ... B-K3 5 R-K4

~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ Lj
B-Q2 6 R-Q4, and wins.
2nd variation (alternative win): 4 -·~·
B-N6 5 R-N3 B-B5 6 R-QB3! JH1R1
560. Herbstman. With no pawns on the (6 ... B-K3 is answered by 7 R-K3, asiin
board, a rook and minor piece can win the 1st variation) 7 R-B6 B-N2 8 R-'K6.!
against two minor pieces only if the latter and, in view of the threat of R-K8-'t.,
are badly placed, and attacking them White again captures one of the black
 182 Six Hundred Endings

bishops. (This variation was published by ing still gives White a won position.
grandmaster Adorjan in the June 1974 1 R-B7+ K-NI (1 •.. K-Rl? 2 K-Q4,
i5sue of Magyar Sakkelet.) and the advance of White's king is deci-
562 ,.,.....,li>~=~,----...,~=-----;~'7JJJ7T"----,;;~= sive) 2 R-N7+ K-RI 3 B-K8 NXP!
+ ~~~~,~~ 4 RXP N-N5! (or 4 ... K-R2? 5 R-Nl
L"~!~~~~~ K-RJ 6 R-QRJ, and wins; but now the
~~~~~~~~ capture of either black piece leads to a
~~~~~~~~ draw) 5 B-B7! B-KI (the previous posi-
~~~~~~~~ tion, but in a different form) 6 KXN

:•ki·~
BXB 7 R-KR6! (threatening 8 R-R8+,
and then the capture of the bishop)
7 ... B-Q4 (there is no other square
available) 8 K-B5 (this now threatens
562. Fritz. 'White captures the black mate, because the black king is in the
bishop after a short preliminary skirmish, wrong corner) 8 ... B-N2 9 K-N6, and
but does not enjoy a material advantage White wins.
for long, because Black's counter-play
soon restores the material balance. But
White renews his attack and forces the
black knight to occupy a fatal square.
I K-Bl! N-B6 2 R-QB2 ~-N43 RXB
]'.;-Q5! 4 R-B4! N XB+ 5 K-B2 N-R4
6 R-B5 N-N2 7 R-B8 mate. A pretty
finish, but the true value of this ending
lies in the neat first move.

564. Prokes. A pair of bishops frequently

compensates for the lack of the exchange.
Bishops supp0rting passed pawns are
particularly strong. In view of the threat
of ... B-K3, White has to fight for a
draw, and only by Yirtue of his pawn can
he manage it.
I P-B7 B-K3 2 R-Q6+ (this sacrifice
not only diverts the bishop from a good
563. Liburkin. The material on the position, but puts it into a positively bad
board appears to be insufficient for a win, one) 2 ... BXR 3 P-B8=Q+ BXQ
since White cannot prevent the exchange 4NXP+ K-R3 5NXB,withadraw.
of the last remaining pawns. But the A trap: I l'\'-N7? P-B6 2 NXB P-B7
beauty of this ending lies in the fact that 3 N-Q3 B-B5 4 KxP BXN, and Black
White forces the issue by dint of this wins.
seemingly unfavourable exchange. Black
puts up an artistic defence, but the simpli- 565. Filip-Gligoric (Moscow, 1967). It is
fication resulting after the close skirmish- generally easier to cope when the exchange
 Rook and Minor Piece v. Rook I83

566. Centurioi. (Theoretical ending.)

A rook and knight can force a win against
a rook only in favourable comer positions.
Of course, attempts to win can also he
made in other positions, since the correct
defence is not always easy to find. White's
pieces are well placed here, and the black
king is stuck in the corner, so that a win-
ning continuation can be found.
l R-QB7 K-Nl 2 K-N6 R-Kl 3 R-B6
down, if there is only one rook on the
R-Rl 4 N-N5 K-Rl (4 . . . K-Bl?
board. Here Black's rooks are very active,
5 R-K6!, and wins) 5 N-R7! R-K:\1 +
and he wins for the very reason that he
6 K-R6 R-Rl (6 ... R-N8? 7 N-N5!,
avoids exchanging a pair of rooks.
and wins) 7 N-B6 R-KBl 8 K-N6 R-RI
I ... P-B5! 2 K-B3 PXP 3 PXP
9 R-B7, and White wins.
R-Q3 (we already know that, after the
With Black to move: 1 . . . R-R3
exchange of rooks, Black is unable to win
2 R-K7! (a tempo-gaining move) 2 ...
because the bishop, moving on the long
R-Rl 3 K-N6 R-QB14 R-Q7 R-KNI+
diagonal, controls the invasion squares)
5 K-R6 R-N5 (if 5 ... R-Rl, 6 N-B4
4 B-K4 R-KB3+ 5 K-K3 R-QN7
wins) 6 N-N5, and wins.
6 R-R7 + K-R3 7 R-Q7 R-N6+ 8 R-Q3
R-N8! 9 R-Q2 R(8)-KB8 10 R-QB2
567 ,-----,·=--~=-""""•-:-·""""'·=----,;·=
~~~~~~~~
+ ~~~~~m~~
R-K3 11 R-B4 P-N4! (this break-through

.
would also fail without the second rook)
12 K-K2 R-BII3 PXP+ KXP 14 K-Q3 ~~m~~"j~~
R-Ql+ 15 K-B2 R-KB3 16 R-B7 ~~!(-~~~~~
R-B7+ 17 K-B3 R-K7 18 R-KN7+ .. (~~~~~~
K-B3 19 R-N6+ K-B2 20 B-Nl R-K6+ ~~~~~~~~
21 K-B4 R-K8 22 B-B5 R-QB8+, and
White resigned, because he can escape
from the mating net only by giving up
-~-~-~-~
567. Salvioli. (Theoretical ending.)
material.
Black's rook is badly placed, because it
cannot harass the white king, and is also
II. ROOK AND MINOR PIECE V. unable to pin the knight effectively.
ROOK I N-K6R-N12R-Ql!(awaitingmove,
which forces the bJad: roolk: onto a bad
square) 2 ... R-BI 3 N-N7+ K-Bl
4 R-KNI! R-B3+ 5 N-K6+ K--'.IU
6 R-N8+ K-Q2 7 R-Q8 mate.
Variation:4 ... K-N15 N-K6+ !K.-n
6 K-B7 K-R3 7 R-KRl mate.

568. Salvioll. (Theoretical ending.) The

position is the same as the previous ~.
 184 Six Hundred Endi11gs

=
.
569~-~~
~~~~j~~~~
~;.-~~~~~~
)'~
---"~ -~-
"'~ "'~~
~~ ~~ '"'"~ ~~
~~~~~~~~
.
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
569. Szen. (Theoretical ending.) The
except that the pieces have been shifted defending side has a much more difficult
one file to the left. Here there is no chance task against a rook supported by a bishop.
of victory, because the black king cannot Such positions provide scores of practical
be driven into the corner. At the critical winning opportunities, even though, ac-
moment, when the kings face each other cording to the present state of endgame
on the same file, the rook pins the enemy theory, the defending side should be able to
knight. draw. When the defending side's king is
1 N-Q6 R-Rl 2 R-BI R-Nl 3 N-B7+ caught on the first rank, sometimes the
K-Kl 4 R-BI K-Bl! 5 N-Q6+ K-N2, result is a win, sometimes a draw. The
with a draw, because the black king bas placing of the kings is very important:
enough room to escape. the essence of the drawn position is that
1st variation: 2 R-B6 R-Nl 3 N-B7+ the kings are in knight's opposition, with
K-K 1 4 R-R6 K-B1 5 K-B6 K-K1! the black king standing on a square of the
6 N-K5 R-Q1! (other moves lose) 7 same colour as White's bishop, and with
R-K6+ K-R1 8 N-N6+ K-N1 9 the rooks on the wider side of the board,
N-K7+ K-R2 10 K-B7 R-Q8 11 R-K5 as seen from the kings' position.
R-KBS+ 12 N-B5R-B7(the first effective I R-N8+ R-BI 2 R-~'.J7 R-B7 3
pin) 13 K-B6 R-BS 14 R-R5 K-N1! R-KR7 K-BI, and Black defends suc-
15 R-R8+ K-R2 16 R-R3 K-N1 17 cessfully. It should be borne in mind that,
R-KN3+ K-B1, with a draw. The pin is in the event of knight's opposition of the
again efl'ective, because the kings and the kings the rook can then effectively pin the
black rook are all on the same file. bishop only if it can mo\·e to at least
2nd variation: 2 R-B6 R-N1 3 N-B7+ three squares. The defence is more difficult
K-Kl 4 R-B7 R-N3+ 5 N-Q6+ if the kings oppose each other vertically,
K-B1 6 R-Q7 K-Nl 7 K-B6 R-R3 although even then a draw is possible.
8 K-N6 K-Bl 9 R-KB7+ K-N1 10
R-B6 R-R8 11 N-K4 R-KN8+ 12 N-N5 570
=
~~-~
~~~~~~,;.~~
R-N7 (the third effective pin) 13 R-BI ~~~~~~~~
R-N5 14 K-B6 R-N7 15 N-K6 R-N6
~~~~~~~~
16 R-B2 R-NS! 17 N-B4 R-QRS 18 ~~~~~,.-,~
R-QN2 R-R3+ 19 N-K6, with a draw,
because, with correct defence, Black 1s --~~
~ ii!;i~ ii!;i~'\', .. ~~~
~~~~~%--~'
~-~-~~~~
always saved by a pin.
~~~~
 Rook and .Minor Piece l'. Rook 185

570. Cochrane. (Theoretical ending.) K-BI 13 B-Q6+ K-Kl 14 R-N8+

The kings stand in opposition, but are R-B1 15 RXR mate.
separated by two squares, and the bishop Variation: 4 . . . K-Bl 5 R-KR7
is pinned. The only winning attempt, R-KN8 6 R-QB7 K-~1 7 R-B8+ K-R2
I K-K5 R-B8 2 B-N5 R-K8+ 3 K-B6 8 R-KR8+, and White wins.
R-KB8+ 4 K-N6 R-K8, leads to the
~ ~ ~ ~
previous example, with the difference that 5~ ~~~~~~~~
~ ~.i~ ~
the pieces have moved two files to the
B B*B B
right. Black can put up an effective
defence.
571 ~ ~-~ ~
~~~~~~~~
+~~~a=~~~
••••
~~~~ ~~ ~~
~~~~-~~~
~~~~~:~~~~
~~~~~~~~ -~-~-~-~
=·~;-:•
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~
572. Philidor. tTheoretical ending.) This
example illustrates bow to force back the
king. But the mere fact that the king is
~ ~----" ~ ~ forced back does not guarantee a win,
571. Philidor. (Theoretical ending.) This since the weaker side can reach a theoret-
is the so-called Philidor winning position. ically drawn position, even on the edge of
It is important to remember that it is a the board.
win on all files, except when the kings are I B-B4 R-K2 2 R-R6-;- K-B2+ 3
on one of the knight's files, or, ifthe kings K-B5 R-Q2 4 B-K5 R-N2 5 R-R6
oppnse each nther along a rank, on all R-N4! (if the rook has more than three
ranks t:xcept the second and seventh. squares a\'ailable, the pin is also effective
The winning line is not easy to find; it is a along the rank) 6 R-R7-7- K-Bl! (the
question of knowing the technique. The weaker side's king opposes the enemy
heavy pressure on Black would be re- king with two squares separating them)
lieved after the seemingly strong 1 B-B6?, 7 R-Q7 K-Kl! 8 R-QR7 K-Bl 9 K-K6
by I ... R-K2+!. White therefore has to R-N3+ 10 B-Q6+ K-~1 (the kings a1e
force Black's rook off the second rank. now on the same diagonal) II R-Q7!,
I R-B8+ R-Ql 2 R-B7 R-Q7! 3 R-N8! 12 K-B6 R-KBS+. and Black bas
R-QN7 R-QS 4 R-:r\7 R-KBS 5 B-N3 a satisfactory defence. The battle of rook
R-B6! (relatively best, but, as will be seen, plus bishop against rook produces situa-
Black's rook cannot deal with the mating tions where even forcing back the defend-
threats from the sixth rank) 6 B-Q6 ing side fails to bring results.
R-K6+ 7 B-K5 R-KB6 8 R-K7+!
K-Bl (8 ... K-Q1 loses to 9 R-QN7, 573. Flohr-Reshevsky (Semmering-
because Black's rook cannot move to Baden, 1937). The correct defence against
... QB6) 9 R-QB7 K-Nl 10 R-KN7+ being forced back was demonstrated in
K-Bl 11 R-N4 K-Kl (11 ... R-K6 is practice by the American grandmaster.
answered by 12 R-KR4!, when Black's I . . . K-Ql! (the drawn position of
rook cannot move to ... KN6) 12 B-B4! example 570; the kings are opposing
 186 Six Hundred Endings

P-R4 (the rook is lost after any other

move) 4 K-Ql P-R5 5 K-B1 P-R6 6
K-Nl P-R7+ 7 K-Rl!, and Black is in
::ugzwang. Of course, 7 KXP? would not
do, because after 7 ... R-R1 + the black
rook would leave the first rank.

-:ach other, but are separated by t\h'

_,quares) 2 R-R7 R-Q7 3 K-K5 K-BI!
1_ the defending king always moves in th;:

,--,pposite direction to his opponent) 4 B-B5

~-Q2 5 B-K7 K-N2 6 K-K6 K-B3
- R-R I R-Q7 8 R-QBI + K-;\;4 9 B-Q(•
R-K7+ 10 K-Q7 R-K5 II R-B5-
575. (Theoretical ending.) We know
~-R5 12 K-B6 K-:\'6 13 K-Q5 R-K I
that the bishop ending cannot be won if the
:~ R-1'!5--i-- K-B7 15 B-B5 K-Q6 16
colour of the rook pawn's promotion
R-:\'3+ K-K717 B-Q4 R-Ql + 18 K-K~
square is different from that of the bishop.
R-KI + 19 B-K5 K-K8! 20 R-N2 R-K2.
But this is not the case if both sides also
;:.nd a theoretically drawn position W:l'
have a rook. The weaker side cannot
;:.gai;· reacht>d.
force the exchange of rooks, and he
gradually becomes enmeshed in a mating
net.
1 B-K3 R-QNI + 2 R-QN7 R-KB1
(otherwise 3 R-Rl + followed by 4 B-B4 +
wins)3 R-QB7 R-QNl+ (3 ••. R-B3+
4 K-N5 R-BI 5 B-05 leads to the main
variation) 4 K-B6 R-KBl 5 B-B5 R-KNl
6 B-Q6 R-Q1 (or 6 ... R-Rl 7 K-N6
R-QN1 + 8 R-QN7, and wins) 7 R-KR7
R-QBl+ 8 B-B7! (but not 8 K-N6?
574. Kubbel. White's bishop advantage R-B3+l) 8 ... R-KNl 9 R-Q7! (the
is not decisive, since his king is remote from point of White's manreuvres up to now
the action. Yet the bishop is good enough was to take possession of the Q-file)
tc produce zugzwang by taking advantage 9 ... K-R2 (9 ..• R-K110 B-Q6 R-QB1 +
o:-the limited mobility of Black's king and 11 K-N5! R-KN1 12 K-N6, or 11 ..•
rcok. R-QB8 12 R-QB+, and wins) 10 K-N5
I B-B5! R-BI (I ... R-Nl? is met hy K-Rl (or 10 . . . R-N4+ 11 B-K5+
2 R-R8+ K-B2 3 B-Q6+ and wins, while K-R1 12 K-N6, and wins) 11 K-N6
I ... K-BI 2 B-Rl! P-R4 3 K-Q1 leads R-QBI 12 R-R7! R-KNl 13 B-Q6, and
to a zugzwang similar to that in the main White wins.
variation) 2 B-N6+ K-Kl 3 B-B7! 1st variation: 8 ••• K-R2 9 K-NS
 Two Minor Pieces v. Rook 18i

R-KNl (9 ..• K-R1 10 K-N6 R-K1 11 positioned, or when they arc up against
B-Q6 etc.) 10 B-Q6+ K-Rl 11 K-N6, really dangerous pawns. The first few
and wins. examples in this chapter dt:al with rook
2nd variation: S ••• R-B3+ 6 B-Q6 superiority.
R-R3 7 R-BS+ K-R2 8 R-QS R-N3 s77 r~ ;5·~ ~ ~
9 K-NS, and White wins.
+ -~~~~~~~
3rd variation: 4 . . . R-NS 5 B-N6
~~~-~~~~
R-QB8+ 6 B-BS R-QNS 7 R-QN7!
~ !~--· '~ ~~ ~
R-QBS (7 ... R-QR8 8 K-B7, or 7 ...
~~~~~~~~
R-KR8 8 R-QR7 + K-Nl 9 R-Q7, and
•%.%~~~~~~
wins) 8 R-R7+ K-Nl 9 R-R7, and
~~~~~~~
White wins.
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~·
577. Havel. The minor pieces need
each other's protection, and White exploits
this nicely here by constantly attacking the
defending piece. The team-work of th~
pieces which is in evidence right up to the
decisive simplification lends particubr
interest to this ending.
1 R-N6 ~-B2+ 2 K-K7 B-B5 3
576. Tapaszt6-Tipary (Hungarian R-QB6 N-K4 4 R-B5 :--:-:--:3-:-- 5 ~-B6
Championship, 1954). The material and B-Q6 6 R-Q5 :t\-B5 7 R-Q..; :'\'-R4-:-
conditions for a win are the same as in the 8 K-~5 B-K7 9 R-R4+ K-N7 10 R :\
preceding example, but the decision is B:<R 11 K~<B, and White win~.
reached sooner because of White's weaker 1st variation: 6 ... B-K5 7 R -<.?4 B-B/
resistance. 8 R-Q2 B-K5 9 R-K2 B-Q6 10 1Z-K3
1 •.. R-KN2 2 K-R4 R-N7 3 R-KRl B-B7 11 R-Kl +,and wins.
K-B4 4 K-RS R-KB7 5 R-R3 R-B8 2nd variation: 3 . . . B-:--:6 4 R-B3
6 R-R4 B-N6! 7 R-R3 R-QRS! (White B-Q4 5 R-B5 B-:\6 G R-R5 K-:\7 7
is in zugzwang) 8 KxP K-NS!, and Black Rx 1': etc.
wins.

IJJ. TWO MINOR PIECES V. ROOK

If the opposing pawns are wen balanced,

two minor pieces are generaUy stronger
than a rook. Sometimes the minor pieces
are superior to a rook even if the latter is
assisted by a pawn superiority. It does not
often happen that the rook is superior, 578. Em. Lasker-Capablanca (lightning
only when the minor pieces are badly game, 1913). Black's material strength
188 Si:c Hundred Endings

would be sufficient for a draw, were his of a rook and two connected passed pawns
king not situated on the edge of the over two minor pieces. Black's only chance
board. As it is, he founders because of is to block the pawns, but this fails on
=ug=wang. Whir.: sacrifices r h~ exchange account of the poor position of his bishop.
and re..:oups it \\ith interest. l P-B6 N-N3 2 P-B7 B-B4 (the only
I R ~ + ! ;--.;;.. R (I . . . K--X~ l move, otherwise Black has to gi\e up
R-R7 -:-) 2 K-BS (it would be good f0r one of his pieces for the pawn) 3 R-QS
Black if White had to move now) 2 ... P-K4 4 R-QN8! N-Bl 5 P-N5 K-Q3
;'\;-B2 3 K>:;o-.; J..:.-Rl 4 K:-:P K-~l 5 6 P-N6 N-K2(the knight is forced to open
K-B6 K-Bl 6 P-~6 K-;'\;1 7 J>-~7. ::~nJ the eighth rank, in view of the threat of
\\'bite wins. 7 P-N7) 7 R-KB8! B-Bl (forced, in view
of the threat of 8 P-/'.7) 8 RXP N-Q4
(by this mo\·e Black wins the passed pawns,
but also loses his own. 8 •.. P-N3 would
haveheldoutlonger, but the outcome oft he
game would not have been in doubt after
9 R-B6+ and the entry of White's king
into the battle) 9 RXP NX NP 10 R-R7
N-Q4 11 RXP+ KXP 12 P-K4 N-K2
13 P-B3 K-Q214P-R4K-K115 R-KB6!
(cutting off Black's king and threatening
579. Zakhodyakin. A rook and two
the adYance of the king to QB5) 15 •••
passed p.1wns ha\e the edge over two mi-
1'-N l 16 R-B6!,. and Black resigned,
nor pit' :.:s. Although here White cannot
since after 17 R-B5 he loses his last pawn.
sa -.e his rook's pawn, he is able to activate
sa1•~m~~
~~~~-j~~~~
his king. Black's knight has to flee after
the capture of the pawn, but it bas only =
one available square, and if it move~ then: ~~~~~~~~
it causes a fatal blockage.
I P-R6! N-:S5+ 2 K-B4 NXP 3
· ·--~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~
K-~5! :-.1-Nl (3 ... K-N2 4 R-Q7 +) .u.A~,~~~~
~f*J''Y~~ ~~- ""~~
4 R-KR2+ K-:'12 5 R-R7+ K-Bl 6
R-KB7 mate.
---~- ~ ........
;r~ ~.2.~ ~
~

+.
580 ••••

-~···.2.
~~ ~~~,~~~u,J~
~ ~~~~ ~~%··-"
~~-u~~~~~~
581. LiburkiD. A stalemating combina-
tion saves the game for White: I K-B8
BXP 2 RXB P-Q7 3 RXP B-R3+
4 K-B7 P-Q8=Q 5 R-N8+ K-R2
.u~~~~~~~ 6 R-N7+, with stalemate or perpetual
~~ ~~ ~~~u~~~ check.
• ~~r~ r~
~~~~--"~7/'" Variation: 1 . • . B-N5+ 2 RXB
~ ~~~ ?~ BXP 3 R-QR4+ B-R2 4 R-QN4 P-Q7
580. Capablanca-Lilientbal (Moscow, 5 RXP P-Q8=Q 6 R-N8+ BXR stale-
1936). A typical example of the superiority mate.
 Tn o .\/inor Pieces ,.. Rook 189

K-B2 3 P-1\7 R-K~ -l K- RG! R-QRS -'--

5 B-R5 R-Q'\~ 6 B-'\6 R-QRlH- 7 K-'\5
R-QN8_;_ S K-B:' R-OBS:- 9 K-Q-l
R-Q8+ 10 K-B3 R-QB~+ II K-'\2.
and White wins.

582. Kling and Horwitz. Against a rook,

a pair of t-ishops is stwnger than two
knights or a bishop and knight. Even so,
it is not easy for Black to press home his
advantage here, because the advance oft he
pawn requires l'areful preparation, in the
584. Prokes. Supported by l,i,hop :!!~l:
l' >ursc <'f which Blal'k has not only to
knight, c:-:ly a BP, QJ> or KP 0tfcr a ,_,r,:
pre,·cnt the exchange of the rook for his
win agai:-:~t a rook. The d:Jnger c>f qaJ.:-
white-squared bishop, but also has to
mate is ..;·,•nsiderabk in the case c>f RJ>
force the rook off the second rank.
G::d NP. In this position c-:1ly promotic:1
I ... K-::\'6 2 R-N2+ K-B6 3 R-QB2
0f the pawn can ensure ,·ictory, but fir~<
K-K5 4 R-K2+ K-Q6 5 R-QN2 K-B6
Black's r.:>ok must be forced 0fT the ba6:
6 R-K2 K-::\'6!, Black win~. because
r:1nk.
White is in =ugzwang.
I ~-K5! K '< B (I ... R-.YJ loses 10
Yariati0n: 3 R-K2 B-K6+ 4 K-BJ
2 B-B5 :-ccause the wok and king ar:
B-QB5 5 K-Kl B-~8 6 R-K7 P-R7
badly pl..lccd) 2 1'-'\7 R-Ql 3 N-Q7_;_
7 R-KR7 B-B7-!- S K-Q2 K-1\:7 9 K-B3
K-KJ (if 3 ... A'-.\"1 4 A"-Ki wins) -l
B-BS 10 R-Kl'\7-!... B--'\6. nnd Black
K-K6 (Bi.!ck is in ::ug::lrWJ_t:) 4 ... R '·. "\
WillS.
5 P-~8=0-'--- et~·.
\'ariati·_':l: 2 ... R-1'-1 3 N-:\'6-
K-"\1 4 "\ K7-· K -BI 5 '\-B~ l'lc.

5~3. Prokes. One of \\'hite's bishops i:.

hounJ tt> r-e lost, but the other assists the
promotit>n l'f the pnwn by means of inter-
ference. SMS. Schwers. The nw~t dangcrl'U'
I B-B7 R/B ~ B-Q8+ (White first threat fr0m Black's r<'0k is Jircctcd Jll't ><'
duses the back rank It' the rOl'J..) 2 ... mud1 ;1g:!iii-l a knigl11 ·" ;1gainst ;1:.
190 Six Hundred Endings

pawn. The manrem re which thwarts this

effort is both interc.;ting and instructive.
I '\'-B6! R-B8! 2 N-B3! (this se..:ond
sa.:rificc cannot be refused) 2 ... R X N
3 P-::\7 R-K:\'6 4 :'-J-K4+, and \Vhite
win~. Two knights and a pawn can win
ag:1inst a ro0k only if the exchange t'rthc
fOL'k for the p:.lwn can be pre\·entcd.

586 ~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
~~~~,~~~
Variation: 1 . . . K-Q4 2 N-K7 +
+ K-K4 3 P-R4 R-N6 4 K-R2 R-QB6
""'"}~%" ~~ ~~~
·~·&~~~ 5 P-N7 etc.
?-. J~'L.~~ ~~ ~~ A trap: 2 N-K7? K-B7! 3 P-R4
~~~~~~~~
.~m!~~~~~
~~... ~~~~~~
~ ~
586. Zakbodyakin. The rook would
~

like to take White's pawn, and thus sah·age

R-N8+, with a draw by perpetual check.

a draw. White's problem is how to save

and make use of his pawn.
l P-K7 R-BI 2 ~-B4+ (a diverting
sacrifice)2 ... RXN+ 3N-Q4!(asecond
di•.-erting sacrifice) 3 ... RX ~ + 4 K-B3!
R-Q6+ 5 K-K2, and White wins. 588. Richter. It is easy for White to
lst variation: 3 ... R-BI 4 ~-B6+ acquire a passed pawn, but the danger of
K-~3 (Black cannot accept this sacrifice, stalemate prevents him from promoting
but now line-dosure follows) 5 N-Q8 etc. to a queen .. With the minimum of mate-
2nd variation: 2 ... K-R3 3 ~-N4+ rial, the solution demonstrates two types
K-R2 4 N-B6+ K-R3 5 N-Q8 RX!'i of under-promotion.
(B5)+ 6 K-B3 R-B6+ 7 K-K2 R-B7+ I N-Q6! R-B3 2 NXP+ K-R3 3
8 K-Ql etc. N-R5! KXN 4 P-N7+ R-N3+! 5
B;<R+ K-R3! 6 P-NS=.N+ !, and wins.
587. Troitsky. Black plans to capture If White promotes to a queen or rook,
the NP, occupy ... KR8 with his king, Black is stalemated, but promoting to a
and then give up his rook for the knight. bishop would not have won either, since
White needs to be very much on the alert the colour of the RP's promotion square
if he is going to win. is wrong.
1 N-B6+ K-K6! 2 P-R4! RXP 3 Variation: 2 ... KXRP 3 B-B7 K-N4
N-K7! (the rook has a choice of 14 4 N-Q6+ RXN 5 P-N7 R-Ql! 6 BXR
squares, but not one of them is safe) K-R3 7 P-N8=R!, and White wins.
3 ..• R-N6 4 N-B5+ K-B5 5 NXR
KXN 6 P-R5, and White wins.
 Rook and Bishop (or Knight) against Rook and Bishop (or Knight) 191

1 R-N3+! (driving the black king onto

an unfavourable square) I . . . K-Bl
2 RXP! (this sacrifice produces a radical
change in the position) 2 . . . RXR
3 KXP R-B4 (the only free square for the
rook, and even this is no good) 4 N-K7 +,
with a draw. White's rook did the menial
work, while his knight did the real dam-
age.
Variation: 1 ... K-R2 2 RXN+
589. Rinck. A knight fork brings victory,
K-N2 3 R-Rl R-R6 4 K-B2 R-R8 5
but what makes it possible is the decoy
R-KNI K-B3 6 N-B4 K-B4 7 N-Q3+
role played by the passed pawn.
K-BS 8 N-Kl K-B6 9 NXBP, with a
1 N-QS R-BS! 2 P-N7 K-B2 3 P-NS =
draw.
Q+! KXQ 4 P-N3!, and White wins,
since the rook is lost wherever it moves to.
1st variation: 1 . . . R-B4 2 P-N7
R-KN4 3 P-N8=Q+ RXQ 4 N-B6+
etc., and White wins.
2nd variation: 1 ... R-QRS 2 B-B5
P-B7 3 N-B6+ K-Ql 4 BXP K-K2
S P-N7 etc.

591. Kubbel. White threatens to win a

piece, creates zugzwang and then simplifies
into a winning position.
1 R-R4! (threatening 2 RXB+ and
3 B-K1) 1 ... R-QR6! 2 RXB+!
(2 RXR? BXR+ 3 KXB K-B6 draw)
2 ... KXR 3 B-Kl+ (3 B-B5+? KXB 4
KX R K-B5 draw) 3 ... K-R5 4 B-B3!
(Black is in zugzwang) 4 ... R X B 5 K X R,
and White wins.

590. Troitsky. Black threatens ...

P-B7+, and 1 R-Ql would be unsatis·
factory as Black acquires an overwhelming
material advantage after I . • . R-R6
2 K-B2 R-R8 3 R-KNI (3 N-K3 NXPl)
3 ... NXP. But White manages to restore
material equality by the following ma-
nceuvre.
192 Six Hundred Endings

592. Kling and Horwitz. By ingenious 594. Lindner. When both sides have a
sacrifices White forces the black king onw rook, the chances of realizing material
the fatal back rank. superiority increase, even if the bishops
1 B-R3+ K-Q3 2 B-Q7! K.<B 3 are of opposite colour. Promotion of the
P-K8=Q+! K :<Q 4 R>~B+, and White passed pawn is secured by means of
wins. attractive tactical mana:uvres.
Variation: 2 ... R-:1\7+ 3 K-BI! l R-Nl! (forcing Black's rook off the
K>~B 4 P-KS=Q+ KXQ 5 RxB..:.. etc. QR-file, otherwise promotion is impos-
sible) I ... RXR (or I ... R-R7 2 P-R7
B-N7 3 RXB) 2 P-R7 R-N6+ 3 K-K2!
R-N7 + 4 K-Bl R-N8+ 5 B-Ql! R-Nl
(5 ... RXB+? fails to 6 K-K2.') 6 P-B6!
(a decisive line-opening) 6 .. . P >~ P
7 B-N4+, and White wins.
Variation: 4 ... R-KB7+ 5 K-NI
R-Kl'7+ 6 K-Rl R-N8+ 7 K-R2
R-N7+ 8 K>:P etc.
A trap: 3 K-B2? R-N7+ 4 K-B3?
R-NI 5 P-B6 B-N7+ 6 K-B2 R-Rl,
593. Rinck. There is no chance of victory
and Black wins.
if the pawns arc exchanged, and after
I P-K7 the pawn is in danger. 595 ~.i.~ ~-~
However, this latter move is still the
solution, because the pawn can be pro-
+~~~
•
[email protected]%~~~----"[email protected]'%
~·~
if.li • if.li
~ (}.~~~- (;.~%,,,,%
moted by the exploitation of tactical
possibilities.
I P-K7! K-N5+! 2 K-N2 R-K3 3
~~~~~--"~~­
%'"'~~'"W%~~~w-~
R-K2! (decoying the black rook, in order ~a~ ~~(}. -, ~wJ~ ~
~ ~ ~~ ~
~ ~-~-----"·~---"-~''"
to set up an interference and later a pawn
fork) 3 ... RXR 4 B-K4! RXB 5 ~ ~ ~~~
P-B3+, and wins.
595. Geller-8tein (Interzonal, Stock-
A trap: I B-B5+? K-R5 2 P-K7 (2
holm, 1962). There is a world of difference
PXP K-N4+ 3 K-N2 R-Q3, with a
between the two bishops. White's central-
draw) 2 ... R-Rl 3 B-N6 K-N4+ 4
ized bishop not only blocks the black
K-::'>J2 KXB 5 R-R6 K-B2, with a draw.
pawns, but also attacks the important
squares QN7 and KB7. White's more
active rook and passed pawn also weigh
heavily in his favour.
1 P-N5! R-Nl (Black cannot capture
the QBP: I ... RXP 2 R-R8+ K-R2
3 P-N6 and 4 P-N7, or 1 ... BXP 2
P-N6 R-Nl 3 P-N7 and 4 R-R8) 2 P-B4
B-N5 (Black cannot defend his second
rank, because of White's control of QN7)
 Rook and Bishop (or Knight) against Rook and Bishop (or Knight) 193

3 R-R7 B-B4 (the Joss of the pawn is pawn, but acceptance of the sacrifice is not
unavoidable) 4 RXP K-R2 5 B-K4+ forced) 3 R-R8+! N-Nl (after 3 ...
K-Nl 6 B-Q5 K-R2 7 K-K2! (Black K-B: 4 R-R7+ K-KJ 5 R~<N+-this
is powerless to prevent the centralization time it can be accepted-5 . . . RXR
ofWhit~'s king) 7 ... P-R4 8 K-Q3 K-R3 6 PXR KXP 7 BXP K-Q3 8 BXP
9 K-K4 P-NJ 10 P-R4! R-KRI II P-BJ White wins, because the corner square is
R-R2 12 RXR+ (the rook has done its of the right colour) 4 B-Q5, and Black
duty, and can be exchanged. The ending resigned.
is easily won with the pawn advantage,
despite the opposite-coloured bishops)
12 ... KXR 13 B-B7! (opening the way
for his king, and at the same time limiting
the mobility of the black king) 13 ...
K-N2 14 B-K8 B-B7 15 K-Q5 BXP
(15 ... K-B1 is also hopeless, because of
16 B>; P K-K2 17 BXP BXP 18 P-N6
K-Q1 /9 K-B6 K-Bl 20 B-N4+ and
21 P-R5) 16 P-N6 B-B7 17 P-N7 B-R2
18 KXP B-N1+ 19 K-Q7 P-N4 20 597. Tarrasch-Reti (Vienna, 1922). Even
BXP P~<P 21 B-N4, and Black resigned, though White has no passed pawn, his
since White can win either by advancing control of the seventh rank and the dark
his QBP or by capturing the bishop after squares gives him a positional advantage.
22 K-B8. He can easily penetrate Black's position,
and there is no effective defence against 1he
attack.
1 K -R2! (\v1ute avoids winning a pawn,
in fact he sacrifices one, but he does not
for one moment let up with his relentless
attack) 1 ... N-Q3 2 R-K'l7+ K-Rl
3 R-Q7 N-N4 4 K-N3 NXBP 5 K-B4
N-N4 6 K-KS R-Kl 7 K-B6, and Black
resigned, since 7 ... K-Nl is met by
8 R-KN7+ K-Rl 9 R-QN7 N-Q3 10
596. Smyslov-Bouwmeester (Olympiad, R-Q7 N-N4 II K-B7 R-KNl 12 R-Q8!
Leipzig, 1960). We have already seen that RXR 13 B-N7 mate.
a bishop with a passed pawn is substan-
tially more powerful than a knight. This 598. AlekhiDe-Eawe (Lomdon, !922).
superiority is even more pronounced if Here, on the other hand, the :ad~ge
each player also has a rook. Here, in spite of a centralized knight over ;a :mishap
of the limited material, White succeeds blocked in behind its own pawns iis ob-
in giving mate. vious. White's more active rook :ana the
I R-R6! K-B1 2 P-B6 N-K2 (mate in weakness of the black pawns are ;also
two moves was threatened. Black would factors counting in White's favour.
gladly give up his knight for the passed 1 N-B3! (it is interesting that the strong
1-94 Six Hundred Endings

2 P-N4 and ·3 R-K6) .2 R-K6 B-Ql

(a poor square for. the bishop, but if
2 ••• B:,.iv5, then J N-B6+, while after
2 . • . . :B-B4, either·..f RXKP and 4
NXB+ or J N-B6+ is de9Sive) 3 R-Q6+
K-Bl 4 K-K8 B-B2 S "R-QB6 R-Q8
(5 •.• RXP 6 N-B3, and wins)·6 N-NS!
R-Ql+ 7 K-B7 R-Q2+ 8 K-N8!, and
Black resigned, since he not only loses.his
KRP, but also has no chance of effective
knight searches r~ new> hlmbmg grounds,
c:ounter-play. After 8 ..• K-N2 9 NXP
while vacating its posdion for the king.
R-Q7 10 N-N5! the KBP cannot be taken
Black could now open a way for his bishop
becaUse of II N-K6 B-Nl 12 N-Q8+
at the cost of a pawn, bot it still would not
and 13 R-B8, and after any other move
be able to move in view of the weakness
White again plays II N-K4, and then
of his KNP. White's victory is in any event
wins the KNP.
beyond doubt) 1 ..• R-K2 2 P-N5!
(completely immobilizing the black bish-
op) 2 .•. PXP 3 PXP K-B3 4 K-Q3
R-Q2+ 5 K-K4 R-QB2 6 N-N5 R-K2
7 P-B3 K-Q2 8 R-N8 K-B3 9 R-QB8+
K-Q2 (after 9 ... K-N2 10 N-Q6+ K-lu
11 R-KN8! R-Q2 12 N-K8 the bishop is
lost) 10 n-B7+ K-Ql 11 R-B6! R-N2
12 RXKP, and Black abandoned the
hopeless resistance.

600. Fiscller-Rubinetti (Buenos Aires,

1970). Both sides have pawn weaknesses,
but White eliminates his with a sacrifice.
1 P-B4! PXP (declining the sacrifice
is no better-] ... R-R5 2 R-N8+ K-Q2
3 PXP BXKP 4 P-Q4, and 4 ... RXP+
fails to 5 K-Q3) 2 P-Q4 (by his pawn
sacrifice White has acquired a protected
passed pawn, and has also put the bishop
599. Petrosian-Botvinnik (World Cham- in an uncomfortable position) 2 ... K-Ql
pionship Match, 1963). Compared with (the only defence against the threat of
the previous position, Black's rook is more 3 P-K5) 3 N-R5! P-B4 4 P-K5 B-BI
active here, but the white king has already 5 N-B6+ K-Kl (5 ••. K-Bl 6 R-B7
infiltrated Black's lines. The concerted B-R3 7 P-K6, and wins) 6 RXBP, and
play of White's pieces, supported by their Black resigned, since after 6 ... PXP
king, decides the outcome. . 7 P-K6 he has no satisfactory defence
I K-B7! R-R8 (1 ... R-R4 is met by against the threatened mate.
Index of Players and Analysts
(Nos. refer to endings)

Adorjan 203, 271, 561 Capablanca 391, 397, 485, 578, 580
Ahues 98 Centurini 198, 566
Alekhine 25, 373, 399, 483, 4ll4, 598 Cheron 322
Anderssen 436 Chigorin 79
Aronin 275 Claparede 233
A\·erbakh 188, 278, 425, 426, 427, 428, Cochrane 570
429, 430, 445 Cohn ll9
Colle 483
Balogh 159, 378 Cozio 295
Barath 27
Barbieri 388, 448 Csaszar 85
Barcza 443, 527, 535 Csom 441
Bayer 63 Csontos 62
Behting 59, 91, 101, 306 Czerniak 49
Bekey 416, 417, 422
Benko 529 Dalk6 259
Berger 6, 63, 82, 242, 283, 296, 418, 419, Dedrle 12, 34, 112, 114, 461
421, 439 Dehler 548
Bernhardt 553 Denes 54
Bernstein 333 Dobias 32
Besser 229 Dobrescu 365
Blumich 346 Donner 535
Bogoljubov 116, 342, 379 Duras 99, 187, 205, 338
Bokosievic 200
Boleslavsky 275 Ebersz II, 20, 29, 30, 31, 37
Bolton 127 Eliskases 379
Bondarevsky 171, 339 Ellinger 268
Boros 539 Euwe 52, 105, 137, 178, 230, 258, 278,
Botvinnik 120, 262, 316, 340, 370, 371, 373, 399, 449, 525, 526, 598
425, 513, 528, 536, 599
Bouwmeester 596 Fahrni 10, 15, 16, 18, 50, 51, 57~ t51!, 169~
Brinckmann 117 86, 90, 100, 104, 131, 135, 136, 14il.. l4S.
Bron 269 172~ 184, 196, 214, 221
Bronstein 262 Farago 332
Browne 267 Fazekas 259
19S
196 Index of rlayers and Analysts

Feijter 40, 501 Karakl;~jic

49
Filip 444, 565 Karpov 537
Fine 239, 515, 555 Karstcdt 465, 466
Fischer234,254,255, 34!:!, 370, 3KI, 456, 6C)fJ Kazantsev 228
Flohr 120, 263, 573 Keidanski 291
Illorian 248 Keres 96, 339, 383, 456, 4!i4, 555
Foltys 28, 231 Kholmov 360
IF0ntana 433, 434, 435 Kissling 311
P:@r.mtQs 199 Kling and Horwitz 103,177,192,239,
Fnci,tag 200 260, 280, 288, 296, 3 I R, 334, 353, 356,
Fritz 175, 562 415, 438, 524, 582, 592
Fiister 248 Kluger 350, 443
Kniest 290
Gefier 44, 437, 512, 595
Kopaev 347
Gheorghiu 264
Korchnoi 532, 537
Gligoric 144, 377, 3X4. 56:'
Korteling 549
Golombek 276
Kosek 240
Gor.:;;,.,. 41, 80, K3
Kotov 272
Grigori.w. K. 107
Krejcik 457
Grig:orie,· 35, 36, 7K, 109, 132, 140. 321,
Krenosz 232
323, 324, 417, 419,420,470
Kubbel 73, 147, 212, 247, 251, 452. 521,
Grob 233
541, 556, 558, 574, 591
Gruber i-+
GriinfeiJ 226, 37!-i
Larsen, A. I oO
Guretzky-Cornitz 4lJO, 491. 493, ~27,
Larsen, B. 461>
530
Lasa 19, 293
Gurgenidzc 265
Lasker, Ed. 21
Halberstadt 71, 51o Lasker, Em. 312, 341, 395, 57!-i
llavasi 440, 53S Lazard 362, 551
I! a \'cl 561, 577 Lein 106
lleilmann 333 Lewitt 166, 191,451. 45!'
1-knkin 420, 504, 505, 507, 50~. ~11'.1, 51U, Liberzon 199
511 Liburkin 563, :"8 I
llcnneberger 25ti Lichtenstein 446
llcrhcrg 2~9 Lilienthal 450, 580
Herbstman 208, 3S2, 396, 560 Lindner 94, 594
Heuacker 204 Lolli 412, 460. 462, 463
Holzhauscn 531 Loman 312
Hort 384 Lommer 500
Horwitz 26, 92, 423 Lomov 194
Loyd 125, 126
IvkoY 161, 216,236,376
Lucena 313
Jakobsen 217
Janowski 2~4 l\Jaizelis 533, 534
 Index of Players atul Analysts 197

Mandler 110 Prokes (cont.)

Mandler and Konig 405 372, 385, 386, 404, 442, 453, 459, 467,
Marco 38, 390 473, 482, 498, 502, 503, 544, 554, 564,
Mar6czy 61, 227, 390, 406, 450 583, 584
Marovic 144 Prokop 45, 133, 392, 454, 471
Marshalll42, 424, 450
Metzger 176 Queckenstiidt 219
Milic 129 Raina 189
Minev 425 Randvir 96
Moiseev 536 Reshevsky 218, 236, 257, 437, 449, 469,
Moravec 285, 294, 352 573
Morphy 436 Reti 39, 47, 142, 110, 182, Joo. 398, 514,
Moller 195 550, 597
Neumann 432 Richter 588
Neustadt! 13, 24, 542 Rinck 53, 74, 148, 155, 158, 163, 206, 224,
Niesz1152 244, 270, 274, 298, 309, 387, 400, 401,
Nimzowitsch 43, 256, 367, 485 402, 403, 455, 472, 476, 477, 480, 481,
Novotyelnov 430 497, 499, 518, 589, 593
Nyeviczkey 225, 261 Rio, del 528
Rubinetti 600
Olafsson 264 Rubinstein 117, 119, 226, 395, 398, 534
Osnos 506 Rudakovsky 357
Otten 164 Riibesamen 183
Ozsvath 447
Saavedra 281
Paoli 250 Sackmann 23, 33, 201
Paulsen 176 Salvioli 67, 88, 223, 328, 496, 5fil, 568
Petrosian 265, 381, 512, 599 Salwe 534
Philidor 314, 490, 571, 572 Siudor 350
Pillsbury 227 .satk02;y 14, 17
Pilnik 408 Schlage :98
Platov, V. and M. 305, 547 Sdilechfer 38,-406
Pogats 360 SCbwm·473, 'SJ9, 520, 585
Polerio 302 'Sc:!Iezriiev ·46,-48; 10, ;72,'-7$, "84, 111, II6,
Polugayevsky 107 :134, 'l53, U6, 1157, 160,.207,209, 210,
Pomar 216 ~u. 21'5,:210; 237; 238, 241,243, 245,
Ponziani 89,329,344,488 -2ie6,~249,.2$2, .343,·345,-349,351, 363,
Popov 289 ~. :J66, '368, "369,~380, 393,394, 495,
Portisch 161, 188, 218. 229., 267., .2TI, :299, '545, 551, -SS9
332, 348, 374, 315, 316, .3il7, <407, 444, Sergeev 272
468 Shapiro 286
Prokes S8, 81, 97., 1-()2, 1'68, 138, 139, 149, Shishkin 375
1~ 162, 165, 168, 174, 185, 186, 190, Sike 181
193, 202, 213, 266, 287, 297, 301, 304, Simagin 506
 198 lnde:c of Players and Analysts

Smejkal217 Troitsky 76, 77, 95, 124, 128, 146, 151, 173,
Smyslov 44, 64, 276, 277, 596 179, 203, 253, 273, 303, 307, 330, 331,
snassky 254, .299. 374 389, 474, 478, 479, 494, 517, 540, 587,
Sjpi:lmann 391 590
Stahlberg 515
Smmma 130,282,361 Vancsura 543
Stein ESS. 595 Veltnander 263
St.eiiDtt 335, 546 Villeneuve-Escap1on 154
Sternberg 446 Vliet, van 431
Stoltz 43 V1k 354
Suetin 445 Vort>s 232
SzabO 231, 407, 40S. 5:2£
Szen 569 Walker 118
Szily 447 Weenink 115, 167, 308,317
Whitehead 93
Tacu 552 Wolf 159
Taimanov 129,234, 255, 383 Woliston 257
Tal 64, 106, 371, 381, 532 Wotawa 292
Tapaszt6 576
Tarrasch 79, 284, 319, 320, 325, 346, 597 Yanofsky 230
Tartakover 397 Yates 25, 424
Tatai 441
Teed 56 Zakhodyakin 235, 310, 579, 586
Thomas 342, 469 Zinner 17
Tipary 576 Zukertort 335
Tolush 357, 513