Queen vs Minor Pieces Fortress Part 2, Bishop and Knight

Previous : Queen vs Minor Pieces Fortress Part 1 - Two Bishops

Bishop and Knight alone can not hold the position against queen except one position, which can be arranged on two corner of the board, depending upon which colour bishop you have.

Bishop and Knight fortress

As you can see that white king can not enter into the squares marked with green colour. Therefore Bishop can not be captured so position remains draw. Moreover, white is not able to force black into zugzwang. Please note that attacker positions (here white's King and Queen) are irrelevant once defender gets the given position.

Originally position was studied by Max A.K.S. Karstedt in 1903 who has also discovered some other possibilities in Philidor position even but not popular because they are complicated.

Karstedt Position - 1903

1. Qf5 Kh8 2. Ke7 Kg8 3. Qc2 Kh8 4. Qc8+ Kh7 5. Qa8 Ng6+ 6. Ke6 Ne5 7. Qh1+ Kg8 and position remains the same.However here are some moves which are played by computer (F-13) with no result. 8. Qd5 Kh7 9. Kf5 Kh8 10. Qa8+ Kh7 11. Qb7 Kg8 12. Qe7 Kh7 13. Qe6 Bh8 14. Ke4 Bg7 15. Kd5 Bh8 16. Kd6 Bg7 17.Qd5 Kh8 18. Qe4 Kg8 19. Ke6 Kh8 20. Kd5 Kg8 21. Qf5 Bh8 22. Qc8+ Kh7 23. Qd8 Ng6

Queen vs Minor Pieces Fortress Part 1

In this article we will see different fortress positions for minor pieces (usually Defender Side) against Queen in pawn less endgame.

Queen vs. Two Bishops

Bishop must be arrange in a way so that stronger side king can not attack them. You can set up the fortress in 4 corners.

Giambattista Lolli has given following position in his book Osservazioni teorico-pratiche sopra il giuoco degli scacchi (English: Theoretical-practical views on the game of chess), published 1763 in Bologna. Which has been used in almost every chess endgame book to describe fortress against queen for two bishops.

Two Bishop Fortress

1.Qd7+ Kg8 2.Qe6+ Kg7 3.Qd6 Bf7 4.Kf5

and again with 4.... Bg6+ 5.Kf4 and Black again gets Lolli Position. and there is no another way to win this game for white. You can your self analyse the position or can take help of computer in case you have any doubts. 5...Kf7 6.Qd7+ Kf8 =:=

In the next part we will  see fortress for two knights.

Chess Endgame : Queen vs. Rook Part - 2 Winning Method

Continued....
Previous : Queen vs. Rook Part - 1

In part 1, we already discussed fortress in this part we will discuss winning method for stronger side.

Philidor studied this position in 1977 and therefore called 'Philidor Position' where stronger side (here white) wins with either side to move.

White to Move

Black to Move

With black to move it is comparatively easy for stronger side. Why ? because you have already same position which we get above on move no. 3.

Chess Endgame : Queen vs. Rook Part - 1 Fortress

In Practice it has been observed that Queen vs Rook endgame is difficult though it was believed to be quite easy to force win.

Muller in his book 'Fundamental Chess Endings'

"The Appearance of Computer databases in 1978 caused the ending to be seen in new light.While they confirmed that the queen should win from all normal starting positions, they also showed that it was quite difficult to win if the defender played precisely."

In the first part, we will see fortress position where defender gets draw by force with the help of perpetual checks and stalemate tricks.

Fortress position

As you can see in the diagram, with black to move ; draw can be achieved by 

1... Rg7+ 
2. Kf5 Rf7+ 
3. Kg6 Rg7+ 
4. Kf6 Perpetual checks (4. Kh6 Rh7+ 5. Kxh7 Stalemate trick works) 
4... Rg6+ Again Stalemate tricks works well for defender

1/2 - 1/2

In part 2 we will see winning method for stronger side.

Theoretical Positions In King & Pawn Endgame That You Must Know

Breakthrough

It is very much important to have passed pawn in endgame. Sometimes material on the board is even but it may be possible to have passed pawns for both on different wings (King side, Queen side. In endgame it is advantageous to have passed pawn on the side where your opponent has not castled. In general that is called majority on the queen-side. It is advantageous because your opponent king has to travel far to reach your passed pawn by the time you can just take off some of his pawns and gaining material advantages.

Pawn Breakthrough :

It is basically a process of creating passed pawn.In simple terminology;  finding correct series of pawn moves to produce passed pawn called pawn breakthrough.First we will go through some famous examples then we will dig this topic deeply.

Remember : You must be having prior knowledge of 'key square' and 'Rule of square' in order to understand pawn breakthrough.

Position 1: White to Move

This is very famous example to explain pawn breakthrough. See the diagram(^). White white to move, white can easily win with
1. g6!! hxg6 or 1....fxg6, 2.h6! gxh6, 3.f6 and wins
2. f6! gxf6
3. h6 and promoting the pawn and wins.

But there is question why white was winning on the given position?

• Black king was too much far from the queening square.
• White pawns were more advanced.White won't be able to win if pawn were on the 4th rank and black's pawn on 6th rank.

Position 2: White to Move

In this position(^), white can win with either with f5 or g5
1. g5 Kb4
2. f5 (threat is to g6 on next move, creating passed pawn on e file)exf5
3. g6!! fxg6
4. e6 and black king is not far from queening square.

again winning is thanks to white advanced pawn and king's positions.

In the both diagrams, kings were far from the action. But it is very much harder to evaluate position when king is in action. Let's look at some examples.

Position 3: White to Move

In the diagram(^), if black king was far from the action then white can easily win with 1. b6 - axb6 2. a6  but here position is different, as if 2. a6 then Kc6 and black can win even therefore much deeper calculation is required
1. a6! Kd6
2. b6!! Kc6
then pause for moment which one is better b7 or bxa7, yeap may be you got right
3. axb7! and wins (as b7 draws because 3...Kc7 and black can save a day due to stalemate tricks)

Position 4: Black to Move

In the given position(^) with white to move white can win easily Kd4, but if black to move then it is his or her only chance, How he/she can win? with 1....c3 2. bxc3 bxc3 3.Kd3 and white can easily get the black's passed pawn.

Think for some more time, may be you get that
1....c3
2. bxc3 b3!!
3. axb3 a3 which is not in the reach of white's king.


So there is no rocket science to learn pawn breakthrough, but below are some examples in the form of puzzles which you should try to solve first then look at the answers.

Test Positions

(1) White to Move

(2) White to Move

(3) White to Move

Drawing with Vancura Position

So far in Rook ending we have discussed Philidor Position (Drawing Method) and Lucena Position (Winning method), today we are going to discuss Vancura position(Drawing method).

Position's characteristics :

• Strong side is having an extra pawn and that is rook pawn.
• Pawn is not beyond its six rank (Pawn is on h6 in diagram)
• Strong side rook is tied up in defence (in front of the pawn, Rook is on h8)
• Defender rook attacks pawn from the rank (Rook attacks pawn from c6 in diagram)
• Defender king must be on other-side of the board in the corner (in our case King is on b7 or a7) so that stronger side rook can not check the king to promote the pawn or can sacrifice the pawn in order to set up skewer.

Drawing Method :

Key :Do not allow your opponent to support pawn with the help of king.

1. Kg5  Rc5+
h7 was not possible because of Rh6! 2. Kg5  Rh1 3. Kg6 Rg1+ 4. Kf7 Rf1+  5. Ke7 - Ra1 draws, Please not that defender king must be in corner(b7 or a7) if defender Majesty is on c7 the white can win sacrificing pawn with Ra8! if ....Rxh7 then Ra7+ wins or Defender king is on b6 then Rb8+ and can promote the pawn to queen.

2. Kf6 Rc6+ (Important square in Vancura position for defender rook)

3. Ke5 Rg6 (attack continue through 6th rank on pawn)

4. Kd5 Rc6

5. Rh7+ Kb6 etc

Summary : Pawn can not be advanced because defender rook gets behind the pawn and Stronger side king cannot  advance because of checks.

For better understanding and clear picture of the position lets go through some examples.

White to Move

1. Kb5 Rf5+
2. Kb6 Rf6+
3. Kc5 Rf5+
4. Kd4 Rf6
(4... Rf4+ ?? 5. Ke5 Rf6 6.
Rg8+ And wins)
5. Ke5 Rb6
6. Kd5 Rf6
7. a7 Ra6
1/2-1/2

Black to Move


1... Rh1
(1... Rg1 ? 2. Kf5 Rh1 (2... Ra1 3. Ke5 winning) 3. Ra7+ Kh6 4.

Rb7 Winning) 

2. Ra7+ Kg8
1/2-1/2










Drawing Zone
In 1950 Peter Romanovsky published below drawing zone

In the position, with Black to move ; Black can draw by reaching Vancura Position only and only if White king is on one of marked square otherwise white wins













Examples of Drawing Zone

Bahr's Rule, in King and Pawn endgame

We have been already learnt seven topics in details about king and pawn ending. Now we will go further deep into king and pawn endgame with Bahr's rule.

The rule will quickly help the defender or attacker about winning or drawing a game without calculation in the position where ram on rook file and outsider passer will decide about winning or drawing a game. Ram mean pawn blocked with each other. In simple terminology there are two pawns on rook file which are blocked and stronger side has another outside passed pawn.

Where to apply the rule or preconditions for the Bahr's rule :

Normally it has been seen that in endgame we are lacking in time, in such situation this rule helps a lot in judging the position.

Condition 1  Stronger side 'rook-pawn' has not crossed half of the board. ( Not crossed its 4th rank), if pawn has crossed middle of the board ; stronger side will win other wise we have to use Bahr's rule. 

Diagram # 1

In  diagram#1; we need not to use this rule as pawn has already crossed its half so white can easily win with

1. Kd3 - Kb4

2. Kb4 wins

or 

1. Kd3 - Kc6

2. Kd4- Kd6

3. c5+ - Kc6

4. Kc4 - Kc7

5. Kd5 - Kd7

6. c6+ - Kc7

7. Kc5 - Kc8

8. Kb6, winning another pawn and wins easily with two extra pawns.

Condition 2 Stronger side king stands next to its passed pawn.
Condition 3 Defender king must be standing in front of the passed pawn or the attacking king.

See the below diagram#2, where you have to use Bahr's rule to reduce your calculation in critical time trouble as pawn has not crossed its 4th rank and other conditions are met.

Diagram # 2

Bahr's Border line :

Like in rule of square we need to create square, here in this rule we need to create Bahr's border line.

Step 1 : Draw diagonal from defender pawn to its first rank then stop it in Bishop's file (f or c file)- See the diagram#3

Diagram # 3

Step 2 : Bend the diagonal towards attacker's first rank. See below diagram#4

Diagram # 4

Bahr's rule:

After drawing Bahr's border line in mind, if passed pawn is on or below the border line  ; stronger side wins but if passed pawn is above the border line, the position is drawn. 

So here in diagram#4 if white plays c5+ the game is draw with Kc6 as outside passed pawn is now above the borderline but if white plays Ke4 (aware of rule), he will win with

1. Ke4 - Kc5

2. Kf5 - Kc4

3. Kg5 - Kd5

4. Kxh5 - Ke6

5. Kg6! reaching to the key square and winning the game.

It might be difficult to learn this rule but once you learnt it, you can save lots of time and energy.

Winning with Lucena Position

Earlier we have been gone through 'Philidor Position' where we learned that how to draw when you are a pawn down in rook endgames. In Rook endgames 'Lucena' position has its own importance as it gives guarantee to win. Any rook endgame with either side with extra pawn reaches to either Philidor position or Lucena position.

Please see the below diagram, it is winning for stronger side with pawn on any file except rook file.

Note: Whatever preconditions I am going to discuss Lucena position are not applicable to Rook Pawn. We will discuss those positions separately.

Preconditions:

• Stronger side King is on queening square (In Diagram Kd8).
• Stronger side Rook cuts off opposite side king with minimum of one file (In diagram Re2 cuts off Black king from e file)
• Stronger side pawn is on 7th rank (Diagram Pawn on d7).
• Defending side Rook is not allowing opponent's king to come over other side in order to promote pawn.(Black's Rook on c1 not allowing white king to come over c file).
• Weaker side king is opposite the stronger side King or at Knight Distance in our diagram Kf8 or Kf7

Winning Process:

This process called building bridge, where stronger side rook will provide shield to king and therefore stronger side will be able to promote your pawn to queen.

Example from Grandmaster's Game (Gashimov V (2746) vs Aronian, Levon (2808))

Lucena Position is the key position in Rook & pawn vs. Rook endgame. Every rook endgames are not draw.

Rook Endgame : Philidor Position

We have been studied following positions under king and pawn endings so far

1. Key Square

2. Opposition

3. Rule of Square

4. Triangulation

5. Pawn Race

6. Cat n mouse position 

7. King and 2 pawns Vs King

We will still go deeper with King and pawns ending before that I would like show some game studies of Rook ending which often occur in our game and most of the endgame reach to philidor position (Drawish) or Lucena position (Winning).

Starting with philidor's position, Most of us know Philidor's position is 'Rook and pawn vs. Rook' but actually philidor has studied many endgame positions out of which there are three positions which are called philidor's position.

1. Rook and Pawn vs. Rook

2. Queen vs. Rook

3. Rook and Bishop vs. Rook, Today we will discuss the first one.

Philidor position

It is basically a drawing technique where defender is pawn down in a rook ending. This is also called third rank defence.

Conditions for the position :

• Defending king controls queening square
• Pawn has not crossed its 5th rank
• Stronger side king is beyond the defender's third rank
• Defending rook on his third rank.

Now you can see in this position, Black Rook is cutting down white king from entering into 3rd rank (Defender's). In order to progress, white must has to move his pawn to 1.d6 there is no other way. Where black can play Rook to last rank (Defender's) 1...Ra1 and checking strong side's king from last rank where he cannot hide himself in shelter so that now white is not able to make any progress. If White try to exchange rook from c6 or f6 (2 possible ways), you can simply capture it then will be able to get the opposition.

Why defenders hold the position?

Mainly two reason.

• King Control or occupies queening square
• Active rook so don’t immobilise your rook.

This is the most simple yet most effective method of saving half point in rook endings.

Endgame Study: King and two pawns vs King

Before starting, let me clarify you that this topic is for beginner level players only. Today, we will discuss the positions where you have 2 pawns while your opponent's has no pawn. This is fairly simple but sometimes it’s not. We can distinguish those positions into 3 categories.

 

1. When you have 2 connected pawns
2. When you have 2 scattered pawns
3. When you have double pawns

Case of two connected pawns
This is very simple position (See the diagram).

You can see that if Black king captures d4 pawn, c5 pawn will march. You need to bring your king to advance those pawns. I think there is no further discussion required in this category. However if you have any questions, you can ask through comments.

Case of two scattered pawns
(A) One file apart:
Two pawns apart by a file can defend each other if they are on same rank as if king approaches to any of pawn, other can march. See the diagram.

Alert: Do not advance your pawn until opponent's king approach towards any of your pawns.

In the above position, playing 1.h5 is blunder as now black can draw by playing 1....Kh6, 2.f5...Kh5, 3.f6...Kg6. In order to win you should bring your king nearer to the pawns.

(B) Two files apart:

• Pawns are on 6th and 7th rank with either side to move.

Stronger side can win easily without help of king. If Ke6 then h7 wins, if Kf8 the e7+ wins followd by h7-h8.

• Pawns are on 5th rank (Stronger side to move)

Stronger side do not require king's help to win. White can win by h6, if... Kf7 then e6+ wins followed by h7-h8.

• Pawns are on 5th rank (weaker side to move)

In order to win, you need your king. With black to move, black can draw easily with Kxe5 in the previous diagram but here you can win with the help of your king. If ... Kxe5 then Kg5 wins.

• Pawns are on 2nd, 3rd and 4th rank

Win is not possible without king's aid. Position is as same as previous diagram. Pawns with 3 or more file apart ; stronger side can win easily without support of his/her majesty.

Case of twins (Double pawns)
Simple rule to win: Do not advance your both pawns together as you can lose a tempo with that extra pawn. See the diagram.

Position on your left side in the diagram is winning one because with either side to move because of b2 pawn while position on your right side is draw with either side to move. If Black to move ....Kf8!, Ke6-Ke8, f7+ - Kf8, f6 and stalemate  Fair enough to explain you the difference between two positions.

Remember: any numbers of pawns on rook file is always draw, if your king can not reach to key square.

Position on left side is winning for white while right side it is draw.

Endgame Study : Cat N Mouse

Cat and Mouse in chess is very rich concept it is something in connection with torturing your opponent, in Jerry Silman words ' Do in ten what you can do in two' as your opponent has no choice or he is in helpless position. He covered same concept for above 2200 elo players. Well here, I will be covered the same concept under king and pawn endings in very simple terminology that you will never forget.

I explain my students this position as 'Tom and Jerry' so they can remember it for lifetime.

What exactly 'cat n mouse' (Tom n Jerry) position is?

Outcome:

It is like opposition, whoever has move, is having disadvantage. Check the above diagram; if it white to move, black is winning and if it is black to move, white is winning.

Can you bring 'Tom and Jerry' position by force ?

The answer is yes, you can. Look at the following diagram for better understanding.

if it is white to move white can force the same position by playing Ke7 (attacking d6 pawn) the only way to save the pawn is, Black has to play Kc5 and now white can force 'tom and jerry' position by playing Ke6 and putting black into zugzwang therefore after black's any move white win pawn easily and so can win the game.

Practical Implication of the theory

Example 1 : Game between Kjartansson (2320) vs Hardarson (2285)

Example 2 : I am able to find this from one of chess genius Emanuel Lasker.
Voigt Hermann G vs Lasker, Emanuel




Today we do not have any test position.

Solution for the test positions of pawn race (11th March 2013)

If you would like to retrieve last endgame study puzzles Click here.

Position 1
1. Kf5 (1. a6 h3 2. a7 Kg1 3. a8=Q h2) 1... h3 2. Kg4 (2. a6 Kg1) 2... Kg2 3.a6 h2 4. a7 h1=Q 5. a8=Q+ Kg1 6. Qa1+ Kg2 7. Qb2+ Kf1 (7... Kg1 8. Kg3) 8. Qc1+Kg2 9. Qd2+ Kf1 10. Qd1+ Kg2 11. Qe2+ Kg1 12. Kg3 1-0

Position 2

1. Kd5 h5 2. Ke4 (2. Ke5 Ke3) 2... Kf2 3. Kf4 Kg2 4. c5 (4. Kg5 Kg3 5. Kxh5 Kf4) 4... h4 5. c6 h3 6. c7 h2 7. c8=Q h1=Q 8. Qc2+ Kh3 9. Qd3+ Kg2 10. Qe2+ Kg1 (10... Kh3 11. Qg4+ Kh2 12. Qg3#) 11. Kg3 1-0

Position 3

1. Ke2 Kh2 2. b4 g5 3. b5 g4 4. b6 g3 5. b7 g2 6. b8=Q+ 1-0

End Game Study : Pawn Race

Until today we have gone through King and pawn endgame with following studies

1. Key Square

2. Opposition

3. Rule of square

4. Triangulation with your king

Today we will cover some special cases where there is a race between pawns which can be divided into three categories.

1. Either side queens first

This is quite simple as whoever queens first will capture the opposite side pawn and win relatively simply but theoretically bishop and rook pawn on 7th rank is draw subject to weaker side is supporting his pawn with (with few exceptions) which we will cover in coming endgame study sessions. Following diagram clears my point.

Position is simple white wins with

1.... g7 

2. e3 - g8=Q

3. e2 and went on win as this is not rook pawn or bishop pawn so no stalemate trick will work !

But sometimes stronger side need to be careful as he need to control queening square in time ; following example explains the same.

In the give position with black to move ;black can win the game by

1... h5 2. Kg6 h4 3. Kf6 (3. Kf5 - h3, 4. Ke6 - h2, 5.f2 - h1=Q, 6. Qh3 is winning queen) Kb8 4. Ke5 h3 5. Kd6 Kc8

But if 5..... a6 ?? would be blunder white can easily by playing Kd7 so remember sometimes it is necessary to control queening square before making queen.

2. Either side queens with check

Quite easy by check it prevents opposite site to make queen but it requires special attention to the maneuver which forces weaker side to move on inferior square.

Carefully evaluate the following maneuver by which white forces black king to move to the inferior square.

1. Kf2 Kh2 (1... g5 2. Kg3) 2. Kf3 Kh3 3. Kf4 Kh4 4. b4 g5+ 5. Ke3 g4 6. b5 g3
7. b6 g2 8. Kf2 Kh3 9. b7 Kh2 10. b8=Q+ and white wins.









3. Both side queen but either side can force mate or win the queen
It is possible when stronger side king is coordinating with his queen perfectly lets check it with below example.

In the given example with white to move white can forces black's mate or wins queen with following maneuver.

1. Ke4 Ke2 2. Kd4 Kd2 3. Kc4 Kc2 4. f5 (4. Kb5 Kb3 5. Kxa5 Kc4) 4... a4 5. f6
a3 6. f7 a2 7. f8=Q a1=Q 8. Qf2+ Kc1 9. Qe1+ Kb2 10. Qd2+ Kb1 11. Kb3 1-0








You can create one more category where stronger side captures pawn but then it will be transposes to the our earlier studies of Key Square, Opposition and Rule of square.

Test Positions :

Position 1 : White to Move

Position 2 : White to Move

Position 3 : White to Move

Solution will be published in next endgame study section.

Solution for the test positions of triangulation with king (7th March 2013)

If you would like to retrieve last endgame study puzzles Click here.

Position 1

1. Kc5 Kb7 2. Kc4 Kc6 3. Kd4 d6 (3... Kc7 4. Kxd3) 4. e6 d5 5. Ke5 1-0

Position 2

1. Ke4 Kh4 (1... Kh5 2. Kf5) 2. Kd5 Kh5 (2... Kg4 3. Ke5) 3. Kd6 Kg6 (3... Kh4

4. Ke7) (3... Kg4 4. Ke5) 4. Ke7 Kg7 5. f5 Kg8 6. f6 1-0

Position 3

1. Ka3 Kb6 2. Kb2 Ka5 3. Kb3 Kb6 4. Kc3 Ka5 5. Kd2 (5. Kd3 Kb4) 5... Ka4 6. Ke3

Ka3 (6... Kb4 7. Kd3) 7. Ke4 1-0

End Game Study : Triangulation with your king

In order to learn triangulation you must be aware of the concept of Key Square and Opposition if you are not aware please click on below relevant links.
Key Square
Opposition 

What is triangulation?

It is maneuver with your pieces or majesty to pass move or say it is maneuver by which you lose a tempo. In simple terminology by triangulation you get the same position with your opponent to move when it is disadvantage for your opponent to move.

Why to lose a tempo or move?

In chess it is better to gain a tempo; you might have heard those words from your coach or senior players. Yes that is true but some time you need to put your opponent in zugzwang in order to penetrate into opponent’s position. In zugzwang your opponent has to move but if he moves, he lose.

Now I would like to explain it with help of below example.

In the given position if it black to move then white can win easily as he has opposition but what if white has to move in the same position. Direct progress is not possible for example f6 then…Kf8! Draws.

How to triangulate to win the position?

You can win the position by triangulation that is move your king into triangulation shape. Kd5->Ke4->Kd4 and you can gain the same position with black to move. See the below diagram.

More specifically
Kd5 - Kf6
Ke4 – Ke7
Kd4
Now wherever black move you can get the opposition so can win the game.

….Kf8
Kd6 (Diagonal Opposition) – Ke8 
Ke6 (Direct Opposition) – Kf8 
Kd7 – Kg8
Ke7 – Kh8
f6 – gf6
Kf7 (Reaching to the Key Square of g6 pawn) and winning the position.

Practical Implication of theory

Game : Max Euwe - Hartingsvelt HV in 1922

Test Positions :

Position 1 : White to Move

Position 2 : White to Move

Position 3 : White to Move

Solution will be published in next endgame study section.

Solution for the test positions of rule of square (4th March 2013)

If you would like to retrieve last endgame study puzzles Click here.

Position 1

1. Kg6 Kb6 (1... h5 2. Kxg7 h4 3. Kxf6) (1... f5 2. Kxg7 f4 3. Kf6 f3 4. Ke7)

2. Kxg7 h5 (2... f5 3. Kf6 f4 4. Ke5 f3 5. Kd6) 3. Kxf6 h4 4. Ke5 Kxc6 5. Kf4 draw 

Position 2

1. Kb7 a5 2. Kc7 Kc5 (2... a4 3. f5) 3. Kd7 Kd5 4. Ke7 Ke4 5. Ke6 Kxf4 (5... a4

6. f5) 6. Kd5 draw

Position 3

1... h5 2. Kb4 Kb6 (2... h4 3. Kc5 h3 4. Kd6) 3. Kc4 h4 (3... Kxc6 4. Kd4) 4.

Kd5 Kc7 (4... h3 5. Kd6) 5. Ke4 draw

Endgame Study : Rule of Square

This rule is very easy to understand and reduces your calculation. If you practice it enough then it turns to be fatal for your opponent in even complex king and pawn endings.

Rule: For any passed pawn draw a square as described in the diagram.

Outcomes:

1. If defender king is inside the square, pawn require its king’s help to promote and win will be decided on whether stronger side king will be able to occupy the one of the key squares or not.

2. If defender king is out side the square, Pawn promotes itself.

Rule is very simple yet requires lots of practice so today I am giving more examples as compare to others.

Examples 

I request you to solve the diagram first then look for the answers.

1 # White to move

1.Kc8! Kc6 2.Kb8!! Kb5 3.Kb7 Kxa5 [3...h5?? 4.a6] 4.Kc6 h5 5.Kd5 ½–½

 2 # White to move

1.Kg6 a4 [1...Kb6 2.Kf5] 2.Kf5 Kb6 [2...a3 3.Ke6] 3.Ke5 a3 [3...Kxc6 4.Kd4] 4.Kd6 a2 5.c7 Kb7 6.Kd7 ½-½

3 # White to move

1.Kg4 b5 2.d4 b4 3.d5 Kb5 4.d6 [4.Kf5 b3 5.d6 b2 6.d7 b1Q+] 4...Kc6 5.Kf5 b3 [5...Kxd6 6.Ke4 Kc5 7.Kd3] 6.Ke6 b2 7.d7 ½-½













4 # White to move

1.Kb7 Kc4 2.Kc7 d5 3.Kc6 d4 4.b5 ½-½















5 # White to move

1.Kb3 [1.Ka5 f5 2.b4 f4 3.b5 Kc5 4.b6 Kc6 5.Ka6 f3 6.b7 f2 7.b8Q f1Q+ 8.Ka5 Qa1+ 9.Kb4 Qb1+ 10.Kc4 Qxb8] 1...Kd3 [1...f5 2.Kc2 Ke3 3.b4] 2.Ka2 f5 3.b4 Kc4 4.b5 Kxb5 5.Kb3 ½-½












6 # White to move

1.Kg7 h4 2.Kf6 Kb6 [2...h3 3.Ke6] 3.Ke5 h3 4.Kd6 ½-½

Test Positions

White to move

White to Move

Black to Move

Solutions will be published in next endgame study section.

Solutions for the test positions of Opposition ( Endgame Study 28/02/2013) :

if you would like to retrieve last endgame study puzzles click here. 

Position 1

1.Kh4 [1.Kg3 Kg5 Draw] 1...Kg6 2.Kg4 Kf6 3.Kf4 Ke6 4.Ke4 Kd6 5.Kd4 b3 [5...Kc6 6.Kc4 Kb6 7.Kxb4 Kc6 8.Kc4+-] 6.cxb3 Kc6 7.Kc4 Kb6 8.Kb4 Kc6 9.Ka5 1-0

Position 2

1.Kd6 Kf7 2.Kd5 Kf6 the game is as there is no chance for white king to penetrate into black's position despite of having opposition draw

Position 3

1.Kf4 Diagonal Oppostion!! 1...Kh7 2.Kg5 Kh8 3.Kh6 Opposition 3...Kg8 4.Kxg6 1-0