The Tacticsof f,nd-Games

b Jen6 Brin

CORVINA PRES S

Title of the Hungetian original:vEGIAIEToK TAKTIKAIA

Traosldcd &om thc Hungarian byJen6 Bochkor

This book ia a joint edition of Sir Isasc Pitman & Sons, Ltd., London and CORVINA, BudapcstSolc distribudm rigbt for thc United Kingdom and the British Commonwcalttr ie granted

to Sir fgaac Pitnan & Sons, Ltd., London

@ I.rro B6n rg6:

Printcd in Hungary 1953Athenocum Printing flouse, Budapest

CONTT

PrcfreFtma'-n.rrl C.mcepts ..

-.--

Tb C.rncept of End-Games

Tb Cmoept of Tactic$ .... ..--o-Thc Eemeots of Combination

-.--?I.FighforaDraw .:....

Thc Salemate ...Staleoate Positions in Pawn Ead&Ifallingln... ....----The Queen as a Factor in SoIc ;The Fight against the Passcd hr,

--,

SeE-PinningDirection with Passed Pawr

Pmitional Draw ...-.---i

How to Achieve a Theoretical DE ---.

Perpenral Attack .. - ----!.

II. Fight for Victory ...----..ZagzuraagThe llarmfirl PieceAvertingthe Stalemate

--------;Opening of Lines roor*,

Discovery . . -...-.--{

Preliminary Oeening of e Lic ----.

:Clearing the Path, Cleeriry e $q- .

Closing of Lines . . -. ---.

td-nidCIIIINA' Bualrlcrtts -red

lrLl-

C ONT ENT S

Preface

Fundamental C-oncepts o. ..... i

The Finish and the SrudyThe Concept of TacticgThe Elements of Combination

I. Fight for a DrawThe Stalemate ...

Stalemate Positions in Pawn End-Games ...Wa[ing In ...The Queen as a Factor in Stalemate . ..

Self-Pinning ..:...Direction with Passed Pawns

Positional DrawVirtual Stalemate

How to Achieve a Theoretical DrawPerpetual Attack

II. Fight for VictoryZtgzwatgThe Harmfirl Piece ... ...

Opening of LinesDiscoveryPreliminary Opening of a LineClearhg the Path, Clearing a Square

Closing of Lines

7

99

IIr3r5

232324z6zB

3r36g8

4242

Focal Point r r.... 126Square Blocking and Blockade r28

Opening-Shutting Combinations r34Chase r38Driving On .. t46Driving Off or Diversion r59

Driving Off (Diversion) by Pinning 169Break-Through . t72

Direction r78Range and Concerted Action t87

The Fighting King t87The Geometrical Motif t87The Range of the Knight r9oConcertedAction ...... r93Double Threat ... r94Gain of Time .... r97Close-Range Fighting r99Attack against a Defending Piece .. . . .. 2orThe King as a Direct Target ... 2o4

Index .r.. l. l.,.... l! r. ! r!... !,... ?. !, t....... !..: ! ! ! ! ! !r t. ! r r. r.. ,.... 213

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PRE FACE

of each and eoery combinntionrfrom the simplest to thc most deeply calculated.As tlu title shoats' our PurPose isgames. These are in no waY diffamt-m;aak-Saru; it is onlY for the sakethe ilhitratioe examplei chosm are relatioely simple positions with a_minimwtnumber of The readpr will be nnprised to note hoat manyinterestiitg subtleties a,re concealed in eaen these apparently

er the pa.ges of this book, castitg a glance at the'!#r,f;'lwtr;;tr;h'il;:,""7';:;' j';"ffihcss endingsryou willfi,nd here rnany an outstanding

composition byattention to tlrcconnents on thp diagraprinarily for tlu aIts intmtion is to

instead of fr prafiice is thattlu pleasing a:hile tying to

gioe yott. an insight intg tlrcZxprissed in the anisilc exaoiru oftm aDDear also in thein -a iess potiltrcd f**. One anuld desribe the finish of ru,ch 4 Samc as aecstudy-like" ending

ift author hoD'es tknt, after a careful perusal of this book, the readertbe able to oeate such"study-like" mdings in the course

]end B6n

FU N DAf EI

TRANSLATOR'S NOTEThe readq will certainly fi.nd that this book contains mony neu', oneffi

htoClarke and to myfriend Mr.RaYmond

ns and ltelP.Jen6 Bochkor

THE CONCEPTOF END.GA.MES

The end-game is tte ld fia game of chess. The scrti4a-arr end-game is, accatndf"initial position" thd hes bccldfrom the basic Pcitim &unspecified number of ncrEl r

The content of m 4_that series of moves wtich h* fhis "initial position" to ft

-

tef,mination of the gre, L e. Dpalpable demonstr*im db tout@me. The forn d ft rgame is determined tt ft ithat are on the boatrd in 6e Iposition" or after each re dseries of moves leading to ft

-

finish.The end-game is ctruli

is content and by ils f@-.Cryddefinition of the fundedcmust derive from ooc Gfudl

rrfr bpb calatlated.tctial mtifs in end--y olo ooctfr in theod doity that[inr oirtamitimum'dunou luw ncmyatlw a?parently

odry a gluce at thebitis anae selectionb afotq, fot the, tJtt an onstanding

u G jtott gioe sorned @tet od to tlrchl ht kzt dcsigned{clrc onpositions.a d to ilutease your* tob, tlu illustratioe

Facticeis that

fug@turthwghof srl, o game as aifrs b@h the readerdiqsintlp corrrse

Jend B6n

c trur! ,tsw, oneftil ot entirely ruw

by Mr. Jen6 Bdnit 4bh. I wish toftbtdMr.Raymond

Ica6 Bochkor

THE CONCEPTOF END-GAMES

The end-game is the last phase ofa game of chess. The starting-point ofan end-game is, ssgsldingly, an"initial position" that has been reachedfrom the basic position after anunspecified number of normal moves.

The content of an end-game isthat series of moves which leads fromthis "initial position" to the actualtermination of the game, i. e. to thepdpable demonstration of its ultimateoutcome. The form of the end=game is determined by the piecesthat are on the board in the "inidalposition" or after each move of theseries of moves leading to the actualfinish.

The end-game is characterized byits content and by its form. Any closerdefinition of the fundamental conceptmust derive from one or other of ttrese

attributes. As a matter of fact we onlyknow where ttre "last phase" ends,it is uncettain and disputable where itbegins.

It is generally believed that in anend-game there are only a "few"pieces on the board. This definition is,however, very loose, nor is it necessa-rily supported by the tendenry of theo-retical textbooks to deal mostly withpositions comprising 4 or 5 (and veryrarely 6) pieces. Others again maintainthat it is not the exact number ofchessmen but the nunber and tSrpe ofthe pieces that determine an end-game. In this [ght any position whereone or both of the players have only ror z pieces left might, irrespective ofthe number of pawns presentr be re-garded as an end-game.

Many theoreticians hold that theend-game begins with the momentwhen the role of the kings changes,i. e. when the position has been so

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS

Our object is to examine the methods of leadi"g from the most di-verse but relatively simple positions that arise on the chessboard duringthe progress of the game termination, namd avictory ofr failing that, into details it seemsnecessary to clarify the co later in this connection.

simplified that there is no danger ofa direct mating attack and the king canappear as an active factor on the scene.But we can rarely assume that bothkings will be equally active at thesame tlme; indeed the interventionof one king may suddenly strengthenthe mating threat to the other.

One often hears, moreover, that"the outcome has already been decidedin the middle-game-or even in theopening." This in fact amounts tosayrng that some games have no end-game. Not only would such anassumption obscure our definition butit would be in flagrant contradictionto it.

For this reason let us approach thequestion from another angle. What isthe difference between the opening andthe middle-game on the one hand andthe end-game on the other? Anyanalysis of the opening and middle-game can lead only to estimated andprobable results. The result of an end-game, on the other hand admits of aconcrete, tangible and verifiable dem-onstration based on an obiectiveanalysis.

In this we may already have a clear-cut definition of the concept at issue,indicating as it does, irrespective ofthe varying number and position ofthepieces, the exact moment at whichthe ending phase occurs in anypartic-ular game. Accordingly, thetransitionto an end-game has been completed assoon as the player to move has anopportunity of demonstrating by asequence of forcing moves in allvariations, his unquestionable victoryor the absolute futitity of his oppo-nent's effofts to win.

IO

Consequentlg the *initial position"of an end-game already implies theelements of the final position, in-cluding the outcome; the shorter orlonger chain of moves connecting thetwo is made up of links, each ofwhich is amenable to an obiective,scientific analysis.

Of course, this premise might aswell be extended to make the conceptof the end-game cover that of thewhole game, the basic position itselfbeing regarded as the "initial posi-tion." Theoretically and logicallythere is nothing against it, but thelimited scope of our knowledge andthe immensity of the field of researchwould thwart any attempt to do so.One may encounter many a positionwith a mere 5 or 6 pieces which,though simple in form, is of a contentthat cannot be fully explored even bythe most thoroughgoing research;and again, there are many apparentlycomplicated "full board" positions inwhich evident and concrete moveslead to a calculable outcome-the finalposition.

All positions-irrespective of thenumber of pieces-the appraisal ofwhich does not lead to an irrefutableresult, should be classffied as middle-game positions, while positions(again disregarding the number ofpieces) from which the outcome maybe objeaively deduced by sequencesof best moves on both sides, shouldbe regarded as end-game positions.The borderline between the two isthat area of incessant research wherefresh ground is being reclaimed bydegrees from the impenetrable iun-gle of the middle-game to give free

passage through the sFEr rglade of end-games.

THE FINISEAND THE STT'DI

As we have said the eodArlast phase of a game. Sire cshortest game has its ld pfollows that every qfrPr ithose which, in form, ec-'"a5natein the middle-gamc c ting, must have a Phasc Ylirtdesignated as its endare-

The shortest game cmccirlsists of only two moves :

r. P-KN4, P-K4 z P-lQ-R5-mate !

"Where is here the d{one might ask. Vell, in trc [!previous definition, 6c clposition arose when fu lfmove was able to demmsu-tably his ability to react Lposition." This follod tgross blunder on the sedrBlack had merely to meb cbut fully convincing, movehrmeet the requirement : 'H

The shortest matcb4chchess literature went dcag-lar lines :

Gibaud-Lazatd (Paiq rgr. P-Q4, N-KBI z. I

P-K4 3. P x P, N-N5 a ?-N-K6 ! ! and Vhite rstsdThe final position:

6c'initial position" passage through the ever wideningglade of end-games.

THE FINISHAND THE STUDY

As we have said the end-game is thelast phase of a game. Since even theshoftest game has its last phase, itfollows that every game, includingthose which, in form, actually termi-natein the middle-game or the open-ing, must have a phase which may bedesignated as its end-game.

The shortest game conceivable con-sists of only two moves :

r. P-KN4, P-K4 z. P-KB3??,Q-R5-mate !

"Where is here the end-game?"onemightask.Vell, in the light of ourprevious definition, the end-gameposition arose when the player tomove was able to demonstrate irrefu-tably his ability to reach the "finalposition." This followed White'sgross blunder on the second move andBlack had merely to make one single,but fully convincing, move in order tomeet the requirement : "Black wins."

The shortest match-game known inchess literature went along very simi-lar lines :

Gibaud-Lazard (Paris, rgzl).r. P-Q4, N-KB3 z. N-Qz,

P-K4 3. P x P, N-N5 4. P-KR3 ?N-K6 ! ! and Vhite resigned.The final position:

I.itr.hcady implies theI d .rlp finel pcition, in_ft om; the shorter or

h dmves onnecting thery of links, each of

uHe b an obiective,rrtFfoL

tfo P,rmise might ascd o rmte the concept

ower that of the6c b.sic psition itself

s 6e "initial posi-icetry and logicaflyding egdnst it, but the

of our knowledge andcy dee fidd of research

uy stempt to do so.ar'orErrFr rruny a positionjc6pieceswhich,

in form, is of a contentbc frtry erplored even bytmgbgoing research;1f,31c rxE rnrny apparently:frll bos161'r positions in

od concrcte movesffiao,rnFthe final

of theft=-

queen or even a bishop, or else wishedto demonstrate how mate or loss ofthequeen was inevitable after the sacrificeof a knight, he could remove quite anumber ofpieces from both the Whiteand the Black armies and still leave themeaus of achieving his final aim or thecharacter ofthe final result unchanged.

The mating position in the firstgame canbe shown most economicallyas follows:

Thus by removing the "super-fluous" pieces an "initial position"created in a very early stage of theopening can be transformed andsimplified-with its content left in-tact-so that the residual position willat first glance give the impression of an"end-game."

Not only is such a transformationpossible but it is in fact desirable fromthe didactic point of view. The waysand means of winding up a game canbe shown more clearly and decisivelyif we retain only those pieces whichplay an actual part, active or passive,in bringing about the final result.

Theoretical books on end-gamestherefore mostly employ exampleswhich are not positions from actualplay but positions intentionally de-signed, transfonned or simplified forthe purpose. These positions meet the

t2

requirement that they can be legallyderived from the basic position by aseries of regular moves but the mannerof derivation is extraneous and there-fore unimportant.

The use of artificial end-games in-stead of actual game-endings as exarn-ples has several advantages: (t) Anartificial end-game may in a simplecondensed form comprise all thepractical lessons to be drawn fromnumerous game-endings of similarcharacter. (z) The artificial endingpre-sents its motifs divested of all ir-relevancies, motifs which might other-wise get lost among the many alter-native variations of aaual play orwhich will occur but seldom. $) Theartificial ending may actually fill gapsin practical experience and drawattention to possibilities which so farhave not occurred in actual play. (+)Exploration of the content of anartificial end-game opens up a field ofimpersonal, obiective research, be-cause it is not bounded by any se-quence of moves aaually made bythe two players.

An artificial end-game may simplybe an instructive demonstration ofsome qpical end-game technique,or else a truly artistic study demon-strating some quite extraordinary orunique termination of an imaginarygame.

Grandmaster Richard R6ti (t889-tg2g) who was among the best both asa chess player and as a problemist gavethe following concise definition of thestudy: "A simple position of extra-ordinary content." Subscribing toR6ti's opinion, we cannot but acknowl-edge the merits of the study both as

a source of aesthetic pleesore dusful didaaic medium-

For this reason most d c crples have been chmeo ftn rstudies that are simple in hrich in content.

THE CONCEM OF TACIITactics are the art d h

forcm in battle. Itr tr''m cfchessboard this means fu

-

science of correct direaftn d ctive execution of local slinibminor but fierce actiom. In rEl'fare there is genemty c tamong the manY which llrlhfate of the whole wu. Tb'thave often been seid "E h cbattle except the lasc" So Ichessboard, where in 6c h 1tthe game, i.e. in the at-,Iast encounter may decib &come of the whole fighr

This last enconnter ny -radically change the siuirreverse the course of em. trfore, it is especidly impcmrlourselves familiar with fu &dthe tacticd methods whln 4j tin handy during end-grr3.

Tactical changes in a gre drare characterized by ingEufDning, surprise attacks, tr+c dlike. Under the micrcqe dddve research such elemcm GCand surprise become trcuEdisappear, but sufficitm r--view to lead us inevitaHy E tdusion: Fotcing is 6c Ifiof tactics !

In pursuing this princidc 'be no fastidiousness abour-

tu tut m be lega[yft hic pcition by arch&emanner

Lm andthere-d-ilidd cn&ganes in-

l-oaingE 6 exam-ddvmgs: (r)An*g- uy in a simpleh rybc all theh b bc drawn from

l-anqgp of similarTh utiftialeudingpre-riB diYtsrcd of dl ir-diB rtichmight other-h mg tre many alter-

d acttral play orccur bnrt seldom. (f) The

mry actually fill gapsc+clnce and draw

o pwhilities which so farcr!"rrd in actual play. (+)

d 6c oontent of anopcos up a field of

**nive research, be-m bmded by anyDIED @try made

+gpe may simplyic dcmonstration of

lH +glme technique,dt rtfutb study demon-qdtE crraordinary or

im of an imaginaryRinmd Reti (1889-

r mnng 6e best both asdaeproblemistgavestriGc rlefinition of the

rA .ilC? pcition of extra-

@-" Subscribing torcmotbUecknowl-

a source of aesthetic pleasure and as auseful didaaic medium.

For this reason most of our exsllr-ples have been chosen from amongstudies that are simple in form butrich in content.

THE CONCEPT OF TACTICS

Tactics are the art of handlingforces in battle. In teuns of thechessboard this means the art andscience of correct direction and effec-tive execution of local skirmishes andminor but fierce actions. In real war-fare there is generally one battleamong the many which decides thefate of the whole war. The Britishhave often been said "to lose everybattle except the last." So on thechessboard, where in the last phase ofthe game, i.e. in the end-game, thelast encounter may decide the out-come of the whole fight.

This last encounter may in factradically change the situation andreverse the course of events. There-fore, it is especially important to makeourselves familiar with the details ofthe taaical methods which may comein handy during end-games.

Tactical changes in a game of chessare characterized by ingenuity, cun-ning, surprise attacks, traps and thelike. Under the microscope of obiec-tive research such elements as cunningand surprise become transparent anddisappear, but sufficient remains inview to lead us inevitably to the con-clusion: Forcing is the principleoftactics !

In pursuing this principle there canbe no fastidiousness about means. It is

the end which is all-important andtowards that end every availablemeans may be utilized.

Vhat are the forci'g motifs inchess ?(a) Capturing. The capture of apiece forces the opponent to recapturea piece of the same value, failingwhich the bdance of power is upset.(b) Attack. Attack on an imPor-tantpieceforces the opponent to or-ganue the defence or rescue of theattacked piece, or possibly-if his kingis not involved-to launch an immedi-ate counter-attack against a hostilepiece of the same value.

(c) Threat. This means an immi-nent attack which-according to itsgravity-compels the oPPonent tomake provision against it. Thus thethreat limits the opponent's freedomof action.

Beside these three factors the moveitself-irrespective of its content-can be regarded as a forcing motif,because accordirg to the rules it com-pels the opponent to make his ownmove. In certain cases ttris obligationcan be very unpleasant. (See: Zug'zwang.)

The sequence of moves comprisingthe motif of forcing is called tacticaloperation. The main feature of tac-tical operations is that of the threeelements of chess play: material, sPaceand time. Time is here the most sig-nificant.

There is not always an oPPortunitYin a game for effective forcing. Suchopportunities must be carefully pre-pared and established by means ofmethodical play. The establishmentand preparation of the play and the

se-by

Eirs d the study both asr3

alignrnent of the forces before thedecisive battle constitute strategy.The strategically established possi-bilities or the unexpected chances re-sulting from some particular move bythe opponent are exploited by taaicalmeans.

The time factor which underlies alltactical possibilities makes it necessarythat in a momentarily given posi-tion immediate and prornpt measuresare taken and in the process we rnustkeep harassing our opponent by acontinual succession of forcing motifswithout, as it were, pausing for breath.Promptness and vigour are of evengreater importance if our opponent isalso using tactical weapons and, inreply to our attack, launches acounter-attack.

It is in this sense that we muststress the priority of the time factor,adding that this priority also appliesto endings with a few pieces when theboard is nearly "empty" althoughspace and its importance will in-crease in proportion with the numberof empty squares. In tactical oper-ations also space plays a not altogetherinsignificant part which, however, al-ways'plays second fiddle to time.

The third element, material-i. e.the total value of pieces at one's dis-posal-will during tactical opera-tions completely lose the impor-tance it is normally given on a relativeor exchange value !

The general value of a piece is de-termined by its "ability" to exercisedirect control over a certain area, tooccupy certain ranks, files, diagonalsor squares and to move in that areawith the aim of capturing otherr4

Squdres. A queen is ttmore valuable"than a rook, because it keeps moresquares under control from its postand being able to move in all direc-tions, it will be ready to conquermany more in a single move.

When, however, the situation isripe and the concrete aim is withinreach, the role of the pieces will belimited to the accomplishment ofthe task on hand, hence their valuewill be exclusively determined bytheir ability to accomplish that end.

Let us now, by way of example,take a position where White has theopportunity of capturing a queen bygiving a simultaneous check to Black'sking and queen but where the squaremaking this double attack possible iscontrolled by one of Black's knights.It is obvious that at this juncture ourattention is drawn to Black's knight,which is standing in our way and ourprimary task will be to drive away or((kill" this knight. It will not make anyessential difference whether we simplyattack the knight with a pawn moveor capture it prosaically with, say, abishop, or else annihilate it by themore elegant sacrifice of a rook or evena queen ! As a result we may not bea full queen ahead but the advantageaccruing frcm the capture of theknight will for all prectical purposesbe nearly as important.

It follows that the piece thrown intoaction will often be utilized-fortactical reasons-without any con-sideration of its "exchange value."Therefore, the execution very oftentakes the form of a sacrifice.

By sacrifices are meant those delib-erate, voluntary, and hence "un-

forcs4" moves and cryts rlced to the oplrcneot kYi6 rnEtErirl advantage. C.nc.fcrcry move is a sacdfice fffr:t glance, so far fr,on cndiritdcmeutar-y ideas of m sctess play, namely b ft cfrsocnre an advantagg arrrlty qto fly in the fae of ir

Of coursg such vdurrrrrSr rceD6e iS gnreasonable rrntrrn rt iryparentty in contradirin rileffort to win- In rEatity l oqscrffice is nothing hn a qimoductory part of a ne[*i tcel operation, desrg'nea u dffit the tempo,rary sc6..* Ltrmsform it into m advrqa

The tactical operdln 1rcda sasifice is called e cmhThis term aptly xpEssrs ft Iprinciple of correct rhfis Lrnmdy that it is na ri'rCb, iiEores which should be ft d*w "eYaluation" bm e uEqueae of them liDted EGtrrEudry of conteut Itis mfyfu fibclane of the conbintfon -' - Ito be favourable aDd it rd hrs umeasonable to evalute

-1r.imtmediate phascs (n ftLrrr its as it would be to rly t6e course of a gme thr !fqoeeo ahea{" wtea E rnEf,t moYe is actually gdry s utrIIE.

It is in the course of I cml-tht the principle d fucia i 1fus sidest scope. The phFrr*iinitidve may so effccri$dlrcrFlolrlment's freedm d ettr* throughout a shac c Iiqpeoce of movts b fu tl

A qp.-t fo'more valuable"!E[t, I-r-FG it ke*6 more* ffid ftm its post

* o rrrc in all direc-ril bc rc.dy to @nquer

in r siqlc moyefowct, 6c situation isr orr'trc rin is withinr* dft picces will beD ' ryfstment ofc h4 lgrce their value-'"+mlcty dmmined byo rc'rrfilish that end.w, by way of example,bin Ytere White has thed rynuing a gueen by

check to Black's1."".', h wtere the square

Enu fuHe dtack possible isbgr rrP of, Black's knights.fu c rtis iuncture our

ri furn m Black's knight,G-,ltrE in our way and ourd utlt be to drive away orih+fti Itvrll not make anyfiGr-rr ufiether we simply

hdEh with a pawn movei pcaicrlty dtr, say, a

r cbe rrrrihilte it by thes.nkr da rook or even

! & e rtsrh vE rnay not betud ht 6e advantagefril 6c cryture of thefu rlt fcdcal purposesG EPatlTLtr6e pirr thrown into

d rf"n be utilized-forprr-$ttrcm aDy con-d b 'crchmge Yalue."tb eqnim very oftenfu da sacrifice.

arcnrernttrose delib-

forced" moves and captures whichlead to the opponent having a netmaterial advantage. ConsequentlSevery move is a sacrifice which, atfirst glance, so far from conforming toelementary ideas of common sense inchess play: namely to the effort tosecure an advantage, actually appearsto fly in the face of it.

Of course, such voluntary munifi-cence is unreasonable unless it is onlyapparently in contradiction with theeffort to win. In reality a correctsacrifice is nothing but an organicintroductory part of a well-knit tacti-cal operation, designed not only tooffset the temporary setback but totransform it into an advantage.

The tactical operation preceded bya sacrifice is called a combination.This term aptly expresses the basicprinciple of correct chess thought,namely that it is not single, isolatedmoves which should be the subiect ofour "evaluation" but a whole se-quence of them linked together by aunity ofcontent. Itis onlythe ultimatebalance of the combination that needsto be favourable, and it would be iustas unreasonable to eval-uate any of theintermediate phases on their ownmerits as it would be to say duringthe course of a game that "White is aqueen aheadr" when Black on thenext move is actually going to recap-ture.

It is in the course of a combinationthat the principle of forcing is givenits widest scope. The player taking theinitiative may so effeaively curtail hisopponent's freedom of manoeuvrethat throughout a shorter or longersequence of moves he is able to

direct the course of play. In this wayhe will significantly reduce the num-ber of possible alternatives, becausethe opponent, more often than not,has only some forced move at hisdisposal. This permits the develop-ments to be calculated to the lastdegree. This calculation

-i.e. foresee-ing the final aim and searching for aroute to it-is the process of corr-bination orr in other words, themethodical examination and utiliz-ation of tactical possibilities.

THE ELEMENTS OFCOMBINATION

Before proceeding to examine whatcan be achieved by combination, andinwhat way, we must be aware of ourown purpose, we must know what wewant to make the opponent do.

In the last reso6 our aim is to givemate by building up a position inwhich we can ensnare the opponent'sking. But practically equivalent to thisis the creation of such positions as willenable us to acquire a decisive mo-terial superiority (e.g. winning aqueen or a rook, or queening a pawn).

No matter how infinitely great thenumber of possible situations on theboard, the possibilities of obtainingmaterial advantage can be dividedinto a few, exactly defined groups.

If for simplicity's sake we tempora-rily disregard qualitative considera-tions, then the conceivable generalpossibilities of capturing andgainilg a piece are as follows :(a) Double attack. A situation inwhich one or two pieces make theirmqf, md hence "un-

r5

,%

offensive effect simultaneously feltby two hostile Pieces which

-areeither unprotected or ofgreater value.It results in winning one of the at-tacked pieces.

A double attack can be a fork whenthe aggressive piece can exercise itseffect in two directions at the sametime (e. g. fork with a Pawn, or checkto both the king and the queen witha knight), it can be a "skewer" whentwo hostile pieces on the sa:ne file,rank or diagonal find themselves in

mentioned varieties of the doubleattack:

Rook skeaw. The rook etcerts its ffict"thrurgh the body of the king." Aftertlu ki.ng's rnuae Black's rook is lost.(Geometrical motif.)

Discooered attack. Aftt z. R-QB8!'RxP lYhite has z. K-N6 at hisdisposal gioing "discooqed check" tothe king and attacking thc rook at the

same time,

(b) Tying down. A situation inwhich a piece cannot escape an attackbecause of some other threat. Allattacks against pieces pinned pre-viously or pieces warding off somethreat belong here. Also the threaten'ing attack or double threat (similarto the double attack) comes underthis heading. For examPle:

).

6.

3.

4.-HT

Fork with a pawn ; and with a knight.

r6

'Us*d'

5. 10.l.

fL rat eraa its effect4 rtc lillg." Afteri Ws tmk is lost.I

r- $u r. R-QB8!,b z- K-N6 at his-EqwcrEd cluck"

tlu rook atto

the

-ti-.bJ A sinution inGrrt csrye an attackdcr threat. AII

IiGE linned pre-Eding off someAbo6e threaten-

@ fteat (similar

r. K-Nj! threatms R-Bt mate.TIu king attachs Black's rook at thesame time. Resuh: winning the rook.

(c) Ensnaring. A situation inwhich a piece cannot escaBe an attackbecause of lack of space, or restrictionof movement. Essentially it is theconcept of mate though with referenceto some piece other than the king.

In ensnaring, the edge of the boardand the self-blockade of the piecesplay an important part. Examples:

8.

t. K-NT "ensnaring" the knight.

9.

Ensnaring tlu queen.

The pawns with their resuictedmovement will usually fall victim toensnaring since they are unable toescape the attack.

If afixedpiece-which we want tomap-is adequately defended by theopponent, we ctur gain material ad-vantage by multiple attack, i. e. wehave to concentrate more pieces thanthe number of those in defence. Thesame applies for defended pinnedpieces.(d) Encirclement. A situation inwhich eYery possible move of theopponent leads to a material loss.From the point of view of the weakerside this position is called Zagzwang.

In the position created by encircle-ment there is no direct attack orthreat, or rather, the pieces underattack are sufficiently protected. Yetthe very circumstance of having tomove, the Zugzwang, compels theplayer to leave one of his pieces un-protected or even offer it for slaughterwithout any compensation. For in-stance :

G

-r-"t) ounes unders'Mate" to the rook.

t7

Encirclement. After Black's motte ilrchnight is lost.

12-

Zagzwang. The Player to mooe loseshis pawn . . , and tlrc gamc.

(e)Queening. A situation in whichthe promotion of a pawn cannot beprevented or if so only by the sacrificeof a piece. It follows that the playerqueening his pawn *ill g"in materialadvantage either by an inctease of hisown forces or by a decrease ofthose ofhis opponent.

If we regard the mate as a specialinstance of "gaining material advan-tage" bytrapping the opponent's kingthen we have already defined the con-cept of all theoretical winning posi-tions that may result from double

r8

attack, tylng down, ensnaringr en-circlement and queening. These posi-tions may well be given the commondesignation target positions so thatwe have a single tenn to describe theultimate situations we have in mindwhen embarking upon a combination.

Of course there are certain con-ditions for bringing about such"target positions" and slleining anactual advantage.

The combination is the creationof the conditions necessary forallaining a certain target position.

Let us take for example the simplestform of the double attack. Vhat isneeded for such a position?

There must be two hostile pieceson two definite squares of the board,exposed to the same attack.

There must be a piece of our ownstanding by for carrying out thedouble attack.

The starting point of the attackmust be open for the offensive piece.

Further conditions of making thedouble attack efficacious are that(i) the trvo pieces under attackshould not be adequately protected,

(ii) they should not be in a positionto organize mutual defence,(iii) neither of the two pieces shouldbe able to dodge ttre attack by launch-ing a counter-attack or gaining atempo.

In order to secure these conditionswe usually have to remove numerousobstacles from our path by energetic,prompt and forcing measures. Themost frequently employed means ofliquidating obstacles is the sacrifice.It should be emphasized, however,that the sacrifice is only a form of

ffit ad b DGrGtt irlri- ndlrYdeHcrG zehhgfih piridc rc cmld ogfy ac d wi6m 1 trcrffice if

-

Ift pqcr tnts [ (E Ql!(La u recrll m gevin r+r;-ri.tr-r[rh: if w irrr.rl tD G{fr}'rttq it rrEtE m diftrcnce I'-itviftefrtrc*r

SGEa fu iL)ffc-ifie

tting dortr, ensnaring en-md qpcening. These posi-wdl be gven the common

in target positions so thate single term to describe thesitumions we have in mind

upon a combination.@nDe 6cre are certain con-

fG briDging about such1sitlrc" md obaining anOvmgs.

is the creationc-fiif.ne necessar5r for

e stein target position.r- 5je,-mFle the simplest

d 6c double attack. What isfu such a position?

Eust be two hostile pieces&irc s(Iuares of the board,E 1}c srrne attackffi bc a piea of our ownbt fu carrying out the

rrrrtfr1ing point of the attackqra fu the offensive piece.

orrrtitions of making thed fuious are that& tn picas under attackDt bc dcqudety protected,$dd nfi bein a irositioniac rrrr-l ddencg

-ih d6c two pieces shouldb&+E6e fiack by launch-m.oct or gaining a

E m! these conditionshr b rtmove numerousftu oir 1d by energetic,d furing measnres. The

qloyed means ofMes is the sacrifice.bc a"nhasize4 however,

-iEcc is oDty a form of Drioing off.

r9

x

IIIt

forcing and is merely indicative thatall available means are being utilized.In princrple we could equally attainour end without a sacrifice if we hadthe proper means at our disposal.(Let us recall our previous theoreticalexample: if we intend to capture aknight, it makes no difference if wetake it with a pawn or sacrifice ourqueen for it.)

The sacrifice-as themost ner-getic form of forcing-is designedto remove some or all of the ob-stacles in the way of achieving thetarget position.Let us examine, for instance, the

possible obstacles to a successfuldouble attack:(r) The two hostile pieces are notin the requisite position. Therefore,our task is to force these pieces (oratleast one ofthem) to the appropriatesquare. This may be called "drivingon" (Hinlenkung).

(z) Our aggressive piece is not in aposition to attack because

(a) it is pinned,(b) its way is blocked(c) it cannot reach its "base of

operation" in one move.Vhat is to be done? Ve have to

speed up the movement of our pieceand to secure the starting point ofthe attack by way of (a) diversion(driving off) ofthe hostilepiece (whichpins down ours), (b) opening of afile, (c) gaining of tempi (e. g. bygving check to the hostile king).(l) The opponent defends thesqrure which serves for a possiblesurting point of our attack. In thiscase we must liquidate the defendingpiece or divert it from its post.

2*

(a) The pieces attacked by us areadequately defended. We find our-selves again confronted with the taskof liquidating or diverting the defend-ing piece.

$) The truo pieces can mutuallydefend each other. In this case wehave to disrupt their co-operation byway of closing a file or erecting ablockade.

(6) The piece under attack mightescape by gaining a tempo or launch-ing a counter-attack. Now we mustclose a file in order to cut the way ofrefuge or counter-attack.

Having enumerated the possibleobstacles we have dso pointed outthe general features of the elementarytacical operations which define theaim of the sacrffice in a given case.

trDriving on" and 6sdriving offl'(diversion) are, however, such basicconcepts that they must be markedfrom the very outset as the mostcharacteristic motifs of directing thecourse of a garne. They have a sigdfi-cantparttoplay not only in the doubleattack but also in achieving any of thelisted target positions. Let us look attwo simple examples illusuating theseconcepts.

13.DAMIAITO, r5rz.

r.2.

14.SCHEME.

Drioing on.

r. Q-N8 ch !!, RxQz. N-B7 mate.

.

The trro diagrams demonstrate twotypical instances. of enginsgling thewell-known ttsmothered mate." Inthe first Vhite diverts B1ack's queenfrom the squareBT, in the second hedrives Black's rook to N8, thusparalysing the hostile king.

The latter case-the role of Black'srook in the mate-calls our attentionto the fact that some pieces maY benot only of positive but also of nega-dve t'value. " A piece which in a certainsituation has a damaging effect on itsown camp, is a Gsharmfultt Piece.

15.

SCHEME.

B-B5!, BxBP-N8 queens and wins.

16.

SCHEME.

Driaing on.

r. N-N7 ch!, NxNz. P-R6 and wins.

Here we see typical examples of theexploitation of a passed pawn in abishop and in a knight end-game. Thesacrifice of White's bishop serves forthe diversion of Black's bishop whichcommands the square R7. The sacri-fice of White's knight purposes toforce Black's knight to N7 where itblocks the way of Black's king (afterN-NZ ch!, N xN z. P-R6, K-Brl. P-RZ ! Black's king cannot occupythe square N7).

Now we have seen that both thedriving off and the driving on forciblydetermine the movement of the oppo-nent's pieces. The difference betweenthe two lies only in the direction ofmovement. In case of a diversion(driving off) the "wherefromr" andin case of the driving on the t'where-to" is the essential thing. Of course,in a combination both motifs mayoccur suceessively, or at the same timefor that matter.

Jb '-&n-l{!Ebtbfurprffi--L ilhEfuDeft

ts!f d-turaqt&cddEfr*,fr1l[--t_Uh&GilI*,dp-ihgrt rFc:(Alr-F{,I'.{rz-IJf{r3. f{d!d-,

r@rr?*pL}$2.IJEQl3;L-Di!drL,"hcryqfr,rrircn-.EBHI d+.*-.=

-p=frb-ddrGr Hrrhqhfltt-*"t-Bdhrrri-TEET-GHt--raptr

QxP cb QxQN-BZ mate.

I.2.

%&%'rua'%

BxB

stypical examples of thed a posed pawn in a

in a tnight end-game. ThedVhie's bishop serves forin dBlack's bishop whichrb squae R7. The sacri-

Utie's knight purposes tottrittt to N7 where it

rey d Hd's king (after, NxNz P-R6, K-Br

! E--Ps Ling caonot occupyND

* hr scen that both thedft &iving on forciblyE&rwunnt of the oppo-

Tb difference betweenb clt in the direction of

Inreofadiversiont) fu Uen6omr? and& ddving ou the "where-gial thing. Of course,

hD both motifs may

The following study demonstratesboth concepts in an elementary yetattractive form:

17.

A. A. TROITSKY, 1924.

White wins.

After r. P-RZ ! Black has twoalternatives to choose from, to preventthe queeningofWhite's pawn. In bothvariations White grves a check toBlack's king and drives it on to thefile or rank of Black's rook. Then-bya double attack-White diverts Black'srook, and prevents it from guardingthe promotion square:

(A) r. P-RZ, R-Qr z. R-B4 ch,K-QZ f. R-Q+ ch ! and wins.(B) r.P-RZ !, R-KR7 z.R-Br ch,K{7 3. R-Bz ch ! and wins.

Almost every complicated surpris-ing or even astounding combination isbased upon such simple elements. Itsprogress-if it does not consist of onlyr or 2 moves-{i*ply "forces" on usthe comparison with the process ofsowing ripening and harvest, since onthe peaceful battlefield of the chess-board the same thing happens (taking

a metaphor from agriculture) as onthe fields from auflunn to spring. Afterproperly "tilling the soil" we can sowthe seeds by sacrificing r or 2 pieces,then the position ripens for la'rnchingthe decisive attack and finally we cangather in the rich crop.

***

We are now familiar with the con-cept of winning target positions andwe have outlined the taaical elements.We might from this proceed to dis-cuss the details of end-game tactics.

It would be logical first to examinethe simplest operations (of one or twomoves) and then to pass on to themore complicated ones. But there isa rub. Beyond the concepts, elementsand motifs we have already discussed,there are further tactical possibilities ofa quite different kind.

The possibilities in question arethose whose purpose is to secure onlya draw, by means quite removed fromthe general princrples of tactics. Werefer to stalemate, the less knownvirtual stalemate and perpetualattack. These too may be consideredtarget positions, if we modify theoriginal concept insomuch as our aimnow is to achieve a draw instead of avictory.

In order to create such situationswe must have a good grasp of thetheory of tactics. The adoption of tac-tical methods demands also a knowl-edge of these situations, because it sievident that the player at a disadvan-tage will take up tactical arms againstthe opponent striving for viaory, withthe purpose of achieving at least adtaw.

; fi d the same time

2T

IITtI

L FIGETEE

For this reason, we shall introducefirst of all the various foims of "specialdraws" without going into the detailsof the tactical methods to be ad-opted.

In the first part of th9 book our

elements, and their use in end-games.

Th srlm ir r arilcrhdiry qr ttc Are- Sc rcrasythitfoec@qltlyft-GeThcfufr41--ErnrailtEE47I[IIEDTEEo-r f I-GEG ' ftG{ttG@edffi-&t|g. dt dGrifl'il 11frLr*its-rr{d L4hh!itt

+tFu-ftYirtdft+fF

Eq!tq4if-ITEEI,CI

{c fi

ft ftst part of the book our1nrposc is to demonstratenili=, rvhile the second part

rlt fu t ctical methods, theirddFh use in end-gamsg.

I. FIGHT FOR A DRAWTHE STALEMATE

The stalemate is a special case ofwinding up the game. Some mighteven say that it is a case occurring veryrarely in practice, a misconceptionwhich should, however, be dispelledat once. The fact that a match-gamesadingin a draw is very seldom labelledwith the word "stalemater" hardlymeans more than the equallY rareoccurrence of t'mate" at the end of agame actually decided. AdrnittedlSthe number of games terminating inactual stalemate is sma1l, but in a highpercentage of draws it is the possi-bility of stalemate, after all, that frus-trates the viaory of the stronger side.

\trhy is it a futile effort to try tomate an unsupported king with rwoknights? Why cannot a queen winagainst a pawn advanced toBT or R7?Vhy is it often impossible to promotea RP supported by a bishop (or some-'mes by a knight)? Vhy cannot we

force a win with an active rook andking against the opponent's corneredking and bishop? And, as is oftenshown in everyday practice, why isthere no hope of crowning a well-supported pawn when the hostile kinghas managed to occupy the squareright in front of it?

In each of these cases there isonly one answer: Becau.se of stale-

mate. It will appear, therefore, thatthe peculiar character of stalemate isby no mearxi attributable to its rare orunusual occrurence, but rather to avaluation founded on the rules. As therules of chess will have it, the com-plete imm obitization and encirclementof the opponent's forces, the deprivalof mobility to all his pieces is in itselfnot worth a straw !

This seemingly ilogical nrle giveslogical content to tactical operationsthat also appear illogical in fumdlingend-games. It pennits a heaping upof sacrifices without striving for com-pensation either in material or in posi-tion. Indeed our objective now be-comes the intentional increase in theopponent's forces and the widening oftheir scope, while at the same timerestricting the mobility of our ownpieces. As soon as total immobility isreached and we have no legal moveavailable, we have achieved our pur-pose.

Tactical means of achievingstalemate:

(i) Forcing sacrifice of the mobilepieces;

(ii) "Walling in" of the mobilepieces by self-block or blockade;

(iii) Encircling one's own king by23

direaing the opponent's pieces or by aroyal march to the "stalemate nest."

These operations can be made moreeffective if connected with threats thatcan only be warded offor prevented bythe opponent at the cost of some otherdisadvantage-equalization of the gameor even defeat. Often stalemate is com-bined with perpetual chase, i. e. weoffer our mobile piece for sacrificeagain and again after each refusal onthe part of the opponent.

In the maiority of over-the-boardgames stalemate is only an obscurevariation among the many ways lead-ing to a draw, though it has a decisiverole in the developments. Therefore,in order to get a clear picture of therelevant concepts, it is best to examinesuch artistic studies as will bring intofocus the tactical possibilities ofachieving stalemate as their maintheme. Thus we shall be spared themistake o6 lsxding "brilliant" stale-mate combination into end-games inwhich their occurrence is not neces-sary but purely accidental.

Let us now look at the possibilitiesof stalemate in various types of end-games.

STALEMATE POSITIONSIN PAWN END-GAMES

A king forcing its way through thepawns of the opponent may easily runinto a blind-alley, the defensive forcesstopping it in its tracks. In such a caseone might try to bar the way of retreatinstead of a "switchback." Motifs:square-blocking, self-block, pawnblockade

fu hgmry is also of

l&E BINCK, I9II.

P-R4 2. P-Y4., K-PxP---stalemate.

t dcocatary example butriEplicity-it clearly illus-6c forced move, (z) thed 6) the typical "driv-

s'rifice:

A textbook erample gving a finedemonstration of the theme men-tioned above. Solution :

r. K{6, K{r z. P-B5!, K-Kr 3. P-B3!, K{r 4. P-B4,K-Kr 5. P-B5, K--Qr 6. P-B6,PxP-stalemate.

20.

A. SELESNIEV, r9r8.

Draw.

In this situation White's king can-not, even by the most accurate ma-noeuvring avoid the Zugzwang and theeventual loss of its pawns. But thestalemate nest on his KR5 offers anescape :

r. K-B6!, K{r 2. K-Q5!,KxP 3. K-K4!, K-Q3! 4. K-B3,K-K4 5. K-N+, K-B3 6. K-R5!,Kx P-stalemate.

***

In the next situation Black is com-pelled to stalemate White's king atthe edge of the board because of Zag-zwang.

21.

V. IIALBERSTADT, tgzg.

Draw.

r. K{7, K-Q6 z. K-K6, K-K6 3. K-B5, P-N6 4. K-N4!,K-BZ S. K-Rl! and Black has nobetter continuation than 5. . . ., P-R4 with stalemate as a result.

In the eYent of other winning at-tempts White would bring about atheoretical drawing position by win-ning Black's KRP, e. g. 3. K--B5,P-R+ +. K-NS, K-B7 5. K x P,P-N6 6. K-N6 !, K x P 7. P-R5,K-B6 8. P-R6, P-N7 g. P-R7,P-N8 (Q) ch ro. K-B7 ! and draws.Forcing White's king in front of itspawn would create a stalemate; con-sequently Black cannot gain time foradvancing his own king.

This variation shows how a pawnis able to draw against a queen. It is awell-known fact that a BF advaniedto the seventh rank and supported byits own king can put up a successfulfight if the hostile king is far away.Motif ofthe draw : sacrifice ofthe pawnby withdrawing the king into thecorner.If the opponent's queen cap-tures the BP, the king is immobilized.Do.

25

Since the stress is upon this par-ticular stalemate position, it shouldnot seem surprising that even a cen-tral pawn may secure a draw, shouldits fall, under certain favourable cir-cumstances, result in a similar stalemate. Such a possibility is shown bythe next study:

22.

Draw.Black's distant RP is very menac-

ing. It is hopeless to seek defence bya back-pedalling circular tour ofVhite's king because the RP and theI(P would then fall prey to Black.There is only one way left: activecounterplay.

r. K-N6!, K-Br (otherwise P-R6, P-R7 etc. would follow) z. P-R6, K-Nr! l. P-RZ ch!, K-Rr4. K-B7, P-R+ 5. KxP (Q6),P-R5 6. KxP, P-R6 7. P-K5,P-RZ 8. P-K6, P-R8 (O s. P-K7, Q-Q4 ch ro. K-B7, Q-Kgrr. K-Q8, Q-Ql ch rz. K-B8!!,QxP-stalemate.

Here the cornered position ofBlack's king has the effect of movingthe edge of the board one file in toIVhite's benefit. In this situationz6

Vhite's I(P has the same role as theBP would have in thd customary case.It may be added that Black cannotmake capital out of his king's closeproximity because e. g. t2. K-B8,Q-Bf ch r3. K{8, K-Nz wouldbe followed not by t4. P-K8 (Q??(r+. . . ., Q-B2 mate !!) but first by14. P-R8 (Q ch !-forcing the king'sreflrrn and then r+. ..., KXQ tS.P-K8 (Q.

WALLING INThe faa that pawns move one way

only is apt to lead to a completelymechanicd restriction of moves and atotal immobility of pieces.

This motif calls our attendon to thefact that a stalemate can be achievedalso by walling in, by way of buildingup a self-blockade.'Sometimes it isenough to build a wall of fixed pawnsaround the king but sometimes it isnecessary to do so also around otherpieces. Examples:

23.

J. BERGER, 1889.

Since Blrrck's RP m b Itrkeor White must dso tryo Gdr distant passed pawr. Tb lqlEry r. P-Nl is tm slot' fu Icuches up with WhiE in tb;result would be the setnc & *P-R+PxP z.P-BqDK+-1leaves us r. P-BC as 6c dt dn*ive with a promisinghc*fi(r. P-R4? 2. P45; I3. P-R4!). What arre rt b dS Istrer, if r. P-B4! is m bY r. ,K-Bz!? Then oomes fu rnqEtrrrn, inwiubly lcading o e fi

r. P-B4!, K-B2! z PxflR+:. K-N3, P-RS + K{tR6 5. P-N3!+dftre-b omplete.

24.

I. C. CAMPBEIJ- rts5;.

Dra.At first glance it is hlilY c

eble that White can 1n qr.-frl fight against RlecPr -

pcd pawns' h it u bobvious rhrt my cmirhHd's part lcads b r a4

A. A. TROITSKY, 1899.

r'%,,

%Aa"ffi

h 6c same role as thein6e customary case.

ilr.t Black cannotG d his king's close

e- E rz. K-B8,K-{g K-Nz wouldby rL P-K8 (Q??

-tra mr !!) but first bytt Hucing the king's

aEa r+ ..., KxQ rS.

PasE move one way5 le-'l to a completelyicti@ of moves and adpiem.

celb m ttendon to thec=n be achieved

m, bt way of building'Sometimes it is

e wall of fixed pawnsh sometimes it is

& so aho around other

Since Black's RP cannot be over-taken, White must also tr,v to establisha distant passed pawn. The prepara-tory r. P-Nl is too slow, for Blackcatches up with White in 'me; theresult would be the same also after t.P-R4, P x P z. P-84, K-Bz. Thisleaves us r. P-B4! as the only alter-native with a promising break-through(r. ..., P-R4? 2. P-Bs, PxP3. P-R4!). What are we to do, how-ever, if r. P-84! is met by r. . ..,K-Bzll Then comes the unexpectdturn, inevitably leadi.E to a stalemate:

r. P-84!, K-Bz! z. PxP!, P-R+ g. K-N3, P-RS 4. K-R4, P-R6 S. P-Nl!-and the walling inis complete.

24.

I. C. CAMPBELL, 1855.

Draw.

At first glance it is hardly conceiv-able that White can put up a success-ful fight against Black's connectedpassed pawns, but it soon becomesobvious that any continuation onBlack's part leads to a stereotSped

case of "walling inr" whereby wesecure a draw-if only we have aneye for it ! It takes but three moves :

r. B{z!-2. B-RS!-g. P-N4!-with a frozen stalemate position,irrespective of what Black has done inthe meantime.

***

It is much harder to conceive thewalling in of a piece without the pres-ence of pawns on the boar4 with thesiguificant exception of a comeredbishop, which can in fact be paralysedby merely blocking a single square.

25.

A. and K. SARYTCHEV, t929.

Draw.

Vhite's chief concern is how torescue his endangered bishops, be-cause the continuation r. B-Br ch,K-N6 threatens the pin R-N8 andeven 2. B-K4 is no salvation on ac-connt of z. .. . , R-Kr with an in-direct threat of mate. The bad posi-tion of Vhite's king is accordingly themain source of trouble. But it is iust

IN

Dr@.

27

such a siege that usually offers thepossibility of a stalemate combina-tion.

Here is how it goes :r. P-N3 ch!, BxP (. . ., KXP? z.B-KS ch) 2. B-Br ch, K-NS(otherwise 3. K-Nz) 3. B-Rr!!,R-N8 4. K-Nz! and after R x Bthe stalemate is achieved. Anyother continuation would permitWhite to bring his bishop into safety.

THE QUEEN AS A FACTOR INSTALEMATE

The queen may menace too manysquares at a time, make too largean area "forbidden land" for thehostile pieces, and her power cannot,therefore, always be regarded as anadvantage. We all remember theunpleasant experiences of our tyrodays when, a queen ahead, wetriumphantly massacred the steadilydwindling forces of an opponent onthe brink of defeat only to wake upto the sad truth that the game hadsuddenly ended in . . . stalernate!

More often than not the queen isthe "hero" of the simplest stalematecombinations, though naturally in apassive sense. A queen responsiblefor stalemate looks on the board likesome clumsy Cyclops outwitted andmocked by Ulysses, a case of "morebrawn than brain!"

T[hat are the tactical elernentsof utilizing this lesson in practice?(t) Driving the opponent's queen tothe square from which it immobilizesour king. (z) Annihilation of the restof our mobile pieces by their forcing

z8

sacrifice. These two aims may berealized simultaneously by way of adirecting (driving-on) sacrifice.

First of all let us examine how theimmense ccmbined strength of twoqueens may turn-to a disadvantage.

26.

F. J. PROKOP, t925.

White offers a rook sacrifice bywhich he either captures one of thequeens or brings about variousstalemate positions, making the circlecomplete round the "loosely" postedking.

The first stalemate position:r. R-QRI!, QxR z. Q-K4 ch!,

Qx Fstalemate!The second:r. R{Rr!, Q-Qr ch z. K-Bz!,

QxR 3. Q{S ch!, QxQ-stale-mate!

The third:r. R-QRI!, Q-K6 ch z. K-Bz,

QxR 3. Q-QB8 ch, K-Rz 4. Q-N7 ch!, KxQ-stalemate!

And finally a fourth pcsmyr. R-QRI, Q-K6 ch z K-fKZ ch 3. K-N3!, QxR d

4. Q-K4 ch! (4. Q-R5 ct?,R3!) result in a stalemar pddemonstrating the Fasoope of two queens. :

27.

L. I. KUBBEI. rg1t-

Drm.Our first impression is -t- d

a typical instance of thc f Iseventh rank securing I dagBinst the queen- Ve uc ilibm aa eldinary apprd E Lshed goal would be carre fu dpointment. r. P-B7? d rbccause the continurirn r-fN+ ch 2. K-RZ, KJLNnQ-Nr ch4 K-!$BQir a sure win for Blact.

The solution:r. 8.{6 ch!, K-B{! u. F

Q{7 ch 3. K-RzL QxBal(Q) ch!, QxQ-uh*CA tnrth worth reoeubcri:

thc simFlat psitions ofr- I$urprise !

These two aims may becirnntt-neorrsly by way of a5 (&ivingn) sacrifice.ddt h us p'-mine how the

ca-rrhinsd stlength of two

Drqo.

des a rook sacrifice byh .ftfr? captgres one of the(: btings about various

pcttim, rn-ting the circlerd tte'1ocely" posted

QxR z. $K4 ch!,

Q{r ch z. K-Bz!,ch!, QxFstale-

Q-K6 ch z. K-Bz,(l-QB8 ch, K-R2 4.Q-KxQ--sal,enate!

And finally a fourth possibility:

r. R-QRI, Q-K6 ch z. K-Bz,Q-KZ ch 3. K-N3!, QxR and now4. Q-K4 ch! (4. Q-RS ch?, Q-R3!) result in a stalemate positiondemonstrating the enormousscope of two queens.

27.

L. I. KUBBEL, t925.

Drazt.

Our first impression is that this isa typical instance of the BP on theseventh rank securing a drawagainst the queen. We are not far out,but an ordinary approach to the de-sired goal would be cause for disap-pointment. r. P-B7? would not dobecause the continuation r. . . .,$N+ ch 2. K-R7, K-B+ 3.B-N7, Q-Nf ch 4.K-N8, FKfis a sure win for Black.

The solution:t. B-Q6 ch!, K-B4l z.P-BZ

Q-QZ ch 3. K-R7!, Qx B 4. P-88(Q) ch!, QxQ-stalemate!A truth worth remembering : even

the simplest positions often hide asurprise !

?3.

L. I. KUBBEL, 1922.

Draw.

r. K-R8, Q-QNZ 2. P-R4!,KxP l.K-RZ, Q-87 ch 4. K-R8,Q-B6 5. K-R7, Q-Bz. (SinceBlack is unable to give check on theKR file, he endeavours to reach thesquare Kz (White's K7) by gainingtempos, and posting the king on KR3(White's KR6) whereafter he caneasily, win against White's promotedpawn. To serve this aim he may alsochoose the manoeuvre Q-Q6-QS-K5-K4 etc.)

6. K-R8, Q-K4 Z. K-RZ, Q-K2 8. K-R8, KxP 9. P-N8 (Q)ch, K-R3! (This Zugnxrang positionis generally regarded as a typicalwinning position of queen endings.Black would easily win if all the pieceswere posted two or more files to theleft, but now. . .)

ro. Q-K6 ch!!, QxQ-andVhite is stalemated!

In these examples the annihilationof the White pieces, which were

ieopardizing the stalemate, is carriedout by brutally forcing active sacrifi ces.This method can generally be appliedif we want to liquidate a queen, or,less frequently, a rook. It is far moredifficult, for instance, to sacrifice aknight so that the opponent has noalternative to capturing it. A mereattack, an orgy of checks to the kingwill, of course, not meet the case; themove aiming at the annihilation of theknight should also contain some realthreats.

The stalemate combinations carriedout with a knight occur as a rule notin a distilled form, but mixed withmotifs aimed at winning the queen(pinning, geomeffical positions, si-multaneous check to king and queen)and at achieving perpetual check.These motifs are shown in the follow-ing masterpiece of remarkable beauty :

29.

L. I. KUBBEL, tgzt.

Draw.

r. N-Q+!!

Opens up the third rank, closes-at the same time-the bishop's longdiagonal and also endangers the squaresQB6 and K6. White threatensR-Rt ch followed by R-QN3, andR-K6 (winning the queen at once) aswell. Black cannot parry these threatsby moving the king or the bishop, edthe queen is in danger both on theQR-N-B files and the sixth rank.One might make an attempt at r. . ..

'Q-{r, but in this case the dominantknight would make its effect felt :

r. .. ., Q{r z. R-R3 ch, K-Nz 3. R-Nl ch, K-Br (K-Bz?4. N-K6 ch) +. R-N8 ch!, KxR5. N-B6 ch-and draws.

So the "quiet" knight move, infaa, is a forcing sacrifice. First itappears as if the aim were to achieveperpetual check. . .

rHE FIGHT AGAINST TEPASSED PAW}.I

It often happens in m codiq tone is wilting to offer maic msacrffices in order to paee thc lrya passed pawL In such irtrncEi Prrioos may come about in shid ofte players is a piee- o( oEEapieces, ahead aud still nct dtpreveot within a rnort (r tropromotion of the oppm$ IEPawn

If the appearance of a w q-rgoing to turn the scalg thcre qno other saving @urse fu f :csnbinative staleoc pff

To attain stalemm E'e frsnrive for the annihilztiom ir pupinning or blocking) of tbc IiEthe bmrd aod for thc rygdirecing of the oe,pccds EIqufcn- C-ompared ritr fu cutready oxrmined (st.o 6c fiELcuried on, agaiDst an alrtedy efoqucn), our ulsk nos fo fu reaier since the op,pocm's ruring freedom is more rcsci=d &tbe introductor-Y EovEs, oriE uhct as yet of a gumrud

-kDffi which sguae Erll be fu tipLce ofthe prospcciYE goco- ftdrr hend, our cehhin fo oplicuEd by the fzr th{ fu o1lph= wery right to pm ftYmcing pawu not ml-c @ r qGErtD Ey mher piece. Cmsc+Eilt,cirsmstance prEdu.ln fcr ilrfu pcibility of sriEring

-

tim inthehqe ddhiqel-

r after 6e quecdy gml

r.--z. R-R3 ch3. R-N3 ch4. R-B3 ch

. . . but this attempt to escape revealsan unexpected point:

5. R-Q3!! QxR-and White is stalemated. It is worthnoting how many-sided the final rookmove is : it directs the queen, annihi-lates the rook and blockades the pawn.AII this by means of a pin which in-cidentally parries the mating threatthat has also been in the air all thetime (Q-N7).

In an over-the-board game manywould call this "blind luck." But onlythose who blindly pass by theirluck. . .

QxNK-N+K-B5K-Q+

3o

6

&,,%,

lrp tlc thid rank, closes-L tirthe bishop's long

thesquaresK6. White threatens

trlcrsed by R{N3, andHvrgthc queen at once) as

crmmot parry these threatsE6c Ling or the bishop, ffidE i$ ie dmger both on theF.l fih ald the sixth rank.

;;

L,q{, z. R-R3 ch, K-pN3 ch, K-Br (K-Bz?E6 ctr) 4 R-N8 ch!, KxR5 ct:...od draws.b ..quiet" knight move, in,e fucing sacrifice. First itp f 6. dm were to achievel'.tcct . . .

E*-Nl .h+ch

QxNK-N+K-BsK-Q4

ib trry to escape reveals-=d pcint:-(E[ QxRIhis stdeoated. It is worth; r-rr.vdded the final rookS ldfucas the queen, annihi-idad blockades the pawn.,5 r'"-,x. of a pin whiih in-h Fics the mating threatt & bm in'the air all the$uz)-r cr+beberd game manyItii'"hlind luck" But onlyD biliDdly pass by their

fHE FIGHT AGAINST THEPASSED PAWN

It often happens in an ending thatone is willing to offer major materialsacrifices in order to pave the way fora passed pawn. In such instances posi-tions may come about in which one ofthe players is a piece, or even twopieces, ahead and still not able toprevent within a move or two thepromotion of the opponent's passedpawn.

If the appearance of a new queen isgoing to turn the scale, there may beno other saving course than to seekcombinative stalemate possibilities.

To attain stalemate we shouldstrive for the annihilation (or possiblypinning or blocking) of the pieces onthe board and for the appropriatedirecting of the opponent's nel-bornqueen. Compared with the cases al-ready examined (when the fight wascarried on against an already existingqueen), our task now is that mucheasier since the opponent's manoeuvr-ing freedom is more restricted duringthe introductory moves, owing to hislack as yet of a queen-and we alsoknow which square will be the birth-place ofthe prospective queen. On theother hand our calculation is com-plicated by the fact that the opponenthas every right to promote the ad-vancing pawn not only to a queen butto any other piece. Consequentln thiscircumstance precludes, for instance,the possibility of sacrificing all thepieces in the hope of achieving a stale-mate after the queenly promotion.

30.

F. AMELUNG, r9o5.

Draw.

At first glance it seems that White'sadvantageously posted king mightbe the source for a mating threat orperpetual check. But a few attemptswill convince us that there is no salva-tion after r. R-88 ch?, B-Qr z.R-Br, P-KZ! Q. K-B5, B-N3!).White's king instead finds a "suitable"place on a much "worse" square :

r. K-B5!, P-KZ 2. K-N4!,P-K8 (Q l. RxQ, BxR 4. K-R3!

Queening or a rook promotionwould stalemate White, and an under-promotion would not lead to a wineither, for another bishop wouldobviously be useless, while after 4...., P-N8 (N) 5. K-Nz, N-K76. K-Br there would remain in-sufficient force to mate.

***

The simple motif ofthe former end-ing may come in good stead even inmore complicated cases, as shown bythe following study:

3r

31.

M. PLATOV, r9o5.r. N-B4!!, BxN 2. RxP ch,

K-N7! 3. R-KN3!!, BxR ch 4.K-R3!-and in case of 4. . . .,P-N8 (a or R) the well-knownstalemate pattem arises. An un-der-promotion (B or N) would befollowed by S. K x B and the loss ofthe RP, and any other move by S.KxP with a "book" draw.

***

Though it takes only one move, the"co-operation" on the part of White'sking is extraordinarily effective andsurprisingiy forcing in the next study :

32.

H. I\AATTISON, r9r4.

Il-hite, nor is the b:s:--c a:-: :: :-f a successful f.gi:t a:r':-.: l-=:,:iirns after r. R P ;:-. :{ F.3-N_., K-B: 3. K-Et. I.-):. B-Br, K-R-. T:: . -'- -,- :- : ..:s':id as it searls i- -,-r=-'-- : --:

-

=:leteiv ioose pcsi-:--: -: li :-:,--:-_:. rs a stajemale ca=:::-:--- ---

--

:. P-R4 chl, K-\_: : l--::-BS :a, 3. R P. a -'. : l.

Drazo.

On this situation we can make threeobservations :(i) A rook by itself is helPless

bishop; (iii) The knight might over-take Black's NF via KB4 because ofthe possible check to the king fromI(z (secondary range !).

It would seern logical from this toconclude that a draw might be reachedin sacrificing the rook for the QRP-forcing the bishop away from controlof the KB4 square-and annihilatingthe other would-be queen with theknight (r.RxP ch, BxRz.N-84,P-N8 (Q ot R) f . N-Kz ch.1.

But this seemingly simPle methodfails if Black chooses to reply r. R x Pch, K-N7 and now the Pawn Pro-motion cannot be prevented ! Clearly,salvation lies in another directionwhich is by no means easY to find,although the two introductory movesare the same, but in the reverse orderand with different aims. The solution:

32

Draus.

Because of the rook's awkwardposition the bishop cannot obtaincontrol of the queening square, andthe king's interference prevents therook from doing so. The Preventionof queening or the liquidation of thepawn when promoted calls for sub-stantial sacrifice.

The alternative r. B-Bz, P-B8(Q z.Rx P ch,Q x R 3. B xQ, Kx Bwould result in a lost Position for

11

F. T \Z.\F.D.

:. R.-Kl:. F-\- -:- : I.-I--\Sac:t.-{-3;.- i.:r'. -'-3

-: > -i-a : -:-.

t=-1IT

ZEBffiE

i-Ba"l" B \ z. RxP ch,-l 3. F.-L\311, B x R ch 4.;,-i:: -- ;3s3 of 4....,

e r-i R. the rvel.l-knownE: :':-== adses. An un-aE:'=:- 3 .-r N) rvould bex :r .. K. . B and the loss ofF-

=: ::-; c'.:ei move by S.1--,.i -"-"--\ draw.

cg: -:

.-..-:;t one move, theffi.:-' L:'-ie part of White'sq es=:::.-;nariiv effective andix-+I:::-i-S in the next study:

2,1J;.

i{- -', Lr-TTISON, r9r4.

_-::._. .

g=s :: ----: :.'ok's awkwardtr

-: r:>:r9 cannot obtain[.:i --: -1:::-ing square, and

:{: '-l=I--=:::Ce prevents the::e, : -'- i i.r. The prevention

., : r..rr'-i .-:

-: ucuidation of themf- :::-c:ed calls for sub-.

---i--* !i--

-

-: .

' i::--.--:-.-e I. B-Rz, P-B8R , F::.Q' R3.BxQ,KxBsr

-: j - a lost position for

White, nor is the bishop able to putup a successful fight against Black'spawns after r. RxP ch, KxR z.B-N5, K-BS 3. K-83, K-N64. B-Br, K-RZ. The only way out,absurd as it seems in view of thecompietely loose position of Silhite'sking, is a stalemate combination again.

r. P-R4 ch!, K-Ne z. B-Bz,P-B8 (Q l. RxP, QxR +. K-Rr!!

The startling point ! The capture( . . ., Q x B) results in stalemate,otherwise Black is compelled to giveup his qlueen for nothing because ofthe perfec, ,"y*:":.

The role of Zagzurang and thevarious forms of pawn promotion aredemonstrated in reciprocal stalematevariations by the following study :

55.

F. LAZARD, r9oz.

Draw.

r. R-Kr!, P-N7 ch z. K-Bz,P-N8 (Q ch :. K-Bg!, QxR andWhite is stalemated!

3

2. . . ., P-N8 (B) ch 3. K-Bland Black is stalemated!

2. .. ., P-N8 (R) 3. R-KBI!,RxR ch 4. KxR and Black isstalemated again. The same resultwould spring also fronn the knightpromotion, only a single rook tempois needed on the first rank.

***

Sometimes the winning combina-tion is bound up with the directing ofthe king. In this case the defence mayattempt to combine the unpleasantwith the useful so that the compul-sory detour of the king should coin-cide with its approach to the stale-mate nest.

34.F. LAZAR.D, r9rz.

Draus.

The passed pawn cannot be stoppedby r. R-QB7, since Black would con-veniently close the file by . . .,R-QB+ ! after . . ., R-R4 ch. Aroundabout way by r. R-NZ ch in-tending to take control over the squareKNr would only be practicable incase of r. . . ., K-R5, but would loseafter r. . . ., K-B5 ! because Black'sking could rush to the aid of his pawn.

33

6@

.,ru

,m,

%H

,ru,

,%

%ltrffi

Who would ever think of lookingfor a stalemate possibility to extricateWhite from his plight, if this naturalposition cropped up in an over-the-board game? Yet the stalemate be-comes a reality after a reciProcaldriving of the kings !

r. R-N7 ch, K-B6 ( . . ., K-R5z. R-Nr, R-R7! 3. R-QBI, RxP3. K-K4 isR-R+ ch4. RxR, PWhite is st-B8 (Q or R).Black is able to prevent stalemateby S. . . ., P-BB (B), but a drawnposition will arise also from the con-tinuation 6. K-B4 !, B-R6 7.P-Q+ !

Let us, accordingly, analYse somepppPstalemate nest around him.

Here is the motif in its simPlestform :

r. R-N7 ch, K-Br z. R-N5!,P-Bs (Q 3. R-BS ch!, QxR-stalemate!

Let us look now at this old andfamiliar pattern elaborated as an end-game theme in a composition of laterdate.

-\-

i.:.:--::;e Li:.:ee:e:t-' i- =r

:: :: i:s sc.:-. -: ---::: -: ::.

36.

F. J. PR.OKOP, 1943.

J).E. B. COOK, t864.

Draw.

Draw,

r. R-N8!, KxP z. RxR, K-Q3(2. . . ., P-B8 (O would be..metimmediately bY 3. R-BS ch!) 3.R-N6 ch, K-Qz 4. R-NZ ch,K-Br 5. R-N5!, P-B8 (Q 6-R-BS ch! with the same stalemate.

Shoutd Black make an active rooksacrifice, then a tttwin" stalematepattern might arise :

r. R-N8!, R-R+ ch z. KxR,KxP l. R-N+!, P-B8 (Q +. n-84 ch!, exR.

* * *

The directing, driving Power of therook is characteristically shown in thenext examPle:

f-.-, r

--.g

l.'E=.1 ?_

ttj-J-

r- R-\- ch, K-Br z. R-N5!,P-BE Q 3. R-BS ch!, Qx R-ciltrr;:e-

Lct r-:-. ni-r,ok now at this old andL'rrr-Ii.*r ?:amerll elaborated as aII end-.pe -'L.eo.e ia, a composition of laterhE-

x.

f'. I. PROKOP, 1943.

37.

L. I. KUBBEL, 1925.38.

F. J. PROKOP, 1923.

Draw.

It is obvious that after r. R-K4ch Black's king may not go to the KBfile for fear of z. R-84 ch and 3.R-Br. On the Q file again, the kingand the prospective queen will be ingeometrical alignment, thus makingpossible the rook's direct'ng inter-vention. This directing in the first in-stance paves the way for a doubleaffack on king and queen by theknight, in the second it gives rise tothe desired stalemate.

r. R-K4 ch, K-Qz z. R-K3!,P-QB (Q l. R-Qr ch!, QxR +.N-KS ch!, B x N-and White isstalemated.

The other variation:r. R-K4 ch, K-Qr z. N-K5!,

P-Q8 (Q (2. ..., BxN g. R-Kgetc. leads to the former path). 3.R-Q4 ch!, Q x R 4. N-B6 ch and5' NxQ drawt*

* *

It goes without saying that thedirecting and suicide manoeuvres,referred to in this chapter, may arise

35

Draw,

r. R-Ntl, K;

in various situations in a diversity ofcombined forms.

An especially multifarious con-certed action maY be exPected fromrninorpassedillustrabinatiotion is the Product of a quadruPleforcing sacrihce.

SEI-F.PINNINGIn order to achieve stalemate it is

not explicitly necessary to annihilateone's owr pieces, it is sufficient toimmobilize theno, to have them Pin-ned. A conscious recognition of thispossibility is especiaily importan! inthe figtrt against passed pawns, sincewe can considerabiy increase the use-fulness of the piece chasing a passedpawn. How this can be clone is bestillustrated by sorne simple examples.

- : rhe line iat:::.:.:-: . :

. ^::rh;r amen:: :: :: --:''--il cni.v be sua--:,:- -_r , , ,, P-R.E .Q ?, :-: :. ::

.. P-R.S iR..l e,r:::::--: '::.----: B1ack ea.t".- -,' ::-i

--' :: :

:.K-N3 II . ar-c:l th:.: ::: .- : :'

:-:I-t3te th: sa'-::: ---l-I.::-

r -:--3f 'r-a"' l"- l=:::i:,---l -- ::--: ..i';:-ri'-: :-r,: . -- :

-nn'n-.

i\ 1.. !' J?0J"

L. I. KUBBEL, r9o9. 44"A. rfi/. DANIEI-, r9o8.

Here the pin is purposely invited asa kind of sacrifice. Since the rook isunable to stop both pawns, it "throwsaway its own life" as a last resort, instead of resorting to a protractedyet-hopeless defence:

r. RxP!, B-B7 2. K-R8!, BxR-stalemate!This is the simPlest form of thecombination.

What would haPPen, however, ifBlack-instead of capturing the rook-decided to play 2. . ..) P-R7 !? 3.R-Kr looks unsatisfactory because

r. B-B5 chif r. . . ., K-B3 then z.Nz 3. N-Bz !

z. BxP3. N-85 ch

KxPP-R7, K-

P-Q7K-R+

KxP3. . . ., K-N4 would be followed bY+. N-r+, P-Q8 (Q S. N-83 ch

4. P-N4 ch !5. B-Kr !!This typical directing pin clears the

ground for an effective knight inter-vention.

PxB (Q or (R)6.N-Q3ch! NxN

-and White is stalemated !

36

Draw.

_iEi-F-PI\\ING-r:;: :: ::'-:.\'e Stalemate it iScL:--; r-.:elsar]' to annihilateoE--- :::--:. l: rs sufficient to:G;; --ti-, tc have them Pin-L :l:--.---::: ::.oeaition of thisu]i;-; -; :.::;a.r1!' important in=; :.--:-:: :a-.sed pawns, sinceI :::-..:::::-r- ircrease the use-s ::'-= ::-.e chasing a PassedH:., --::= car be Cone is best

m-t. -i s-,lr'srmple examples.

4t-'t.

-d. [. Di\IEL, r9o8.

l-:-' '

:s =: ; - := :'-::poself invited as: :: .:--::-::. Since the foOk is

t :: ::-: : -= la$-ns, it "throws=

:-: -::a'' a-. a last resort, in

;i:=.::-:: to a protractedYet-=r*

:=:=- --: :

R. ! . S-B- z. K-RS!, BxRg-i

-.< - --: =:aplest form of the

lm ^:'--: happen, however, if+=:::: cf capturing the rookr:e: :-- r-ar- :. . . ., P-Rl l? l..I

- -,: -r.':lsatisfactorY because

tffi;--:;I

of the line interference B-N8.Another attempt at setrf-pinningwould only be successful in case of3. . . ., P-R8 (Q) ?, but fail against 3.. . ., P-R8 (R)! eliminating stalemate,since Black easily wins after +. R-BSch, K-N3 !

To avoid these dangers we filustelaborate the saving combination in asubtler way by decreasing the scopeof the offensive pieces first :

r. RxP!, B-ts7 z. K-R8!, P-RZ! 3. R.-Kr!, B-NS 4. R.-K5!,P-R8 (R) (4. . . ., P-R8 (Q ?-stalemate!) 5. R-QR5!-and draws,because the capture leads to anotherform of stal.emate, and also 5. . . .,B-RZ serves no purpose sinceWhite's reply 6. R-R7 ch does awaywith the rnating threat.

4t.L. I. KUBBEL, 1916.

Draw.

Here we see a typical demonstrationof self-pinning as a motif in stalemate,rounded off by the pointed frustrationof all attempts at unpinning.

r. P-N4! (Threatening z. K-Nzand 3. B-Nl mate.)

r. . . ., KxP 2. K-Rr!, P-RZ3. B-Nr!

Now 3. P-RS (Q) or P-R8 (R)would lead to stalemate; and 3. . . . ,K x P would allow tirne for Sfhite'sbishop to catch the passed pawn.Knight promotion is ineffective be-cause of 4. B-N6 !, but promotion toa bishop may give cause for concern.Even so, S7hite's bishop manages tosave the day, not now by reraainingpassively under pin, but by theexercise of its active directing powers :3. . .., P-R8 (B) +. B-Q4!, B x B-stalernate!

* * *

The stalemate position by self-pin-ning is, also in the next study (No. 4z),a decisive element of the knight ma-noeuvre undertaken with an attack onthe queening square in view:

r. P-B7, K-Kz z.N-K6!, Kx P3. N-NS ch, K-Bt 4. N x BP!,P-Bl 5. N-Nr! and in case of5. . . ., P-B8 (a or R) White isstalemate,

42.

II. RINCK, r9o8.

37

I

t

t!

%'m,A'"ru,

,r,ru ,r%,

%26"/.,a"/2, ,ffi

Aotherwise 6. N-K2 assures a draw.In this example White's passed

pawn has been responsible for direct-ing the king in the introductory phase.Now we propose to examine suchpositions in which the directing forceof a passed pawn is the basic motif ofthe stalemate combination.

DIRECTION WITH PASSEDPAWNS

A passed pawn is not only a poten-tial means of increasing our materialsuperiority by its promotion, but alsoa convenient means of forcing direc-tion, of driving the opponent's piecesto a desired point of the board. Theadvancing passed pawn has a kind ofmagnetic effect on part of the hostileforces and, as a crowned sacrifice, it isapt to lure the hostile piece lying inambush for it to a definite square.This motif, which, as will be discussedin a separate chapter, underlies manyother combinations aimed at securinga draw, comes in handy for creating astalemate position. since the drivingmanoeuvre is combined at the sametime with the self-arurihilation of amobile piece.

Among the over-the-board types ofend-games we may refer here to thecase when we send into battle ourBP on the seventh rank against theopponent's queen. In Diagram No. z7we have already come across an unusu-al instance of this familiar situation.A similar stalemate pattern may springfrom the fight of a NP against arook.

38

43.

A. COZIO, 1776.

Draw.

This old "textbook example" is nota study, presenting as it does no ex-ceptional possibility, but the down-to-earth, technical method of achievingstalemate in similar positions.

r. K-R7, K-B3 2. P-BS (a)ch!, RxP 3. P-N7, R-Bz 4. K-R8!, RxP-stalemate!

That is the shortest way; in theLast instance also the attempt begin-ning with r. K-NT leads to this chan-nel, the same applies for the variationswith Black to play first. (8. g. Blackto play: r. . . . , K-B3 z. K-R7,R-KBI l.P-NZ !, R x P 4. K-RS !etc. or r. . . ., K-Br z. K-R7, R-Rr 3.K-R8 !-l.K-R6? wouldlosebecause of R-R8.)

44,

A. SELESNIE\-. :):..

,,

Dra:'.

The knight canncl --e :,E

=:count of the matinE --:--=:: :::e balance of matei.r- --*-*: rrmer example is r3::::='*Thite's first move. \=;

=:

-e knight has tiris ad-,''---:=:::r drive either the ki:-: :: ---:r a less favourable r-,::. LTnr-te gains time fc: a:,r-:I ai\ n.

r. N-B5!, Kx\ a::i:R. ,rN z. P-N7, R-B:

-:.J ch! draws).

z. P-K7, R-K5 3. R-Rtsi +. P-N7! and no:i- -: :.::on 4. . . ., RxP 5. K.-Ri--:sds to the staiemate L--i:: -a:d the alternative 4.:h 5. K-N8, KxP rs'r-- -..-Cemate position.

EpiEt

13.

.l- COZIO, 1776.

hau.

s o{d "resrbook example" is noty' Fr+e:ting as it does no ex-rlel g'.ssibijiw, but the down-to-mrr'-r::al ncethod of achieving

@e i- 5i-,la1 positions.

r-R-, K-Bt 2. P-88 (a)i,:

46.

J. BEHTING, 1893.

Draw.

This simple-looking position callsfor careful and profound analysis.

r. K-R6 !! K-BrIf r. . . ., B-K6 z. K-N5 !, P-

B,63. K-B4, B-QZ 4.B.-Bz !, P-BS S. K-Nl !, P-86 6. B-K4, P-KBZ 7. B-Nz White will keep hisown pawn while stopping Black's BP'sand securing a draw. After the text,however, the king alters his course:

z. K-R7 ! B-K63. K-RS BxP3. . .., ts-85 would fix the KBP

again making 4. B-Bz possible.4. B-Nl !!-drawn,

because the capture would result ina stalemate (4... ., P-86 5. 8-I(6chand6.Bxnr..*.

Finally, let us look at a classical ex-ample demonstrating the enormousdirecting powers of a pawn :

40

Drau.

r. B-K5Obviously the only way of saving

the pawn, otherwise Black would easi-ly win, being a rook ahead. But nowthe bishop falls also !

6.--z.K-NzNow even the pa\\'D na'-rst H

a price has to be paid att* Eu-

8. K-R8 !! R P

-and Wtrcite is stalematedlWho would have eso:;3;the initial position?. ..

***

This brings us 1o t:g e-rcanalysis of stalemate possi

-J,i--i,have by no means disc,;s*\*,motifs, only the most ch:iz;ones.

Of course, we do not erFeader, if he has got thu,r ir, :ihat he has acquired "a rrealtr crrical experience" and tiur, fcr

47.

KUBBEL, rg2r.L. I.

r. - -z. K-QS !

3. K-86 !

R-B:R_8.

White has only a single pawnagainst two pieces ! But his kit gstealthily approaches its distant goal.Black-in order to stop the pawn-iscompeltred to keep on chasing it in thedesired direction.

R-N5 chR-N4 chRxB

R-K3 chR_QI+.P-Qzs.K-Nz

6. K-B8 !Not K-B7?, because R-Q7 chl

7. K-BS, R-B7 ch would allow thebishop to control Black's QBz.

47.

L L KLTBEL, rgzr.6.--z.K-Nz

R-B3 chR.-B7 ch

Now even the pawn must fall ! Buta price has to be paid after a1l !

B. K-R8 !! RxP

-and White is stalemated!Who would have expected this inthe initial position?. . .

***

This brings us to the end of ouranalysis of stalemate possibilities. \Uflehave by no means discussed all themotifs, only the most characteristicones.

Of course, we do not expect theeader, if he has got thus far, to thinkhat he has acquired "a wealth of prac-tical experience" and that, from now

on, he will be able to save all hishopeless games, or every second one,byastalemate...

'W'e are very much gratified if thesemodel patterns have helped the readerto see lnore, or at least to considermore possibilities than he did be-fore. The stalemate combination isonly a minor weapon in the tacticalarmoury of chess, but the forcingnnotifs invclved will also prove usefulin many other instances.

For this reason, we need not memo-rize the positions quoted in this book,much less reckon with the infinitesimalchance of their exact recurrence inpractice, but should remember themethods that help us-often with veryinferior forces-to take the initiative,to direct the course of events and tomove the opponent's pieces as ifthey were mere marionettes.

Dratt.

; fK5Xrriou-.rl the only way of savingpsn:. othersrise Black would easi-rin- being a rook ahead. But now:ti$h".! tells also !

l K-{_< lI K-ts5 I

R-N5 chR-N4 chRxB

R-K3 chR-Q3

[hire 1;-. onlf a single pawnitrffi ffi-r risces ! But his kiogrffiili'r E;p;osches its distant goal.Et-E .-:ier to stop the pawn-isryEflEr :r keep on chasing it in theird. d:e:drn.

Uct K-B- ?, because R-Q7 ch !K-BE, R-BZ ch would allow the@ to control Black's QBz.

4r

VIRTUAL STALEMATE

In the preceding chapter we havebecome acquainted with the pursuitof stalemate as an effective method ofsaving a game, even against heavyodds. We have stressed, however, thatin order to achieve stalemate we haveto adopt manoeuvres that are dia-metrically opposed to the general " rea'sonable" principles of play, i. e. wemust actually rather than apparentlyand definitively rather than tempora-rily strive for the complete annihilationor immobilization of our forces.

Clearly, whenever our end in viewis a draw, there is, in principle, noth-ing against our abandoning this topsy-turvy method, and reaching our goalby immobilizing the opponent'sforces instead of our own. There isthe rub, however, that in practice weare but very rarely offered this option,for in most cases we are confrontedwith the opponent's superior forceswhose complete stalemating by ourweaker army may hardly be reckonedwith.

Yet, there is such a case, or at leasta very similar one. Let us take first avery simple example which is, how-ever, of considerable importance inover-the-board play:

42

48.

SCHEME.

Draat.

Here White naturally wants to getin front of Black's pawn by r. K-Br!,and if Black replies r. . . . , P-R6, z.K-Nr and 3. K-Rr leads to stale-mate.

If Black, however, bars the aPProachof White's king by r. . . . , K-R7,![hite can no longer adoPt the de-fensive method consisting in self-stalemate, but he maY seize anotheropportunity: z. K-Bz! restrictsBlackts manoeuvring freedom sothat his king would be stalematedafter further advance of the Pawn.

The same idea may for instance brealized in a forcing manner in suCrypes of practical end-games as 6cewhere a bishop has to hold the bai.@cagainst a knight and an outside P(rl

49.

SCHEME.

Draa,t.

Black threatens to close the di.agmlby N-N7 ffid queen his parr- Ttonly remedy against this is :

POSITIONAL DRA\tr

r. B-Rr !z. K-Qz !

N-N- chK;'. B

And now it has still to be dcci&whether and how Black's kiry cro tkept pennanently stalematC iD 6corner. If we are aware of the hi$rinherent inability to gain temPi *,^{ tattack a square of the sarne co[.w owhich it stands, then it will om tdifficult to find the correct schl-@iuWe are to move our ting tt

EAF

4&

SCHEME.

Drr'.:.

e Fsite uturally wants to geti dBieck's pawn by r. K-Br!,E rt rcgrlies I. . . . r P-R6, Z.r Dd 3. K-Rr leads to stale-h*rhoreser, bars the approachic's king by r. ..., K-R7,cD tro longer adopt the de-

: d,oC consisting in self-re, but he may seize anothermir-v: z. K-Bz! restrictsfo rt*noeuvring freedom sob Li.g would be stalematedidE-. adrance of the pawn.

The same idea may for instance berealized in a forcing manner in suchtypes of practical end-games as thosewhere a bishop has to hold the balanceagainst a knight and an outside paw:n.

49.

SCHEME.

Draw"

Black threatens to close the diagonalby N-N7 and queen his pawn. Theonly remedy against this is:

square of the same colour as theone the knight is posted on. (Thesame course ought to have been fol-lowed if Black had captured the bishopon his first move.)

3. K-Br !!-

and draws,

because the freely moving knight isunable to prevent White's king fromrepeating the moves K-Bz-Br etc.(You may convince yourself by try-ing.)

What kind of a situation has beenarrived at here? Though we cannotspeak of a stalemate, we may observea partial stalemating of the strongerside's forces ! Black-even in posses-sion of an extra pawn and knight-cannot count on the assistance of hisHog, since White has managed toparalyse it and shut it out of the play.

A game can very often be savedeven against heavy odds if we partiallyimmobilize our opponent's forces inthe manner shown above, for, as iswell known, even the mightiest piece,the queen, lacks the ability to forcemate if unsupported by "her royalconsort !"

Those exceptional drawing posi-tions, where an existing measurablematerial superiority cannot be exploit-ed owing to a lasting restriction of themobility of some piece or pieces, arecalled positional draws. The termrefers to the fact that the materialbalance, considerably upset as it is, canonly be re-established in a givensituation, under given circumstances,through the greater scope and mobil-ity of inferior materid.

r. B-Rr !z. K-Qz !

N-N7 chKxB

And now it has still to be decidedwhether and how Black's king can bekept peruranently stalemated in thecorner. If we are aware of the knight'sinherent inability to gain tempi and toaffack a square of the same colour onwhich it stands, then it will not bedifficult to find the correct solution.We are to move our king to a

43

50.

J. MENDHEIM, t832.

Draw.

Well over a hundred years old, thisproblem aptly illustrates the underly-ing idea. Black's pawn is out of reachand therefore White makes prepara-tions for static warfare against theprospective queen.

r. N-QZ ! P-R7After Black's king move z. N-B5

and 3. N-QN: would neutralize thepawn.

z. QN-B6 ! P-R8 (Q ch3. K-K6 (or 85)

-and draws because the king caneasily move about while the cavalrykeeps Black's king stalemated.

At times the ioint efforts of a knightand bishop may be as effective as thatof two knights in shutting off theking and offering stout resistance tothe queen.

44

A. A.

51.

TROITSKY, i9o8.

Draw.

r.BxPch! K-Br

After r. . . ., Kx B z. P-N7 Whitetoo will promote his pawn.

It should be pointed om,that here the draw is om dtable outcome of the uhimltural situation but much rrdthreat P-NZ ch, permmcoair. Strictly speaking, the shof the king would only be Peposted (in the final po:tuimB-B7)another Black Frawa ctKN7.

In that case, horresgr{lwhat we should like to shctnthis example-the sirumicrnot be a draw! \FhY? Bcridea of immqlilizing the ffitrealized also by Black b-" ro-*'manoeuvres and eveaeoa$would be in Zugnrry. If aithe protecting bishoP cr t+P 'knight were forced to E@cmE:soon fall victim to th: mohafter a series of checks. Fcr,continued from the ftrnett Enssupposing that Black h.u m rpawn on his Nz) : 5. . . ., (K-Kz, Q-QB6! 7. K-B:8. K-Nz, Q-K6 9. K-KB6 ro. K-Nr, $K- I l:Q-KB7 !-and the sinurlbecomes mutual, lea'tring Ea material surplus rFr*t dc$sue.

*tt

Hence, we have arrircd uCusion that a queetr by b:=Bot mate the ting b@stalemate him, if he ffirefuge near a friendly

.D&:tt-

z. N-Q4 ! !3. N-K6 ch !4. B-K8 !

P-R8 (Q)K-Nr

From here the bishop protects theknight in an indirect way, so tha