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Chess Travis Dirle

WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

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Page 1: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

Chess

Travis Dirle

Page 2: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

2

Page 3: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

Chess

Travis Dirle

July 11, 2020

Page 4: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

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Page 5: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

Contents

1 My Opening Repertoire 11.1 As White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.2 As Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

2 Middlegame 712.1 Tactical Motifs: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 712.2 Classical Theory: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 752.3 Modern theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 772.4 Piece Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 802.5 Pawn Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

3 Endgame 93

4 Puzzles 1594.1 Tactics Puzzles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1604.2 Prophylaxis Puzzles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

5 Appendix 1875.1 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1875.2 My Ultimate System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1985.3 Study Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2005.4 Tournaments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

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Page 6: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CONTENTS

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Page 7: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

Chapter 1

My Opening Repertoire

The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your army around these facts.Once an imbalance is created, every developing move must address this imbal-ance in some way. Always play 1.e4 then choose from list according to black.As black, choose opening according to white. My current opening repertoire,variations ordered by most popular first:

As White

Ruy Lopez (Closed Defense: Chigorin, Exchange Variation, Berlin Defense,Marshall Attack, Open Variation, Steinitz, Steinitz Deferred, Jaenisch (Schlie-mann), Archangel)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5

French (Winawer, Classical)

1. e4 e6

Caro-Kann (Main Line)

1. e4 c6

Pirc

1. e4 d6

Modern

1. e4 g6

Alekhine

1. e4 Nf6

Scandinavian

1. e4 d5

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Page 8: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Nimzowitsch

1. e4 Nc6

Philidor

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6

Petroff

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6

Open Sicilian

• 2...d6 5...a6 6.Be3 Najdorf: English Attack

• 2...d6 5...g6 6.Be3 Dragon: Yugoslav attack

• 2...d6 5...Nc6 6.Bg5 Classical: Richter-Rauzer

• 2...d6 5...e6 6.g4 Scheveningen: Keres Attack

• 2...Nc6 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 Sveshnikov

• 2...Nc6 4...g6 5.c4 Accelerated Dragon: Maroczy Bind

• 2...Nc6 4...e5 5.Nb5 Kalashnikov

• 2...e6 4...Nc6 5.Nc3 Taimanov

• 2...e6 4...a6 5.Bd3 Kan

As Black

Sicilian

1. Open Sicilian, Najdorf transpose to Scheveningen:

• 5...a6 6.Bg5 Najdorf Main Line

• 5...a6 6.Be3 English Attack 7.f3

– 7.Be2– 7.Qd2– 7.g4 Delayed Keres

• 5...a6 6.Be2 8.Be3

– 8.f4

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Page 9: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

• 5...a6 6.Bc4

2. Closed Sicilian:

• 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6• 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 g6 to Grand Prix

3. Anti Sicilian:

• 2.c3 Nf6 Alapin• 2.d4 cxd4 Smith-Morra• 2.f4 d5 Grand Prix

The Slav (Main line 2.c4, Queen Gambit 2.e3)

1. d4 d5

The London (2.Nf3 2.Bf4)

1. d4 d5

English

1. c4

Reti

1. Nf3 Nf6

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Page 10: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

1.1 AS WHITE

Ruy Lopez

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5

8rZblkans7opopZpop60ZnZ0Z0Z5ZBZ0o0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

Idea: White wants a classical pawn center d4 and e4. To prevent this, black playe5. White puts pressure on black with Nf3, and still wants d4 (after c3). Blackdefends with Nc6. White puts further pressure on pawn with Bb5. White’s goalis to put pressure on black and build an advantage in the center.

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Page 11: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Closed Variation: Chigorin

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb53. . . a6 4 Ba4

8rZblkans7ZpopZpop6pZnZ0Z0Z5Z0Z0o0Z04BZ0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

4. . . Nf6 5 O-O Be7 6 Re1 b5 7 Bb3 d6 8 c3Closed Variation

8rZblkZ0s7Z0o0apop6pZno0m0Z5ZpZ0o0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3ZBO0ZNZ02PO0O0OPO1SNAQS0J0

a b c d e f g h

8. . . O-O 9 h3 Na5 10 Bc2 c5 11 d4 Qc712 Nd2 cXd4 13 cXd4 Nc6

Chigorin Variation8rZbZ0skZ7Z0l0apop6pZno0m0Z5ZpZ0o0Z040Z0OPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0ZP2POBM0OPZ1S0AQS0J0

a b c d e f g h

Idea: 1) Black and white continues development. Black tries to kick the bishop and do something about

the e5 pawn. 2) If bishop exchanges for knight, the queen fork (...Qd4) no longer works due to the Re1.

Pawn to c3 is meant for the bishop to hide from Na5. Black now has a space disadvantage. 3) If white plays

d4 immediately, then ...Bg4 will pin the Knight. Threatening to exchange for the Knight, he is essentially

attacking d4. h3 stops this.

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Page 12: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Exchange Variation

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 BXc6

8rZblkans7ZpopZpop6pZBZ0Z0Z5Z0Z0o0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

4. . . dXc6 5 O-O f6 6 d4 eXd4 7 NXd4 c5

8rZblkans7Zpo0Z0op6pZ0Z0o0Z5Z0o0Z0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1SNAQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

8 Nb3 QXd1 9 RXd1 Bg4 10 f3 Be6

8rZ0Zkans7Zpo0Z0op6pZ0Zbo0Z5Z0o0Z0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3ZNZ0ZPZ02POPZ0ZPO1SNARZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

Idea: 1) Bishop exchanges for the knight. 2) Notice that 4... xc6 5.Nxe5 is bad because black can play the

Queen fork Qd4. White wants an endgame with promoting a pawn on the kingside.

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Page 13: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Berlin Defense

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 Nf6

8rZblka0s7opopZpop60ZnZ0m0Z5ZBZ0o0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

4 O-O NXe4 5 d4 Nd6

8rZblka0s7opopZpop60Znm0Z0Z5ZBZ0o0Z040Z0O0Z0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPZ0OPO1SNAQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

6 BXc6 dXc6 7 dXe5 Nf5 8 QXd8 KXd8

8rZbj0a0s7opo0Zpop60ZpZ0Z0Z5Z0Z0OnZ040Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPZ0OPO1SNA0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

Idea: Like the Petroff, it is one of the best ways to draw as black against a strong opponent. The name

comes from white’s superior pawn structure. 1) Even though black is lagging in development, he wants to

target the bishop. 3) White searches for direct attacking chances on king.

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Page 14: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Marshall Attack

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Ng8f6

8rZblka0s7ZpopZpop6pZnZ0m0Z5Z0Z0o0Z04BZ0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

5 O-O Be7 6 Re1 b5 7 Bb3 O-O 8 c3 d5

8rZbl0skZ7Z0o0apop6pZnZ0m0Z5ZpZpo0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3ZBO0ZNZ02PO0O0OPO1SNAQS0J0

a b c d e f g h

9 eXe5 Nf6Xd5 10 Nf3Xe5 Nc6Xe5 11 RXe5 c6 12 d4

8rZbl0skZ7Z0Z0apop6pZpZ0Z0Z5ZpZnS0Z040Z0O0Z0Z3ZBO0Z0Z02PO0Z0OPO1SNAQZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

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Page 15: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Open Variation

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Ng8f6

8rZblka0s7ZpopZpop6pZnZ0m0Z5Z0Z0o0Z04BZ0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

5 O-O Nf6Xe4 6 d4 b5 7 Bb3 d5 8 dXe5 Be6

8rZ0lka0s7Z0o0Zpop6pZnZbZ0Z5ZpZpO0Z040Z0ZnZ0Z3ZBZ0ZNZ02POPZ0OPO1SNAQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

9 c3 Bc5 10 Nb1d2 O-O 11 Bc2 f5 12 Nd2b3

8rZ0l0skZ7Z0o0Z0op6pZnZbZ0Z5ZpapOpZ040Z0ZnZ0Z3ZNO0ZNZ02POBZ0OPO1S0AQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

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Page 16: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Steinitz

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 d6

8rZblkans7opo0Zpop60Zno0Z0Z5ZBZ0o0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

4 d4 Bd7 5 Nc3 Nf6 6 O-O

8rZ0lka0s7opobZpop60Zno0m0Z5ZBZ0o0Z040Z0OPZ0Z3Z0M0ZNZ02POPZ0OPO1S0AQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

6. . . Be7 7 Re1 eXd4 8 Nf3Xd4

8rZ0lkZ0s7opobapop60Zno0m0Z5ZBZ0Z0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0AQS0J0

a b c d e f g h

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Page 17: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Steinitz Deferred

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4

8rZblkans7ZpopZpop6pZnZ0Z0Z5Z0Z0o0Z04BZ0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

4. . . d6 5 c3 Bd7 6 d4 Ng8e7

8rZ0lka0s7Zpobmpop6pZno0Z0Z5Z0Z0o0Z04BZ0OPZ0Z3Z0O0ZNZ02PO0Z0OPO1SNAQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

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Page 18: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Jaenisch/Schliemann

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 f5

8rZblkans7opopZ0op60ZnZ0Z0Z5ZBZ0opZ040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

4 Nc3 fXe4 5 Nc3Xe4 d5 6 Nf3Xe5 dXe4 7 Ne5Xc6 Qg5

8rZbZkans7opo0Z0op60ZNZ0Z0Z5ZBZ0Z0l040Z0ZpZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPO0OPO1S0AQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

8 Qe2 Ng8f6 9 f4 QXf4 10 Nc6e5 c6 11 d4

8rZbZka0s7opZ0Z0op60ZpZ0m0Z5ZBZ0M0Z040Z0Opl0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPZQZPO1S0A0J0ZR

a b c d e f g h

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Page 19: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Archangel

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 O-O b5

8rZblka0s7Z0opZpop6pZnZ0m0Z5ZpZ0o0Z04BZ0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

6 Bb3 Bc5 7 c3 d6 8 a4 Rb8 9 d4 Bb6

80sblkZ0s7Z0o0Zpop6pano0m0Z5ZpZ0o0Z04PZ0OPZ0Z3ZBO0ZNZ020O0Z0OPO1SNAQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

10 Na3 O-O 11 aXb5 aXb5 12 Na3Xb5 Bg4

80s0l0skZ7Z0o0Zpop60ano0m0Z5ZNZ0o0Z040Z0OPZbZ3ZBO0ZNZ020O0Z0OPO1S0AQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

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Page 20: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

French Defense

1 e4 e6

8rmblkans7opopZpop60Z0ZpZ0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPO0OPO1SNAQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

Idea: More than anything, 1...e6 is a radical way of avoiding all those f7-squarebased tactics that are bad for black in the open games. Generally, black con-cedes space on the kingside in exchange for counterplay against white’s centerand good prospects on the queenside. White will have a weak d4 pawn.

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Page 21: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Classical Variation

2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 Nf68rmblka0s7opo0Zpop60Z0Zpm0Z5Z0ZpZ0Z040Z0OPZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0AQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

4 Bg5 Be7 5 e5 Nf6d7 6 Bg5Xe78rmblkZ0s7oponApop60Z0ZpZ0Z5Z0ZpO0Z040Z0O0Z0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0ZQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

6. . . QXe7 7 f4 O-O 8 Ng1f3 c58rmbZ0skZ7opZnlpop60Z0ZpZ0Z5Z0opO0Z040Z0O0O0Z3Z0M0ZNZ02POPZ0ZPO1S0ZQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

Idea: 1) White is not worried about the knight getting pinned, or blocking the c-pawn. 2) White exchanges

his bad bishop for opponents good bishop. 3) 7...c5 would be a mistake due to 8.Nb5!. Black will play on

the queenside. White can castle queenside and launch a kingside attack

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Page 22: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Winawer Variation1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 Bb4

8rmblkZns7opo0Zpop60Z0ZpZ0Z5Z0ZpZ0Z040a0OPZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0AQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

4 e5 c5 5 a3 BXc3 6 bXc38rmblkZns7opZ0Zpop60Z0ZpZ0Z5Z0opO0Z040Z0O0Z0Z3O0O0Z0Z020ZPZ0OPO1S0AQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

6. . . Ng8e7 7 a4 Nb8c6 8 Nf3 Qa59 Bd2 Bd7 10 Bb5

8rZ0ZkZ0s7opZbmpop60ZnZpZ0Z5lBopO0Z04PZ0O0Z0Z3Z0O0ZNZ020ZPA0OPO1S0ZQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

Idea: 1) Black indirectly attacks the e4 pawn without allowing white to gain a tempo with e4-e5, and

reserves e7 for his king’s knight. the drawback is the bishop on b4 is exchanged for the knight, weakening

the dark squares for black. 2) black lags in development and white has a space advantage. White will seek

to exploit the weakness on g7, moving Q to g4; or develop pieces solidly. 3) 7.a4 prevents black from

occupying a4 square.

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Page 23: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

The Caro-Kann Defense

1 e4 c6

8rmblkans7opZpopop60ZpZ0Z0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPO0OPO1SNAQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

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Page 24: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Main Line

2 d4 d5 3 Nc38rmblkans7opZ0opop60ZpZ0Z0Z5Z0ZpZ0Z040Z0OPZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0AQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

3. . . dXe4 4 NXe4 Bf5 5 Ne4g3 Bg68rm0lkans7opZ0opop60ZpZ0ZbZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0O0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0M02POPZ0OPO1S0AQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

6 h4 h6 7 Ng1f3 Nb8d7 8 h5 Bg6h79 Bf1d3 BXd3 10 QXd3

8rZ0lkans7opZnopo060ZpZ0Z0o5Z0Z0Z0ZP40Z0O0Z0Z3Z0ZQZNM02POPZ0OPZ1S0A0J0ZR

a b c d e f g h

Idea: 1) White defends e4 with his knight. 3) White profits from g6 bishop, gains space on kingside with

6.h4. White threatens 8.Ne5 before advancing h pawn, black prevents this with 7...Nd7.

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Page 25: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

The Pirc Defense

1 e4 d6

8rmblkans7opo0opop60Z0o0Z0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPO0OPO1SNAQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

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Page 26: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Classical Variation

2 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3 g68rmblka0s7opo0opZp60Z0o0mpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0OPZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0AQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

4 Ng1f3 Bg7 5 Be2 O-O 6 O-OClassical Pirc

8rmbl0skZ7opo0opap60Z0o0mpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0OPZ0Z3Z0M0ZNZ02POPZBOPO1S0AQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

6. . . c6 7 a4 a5 8 h3 Na6 9 Be3 Nb48rZbl0skZ7ZpZ0opap60Zpo0mpZ5o0Z0Z0Z04Pm0OPZ0Z3Z0M0ANZP20OPZBOPZ1S0ZQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

Idea: Black will concede the center in hopes of undermining it later. 2) White prioritizes development. 3)

The aim is to take away all of black’s manoeuvring space on the queenside.

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Page 27: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

The Modern Defense

1 e4 g6

8rmblkans7opopopZp60Z0Z0ZpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPO0OPO1SNAQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

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Page 28: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

2 d4 Bg7 3 Nc3 d68rmblkZns7opo0opap60Z0o0ZpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0OPZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0AQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

4 Be3 a6 5 Qd2 b58rmblkZns7Z0o0opap6pZ0o0ZpZ5ZpZ0Z0Z040Z0OPZ0Z3Z0M0A0Z02POPL0OPO1S0Z0JBMR

a b c d e f g h

6 f38rmblkZns7Z0o0opap6pZ0o0ZpZ5ZpZ0Z0Z040Z0OPZ0Z3Z0M0APZ02POPL0ZPO1S0Z0JBMR

a b c d e f g h

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Page 29: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Alekhine Defense

1 e4 Nf6

8rmblka0s7opopopop60Z0Z0m0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPO0OPO1SNAQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

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Page 30: WordPress.comChapter 1 My Opening Repertoire The real purpose of the opening is to create a difference (or a series of differ-ences) in the respective positions and then develop your

CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Classical Variation

2 e5 Nd5 3 d4 d6 4 Ng1f38rmblka0s7opo0opop60Z0o0Z0Z5Z0ZnO0Z040Z0O0Z0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPZ0OPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

4. . . Bg4 5 Be2 e6 6 O-O Be7 7 c4 Nd5b6Classical Variation

8rm0lkZ0s7opo0apop60m0opZ0Z5Z0Z0O0Z040ZPO0ZbZ3Z0Z0ZNZ02PO0ZBOPO1SNAQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

8 Nb1c3 O-O 9 h3 Bh5 10 Be38rm0l0skZ7opo0apop60m0opZ0Z5Z0Z0O0Zb40ZPO0Z0Z3Z0M0ANZP2PO0ZBOPZ1S0ZQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

Idea: Black wants to provoke white to advance his pawns in an attempt to prove that these advanced center

pawns are a weakness. Whit ends up with a good space advantage with easy attacking possibilities on the

kingside.

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Scandinavian

1 e4 d5

8rmblkans7opo0opop60Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0ZpZ0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPO0OPO1SNAQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

2 eXd5 Nf6 3 d4 Nf6Xd5 4 c48rmblka0s7opo0opop60Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0ZnZ0Z040ZPO0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02PO0Z0OPO1SNAQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

4. . . Nd5b6 5 Nf3 g6 6 h3 Bg7 7 Nc3 O-O8rmbl0skZ7opo0opap60m0Z0ZpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040ZPO0Z0Z3Z0M0ZNZP2PO0Z0OPZ1S0AQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

8 Be3 Nc6 9 Qd2 e5 10 d58rZbl0skZ7opo0Zpap60mnZ0ZpZ5Z0ZPo0Z040ZPZ0Z0Z3Z0M0ANZP2PO0L0OPZ1S0Z0JBZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Nimzowitsch

1 e4 Nc6

8rZblkans7opopopop60ZnZ0Z0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPO0OPO1SNAQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dXe48rZblkans7opo0opop60ZnZ0Z0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0OpZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0AQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

4 d5 Nc6e5 5 Qd4 Ne5g6 6 QXe4 Ng8f68rZblka0s7opo0opop60Z0Z0mnZ5Z0ZPZ0Z040Z0ZQZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0A0JBMR

a b c d e f g h

7 Qa4 Bd7 8 Bb58rZ0lka0s7opobopop60Z0Z0mnZ5ZBZPZ0Z04QZ0Z0Z0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0A0J0MR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Phillidor Defense

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 d6

8rmblkans7opo0Zpop60Z0o0Z0Z5Z0Z0o0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Phillidor Exchange Variation1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 d6

8rmblkans7opo0Zpop60Z0o0Z0Z5Z0Z0o0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

3 d4 eXd4 4 NXd4 Nf6

8rmblka0s7opo0Zpop60Z0o0m0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

5 Nc3 Be7 6 Be2

8rmblkZ0s7opo0apop60Z0o0m0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZBOPO1S0AQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Phillidor Defense1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 d6

8rmblkans7opo0Zpop60Z0o0Z0Z5Z0Z0o0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

3 d4 Nf6 4 Nc3 Nbd7

8rZblka0s7oponZpop60Z0o0m0Z5Z0Z0o0Z040Z0OPZ0Z3Z0M0ZNZ02POPZ0OPO1S0AQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

5 Bc4 Be7 6 O-O O-O 7 Re1 c6 8 a4

8rZbl0skZ7opZnapop60Zpo0m0Z5Z0Z0o0Z04PZBOPZ0Z3Z0M0ZNZ020OPZ0OPO1S0AQS0J0

a b c d e f g h

Idea: White has the small advantage from possession of the d-file and the weakness of the d6 square.White

should exchange on e5. As this gives mobility to e7 bishop, the exchange should take place at an opportune

time.

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Petroff Defense

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6

8rmblka0s7opopZpop60Z0Z0m0Z5Z0Z0o0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

Idea: Black does not defend e5, but rather attacks e4. This is a weak defense,but great drawing chances for black against a stronger opponent.

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Petroff Defense

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf68rmblka0s7opopZpop60Z0Z0m0Z5Z0Z0o0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

3 d4 NXe4 4 Bd3 d5 5 NXe5 Bd68rmblkZ0s7opo0Zpop60Z0a0Z0Z5Z0ZpM0Z040Z0OnZ0Z3Z0ZBZ0Z02POPZ0OPO1SNAQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

6 O-O O-O 7 c4 BXe5 8 dXe5 Nc69 cXd5 QXd5 10 Qc2 Nb4

8rZbZ0skZ7opo0Zpop60Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0ZqO0Z040m0ZnZ0Z3Z0ZBZ0Z02POQZ0OPO1SNA0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

Idea: Inadvisable for black: 3...exd4 4.e5 Ne4 5.Qxd4! White does not have anysignificant advantages. Very drawish.

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Open Sicilian

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3

8rmblkans7opZpopop60Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0o0Z0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPO0OPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Najdorf: English Attack

2. . . d6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a68rmblka0s7ZpZ0opop6pZ0o0m0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0AQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

6 Be3 e5 7 Ndb3 Be6 8 Qd2 Nbd7 9 f3 Be78rZ0lkZ0s7ZpZnapop6pZ0obm0Z5Z0Z0o0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3ZNM0APZ02POPL0ZPO1S0Z0JBZR

a b c d e f g h

10 g4 h6 11 O-O-O b5 12 h4 Ndb68rZ0lkZ0s7Z0Z0apo06pm0obm0o5ZpZ0o0Z040Z0ZPZPO3ZNM0APZ02POPL0Z0Z1Z0JRZBZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Dragon: Yugoslav attack

1 e4 c5 2 Nf32. . . d6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6

8rmblka0s7opZ0opZp60Z0o0mpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0AQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd78rZ0l0skZ7opZbopap60Zno0mpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040ZBMPZ0Z3Z0M0APZ02POPL0ZPO1S0Z0J0ZR

a b c d e f g h

10 O-O-O Rac8 11 Bb3 Nce5 12 h4 h5 13 Bg580Zrl0skZ7opZbopa060Z0o0mpZ5Z0Z0m0Ap40Z0MPZ0O3ZBM0ZPZ02POPL0ZPZ1Z0JRZ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Classical: Richter-Rauzer

1 e4 c5 2 Nf32. . . d6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 Nc6

8rZblka0s7opZ0opop60Zno0m0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0AQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

6 Bg5 e6 7 Qd2 a6 8 O-O-O Bd78rZ0lka0s7ZpZbZpop6pZnopm0Z5Z0Z0Z0A040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPL0OPO1Z0JRZBZR

a b c d e f g h

9 f4 Be7 10 Ndf3 b5 11 BXf6 gXf68rZ0lkZ0s7Z0ZbapZp6pZnopo0Z5ZpZ0Z0Z040Z0ZPO0Z3Z0M0ZNZ02POPL0ZPO1Z0JRZBZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Scheveningen: Keres Attack

1 e4 c5 2 Nf32. . . d6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 e6

8rmblka0s7opZ0Zpop60Z0opm0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0AQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

6 g4 h6 7 h4 Nbc6 8 Rhg1 h58rZblka0s7opZ0Zpo060Znopm0Z5Z0Z0Z0Zp40Z0MPZPO3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZ0O0Z1S0AQJBS0

a b c d e f g h

9 gXh5 NfXh5 10 Bg5 Nhf6 11 Qd2 Qb68rZbZka0s7opZ0Zpo060lnopm0Z5Z0Z0Z0A040Z0MPZ0O3Z0M0Z0Z02POPL0O0Z1S0Z0JBS0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Sveshnikov

1 e4 c5 2 Nf32. . . Nc6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nf68rZblka0s7opZpopop60ZnZ0m0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

5 Nc3 e5 6 Ndb5 d6 7 Bg5 a6 8 Na3 b58rZblka0s7Z0Z0Zpop6pZno0m0Z5ZpZ0o0A040Z0ZPZ0Z3M0M0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1S0ZQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

9 BXf6 gXf6 10 Ncd5 f5 11 c3 Bg7 12 eXf5 BXf5 13 Nac2 Be68rZ0lkZ0s7Z0Z0Zpap6pZnobZ0Z5ZpZNo0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0O0Z0Z02PONZ0OPO1S0ZQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Accelerated Dragon: Maroczy Bind

1 e4 c5 2 Nf32. . . Nc6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 g6

8rZblkans7opZpopZp60ZnZ0ZpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

5 c4 Bg7 6 Be3 Nf6 7 Nc3 O-O8rZbl0skZ7opZpopap60ZnZ0mpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040ZPMPZ0Z3Z0M0A0Z02PO0Z0OPO1S0ZQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

8 Be2 d6 9 O-O Bd78rZ0l0skZ7opZbopap60Zno0mpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040ZPMPZ0Z3Z0M0A0Z02PO0ZBOPO1S0ZQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Kalashnikov

1 e4 c5 2 Nf32. . . Nc6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 e5

8rZblkans7opZpZpop60ZnZ0Z0Z5Z0Z0o0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

5 Nb5 d6 6 c48rZblkans7opZ0Zpop60Zno0Z0Z5ZNZ0o0Z040ZPZPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02PO0Z0OPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Taimanov

1 e4 c5 2 Nf32. . . e6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nc6

8rZblkans7opZpZpop60ZnZpZ0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

5 Nbc3 a6 6 Be2 Qc7 7 O-O Ngf68rZbZka0s7ZplpZpop6pZnZpm0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0M0Z0Z02POPZBOPO1S0AQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

8 Be3 Bb4 9 Nca48rZbZkZ0s7ZplpZpop6pZnZpm0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z04Na0MPZ0Z3Z0Z0A0Z02POPZBOPO1S0ZQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Kan

1 e4 c5 2 Nf32. . . e6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 a6

8rmblkans7ZpZpZpop6pZ0ZpZ0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

5 Bd3 Ngf68rmblka0s7ZpZpZpop6pZ0Zpm0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0MPZ0Z3Z0ZBZ0Z02POPZ0OPO1SNAQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

1.2 AS BLACK

The Sicilian Defense

1 e4 c5

8rmblkans7opZpopop60Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0o0Z0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPO0OPO1SNAQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

Black advances to c5 as to make it difficult for white to achieve the idealpawn center d4,e4. The Sicilian has a big advantage over 1... e5: usuallywhite responds to ...c5 by advancing his pawn to d4 and then recaptures withthe knight. This gives black the advantage of a central pawn majority. Thisstructure has strategic characteristics that are more complex than those of opengames. Black seeks an initiative on the queenside, exploiting the semi-open c-file. This complexity is well suited to the taste of modern players, who like to beable to determine the strategy of their own game.

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Open Sicilian

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3

1RZBJQANS2OPO0OPOP30ZNZ0Z0Z4Z0ZPZ0Z050Z0Z0o0Z6Z0Z0Z0Z07popopZpo8snaklbmr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Najdorf 6.Bg5

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 2. . . d6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a61RZBJQA0S2OPO0ZPOP30Z0Z0M0Z4Z0ZPM0Z050Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0m0o0Zp7popo0ZpZ8s0aklbmr

h g f e d c b a

6 Bg5 e6 7 f4 Qc71RZBJQZ0S2OPZ0ZPOP30Z0Z0M0Z4Z0OPM0Z050A0Z0Z0Z6Z0mpo0Zp7popZ0lpZ8s0akZbmr

h g f e d c b a

8 Qf3 b5 9 O-O-O b41RZBZRJ0Z2OPZ0ZPOP30ZQZ0M0Z4Z0OPM0o050A0Z0Z0Z6Z0mpo0Zp7popZ0l0Z8s0akZbmr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Najdorf transpose into Scheveningen 6.Be3 7.f3

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 2. . . d6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a61RZBJQA0S2OPO0ZPOP30Z0Z0M0Z4Z0ZPM0Z050Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0m0o0Zp7popo0ZpZ8s0aklbmr

h g f e d c b a

6 Be3 e6 7 f3 b5 8 Qd2 Nbd7 9 O-O-O Bb71RZBZRJ0Z2OPZ0LPOP30ZPA0M0Z4Z0ZPM0Z050Z0Z0ZpZ6Z0mpo0Zp7popZnZbZ8s0akl0Zr

h g f e d c b a

10 g4 Ndb6 11 g5 Nfd7 12 h4 Rac81RZBZRJ0Z2Z0Z0LPOP30ZPA0M0Z4O0ZPM0Z050O0Z0ZpZ6Z0Zpo0mp7popZnZbZ8s0aklrZ0

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Najdorf transpose into Scheveningen 6.Be3 7.Be2

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 2. . . d6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a61RZBJQA0S2OPO0ZPOP30Z0Z0M0Z4Z0ZPM0Z050Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0m0o0Zp7popo0ZpZ8s0aklbmr

h g f e d c b a

6 Be3 e6 7 Be2 Be7 8 O-O O-O10JRZQZ0S2OPOBZPOP30Z0A0M0Z4Z0ZPM0Z050Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0mpo0Zp7popa0ZpZ8Zks0lbmr

h g f e d c b a

9 f4 Qc7 10 Bf3 Nc6 11 Kh1 Bd71KZRZQZ0S2OPZ0ZPOP30ZBA0M0Z4Z0OPM0Z050Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0mponZp7popablpZ8Zks0Z0Zr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Najdorf transpose into Scheveningen 6.Be3 7.Qd2

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 2. . . d6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a61RZBJQA0S2OPO0ZPOP30Z0Z0M0Z4Z0ZPM0Z050Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0m0o0Zp7popo0ZpZ8s0aklbmr

h g f e d c b a

6 Be3 e6 7 Qd2 b5 8 f3 Nbd7 9 g4 h6 10 O-O-O Bb7 11 h4 b41RZBZRJ0Z2Z0Z0LPOP30ZPA0M0Z4OPZPM0o050Z0Z0Z0Z6o0mpo0Zp70opZnZbZ8s0akl0Zr

h g f e d c b a

12 Nca4 Qa5 13 b3 Ndc5 14 a3 NcXa4 15 aXb4 Qc7 16 bXa4 d5 17 e5Nfd7 18 f4 Ndb6

1RZBZRJ0Z2Z0Z0LPZ030Z0A0Z0Z4OPO0M0OP50Z0OpZ0Z6o0ZpZ0mp70opZ0lbZ8s0akZ0Zr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Najdorf transpose into Scheveningen 6.Be3 7.g4 delayed Keres

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 2. . . d6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a61RZBJQA0S2OPO0ZPOP30Z0Z0M0Z4Z0ZPM0Z050Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0m0o0Zp7popo0ZpZ8s0aklbmr

h g f e d c b a

6 Be3 e6 7 g4 h5 8 g5 Nfg4 9 Bc1 Qb61RZBJQA0S2O0O0ZPOP30Z0Z0M0Z4ZnZPM0Z05pO0Z0Z0Z6Z0Zpo0lp70opZ0ZpZ8s0akZbmr

h g f e d c b a

10 h3 Nge5 11 Be2 g61RZ0JQA0S2Z0OBZPOP3PZ0Z0M0Z4Z0ZPM0Z05pO0m0Z0Z6ZpZpo0lp70ZpZ0ZpZ8s0akZbmr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Najdorf transpose into Scheveningen after 6.Be2 8.Be3

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 2. . . d6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a61RZBJQA0S2OPO0ZPOP30Z0Z0M0Z4Z0ZPM0Z050Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0m0o0Zp7popo0ZpZ8s0aklbmr

h g f e d c b a

6 Be2 e6 7 O-O Be7 8 Be3 O-O 9 f4 Nbc610JRZQZ0S2OPZBZPOP30Z0A0M0Z4Z0OPM0Z050Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0mponZp7popa0ZpZ8Zks0lbZr

h g f e d c b a

10 a4 Qc7 11 Kh1 Bd7 12 Ndb3 b61KZRZQZ0S2OPZBZPO030Z0A0MNZ4Z0OPZ0ZP50Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0mponop7popabl0Z8Zks0Z0Zr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Najdorf transpose into Scheveningen after 6.Be2 8.f4

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 2. . . d6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a61RZBJQA0S2OPO0ZPOP30Z0Z0M0Z4Z0ZPM0Z050Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0m0o0Zp7popo0ZpZ8s0aklbmr

h g f e d c b a

6 Be2 e6 7 O-O Be7 8 f4 O-O 9 Kh1 Qc7 10 a4 Nbc6 11 Be3 Rfe8 12 Bf3Rab8

1KZRZQZ0S2OPZ0ZPO030ZBA0M0Z4Z0OPM0ZP50Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0mponZp7popa0lpZ8ZkZrZbs0

h g f e d c b a

13 g4 NcXd4 14 BXd4 e5 15 fXe5 dXe5 16 Ba7 Rba8 17 g5 Red8 18 Qe2Nfe8 19 Be3 Be6

1KZRZ0Z0S2O0ZQZPO030ZBA0M0Z4Z0ZPZ0ZP50O0o0Z0Z6Z0ZbZ0Zp7popa0lpZ8ZkZns0Zr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Najdorf transpose to Scheveningen 6.Bc4

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 2. . . d6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a61RZBJQA0S2OPO0ZPOP30Z0Z0M0Z4Z0ZPM0Z050Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0m0o0Zp7popo0ZpZ8s0aklbmr

h g f e d c b a

6 Bc4 e6 7 Bb3 b5 8 O-O Be7 9 Qf3 Qc710JRZ0A0S2OPO0ZPOP30ZQZ0MBZ4Z0ZPM0Z050Z0Z0ZpZ6Z0mpo0Zp7popa0l0Z8s0ZkZbmr

h g f e d c b a

10 Qg3 Nc6 11 NdXc6 QXc6 12 Rfe1 Bb710J0S0A0S2OPO0ZPOP30L0Z0MBZ4Z0ZPZ0Z050Z0Z0ZpZ6Z0mpoqZp7popa0ZbZ8s0ZkZ0Zr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Closed Sicilian

1 e4 c5 2 Nc3

1RMBJQA0S2OPO0OPOP30Z0Z0M0Z4Z0ZPZ0Z050Z0Z0o0Z6Z0Z0Z0Z07popopZpo8snaklbmr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Closed:

1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 2. . . Nc6 3 g3 g6 4 Bg2 Bg71RM0JQA0S2OBO0OPOP30O0Z0M0Z4Z0ZPZ0Z050Z0Z0o0Z6ZpZ0ZnZ07papopZpo8snZklbZr

h g f e d c b a

5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 Ngf3 Nge71RZ0JQA0S2OBZ0ZPOP30ONZPM0Z4Z0OPZ0Z050Z0Z0o0Z6ZpZponZ07papm0Zpo8s0ZklbZr

h g f e d c b a

8 O-O O-O 9 Be3 Ncd4 10 e510JRZQZ0S2OBZ0ZPOP30ONAPM0Z4Z0O0m0Z050Z0O0o0Z6ZpZpo0Z07papm0Zpo8Zks0lbZr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Closed transpose into Grand Prix

1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 2. . . Nc6 3 f4 g61RMBJQA0S2OPZ0OPOP30Z0Z0M0Z4Z0OPZ0Z050Z0Z0o0Z6ZpZ0ZnZ07pZpopZpo8snaklbZr

h g f e d c b a

4 Nf3 Bg7 5 Bb5 Nd41RZ0JQA0S2OPZ0OPOP30ZNZ0M0Z4Z0OPm0Z050Z0Z0oBZ6ZpZ0Z0Z07papopZpo8snZklbZr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Anti-Sicilian: Alapin

1 e4 c5 2 c3 2. . . Nf6 3 e5 Nd5 4 d4 cXd41RMBJQANS2OPO0Z0OP30Z0Z0O0Z4Z0Z0o0Z050Z0OnZ0Z6Z0Z0Z0Z07popopZpo8s0aklbmr

h g f e d c b a

5 Nf3 Nc6 6 cXd41RZBJQANS2OPO0Z0OP30ZNZ0Z0Z4Z0Z0O0Z050Z0OnZ0Z6Z0Z0ZnZ07popopZpo8s0aklbZr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Anti-Sicilian: Alapin

1 e4 c5 2 c31RMBJQANS2OPO0O0OP30Z0Z0O0Z4Z0ZPZ0Z050Z0Z0o0Z6Z0Z0Z0Z07popopZpo8snaklbmr

h g f e d c b a

2. . . Nf6 3 e5 Nd5 4 d4 cXd4 5 Nf3 Nc61RZBJQANS2OPO0Z0OP30ZNZ0O0Z4Z0Z0o0Z050Z0OnZ0Z6Z0Z0ZnZ07popopZpo8s0aklbZr

h g f e d c b a

6 Bc4 Nd5b6 7 Bb3 d6 8 eXd6 QXd6 9 O-O10JRZQANS2OPO0Z0OP30ZNZ0OBZ4Z0Z0o0Z050Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0Z0lnm07popo0Zpo8s0akZbZr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Anti-Sicilian: Smith-Morra transpose to Alapin

1 e4 c5 2 d4 2. . . cXd4 3 c3 Nf6 4 e5 Nd51RMBJQANS2OPO0Z0OP30Z0Z0O0Z4Z0Z0o0Z050Z0OnZ0Z6Z0Z0Z0Z07popopZpo8s0aklbmr

h g f e d c b a

5 Nf3 Nc6 6 cXd41RZBJQANS2OPO0Z0OP30ZNZ0Z0Z4Z0Z0O0Z050Z0OnZ0Z6Z0Z0ZnZ07popopZpo8s0aklbZr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Anti-Sicilian: Grand Prix

1 e4 c5 2 f41RMBJQANS2OPZ0OPOP30Z0Z0Z0Z4Z0OPZ0Z050Z0Z0o0Z6Z0Z0Z0Z07popopZpo8snaklbmr

h g f e d c b a

2. . . d5 3 eXd5 Nf6 4 Bb5 Bd71RM0JQANS2OPZ0OPOP30Z0Z0Z0Z4Z0O0Z0Z050Z0ZPoBZ6Z0m0Z0Z07popobZpo8s0akl0mr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

The Slav Defense

1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6

8rmblkans7opZ0opop60ZpZ0Z0Z5Z0ZpZ0Z040ZPO0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02PO0ZPOPO1SNAQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Main Line - Pure Slav - Czech Variation

3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc31RZBJQA0S2OPOPZ0OP30ZNZ0M0Z4Z0Z0OPZ050Z0ZpZ0Z6Z0m0ZpZ07popo0Zpo8s0aklbmr

h g f e d c b a

8rmblka0s7opZ0opop60ZpZ0m0Z5Z0ZpZ0Z040ZPO0Z0Z3Z0M0ZNZ02PO0ZPOPO1S0AQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

4. . . dXc4 5 a4 Bf51RZBJQA0S2OPOPZ0O030ZNZ0M0Z4Z0Z0OpZP50ZbZ0Z0Z6Z0m0ZpZ07popo0Zpo8s0akl0mr

h g f e d c b a

8rm0lka0s7opZ0opop60ZpZ0m0Z5Z0Z0ZbZ04PZpO0Z0Z3Z0M0ZNZ020O0ZPOPO1S0AQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

6 e3 e6 7 Bc4 Bb4 8 O-O Nbd710JRZQA0S2OPO0Z0O030ZNO0M0Z4Z0Z0OBaP50ZbZ0Z0Z6Z0mpZpZ07popZnZpo8s0Zkl0Zr

h g f e d c b a

8rZ0lkZ0s7opZnZpop60ZpZpm0Z5Z0Z0ZbZ04PaBO0Z0Z3Z0M0ONZ020O0Z0OPO1S0AQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Slav 2.e3

1 d4 d5 2 e3 c61RMBJQANS2OPO0ZPOP30Z0O0Z0Z4Z0Z0O0Z050Z0ZpZ0Z6Z0Z0ZpZ07popo0Zpo8snaklbmr

h g f e d c b a

3 Nf3 Nf6 4 c4 Bf51RZBJQANS2OPO0Z0OP30ZNO0Z0Z4Z0Z0OPZ050ZbZpZ0Z6Z0m0ZpZ07popo0Zpo8s0akl0mr

h g f e d c b a

5 Nbc3 e6 6 Bd3 Bg61RZ0JQA0S2OPO0Z0OP30ZNOBM0Z4Z0Z0OPZ050Z0ZpZ0Z6ZbmpZpZ07popZ0Zpo8s0akl0mr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

The London

1 d4 d5 2 Bf4

8rmblkans7opo0opop60Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0ZpZ0Z040Z0O0A0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPZPOPO1SNZQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

London 2.Bf4

1 d4 d5 2 Bf4 c61RMBJQZNS2OPOPZPOP30Z0Z0Z0Z4Z0A0O0Z050Z0ZpZ0Z6Z0Z0ZpZ07popo0Zpo8snaklbmr

h g f e d c b a

3 e3 Qb6 4 Qc1 Bf5 5 c4 dXc4 6 BXc4 Nbd71RM0J0LNS2OPO0Z0OP30Z0O0Z0Z4Z0A0OBZ050ZbZ0Z0Z6Z0Z0Zpl07poponZpo8snakZ0Zr

h g f e d c b a

7 Nf3 e6 8 O-O Ngf6 9 Nbc3 Be710JRZ0L0S2OPO0Z0OP30ZNO0M0Z4Z0A0OBZ050ZbZ0Z0Z6Z0mpZpl07popanZpo8s0ZkZ0Zr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

London 2.Nf3

1 d4 d5 2 Nf3 c61RZBJQANS2OPOPZPOP30ZNZ0Z0Z4Z0Z0O0Z050Z0ZpZ0Z6Z0Z0ZpZ07popo0Zpo8snaklbmr

h g f e d c b a

3 Bf4 Qb6 4 Qc1 Bf5 5 e3 e61RZBJ0LNS2OPO0ZPOP30ZNO0Z0Z4Z0A0O0Z050ZbZpZ0Z6Z0ZpZpl07popZ0Zpo8snakZ0mr

h g f e d c b a

6 Nbd2 Nf6 7 Be2 Nbd7 8 O-O Be710JRZ0L0S2OPOBMPOP30ZNO0Z0Z4Z0A0O0Z050ZbZpZ0Z6Z0mpZpl07popanZpo8s0ZkZ0Zr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

English Defense

1 c4

8rmblkans7opopopop60Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040ZPZ0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02PO0OPOPO1SNAQJBMR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

English

1 c4 Nf61RMBJQANS2OPOPO0OP30Z0Z0Z0Z4Z0Z0ZPZ050Z0Z0Z0Z6Z0m0Z0Z07popopopo8s0aklbmr

h g f e d c b a

2 Nc3 g6 3 g3 Bg7 4 Bg2 O-O1RM0JQA0S2OBOPO0OP30O0Z0M0Z4Z0Z0ZPZ050Z0Z0Z0Z6Zpm0Z0Z07papopopo8Zks0lbmr

h g f e d c b a

5 Nf3 d6 6 O-O10JRZQA0S2OBOPO0OP30ONZ0M0Z4Z0Z0ZPZ050Z0Z0Z0Z6Zpm0o0Z07papo0opo8Zks0lbmr

h g f e d c b a

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Reti Opening

1 Nf3

8rmblkans7opopopop60Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02POPOPOPO1SNAQJBZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 1. MY OPENING REPERTOIRE

Reti Opening

1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 g61RZBJQANS2OPOPO0OP30ZNZ0Z0Z4Z0Z0ZPZ050Z0Z0Z0Z6Zpm0Z0Z07pZpopopo8s0aklbmr

h g f e d c b a

3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d61RZBJQA0S2OPO0O0OP30ZNZ0M0Z4Z0ZPZPZ050Z0Z0Z0Z6Zpm0o0Z07papo0opo8s0Zklbmr

h g f e d c b a

5 d4 O-O 6 Be21RZ0JQA0S2OPOBZ0OP30ZNZ0M0Z4Z0ZPOPZ050Z0Z0Z0Z6Zpm0o0Z07papo0opo8Zks0lbmr

h g f e d c b a

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Chapter 2

Middlegame

2.1 TACTICAL MOTIFS:

Tactics is one of the most important parts of chess. Tactics is knowing what todo when there is something to do. Strategy is knowing what to do when there isnothing to do.

Force Mate or Material:This should be calculated quickly for both sides. For each candidate move, findthe best, say three, refutations. On each one, visualize it as a new puzzle, whereare the mates, checks, and our hanging pieces?

1. Can I pick up one piece and move/jump it to a mating position? Highlightthese squares in your mind. If so, how can I get it there, and what’s theproblem? Can I threaten mate?

2. Does check force mate or material?

3. Get hanging pieces.

• How many hanging pieces are there?

• Choose one: Can piece be captured? Can piece be threatened, forcingcapture, or can I take away its flight squares?

4. Create hanging pieces.

• How many weak pieces are there?

• Choose one: Can defender be captured, then take hanging piece? Candefender’s influence be interfered with, creating a hanging piece?

5. Captures: does any capture lead to a positive exchange? Can I add moreattackers than defenders?

6. Threats: Does any threat of other pieces, especially the queen and rook,lead to a material plus? Envision emanating rays form weak pieces.

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CHAPTER 2. MIDDLEGAME

Ruin:Make it an addiction to find moves that would ruin my ideas. If such movesexist, then make a different move. This is extreme blunder-checking.

Use the relative value of the pieces to quantify your evaluation:

• Pawn – 1 point

• Knight – 3.45 points

• Bishop – 3.55 points

• Rook – 5.25 points

• Queen – 10 points

• King – 4 points (Safe, during endgame)

• Tempo – +0.25 points

• BB vs not BB – +0.5

These are not absolutes, but are situation dependent. Rooks are more valuablewhen you only have one due to the fact that rooks gain strength as more piecescome off and files are opened, also because there in no second rook to get in itsway. The rook pawns have slightly less value because they control the fewestsquares and has the least mobility and least board influence. Giving up a rookpawn often opens up a file for the rook and can be sacrificed most easily andconfidently. The kings value should help to decide whether to activate it in theendgame.

After I move, is there any possible move they can make that would defeat thepurpose of my move? If so, it shouldn’t be an option. Find a move of his thatcould stop your plan.

Imagine vectors/lines emanating from pieces. With puzzles, the goal is toincrease your store of basic patterns, not to work on your visualization, or deepcalculation. You are not trying to prove that you can solve every problem. If youdon’t solve a problem within 1 minute, stop. It’s probably a new pattern or youwould have gotten it by now.

Tactics can only flow from a weakness. On your opponent’s move, try to lookaround for undefended pieces to be aware of and always maintain a certain levelof awareness about those weaknesses.

It is important not to recalculate the same lines over and over again. A grand-master won’t check all his variations a second time due to time constraints. Makea tree of analysis. The trunk is the main move in question, each branch is theremaining options according to what the opponent could pick.

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CHAPTER 2. MIDDLEGAME

Deflection: Desperado: Discovered Attack:1.Re8+ Rxe8 2.Qxd6 1.Qxe7 Kxe7 2.dxc6 1.c5+ Kxc5 2.Bxe2

80Z0s0ZkZ7o0Z0ZpZp60o0l0ZpZ5Z0o0Z0Z040ZPZ0Z0Z3ZPZ0Z0O02PZ0Z0O0O1Z0ZQS0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0ZkZ0s7Z0Z0a0Zp6pZqoQZpZ5Z0mPZ0O040Z0Z0O0Z3O0Z0A0Z020OPZ0Z0O1Z0JRZ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

80Z0m0Z0Z7Z0Z0ZpZp6BZ0j0ZpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040ZPZ0O0Z3O0Z0Z0OP20ZPZrZ0Z1ZRZ0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

Exchange Sacrifice: Fork: Hanging Piece:1.Rxf6 Kxf6 2.Ne4 1.Nc7 1.Qxe3

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZpZ0jpZp6pZpZpm0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0OPZ0MP2PO0s0ZPZ1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

8kZ0ZrZ0Z7ZbZRm0Z06pZ0ZNopZ5Z0o0Z0Zp4pZ0ZPZ0Z3Z0O0ZPZ02PO0Z0ZPO1ZKZ0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0Z0Z7ZpZ0Z0Z060ZpZ0ZkZ5Z0O0ZpO04pZ0Z0O0Z3Z0L0s0Z02PJ0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

Overloading: Pin: Remove Defender:1... Bb4! 1.Bb4 1.Rxe8+! Rxe8 2.Qxg7#

80Z0Z0skZ7ZbZ0apo06pZ0ZpZ0o5S0Z0M0Z040ZpO0O0Z3Z0Z0Z0lP2PO0L0ZPZ1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0jpZ060Z0a0ZrZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0ARZ0Z020Z0ZKZ0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80ZqsnZkZ7opZ0Zpop60ZpZ0Z0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0A0ZQZ3Z0O0Z0ZP2PO0Z0OPZ1Z0Z0S0ZK

a b c d e f g h

Simplification: Skewer: Windmill:1.Qd4 Kg8 2.Qd5 Qxd5 3.xd5 1.Qf8 1.Rxg7 Kh8 2.Rf7 Kg8 3.Rg7

80Z0Z0Z0j7ZbZ0Z0Zp60ZqZ0ZpZ5Z0Z0ZpZ040ZPZ0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0ZP20O0Z0L0Z1Z0S0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7o0Z0Z0Z06bZ0Z0j0Z5Z0L0Z0o040Z0o0ZPo3O0ZPZqZP20Z0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0ZrmkZ7obZ0Zpo060Z0opA0o5Z0Z0Z0Zq40O0O0Z0Z3Z0Z0M0S02PZ0Z0OPO1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

X-ray: Zugzwang: Zwischenzug:1.Rxb7 1.Rd8 1.Nxe7 Kh8 2.Rxd2

80Z0ZrZ0j7AbZnZ0op60ZqZrZ0Z5ZRZQopZ040ZPZ0Z0Z3Z0Z0ZPZ02PZ0Z0JPO1Z0Z0SBZ0

a b c d e f g h

80ZRZ0akZ7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0Z0ZKZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z020Z0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0skZ7opZ0opap60Z0obmpZ5Z0ZNZ0Z040Z0APZ0Z3Z0Z0ZPZ02POPl0ZPO1ZKZRZBZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 2. MIDDLEGAME

• Deflection: The attacker needs to chase away the key unit that is defendingthe army.

• Desperado: The move captures an enemy piece when either one or moreof your own pieces is already hanging (undefended). When material isgoing to be lost regardless, these situations present a rare opportunity to be”reckless” and take out an enemy piece along the way.

• Discovered Attack: An attack which happens when one piece moves outof the way, opening a line for another attacking piece to threaten something.

• Double Attack: Two attacking pieces that simultaneously threaten to cap-ture two defending pieces.

• Exchange Sacrifice: A small sacrifice of material (see ”sacrifice”) to achievesomething greater.

• Fork: Attacking piece threatening 2 or more enemy units at same time.

• Hanging Piece: ”Hanging” is another way of saying ”undefended” or”loose” in chess. A tactic that involves simply taking or exposing unde-fended pieces in some way would qualify. French: en pris.

• Overloading: A piece that has too many things to do is overloaded.

• Pin: To pin down a weaker piece that is blocking path of more valuablepiece.

• Removal of Defender: A tactic that involves eliminating the critical de-fensive piece that otherwise stands in the way of achieving a much greatergoal.

• Skewer: A skewer is the same as a pin, except the more valuable piece isthe first to be attacked.

• Simplification: A simplification tactic is a forcing sequence of moves thatconverts an advantage into a more easily winning position. A player de-cides to swap material to emphasize an advantage already gained.

• Windmill: Consists of discovered checks followed by normal checks, thendiscovered.

• X-rays: It takes advantage of pieces that seem to be adequately defendedbut really aren’t. Occurs when one of your long-range pieces (a Rook,Bishop, or Queen) attacks ”through” one of your opponent’s pieces to indi-rectly attack/threaten or defend beyond it.

• Zugzwang: A German word that literally translates to ”move compulsion.”This is a situation where every move a player could make causes him/herto lose the game (or at least significantly worsen the position).

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• Zwischenzugs: Is a German word that describes an ”in-between move ”This ”in-between move” is an unexpected reply tossed in the middle of anexpected sequence of moves. The player postpones an anticipated move inorder to make a forcing intermediate move.

2.2 CLASSICAL THEORY:

• Castling:-Castling on opposite sides: In general, both sides will start their attackswith pawns (gain space and open rooks). Whoever strikes first will be wellon his way to victory.-Castling on same side: Pushing pawns on that side would weaken one’sown King. Usually attack with pieces.

• Classic bishop sacrifice:

– Viable: 1) A White Bishop on the b1-h7 diagonal is ready to sacrificeitself for the good of the White masses. 2) A White Knight on f3 isready to jump to g5 and begin the hunt for the exposed Black King. 3)A White Queen on d1 is ready to follow behind the Knight with a leapto g4 or h5. 4) White’s dark squared Bishop on c1 keeps an eye on theg5-square and allows the f3-Knight to safely land there. Also note thatthis Bishop makes h6 an inhospitable place for the Black King to runto. 5) White’s pawn on e5 keeps Black defenders (and Black’s King)off of f6.

– Won’t work when: A black knight can safely move to f6 or f8, or ifblack B or Q can access b1-h7 diagonal.

• King in the center:If your King is safely castled and your opponent’s King is still in the center,this should act like a red flag telling you to rip the position open and begina quick attack. Leaving your King in the middle is a suicidal act in OPENpositions.

• Kingside Focal Points:To successfully thump an enemy monarch, the experienced player knowsthat there are five basic targets (focal-points) to aim at: 1) h7; 2) g7; 3) f7;4) g6; 5) the dark-squared complex at h6, g7 and f6. h7: Ex: bishop sacri-fice, g7: Hardest to reach. Usually generated by bishop on a1-g7 diagonal,

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f7: Favorite knockout target for opening punches since, before castling, itis only protected by the King, g6: This square often becomes weak afterBlack defends h7 With ... h7-h6. If Black’s f-pawn has been removed orhas advanced from f7, then the g6-square can turn into a hole, Dark SquaredComplex: h6, g7, f6. When Black fianchettos a Bishop by ... g7-g6 fol-lowed by ... Bg7, the squares on f6, g7 and h6 have all been potentiallyweakened. Attacker usually will TRADE off bishop by Bh6. Turning f6into a hole causes the defender many problems.

• Sacrifice:Purposely giving up material to achieve some goal (giving away materialwith no goal in mind is known as ”insanity”). Some sacrifices are played toachieve tactical or dynamic compensation, while other sacrifices are playedto gain some form of positional compensation.

• Clearance sacrifice: The solution here is to clear the way by sacrificing theblocking, traitorous piece.

• Decoy: Decoy sacrifices force enemy pieces to squares that they wouldprefer not to occupy.

• Compensation: When you give up something (space, structural weaknesses,squares, material, etc.) in exchange for a different type of imbalance.

• Defensive strategy: Almost every position has defensive resources. It’s upto you to believe this statement and find them. Take this as a challenge, grabhold of your opponent with all four limbs and refuse to let go!

• Minority attack: An attack against a majority of pawns with a minority ofpawns in the hope of creating weaknesses, holes and open files.

• Traps: Trying to trick an opponent is a reasonable thing to do if you arecompletely lost or in trouble, but playing for traps (and crossing your fin-gers while you do so) is a bad habit that will weaken your play and alsoyour results. It is very important to always expect the best move from youropponent!

• Blockade: Immobilization of a pawn that, if allowed to advance, wouldcause you some problem. In general, the best blockaders are Knights dueto their ability to jump over other pieces (i.e., the pawn it is blocking won’trestrict its mobility).

• Principle of two weaknesses: One of the main goals of a chess player is tocreate an attackable weakness in the enemy camp and then to bring all hispieces to bear on it. This principle states that the creation of a second weak-ness (or advantage) stretches the enemy’s ability to resist to unmanageableproportions.

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• Static and dynamic advantages: A static advantage is a long-term plan thatis usually based on pawn structure, extra material, or superior minor pieces.A dynamic advantage centers around temporary items like development,the initiative, and more active pieces. The scenario should instantly tellboth players what to do.

• When the center is open, the following rules are useful to follow:

1. Piece activity abounds. Most attacks in open positions are piece ori-ented; pawns play a secondary role.

2. Try and direct play towards the center.

3. Time is very important. Because pieces can often leap into the enemyposition in a single bound, every tempo must be used and nurtured. Itis very dangerous to fall behind in development!

4. It is suicidal not to castle quickly when the center is open.

• A closed center has its own rules and strategies:

1. Piece movements tend to be somewhat ponderous due to the fact thatpawns are in their way.

2. When the center is closed, direct play towards the wings.

3. Most attacks in closed positions should be initiated by pawns. Pushingyour wing pawns gains space in that area and also helps to open filesfor your Rooks.

4. Play on the wing where your pawns point. This is where your spaceadvantage lies and this is where you should seek your destiny.

5. Development and castling can be delayed in closed positions becausethe locked pawns separate both armies and make quick strikes uncom-mon.

• Positional Weakness: tend to have long term ramifications and aren’t sub-ject to shifting situations from move to move like tactical weaknesses. Posi-tional weakness concerns pawns. If a square cannot be guarded by friendlypawn it is a weak square. These likely occur on the third and fourth ranks.Pawns are the root of most weaknesses.

2.3 MODERN THEORY

• Stronger players in general sacrifice material more easily and for compen-sation that is harder to understand for their weaker counterparts.

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• Players should focus on perceiving real threats and recognizing focal pointsrather than being vague about a move being ’weakening’.

• Very often we can play purposeful chess without a clear idea of how theplay will develop, or even what our next move will be.

• The focus should be on playing the best move in each individual position,regardless of whether you can predict exactly how the play will proceed.Sometimes there are just too many possibilities to really have a clear planin mind and it is best to just play good moves that you think improve yourposition generally or deal with the possible coming complexities in the bestway possible.

• Many players are too obsessed with the idea of trying to play the absolutebest move, rather than trying to maintain a certain evaluation or nature ofthe position.

• A big part of getting stronger is understanding when rules do not apply.

• Have a general sense of playing many good moves consistently throughoutthe game and not playing an insane line that you cannot assess, which maylead you into a hard-to-handle position in which you will almost certainlymake mistakes or oversights. This is not to say that you should avoid com-plex positions but that in certain cases entering them will simply lower yourexpectations of success or expected value from the position.

• In some cases, we need to settle for moves that we simply know are not bador that do not change the evaluation of the position negatively.

• Place an emphasis on consistency and playing well for the whole game. Itis an excellent idea to try to play 40 or 50 good moves going into everygame and not stress out over perfectionism. It is undeniable that consis-tently playing good, reasonable moves is an extremely important part ofplaying strong chess. Strong chess is much more about making simplehigh-percentage decisions that are solid and good than it is about beingbrilliant, macho or blowing anyone away. The main emphasis is that hugeerrors are avoided.

• Many under 1600s are taught to defend or move away when a piece isattacked. But make sure to look for counterattacking chances. A majorimprovement process from 1800 to 2200 involves understanding how toimprove a position gradually with simple moves. The better you get thebetter you’ll be at calmly improving your pieces and playing without un-necessary weaknesses. Many players around 2000 strength fail to preventcounterplay when they have a simple and straightforward advantage. A bigproblem with under 2000 is players casually making moves that open upthe opponent’s attacking possibilities.

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• Unless there is a forced way to win material or change the position dra-matically at that point, trying to calculate that line more deeply will bepointless.

• Preventing major weaknesses by creating minor weaknesses (which oftenare not exploitable) is a very important strategic concept.

• First determine if there are any moves that directly threaten mate. If so,check those first, then determine if there are any moves that directly threatenthe opponents queen.

• A real advantage has permanency and a lasting nature to it. If it fades awayinstantly, it is not a real advantage.

• With an objective advantage, in many instances, you have time to playslowly and exploit multiple weaknesses in you opponent’s camp becauseyour advantage is not temporary and going away any time soon.

• With computer analysis, anything above 1.2 is referred to as winning. A+1.00 advantage wins objectively nearly 80% of the time, a +2.00 is closerto 95% of the time and a +3 should be winning in well over 99% of objectivecases.

• Claiming “I have the initiative therefore i am better” is pretty meaninglessif you cant show any variation where you actually win material or obtain astatic advantage.

• Computers have shown that doubled pawns on the g-file (such as h2-g3) ingeneral make a king safer. The strongest doubled pawns are on the b-fileand g-file.

• Strong players usually know when they have an equal position and just needto play sensible moves to maintain the status quo.

• Having one or two isolated pawns is not such a bad thing.

• When you have a clearly better pawn structure, very often maintaining thestatus quo with respect to the structure is all you have to do to maintain anadvantage.

• Strong players often play moves quickly without much calculation andknow that they are playing good moves due to already having a static plusand adding to the plus slightly by improving the pieces.

• The three easiest types of sacrifices for most strong players to make are thesacrifice of a rook’s pawn, the sacrifice of the exchange, or the ’sacrifice’of the queen for three minor pieces or a lot of clear compensation. Thestronger the player, the more willing he is to sacrifice material for qualityand compensation.

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• If your opponent has no active play at all, the most logical thing to do isjust keep improving your position until it is possible to create direct tensionor do something active.

• In closed positions, pawn-breaks are of the utmost importance.

• Strong players have a tendency to rule out certain moves that do not doanything constructive. You must get better at not playing moves that super-ficially look good but do not do anything effective.

• Playing solidly against higher rated players is the most frustrating for thevast majority of them.

• In chess, our judgement is dulled by the use of artificial rules. Independencefrom such rules is a crucial characteristic of modern chess thought.

• The modern master concentrates on what works, even if it contrary to clas-sical thought.

• It is the aim of the modern school not to treat every position according toone general law, but according to the principle inherent in the position.

• It is nonsensical to map out an overly long plan, the very next move couldtotally change the situation on the board and give it a completely differentdirection. Instead think of the phrase “the next strategic operation” insteadof the word “plan”.

• General rules are irrelevant to forming a strategy. Instead, concrete analysisand understanding of the nuances of the position at hand are required.

• A weakness is not a weakness if it cannot be exploited.

• The option to choose between a good position that cannot be improved anda bad position that can be substantially improved is very modern.

• Dynamism is the single word most associated with modern chess. A styleof play in which the activity of the pieces is favoured over more positionalconsiderations, even to the point of accepting permanent structural or spa-tial weaknesses.

2.4 PIECE ACTIVITY

• Material:

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– Material: Of all imbalances in chess, a material plus carries the mostweight. If you have advantage in material: 1) Gives you extra unit offorce, make active participant. 2) When trading pieces, don’t let pointcount stop you, rather, judge the value of the pieces. Rooks are nobetter than bishops if they can’t be put to use. Having a material ad-vantage give you better ’endgame odds’ (knowing that most endgameswill win for the materialistic side.

• Minor Pieces:

– Minor Pieces: Knight vs bishop. You should be looking to create asuperior minor piece right from the opening. A good player will in-variably end up with a powerful Knight over a poor Bishop or viceversa. Which piece is the board better for? BB>BK>KK. Tradingpieces: Equal trades should only be avoided if your piece is doing amuch better job than the equivalent enemy unit. Reversing this logic,it is highly desirable to exchange your bad pieces for the enemy’s goodones. Knights and bishops are worth the same until one becomes morevaluable. Bishops are best in open positions where pawns don’t blocktheir path. Bishops are very strong in endgames especially with passedpawns. If you have a bad bishop do one of the following things: 1)Trade it for an equal piece. 2) Get pawns off its color of squares. 3)Get bishop outside of pawn chain. Knights love closed positions withlocked pawns. Knights usually stand better in the center of board. Inthe case of BB vs BN, try to exchange for one of your enemies bish-ops. Two knights dont work particularly well so exchanging one ofthem is usually a good idea. When you have the bishop pair, the mostimportant minor piece on the board is the unopposed bishop.

• Space:

– Space: A full pawn center gives its owner territory and control overcentral squares. Once you have full pawn center you must make itindestructible. This will cramp and restrict the opponent for the restof the game. Don’t advance the pawn center too early, for every moveleaves weak squares. If your opponent has created a pawn center, yourgoal should be to destroy it. If center pawns get traded, open files willbe good for rooks. If center is locked, then play goes to wings. Play onside that pawns point to (more space). Open center attack with pieces,closed is attacking with pawns. With more space, try to avoid tradingpieces. Less space, exchanging will give you more space. Don’t goout of your way to prevent things that are of no real harm.

• Squares, Files, Diagonals and Support Points:

– Knights need to find advanced support points, Bishops need open di-agonals, and open files must be created for your Rooks.

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– Entombed pieces: Immobile pieces. Entombed pieces are horrible.Don’t allow your own pieces to get stuck like this. Conversely, alwaysbe on the lookout for ways to imprison the enemy’s units.

– Mysterious Rook Move: 1) prophylactic in nature, it prevents the op-ponent from making use of some plan or idea that he would like touse. 2) A subtle preparation for some greater scheme. Rooks belongon open files.

– Prophylaxis: A move or strategy that stops the opponent from under-taking some type of action or plan.

– Squares: The idea of fighting for squares instead of material or attack isextremely important and must be appreciated. The reason one plays forcontrol of a square (hole) is that it will usually prove to be an excellenthome for a Knight or a Bishop.

– Support points: Advanced squares (on the fourth, fifth and sixth ranks)that make nice homes for your pieces are known as support points.Also known as weak squares or holes.

– Files and Squares: Use your pawns to blast open files. Don’t open afile if you think your opponent can take it away from you. If opening afile has nothing to do with your positive imbalances, them don’t wasteyour time opening it.

– Knights need support points. A knight is more valuable as it ap-proaches the sixth rank. Best way to beat knights is to take away theiradvanced support points. Make sure your bishop is as active as possi-ble by placing it on a free diagonal or creating an uncluttered diagonal.Try and take away all advanced squares from enemy horse. If you heara square calling to your knight, do everything in your power to get yourhorse there.

• Pawns and Pawn Structures:

• Pawn center: The first responsibility of the owner of a big center is tomake it indestructible. Conversely, the responsibility of the player facingthe pawn center is to apply constant pressure against it and try to label it aweakness instead of a strength.

• Pawn chain: Two or more diagonally linked pawns. Always attack at base.

• Pawn tension: When pawns face off in situations where they can captureeach other, it often pays to let the tension between them linger unless youmake some sort of clear gain by giving in and taking. Only trade pawns ifyou gain something by doing so!

• Queenside Pawn Majority: In an endgame, the queenside majority is gen-erally better than a central majority. However, in a middlegame the centralmajority is considered to be more valuable.

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• Pawn structures:

– Backward pawns: A pawn whose neighbors have moved past it. Nega-tive: is weak if sitting on open file and unable to advance. Side playingagainst should try and control square in front. Positive: acts as guardof pawn in front. Isn’t weak if square in front is defended. A pawnthat has fallen behind its brother pawns and can’t be guarded by themor safely move side by side with them. Sitting in open file? Defended?Square in front of pawn defended? Can successfully advance?

– Doubled pawns: Negative: reduces flexibility and leaves one vulnera-ble. Positive: leads to open file for rook and increased square control.Not always bad. Opens up file for rook and occupies other squares dueto doubling.

– Isolated pawns or “isolani”: Negative: cannot be defended by anotherneighboring pawn and is vulnerable especially on open file. Positive:may bestow use of open file to owner. Can’t be touched or defendedby any of its brothers and, as a result, it becomes vulnerable to attack.Can also be used for positive.

– Hanging pawns: Negative: can be weak if other side can prohibit ad-vances from them. Positive: control over important squares and allowshalf open files.

– Isolated pawn couple or “hanging pawns”: Involves two touching pawnsthat are isolated from the rest of the pawn structure. Usually on c3 &c4, or c4 & d4. They’re hanging because no neighbor pawn can defendthem.

– Passed pawns: It can no longer be prevented from being promoted byopposing pawns. Negative: if the square in front can be controlledby other side then pawn is non-factor. Positive: strong if owner hasplay elsewhere, also good insurance for endgame. If square in front iscleared, that square is most crucial square on board. A pawn majority’sultimate goal is the creation of a passed pawn.Can be good insurancein endgame. Can it be blockaded?

– Pawn islands: A group of pawns separated from another group ofpawns.

– Tripled pawns: Three pawns in column, weak.– Weak squares: a square is weak whenever it can no longer be con-

trolled by its own pawns.A single weakening of the pawn structure inisolation can decide a game.

• Lead in Development: Development Is a temporary advantage and willgo away in a few moves. Must make immediate use of it.1) Must startaggressive attack. 2) Means most in open positions, especially if king is incenter. 3) The goal doesn’t have to be mate.

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• Initiative: The side that forces its ideas on a reacting opponent is said tohave the initiative. Instead of playing a reactive game, try hard to makeyour ideas become realities, and don’t take no for an answer! When youare in control of the game. Usually goes to the first person who turns hisplan into a reality.

• Centralization: A centrally placed piece is able to keep an eye on bothsides of the board; it simply controls more squares in the center.

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2.5 PAWN STRUCTURES

The Isolani: isolated queen pawn• White Plans: 1) Create a kingside attack, usually Ne5, Bg5 and

Qd3-Bc2 battery. Rooks on e1 and d1 or c1 and transfer tothird rank. 2) Break in the center with d4-d5, trading pawnsand opening lines. ***Shows up in my Caro-Kann Panov***

• Black Plans 1) Trade pieces to win endgame, in particular, ex-change white’s good bishop (light-squared). 2) Place knight ond5, preventing the d4-d5 break and controls key squares.

Hanging Pawns• White Plans: 1) Create a kingside attack. Usually like Ne5, Bc2,

Qd3 and maybe a rook transfer to third rank by Re1-e3-h3. 2) Breakin the center with d4-d5 either to open lines of attack or to createpowerful passed d-pawn.

• Black Plans 1) Trade pieces to neutralize the attack. 2) Pressurethe central pawns, block them if possible. 3) Break the hangingpawns, either with ...b6-b5 or ...e6-e5. If accomplished, these arevery strong, and often force white to accept an isolani.

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h g f e d c b aCaro-Kann• White Plans: 1) Create a kingside attack. Often by Ne5 outpost

or targeting the weak h7-pawn with Q and B from d3. 2) Gainspace with c3-c4, h2-h4 and use pieces to control the center. 3)Play c4-c5 to restrict black’s release break ...c6-c5 and to controlthe d6-square.

• Black Plans: main objective is to dispute white’s center and trans-form structure by 1) Breaking in the center with ...c6-c5 which usu-ally produces a black 4-2 (kingside/queenside) vs. a white 3-3 pawnstructure with level chances. 2) breaking up center with ...e6-e5to obtain symmetrical position after white captures dxe5. This isunlikely to succeed as many of whites pieces can control e5. 3)Putting pressure on the d4-pawn once c3-c4 is played. 4) Challeng-ing white’s control of d5-square by playing ...b7-b5 once white hasplayed c2-c4. Note: black Nd5 is weak, but a white Ne5 is strong.

The Slav• White Plans: 1) Create a kingside attack, maybe h2-h6 or e3-e4-e5.

2) Put knights on e5 and c5 outposts. 3) Play e4-e5 to fix center andcontrol d6-square. 4) Minority attack with a2-a4 and b2-b5 to createweakness on queenside. 5) Gain space with b2-b4 while preventingthe ...c6-c5 break.

• Black Plans 1) Breaking in the center with ...c6-c5, probably get-ting a symmetric position after dxc5 or an isolani after ...c5xd4.2) This is more likely. Breaking in center with ...e6-e5 will prob-ably yield a 4-2 vs. 3-3 structure that is roughly level. 3) Puttingpressure on the d4-pawn once e3-e4 has been played. 4) Disrupt-ing white’s center with ...f7-f5. This is analogous to the ...b7-b5in caro-kann. Notice: a black Nd5 cannot compete with whiteNe5 and Nc5. White can rid the Nd5 away, but black cannoteasily expel white’s. ***Shows up in my Slav and London***

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Carlsbad• White Plans: 1) Pursuing a minority attack with b2-b4-b5 to cre-

ate queenside weakness. 2) Pushing f2-f3 and e3-e4 gaining centralspace and creating tension.

• Black Plans 1) Place a knight on e4 and create a kingside attack,but this is not always possible, like if f2-f3. 2) The most commonis ...b7-b6 and ...c6-c5 to transpose into a hanging pawns position.Or just ...c6-c5 so dxc5 transposes to an isolani. 3) An importantbut less common plan is ...b7-b5 once white played b2-b4. It createsweakness though.

Stonewall• White Plans: 1) Firm control of the e5-square; placing a knight

there. 2) Trade dark-squared bishops to further weaken black’s darksquares. 3) Expand on queenside or open the c-file and pursue aninvasion down this file.

• Black Plans 1) Create a kingside attack but without losing control ofthe central squares. 2) Improve the bad bishop with ...Bd7-e8-h5 ormaybe ...b7-b6 then ...Ba6. 3) Create central tension with ...b7-b6then ...c6-c5.

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a b c d e f g hGrunfeld Center• White Plans: 1) Create a central passed pawn with d4-d5, dominate

center and gain space. 2) Create a kingside attack, usually h2-h5 ande4-e5 to control f6 which is usually weak when black goes Bg7.

• Black Plans 1) Create a queenside passed pawn, especially aftersome simplification. 2) Pressure the center and place a rook on thed-file and find tactical resources with the open position.

Najdorf Type I• White Plans: 1) Advance queenside majority with b2-b4 and

c2-c5. 2) Sometimes, after Black plays ...f7-f5, white can placebishop along b1-h7 diagonal and play g2-g4 breaking up black’sstructure, but this is rare. ***Shows up in my Sicilian***

• Black Plans 1) Expand on the kingside with ...f7-f5 and developkingside attack. 2) Undermine white’s queenside expansion witha potential ...b7-b5. Note: black’s dark squared bishop is actuallynot bad.

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Najdorf Type II• White Plans: 1) Place a knight on d5 and have enough pieces

to always be able to recapture with a piece rather than a pawn.2) Advance g2-g5 expelling black’s knight on f6, a defender ofd5. 3) Play Bg5xf6 to eliminate the knight defending d5. 4) Playf2-f5 preventing black ...Be6. ***Shows up in my Sicilian***

• Black Plans 1) Break in center with ...d6-d5, and by doing so, takingthe initiative. 2) Press down on c-file so that white cannot play Nc3-d5 because of vulnerable c2 pawn. 3) Play ...b7-b4 expelling white’sknight from c3 before Nc3-d5 can be played.

The Hedgehog• White Plans: 1) Break on the queenside with c4-c5 or 2) with b4-b5

or 3) with a4-a5. 4) Pressure the d6-pawn but only after some pieceshave been traded (not easy).

• Black Plans 1) Break in the center with ...d6-d5 2) break on thequeenside with ...b6-b5. 3) Create a kingside attack with ...Kh8,...Rg8 and ...g7-g4. Or maybe with ...h7-h3. 4) Prepare all plansabove without executing until the right opportunity. Note: white1-3 usually based on arranging pieces to open queenside. Mostcommon break is c4-c5 which opens up files. Black usually hasB on e7 or c7 which protects the d6-pawn from d-file attacks.Breaks ...b6-b5 and d6-d5 are powerful. If white B on f1-a6 di-agonal, Blacks 1st plan. If white B on g2, usually black 2nd plan.Black is very flexible.

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h g f e d c b aThe Maroczy• White Plans: 1) Gain space with queenside expansion, place

knight on d5 and/or expand on kingside with f2-f4. 2) After f2-f4, place rooks on central files and break with either e4-e5 or f4-f5. 3) Knight on d5 and wait for black to capture d5. Then trans-form with either exd5 or cxd5.**Shows in accelerated dragon**

• Black Plans 1) Trade pieces to alleviate space problem. 2) Breakwith ...b6-b5 and after c4xb5 and ...a6xb5 then apply pressure alonga-file. 3) Break with ...f7-f5 and later create attack. 4) Pressurewhite queenside pawns with ...Qb6-b4, and if white b2-b3 then ...a7-a4xb3. 5) Rare: play ...e7-e6 and later ...d6-d5. Note: if white Nd5then capture and recapture with cxd5 this is called the symmetrictransformation. New plans arise.

Asymmetric Benoni• White Plans: 1) Break in the center with e4-e5, either to obtain an

attack or create a central passed pawn. 2) Break e4-e5 followed byf4-f5 for a kingside attack. 3) Break with f4-f5 followed by kingsideattack. 4) Prevent black’s queenside expansion by b2-b4, blockingthe advance ...b5-b4.

• Black Plans 1) Advance the queenside majority with ...b7-b5, ...c5-c4, ...b5-b4, create passed pawn if possible. 2) Pressure down e-filepreventing white from advancing central majority. 3) Create king-side counterplay based on ...h7-h4 mainly when white plays Ng3. 4)Break white’s center with ...f7-f5, works good when white playedf3-f4 since d5 weak.

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Symmetric Benoni• White Plans: 1) Expand on kingside with f2-f4, g2-g4 and poten-

tially kingside attack. 2) Attack vulnerable d6-pawn with a bishopon the h2-b8 diagonal and a knight on e4.

• Black Plans 1) Control the e4 square and occupy it with a knight.2) Break on queenside with ...b7-b5 and obtain counterplay againstpotentially weak d5-pawn. 3) Trade off minor pieces to decreasespace problem, sometimes by ...Qb6, ...Bf5, and ...Ne4 which canalso pressure b2 pawn.

King’s Indian Type I• White Plans: 1) If Black controls c-file, main task is to cover

black’s entry points (especially c2) and manoeuvre to fight forcontrol of this file. 2) If white possesses the c-file, then prepare a7th rank invasion which is likely to capture b7 pawn. 3) Expandon queenside with a2-a5 to gain space, limit black and maybecreate passed pawn once queenside pawns are captured. 4) IfBlack plays ...b7-b5, break with a2-a4. ***Can arise in RuyLopez***

• Black Plans 1) If entry points are available, or if white’s c-file isvulnerable, then double rooks on c-file and maybe invade 7th rankby Rc2. Ideal but hard. 2) Create kingside counterplay with ...f7-f5xe4 to open f-file. Then maybe ...Bg7-f6-g5 to create kingsidethreats, and possibly ...h7-h3. 3) If white’s play is slow, ...f7-f5-f4then ...g6-g4 might work. 4) Transfer dark B from g7 to b6 via f6-d8.

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a b c d e f g hKing’s Indian Type II• White Plans: 1) Create queenside tension with b2-b4 and later

invade down b-file 2) Create central tension with f2-f4 break,and later obtain a kingside attack or pressure against potentiallyweak d6-pawn. 3) Block the kingside with g2-g4, proceed withqueenside attack. 4) Trade light-squared bishops if possible, re-ducing black’s kingside attack. 5) if possible, respond to ...f7-f5break with Ng5-e6, but is rare. ***Can arise in Ruy Lopez***

• Black Plans 1) Create a kingside attack by ...f7-f4 then ...g6-g4. 2)Kingside activity with ...f7-f5xe4 opening f-file. 3) Advance ...h7-h4, possibly activate the fianchettoed bishop through h6-c1 diagonal.4) Play on queenside with ...b7-b5, but less likely.

King’s Indian Type III• White Plans: 1) Break on the queenside with c4-c5xd6 and later

invade down c-file. 2) Expand on queenside with c4-c6 and if ...b7-b6, then invade down a-file after a2-a5xb6. 3) First block kingsidewith g2-g4 and only then proceed with above queenside plans. 4) Ifblack allows, respond to ...f7-f5 with Ng5-e6. 5) Trade light-squaredbishops to reduce black’s attacking potential.

• Black Plans 1) Create kingside attack with ...f7-f4 and later ...g6-g3 or gxf3 attacking f3-pawn which becomes the new base of thechain. 2) Obtain counterplay with ...f7-f5xe4 followed by actiondown the f-file and/or attacking the base of chain (e4 pawn). 3)Sometime play ...h7-h4 and even ...Bg7-h6 to make use of theotherwise trapped B on g7. 4) Play ...c7-c6 to create central ten-sion and maybe transpose into KID type I. 5) Play ...c7-c5 toslow down white’s queenside play and transpose to KID type II***Kind of shows up in my Reti***.

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Open King’s Indian• White Plans: 1) Pressure along the d-file, attacking the vulnerable

d6-pawn. 2) Expand on the kingside with f2-f4 and possibly g2-g4.3) When the right time comes, break on kingside with either e4-e5or f4-f5. 4) Avoid an excessive trade of pieces in order to make useof the space advantage. 5) If possible, expand on queenside witha2-a3 and b2-b4.

• Black Plans 1) Trade pieces to decrease space problem. 2) Placeknights on e5 and c5 then play ...Qb6-b4 attacking c4-pawn. If whitedoes b2-b3 then ...a7-a4xb3 followed by ...Ra3. 3) Break in centerwith ...d6-d5 to unleash his pieces. 4) Dispute white’s control ofcenter with break ...f7-f5, trading the f-pawn for white’s e4-pawn. 5)Attack white’s c4-pawn with ...a7-a6, ...c7-c6 and ...b7-b5 to reducewhite’s control of center. 6) Create a kingside attack; ...Nf4 andpossibly ...g6-g5 to control f4 and prevent white from f3-f4.

King’s Indian Complex• Possible Structure Transformations: 1) d4-d5, ...cxd5 and exd5

yielding Najdorf Type I. 2) d4-d5, ...cxd5 and white recaptures witha piece, yielding Najdorf Type II. 3) d4-d5, ...cxd5 then cxd5 yield-ing King’s indian type I. 4) d4-d5, ...c6-c5 yielding King’s indiantype II. 5) d4-d5 while black’s pawn was still on c7, yielding King’sindian type III. 6) ...exd4 yielding an Open King’s indian. 7) whitetakes with dxe5, ...dxe5. 8) white breaks with c4-c5 blowing up thecenter, probably giving white favourable 4-2 vs. 3-3. Note: mostcommon are 4, 5, and 7. For 7, the white plans are to 1) modify thestructure with c4-c5 then place a piece on d6. 2) defend d4 squareand prevent black from occupying it. 3) expand on queenside witha2-a3, b2-b4, control the d-file. For 7, the black plans are 1) place apiece on the d4 square 2) control the dark squares in general; tradedark square bishops, also play ...a7-a5 with knight on c5. 3) createkingside play with ...f7-f5.

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a b c d e f g hFrench Type I• White Plans: 1) Control the e5 square and use it as an outpost,

although R or B would also fit well. 2) Pressure the backward e6pawn by doubling rooks on e-file. 3) If white has already gainedcontrol of e5, then expand on the kingside, possibly with f2-f4 orh2-h5 to create an attack. ***Shows up in my French Tarrasch

• Black Plans: most plans are based on preventing white from con-trolling e5-square 1) Pressure the d4-pawn, play ...c7-c5xd4, ...Nc6and sometimes ...Qb6. 2) Bring light-squared bishop into game via...Bd7-e8-h5 (or g6). 3) Double rooks on the f-file. 4) Achieve cen-tral break ...e6-e5 to get an isolate and passed d-pawn.

French Type II• White Plans: 1) Control the d4-square, place a knight on d4 and

support it with c2-c3, a B on e3 and possibly a rook on d1. 2) Attackthe base of black’s chain with f4-f5xe6 to later target the e6-pawn.3) Obtain kingside attack with f4-f6 and bringing pieces to kingsidesuch as Qh5, Rf3-h3, Bd3. 4) Castle long and then pursue a kingsidepawn storm with h2-h5, g2-g5.

• Black Plans 1) Undermine white’s pawn chain with the centralbreak ...f7-f6. Generally an effective way to draw attention awayfrom white’s kingside attack. 2) Undermine white’s e5-pawnwith ...g7-g5 even as a pawn sacrifice. 3) Simplify the positionto decrease the influence of white’s spatial advantage and thepower of white’s attack. 4) Trade the bad bishop (light) or find away to place it outside the pawn chain, preferably b1-h7 diago-nal. 5) Pursue a queenside minority attack with ...b7-b4.***Canarise in Scheveningen***

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French Type III• White Plans: 1) Attack the base of black’s pawn chain with f2-

f5xe6. 2) Create a powerful kingside attack with f2-f6 followedby mate threats on the g7-square. 3) Attack black’s kingsidewith rooks along the third rank, a B on the b1-h7 diagonal, anda Q usually at h5. ***Shows up in my French Tarrasch***

• Black Plans 1) Attack the base of the chain, white’s d4-pawn, with...c7-c5xd4, ...Nc6, ...Qb6. In some cases us major pieces to invadealong the c-file. 2) Advance ...c7-c4, and then attack the new base(c3) with ...b7-b4. 3) Trade light squared bishops on the f1-a6 diag-onal or make good use of this bishop along h7-b1 diagonal. 4) Slowdown white’s kingside attack with ...f7-f5, or fight for counterplaywith ...f7-f6.

The 3-3 vs. 4-2• White Plans: 1) Control the d-file and use it for a seventh rank

invasion if possible. 2) Pursue a majority attack, advance thequeenside pawns to create a passed pawn.

• Black Plans 1) Control the d-file and use it for a seventh rankinvasion if possible. 2) Pursue a minority attack with ...a7-a5and ...b7-b4. If successful black will probably eliminate white’sa, b, and c-pawns using his a and b pawns attempting to win anendgame with 4 vs. 3 kingside pawns.

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h g f e d c b aThe Panov• White Plans: 1) Create a passed pawn on the queenside. If white

is able to play b2-b5 and later c5-c6 then he is likely to have a bigadvantage.

• Black Plans: Black counters by 1) attack the front of white’s chain(c5) with ...b7-b6. This is done in order to trade the c5-pawn, elimi-nating white’s most dangerous threat. 2) Attack the base of the chain(d4) by placing a knight on c6 and bishop on f6. Also usually ...f7-f5and placing strong knight on e4.

The Dragon• White Plans: 1) If white castles long, then he will assault black’s

kingside with h2-h5 and then attampt a mating attack along theh-file. 2) If white castles short, then he will play a central strat-egy, place a rook on the d-file and a knight on d5. ***Shows insicilian dragon***

• Black Plans 1) If white castles long then black must create aqueenside attack at all costs. Black will often play along thec-file as well as push his a and b-pawns. An exchange sacrifice...Rxc3 with the idea of doubling pawns is often possible. 2) Ifwhite castles short, then black can play a more positional gamealong the c-file. Place a knight on c4 and again the idea of anexchange sacrifice on ...Rxc3.

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The Scheveningen• White Plans: 1) Launch a kingside attack with g2-g5, h2-h5 and then

break with g5-g6. 2) Play f2-f5 to pressure the e6 pawn and createan attack along the a2-g8 diagonal. 3) Play f2-f4 and then e4-e5 andthen later carry out a kingside attack.

• Black Plans 1) Achieve the central break ...d6-d5 to release theposition and activate his minor pieces. 2) Play along the c-fileand place a knight on c4 to pressure the b2 pawn and underminewhite’s knight which is typically on c3. 3) If white has castledlong, carry out a queenside attack with ...b7-b4, ...a7-a4 and thenthe break ...b4-b3. 4) If white plays f2-f4 in some cases, blackcan reply ...g7-g5 to fight for control of e5 square. 5) In somecases black may sacrifice an exchange on c3 in similar style tothe dragon. Note: Black will most likely castle short and onsome occasions keep king in center. If white castles long thenhis mainlines will be 1 and 2 while black usually focuses on 3.If white castles short, black will focus on 1 while white carriesout kingside attack. White plan 3 is more likely to work aftershort castling. Structure transformation: 1) If black plays ...d6-d5 and white replies e4-e5, we get French Type II 2) if black...d6-d5 white captures e4xd5 and black recaptures with a piece,we get a 3-3 vs 4-2, this is often favorable for black 3) if whiteplays f2-f5, the pressure on e6 may provoke black to play ...e6-e5 obtaining a Najdorf Type II. 4) sometimes if white plays c2-c4we get hedghog. ***Shows in my Scheveningen***

The Benko• White Plans: 1) Must turn queenside pawns into a fortress, probably

on b3 and a4 combined with many minor pieces surrounding anddefending these pawns. 2) Advance in the center and obtain a centralbreak with e4-e5 or f4-f5.

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a b c d e f g hClosed Ruy Lopez• White Plans: 1) Create a kingside attack with g2-g4, Nbd2-f1-

g3-f5, sacrifice a piece on f5 if needed. 2) Create a kingside at-tack with f2-f4 by analogy of KID II. 3) Play on the queensidewith b2-b4, a2-a4 and then invade on the a-file or attack one ofblack’s queenside pawns. ***Shows in my Ruy Lopez***

• Black Plans 1) Create queenside play with ...a7-a5, ..b7-b4. 2) Ex-pand on the kingside with ...f7-f4 by analogy of King’s indian typeII and III

The Lopez• Structure Transformation White: 1) white advances d4-d5 and

later c3-c4 obtaining a King’s indian Type II. 2) White ad-vances d4-d5 and black replies ...c5-c4, to obtain a closed ruylopez 3) White captures d4xe5 (or d4xc5) and black recaptures...d6xe5 (or ...d6xc5) obtaining a typical king’s indian complex.***Shows in my Ruy Lopez***

• Structure Transformation Black: 1) Black captures ...e5xd4 and afterc3xd4 white proceeds with d4-d5 yielding an asymmetric benoni. 2)Black captures ...c5xd4 and after white d4-d5, obtaining a King’s in-dian type I. 3) Black trades two pawns on d4 with ...c5xd4 followedby ...e5xd4 (or in the other order).

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Chapter 3

Endgame

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CHAPTER 3. ENDGAME

• Basics:

– How to Draw:

1. Insufficient material: KB vs. K, KN vs. K, KNN vs. K, KP vs. K (unless it can promote)2. Perpetual check/position: exact position shows up 3 times throughout game.3. Stalemate.4. Players agree: during your time, offer draw then make move and hit clock.5. If player has made 50 moves without moving a pawn or capturing a piece.

– When a pawn up: try and reach (in order) either a pawn endgame, knight endgame, or same colored bishopendgame.

– When a pawn down: try and reach (in order) either a opposite colored bishop endgame, rook endgame, orqueen endgame (weak side aims for perpetual check)

– When overpowering their king: use the staircase, push enemy king to one side, then use two heavy piecesto continually cut king off of successive ranks/files. Use the box, using heavy piece and king, tighten theenemy king into a box.

– Opposition: where one king tries to dominate and advance past other king.

* Basic opposition: kings facing each other with one square between them. Person to move loses andwill get penetrated.

* Distant opposition: kings connected on file, rank, or diagonal. You want an odd number of squaresbetween kings with the other guy to move, or an even number, if you have the move.

* Indirect opposition: create a rectangle connecting kings with every corner being the same color withthe other guy to move.

– Square of the pawn: when trying to race down an enemy pawn with your king, first draw a square frompawn to back rank. If your king can step into square, pawn will be captured, else it promotes.

– Triangulation: a small king move to the side, giving your opponent the move, then you move forwarddiagonally, gaining opposition.

– Outflanking: stronger side’s king moves to the side, placing a file/rank between kings (sometimes evengiving up opposition) allowing the king to march towards target.

• KP vs. K:

– Strong king: get to “key squares” (3 square that are two ranks ahead of pawn, unless pawn is on the fifth,then rank in front) and outflank defender, escorting pawn to promotion.

– Defender: stay in front of pawn, don’t let king outflank. Use symmetry.

– Pawn should only reach the 6th if it’s path to promotion is fine, or if it causes kings to be opposed.

– With rook pawn: draw if defender gets in front, sometimes even third file.

• N vs. P:

– Obviously, capturing the pawn is a draw. The knight must try and be able to stand in front of the central7th rank pawn, or at least control the promotion square laterally.

– For a 7th rank knight pawn, knight must be able to stand in front, or pawn promotes.

– For a 6th rank rook pawn, knight must use correct circuit to jump in front of pawn or wait for king’s help.

• Q vs. P:

– Neither rook nor bishop 7th rank pawn: queen wins if she can check king. She needs to either safelycapture pawn, or force defending king in front of the pawn. Each time this happens, then the strong kingtakes a step closer to help, eventually mating.

– Rook pawn on 7th: Don’t force king in front. The strong king must be 2 steps away from either of the keysquares (say f7 or g6). The setup to strive for is where pawn promotes in the corner, defending king onback rank next to her (or h7 next to her similarly), then strong king moves to g6 opposing (f7 opposing),while queen is on the 7th (g file respectively). Even the newly promoted queen with the move can’t help.Mate inevitable.

– Bishop pawn on 7th: if attacking king is far away, defending king must get to the short side corner to draw,either threatening promotion or stalemate in corner if queen takes pawn. For strong side to win, (whiledefending king is in the short corner) the strong king must be one step away from either key squares (sayg6 or e7). Once there, the queen can either mate king or safely take pawn. Now if defending king is onthe wrong side (long side), easier to win. Strong king must be 2 steps from key squares (say d7 or g6)with two mating patterns.

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• R vs N:

– To draw, try and keep knight on the edge close to king to draw. When the knight and king are both in thefour corner squares, it’s losing.

• R vs. B:

– The Wrong corner for defender: same color as defending bishop. Strong king opposes defending king,looking for back rank mate with rook. Rook tries to capture bishop and threaten back rank mate at once.

– The Right corner for defender: opposite color of bishop. If you’re the defender, place your king in thiscorner with your bishop on the back rank next to you. Draw.

• Same colored Bishops with a pawn:

– Attacker: Strong king is near pawn ready to offer a bishop trade, then win kp vs. k.

– Defender: Obviously capturing the pawn is a draw. Get defending king in front of pawn. Or if you can’t,get it behind strong king, opposing it. Threaten pawn’s path with B. Then strong side can’t offer bishoptrade without obstruction pawn’s path, no progress to be made, draw. With rear opposition, draw if bothcontrol diagonals are 4 or more squares each, else stronger side wins if he can control all short diagonalsquares with B and K.

• Opposite colored Bishops:

– BP vs. B: the fate is easy. Depends on if defending bishop can control pawn’s path, and sacrifice itself forpawn.

– BPP vs. B:

* Connected Pawns: drawing chances high.· Doubled pawns: it’s a draw if defending K and B control a square in front of pawn.· On 6th rank: always win unless they’re R/N pawn’s (and defending B waits on long diagonal

and defending K does NOT go into corner). The pawn’s cannot advance without kings helps(else they would either be blockaded or captured). Strong B checks king, then strong king willoutflank, getting in front of pawn, so that now pawn can be pushed (whose promotion squarecolor is different than opposing bishop, not necessarily but easy to remember).

· On 5th rank: fate depends on position of defending B. This is a draw if defending B and K arein front of pawns and the B prevents the advance of one pawn while simultaneously attackingthe other (so strong king can’t leave it and outflank). This is a win if defending B is elsewhere,on a wrong diagonal. Strong B must check the king as to outflank and get in front, supportingthe pawn push. The correct B check is the one which controls the squares in front of pawns.Goal is to turn into 6th rank scenario, or win outright.

· On 4th rank: defender’s goal is to place B on correct diagonal as if the pawns were moved tothe 5th rank scenario.

* Separated Pawns: The more separated, the greater the winning chances. 3 main draw scenarios:1. One is the Wrong color rook’s pawn: corner color is opposite of attacking B color. No matter

how separated or advanced, result depends on if the defending K can reach the corner and giveup his B for the other pawn.

2. Separated by one file: defending king waits in front middle while defending B moves back andforth controlling path of the pawn that the strong king is supporting.

3. Defending B restrains both Ps along same diagonal with support from king (no matter distancebetween): defending King must not allow other pawn to promote, nor allow strong king to takeB.

• R vs. P:

– Counting Tempi: The attacker must count tempi needed for both rook and king to control the promotionsquare. The defender must count the tempi needed for the king to secure promotion and for pawn to reachits goal. Which side reaches their goal first? Usually happens when kings are on different sides of pawn.

– Cutting the defending king off: when king and pawn haven’t crossed middle of board yet, cutting off theking is important. It also wins when pawn is rook pawn or when king and pawn are separated by a rankor more (since king can’t go around). The rook goes to its 5th rank, stopping king from advancing. Then,either the attacking king comes to help, or defender pushes pawn, rook goes to 3rd rank (when pawn getsthere) and stops it from promoting (since king was cut, it’s too far to help pawn).

– Attacking king behind pawn: the strong king pushing the other king from the rear (with rook side-checking) is useless (unless it’s a rook pawn!) since pawn can promote to a knight and draw. So, theattacking king must outflank on opposite side of pawn, and control the promotion square along with therook. Count tempi to double check if you even have enough time to outflank.

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– Attacking king on the side: The rook needs help from the king to control/capture the pawn (which iswhy the defending king needs to stay in front of pawn). Using opposition (kings on same side) and rookchecks, force defender away (shoulder charging) and take control of the pawn using both pieces. If it’s arook pawn, depends on who is to move and advancement.

• R vs. PP:

– Kings are not near: connected pawns on the 6th win, just push pawns, else attacker places rook behindmore advanced pawn and captures both. A rook in front has similar outcomes, might need help from kingthough.

– Kings are near: the attacking king (rook’s king) should be in front of pawns. King and rook work togetherand win.

– Just defending king is near: defender pushes a pawn, exchange it for the rook, then promotes the otherpawn.

• R vs. RP:

– Lucena: As attacker, set this up!! Usually arises when defending king fails to stand in front of pawn.Strong king must get out of way for 7th rank pawn to promote, so his rook (on back rank) checks theking away, then goes to 4th rank (bridge)! Now strong king comes out while still touching pawn, rookcan shield from checks while pawn promotes. Attacker and defender both must strive to get king in front!With Lucena on the board, defender’s only chance is the long side setup.

– Philidor: As defender, set this up! most frequent way to draw. Defending king must get on 1st or 2nd rankin front of the pawn, while defending rook waits on 3rd rank for the pawn to advance. Once pawn reaches6th, king loses shield, then rear checks will be delivered forever. The attacking king (if the rook wasn’ton 6th rank and slips up) wants to go to the front diagonal of pawn (right in front just gets side-checked),next move he’ll either go to square in front of pawn, or he’ll advance the pawn (shield) threatening backrank mate with rook.

– Long Side: if the defender can’t get a Philidor, then the Lucena will take place. If the defender can get hisking on the short side with his rook on the long side, then the rook can side check the king forever or takethe pawn and draw.

– First rank defense: (knight pawn) if can’t reach Philidor but the defending king is in front of pawn, thenkeep the defending king in the two corner squares with rook moving back and forth on back rank.

– Kling and Horwitz: (central/bishop pawn) if can’t reach Philidor but the defending king is in front ofpawn, put rook on back rank then rear of pawn (tying strong king to defense), move king to short side(best). Strive to either capture pawn with help from king (if it advances), or unless strong rook gets infront, bring rook over and deliver side checks. This can go on forever, and draw.

– Rook pawn: defender should place piece in front of pawn.

* Defending king in front of pawn, draw

* Defending rook in front of pawn, result depends on whose king arrives first.

* Attacking rook in front of pawn (wanting to get out of way): both sides should aim to get rookbehind the pawn. With pawn on 7th, defender keeps king on key squares (say g7 or h7) with rookbehind pawn. Whenever strong king touches pawn (trying to free rook), smack it away with a rookcheck! If king leaves key squares (h7 or g7) and stays on 7th, then strong rook swings to h8, rookcaptures pawn, and then rook will win other rook by skewer. If king leaves key squares elsewhere,rook checks kings, promotes, takes, takes, wins. If the pawn is on the 6th (Vancuran), attacker triesto get king in front of pawn to let rook out, while defender attacks 6th rank laterally, not letting kingcome close to pawn (moves back and forth on rank). If pawn is pushed, defender places rook ona-file again as before.

* Attacking king in front of pawn: attacker needs defending king cut off on bishop file or more away.Rook helps king get out to promote.

• R vs. RPP

– Doubled Pawns: for central pawns, best defense is to start with Philidor, then switch to Kling and Horwitz.for knight pawns, defender should avoid his king getting pushed to back rank. Accomplish this throughPhilidor or by second rank defense: keep his rook and king on his 2nd rank, until their pawn reaches their6th rank. If rook pawns, easy, get king in front.

– Connected pawns blocked by defending king: pawns at edge: this can be drawn, king stays in front ofpawns, but if pawns are not on the edge then strong side can break the blockade by checking king at frontdiagonal square to pawn, exchanging and making a kp vs. p endgame.

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– Attacking rook in front of 7th rank rook pawn: defending rook behind pawn and defending king in front ofother pawn. Rook is ready to smack king away if he touches pawn. If other pawn is a g-pawn or h-pawn,result doesn’t change since pawn can’t knock king from it’s safe zone (g7, h7). However if it was on adifferent file, strong side wins by pushing pawn drawing king out of safe zone.

– Rook and pawns vs. Rook and one more pawn: with all pawns on same side, the defenders goals are totrade as many pawns as possible, keep rook active and tie their king down to defense, trade down untilyou reach Philidor. If there’s a passed pawn, say e,f vs g, serious winning chances. Defender shouldn’t letpawns march down and gobble space.

• Pawn ending:

– KPP vs. K:

* Connected pawns: both pawns protect each other then king comes to help.

* Doubled pawns: move pawn, let it be captured so you can move the king in front of back pawnwhile getting the opposition and win a kp vs k.

* Separated by one file: mutual defense, one pawn threatens to promote to avoid capture of the other.Strong king come to help in the meantime. Always think of the square of the pawn.

* Separated by more than one file: delay the capture of one pawn until the strong king arrives todefend them and reach key squares of the other.

– KP vs. KP:

* Trebuchet: this is where two opposing pawns are face to face with both kings on diagonal in frontof them. For an upcoming Trebuchet, the side who makes first diagonal contact with enemy pawnforces a winning Trebuchet. A Trebuchet position is a loss to the player with the move.

* Blocked pawns: each pawn has key squares, which are the 3 on the left and 3 on the right of yourpawn. The first king to reach the key squares of the enemy pawn will capture it.

* Pawns on adjacent files: calculate the consequences of capture and defense and kp vs. k scenario.

* Passed pawns: calculate the pawn race. Usually king must support their pawn while also hinderingthe opponent’s.

– Two blocked vs. one: usually give up passed pawn to capture enemy pawn and reach a winning kp vs. k.

– King against two passed pawns: floating square: if a square whose two vertices are occupied by pawns onthe same rank, reaches our back rank then the pawns promote without help. Else they don’t promote.

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Basic Concepts

Drawing

• Insufficient material: As long as there is a pawn on the board, there issufficient material (unless it cannot upgrade).Material that CANNOT force mate vs. a lone King:

– Pawn (unless it can successfully promote)– Bishop– Knight– Two Knights (unless enemy King blunders)

• Perpetual check or position: Players can draw if he checks same position 3times. Or identical position shows up 3 times throughout the game.

• Stalemate:

• Players agree on draw: During your time, say you offer draw, then makemove and hit clock.

• If a player has made 50 moves without moving a pawn or capturing a piece.

Most winnable endgames that are one pawn up, by ranking: 1) Pawn endgames2) Knight endgames 3) Same colored bishop endgames.

Most drawish endgames one pawn up by ranking: 1) Opposite colored bishopendings (hard to push pawns on square bishop doesnt cover) 2) Rook endgames3) Queen endings (weaker side getting perpetual). It is essential to realize whichtypes of endgames are drawish to know what to aim for when a pawn down, andwhat to avoid when a pawn up.

During middlegame play, ask yourself if you would want to play your cur-rent position with all of the pieces traded off, and if the answer is no, you willprobably do a good job of avoiding bad endgames.

Minor Piece vs. Lone Pawn: The question: can the Bishop or Knight stopthe pawn? If it can, its a draw. If it can’t then resign, can’t withstand againsta queen. A minor piece (Bishop or Knight) vs. a lone pawn is usually drawn,since the piece will sacrifice itself for the pawn and create a King vs. King draw.If we have rook vs. lone pawn, its a win if the pawn can be stopped or won.

Overkill Mates: one side has an enormous amount of mate- rial versus the loneenemy king.

• Staircase: The three key components of the Staircase 1) Push the enemyKing to one of the four sides of the board. 2) Use one of your heavy/majorpieces (Rook or Queen) to cut the enemy King off from a rank or file. 3)

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Use the other major piece to check the King off the next file or rank. You?repushing the enemy King back, like a staircase.

• Box: In the case of both King and vs. King, and King and Rook vs. King,the goal is to im- prison the enemy monarch in an ever-shrinking Box. Twoman- dates for a successful Box: 1) Use your King! 2) Trap the enemyKing in an ever-shrinking Box and then slowly tighten it.

Remember: In the endgame, the enemy King can rarely be mated in the mid-dle of the board. You should always chase it to a side or corner.

Opposition

• Basic Opposition: the quest for domination between two opposing Kings,whereby one King tries to become stronger than the other. Owning theopposition allows your King to make advances into enemy territory. Basicopposition (Kings facing each other with only one square apart) and theneed to effect penetration into the hostile camp has huge importance in apawn endgame.

• Distant Opposition: If the Kings are connected on a file, rank, or diagonal,you want an odd number of squares between the Kings with the other guy tomove! Conversely, if there is an even number of squares between the Kings,then you want to have the move. Its the same as basic opposition, with onemove between, the per- son to move does not have the Op- position.

• Indirect Opposition: to create indirect opposition, you want to create asquare or rectangle connecting the Kings with every corner being the samecolor, with the other guy to move.

Square of Pawn

• When an enemy pawn is trying to outrace your King down the board, itsalways nice to be able to see with a glance if you or your opponent candraw. The technique is called the Square of the Pawn. To do this, drawa diagonal from the pawn to the end of the board, draw a rank extension,connect intersection to form a square. If the opponents King can step intothis square, it will stop the pawn. If it can’t, the pawn will safely reach theedge.

First person to move reaches first

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Triangulation:

• Triangulation is a very small, often uncomplicated maneuver designed togive your opponent the move and, as a result, you the Opposition. Ba-sic Triangulation is a maneuver, where the king steps to the side and thenmoves forward diagonally, thus losing a move and gaining the Opposition.

1.Kf2! e3+! 2.Ke2! Ke5 3.Kxe380Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0j0o0Z5Z0o0ZPo040ZPZpZPZ3ZPZ0Z0Z020Z0ZKZ0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

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Outflanking:

• Outflanking is a maneuver where the stronger side’s king moves to the side,placing a file between the kings (sometimes even giving the opponent theOpposition!). This allows the Outflanking king to march forward towardsthe target, without allowing the enemy monarch to step in front of it andtake Direct Opposition. Go to the target side of the board and only thenOutflank your opponent. The idea of giving up the Opposition for a higherprize is a major part of Outflanking.

White gets to f8,g8,h8 first 1.Ka2! Kb8 2.Kb2... eventually outflank8kZ0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z020Z0Z0Z0Z1J0Z0Z0Z0

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King and Pawn vs. King

When your King has to step away from the oncoming pawn, always go straightback from it. Don’t let the other King step in front of its pawn, instead you shouldtry and place you own King in front of your opponents pawn. The presence ofrook-pawns (a- pawns or h-pawns) gives the defending side drawing chancesthat normally would not exist. In this case, King and rook-pawn vs. lone Kingis always a draw if defender?s King gets in front of the pawn.

King and Pawn Endgames: In a King and pawn (any pawn but a rook-pawn!)vs. King endgame, the stronger side wins if his King (on the 3rd, 4th, or 5thrank) is one square in front of its pawn and he has the Opposition. In a Kingand pawn (any pawn but a rook-pawn!) vs. King endgame, if the stronger side’sKing is two squares in front of its pawn, he always wins, because he controlsthe opposition with having a pawn move. Remember, defending side preferssymmetry with kings, while stronger side should try and outflank the king!

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6th Rank Pawn

1.f7! Ke7 2.Kg7! 1-0. However this result changes entirelyif it is black’s turn. 1... Kg8!, now the kings are opposed.The pawn cannot promote if both kings are opposed whenthe pawn reaches the 7th. King opposition is decisive whenthe pawn is on the 6th rank. Now, 2.f7+ the pawn cannotpromote. The safest way for the defender is to stay on thetwo squares in front of the pawn. This fortress cannot bebroken. 2... Kf8! 3.Kf6 stalemate. The pawn should onlyreach the 6th rank if: its path to promotion is clear, or itsadvance causes the kings to be opposed. Stepping forward isthe most important thing, with Opposition taking a back seat.Move as far forward with your king as possible, while alwaysmaking sure that your pawn is safe!.

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Regardless of the starting position of the kings, when thepawn is on the 6th rank, their manoeuvres are driven by oppo-sition. 1.Ka6! taking the opposition... Kb8 2.Kb6! Kc8 3.c7Kd7 4.Kb7 and pawn promotes. Note: not 1.Kb6?? Kb8!with black taking the oposition.

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A knight pawn: this position would be lost if black had acentral pawn but here, white can be saved: 1.Kh1! Kf2 thismove would secure promotion with any other pawn but nowthe white king is in stalemate and the position is drawn. Thepawn cannot promote after other moves 1...Kg4 2.Kg2!=

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≤ 5th Rank Pawn When the pawn has not yet reached the 6th, there are clearrules. If the strong king occupies one of the key squares, the pawn promotes.When the pawn is on the 5th, its key squares are the three in front of it (alonga rank). If the pawn has not reached the 5th yet, its key squares are the threesquares in front, but two ranks ahead.

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Since the king has reached one of the key squares, white wins:1.Kf6! (of course not 1.f6?? Ke8! taking the opposition anddrawing)... Ke8 2.Kg7! Ke7 3.f6+ Ke6 4.f7 1-0. If, in thestarting position, the white king had been on g6, 1.Kf6 wouldhave led to the same. If the king was on f6, white wins with1.Ke6 Ke8 2.f6 taking the opposition when the pawn reachesthe 6th. Were it black’s turn in any three examples, whitewould win by either supporting the pawn from the 7th or tak-ing the opposition.

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Again, the knight’s pawn poses problems but the key squarerule still applies. 1.Kg6! the king must go to the other sideto skip annoying stalemate tricks... Kg8 2.Kh6 Kh8 3.g6 Kg84.g7 Kf7 5.Kh7 1-0

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1.Kd5! heading for the key square c6 (1.Ke5?? would be amistake then... Ke7)...Ke7 2.Kc6 once white has occupied akey square, the pawn promotes.

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Distant opposition: 1.Kb1!. The black king can gain a rankbut no more, as then his counterpart will oppose him, takingthe direct opposition, so the white king prevents him fromadvancing two ranks and getting to the key squares... Kb4 (if1...Kc4 then 2.Kc2 taking opposition) 2.Kb2! c4 3.Kc2 c34.Kc1 Kb3 5.Kb1 c2+ 6.Kc1 Kc3=

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Using reserve moves: The white king is already at a keysquare so white should win, but how to outflank the opposingking? 1.g4. He’ll reach the new key squares on the followingmove... Kh7 2.Kf6.

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Rook Pawn

Everything thus far applies to all pawns except the rook pawn.If the defender’s king stands in the way, it’s a draw. 1.Kh1stalemate

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Standing in the pawn’s path is not the only way for the de-fender to draw. Placing the king in front of the pawn isenough, but occupying one of the two nearest squares on thebishop’s file also works, here the c1 and c2 squares. 1.Kc1!(preventing... Kb2 and threatening 2.Kb1)... Ka2 2.Kc2! a43.Kc1 a3 4.Kc2 Ka1 5.Kc1, the king cannot get out and ifblack pushes the pawn, his king is stalemated.

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Knight vs. Pawn

7th Rank Central Pawn

• If the knight can stand in front of the pawn, it is a draw. If not, the knightmust at least control the promotion square laterally to draw. If these twoare not possible, then the pawn promotes.

Standing in front of the pawn 1.Nd1 Kc2 2.Nf2!

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What if the knight cannot get in front of the pawn, but cancontrol the promotion square? The knight must be transferredto the second rank, so that it can enter two circuits: one tostop the pawn and the other to capture the pawn, in this casee2-c3-a2 or e2-d4-b3-c1: 1.Ne2+! Kd2 2.Nd4! c1Q 3.Nb3+=

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7th Rank Knight Pawn

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If the knight can stand in front of the pawn, it’s a draw, if not,the pawn promotes. 1... b2! 2.Nd2+ Kc1! 3.Nb3+ Kd1 andthe pawn promotes.

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Rook Pawn

• 6th Rank

The knight draws if it can stand in front of it. If the knightjust controls the pawn’s path, it need to enter the right circuitto draw, for the h1 corner, g4-e3-f1. So 1.Ng4+! Kg3 2.Ne3Kf3 3.Nf1 Kf2 4.Nh2 remaining inside the right circuit, theblack king cannot drive it away, draw.

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• 7th Rank

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The black pawn is about to reach the 7th rank, while the kingis very far away. 1.Ng3! h2 2.Kb7, and the knight has setup abarrier, notice that the king cannot go to d2, e2, e3, e4. Nowwhite waits for the kings aid as black goes around the barrier.

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Queen vs. Pawn

7th Rank Pawn (neither bishop nor rook pawn)

The queen wins against these pawns as long as she can checkthe enemy king. 1.Qf4+ Ke2 2.Qg3! Kf1 3.Qf3+ the point!,now the black king must go in front of the pawn... Kg14.Kg7 the white king approaches the pawn... Kh2 5.Qf2 Kh16.Qh4+ Kg1 7.Kg6 Kf1 8.Qf4+, once the king has arrived itis easy to find a mating pattern.

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7th Rank Rook Pawn

Forcing the king in front of the pawn is useless since it’s stale-mate and there’s no time to bring the black king closer. In or-der to win, the strong king must be just two steps away fromany of the two key squares, here f7 or g6, this is the winningzone. 1...Qd7+ 2.Kg6 Qe6+ 3.Kg7 Qe7+ 4.Kg8 Kf6! 5.h8Q+Kg6 -+ an important position to know. Despite having a brandnew queen and the move, white cannot avoid being check-mated.

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7th Rank Bishop Pawn

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The main defensive resource when the enemy king is faraway: 1.Ke7! Qe5+ 2.Kd7 Qf6 3.Ke8 Qe6+ 4.Kf8 Kc45.Kg7! now the white king has made it to the other side of thepawn, which is the right one... Qe7 6.Kg8 Qg5+ 7.Kh8 Qf6+8.Kg8 Qg6+ 9.Kh8! the point. White threatens to promoteand 9... Qxf7 is stalemate.

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In order to win, when the defending king is on the ’right side’(near the corner), the stronger side’s king must be one stepaway from one of the two key squares, here g6 or e7. 1...Qa7!2.Kh8 Kg6 3.f8Q Qh7 mate.

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In order to win, when the defending king is on the ’wrongside’ (away from the corner), the winning zone is larger andthe there are two mating patterns. She wins if her king isjust two steps away from one of the two key squares, here d7and g6. 1...Qa7+ 2.Ke8 Qb8+ 3.Ke7 Qe5+ 4.Kd7 Qf6 5.Ke8Qe6+ 6.Kf8 Kg5! 7.Kg7 Qe7! 8.Kg8 Kg6 -+

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Rook vs. Knight

Knight on the Edge

Keeping the knight close to the king is the best policy. If theknight is separated from the king, it can be lost. 1.Nf2+ Ke3both forced 2.Nd1+ Kf3 3.Nc3 Rc2 4.Nd1 Re2+ 5.Kf1 Rh26.Ke1 Rc2 7.Kf1=

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Knight in the Corner

• No need for deep analysis and it does not matter which side is to move.When the knight and king are both trapped in the four corner squares, itslosing for the knight.

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Rook vs. Bishop

The Wrong Corner

The wrong corner is the corner of the same color as thesquares on which the bishop moves. 1.Rf1 the winning planis to force the bishop out of its safe place behind the whiteking, winning time to threaten checkmate on the 8th rank...Bh2 2.Rh1 Bg3 3.Rg1 Bh2 4.Rg2 Bd6 5.Rd2 Be7 6.Rc2 Bf87.Rc8 and black is mated.

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The Right Corner

The other corner is completely different. It is so easy to de-fend that going there straight away is perfectly sound. Theblack king stands in the corner while the bishop is ready to in-terpose on g8 in case of a check. Then white would have to letthe bishop move to avoid stalemate and the position would berepeated. No winning chances. 1.Ra8+ Bg8 either the rook orking must release the pressure. 2.Ra7 Bb3 3.Kg6 the bishopalways has enough squares at his disposal along the a2-g8 di-agonal... Bc4 the only concern for the defender is that hisbishop has enough distance to check th enemy king from theb1-h7 diagonal if necessary. 4.Rh7+ Kg8 5.Rc7 Bd3+ 6.Kh6Be4=

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Same-Colored Bishops with pawn

Drive Off Defending Bishop

Without the support of the defending king, the bishop canalways be ousted from the diagonals which control the ad-vances of the pawn. It is clear that the game is won if thepawn crosses the last blockade square. This is the case wherethe stronger side’s king is near his pawn and is ready to offera bishop trade, and the defending king is far away. 1.Bf3 Ba42.Bc6 the black bishop has to leave or allow the exchange...Bxc6 3.Kxc6 Ke8 4.Kc7 and the pawn promotes.

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Defending King with Rear Opposition

• Long Diagonals

When the defending king cannot stand in front of the pawn,the ideal position for him is behind the stronger side’s king,in opposition. Now the stronger side cannot offer a bishoptrade without obstruction the pawn. The driving off manoeu-vre doens’t work now. 1.Bd7 the black bishop moves awaybut gets ready to occupy the other diagonal (a4-e8)... Bf12.Bg4 Bb5 3.Bd7 Be2 4.Bc6 Bg4 a draw.

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• Short Diagonal

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When the defending king has rear opposition, the endingis drawn if both control diagonals are 4 or more squareslong. The stronger side wins if one diagonal is less than 4squares long and he can control them all with the king andbishop. 1.Bc8 the first stage is to drive off the black bishopfrom the long diagonal... Be4 2.Bb7 Bd3 3.Bf3 Ba6 4.Bg4!zugzwang... The short diagonal is controlled by white. Ofcourse this rule only applies when the pawn has to cross thelast blockade square. If the pawn is less advanced the strongerside succeeds only in crossing the first obstacle, victory de-pends on the rest too.

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Opposite-Colored Bishops

This section and the one on rook endings are the most important sections. Thischapter will reward you with a lot of points.

Bishop and Pawn vs Bishop:

This is simple. Everything depends on if the defending bishop can control thepawn’s path, as the bishop can sacrifice itself for the pawn and draw.

Bishop and two Pawns vs Bishop:

Two Connected Pawns: Drawing chances are high since the defending sidecan block the pawns or sacrifice his bishop for them.

• If the pawns are doubled then if the King and Bishop control a square infront of the pawn: draw.

• Two 6th rank connected pawns: the pawns always win, unless they’re rookand knight pawns and the defending bishop waits on the long diagonal.

The white pawns cannot advance: not to e7 because thenblack would give up his bishop for the two pawns and not tof7 because then both pawns would be blockaded on squares ofthe same color as the white bishop. White’s plan: 1) A bishopcheck to force the enemy king to define his position 1.Bb5+Kd8 (if 1...Kf8 same plan on other flank) 2.Kf5 2) the attack-ing king outflanks his opponent... Bc5 3.Kg6 Bb4 4.Kf7 Bc55.e7+ 1-0. Pushing and supporting the pawn whose promo-tion square is the same color as the bishop.

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The bishop in front of the pawns. This is a useful defensiveresource when the pawns are on the 5th due to the attack onthe f-pawn, but it is not enough to draw here due to zugzwang.1.Bb5+ Kf8 2.Kf5!

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There is one exception: when the pawns are rook and knightpawns. 1... Kf8! the black king moves here because outflank-ing on the other side is not possible (in case of 1... Kh8??white wins as usual 2.Ke6 Bb2 3.Kf7 +-) 2.Ke6 Bb2 blackjust has to wait, draw.

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• Two 5th rank connected pawns: outcome depends on the position of thedefending bishop.

– attacker

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The Winning Procedure: the black bishop is on the wrong di-agonal. Although the bishop controls the e6-square, it cannotprevent the following. 1.Bg5+! the first stage is a check toforce the black king to choose which side to move to. Thereare two possible checks one is right and one is wrong! Whiteis going to push his e-pawn, and when this happens the bishophas to control both squares in front of the pawns (1.Bb4+is very wrong, why??)...Kd7 2.Kf4 now the white king out-flanks on the other side, in order to secure the e6 square fromf6. 2...Ba2 3.Bh4 Bf7 4.Kg5 Ke7 5.Kh6+ Kd7 6.Kg7 Bd57.Kf6 Bb3 8.e6+ Ke8 9.Ke5 followed by f5-f6, and we al-ready know that two 6th rank pawns win. Goal: turn into 6thrank pawns.

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– defender

The defensive procedure. This is the right defensive posi-tion for the bishop. The king is in front of the pawns andthe bishop prevents the advance of one pawn while simulta-neously attacking the other. By attacking one of the strongerside’s pawns, the mobility of the latter’s king is limited andoutflanking is not possible. From c8 (or d7) the bishop at-tacks the f5 pawn, hindering outflanking and allows a sacri-fice against an eventual e5-e6. 1.Bg5+ Kf7 keeping a doubleeye e6 2.Kf4 Bd7 white cannot make progress, draw.

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• Two 4th rank connected pawns.

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The defender has more options, he can reach the correct de-fensive position when the pawns are on the 4th or on the5th. Sometimes this is not possible, but here it is possible.1...Bc4! the only move. Black gets ready to build the defen-sive setup when the pawn reaches the 5th rank, then the keysquares for the bishop are f7 and g8. Only the text move iscorrect. 2.Bg3+ Kc6! the advance d4-d5 has to be hindereduntil the black bishop gets to f7. 3.Kf4 Bf7 4.Ke5 Kd7 5.d5Bg6 6.Kd4 Bh7 7.e5 Bg8 and black has reached the defensivesetup. Goal: turn into correct 5th rank setup.

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Two Separated Pawns: This ending is more frequent and complex than theconnected pawns endings. The more separated the pawns are, the greater thewinning chances.

• Three Drawing Scenarios:

– One pawn is a wrong rook’s pawn: The wrong color is the color of thecorner whose color is opposite of the squares on which the attackingbishop moves. When one of the pawns is such a rook pawn then nomatter how separated or advanced they are, the result depends on thesuccess or failure of the defending side in bringing his king to thecorner and giving up his bishop for the other pawn.

Black draws easily by rushing his king to b7 and allowingwhite to win a piece for his g-pawn.

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– Separated by one file:

The defensive procedure is simple: the king just waits whilethe bishop moves back and forth controlling the pawn, whichis supported by the king. Once setup correctly, always adraw. 1.Bb3 Bf4 2.Kb6 Bd6 3.Kb5 Bc7 4.Kc4 Bd6 5.Kd5Bc7 6.Ke4 Bd6 7.Kf5 Bc7 8.Kf6 Bd6 9.Kf7 Bb4!

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– Defending bishop restrains both pawns along same diagonal with sup-port from king.

If the defending bishop can restrain both pawns along thesame diagonal with support from the king, its a draw, no mat-ter the distance between the pawns. 1.Kd5 (if the black piecesswitched positions, white would win easily)... Kf6! 2.Kc5Ke7 3.Kb5 Bf4 4.Kb6 Kd8 draw. Make sure king and bishophas the ability to simultaneously control the pawns path de-spite the support from strong king.

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• Separated by two files

– Two bishop pawns Always wins unless the position is like the lastdrawing scenario.

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While the bishop defends the pawns, the king will try to pen-etrate to support the pawn which is blocked by the defendingbishop. This diagram is the same as before except the blackpieces are switched. 1.f4 Bh4 2.Kd5 Bd8 3.Ke6 Bh4 4.f5 Kd85.f6 Bg5 6.Kf5 Bh6 7.Kg6 Bf8 8.Kf7 Bh6 9.Kg8 1-0 now theking secures the pawns path to f8.

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– One is a knight pawn The ending is drawn if the defending king con-trols the central pawn and his bishop controls the promotion square ofthe other. This ending occurs quite frequently.

1.Ke2 the black king must be cut off from his central pawn...b3 2.Kd1! Kb4 3.Bh7 Ka3 4.Bg6 Kb2 5.Bf7! Ka2 6.Be6 Ka37.Bf5! b2 8.Bb1! draw. Winning chances are greater whenthe promotion square for the knight’s pawn is the same coloras the attacking bishop.

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– One is a rook pawn It is impossible to win against a normal defensivesetup.

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The goal for the attacking king is the b7 square. 1.Kf5 Ke7!2.Ke5 Bb8+ 3.Kd4 Ba7+ 4.Kc4 Kd6.

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• Separated by three files When the pawns are separated by three files, win-ning chances are relatively greater

– one is a knight pawn: with a knights pawn there are many drawn po-sitions due to blockades. The worst case for the stronger side involvesa very advanced knight’s pawn because then it obstructs its own king.Anyway, when both pawns are on the 7th rank, its a win. When theknight pawn is on the 7th and the other is on the 5th, a blockade canbe setup.

1.Kf3 Kg5! a race 2.Ke4 Kf6 3.Kd5 Bg3 4.Kc6 Ke7 5.Kb6Bb8! draw

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When the bishop controls the last-but-one-step of the knightspawn but not the promotion square, most cases are won but ifthe knight pawn is too far, theres a blockae. 1... Bb7 2.Kg3Kf5 3.Kh4 Kg6! outflanking on the edge of the board cannotbe allowed 4.Kg4 Bc8+! 5.Kf3 Bb7+ 6.Ke3 Kf5 7.Kd4 Ke68.Be5 Kf5 9.Kc5 Ke6 draw

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– one is a rook pawn This is easier, the attacking king has much morespace for penetrating through the wing. Central and rook’s pawn sep-arated by three files always win.

Outflanking on the edge, an important manoeuvre. Somewhite ideas involve king penetration between the pawns, butblack has resources to stop this threat. Some first lines: 1.Kd3Kf4 2.Ke2 Bb6 3.Kf1! Ba7 4.Kg2 Bb6 5.Kh3 Bf2

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Rook vs. Pawn

This is one of the most important sections.

Counting Tempi:

• Basic Counting: In order to solve these, the first approximate method iscounting tempi.

The attacker: count the tempi needed for both rook and king to control thepromotion square. The defender: count the tempi needed for the king tosecure promotion and for the pawn to reach its goal.

This only works in special circumstances and hardly every happens. Typi-cally this happens when the kings stand at different sides of the pawns.

1.Kg5! (If he had the move, black could draw by 1... c32.Kg5 c2 3.Rc8 Kb3 4.Kf4 Kb2=)... c3 2.Kf4 c2 3.Rc8 Kb34.Ke3 Kb2 5.Kd2 and white has arrived in time. Things arehardly ever this easy. Both sides need 5 tempi, result dependson who moves first.

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• Cutting off king on 3rd rank: When the king and his pawn are still furtherfrom promotion (not crossing the middle line), cutting off the king is veryimportant. It is useful when the defending king is on the 3rd rank, andit wins straight away when we are dealing with a rook’s pawn or whenthe king and the pawn are separated (otherwise the king can go around hispawn).

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1.Rg5! it is plain to see that the white king cannot arrive intime... a4 2.Kg7 a3 3.Rg3! a2 4.Ra3 +-.

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Cutting off is decisive, only1.Rg5 wins

Cutting off is not decisive, butstill, only 1.Rg5 wins.

White cannot win, even if it’shis turn.

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Attacking King behind pawn: This is the toughest and most frequent scenario.The strong king pushes his counterpart from the rear, while the rook occupies itsmost frequent position: the side attack. The main defensive resource is ’under-promoting to a knight’ while the main attacking motif is ’outflanking’.

• Pushing the king:

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1.Rh4+ Kc3 2.Kc5 (with 2.Kb5 white can try to go around butthere’s no time, count)... b3 3.Rh3+ Kc2 4.Kc4 b2 5.Rh2+Kc1 (the easier way to draw is 5...Kb1! 6.Kb3 Ka1! 7.Rxb2stalemate) 6.Kc3 black’s answer comes as a shock... b1N+!.We already know this works with any pawn except a rookpawn. This shows us that pushing the defending king fromthe rear is useless. Pushing from one side is more productive.

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The king pushing from the rear is a very effective attack-ing technique against a rook’s pawn in combination withrook checks. 1.Rh4+! Kb3 2.Kb5 a3 3.Rh3+ Kb2 4.Kb4 a25.Rh2+ Kb1 6.Kb3! a1N+ (6...a1Q 7.Rh1 mate) 7.Kc3 +-

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• Outflanking the king: unless it’s a rook pawn, pushing the king brings noth-ing, he must outflank his opponent to succeed.

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Both kings and pawn are one rank higher than before, so thewhite king has time for outflanking. 1.Rh5+ Kd4 2.Kc6! nowthe white king will go around the other side of the pawn...c4 3.Kb5 c3 4.Kb4 c2 5.Rc5 (Rh1 is also winning)... Kd36.Kb3 and the pawn is lost. Remember, the strong king hasno time to outflank his opponent when the pawn is on the 5thrank unless the rook is at the rear of the pawn or h1. With aknight’s pawn, there’s some stalemate themes.

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Draw no matter who moves,underpromote to a knight. Butif Rh1, with white to move, hewins. Count.

White to move wins byoutflanking, Black to movedraws. Rook is best placed onh8 or h1 and would win nomatter who has the move.

White wins no matter whomoves.

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Attacking king on the side: the rook needs support from the king to controland capture the pawn. That is why the defending king should always stand inthe way of the pawn. When both kings are on the same side of the pawn, themain resources are shoulder charging and rook checks.

• In order to help the rook, the king has to stand in front of his opponent andthen the enemy king is pushed one rank or file by means of a rook check.The purpose is to bring or king closer and to restrict the enemy king orpawn mobility, called shoulder-charging.

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1.Kg4! Ke3 (1... d3? allows white to push the king: 2.Re1+Kd4 3.Kf3 d2 4.Rd1 Kd3 5.Kf2 +-) 2.Kg3! d3 3.Re1+ Kd24.Kf2 +- and the white king has made it to the key zone andcan aid his rook.

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Sometimes a timely check helps the rook win an importanttempo to improve its position and control the pawn. The typ-ical scenario sees the stronger side’s king coming from oneside of the pawn. Be careful not to advance the king beforethe pawn. 1.Rf8+! Ke2 2.Rg8! Kf3 3.Kd3 (shoulder charg-ing)... g3 4.Rf8+ Kg2 5.Ke2 +-.

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Shoulder-charging and time-gaining check: 1.Ra2+! theblack king enjoys an ideal position to support his pawn so thischeck is very annoying... Kf3 2.Ra8 e3 3.Rf8+ Ke2 4.Kg2 +-.

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The rook’s pawn and lateral push. In a rook vs rook pawn,this is a key position to learn by heart. With black to move, itis a draw, whereas white wins if he has the move, by 1.Rb8+.With black to move 1...Kb2! 2.Rb8+ Kc1! 3.Kc3 a2 4.Ra8Kb1 5.Rb8+ Kc1!=.

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Stalemate no matter whomoves White to move wins, black tomove draws

White wins no matter whomoves

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Rook vs. Two Pawns

Kings aren’t near: Attacking resources are more hidden, whereas the defenseis clear: just push the pawns

• Rook behind pawns: White wins if it is his turn and loses if it’s Black’sturn.

1.b6 Rb1 2.a7 +- pawn promotes. If Black moves, the planis to transfer the rook to the rear of the more advanced pawn,and attack the other pawn and capture both: 1... Ra1 2.Kg3Ra5. Two connected pawns on the 6th rank win against arook, same goes for one pawn on the 7th and the other on the5th. If the pawns are further from promotion and the rook isat the rear of the more advanced pawn, they are captured.

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• Rook in front of pawns: if the rook were at g8 instead and the pawns start,the result is the same, but if the rook starts, black can stop the pawns (Ra8)but not capture them, then the king race is decisive.

Kings are near

• Rook side’s king in front of pawns: when the king and the rook work to-gether to stop the pawns, they usually win. If the rook side’s king achievesa position in front of the pawns, not even the most favourable scenario (ex-cept promotion) can save the game for the defender.

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1.Ke5 Ra1 2.Kd5 Re1 3.d7+ Ke7 and pawns are captured.

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• Rook side’s king on side of pawns: If the rook side’s king only manages tostand on one side of the promotion squares and the other king supports hispawns, things are more complicated. White needs zugzwang themes.

1.Ra1! Kc3 2.Ke3 Kc2 3.Rh1 zugzwang... Kc3 4.Rc1+ Kb25.Kd2 +- and pawns are captured. Goal: rook king tries to getin front.

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White to move wins White to move stalemate Stalemate no matter whomoves80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0o0Z0Z020ZkoKZ0Z1Z0Z0Z0ZR

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Just defending king is near

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• The king is in contact with the less advanced pawn: The plans for bothplayers: the side with the pawns will try to push one, exchange it for therook and then promote the other pawn while the side with the rook willtry to bring the king closer, then sacrifice the rook for the more advancedpawn and capture the other with the king. This is not a simple race or tempicount.

1... Rf3! 2.g7 Rg3 3.Kf7 Kd4 4.f6 Ke5 draw

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Rook and Pawn vs. Rook

Pawn Past Middle of the Board:

The defender must reach the Philidor (with defending king in front of pawnthere are other drawing chances though, back-rank defense or Kling and Hor-witz). The attacker must reach the Lucena to win, but if the defender is able touse the long side strategy, it’s a draw.

• Lucena: This is the most frequent procedure to win. If the defending kingfails to stand in front of the pawn, play usually leads to the Lucena.

1... Rc2 (if white to move, then 1.Rc1) now the white kingcannot get out 2.Rf1+ the first step is to cut off black king byone more file... Kg7! (if... Ke6 3.Ke8 +-) 3.Rf4! the bridgewill cover the king from rook checks... Rc1 4.Ke7 threaten-ing promotion... Re1+ 5.Kd6 Rd1+ 6.Ke6 Re1+ 7.Kd5 Rd1+8.Rd4+- promotion unstoppable.

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• Philidor: This is the most frequent procedure to draw. The defending Kingmust get in front of the pawn (on the 1st or 2nd rank) while the rook waitson the 3rd rank for the pawn to advance, then rear checks will be delivered.

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1... Rg6! (if deviating: 1... Rg1? 2.Kd6 Rd1+? 3.Ke6 whitethreatens mate... Rd8? 4.Rh7 white wins) 2.e6 threatening3.Kd6 back rank mate keep the rook on the third rank untilthe pawn moves... Rg1! as soon as the pawn reaches the 6th,the white king loses his shield. 3.Kd6 Rd1+! 4.Ke5 Re1+5.Kf6 Rf1+ draw.

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• Long Side: If the defender cannot reach the Philidor, the pawn will reachthe 7th and the Lucena will take place... unless the long side strategy works(side checks).

If white had the move, a rook check on g1 allows promotion.But 1... Ra8+! 2.Kd7 Ra7+! 3.Kd8 Ra8+ 4.Kc7 Ra7+ therook has to be on the long side of the board so the defendingking has to be on the short side. When the rook and pawnare separated by three files, the rook succeeds, distant effec-tiveness. Usually the best side for the defending king is onthe short side, leaving the long side for the rook. 5.Kd6 Ra6+6.Kc5 Re6! draw. Note: if the king goes to far from pawn,it’ll be lost and black would lose if his king were on the firstrank due to 7.Rf8+.

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• If the defender cannot get to the Philidor, and the defending king is in frontof the pawn, then:

– Knight Pawn (first rank defense):

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The Philidor method does not apply here. 1.Ka6 Rc8! 2.b6Rf8 3.Rb7+ Ka8! (3... Kc8? loses to 4.Ka7+-) 4.Ra7+ Kb85.Rh7 Rg8 draw.

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– Central and Bishop Pawn, rook in rear, side checks: Kling and Horwitz

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This resource is always useful against a central pawn, evenif defending king is forced to the long side. For a bishop’spawn, the king must be on the short side. Against a knight’spawn, this does NOT work.

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a b c d e f g h1... Rf1 if the defender cannot reach the Philidor, the rookmust be ready to move to the rear of the pawn. 2.Kd6 Re1!(the only move) 3.Ke6 Kd8? (if there’s a chance, we shouldalways move our king to the short side, the correct choicewas 3...Kf8!) 4.Rh8+ (if white makes waiting move, so doesblack, if white moves king, black can check or wait)... Kc75.Kf6 Kd7! 6.Rh7+ Ke8 7.Ke6 Kd8 (Kf8!=) 8.Rh8+ Kc7 9.Re8 (threat of 10.Kf7 followed by advance)... Rh1 gettingready to deliver check, from the short side! 10.Rf8 trying tocover king... Re1! draw. need more

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If white had the move, 1.Rg6! trying to prevent Philidor...Kd7 2.Ra6! Rh1 3.Ra7+ Ke8 4.Kd6! the key position, whitetrying to create lucena, black the philidor... Re1! 5.Ra8+ Kf76.Ra7+ Ke8 7.Ke6 Kf8! 8.Ra8+ Kg7 9.Kd6 Kf7! 10.Ra7+Ke8 11.Ke6 Kf8 12.Ra8+ Kg7 13.Re8 Ra1! 14.Rd8 Re1!

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• If the defender cannot get to the Philidor, and the defending king is NOT infront of the pawn, then:

– If the defending king is unable to occupy a frontal position (Philidoror first-rank defense) the only method is to occupy the long side withthe rook.

Pawn Behind Middle of the Board:

• Cut off defending king along files: The long side is not the only hope forthe defending side. The defending king must be cut off by a rank or file.Since the pawn is so far from promotion, the defending king has plenty oftime to get in front of the pawn and reach the Philidor. Winning chancesmust include cutting the king off from reaching the promotion zone.

– one file: frontal checks, rook swap. The stronger side cuts off enemyking by one file, it is useful but not enough to win. The defending rookmust stay on the back rank and the king on the 3rd or 4th rank.

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1...Rc8 (any rook move along the 8th rank is enough to drawas long as the rook is not exchanged or captured) 2.Kb4Rb8+! 3.Kc5 Rc8+ 4.Kb5 Rb8+! 5.Ka6 Rc8! 6.Rd4 Ke5!(the point) 7.Rd5+ Ke6 8.Kb5 Rb8+! 9.Ka4 Rc8 10. Kb4Rb8+ 11.Rb5 Rh8 black gets ready to move king into draw-ing zone and reach the Philidor.

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– two files: frontal checks. The ending is won with a 4th rank bishop’s ora central pawn using the ’combined method’, and drawn with a knightpawn. The combined method is not enough against a 3rd rank pawn(as defending king can get in front of pawn). It’s drawn under the rightposition.

1.Kb4 Rb8+ 2.Ka5 Rc8 3.Kb5 Rb8+ 4.Ka6! first stageof Grigoriev’s combined method not possible with knightpawn... Rc8 5.Rc1! second stage of method... Ke7 6.Kb7Rc5 7.Kb6 Rh5 8.c5 Kd8 9.Rd1+ Kc8 10.Rg1! Rh8 11.c6Rf8 12.Ra1! Kb8 13.c7+ Kc8 14.Ra8+ 1-0

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This is a scenario where the defending side loses due to mat-ing themes. The black king is cut off by two files but his rookwill occupy the long side. The combined method does notwork here, but white always wins. 1.Kc4! Rc8+ 2.Kd5 Rd8+3.Kc6! Rc8+ 4.Kd7 Rc2 5.d5 and pawn promotes.

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– three files: with the combined method, the ending is won with anypawn on the 3rd or 4th rank, but not on the 2nd.

– four files: the ending is usually won, even when the pawn is on the 2ndrank.

• Cut off defending king along ranks: this is the most simple and efficientway to cut off the defending king. It can be applied beyond the 4th rank.The defending king can only be cut off along a rank on the long side, inother cases, the position is not dangerous if the defending rook occupiesthe long side.

– perfect cut: the cut is perfect if the defending king stands on the samerank as the pawn. The ending is always won with a knight’s or abishop’s pawn, even if the pawn is still on the 2nd rank. To win with acentral pawn, the pawn must be at least on the 4th rank.

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With a knight’s pawn: 1... Ra8 (preventing 2.Ka4) 2.Rc8(threatening 3.b5 and 4.Kb4)... Rb8 3.Ra6 Kd5 4.Ka4! Kc45.Rc6+ Kd5 6.b5 Ra8+ 7.Kb4 reaching the starting positionjust one rank further, procedure is repeated, black goes forrear checks, but play leads to the Lucena position.

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Perfect cut with a bishop’s pawn: 1...Rb8 2.Rh5 Kf4 3.c5 Rc84.Kc4 Ke4 5.Rh6 Ke5 6.c6 the same applies to the centralpawns.

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Perfect cut with a 3rd rank central pawn. 1...Ra8! 2.d4 Kg33.Rh5 Kg4 4.Re5 Ra3! 5.d5 Kf4! 6.Re8 Ra5 draw

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– imperfect cut: the cut is imperfect if the defending king is one rankahead of the pawn. The ending is drawn if the defending rook occupiesthe file adjacent to the pawn. More defensive resources are availableagainst a central pawn.

We call this cut ’imperfect’ when the defending king is cutoff along a rank but stays one rank ahead of the pawn as inthe figure. Black to move draws: 1...Rb8! 2.Rg6 Rb7! 3.c5Kd5=

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Rook Pawns: Drawing chances are much higher here, any logical sequence ofplay involves the defending side placing his king or rook in front of the pawn.

• Defending king is in front of pawn, draw. find example

• Defending rook is in front of pawn, result depends on whose king arrivesfirst. find example

• Attacking rook is in front of pawn

– pawn on 7th: Rear checks with rook in rear of the pawn, this is oneof the most famous positions. When the attacking rook stands in frontof the pawn, the pawn can always reach the 7th rank, and this meanseither an immediate win or a very easy defence. The defending sidehas two opposite strategies: he will either mover the king towards thepawn to capture it, or he must move the king in the opposite directionand keep him on g7 or h7. In general, both sides should strive to gettheir rooks behind a passed pawn. When a rook is in front of its ownpawn on the 7th, with the defender’s rook behind it, in these positionswhenever the king touches its pawn (trying to free its rook) the de-fender should smack it away immediately with a check. This doesn’twork when the pawn is on the 6th. Don’t forget the trick, if the blackking leaves h7 or g7 then the rook swings to h8 and will win the rook.

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1... Kg7! (Defender has to place his king on g7 or h7,then the stronger side can’t make progress. The alternativesfail: 1...Ra3?? 2.Rh8!+-, or 1...Ke6?? 2.Re8+ +-, 1...Ke7??2.Rh8+- all winning the rook) now the rook cannot move sowhite must support the pawn with his king. 2.Kf3 Kh7 3.Ke4Kg7 4.Kd5 Kh7 5.Kc6 Kg7 6.Kb6 Rb1+! when the whiteking gets in contact with the pawn, the black rook will startrear checking. 7.Ka6 Ra1+ 8.Kb5 Kh7 draw.

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– pawn on 6th Vancuran: distant side checks

The king is close to the safety zone g7-h7 and can get thereif the pawn reaches the 7th rank. 1...Kg7 when the pawn ison the 6th rank, the e-file is mined for the black king, if hehas not crossed this file before, he cannot do it anymore. Thepawn can be used as a shield against checks, and so whitehas a winning plan: the king goes to the a7-square, the rookcomes out and the pawn promotes. 2.Kf3 Rf1+ 3.Ke4 Rf6!!the point: the rook attacks the 6th rank pawn laterally, so ifthe white king approaches the pawn, the rook delivers checksand the king cannot use the pawn as shelter. If the pawn ispushed with the threat of Rg8+, the black rook will immedi-ately return to the a-file, which we know is a draw. 4.Kd5Rb6 5.Kc5 Rf6 6.Kb5 threatens to take his rook out... Rf5+now comes the checks 7.Kb6 Rf6+ 8.Ka7 Rf7+ 9.Kb6 Rf6+10.Kc5 Rf5+ 11.Kd4 Rf6 draw.

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• Attacking king in front of pawn. attacking king trapped, distant checks

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This is the most important position in Rook and Rook pawn,vs Rook endings. To win, the strong side needs to have theenemy king cut off on the f-file (or the c-file if it’s an h-pawn).The winning sequence is long and complex but easy to findover the board. 1.Rh2! once the pawn has reached the 7th, therook head for b8, which takes three moves... Ke7 2.Rh8 Kd63.Rb8 Ra1 4.Kb7 Rb1+ 5.Kc8! Rc1+ 6.Kd8 Rh1! 7.Rb6+!Kc5 8.Rc6+!! Kb5 9.Rc8! Rh8+ 10.Kc7 Rh7+ 11.Kb8 andpawn promotes. When the king is in front of his pawn, the en-emy king must remain cut off as far as possible. If the weakerside’s king is cut off on the f-file (or c-file), the winning planis to push the pawn to the 7th rank and then take king out ofthe corner with the help of the rook.

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Rook and Two Pawns vs. Rook

Only opposite colored bishop and two pawns present a higher drawish trend.Doubled Pawns

• Central Pawns

The best defensive procedure consists in starting with thePhilidor position and then making a timely switch to Klingand Horwitz. 1.Rb7 Rg6 2.Rb6 white can offer a rook ex-change and break the philidor defense... Rg4! this move isimportant now. The only available method is KH, but blackhas to capture the second pawn when he puts the rook at therear of the pawn. 3.d6 Rg1! 4.Kc6 Rc1+ 5.Kd5 Rh1 6.Rb8+Kd7 7.Rb7+ Kd8 8.d7 Rh5+ 9.Kc6 Rh6+ 10.Kc5 Rh5+ 11.d5Rh6 12.d6 Rxd6!=.

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• Knight Pawns

1.Rb2! this setup is impregnable because black has no roomon the kingside... Ra4. The defending king must avoid beingpushed to the back rank, this can be achieved via the Philidoror by second rank defense. The latter consists in keeping theking and rook on the second rank until the pawn reaches the6th rank.

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• Rook Pawns: easy

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Rook and Bishop Pawn (on same side):

• Defending king cut off on back rank: when the defending king is cut off onthe back rank, the ending is usually lost.

The ending is lost of both pawns have reached the 6th rank.1...Rg1+ 2.Kf5 Rf1+ 3.Ke6! Re1+ 4.Kd6 Rd1+ 5.Ke7 Re1+6.Kd8 Rd1+ 7.Ke8 Re1+ 8.Re7 Rf1 9.f7+ Kh8 10.Re6! +-. The bishop’s pawn must not reach the 6th rank before therook’s pawn has done so. When the king is cut off on the backrank, a bishop’s pawn on the 5th rank is the best wining asset.

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• Defending king not pushed to back rank: now drawing chances are in-creased. The defensive procedure: The king should avoid being trapped onthe back rank. The rook is well placed on the 5th rank to hinder the whiteking’s advance but usually the best policy is to keep the rook in the corner,ready to deliver side checks. The king must wait on g7 or f7, if checkedalong the g-file, the best place for him is on the f-file usually. When a pawnreaches the 6th rank, the defending king must get in front of it.

Connected Pawns blocked by defending King;

• Pawns at the edge:

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1Rd4 Rb6 2.Rd8! white has to get the black king out of hisstrong position...Rb4+ 3.Ke5 Rb7! 4.Rg8+ Kh7 5.Re8 Kg66.Kf4 Rb4+ 7.Ke5 Rb7=. If we move the whole position to-wards the center, white can break the blockade.

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• Central Pawn

Here white can force a winning endgame. 1.Re4 Rb6 2.Re6+!Rxe6 3.fxe6 Kxe6 4.Kg5 +-

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Attacking rook in front of 7th rank pawn The best-known drawing scenario.If a passed pawn reaches the 7th rank and the attacking rook is in front of it, therook becomes completely passive and then the stronger side finds great difficul-ties in turning such a large advantage (two pawns) into victory.

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The black pieces occupy their ideal positions and wait. Therook must be ready to deliver checks if the white king arrivesto defend the a-pawn. A second pawn, as here the g-pawn,does not change the result as it cannot be used to take theblack king out of the safe zone. 1.Kf3 Ra2 2.Ke4 Ra1 3.Kd5Ra2 4.Kc6 Ra1 5.Kb6 Rb1+ 6.Kc6 Ra1 7.g4 Ra2 8.g5 Ra19.g6 Ra2 10.Kb7 Rb2+=. if the second white pawn was onthe h-file, white could not win either. In both cases, the pawnstuck on the 7th rank could be on any other file. The endingwould be won if the second white pawn were on any otherfile, for instance the f-file. White would win by pushing thepawn. The f-pawn will pull the king away from the criticalsquares.

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Vancura: probably the least-known scenario, though the most common in prac-tice:

1...Re4! this move is very important: black adopts a Van-cura defensive set-up and prevents the white rook from com-ing out of its passive position in front of the pawn. If blackadopts a wrong defensive setup, white wins rather comfort-ably (as seen by... Ra1? 2.Kf4 Kh7 3.Ke5 Kg7 4.a5 Kh7 5.a6and white wins even without the h-pawn) 2.a5 Re5! keep-ing the vancura position 3.Kf3 Rh5 4.Kg3 Rc5 5.a6 Rc6!6.Kf4 as soon as white pushes the a-pawn one step further,the black rook will be transferred to the rear of the pawn...Kh7 7.Ke5 Rb6 8.Kd5 Rg6 9.Kc5 Rf6 10.Kb5 Rf5+! 11.Kb6Rf6+! when the white king moves far from the a-pawn, theseries of checks may end, no way to make progress.

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Rook and pawns vs. Rook and more pawns

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In a rook and four vs rook and three, or rook and three vs rook and two, orrook and two vs rook and one with all the pawns on one side of the board, thedefender’s goals are to:

• trade as many pawns as possible (unless a particular exchange is clearlybad);

• keep the rook as active as possible (preferably tying the defender’s kingdown to the defense of its pawns);

• keep trading down until you end up with a philidor position, a draw;

In positions where the two vs one difference is on one side, the game is usuallydrawn if the stronger side doesn’t have a passed pawn. If there is a passed pawnsay, e,f vs g-pawn, the stronger side has serious winning chances. As the de-fender in these cases, don’t let the superior side’s pawns march down and eat upevery bit of space! Stop the pain from this squeezing of the king back by seekingout soothing pawn exchanges. Keep rook active by using it to pin and tie downthe other king to its pawns.

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Pawn Endings

Trebuchet:

• A Trebuchet is two opposing pawns face-to-face, with their respective kingsdiagonally in front of them. For a near/upcoming Trebuchet position, theside whose King can make first diagonal contact with the enemy pawn canforce a winning Trebuchet. A Trebuchet situation is a loss to the playerwith the move.

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King and Two Pawns vs. King

• Connected Pawns: here both pawns defend each other and then the kingapproaches to give them support. The ending is always won unless a pawnis captured. The only important thing to know is this: if we have a rook’spawn on the 7th rank, we have to give it up in order to promote the knight’spawn.

• Doubled Pawns

1.Kc3! the standard and easy procedure: to use the less ad-vanced pawn to waste a move when the critical position (kingopposition on the 6th rank) arises...Kc7 2.Kd4 Kb6 3.Kc4Kc7 4.Kc5 Kb7 5.b6 Ka6! 6.b7! Kxb7 7.Kb5 1-0. Two dou-bled pawns always win, except in these two situations: rookpawns, or the less advanced pawn is on the 5th rank.

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• Isolated Pawns

– separated by one file:

Mutual defense: one pawn threatens to promote to avoid cap-ture of the other one. Two pawns separated by one file candefend each other as long as the king does not attack the moreadvanced one. 1.h5! thus the h-pawn prevents the capture ofthe f-pawn and gives the white king time to come near... Kf6if the king captures the f-pawn, he will be outside the squareof the h-pawn 2.Kb2 Kg7 3.f5 Kh6 4.f6! 1-0.

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– separated more than one file:

Delay the capture of one pawn until the strong king arrives todefend them and reach the key squares of the other. 1...Kd52.a5! preventing the capture of the central pawn...Kc6 3.Kg2Kb5 4.Kf3 Kxa5 5.Ke4 Kb6 6.Kd5 Kc7 7.Ke6 +-

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King and Pawn vs. King and Pawn:

• Blocked Pawns: Blocked pawns also have key squares. When the pawnsare blocked, the first king to reach the key squares for the enemy pawn willcapture the pawn. Key squares are 3 to the left and 3 on the right of thepawn:

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In this position the key squares for the black pawn are c6,d6 and e6. We do not count a6, as there is no way to getthere. For the white pawn: c5, d5, and e5. Who will arrivefirts? 1.Kg3! Kb7 2.Kf4 Kc7 3.Ke5 Kd7 4.Kd5, white canadvance thanks to the opposition and so his king will occupythe key squares... Kc7 5.Ke6 forced sequence to capture thepawn... Kc8 6.Kd6 Kb7 7.Kd7 the white king will capture thepawn and in doing so he will occupy one of the key squaresto promote the pawn... Kb8 8.Kc6 Ka7 9.Kc7 Ka8 10.Kxb6.The idea of key squares is very important, as it can be appliedwhen there are more pawns on the board. Whenever the baseof the enemy pawn chain is blocked by your own pawn, theking will be able to capture it if he occupies one of the keysquares.

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Occupying a key square does not guaruntee victory, it onlyleads to the capture of the pawn, then it is K+P vs. K. Aftercapturing the white pawn, black still has to promote his. 1.f4the only move to save the game, white has time to force adrawn K+P vs K ending (1.Kf2?? would be a terrible blun-der)... Ke4 2.Kg2! waiting to take the opposition when theblack king captures the pawn... Kxf4 3.Kf2 Ke4 4.Ke2 f45.Kf2 f3 6.Kf1 Ke3 7.Ke1 f2+ 8.Kf1 Kf3 draw.

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With the king on b2 the white king needs 5 moves to capturethe a7 pawn and the black king has to reach c7 on that mo-ment. Also 5 moves, but white can shoulder away the blackking. 1.Ke6 Kc3 2.Kd5! Kd3 3.Kc6 Kd4 4.Kb7 Kd5 5.Kxa7Kc6 6.Kb8 +- the rest is easy. If the stronger side has the pawnon the 5th rank (or further) and captures the enemy pawn, theending is won, unless we are dealing with rook’s pawns. Ifthe blocked pawns are less advanced or they are rook’s pawns,then defending king can draw if he manages to reach the rightsquare.

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• Pawns on Adjacent Files

When the pawns are on adjacent files it is easy to calculate theconsequences of the capture or defense of the pawns. Herethe white pawn is lost and when the black king captures it, hewill occupy one of the key squares, thus promoting, can whitebe saves? 1.e5! white manages to change the key squares:now they are d3, e3, and f3 and the black king cannot reachthem... fxe5 2.Kg2 Kf4 3.Kf2 now the black king is unable tooccupy the key squares therefore the ending is drawn.

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• Passed Pawns Most positions where both sides have passed pawns are sim-ple, they are mainly a pawn race. Some are situations where the kingsmust support their own pawn and at the same time hinder the opponent. Inthese endings there is an important motif: dual purpose king moves. Payattention to each player’s goals. The two main goals are: getting inside thesquare of the opposite pawn while also supporting the other.

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Two Blocked Pawns vs. One

• Two Blocked non-rook pawns vs. one:

When the blocked pawn is not a rook’s pawn, the ending is usually won,and the winning plan is simple: you have to give up your passed pawnto capture the enemy pawn and then reach a won King + Pawn vs. Kingending.

• Two Blocked rook-pawns vs. one:

– distant passed pawn: The winning plan is to give up the passed pawnto capture the rook’s pawn and then prevent the defending king fromreaching the drawing zone.

1.Kd4 Kd7 2.Ke5 Ke7 3.Kf5 Kd6 4.Kg6 Kxd5 5.Kxh6 Ke66.Kg7. If the stronger side has his rook’s pawn already onthe 5th or 6th rank, the ending is always won. Both playersmust try to advance their rook’s pawns as far as possible; ifthey are not blocked yet, theirs should be the first moves inthe ending.

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If the pawn is less advanced (4th, 3rd or 2nd rank) there is asort of geometric rule to calculate quickly whether the endingis won or not: Draw mentally the lines running from the twopawns to the f-file and see which line runs higher. The ruleapplies to all positions with blocked rook’s pawns even whenthe stronger side has his pawn on the 5th or 6th rank and forall normal king positions. In this position, black should draw:1.Kb3 Kb6 2.Kc4 Kc6 3.Kd4 Kb5 4.Ke4 Kxb4 5.Kf5 Kc56.Kg5 Kd6 7.Kxh5 Ke7 8.Kg6 Kf8 and the black king hasreached the drawing zone. The passed pawn is best placed asfar from promotion as possible.

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– bishop pawn (same wing)The stronger side always wins when his rook’s pawn is onthe original 2nd rank. The stronger side just has to push thebishop’s pawn to the 7th rank and then force the enemy pawnto move. 1.Kf6 h5 2.h3 h4 3.Kg6 1-0

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– central pawn (same wing): When the pawn is blocked on the 6th rank,the ending is drawn. When the pawn is blocked on the 5th rank, thedefending side can counterattack only if the central pawn has not ad-vanced. Therefore, usually won.

Multi-pawn endings:

• king against two passed pawns:

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floating square: if a square whose two vertices are occupiedby pawns on the same rank, reaches the back rank, then thepawns promote without help. If not, the pawns do not pro-mote. 1...a4 (if white starts 1.Kc3 Kh6 2.Kd4 a4 3.Kc3 wins)2.Kc3! Kh6 3.Kb4+ d4 4.Kxa4 king still inside the square ofthe d-pawns, capturing it and winning.

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When the pawns are separated by three files, if the floatingsquare does not reach the back rank, the king can hold thepawns but not capture them. 1.Kc4! Kh8! 2.Kc5 Kh7 3.Kc4Kh8.

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When the pawns are separated by just one file, they can de-fend each other if their floating square does not reach the backrank, they usually have to provoke zugzwang in order to pro-mote. 1...Kh8 2.Kc2 a2 -+

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• distant passed pawn:

White wins using the standard plan: white pushes the pawn,then the black king must chase the pawn, and then the whiteking penetrates and captures everything in sight. 1.h4 Ke62.h5 Kf6 3.h6 Kg6 4.Kxe5 Kxh6 5.Kd5 + Kg6 6.Kc5 Kf67.Kxb5 Ke7 8.Kc6 with a won ending.

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Chapter 4

Puzzles

The following 444 puzzles come from the ultimate chess puzzle book. The or-der of the puzzles start from the intermediate and advanced section, the cham-pionship section (of same difficulty), tests one through eight, and the last 50 areendgame puzzles. All puzzles are rated 2-4 difficulty.

For each puzzle, first find all hanging pieces, keep track of hanging piecesat each stage. Memorize/visualize each solution. Don’t get bogged down bydeep calculation and variations, the goal is to have a large bank of patterns in mybrain.

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

4.1 TACTICS PUZZLES

W B B WNc6. (1,2) Qxc6, Ra8, Kxa8, Qa7 mate. Qb1. (2,6) Qd1,Qxd1,Rxd1,Nf2 wins

material.c6. (6) Nxd6, Bd4, Kh1, Nxd6. If Na3then Qb6 then Qxb2.

Qxe5. (1,2) Rxe5, Rxf8. Or if Rf6 thenQb8.

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a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0skZ7o0Z0Z0Zp60Z0S0ZpZ5Z0o0Z0Z040ZpZqZnZ3Z0Z0Z0ZR2PO0L0ZPZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

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8rZblnskZ7Zpo0Zpap60Z0onZpZ5oNZ0Z0Z040ZPZPZ0Z3Z0M0ZPA02PO0ZBZPO1S0ZQS0J0

a b c d e f g h

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B B B WBh5. (3,4) Wins a piece. Rxe4. (5,6) Nxe4, f5. Wins material. Re7. (2,3,6) Wins material. Rb1. (3,6) Qxa3, Nb5, Qa2, Nxc7, Kd8,

Nxa8.

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a b c d e f g h

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a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7oBZ0Z0Z060Z0Z0Z0o5Z0lpZNZP40Z0Z0OpZ3Z0Z0s0Z02PZPZ0ZPZ1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

8rZbZka0s7opo0opop60ZnZ0m0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0O0Z0Z3O0M0ZNZ020l0APOPO1S0ZQJBZR

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W W B WKg2. (1) Mate. Rh1, or queen and rookon 7th rank.

Nfe6. (1,2,4) fxe6, Qxe7, Kg8, Ra8.Mate.

Bxd4. (1,5) Qxd4, Qc6. M or M. Tryingto get to g2.

Bf5. (6) After Re4, the queen is trapped.

80Z0ZrZrj7ZpZRZ0a06pZ0ZNlpZ5Z0ZBZpZ040Z0m0Z0Z3O0Z0Z0O020OQZ0O0Z1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0ZQmpj060s0m0ZpZ5Z0Zpl0Mp40Z0Z0M0O3Z0O0Z0O020Z0Z0O0Z1S0Z0Z0J0

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a b c d e f g h

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W B W BBd5. (1) Bishop can be taken two ways,either is mate.

Qf2. (2) Kxf2, g1Q, Kf3, Rf6. Qa8. (3,6) Loses bishop since Be6,Rxf8, Qxf8, Rd8.

Re6. (1,6) Threatening Rh6 and captur-ing on d3.

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80L0ZnZkZ7ZpZRZ0Z06pZ0ZplrZ5Z0Z0Z0Zp4PZ0ZPZ0Z3ZPZ0Z0Z020O0ZBZpZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZbS0skZ7Z0o0ZqZ060s0Z0o0o5L0Z0o0o040m0Z0Z0Z3M0Z0O0Z02PO0Z0OPO1JBZRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Zrj0Z7o0Z0ZpoQ60ZpZ0Z0Z5Z0Z0m0Z040Z0l0Z0Z3Z0ZBZ0Z02PO0Z0ZPZ1Z0Z0S0ZK

a b c d e f g hB B W WBb3. (6) Wins a piece on d file sinceRb1,Ba4.

Bh3. (1,3) mate or the b2 bishop. Bc4. (4,6) Qa5, Bxg7, Kxg7, Bxf7. IfKxf7 then Qe6.

Rg3. (1) Black can’t defend Bh6.

80Z0s0j0Z7ZBZ0mbop6pZ0s0o0Z5ZpZ0Z0Z040O0A0ZPZ3O0Z0Z0JP20Z0S0Z0Z1Z0ZRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0ZbZpa060Z0L0Zpo5ZqZBO0Z04po0Z0O0Z3Z0Z0Z0O02PA0Z0Z0O1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZrZkZ7opZnopap60ZpZ0ZpZ5Z0ZqA0Z040Z0O0Z0Z3Z0OBZ0ZP2PO0ZQOPZ1S0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0a0j7Z0Z0ZQop6pZ0o0o0Z5Z0Z0oPZ040o0ZPZ0O3Z0Z0ARZ02PO0ZqZPJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

W B B BBxb4. (2,3,5) cxb, Qc8, then Qxc1. Qe4. (1) Can’t stop mate. Rxc3. (3,5) Then bxc,Qxg5. Ng3. (1,2) Now black can mate on Qg2.

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a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0LNZ0op60Z0ZqZ0Z5Z0Z0ZpO040Z0Z0Z0O3O0Z0Z0O020Z0Z0O0J1Z0Z0s0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Zrl0skZ7o0Z0Z0op60o0ZRZ0Z5m0ZbZpM040Z0O0Z0Z3O0MQZ0Z020O0Z0OPO1S0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0ZPZ0ok60Z0Z0Z0Z5ZpZ0ZnZ040Z0Z0mQo3Z0Z0Z0Z020Z0l0ZPO1Z0Z0SKZ0

a b c d e f g h

B W W WQd8. (1) Then Qxg5, Kxg5, h6, Kf4, g5. Rg3. (1) Kf8, Qa8, Ke7, Qb7, Kf8, Qc8,

Ke7, Rg8, Qe3, Kh1, Qe1, Kh2. Mate.g4. (6) Pawn taken in three ways. M orM.

Bf5. (3,6) Win material.

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a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Zrj06pZ0ZpZ0o5Z0Z0O0Z040Z0ZQO0Z3Z0Z0ZRZP20Z0l0ZPZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0l7Z0Z0Z0s060o0o0Zrj5Z0oPZpZp4PoPZpO0O3ZPZ0Z0O020L0Z0ZRZ1ZKZ0Z0S0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7o0ZrZ0ak60o0ZrZpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040O0ZBZ0Z3Z0Z0O0O02PZQZ0O0Z1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

W B W BQxc4. (2,5) bxc4, Rb8, Qd8, Rxd8,Kxd8, Ne5 winning bishop.

Qxh3. (5) Black forces stalemate. Qxh7. (1,2) Kxh7, f6, Kh6, Rh4, gxh,Ne6+, Kh5, Bd1. Mate.

f3. (1) Going for perpetual with Qe5+and Qe3+.

80Z0ZkZrZ7Z0ZblpZp6pZ0ZpZ0Z5ZpZ0Z0Z040ZrLPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02PZ0Z0OPO1ZRZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0Z0Z0Z5O0Z0Z0Zk40O0Z0ZRo3Z0O0ApZP20Z0Z0O0J1Z0Z0ZqZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0arsnj7o0mqZpZp60opZ0Z0Z5Z0OpOPo040Z0O0MRZ3Z0Z0A0ZQ2POBZ0Z0O1Z0Z0Z0SK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZpZPA0Zk6pZ0Z0Zro5O0Z0Z0Z040O0Z0o0Z3Z0ZQZ0ZP20Z0Z0ZPJ1Z0Z0l0Z0

a b c d e f g hW B W WRg7. (1,2) Kh8, Rxa7, Rxa7, Rxf8 mate. Nxe2. (5) Rxd4, Nxd4, Qd3, e4, Nxe4,

Nxe4, Rxf8, Rxf8, Qxe4, Bxc4.Rxf7. (5) Then Rxa1. Rxe4. (2,5) Nxe4, Qxf8, Kxf8, Nd7

then Nxb6.

8rZ0Z0mkZ7o0Z0S0Zp60o0o0Z0A5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0Z0ZPZ3Z0s0Z0ZP2PZ0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0ZRZK

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0s0j7Zpo0Z0ap60Z0Zbm0Z5ZPo0o0Z040ZNl0mPZ3Z0M0Z0ZP20AQZBZPZ1Z0ZRZRZK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7s0Z0ZpZ060Z0o0SpZ5Z0o0l0Zp40m0ZPZ0Z3ZPM0O0ZP20Z0L0ZPZ1s0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0skZ7Z0Z0Zpop60l0Zpm0Z5o0Z0M0Z040Z0ObZ0Z3L0Z0Z0Z02PZ0Z0OPO1Z0Z0SBJ0

a b c d e f g h

W W W WQe6. (1,2) Then Re3. Queen or mate. b3. (3,6) Qa5, b4, Qa4, Bd1, Qb5, a4,

Qd3, b5 win material.Nd2. (6) Qb5, Qxb5, axb5, b7. e6. (6) Qxc2, exf7, Kh8, fxe8Q, Rxe8,

Rxc2.

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a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0skZ7o0ZpZpop6bonZpm0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z04qZ0ZPZ0Z3Z0O0L0Z02PO0MBOPO1S0A0J0ZR

a b c d e f g h

8rZrZ0ZkZ7Z0Z0opa06pO0o0Zpo5L0ZPZ0Z040ZpZNOnZ3ZqO0O0Ob20O0Z0Z0O1S0A0S0JB

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0ZrZkZ7opZ0Zpo060ZpZ0ZpZ5Z0S0OqM040Z0O0m0Z3Z0Z0Z0S02POQZ0ZPO1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

W B W WQxc6. (2,3,4) Wins B as Ke7, Bc1. Qcan’t defend B and can’t take a1 bc of Bg5.

Rd4. (1,6) Defends against Nd7 andthreatens Nxc1 and Rd1.

Rxe7. (1,2) Kxe7, Qd7, Kf8, Bh6, Kg8,Qd8, Nf8, Qxa8, Qc5, Rd8 #.

Qxh6. (1) Trying Rh7. Kxh6, Rh3,Kg5, Rf1, Kf4, g3, Kf5, f4, g5, g4, Kg6,f5, exf5, gxf5, Kg7, Rh7 #

8rZ0ZkZ0s7o0Z0Zpop60ZpapZ0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040ZQZ0Z0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02PlbA0OPO1S0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZRakZ7Z0Z0Zpop60Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0M0Z0Z04rZ0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02nZ0Z0OPO1Z0A0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0ZkZ0s7oRZ0apZp60ZpZponZ5Z0Z0l0Z040ZBZ0Z0Z3Z0ZQA0ZP2PZPZ0OPZ1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0lbs0Z7Z0Z0spj060ZpZpMpo5o0ZpO0Z04PZ0O0L0Z3ZPS0Z0Z020Z0Z0OPO1Z0S0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

B B B WBh3. (1,2) Kxh3 (Kg1 loses to Qxg3),Bxf2, Rg1, Bxg1. Mate or material.

Rxc1. (1,2,4,5) Rxc1. Rxc1, (or Qxd4,Qxd4, Rxd4, Rxe1 mate), Bxf2, Kxf2,Qxd3. Mate or material.

Rxf2. (1,3) Kxf2, Qd2, Kg3, Qe3, Kh4,Qf4, Kh3, Qg4 mate.

Be5. (3,6) dxe5, Qxd8.

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a b c d e f g h

8rZrZ0ZkZ7o0Z0Zpo060Z0Z0Z0o5Z0ZqZ0Z040Z0a0Z0Z3O0ZQZ0Z020Z0Z0OPO1Z0ARS0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0l0ZkZ7Z0Z0ZpZ060Z0ZpZ0L5Z0Z0ZpO040Z0ZbZ0Z3ZBZ0Z0Z020Z0s0O0O1Z0S0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rm0s0ZkZ7opZ0Zqap60ZpobZ0Z5Z0Z0ZpS040ZPZ0A0Z3Z0M0Z0O02PO0ZPO0Z1S0ZQJBZ0

a b c d e f g hB W W Wf6. (4,6) Qxc6 (Bd4 is worse), fxe5, Ke4,bxc6.

Qe3. (1) Trying to get to h6. Rg8, Ng5,Rxg5 (only move, else Qh3), Qxg5, Qf8,Bxh7, Kxh7, Rf3, Qh6, Rh3.

Nxd6. (3,5) cxd6, Qa3. Wins piece. Qc3. (1,2) Mate or queen.

8rZ0Z0skZ7opZ0ZpZ060ZqZ0Z0o5Z0a0A0o040Z0ZQZ0Z3Z0Z0OKZ02PO0Z0OPO1S0Z0Z0ZR

a b c d e f g h

80ZbZ0s0j7Z0ZnZpZp60o0ZpO0Z5ZPZpZ0Z040Z0L0ZPZ3l0ZBZNZ020Z0Z0SKO1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0oqZrZp60ZRm0ZpZ5ZNZPo0Z04nZ0ZBZ0a3Z0ZQA0ZP20s0Z0OPZ1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7opZrlnj060ZpZ0ZpZ5Z0Z0ZpZ04PZ0Z0O0Z3ZQZ0OPZ02BO0Z0ZKZ1Z0Z0Z0ZR

a b c d e f g h

W W B WRe8. (1,2) If Bxe8 then Qh7 mate.Or Qxe8, Rxe8, Rxe8, Qxd7 with doublethreat of mate or material.

Qh4. (2,3) Kf5,g4. Winning queen. Kh3. (1) Rg3, Qxg3, hxg3, Rc1, Qd1,Rxd1 mate.

Rxb6. (1) Either Qxa6, Rb8 or Rxb6,Rxb6, Qxb6, Qc8 is mate.

8rZ0l0Z0j7o0LbZ0Z060opZ0Z0O5Z0ZpZ0s040Z0a0ZPZ3Z0ZBZPZ02PO0ZRZKZ1Z0Z0S0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7o0Z0LpZ06bo0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0Z0ZkZ3ZPZ0Z0O02PZ0Z0lBJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0L0Z0Z7o0s0Z0o060Z0Z0ZRo5Z0Z0ZpZ040Z0Z0ZkZ3O0Z0O0Z020Z0Z0l0O1Z0Z0Z0ZK

a b c d e f g h

8kZ0Z0Z0Z7oqZ0ZpZ06Qa0Z0ZrZ5Z0ZrZ0Op40S0O0A0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z020Z0Z0OPZ1ZRZ0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

W W W WQxf7. (1) Rxf7, Rc8. Mate. Rd7. (1,6) Rc7, Qd6 threatening rook

and Qf8 mate.Rd4. (1) Preparing for Rh4. Qf6. (1) Bxf6, gxf6, d5, Rh8. Mate.

80Z0Z0skZ7o0Z0Zpop60o0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0oQZ040Z0ZrZ0Z3ZBZ0Z0Z02PZ0l0ZPO1Z0S0Z0ZK

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZ0Z0j7oqZ0ZpZp60o0Zpa0Z5Z0Z0ZpZ040Z0Z0Z0Z3O0ORZNO020O0Z0O0O1Z0ZQZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0skZ7ZpsqopZ06pZ0Z0mpL5Z0ZPS0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0M0Z0ZP2PO0Z0OPZ1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZrZ0ZkZ7Z0l0Zpa06pZ0obZpZ5ZpZ0Z0O040Z0MPL0Z3Z0M0m0Z02POPZ0Z0S1Z0J0Z0ZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

W B W BBf8. (1,2) Kg8, Bh6, Ra3, Kc2. Can?tprevent Rf8 mate

Kg7. (1) Rb7, Kh8, g4 (avoiding Rf2),Rg2, e4, hxg4, Ke3, Rad2, f5, e5 will mate.

Qe7. (1) Deflecting queen for mate. Na2. (6) Wins material.

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0jp6pZpZ0ZpZ5Z0A0Z0Z04PZ0Z0S0Z3Z0ZKZPZ02rZ0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZNZ7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0Zpj0Z5S0ZpZ0Zp40S0Z0O0Z3O0Z0OKO02rZrZ0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8kZ0m0Zrs7opZqZpZp60Z0ZpZ0Z5Z0S0ZpZ040ZPO0Z0L3Z0Z0OBZ02PZ0Z0ZPO1ZRZ0Z0ZK

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZ0skZ7Z0Z0lpop60Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0o0Z040mBZNZPZ3ZbZ0OPZ020Z0ZQZ0O1Z0S0ZRZK

a b c d e f g hB B B BRd7. (6) Rad1. (1,3) Threatening R8d2 mate. So

Qxb4, Qe5, Nd5, R8xd5, exd5, Qe2 thenmate.

Nh8. (6) h6, Be7, Rh5, Rb5 material. Nxe4. (3,5,6) Threaten queen. Afterknight retakes, knight is hanging, check atc2 and take knight.

80Z0Z0a0Z7Z0Z0s0jp6pZ0Z0opZ5Z0l0Z0Z040ZPL0APZ3ZPZ0ZPZ02PZ0Z0Z0O1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0ZkZ7o0S0ZpZp60Z0ZqZpZ5Z0Z0Z0O040oQZPM0O3ZPZ0ZPZ020OKZ0Z0Z1s0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80sbZkarZ7Z0l0ZpZ06pZ0opZnZ5Z0Z0Z0AP40o0ZPZ0Z3ZNZ0Z0Z02POPZNZQZ1Z0JRZ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

80jrZ0a0s7ZplbZ0o06pZ0opm0Z5Z0Z0m0Z040Z0ZPZ0O3ZNM0A0L02POPZBZ0Z1ZKZRZ0S0

a b c d e f g h

B W W Wd5. (1,6) Trying to mate at Rf1 but thequeen is defending it. Wins material eitherway.

f7. (1,2) Then Qh5 pins the rook andthreatens mate at h8.

Rg4. (3,6) Threatens the queen or win-ning a rook.

Qd3. (1) Threatening mate but Q is de-fending the N. After Qc6 then Qf3, pro-tecting R, deflecting/threatening Q and f7pawn.

8rZ0Z0skZ7o0Z0Z0Z060lpo0Zno5Z0Z0o0a04POQZPZpZ3Z0M0Z0Z020ZPZ0ZPO1S0ZRM0ZK

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0ZkZ0Z7ZqZpZ0Zr60obApO0Z5ZpZ0Z0o040Z0ZPZ0o3Z0Z0ZQZ02PZ0Z0OPO1Z0SRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80sbZkZrZ7Z0Z0ZpZp6pZ0ZpO0Z5Z0ZpL0Z040ZpS0Z0Z3Z0l0Z0Z02PZPZ0ZPO1Z0AKS0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8RZ0ZnZ0j7Z0Z0apop60Z0ZpZ0Z5ZqZ0O0Z040s0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0ZQ20ZPZ0ZPO1Z0Z0S0ZK

a b c d e f g h

B W W BBc3. (1) Threatening mate in one. Rb1,Ra2, Kc1, Rxb1, Kxb1, Kb3. No defenseto Ra1 mate.

exf6. (3,5) After Bxf6, Qxf6, exf6,Rdh1, White wins three pieces for a Q.

Qf3. (1,4,6) Trying to mate at Qa8 orthreaten to take R. After Rc1 then Rxa6.Black can?t stop either Ra8 or Qf6.

Rh1. (2,3) decoy, after Nxf2, queentakes queen.

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0ZpZ06rZ0ZpZpZ5ZrZPO0Op40akZ0O0O3Z0Z0Z0Z020ZKZ0Z0Z1Z0SRZ0A0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZ0ZkZ7Z0Z0opa060Z0o0mpZ5o0Z0O0Z04PZ0L0Z0S3ZqM0ZPZ020O0Z0ZPZ1ZKZRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0l0spZp6pZrZ0SpO5ZpZ0O0M040Z0O0L0Z3O0Z0Z0Z020O0Z0ZPJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80ZbZrZ0Z7Z0o0Zkop60oPo0Z0Z5ZPZPZPZ040Z0ZPZPZ3Z0LnZ0l020Z0ZRSBs1Z0A0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

W W W BRxc7. (2,4,5) Wins material. Rxe7. (2,4,5) Kxe7, Bxg6, Qg5, Qxg5,

hxg5, Bxh7.Rh3. (1,4) Trying to mate at Qh8. Rxa2. (1) After Kxa2, then Qa5, Kb1,

Ra8, c4, Qa2, Kc2, Qxc4, Kb1, Qc1 mate.

80Z0s0skZ7o0m0Zqa060o0S0Zpo5Z0Zno0Z040O0ZNZ0Z3O0ZQZNZP20Z0A0OPZ1Z0S0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZbZkZ0Z7ZpZ0mpZr6pZ0o0Zpo5Z0ZqZ0Z040Z0A0Z0Z3Z0OBZ0Z02PZ0L0OPO1Z0Z0SRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0L0Z0Z7ZbZ0Zqj06pZ0Z0ZpZ5ZpZpZpZ040Z0O0ZrZ3O0A0ZRZ020O0Z0OPZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZ0Z0Z7Z0l0jpZ060Z0o0o0a5Z0Z0oPZ04ro0ZPZ0o3Z0ZRZ0Z02POPZQZPO1ZKZ0ZNZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

B W W BNxf2. (5,6) White wants to fork at d3. IfRxf2, then Qxb2 wins material.

Rxd5. (4,5,6) White wants to fork at e6. Qh3. (1) Threatening mate at Qh5, orwinning material.

Rxf2. (1,4,5) Threatening mate or win-ning material.

80ZrZ0s0Z7Z0Z0Z0ok60Z0Z0Z0o5Z0Z0ZpZ040Z0l0ZnZ3Z0ZBZ0O020SpZPO0O1Z0L0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0ZkZ7Z0mqorZp6pZ0o0Z0Z5ZpobOpZQ40Z0Z0Z0M3Z0Z0Z0ZP20OPZ0OPA1Z0ZRS0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0ZR6rZ0Z0l0Z5Z0o0o0jp4pZPZPZpZ3O0ZpOrS020Z0Z0OQO1Z0Z0Z0ZK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0skZ7o0O0ZpZ060Z0ZpZ0o5Z0L0Z0o040S0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0O02rZ0Z0O0O1Z0Z0lBJ0

a b c d e f g hB B W WNf1++. (1,2) Mate unavoidable. Rab8. (1,4,6) Trying to setup back rank

mate. Qf3, Qxf3, gxf3, Rxb3, axb3, Bxf2,Kxf2, Rxd1.

Nh5. (4,6) Remove defender of bishop. Bxh7. (1,2) Classic bishop sacrifice.Mate or win queen. If Kg6, then Whiteshould play h4 and h5.

80Z0ZrZkZ7Zpo0Zpo060Z0l0Z0o5ZPZ0Z0Zb40ZBZ0Z0Z3Z0Z0ZNmP20L0Z0aPJ1ARZ0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0s0ZkZ7oQZ0Zpop60Z0Zpl0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0a0Z0Z3ZBZ0Z0Z02PZ0ZROPO1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0skZ7opZ0Z0o060Z0Zbl0o5Z0Z0anZ040Z0ZQZ0Z3Z0Z0A0M02PZBZ0OPO1ZRZ0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0l0skZ7opobmpop60ZnZpZ0Z5Z0ZpO0Z040Z0O0Z0Z3O0OBZNZ020ZPZ0OPO1S0AQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g hW B B Bf6. (1,2) Threatening to mate or winqueen by landing at Qh6.

Qg2. (2) After Ke3, then Rg3. Bxg2. (5) If king or queen takes bishop,it’s bad. If Kg3 then Rd3.

Nb4. (1) Mates or wins a rook.

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a b c d e f g h

80ZkZ0ZrZ7o0ZpZ0Z060o0Z0Z0Z5Z0ZpZ0ZR40Z0Z0O0Z3Z0O0ZKZ02PZQZ0O0Z1Z0Z0ZqZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7obZrZ0o060Z0ZpZ0Z5Z0o0ApL040ZPZ0Z0S3ZPZ0Z0ZP2PZ0Z0ZPJ1Z0ZqZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80j0Z0Z0s7ZpZ0Z0Z06pZpZpZ0Z5Z0ZnO0O040ZqZ0Z0o3Z0Z0ZQZ02PO0Z0O0Z1ZKA0Z0ZR

a b c d e f g hB B W BNc4. (1,6) Trying to mate on Qxf2. Qa6. (3) Then Bd8, taking away flight

squares.Nd7. (1) Mate or material. Qxd7, Rxg7,Kh8, Bxf6, Ne8, Rg8, Kxg8, Qg4, Ng7,Qxg7 mate.

Nb6. (4) Removing defender of bishop.

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a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZkZ0Z7Z0LnZ0Zp60Z0ZqapO5Z0o0o0Z040Z0ZPo0Z3Z0O0Z0Z020Z0A0OPM1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0skZ7Z0m0Zpop60Z0lpm0Z5Z0opM0Z040Z0Z0O0Z3OpZ0O0S020A0O0ZPO1S0ZQZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0skZ7opZnZpop60Zpa0o0Z5Z0ZqZ0Zb4QZ0Z0A0Z3Z0OPZNZP2PO0ZBOPZ1S0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g hW W B WQh6. (1) Trying to set up mate, witheither Re7 or Ng5.

Rxh8. (1) then Rxh8, Qxg6, Kf8, Re1,Qf7, Ne6, Ke8, Nc7, Kf8, Bh6.

Nxh2. (1,5) Mate or material. Rxe8,Qxg3, Kh1, Nf3, Rxf8, Kxf8.

Nxf7. (2,5,6) Mate or queen. Kxf7,Ng5, Ke8, Nxe6.

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a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0Zra7ZpZ0okZ060Z0o0mpZ5Z0Z0Z0A04pZqZ0M0Z3Z0O0ZPZ020OQZ0ZPZ1ZKZRZ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZrskZ7opZ0Z0op60Z0o0Z0Z5Z0oPZpZ040ZPZ0OnZ3Z0M0Z0Oq2PO0ZRZ0O1Z0ZQS0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrlkZ0s7obZnapZp60o0ZpmpZ5Z0Z0Z0M040Z0O0Z0O3O0ZBZNZ020O0AQOPZ1S0Z0J0ZR

a b c d e f g h

81-100

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

B B B BNxb3. (3,5) After knight takes, thenQxc4 threatening a lot.

Rb8. (3,4,6) Black wants to take g5then move queen to f4, forking two hang-ing pieces.

Bxe4. (1,5) Black trying to get his queento f2 or g1. fxe4, Rxg3, hxg3, Qxg3, willmate.

Rh1. (2,3,6) Queen is hanging.

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a b c d e f g h

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a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0ZkZ7ZbZ0Zpo06pZ0O0Z0o5ZpZ0Z0l040ZpZBZ0Z3M0O0sPOn2PO0Z0Z0O1S0ZQSKZ0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0Z0s7Zpl0jpZ06pZbSpZpZ5Z0Z0O0M040ZQZ0Z0Z3Z0O0Z0Z02PZ0Z0OPZ1S0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g hW B W WRe7. (2) Re7, Rg7, g6, Kxg6, Qg3, Kf5,Rxg7.

Kg6. (1) Threatening mate at f5. Ng3. (1,6) Threatening a capture on f5,winning rook after exchanges at f5. fxg4,Qe5, no defense to Qh8

Bxc5. (1) White trying to mate at Rd8.

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a b c d e f g h

8bZ0Z0Z0Z7o0Z0Z0j060Z0Z0o0Z5ZPM0s0o040Z0Z0OKo3Z0Z0Z0ZP2PZRZ0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0mkZ7ops0mrZp60Z0ZbZpZ5Z0OpZpL040Z0A0OPS3l0OBZ0Z020ZPZNZ0O1Z0Z0Z0SK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0j7ZqZ0a0o06rZ0Z0mPo5Z0o0MQZP40Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0A0Z020Z0Z0O0Z1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g hW W W WNe6. (1,4,6) After Bxe6, then Qb2+.Win rook

Nxf7. (1,5,6) Kxf7, Qxe6, Kf8, Bd6mate.

d7. (6) After bishop takes, then Rxa8,Rxa8, Ne4, threatening say Nf6, Kf8,Nxd7, Qxd7, Qh8.

Rh4. (1) Wins material bc rook ispinned.

80s0Z0l0j7Z0ZbZ0Zp60ZpZ0ZpZ5Z0OpZ0Z040Z0MpO0Z3ZRZ0O0O020Z0Z0Z0O1Z0L0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZqs0ZkZ7o0ZnZpa060opZpmpo5Z0Z0M0Z040ZPO0A0Z3Z0M0Z0ZP2PO0ZQOPZ1Z0ZRS0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZrZqZkZ7ZpZ0ZpZp60obOpZpZ5Z0Z0L0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3ZPM0Z0Z020O0Z0OPO1S0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0Z0Zrop60ZqZpZ0Z5o0Z0A0Zn40ZPZRZ0Z3O0Z0ZrZ020Z0Z0ZQO1Z0Z0Z0SK

a b c d e f g hW W W WRh8. (2,4) Kg7, Qd4, Rf6, Rd8, no de-fense to Rd7.

Bxf5. (2,5) exf5, Nxe7, Rxe7, Rxe7 ma-terial.

Bxh6. (2,5) If pawn takes, then Re6,and knight can fork. But if queen takes,then Qg5 then Re6. Mate or material.

Ng5. (2,4) hx, hx, Q to 7th ranks. ThenRh1, kg8, Qc3, Qg7 trade, Rxe6. Whitewins pawn or two.

80Z0LRZ0Z7oqZ0ZrZk60o0Z0ZpZ5ZPZ0ZpZp4PZ0Z0Z0O3Z0Z0Z0O020Z0Z0O0Z1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZqZ0ZkZ7ZbZ0aro06pZ0ZpZNo5ZpZ0ZpZQ40m0O0A0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02PO0Z0OPO1ZBZ0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0s0Z7ZbZrZ0ok60l0Z0Z0o5opanZpAQ40Z0Z0Z0S3ZBO0ZNO02PO0ZRO0O1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0Z0Z7o0ZrZ0Zk60Zpoblpo5Z0o0ZpZ040ZPZ0O0O3ZPZ0SNO02PZ0LPJ0Z1Z0ZRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g hW B B WQg2. (1,3,6) Threatens Qxa8 and Qg7.After Ke7, then Qg7 and f6, Qg4 givemate.

Re2. (1,6) Qxd3, Re1, Kh2, Qxd3,Rxd3, Rxd3, Nxd3, Rh1 #

Rxc4. (1,5) Qxc4, Bxf3, Kf1, Qxh3,Kf2, Ne5, queen or mate. N wanting g4+.If bxc then Ne5.

Qg2 . (1,4,5) Threatening mate on a8,or taking the rook at g5.

8rZ0Z0j0s7Z0l0ZpZ06pZ0Z0Z0o5Z0Z0oPZN40o0Z0o0a3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPZQZ0Z1Z0JRS0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0srZkZ7o0Z0Z0Zp60o0Z0ZpZ5Z0ZqZ0Z040Z0Z0OPZ3O0SpZbSP20O0L0M0Z1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZbZnZpjp60Z0Z0ZpZ5Z0o0Z0Z04NoNZrZPl3ZPZQZPZP2PZ0Z0ZKZ1S0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7o0s0Zpo060o0Zpm0Z5l0Z0Z0s04PZ0O0S0Z3Z0O0Z0SP20ZBZ0L0J1Z0Z0Z0Z0

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

B W B WNxa4. (1,5) After pawn takes, Qc6threatening either Rxc1, or Rb2.

Bh6. (1,6) White trying to mate at Qxf7.Bg7, Rxf7, Rxf7, Re8, Bf8, Rxf8 #.

Qc1. (1,2) After Qf1, Qe3, no defenseto Qe2,Qxh3, Kg1, Bd4, Kf1, Qh1# orb7, Qxa7 piece up, or Kh2, Be5 leading tomate.

Rxc4. (1,5) Then Qxd8+. Leads to mateor material.

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a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0skZ7ZRZ0ZpZp60Z0o0ZpZ5o0ZQa0Z04rZ0Z0Z0Z3Z0O0Z0O020ZqA0O0O1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZqZ0ZkZ7A0Z0opap60O0o0ZpZ5Z0ZbZPZ040O0Z0Z0Z3Z0ZBZ0ZP2PZ0ZQZPZ1Z0Z0Z0ZK

a b c d e f g h

80Zqs0ZkZ7Z0Z0Zpop60Z0ZnZ0Z5L0Z0S0O040orZ0Z0O3Z0Z0A0Z02PO0Z0O0Z1ZKS0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hW W B WBd5+. (2,5) Kh8, Bxc6, Rxc6, Rd8,Rxd8, Rxd8. Material.

Rxf6. (1,3,5) Then Qh6, threateningmate or the rook.

Qg5. (1) Threatens Qg3 or Rxh3, attackon dark squares.

Ng5. (1) Weak back rank. Rf8, Qe6,Kh8, Qf5.

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a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0s0j7opl0Zbop60ZrZpm0Z5Z0ZpZ0Z040Z0O0Z0Z3ZPZ0ZRMP2PZ0L0OPZ1ZBZ0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0s0s7Z0Z0Z0j060Z0o0ZpZ5o0ZPoqZ04PZpZQa0Z3Z0O0Z0ZP20ORZRZBZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

8bZ0ZrZkZ7ZqZ0Z0op6po0ZNZ0Z5Z0ZRL0Z040OrZ0Z0Z3O0Z0Z0O020Z0Z0Z0O1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g hB B W BQc2. (1) Queen trying to get to b1.Smothered mate.

Ndf4. (1) Queen trying to mate at g2. Rxf7. (1,2) Mate or queen. Kxf7, Rf1. Bd3. (1,6) clearing way for Qh3. cxd3,Qh3, Kg1, Re2, Qc3, Bg7, Rf2, Qg3, Rg2,Qe3, Kf1, Rxg2, Kxg2, Bxc3, a7.

80Z0ZkZns7Z0o0a0Zp60sqZpZpZ5Z0ZpO0Z040Z0O0ZPZ3m0Z0ZQZ02PO0ZNZ0O1J0A0SRZN

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZqZ0Z0ok6pZ0s0Zno5Z0SnopZ040O0Z0Z0Z3O0Z0Z0OP20Z0ZQO0Z1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZqZrj0Z7ZpZ0ZpaQ6pZ0o0ZpZ5Z0ZPZ0A040ZrM0ZnZ3Z0O0Z0Z02PO0Z0ZPZ1J0Z0ZRZR

a b c d e f g h

80ZqZ0a0j7Z0Z0Z0Zp6PZ0Z0ZpZ5Z0oBZbO040ZQZ0O0Z3ZNZ0s0Z020OPZ0Z0Z1Z0Z0ZRZK

a b c d e f g hB B B BBxg2. (1,2) Kxg2, Rg8, Qxg8, Kxg8, Rxe3. (5) Wins material. After took

takes back, then Qxd4.Nf4. (1) gxf4, Qxf4, cant preventQh2#.

Nh4. (1) Kg3, Qf3, Kxh4, g5, Kxg5,Rg8, Kh4, Qf6, Kh3, Qe6, Kh4, Qh6#.

80ZrZ0Z0j7Z0Z0ZQZp60Z0Z0o0Z5ZPZpZ0Z040Z0OpZ0Z3Z0Z0l0Zb20Z0ZBZPO1Z0Z0SKZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZrZrZ7ZboqZpZk6pZ0Z0apo5M0O0Z0Zn40Z0M0Z0Z3Z0Z0APZ020O0L0ZPO1S0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0ZkZp60ZpZ0ZpZ5Z0M0a0Zn40ZPZpZ0Z3APZ0ZqOP2PZ0O0O0Z1Z0Z0SRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80ZkZ0a0s7opZ0o0op60Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0O0Z0Zq4QZ0Z0Z0Z3Z0O0ZnZ02PO0Z0OKO1S0Z0ZRZ0

a b c d e f g hW B B BRb8. (2) Deflects king. After Qd8, it’smate or queen.

Nxf4. (5) If pawns takes, then e3+. Rxd3. (4,5,6) Wins material. Bd1. (1,6) Qxf2 mate unavoidable.

80ZkZ0arZ7Z0Z0ZpZp6pZPZqo0Z5Z0OQZ0Z04PZ0o0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0O020Z0ZrO0O1ZRZ0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZpZ0j0Z060s0ZbZ0Z5o0o0ZpZn4PZPZpO0o3ZPZ0O0sP20Z0S0JBZ1M0ZRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7ZbZ0opap60Z0Z0ZpZ5Z0ZrZ0Z040l0Z0Z0Z3Z0ZBLNZP20O0Z0OPZ1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZkM0Z0Z7ZpZ0o0Z06pl0o0ZpZ5Z0ZPs0Z040ZBZnZbZ3S0O0Z0Z020OQZ0OPO1Z0Z0ZKZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

W W B WNxc5. (5) Bxc5, Nxc6, Bxe3, Ne7, Kh8,fxe3 wins piece.

Rxc8. (1,5) Win after Qxg4. h3. (1) After Qe4+ and Nh4, threateningQg2 and Qg6.

Rc2. (4,6) To win the knight.

8rZbZ0skZ7ZplpZpop6pZnapZ0Z5Z0m0Z0Z04NZPM0Z0Z3Z0Z0ABO02PO0Z0O0O1S0ZQZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80ZbZ0skZ7Z0Z0ZqZp6pZ0S0o0O5ZpZ0Z0Z040Z0Z0LpO3ZPZ0Z0Z02PO0Z0Z0Z1J0S0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0Z0ZpZp6pZ0ZqZnZ5ZpZ0Z0Z040O0o0s0o3O0Z0Z0Z020APZ0ZPO1Z0ZQZRZK

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0s0j7o0Z0Z0Zp60Z0Z0opZ5Z0o0Z0Z040o0Z0L0O3Z0ZPZnO02PO0ZqM0Z1ZKS0Z0ZR

a b c d e f g hB B W WNxe3. (5) Bx, Rx, Qx, Nc2. Wins mate-rial.

Nf2. (1,2,4) Kxf2, Qxf4, Kg1, Qg5, Kf2,Qg2, Ke3, Rae8.

Bxh7. (1) Kxh7, Qh5, Kg8, Rf3, Nxe5,Rh3, f5, dxe5, Qe7, g6. If Bx then mate.

Nc1. (3) After Qxb2, Rf2,Qa3,Ra2,queen trapped.

80ZksrZ0Z7ZpobZpo06pZ0l0Z0Z5Z0Z0ZnZp40mPO0Z0O3ZQZ0ONO02PO0ZBZ0Z1S0A0J0S0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0skZ7Z0Z0Z0op6pZbZ0Z0Z5ZpZ0Zpl040ZpO0AnZ3Z0O0Z0Z02POBZQZ0O1Z0Z0SRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZ0skZ7ZbZnZpop6pm0lpZ0Z5Z0ZpM0O040o0O0O0Z3Z0MBOQZ02PO0Z0Z0O1Z0S0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0mkZ0Z7Zps0Z0a060Z0Z0Zps5o0OPo0Zp4PZRZQZ0O3ZqZ0Z0O020O0ZNZKZ1Z0Z0ZRZ0

a b c d e f g hB W W WNxa4. (5) After retakes, wins pawn asbxa yields fork of b3.

g5. (4,6) After Qf7, Bxd7,Rxd7. Rook ishanging.

Rxe8. (1,5) After retake, Qf7. Whiteahead in pawns.

Rxf7. (1) cxb2, Rf1, b1Q, Rxg7, Kh8,Rg8, Kxg8, Qf7, Kh8, Bg7#.

8rZ0Zns0j7ZqZbZ0Zp60m0o0ZpZ5o0ZPo0Z04Po0ZPoPO3ZPZBZPZ02KMRZ0L0Z1Z0S0Z0M0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Zpobs0Zp6pa0o0lpZ5Z0ZPZ0Z040O0OroPO3Z0Z0OQZB2PZ0Z0SNZ1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZksrZ0Z7Zpo0Z0op6pm0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0ZpZ040Z0l0Z0Z3ZQZBZ0Z02PO0Z0OPO1Z0S0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZrZ0ZkZ7Z0Z0Zpop6pZbZ0S0A5Z0Z0o0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3ZPo0ZQZ020OqZ0ZPO1S0Z0Z0ZK

a b c d e f g hW W B BQxa7. (1,2) After b8Q and rook takes,Ra5 is mate.

Nc2. (1) Black has no defense to Nb4.Kb7, a6.

Ng3. (1,2) hxg3, hxg3, Kg1, Ke7, Rh1,Kxh1, Rh8, Kg1, Rh1, Kxh1, Qh8, Kg1,Qh2#.

Rg1. (2) Bxg1, hxg1Q, Kxg1, Rg8, loserook or allow Kh2, Rg2, Kh1, Qh3#.

80j0Z0Z0s7mPZ0Z0Z06QZpZ0s0o5Z0ZRZ0o04PZ0O0Z0Z3ZRZ0Z0O020Z0Z0O0O1Z0ZqM0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0ZpZ06kZ0Z0m0Z5O0LpZ0o040Z0Z0Z0o3Z0J0MPZP20Z0Z0ZPZ1ZqZ0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8qZrZkZ0s7ZbZ0Zpo06pZ0ZpZ0Z5O0a0Z0Zn40oNZPZ0o3Z0ZBAPZ020O0ZQZPO1S0Z0ZRZK

a b c d e f g h

80ZkZ0Z0s7opZqZRZ060ZpZ0Z0Z5Z0ZpO0Z040Z0O0Z0m3Z0ZPA0Z02PO0Z0Zro1Z0ZQZRZK

a b c d e f g hW B W BNxg6. (1,5,6) After Ne7+, Qg4 matesquickly.

Rxg3. (1,4,5) After taking, Rg4. Qg7+. (2) Bxg7, fxg7, Kg8, Bxh7,Kxh7, gxf7Q, Qe4, Qf3, Qc2, Qf2, Qe4,Kg1.

h2. (1) Then Qg1+.

8rm0Z0skZ7ZqZ0Z0ap6pZ0Z0opZ5ZpZNM0Z040Z0Z0Z0L3Z0Z0Z0Z02PO0Z0OPO1Z0ZRS0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Zrj7o0Z0Z0Zp60Z0Z0o0Z5Z0Z0ZqZ04PZ0O0Z0s3Z0Z0OQS020Z0Z0OKZ1Z0ZRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0s0j7opZbZ0Zp60Z0ZpO0a5Z0ZpZ0Z040Z0Z0ZQZ3ZPZBl0O02PA0Z0ZKO1S0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0Z0Zpo060ZPZpZ0Z5Z0Z0O0Z040Z0Z0O0Z3Z0L0ZPZp20ZPZ0J0Z1Z0ZqZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

W B W WRg7. (1,6) Rg8, Nd4, Rgxg7, Nxf5,Rg5, Ne3.

Bh6. (6) No defense for Be3. Rxf7. (5) Rxf7, Be6, Kg7, Bxf7, a6,Nd6, Be7, Rf1, Bxd6, Be6, Qe8, exd6

Bh3. (1) Deflecting bishop from Qf7.

8rZ0Z0Z0j7opo0ZrZp60Z0ZNo0L5Z0ZPZqZp40Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0ZPZ02POPZ0Z0Z1Z0J0Z0S0

a b c d e f g h

80ZbZ0ZkZ7Z0Z0lpa06pZ0Z0ZpZ5ZpZpZ0Z040Z0Z0Z0o3ZNO0ZPmP2PO0Z0LPA1ZBZ0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80s0l0skZ7opZ0ZpZp60mnZ0ZpZ5ZNZpO0a040Z0O0ZBZ3ZPZ0Z0ZQ2PA0Z0ZPO1Z0ZRZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Zrl0ZkZ7Z0Z0SpZ060ZrZbLpZ5Z0ZpZ0Zp40Z0Z0Z0O3Z0Z0O0O020Z0Z0OBJ1ZRZ0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hB W W BNxb3. (5,6) Nxb3, Nxc4, Qb4, Bxb2,Rab1, b6 Winning two pawns.

Rf3. (6) Re2, Nxe2, Bxe2, Rf2. Rxh4. (2) After gx, Bxe3 white wins exd4. (1,5) Then Nxd4,Rxd4. AfterQxd4, Rd8. Mate or queen.

80ZrlrZkZ7ZpZ0Zpap6pZ0o0ZpZ5Z0mPm0Z04PZPM0Z0Z3ZPZ0ZBZ020A0L0ZPO1S0Z0ZRZK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Zpj060o0Z0ZpZ5Z0ZpZpZ040Z0MqO0o3O0Obs0ZP20O0L0SPJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0ZQZr60o0Z0O0j5oqZ0Z0o040Z0Z0ZRo3Z0Z0a0ZP20Z0Z0ZPZ1Z0ZRZ0AK

a b c d e f g h

80Zks0s0Z7Zpo0Z0o06pZpZ0Z0Z5Z0Z0o0Zp40O0OPZ0Z3ZNZQAqZ02PO0Z0O0Z1Z0Z0J0S0

a b c d e f g hW W W WQxh6. (2,3) gx, Bf6+, Kh7, Rg7. Wind-mill wins queen.

Ne6. (6) Wins the exchange. fxe6, dxe6traps queen.

Qc1. (3) Double attack. Rxg7. (1,5,6) After Rx, Rg1, Rag8,Bxg7, Rx, Qf8.

80ZrZ0s0j7obZqApo060o0Z0Z0o5Z0Z0o0ZQ4PZ0Z0Z0Z3ZBZ0Z0S020Z0Z0OPO1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZnsrZkZ7opoqapo060Z0o0mbo5O0ZPZ0Z040Z0M0O0Z3ZPM0ZBAP20ZPZ0LPZ1Z0Z0SRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0s0s7ZpZqZ0j060Zpo0Z0Z5o0Z0opo040ZPZPZ0Z3OPZPZPO020ZnZNS0O1ZRZ0ZQJ0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0Z0j7Z0Z0s0op6popZPZ0Z5Z0ZnZ0Z040Z0Z0Z0O3ZPZ0ZQZ02PAPl0Z0Z1ZKZ0Z0SR

a b c d e f g hW W W BBe4. (1,6) White trying to get Q in andget a lot of material.

Qc4. (1,2,4) Then Q can take c8. Rxd5. (4,5) Wins material. Qc1. (1) Trying to mate on h1 and tryingto promote pawn.

8rZ0l0skZ7Z0Z0o0a06pZ0Z0o0A5ZbZPmQop40o0Z0Z0Z3ZNZ0Z0OP2PO0Z0OBZ1Z0S0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZbZ0akZ7Z0ZqZ0Zp60o0Z0ZpO5Z0Z0ZpO04pZ0LpM0Z3Z0Z0A0Z020O0Z0ZBZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0ZpZ0op6pZ0ZpZ0Z5ZpOnSrZ040O0L0Z0Z3O0l0Z0AP20Z0Z0OPJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0Z0S0o06pZ0Z0Z0o5o0ZbZPZ040ZqZ0Z0O3Z0ZpZ0O020O0Z0L0J1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hW B W BRa3. (3,6) Trapping the queen. Qxa3,bxa3, Bxf3, Bxc5 pawn up. Qc2!

Bh3. (1,2) Kg1, Qd1, can’t deal withthreats Qxe1# or Qf3.

Rxe4. (5) After Bx,Ne6 discovered at-tack on e4.

Nh3. (1,2) After gx, then Bb7 trying tomate on h1, but once Re4, black wins theexchanges.

80Z0Z0skZ7S0Z0Zpap60Z0M0ZpZ5Z0obO0Z040Z0Z0O0Z3Z0ZqABZP20O0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0srZkZ7o0ZqZpap60Z0ZbZpZ5Z0o0o0Z040ZPZNZ0Z3L0O0Z0O020O0Z0OKO1S0A0S0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0l0Z0Z7onZ0Z0ok60o0A0a0o5Z0Z0ZbZ040L0MrZ0Z3Z0Z0ZNZ02PO0Z0OPO1S0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZbZ0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0j06pZqo0s0Z5O0o0o0Zp4RZ0Z0m0O3ZPZ0Z0O020ZPZ0ZPM1Z0ZRLBJ0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

B B B WR2e3. (1,6) There’s no defense againstRh4. Will win queen or mate.

Na3. (2) If Ka1, then Qxc3, bxc3, b2#.If Kc1, Qxc3, bxc3, bxa2, Kd2, Nb1 mate-rial.

Rxf2. (1,4,5) Black is trying to mateat Qg2, or get rid of Rc as to take queen.After Nxf8, Rx, Rff2, Qxc4, wins material.

Qd1. (6) Black has no flight squares.Ne4, then Be1.

80Z0ZqZ0Z7S0S0Zpok60Z0Z0a0o5Z0o0ZPZP40O0ZrZ0Z3Z0Z0ZQAK20O0ZrZ0O1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80s0ZkZrZ7Z0l0apZ060Z0o0m0Z5Z0Z0oPo040ZnZPZ0Z3ZpLBZNAP2PO0Z0Z0Z1ZKZRZRZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0s0Z7Z0Z0ZrZk60o0ZNZpZ5Z0a0Z0Zp40ZQZ0ZqZ3Z0Z0Z0Z02PZRZ0OPO1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

8rs0Z0akZ7Z0o0ZpZp6pZ0Z0mpZ5S0MpZ0Z040OqO0Z0Z3Z0A0O0O020ZQZ0O0O1Z0S0Z0J0

a b c d e f g hW W B WNg5. (1) Trying to mate at Rxh7. AfterRc7, Rd4, Qxd4, Rf8.

Bc1. (1) Mate unavoidable. Qf7. (2,3) Winning rook and setting upbattery, so Rxf5.

Qe3. (1,6) Either Qb1, Bc3, Kh7, Ndf8,Rxf8, Nxf8#, or Kh7, Ndf8, Rxf8, Nxf8,Kg7, Bc3 fork.

80ZrZ0Z0j7ZpZ0ZRZp6pZ0lNZpZ5Z0Z0m0Z04PZ0ZRZ0Z3ZBO0Z0ZP20Z0Z0ZPZ1Z0Z0Z0ZK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0S0Z7Z0l0ZpZk60opZrZpZ5o0ZnO0Zp4PZ0Z0Z0Z3ZPZ0Z0OP20A0L0O0Z1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Zko0l0Z060ZpZ0Z0Z5Z0ZrZRZK40Z0Z0ZPZ3Z0Z0Z0Z02QZ0Z0ZPZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80s0Z0Znj7o0ZNm0Z060ZpoNZbo5Z0ZPZ0Z040ZPZ0ZPZ3Z0Z0Z0Zp2Pl0AQZBJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hW W W BQxe5. (5) Then fxe5, Rxc8, Qxc8, Ne7wins material.

Nd6. (4,6) No defense against Qg7.Wins material.

Nxe6. (5,6) After fxe6, Qx, Qf7, Qxf5.Wins material.

Bf5. (1) Trying to get took to e1. IfKnight takes, then Re1, Kf2, Rxh1. Butif Qe2, then Rae8.

80ZnZ0ZkZ7ZqZ0Z0op6pZ0o0o0Z5ZpZPsNZ040Z0L0Z0Z3OPS0Z0ZP20Z0Z0OPZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0s0Z7ZbZ0j0Z06pZ0Zpo0L5Z0m0o0o040ZNZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZPOp20ZqZBZ0O1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80s0s0ZkZ7opl0Zpop60ZbZpa0Z5Z0O0ZnZ040Z0O0M0Z3ZQZ0Z0O02PA0Z0OBO1S0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZbZ0ZkZ7opo0ZpZp60Z0Z0lpa5Z0ZPZ0Z040Z0ZrZ0Z3Z0OQM0Z02PO0Z0ZPO1S0A0Z0JR

a b c d e f g hW B W Bf5. (4,6) Trying to fork at f6 or take h3. d5. (6) Wins a piece. exd5, exd5, Bxa6,

Rxa6. Nxd3.Bxh7. (1) Greek gift. Kxh7, Ng5, Kg6,h4, Qd7, Qg4, Nf5, Nxe6. Or Kxh7, Ng5,Kg8, Qh5, Re8, Qf7, Kh8, Nxe6.

Rxf3. (3,5) Then knights forks at d4.Watch Bc1.

80Z0m0s0Z7s0Zqmpj06po0o0Zpo5ZPo0Z0Z04PZPZPO0O3Z0ZPZ0Zb20Z0M0ZBM1SQZ0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZnZ0Z7Z0Zbj0Z06ps0opo0Z5Z0Z0m0o040ZBMPZ0Z3ZPZNZPZ02PZRZ0JPZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8rm0l0skZ7o0o0mpop6bo0ZpZ0Z5Z0ZpO0Z040Z0O0Z0Z3O0OBZNZ020ZPZ0OPO1S0AQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0skZ7Z0ZnZ0Zp6qZ0onZpa5Z0o0o0Z04PZ0ZPZ0Z3ZRZ0ZNOP20OQZ0O0J1Z0ANZ0Z0

a b c d e f g hB B B WBh3. (1) Then Qxh5. Rb2. (1) Black trying to mate with

knight on f3 and rook on h2. Nd5, Nxf3,Nxf4, Qxh2, Rxh2, Rxh2#

Qc4. (1) Mate at Qh4. Rxe4. (5) fxe4, Qe6, Kh8, Qxh6, Nf5,Ng6, Kg8, Rxd5. Material.

80s0Z0s0j7Z0Z0Zqa06RZ0obZ0o5Zpo0o0oP40Z0ZNZ0Z3Z0ZPMnO020O0Z0OKZ1Z0ARZQZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0o0Z0j060o0o0Z0Z5ZPZ0o0o040ZPmPsPo3ZrM0LPZq20Z0Z0S0O1Z0Z0ZRZK

a b c d e f g h

80ZqZ0ZkZ7ZpZ0ZpZ060Z0Z0O0Z5Z0ZPZQop4pZ0Z0Z0Z3O0Z0Z0ZK20O0Z0S0O1Z0Z0Z0s0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZrskZ7Z0Z0m0op60Z0Z0Z0a5ZqZpMpZ04pO0ZnZ0Z3O0Z0Z0OQ2BA0ZRO0O1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

181-200

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

B W W BNxh3. (2,5) Either Qxe4 or Qxf1. Winsat least a rook.

Rxe7. (2,4,5,6) Then Qxc6, wins rook. Bxh6. (1,5) Wins a pawn as gxh is mate.gxh, Qg6, Kh8, Qxh6, Kg8, Bxe6, Bxe6,Rg3#

Re6. (6) Win the knight.

80Z0Z0s0j7Z0o0Z0Zp6poNo0ZpZ5Z0ZPo0s04POqZQmBZ3Z0Z0S0ZP20Z0Z0O0Z1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0ZkZ0s7ZqZ0opap6pZpZ0mpZ5Z0L0Z0Z040Z0Z0A0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPZ0OPO1SNZ0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZbl0skZ7ZpZ0Z0o060m0ZpZ0o5oPZ0MpZQ40m0O0Z0Z3SBZ0Z0Z020O0Z0OPO1Z0A0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZrskZ7o0Z0Zqo060o0Z0ZNo5Z0Z0opZQ40Z0m0O0Z3Z0Z0S0O02PO0S0ZKO1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hW W W BRa6. (1,6) Wins the queen since Qc7mate.

Ne5. (6) Then Rf4 trapping queen. Rxf7. (5,6) Then Qxf7 and h7. gxf2. (2) Mate if h1, or wins rook.

80j0s0Z0Z7o0Z0ZpZ060l0Zpm0Z5ZrZ0Z0Z040ZQZ0Z0Z3Z0ZpZ0O020O0Z0OBO1S0S0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZbarZkZ7o0Z0Zpop60opZpm0Z5Z0Z0Z0Zq40ZPORZ0O3Z0Z0ZNZ02PO0A0OPZ1S0ZBL0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0ZqZpo060o0Z0Z0O5Z0ZPZRZ040Z0a0Z0Z3s0Z0OQZP20Z0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0ZNJ0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0Z0j7Z0Z0Z0ap6NZ0L0ZpZ5ZpA0o0Zn40O0ZPZ0l3Z0Z0Z0oP20Z0Z0O0Z1Z0S0ZNJ0

a b c d e f g hW B W BRxe6. (5) After Rx then Qxf5 and winsrook.

Ra2. (6) Pins and wins the knight. Nxe6. (1,5,6) Wins exchange, as fx al-lows mate.

Bc5. (1) Blacks trying to get his bishopto g1 to mate.

80s0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0skop6RZRZpZ0Z5Z0ZpOpZ040Z0Z0O0l3ZnZQA0ZP20O0Z0ZPJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0Z0Z0Z06bZ0Z0opo5Z0Z0o0Z040A0ZPZ0Z3s0Z0aPZ020Z0M0ZPO1Z0S0Z0ZK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0l0skZ7ZpZ0apZ06pZbZpZpo5ZnM0O0Z040O0O0Z0Z3O0ZQZNZ020Z0Z0ZPO1ZBS0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0a0Z7ZpZ0ZpZk6pZ0Z0ZpZ5Z0ZNo0Zp40Z0ZPZ0Z3ZPZQZ0ZP20OPZ0ZPJ1Z0Z0l0Z0

a b c d e f g hW B B WRxd5. (5) Wins rook (by Qc7+) orqueen (by QxRd5 then Bxf5+, Kg8 andQe7...).

Bc2. (5,6) Wins material. Rh1+. (1) Black gets his queen to f2mate. Qh6, Kg1, Qh2, Kf1, Qh1, Ke2,Qxg2, Ke1, Qf2.

Rxh5. (1) Mate unavoidable.

80s0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Zk6rZpZqZ0o5O0LnZpo040O0SpZ0Z3Z0ZbO0OB20A0Z0O0O1S0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZrZkZ7Z0ZqZpo06pZ0Zrm0o5ZpZpZ0Z04POnObZ0Z3ZQM0ZBO020Z0Z0OPZ1S0Z0SNJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0s0Z7oko0Z0Z060o0oqZ0Z5Z0Z0Zpo04PZPZ0Z0Z3Z0OQOPo020Z0Z0ZPs1S0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80m0s0ZkZ7ZpZqo0m06rZ0Z0oPZ5o0ZpZ0Zp40ZNZPZ0S3OPZ0Z0O020A0ZQZKZ1Z0Z0Z0ZR

a b c d e f g hW W W WQxc5. (5) Getting queen to 7th rank isunavoidable.

Rc1. (1,6) After Qxc1, Qf6, Kh7, Qe7,Kh8, Nf6.

Rxc6. (5) Wins material. Either Bxc6,Qc4, Qf7, Nf6 (bc fork), Kh8, Nxe8, Kh7,Nf6, Kh8, Qxc6. Or Rd8, Qc4, Qf7, Nf6,Kh8, Nxe4, Kh7, Rxc7.

Qc6. (1,3,6) Threatening Qd7.

80s0Z0s0j7S0Z0Z0Zp60Z0Z0opZ5Z0o0o0a040ZBZPZbZ3Z0MPZ0Z020lPZ0LPO1Z0Z0ZRZK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0Z0Z7ZbZ0Z0j06pZ0m0Zpo5ZpZpZ0Z040O0Z0ZNZ3ZPl0Z0OP2PZ0Z0LBJ1Z0Z0ZRZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZrskZ7o0oNZ0Zq60ZpZ0Z0o5Z0Z0Z0oP40Z0LbZpZ3ZPZ0O0Z02PA0Z0O0Z1Z0S0J0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80l0Z0snj7Z0S0Z0Zp60Z0o0apZ5Z0ZPZpZ04rOQApO0Z3Z0Z0Z0O020Z0Z0Z0O1Z0S0ZBZK

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

B B W WRf3. (6) Traps the queen or mate. Nd5. (6) Threatening to win an ex-

change. If Qc4, then Nb6.Nxh7. (1) After king takes, thenRxg7,Kx,Qg5+, mate unavoidable.

Be7. (1,6) Then either Qb8 or Qb6 leadsto Bxc5,Nxc5,Qxf7.

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZkobZ0Z060Z0Z0ZrZ5Z0oPZpZ040ZPZpL0S3oPZ0M0sP2PZ0ZRZPJ1l0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80s0Z0skZ7obopl0op60ZnZpm0Z5Z0o0ZpZ04QZ0O0Z0Z3ONOBOPZ020Z0Z0ZPO1ZRA0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0s0j7Z0Z0opmp60Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0o0OPM040Z0s0Z0Z3ZqZPLRZP20Z0Z0ZRZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZ0ZkZ7S0ZnZpa060Z0ZpZpZ5Z0mpO0A040l0M0L0Z3ZPZ0ZNO020Z0Z0OKZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hB W W BRa1. (6) Qxf3, Rxe1, Kg2, gxf3, Kxf3,Rc1.

Bd5. (1,6) Qd7, Bxa8, gxh6, Rad1. (Ifinstead exd5, exd5, Qb6, Rxe8 enablingmat at g7).

d6. (6) Qd7, Rc1, Kb8, Rc7. Qd1. (2) Trying to mate at g2. Nf1, Bb5,Qxe6, Kg7, Qxd5, Qxf1, Kh2, Bc6.

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZRZ0m0Z060ZpMpakZ5Z0O0o0Zp4rZ0ZPZpZ3ZQZ0ZqO020Z0Z0O0O1Z0Z0A0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZbans0j7Z0Z0Zpop6pZqopZ0A5ZpZ0Z0Z040Z0ZPM0Z3ZBZ0Z0L02POPZ0OPO1S0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Zkm0ZQZ7o0l0Z0Zr60Z0ZpZ0Z5Z0ZPspZ040Z0Z0ZpZ3ZPZ0Z0ZP2PZ0M0SPZ1Z0Z0ZRZK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7ZpZbZ0Z06pZ0Lpo0Z5Z0ZnZ0oq40Z0O0Z0Z3O0Z0A0Z020O0Z0OPM1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g hW W B BRxg7. (1,5,6) Kxg7, Qg6, Kf8, Bb4. Nxe5. (5,6) Both replies of Bxd1 or

fxe5 lose a piece. Bxd1, Nxc6, Ne7, Nxd8,Kxd8, Rxd1. Or fxe5, Qxg4.

Rxc3. (4,5) Qxa6, Bxe3, Kf1, Rxc2,Qxb7, Rxc1, Ke2, f4. Winning more mate-rial.

Rxf2. (2,5) Kxf2, Qxd6. Wins a piece.Nxe4.

80Z0ZrZ0j7ZpZ0l0o06pZbZ0o0o5Z0Z0ZQZP40Z0Z0ZRZ3O0A0O0Z020O0Z0OPZ1Z0Z0J0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0lkZns7ZpZ0Z0op60Zna0o0Z5o0Z0o0Z040ZPo0ZbZ3O0ZPZNO020O0Z0OBO1SNAQS0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZkZ0s7opZbZpZp6qZ0ZpZ0a5Z0ZpOpZ040O0O0Z0Z3O0M0ONZ020ZRZQZPO1Z0S0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0skZ7Z0ZqZ0Zp60Z0MpZpZ5Z0Z0L0Z04pO0ZBZ0Z3O0Z0Z0O020Z0m0OKO1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hW W B BNg5. (2,6) hxg5, fxg5, Rg6, Qh5. Winsrook.

Rh3. (1) h5, Qg5 (threatening Qh6),Qxf6, Nxf6, Bxh3, gxh3.

Qc7. (1,2,3) g3, Rxf2, Kh1, Rd1 thenmate.

Be3. (1,6) Qxe3, Qd6 then mate. OrQc7, Qe7 and mate.

8rZ0Z0Z0Z7ZpZ0Z0ok60Z0abs0o5o0ZpZpZ040l0O0O0Z3ZBZ0ZNZP2PO0ZQZPZ1Z0Z0SRZK

a b c d e f g h

80sbZ0s0j7Z0Z0Zpap6po0ZqApZ5Z0oNo0Z040Z0ZPZ0L3Z0ORZ0Z02PZ0Z0OPO1ZRZ0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0s0j7o0ZqZ0op60o0ZQZ0Z5Z0Z0Z0MR40Z0Z0Z0Z3ZPZ0Z0ZP20ZPZ0OPJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0s0Z7o0ZPZ0j060Z0Z0lPa5Z0L0Z0Z04PZpZ0Z0Z3JpZ0Z0Z020O0Z0Z0O1Z0Z0Z0S0

a b c d e f g hW W W BRd8. (2) Rxd8, Bh3, Rd7, Rxd7 losinga-rook after discovered check.

Bxg7. (1) Bxg7, Re8, Bf8, Rxf8, Kxf8,Qh8 mate.

Bxd4. (1,5,6) Rxd3, Rg4, Qd7, Bxf6. c5. (1,6) Bxc5, Be7 deflecting. Tryingfor Qxf2.

80ZkZ0Z0s7opo0Z0o060Z0Z0o0Z5ZPZ0Z0Z04rZ0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0J0Z020Z0S0ZBZ1Z0ZRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8rZbZ0akZ7Z0l0Zpo06pZ0o0Z0Z5Z0ZPZNoQ40mpZ0Z0Z3Z0Z0S0Z02PA0Z0OPO1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0ZkZ7obZ0Z0o060oqZ0mQo5Z0Z0Z0Z040ZPo0O0S3Z0ZBs0Z02PA0Z0ZPO1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0o0Z0o06pZ0ZpZ0Z5Z0Z0Oqap40Z0A0Z0Z3LPZ0Z0ZP2PZrZ0OPZ1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

B W W BQb1. (2,4) Ke3, Qg6, Qb2, Kxe7, Qb7,Kxd6, Qxa8, Qg1. Two pawn advantage.

d7. (6) Rxc2, dxe8Q, Qxe8, Nef6, Kf7,Nxe8, Rb2, Kc1. Winning position.

Rg7. (1) Can’t avoid mate at Bd7. f5. (1,6) Which threatens Ng5 and Qf1,Kh4, g5, Kxh5, Qh3, Kg6, Qh7 mate.

8rZ0Z0Z0Z7o0ZkA0Lp60ZpMpZ0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3O0ZKZ0Z020Z0Z0Z0O1Z0l0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZrZkZ7Z0Z0Z0a060o0OqZpZ5Z0Zbo0Z040Z0ZNZNZ3o0Z0ZPZ02PZQZ0ZPZ1ZKZRZ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZpS0Z0Z060Z0ZkZ0Z5ZBZpO0op40Z0OpZ0Z3Z0Z0ObO020Z0Z0Z0s1Z0Z0J0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7o0Z0ZpZ060Z0Z0ZpZ5Z0ZRZ0Zp40Z0MnZ0Z3Z0Z0OQOK2PZ0Z0O0O1ZrZ0Z0l0

a b c d e f g hW W W BBe5. (1,6) Threatening Bxf6, Kxf6, Qc3.So Bxe5, Nxe5, Rxd6, Nxf7, Qxf7, Qe5,Kg8, Qxd6. Win queen.

f7. (1,6) Rxd6, f8Q, Rxf8, Qxf8, Kh7,Rf7, Kg6, Qg7 mate.

Re3. (4,6) Qd4, Rd3. Queen can’t pro-tect f6.

Nd6. (1) Stopping counterplay. Qxd6,Ra2, Kxa2, Qxh2, Ka3, Qb2, Ka4, Qb3,Ka5, Qb5 mate.

80Z0s0m0Z7obZ0Spj060o0O0apo5Z0oqZ0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3O0Z0ZNAB20O0Z0OPO1Z0Z0L0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0Z0j7ZbZ0Z0Z06po0S0O0s5Z0o0Z0Z040Z0ZpLPl3Z0O0Z0Z02PO0Z0Z0O1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0skZ7ZbZ0mpZp6ponZ0apZ5Z0Z0Z0Z04PZ0ZPZNZ3A0l0Z0O02QZ0M0O0O1Z0ZRSBJ0

a b c d e f g h

80s0Z0ZkZ7Z0S0Z0Z06QZ0Z0Z0o5Z0ZPZpo040Z0ZnO0Z3Z0Z0O0Zq20s0Z0Z0O1J0Z0Z0S0

a b c d e f g hB W B BRxb2. (1) Black trying to get to Qe2.Nxb2, Bc3, Qxc3, Qe2 mate.

Ng6. (2) hxg6, Qh4, Kg8, Rxg6, Kf8,Qxf6, Ke8, Qf8, Kd7, Rf7.

e6. (6) Loses bishop if moves by check.Bh6, exd5, Bxf8, dxe4, Qxe4, Rxf8

Qd4. (2,3,6) Win bishop.

80s0ZrZkZ7Z0Z0Zpap60Z0Z0ZpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040ZbZ0ZqZ3Z0Z0A0O02POQZ0O0O1S0ZNJRZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0j7obZ0Z0Zp60o0Z0o0Z5Z0ZqZ0Z040Z0OrZRM3Z0Z0Z0L020ZrZ0ZPO1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZ0skZ7Z0l0opZp60Z0o0ZpZ5Z0ZBZ0A040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0aQZNZP20Z0Z0ZPZ1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZrZkZ7Z0ZnZpa060ZbA0Zpo5Z0o0Z0Z040Z0ZPZNL3Z0Z0ZBZP2Pl0Z0ZPZ1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g hW W B BNc7. (2,5) Ke7, Rxd8, Rxd8, Rxd8,Kxd8, Ne6.

Rc8. (1,6) Rb8, Rcxd8, Qe1, Kg2. Try-ing to get queen to f7+. Or back rank.

Rd7. (1,6) Qa3, b4, Qa5, Nf4. Doublethreat of Qg2 mate and Rxd1.

Qxd4. (5) Rb3, Ra1, Qxc3, Rxc1, Kg2,Qxc3, Rxc3, b4. Then win bishop.

80ZrskZ0Z7Z0Z0Z0o06pZ0Z0opZ5O0aNZ0Z040Z0S0Z0Z3Z0Z0O0ZP20Z0Z0JPZ1Z0ZRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0mrZkZ7Z0SRZpop6ps0Z0Z0Z5ZpZ0lNZ040O0Z0Z0Z3O0Z0ZQO020Z0Z0O0O1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Zks0Z0Z7L0Z0ZpZ060ZqZpO0Z5ZpZ0Z0A040ZpZ0Z0O3Z0ZnZ0O02PZ0Z0O0Z1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0skZ7ZnZ0Zpop60lpZ0Z0Z5ZpZ0ZRZ040ZPO0Z0Z3Z0mQZPZ020ZBZ0O0O1ZRA0Z0J0

a b c d e f g hW W B WRxb7. (1) Bxb7, Qxe6, Kf8, Qd6, Kg8,Bxd5, Kh7, Re3. Will be mated.

Qxb7. (1) If Qe8 then Qc7. Rf1. (1,2) Kg2, Rg1, Qxg1, Qg4 thenQxg1.

Na4. (1,6) No good defense to threats ofNb6 and Nc5.

8rZbZ0Z0s7opZ0Zkl060ZnZpZpZ5Z0ZpZpA040ZpO0Z0Z3O0O0LBZ020ZPZ0OPO1ZRZ0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZRa0ZkZ7ZpZqZpop60Z0Z0s0Z5Z0ZBO0Z040Z0Z0o0Z3Z0Z0Z0ZP20L0Z0ZPZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZbZ0ZkZ7o0Z0Z0op60Z0ZpZ0Z5O0M0O0Zq40Z0ZBs0Z3Z0Z0L0Zn20A0S0Z0O1Z0Z0Z0ZK

a b c d e f g h

80mkZbs0s7Lpo0ZqZ060Z0ZpOpZ5ZBZpZ0O040Z0Z0Z0O3Z0M0Z0A02POPZ0Z0Z1Z0JRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

W W W WQd6. (3,6) Ng8, Rxe8, Kxe8, Re1, Kd8,Qf8, Kc7, d6, Kb6, Qxa8.

Rxd7. (1) Trying to get to back rank.Qxd7, Qb7, mate in two.

Qe5. (3,6) Double attack on e7 and h8. Rxf8. (1) Kxf8, (Qxf8 allows mate),Qh8, Kf7, Bg6 (decoy), Kxg6, Qh5 mate.

8rZ0jrZ0Z7ZqZbZpZ06pZ0Z0m0o5Z0ZPZ0o040o0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0ZBL02POPZ0OPO1Z0JRS0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0j7o0Sblrop60o0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z04PZ0A0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0L020Z0Z0ZPO1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80L0mkZ0s7opZ0apZp60l0Z0ZpZ5Z0ZpZ0Z040Z0o0ZPZ3M0ZPZ0Z02POPA0O0O1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0mkZ7Z0a0l0o060ZpZ0Z0Z5Z0ZpO0oQ40s0O0ZPZ3Z0ZBZRZ020Z0Z0OPZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g hW W B WRxf6. (5) Kxf6, Qh6, Ke7, Qxh7skewer.

Rxb7. (2,5) Deflection Bxb7, Ne6,Kh8, Nxd8, Raxd8.

Qg1. (2) Kxg1, Nxe2, Kf2, Nxc1. Bf7. (1) Kh8, Qxh6, gxh6, Rg8, Rxg8,Rxg8 mate.

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZqZ0Z0jp60Zno0o0Z5Z0Z0o0Z040ZPoPZ0O3Z0Z0Z0O02rZPL0ZBJ1Z0Z0ZRZ0

a b c d e f g h

8rZbl0snZ7opZ0Z0jp60Z0o0opZ5Z0oPZ0M040ZPZPL0Z3O0OBZ0Z020Z0Z0ZPO1ZRZ0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Zpj060Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0o0Z04po0lPm0Z3Z0Z0ZPZ02PO0ZBZ0Z1Z0L0ZKZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZbskZ7Z0s0Z0op60opZpZ0l5o0ZnMpSB40Z0O0O0Z3O0Z0O0ZQ20O0Z0O0O1Z0Z0Z0SK

a b c d e f g hW W W BNc2. (6) Either Qa5, b4 or Qb6, b4 orNxb3, Nxb4, Nxd2, Rxd2 or Nxf3, Bxf3,Qxc3, Qxc3, Bxc3, Bxc5. Both winningknight.

Qa4. (1) Nxc5, Qe8, or Qxc5, Qe4, Kb8,Qb7 mate.

Kh4. (1,3) Rg6, Rd8, Kh7, Raa8, Rh6,g5.

Rc1. (1,6) Qxc1, (mate if Rx), Nxc1,Bb5, a6.

8rZ0ZrZkZ7ZpZbZpa060Zpo0ZpZ5Z0m0m0Zp40lPMPZ0Z3ZPM0ZPO020Z0LBA0O1ZRZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

8kZ0Z0Z0Z7o0Z0apZp60Z0MnZpZ5Z0AqO0Z040L0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0ZP20Z0Z0OPZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7S0Z0Z0o060Z0ZpZ0Z5Z0Z0Zpsp4PZ0Z0ZPZ3Z0ZRZPZK20s0Z0Z0O1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZBZkZ7opZ0Z0Zp60Z0Zqo0Z5Z0ZpZ0Z040Z0Z0O0M3OPZ0O0Ob2nZ0Z0Z0O1L0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g hW W B WRxe4. (5) Rxe4, Nf3. Queen can’t pro-tect e4.

g6. (1,6) Qxg6, Rg3, Qd3, Bg5. Winsrook.

Be5. (1) Rd8, Qxd8. Re6. Interference. Qxe6,(fx lead to mateat Qg8), Bxe6, Bxb2, Bxc8, Bxa1, Bd7.

8rZ0ZrakZ7Z0ZbZpop6pZno0Z0Z5ZpZNZ0Z040O0MnZ0l3O0Z0Z0ZP20ABZ0OPZ1S0ZQS0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0snakZ7Z0Z0Zpop6pZ0ZpZ0Z5ZpZ0O0O040Z0Z0Z0L3O0Z0A0ZR20OqZ0O0O1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0j7Z0Z0Z0ap6pZ0Z0ZpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040o0Z0Z0l3ZQZ0O0ZB2PO0Z0s0O1S0ZRZ0ZK

a b c d e f g h

8rZbZ0s0j7Z0Z0Spop6pZqZ0a0Z5Z0o0ZNA040mBZ0ZQZ3Z0ZPZ0Z02PO0Z0OPO1S0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g hB B B BRd8. (6) Wins queen Nxe2. (2,5) Rxe2, Qxc1, Re1, Bxc3,

Rxc1, Bd4.Ne1. (1) Mating Qf2. (1) Threatening Ng5. g5, Bd6,

(threatening Qh2, Kg4, Qh5), Rg2, Nxg5,Rxg5, Qh2, Kg4, Qg3 mate.

80ZrZ0ZkZ7Z0Z0Zpop60Z0ZpZ0Z5Z0Z0ZqZ040Z0Z0Z0Z3OpZQZ0Z020O0Z0ZPO1ZKZRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80s0s0ZkZ7ZpZ0ZpZ06pZpZ0apZ5Z0Z0Z0Zp40ZPm0Z0O3Z0A0l0O02PO0SPLBZ1Z0S0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0skZ7opZ0ZrZp60Zno0ZpZ5Z0ZNo0Z040OPZ0Z0Z3Z0ZBZnZq2PA0Z0S0O1Z0SQZ0ZK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0anjp60Z0Z0ZpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z04BO0Z0lPZ3Z0Z0Z0ZK2PZ0Z0Z0Z1Z0ZQZ0S0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

B W W BBxg3. (5) Bxg7, Bxh4, Kxh4, Rxg2. g7bishop has no escape.

Ng4. (3,6) f4, Nxf6, Kg6, Ne8, Qxc6,Qd3. Wins queen

Ng4. (6) Bxg4, hxg4, h3, g3. No defenseto g5. Then take f6.

Bf2. (1) Then g5 mate.

80Z0ZbZ0Z7ZpZ0j0l06pZ0o0o0A5Z0Z0oPZ040O0ZPZ0L3O0ZPZ0MK20ZrZ0aPZ1Z0Z0ZRZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Zbs0Z0Z7Z0l0Z0Zk60oBZpa0o5oPZ0Mpo04PZNO0Z0m3Z0Z0Z0L020Z0Z0OPZ1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

8qZbZ0Z0s7Z0Z0Zpj06pZ0o0mpZ5Z0sPZ0Z040ZBZpO0o3ZPL0M0ZP20Z0ZRZPJ1Z0ZRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060ZNZ0jpZ5Z0Z0Z0Zp40Z0Z0J0a3M0Z0Z0Z020Z0m0ZPZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hB W W BRxc3. (1,2) bxc3, Ba3 mate. Re3. (3,6) Qd7, Qxh6, Kg8, Rxe8,

Qxe8, Qxd2. If pawn takes then forkRxg7. (1) After Kxg7, Rc1 mate un-avoidable.

Rxe1. (3,5) Rxe1, Re2. Wins rook orqueen.

80Zrs0akZ7A0Z0Zpop60Z0Z0ZbZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0Z0ZnZ3ZBM0Z0O02PO0Z0Z0O1Z0J0SRZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Zra0Z7Z0Z0lpok6pZ0o0Zno5ZpZPZ0ZQ40Z0A0ZNO3Z0ZPZ0S02PO0s0ZPZ1Z0Z0ZRZK

a b c d e f g h

8bZ0s0s0j7S0Z0Z0ap60Z0o0Z0Z5Z0Z0ZpZQ40Z0o0O0Z3Z0l0A0OP20Z0Z0ZBJ1Z0Z0Z0S0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7o0Z0Z0o060o0Z0l0Z5Z0ops0Zp40Z0ZrZ0Z3ZPL0Z0ZP2PZPZ0OPZ1Z0ZRS0J0

a b c d e f g hB W W WRxc7. (5) Bxc7, b2, Rd1, Nc1, Bd6,Ke6 can’t prevent b-pawn from queening.

Qe6. (1) Deflection. Qxe6, Rxh7 mate. Rh8. (1,2) Kxh8, Qh1, Kg8, Qh7 mate. Qxe7. (1,2) Kxe7, Rg7, Ke8, Nf6 mate.

80ZrS0Z0Z7Z0O0jpZp60Z0Z0ZpZ5o0Z0A0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3ZpZ0O0Z02nZ0Z0OPO1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZqZ7Z0Z0S0Zp60Z0Z0ZpZ5o0ZrZ0Zk4PZ0Z0O0O3Z0ZpL0J020O0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80srZ0akZ7Z0Z0ZpZ06pZ0o0ZpZ5l0oPONM04no0ZQoPZ3Z0Z0Z0Z02POPZ0O0Z1ZKZRZ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0skm0Z7opZ0a0L060ZpZpZ0o5Z0ZqZ0Z040Z0ONZ0O3Z0O0Z0S02PZ0Z0OPZ1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g hW W W BRxc6. (2,5) Wins a piece. Nh6. gxh6, Rxf6, Qe7, Qxd5, Be6, Qe4

(threatening Rg6), Bxe3, Qxe3.Be6. (1) Can’t prevent Qg8 mate. Rd1. (1) Bxd1, Qf1, Kh2, Qxg2 mate.

80ZRZRZ0Z7Z0Z0Zpo060ZnZ0sko5Z0ZqZ0Z040A0o0Z0Z3O0ZNZ0ZP20ZPZ0OPJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80ZbZrZkZ7ZpZ0Zqop6rZ0o0o0Z5o0apZNZ040Z0Z0S0Z3Z0APOQO02PO0Z0Z0O1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Znj0Z7Z0Z0o0aQ60Z0Z0sPZ5Z0ZpZ0Z040ZpZ0S0Z3Z0ZqZ0ZB20Z0Z0O0Z1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0ZkZ7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0Z0ZpZ5S0Z0ZpZ040ZPZPl0o3Z0L0m0ZP20O0ZBZPZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g hW W B WBb6. (3,6) Wins queen. R5xe4. (5,6) Wins a piece. Rc2 (1,6) Qxc2, Qxb4, Ka2, d4. Ra2 Rxa2 draw.

80ZrZ0akZ7ZRZ0Zpo06pZ0o0m0o5l0Z0oPZ040ZPZ0Z0Z3ZQZ0A0ZP20ZPZ0ZPZ1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZrZkZ7Z0lbZrZp6pZ0Z0ZpA5ZpoPSpOP40ZPZnL0Z3Z0OBZ0Z02PZ0ZRZ0Z1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZ0skZ7ZpZ0l0Z06nA0ZbapZ5ZNZpo0Zp40O0ZPZ0Z3J0Z0ZPZ020Z0LBMPZ1S0Z0Z0ZR

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0Z0Z0Z5s0o0Zpo040ZPZ0j0Z3Z0OKZPZ020Z0ZRZ0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

281-300

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

W B B WRxb6. (2,5) Kxb6, d7. Bxf1. (5) Rxf1, Rxf1, Kxf1, Nxd5. Rh3. (2) Kxh3, Nf4 fork. e6. (4,6) fx or Bx are answered by Rxf5.

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZkZ0Z0Z060mRONZ0Z5Z0Z0Z0Zp40Z0Z0ZrO3Z0Z0Z0Z020ZKZ0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0j0Z7ZpZ0Z0o06pZ0Z0m0Z5ZbZNZ0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0O0Z0O02PZ0Z0S0O1Z0Z0sBJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0m0ZkZ7Z0Z0lpo060Z0ZpZnZ5Z0ZpO0Z040Z0A0ZPs3Z0O0ZNJ020ZPZQS0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0Z0s7Z0objpo060o0Z0Z0Z5o0oROnZp4PZPZ0Z0Z3ZPZ0ZNZ020ZNZ0OPO1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g hW W W WQxc6. (1,2) bxc6, Rb1 trying for Rb8mate.

Re8. (2,4) Bxe8, Rxe8, Rxe8, Qxd3. Bg5. (1,2) Kg8, Qxh8, Kxh8, Bf6, Kg8,Rh3, mate on h8.

Qg5. (1,6) Threatening mating aroundQh5 and Nf6 fork. Re6, Rd8, Kh7, Qh6.

80ZkZ0Z0s7opZrZqo060ZnA0Z0Z5ZQZpZ0Zp40Z0Z0ZBZ3Z0O0Z0Z02PZ0Z0OPO1S0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0ZkZ7ZrZ0Zpa06pMbZ0ZpZ5O0Z0S0Zp40Z0Z0A0Z3Z0ZqZ0ZP20Z0L0OPZ1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZ0Z0a7o0l0ZpZk60Z0ZpZpA5Z0ZpO0Z040ZnZ0Z0Z3ZRZ0Z0ZQ2POrZ0OPO1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZrZkZ7ZbZ0ZpZ06pl0Z0ZpZ5Z0o0Z0ZN40Z0ZpZQO3ZPZ0O0Z02PZ0Z0O0O1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g hB W W BNb3. (1,2) Qxb3, Qd2, Kb1, Qe1, Kb2,Rd2 winning queen.

Rh7. (1,2) Qxh7, Bc3 mate in three. Qg7. (1,2) Qxg7, Rxd8, Qg8, Raa8,Rg7, Nh6.

Rxe3. (1,5) Rxe3 (fx loses to Qxe1),Qxf2 (rook or mate), Qe4, f5, Qf3, Bxe3.

80Zks0a0Z7opZ0Z0Z060ZpZ0Z0o5Z0m0ApZ040Z0Z0ZpO3Z0MqOPZ020L0Z0O0Z1Z0J0ZBZR

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Zrs0j7opZ0Z0S060m0aQZ0Z5Z0o0ZpMq40ZPZ0Z0Z3O0ZPZPZ020O0AKZ0Z1ZRZ0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8RZ0s0Z0j7Z0sqZ0Zp60ZpZ0o0Z5ZpZpZNZ040ZnO0ZQZ3Z0Z0O0O020Z0Z0O0J1S0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8QZ0Z0Z0Z7o0Z0Zpok60Z0Z0Z0o5OPo0s0Z040Z0a0Z0l3Z0Z0A0ZP20Z0Z0OPZ1Z0Z0S0ZK

a b c d e f g hB B B BQe5. (1,3,6) Threatens Qxa5 and Qxh2mate.

Rxe2. (2,4) Kxe2, Rxc3. Rxh4. (2,3) Kg2, Rh2 wins queen. Rxg2. (2,3) Kxg2, Qb2, Bf2, Qxc1.

80a0s0ZkZ7opZ0Zpop60ZbZnl0Z5M0Z0Z0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0A0Z02PZQS0OPO1Z0Z0ZBJ0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZbZ0Z7Z0Z0Zpa060S0ZpZko5ZpZ0Z0o040Z0OPZ0Z3Z0S0APZP2rZ0ZNZPZ1Z0Z0J0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0ZkZ7Z0Z0Z0a06pZ0o0Zpo5Z0oqZpZn40Z0orZ0O3APZ0ZQO02PZ0Z0O0J1Z0ZRSBZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0skZ7o0Z0Z0o060Z0aRZ0o5Zqo0ZnZP40Z0Z0OQZ3Z0oPZ0O02Ps0Z0ZBJ1Z0S0A0Z0

a b c d e f g hW W W BBxf6. (3,5) Qxf6, Nh6, Kh8, Qxf6,gxf6, Nxf7, Bxf7, Rxb3. Wins material.

cxd5. (3,5) Bxe2, Qxe2 threatens Qb5. Rd4. (1,6) Qc7 (protecting h7), Rxd8,Rxd8, Qxe6.

Bxg4. (1,5) Qxc5, Bf3. Wins material.

80Z0l0akZ7s0Z0Zpop6pZ0o0mbZ5Z0oPZNZ04PZPZ0Z0Z3ZrA0SQMP20Z0Z0OPZ1S0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0lkZ0s7o0Z0apop6bZ0Zpm0Z5m0opM0Z04PoPO0Z0Z3ZPZ0O0Z020A0MBOPO1S0ZQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

80Z0mrskZ7Z0ZqZ0Zp6pZ0ZpApZ5ZbZ0O0M040Z0ZRZ0Z3Z0ZpZ0ZQ20Z0Z0OPO1ZRZ0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0skZ7o0Z0ZpZp6pa0ZbZpZ5Z0l0Z0Z040ZPZpONZ3ZPZ0Z0OP2PZ0Z0LKZ1Z0MRZRZ0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

W W B WRxh7. (2) Qxh7, Qxf6, Qg7, Rh1, Kg8,Qe6, Kf8, Qxd6.

Re6. (1,6) Rd6, Re8, Kh7, Qg8, Kg6,Re7 will mate.

Qf5. (4) Bf4, Kxf6. Rd1. (4) Pin and threat of Be3. Qa7,Be3, Rd7, Qe8. Wins bishop.

80ZrZ0Z0j7ZbZ0l0Zp6pm0o0mpZ5ZpZ0o0L040Z0ZPZ0Z3O0OBZPM020ZPZ0ZPZ1Z0JRZ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0Z0j7opZ0Z0o060l0Z0Z0o5Z0Z0S0Z040OQo0Z0Z3O0Z0Z0OP20Z0Z0O0Z1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0spjp60m0o0MpZ5Z0oPZ0Z040o0Z0Z0Z3ZPZ0Z0Oq20Z0Z0LBO1Z0A0Z0ZK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0Zqs0Zp6pZ0Zbo0Z5ZpZ0Z0ZQ40Zpa0A0Z3Z0Z0Z0ZP2POBZ0OPZ1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g hW B B Ba5. (6) Traps queen. Qxh2. (1,2) Kxf1, Qh1 mate. Nf3. (1,2) Kh1, Bxg2, Bxg2, Qh4, Bh3,

Qxh3 mate.Rxd4. (3,4) cxd4, Qc3 wins material.

80Z0srZkZ7opZ0Zpo060l0ZpZpZ5Z0ZnO0Z04Pm0OQZPO3Z0ZBA0Z020Z0Z0O0Z1S0S0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0s0j7opo0Z0op60Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0L0OpZ040Z0Z0Zbl3Z0OBZ0Z02PO0M0O0O1S0A0ZnJ0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0s0ZkZ7opZ0Zpap60ZpM0ZpZ5Z0O0O0l040O0mNo0Z3O0Z0Z0Zb20Z0Z0OPZ1SQZ0SBJ0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0s0ZkZ7Z0Z0opZp60Z0ZbZpZ5opZ0Z0Z040ZqAPZ0Z3O0O0Z0ZP20Z0ZQOPZ1S0Z0J0ZR

a b c d e f g hW B B WQf8. (1,2) Rxf8, Ne7 mate. Nxh3. (1,2) gxh3, Qg5 gets rook, while

Kh2, Nxf2, Kg1, Ng4 wins.Rd2. (4) (6) Rxd2, Rh1, Kf2, Rxa1black wins.

Qf7. (2) Kh7, Qg6 draws by perpetual.

8rZ0ZrZka7Z0Z0ZpZp6pZ0LbZpA5Z0o0ZNOP40o0ZPZ0Z3Z0ZnZPZ02PlPJBZ0Z1Z0ZRZ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

80Z0SrmkZ7ZpZ0Zpo06pZpZ0ZpZ5L0Z0O0Zq4NZ0ZPm0Z3ZPZ0Z0ZP20Z0Z0OPZ1Z0Z0ZBJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0jpop6PZ0ZpZ0Z5Z0ZpZ0Z040Z0O0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z020Z0Z0Zrs1S0ZRZKZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0l0m0o06pZ0ZPZ0o5Z0ZpZ0ZP4Po0Z0Z0Z3ZPZ0ZQO020a0Z0OKZ1Z0Z0S0Z0

a b c d e f g hW B W Wg4. (6) Qb1, Kg2, Rf8, Qxd5, Kg7, Re2.Good chance to convert pawn.

d1Q. (1) c8Q, Qh3, Kxh3, Qh1, Qh2, g4mate.

Rxg5. (1,2) Bg6, h7, Kh8, Qxf6, Rxf6,Bxf6

Nf6. (1,2) Bxf6, Bxg6, hxg6, Bxf6. Nodefense to Qh8.

8rZ0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0SpZk6pZ0Z0Zpo5ZpZpZqZ040Z0L0Z0Z3Z0O0Z0O02PO0Z0O0O1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7o0O0Z0Z060Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0Lnok40Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0ZqZ02PZ0o0ZNJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0skZ7Z0Z0S0Z06pZ0Z0o0O5Z0ZPZbo040ZpZ0Z0Z3ZrL0Z0SP20A0J0O0Z1ZqZ0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80sbZrZkZ7Zpm0Z0ap6pm0Z0ZpZ5Z0oqo0A04PZ0ZNZ0L3Z0ZBZNZ020O0Z0ZPO1S0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g hW B B BQe7. (1,2) mate. Rxb5. (5) wins the knight. c3. (1,4,6) Qxc3, Qe4, f3, Qxb1. Will

lose at least rook worth.Rd3. (1, 6) Qd3, Qf4, Kh3, Qh4 mate.

8qZ0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060o0Z0LPa5ZPj0o0Z040ZPoPZ0O3Z0ZPZ0Z020Z0Z0ZKZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80s0ZrZ0Z7Z0ZnZpjp6bZ0o0ZpZ5lBZPo0Z04NZ0ZPZ0Z3Z0L0Z0Z02PZ0Z0OPO1ZRZ0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0skZ7ZbZ0lpop60Z0Z0m0Z5ZpZ0Z0Z040ZpM0Z0Z3ZPZ0O0ZP20L0Z0OPZ1ZRA0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0jpZ06pZ0Z0a0Z5ZpZ0oPZ040Z0ZNZ0Z3ZPO0ZQJ02PZ0ZRZPO1Z0lrZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

B W W BRe7. (6) Qf3, Qe5 wins piece. 3 attack-ers 2 defenders.

Bxf5. (1,5,6) Threatens Qxh7 mate andRxd8.

f6. (1) Kg8, Qxf8, Kxf8, Rd8 mate. Rc4. (2,6) Qe1, Rxd4, exd4, Qxd4, Re3,Nc4.

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0ZrZpo06pZ0Z0m0o5Zpl0ZPZ040Z0ZBZ0Z3O0O0S0ZP20O0ZQZPZ1Z0Z0Z0ZK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0skZ7ZbZ0Zqop6pZ0ZpZ0Z5Z0o0ZpZ040ZPZ0OnL3ZPZBZ0Z02PA0Z0ZPO1Z0ZRS0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0s0Z7ZpZ0Lpjp6pZ0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0ZPZ040ZrZ0Z0Z3ZqZ0Z0Z020ZPS0ZPO1Z0J0Z0ZR

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZrZkZ7opZbZpop60Z0m0l0Z5Z0ZpZ0Z040L0M0Z0Z3Z0Z0OPO02PO0ZRJBO1S0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hW B W WQb7. (1) Threatening Qe7 then Rf8,Bxf8, Qh7 mate. But Qc8, Rf8, Bxf8, Qh7mate.

h3. (6) Rxg3, Qe2 material or mate. Bd4. (1,6) exd4, f7, Qxf7, Qd8, Qg8,Qf6, Qg7, Qxg7 mate.

Bxf6. (2) Kxf6, Rf1 (pawn can ad-vance), Ke7, g7, Rg8, gxf8Q, Rxf8, Rxf8,Kxf8, Kd4 (winning with passed p), Kg7,Ke5, Kh6, c3.

80Z0ZnZkZ7Z0Z0ZRa060Z0s0ZpZ5o0Z0obM04PoqoQZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0OP20OPA0ZBZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0ZQok6pZpZrZrZ5ZpO0Z0Z040O0ZpOqo3Z0A0O0o02PZ0Z0ZRZ1Z0Z0ZNJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0j7l0Z0Z0Zp60Zro0ObO5ZpZ0o0L040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0ZRZ0J020Z0Z0Z0Z1A0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0m0s7Z0Z0Z0j060Z0ZpoPZ5Z0ZpZ0ZP4pZpZ0Z0Z3O0A0J0Z020OPZ0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0ZR

a b c d e f g hB W B WRd1. (1,2) Ke2, Rge1 mate. Nf6. (2,3) Wins queen. Qg3. (1,3) Hitting g2, e1, and g6. c4. (4,6) Qc5, Nb3, Bxf4, Nxc5, Rxc5.

80Z0Z0Z0Z7o0Z0Z0Z060Z0Z0o0S5Z0ZkZ0o040Z0aNZ0O3Z0Z0ZPZ020ZRJ0ZPZ1Z0Z0s0s0

a b c d e f g h

8rZbZ0skZ7o0Z0Z0a060o0lnZpZ5Z0ZNo0Zp40SPZPoPZ3Z0Z0ZPZP2PABZ0ZKZ1Z0ZQZRZ0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZ0Z0Z7Z0ZkmQA06pZ0lpZBZ5ZpZ0Z0Zp40Z0Z0Z0Z3ZPZ0m0ZP2PZ0Z0ZPZ1Z0Z0S0ZK

a b c d e f g h

80Zrs0ZkZ7opZbZpop60Z0apm0Z5Z0ZqZ0Z040Z0M0A0Z3Z0OBZ0Z02PO0ZQOPO1S0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g hB W B WRxd3. (5) Wins material. Qd4. (2,3) Ne5, Nf4 wins piece. Must

save knight.Rg2. (2) Kh1, Rh2 allows perpetual.Kg1, Rg2, Kh1, Rh2, Kg1.

Qh5. (1) Qd8, Bxg6, fxg6, Rxg6, Kh8,Rg7, Qg8, Rxg8, Rxg8, f7.

80Zrs0akZ7Zbl0ZpZp6pZ0Z0ZpZ5Z0Z0L0Z040oNZPZ0O3Z0ZBZ0Z02POPZ0ZPZ1Z0JRS0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0Zrj7ZpobZnZ060Z0o0Zqo5Z0OPZpZN40m0Z0Z0Z3Z0S0Z0Z020ZBL0APO1Z0Z0Z0SK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z06qZ0ZpZ0Z5Z0O0opZ040O0ZPZ0L3Z0Z0ZkZP2rZ0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZ0ZkZ7Z0Z0ZpZp6pZ0ZpOpZ5lbZpO0Z040o0Z0O0Z3ZPsBZ0Z02PZPZQZRO1JRZ0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hW W W BNxf7. (1,6) Qxg3, fxg3, Re8, Ng5. Winat least pawn.

Ra4. (Trying stalemate) Rc5, Rc4, Rxf5,Kg4, Kg6, Rxc3 reaching drawn rook andpawn ending.

Qa8. (1) Kh7, g4, threatening Rh3. Bg4. (5,6) Rxf6, Bxd4, cxd4, Qxe3,Qxe3, Rxe3, Kf2, Re2, Kf1, gxf6, h3,Rxg2, Kxg2, Bd7.

8rZ0s0akZ7oblnZpop60Z0ZpZ0Z5Z0o0M0Z040ZPZ0Z0Z3Z0ABZ0L02PO0Z0OPO1Z0ZRZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0j060Z0Z0o0Z5Z0Z0ZPZK40ZrZ0Z0o3Z0o0Z0ZP2RZ0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0Z0ZrZ060o0ZqZ0Z5Z0o0oNo04pZPaQZ0Z3Z0Z0ZRO020Z0Z0OKZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZrZkZ7ZpZ0Z0op6pm0Z0s0Z5Z0aplbZ04PZ0M0Z0Z3ZPO0ARO020Z0L0ZBO1S0Z0J0Z0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

W B W Bc5. creating second passed pawn. c4. (6) traps bishop wins piece. Nxe6. (2,6) fxe6, Rd7. Qe5. (1,6) Trapping bishop on e1. Ne3,

Qh2, Kf1, Nf4, f3, Bd3, Kf2, Nxh3 mate.

80ZkZ0Z0Z7S0Z0ZpZ060oPZ0Z0Z5ZPZ0Z0o040JPZ0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z020Z0Z0s0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0lka0s7obZnZpop60onZpZ0Z5Z0opO0Z040Z0O0A0Z3O0ZBZNZ020OPZNOPO1S0ZQJ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZ0s0Z7Z0l0Zpj06pZQZbZ0o5Z0Z0Z0o040ZpM0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0O02PO0Z0SPO1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7opZ0Zpop60Z0a0ZbZ5Z0l0Z0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3ZBOnZ0ZP2PO0L0OPZ1Z0Z0ANJ0

a b c d e f g hB B B WBxd4. (2,5) Nxd4, Ne5. Fork. Qxf1. (1,2) Kxf1, Rd1, Ke2, Re1 mate. Ng4. (1) Qxg4, Qxg4, hxg4, Rh8 mate. Bf6. (1,6). Wins material as Rxe3, Qg7

mate.

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZbZ0Zpj060Z0oplno5Z0Z0a0o04rZBMPZ0Z3A0ZQZPO020OPZNZ0O1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80L0Z0Z0Z7Z0ZrZpZk60Z0Z0Zpo5Z0Z0Z0Z040oPZpZ0Z3ZPaqA0ZP20Z0Z0OPZ1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0s0Z7S0ZQZpj060Z0o0opZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0ZPZ0Z3ZPZ0m0lP20OPZ0ZPZ1Z0Z0Z0SK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7opZ0s0Zn60ZqZ0ZpL5Z0Z0ApZ040Z0O0ZrZ3Z0O0S0Z02PZ0ZRZPZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g hW W W WRhg3. (1) Bg7, Ng5, Kg8, Qxh7, Kf8,R3g2.

Bxa6. (5) bxa6, Qxa6, Kb8, Qc4Threatens both Qxg4 and Na6.

Bxg6. (1,5) hxg6, Qxg6, Rxd6, Nxf7,Nxf7, Qxf7, Kh7, exd6.

Nf6. (1,2,3) Kg7, Nh5, gxh5, Qg5, Kh8,Rxd8.

80Z0m0Z0j7orZ0ZrZp60Z0Zpa0L5Z0ZpZpZ040Z0O0O0Z3Z0O0ZNZR2PZ0AqZ0O1Z0Z0Z0SK

a b c d e f g h

80Zks0Z0s7ZplbZpZp6pZnZpo0Z5Z0M0Z0Z040O0Z0ZnZ3O0ZBZNO020ZPZQO0O1S0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0ZrZpop6pZqApZnm5ZpZbO0MQ40Z0Z0Z0Z3ZPO0Z0Z02PZBZ0SPO1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0ZkZ7Z0Z0ZrZp6PZ0Z0ZpZ5O0aNlpZ040Z0ZpZ0Z3Z0O0Z0OP20Z0L0O0Z1S0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g hW W W WBb5. (1,6) Rc7, Qd2, Ng6, Re8, Nf8,Qb4 wins material.

d7. Rd6, Re6 rook deflected. Nxe6. (1,2) Kh6, Qg5 mate. h4. (6) Bishop deflected. Bxh4, Nxf4,Bg5, Rxg5, Kxg5, Nxe6.

80Z0Z0ZkZ7opZrmpop60Z0Z0l0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040ZBZ0Z0Z3ZPZ0L0ZP20Z0Z0OPZ1Z0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0S0Z06po0O0sko5Z0o0Z0Z040ZPZ0Z0o3Z0O0Z0Z02PZ0Z0ZPZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Lpjp60Z0ZpZpZ5Z0MPm0Z040o0Z0Z0Z3ZPZ0Z0ZP2PZ0ZqZPJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0s0Z7ZqZ0Z0Z060Z0obZ0j5O0o0Z0ap40ZPoPo0Z3ZPZNZPZ020Z0L0Z0O1Z0Z0ZBSK

a b c d e f g hW W B Whxg6. (1) hxg6, Qh7, Rxh7, Rxh7, Kf8,Rh8, Ke7, R2h7 mate.

g4. (4,6) Be4, g5 wins the d7 knight. Bc3. (4,6) Attacking b4 and f3. Qf6. (1,2) Kxh6, g4, Ne3, Ng5, Rd7,Nxf7, Rxf7, g5 mate.

8rZqZ0Z0s7Z0Z0Z0jp60Z0ZpZpZ5opZnOpOP40Z0O0Z0L3O0O0Z0ZR20Z0A0Z0S1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0skZ7oRZnapop60ZpZpm0Z5Z0OpZbZ040Z0O0A0Z3Z0Z0ONZP2PZ0M0OPZ1Z0Z0JBZR

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ska7Z0s0oqZp60Z0o0ZpL5Z0ZPZ0Z040S0ZPZ0Z3ZRZ0ZPO020Z0Z0AKZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0a0Z7Z0Z0Zpjp6pZ0Z0ZpM5l0ZpO0L040ZpO0Z0Z3ZbZ0ZNZ020ZnZBZPO1ZRZ0Z0ZK

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

W W B BQa3. (1,4) Threatening Rd8 and Bf1.Qc8, Bh3 deflecting queen.

Qxh7. (1,2) Kxh7, Rh3, Nh4, Rxh4,Kg6, Rh6, Kg5, Rf1 then h4 mate.

Ne3. (6) fxe3, Rxe3. Check when rookmoves.

Qd7. (1) Threatening Rh1. Qf2, Qd1.

80Z0Z0ZkZ7o0Z0Zrop6bo0Z0m0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z04QZqZ0Z0Z3Z0M0Z0O02PO0Z0OBO1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0l0Zrj7Z0Z0ZpZp60o0o0onL5o0mPZNZ040Z0ZPZ0Z3O0S0Z0Z020O0ZBZPO1S0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7ZpZ0ZpZ06pa0ZqZpZ5Z0ZpZnZp40O0Z0S0Z3O0ZQZ0Z020A0Z0OPO1Z0Z0sBJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0l0Zpo060Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0L0Z0ZR40Z0ZbZ0O3Z0Z0Z0O020Z0Z0ZRJ1ZrZ0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hW B W BQc2. (2) d4, Rxb7. Check and win rook. Ba3. (1,2) f6. (1,2) Kh8, Qh6, Rg8, Rxd7, Qxd7,

Ng5 can’t avoid mate.Bxe4. (5) Wins pawn due to pin on d-file.

80s0Z0ZkZ7ZbS0ZpZp60Z0ZpapZ5oBZpZ0Zq4PZ0Z0Z0O3ZPZQO0O020Z0Z0O0M1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80s0Z0skZ7Z0L0apop60ZpZ0ZqZ5Z0ZpO0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3ZPM0ZPO02PZbA0Z0O1Z0J0S0ZR

a b c d e f g h

8bZ0ZrZ0Z7Z0lnZpjp6porS0ZpZ5Z0Z0oPZ040OPZNZ0Z3O0Z0L0ZP20Z0Z0ZPZ1Z0Z0SBJ0

a b c d e f g h

8qZ0Z0skZ7obZrZpop60o0ZpZ0Z5Z0o0O0Z040Z0ZPZnZ3OPZPZ0O020A0L0ZBO1Z0S0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g hW W B WNxe7. (6) Nxe7, Qxd6 attack’s twopieces.

Qc2. (2) Kxc2 is stalemate. Re6. (6) Bh8, Nxf3, Kxf3, f5. Winsrook.

Qe6. (1) No defense to Rc1-c8, Qe8 al-lows Bb4.

8rZqZ0s0Z7opmbopak60Zno0Zpo5Z0ZNZ0Z040Z0ZPO0Z3ZNO0Z0OP2PO0L0ABJ1Z0ZRS0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0Z0ZQZ5Z0Z0Z0Zp40ZpZ0Z0O3Z0Z0ZqZ020j0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0J0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZrZ0Z7okZ0ZpZ060oqZ0ApZ5Z0o0o0L040ZPmRZ0Z3Z0ZPZPO02PO0Z0ZKZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80l0Z0j0s7Z0Z0Z0a06pZ0Z0o0o5Z0Z0oQZ040Z0o0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z02PO0A0OPZ1Z0Z0SKZ0

a b c d e f g hB W B WNf5. (6) Threatening Ne3 or Nxd6. Rxc5. (5) dxc5, d6, Kf7, c7. Qa1. (1,2) Kh2, Nf1, Kh1, Ng3, Kh2,

Ne2, h4, Qg1, Kh3, Nf4. #Re4. (6) Wins piece.

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0M0a0Z060ZpAPZkm5opZ0Z0o040ZrZ0Z0Z3O0O0Z0Z020O0Z0ZKZ1Z0ZRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7s0Z0Z0Z06pZPo0ZkZ5Z0aPZpZp40Z0ZpJ0O3Z0Z0M0Z020ZRZ0O0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZQZ0Z7Z0Z0Z0ok60Z0Z0A0o5Z0Z0o0Z040Z0l0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0ZP20Z0m0ZPZ1Z0Z0Z0ZK

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7s0ZpZ0o060Z0ZpZ0Z5Z0a0O0Z040sPm0Z0o3ZpS0S0ZP20O0M0APZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g hB W W BRh6. (2) Kg5, g2, Rg3, Kh7, Kf4, Rg6. Rg8. (1,2) Kh7, Bd5, Ra7, Kf8, Bxg5,

Be4, Kh6, Rh8, Rh7, Rxh7. Wins rook.Kg3. (1) Black king in mating net. Mateunavoidable.

Qf3. (1) Qe5, f6, Qxf6, Qg4 mate.

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0Z0Z0o060Z0Z0ZKZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3S0Z0Z0or2PZ0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0j7Z0Z0ZKS06rZ0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0Z0O040Z0o0Z0a3ZBZPZ0Z020Z0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZpZ0Z0s060ZbZ0MpZ5Z0m0ZkOp40Z0Z0Z0O3Z0Z0ZPZ02BZ0ZRJ0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZpZ0ZpZk60Z0Z0ZpZ5O0L0Z0Jp40Z0Z0Z0O3Z0ZqZ0O020Z0Z0O0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

W B W BRxc5. (5) Rxc5, Bb4. f5. (2,6) White loses pawns from fork. Rxg6. (1) fxg6, Ke6 winning pawn

endgame.Re1. (6) Double threat of Rxe4 and d2.

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a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0Z0opZp60Z0o0Zpa5Z0oPZ0Z040Z0ZNZ0Z3Z0Z0O0O02rs0Z0O0O1SRZ0ZKZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0j0Z7Z0Z0ZpZ060Z0J0SbZ5Z0Z0Z0O040Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z020Z0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZRZ0Z7Z0Z0Z0op60ZKZ0akZ5Z0O0Z0Z040Z0ZNZ0Z3Z0ZpZ0O020O0Z0O0Z1Z0s0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hB B B Wb4. cxb4, d4. pawn will promote. Ke5. a4, b6 zugzwang. Black king will

penetrateRc1. Nxc1, d2. pawn will promote. Re5. Rxe5, Rxf7, Kg8, Rg7, Rxg7 stale-

mate.

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0Z0Z0Z5ZpZpZ0Z040Z0Z0ZKZ3ZPO0j0ZP20Z0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZpZ0Z0Z060Z0Z0Z0Z5o0o0Zko040ZPZ0ZPo3OPZ0J0ZP20Z0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0s0Z0Z060Z0Z0ZkZ5ZRZ0Z0Z040Z0Z0o0Z3ZNZpaPZP20Z0Z0ZPZ1Z0Z0ZKZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0ZRZpj060Z0ZRZ0Z5ZrZ0Z0Zp40Z0Z0Z0J3Z0Z0Z0ZP20Z0Z0ZrZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hW W W BBc3. a3, Bxb2, axb2, Rb1. Nxg5. Rg2, Kh4, Rxg5, Re6, Bxe6

stalemate.Rc8. Threatening Bxf6. Bg5, Bd4, Ke7,Rxd8.

Bxg4. hxg4, hxg4, Ka6, g3.

80Z0Z0ZkZ7Z0Z0Z0Zp60Z0ZpZ0Z5ZbZ0O0o04pZ0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0ZPZ020o0Z0ZPO1Z0ZRA0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0Z0ZkZ5Z0ZbZ0op40Z0ZNZ0Z3Z0Z0S0JP2rZ0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0j0Z7Z0SPZpo06po0Z0a0Z5Z0Z0Z0Zp40Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0A0ZbOB2PZ0Z0O0O1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7J0j0Z0Z060Z0Z0Z0Z5O0Z0Z0Zp40Z0Z0ZPZ3Z0Z0o0ZP20Z0Z0Z0Z1Z0ZbZBZ0

a b c d e f g hW W W WRb3. Trapping bishop. Kf6, Ke2, Bb4,Rxb4, axb4, a5. promote pawn.

g5. Ke6, gxh6, Kf6, hxg6, Kxg6, a3,Kxh6, b4. promote pawn.

h4. King is outside square of pawn. pro-mote pawn.

Rxh4. Bxh4, g4 wins pawn.

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Zpj060S0Z0ZpZ5o0Z0ZpZp4PZ0ZpZ0Z3Z0Z0O0OP20Z0a0O0Z1Z0Z0ZKZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0ZpZ060Z0j0Zpo5o0ZpZ0ZP40Z0J0ZPZ3ZPZ0ZPZ02PZ0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z040j0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z020Z0J0Z0O1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0Z0o0Z5o0Z0Zrak40Z0S0Z0o3Z0Z0ZNZP2PZ0ZKZPZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hB B B Bf4. (3) Ke2, Rxd3, Kxd3, Bf5. Rc1. Kxc1, g1Q, Kb2, Qc5. f4. Wins material. Re2. Black threatening Rh2 or Qe6.

80Z0s0Z0Z7o0a0Z0Zp60ZpZbZpZ5Z0Z0opZk4PONZ0Z0O3Z0OBJPZ020Z0Z0ZPZ1ZRZ0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0O0Z0Z06pS0Z0Z0Z5Z0Z0okZ040Z0Z0Z0Z3ZPZ0Z0Z02PZ0J0ZpZ1Z0Z0ZrZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Zrj7ZpZ0S0Zp60ZpZ0Z0Z5Z0Z0OpZ040Z0Z0Z0Z3ZPZ0Z0OP2PZ0s0ZBJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060oklrZ0Z5Z0ZpZ0LR40ZpO0Z0Z3Z0O0Z0ZK20ZPZ0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

B B B WBf5. Bxf5, gxf5. No defense to Ra1. e3. (5) fxe3, Rc2, Rd7, Bc3. Wins a

piece.Rd6. Then play Rd1. material or pro-mote.

Ka6. Rxf1, b8Q, Rg1, Qg8, Kh6, Qf8,Kg6, Rf5.

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0o0jp60Z0ZbZpZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040S0ZBO0O3O0Z0O0O02ro0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7S0Z0Zpj06pZ0Z0apZ5Z0Z0Z0Zp40Z0ZpZ0O3Z0Z0Z0O02PZ0M0O0J1Z0s0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0ZkZ060s0Z0o0Z5ZPZ0Z0o040Z0M0mPo3Z0Z0Z0ZP20Z0ZpZPZ1ZRZ0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7ZPZ0Z0Zp60Z0Z0ZkZ5SKZ0Z0Z04PZ0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z020Z0s0o0Z1Z0Z0sRZ0

a b c d e f g hW B B WRd7. (2,3) Bb6, Rf7, Kg5, Ne6. c6. (1,6) Wins rook or mate. Nd3. fork. g4. (6)

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0a0Z0Z060Z0Z0Z0o5o0M0okZP4Po0Z0s0Z3ZPZ0Z0ZK20ZPZ0Z0Z1Z0ZRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0o0Z0j06pZ0o0ZpZ5Z0oRZPJp40ZPZ0Z0O3ZPZ0Z0O02PZ0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0ZrZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7opZ0ZkZp60Z0Z0o0Z5Z0A0mPs04PZPZ0S0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z020Z0Z0Z0O1Z0Z0ZKZ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z06pZ0ZpZ0Z5ZpZ0ZkZr40ZpONZ0o3O0Z0Z0Z020O0A0ZPZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g hW W B WKf4. (3,5) Re1, Bc3. Nxb7. Nxb7, bxa6 will promote. d3. Rxg6, Kh7 can’t stop d-pawn. Rd8. c2 or Rxd8 lead to mate.

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0s0Zpj060Z0S0m0Z5ZpZ0sPM040AbZ0Z0Z3O0Z0ZKZP20Z0S0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0ZkZ7ZpZbZpo06pZ0M0Z0Z5OPmPZ0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0ZP20Z0Z0ZBJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0ZkZ7o0Z0Z0Z060o0ZRZpo5Z0Z0O0Z040O0o0Z0Z3O0Z0Z0JP20Z0Z0ZPZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZrakZ7Z0ZRZ0O060Z0ZpZKZ5Z0Z0o0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3ZBo0Z0Z020Z0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hW W B BRxa4. Rxa4, c7. pawn will promote. Nc6. (2,3,4) Rb7, Nd8, Ra7, Rxc7,

Rxc7, Ne6.g4. (1) fxg4, Nf3. will mate. Nxe5. (1) Kxe5, Ke7. Mate unavoid-

able.

8rZ0Z0ZkZ7Z0Z0Z0Zp60ZPZ0ZpZ5ZPZ0o0Z04bZ0o0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0O020Z0Z0OPZ1S0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZRZ0Z0Z7s0m0Z0j060Z0Z0Z0o5Z0o0MpZP40Z0Z0O0Z3Z0Z0Z0Z020Z0Z0ZPJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0ZR60Z0Zpj0Z5M0Z0m0o040Z0ZPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZPOK20ZrZ0Z0O1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0j0Z7ZbZnZpZp6pZ0Z0Z0Z5O0o0AKo040o0ZPZ0a3Z0ZPZ0ZP20O0MNZPZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hB B W BRxc4. Bxc4, Rxg4, Kxg4 stalemate. b5. Trying for Qc1 mate. Rf3. (1,6) Wins piece or mate as Nxe4,

Bf8, Kg8, Bh6.Ke5. Bishop must commit to one.

80Z0Z0ZRZ7Z0s0ZBZ060Z0Z0ZPj5Z0Z0Z0Z040ZPZ0JPZ3Z0Z0Z0Z020Z0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0s0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0L0Z0Z7o0ZPZpZk60o0ZpZ0o5Z0o0Z0Z040Z0Z0O0Z3JPO0Z0Z02PZ0l0ZPO1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0S0Z7Z0Z0Z0jp60ZpZ0ZpZ5o0A0Z0Z04rZ0ZPZ0O3Z0m0Z0O020Z0Z0O0J1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0Z0Z0Z5J0ZBZ0Z040o0Z0j0Z3Z0Z0Z0Zp20Z0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

W B W BRxc6. Rxc6, Bd3 mate. Rxb3. Qd2, Qb6. Rg7. (2) wins two rooks. Ne3. Kf7, Nf5, Ke6, Nh6, Ke7, Kd4,

Kf8, Nf5.

80ZrZ0Z0Z7ZpZ0ZpZ06pZbSpZnZ5O0Z0Zko040OPA0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0OP20Z0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0ZBJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Zpj060Z0o0Z0Z5ZrZPo0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3ZBLbZ0Z02PO0Z0lPO1J0ZRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0ZRZp60ZrMRmkZ5o0Z0ZrZ04Po0Z0Z0Z3ZPZ0ZpZP20ZPZ0ZPJ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0o060Z0ZKZPZ5Z0Z0Z0Z040Z0Z0Z0Z3Z0j0Z0Z020Z0Z0Z0Z1Z0ZnZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

4.2 PROPHYLAXIS PUZZLES

W W W BBh4. Doesn’t allow the active Nh5 andfrees g3 square for knight.

h4. Prevents the Ng5 thrust. h5. Before endgame, constrain oppo-nents kingside, else h5 and g6.

g5. White wants to play Nf4-d5.

8rZbl0skZ7opZ0Zpa060Z0o0m0o5ZBoPo0Z04Pm0ZPZ0Z3Z0M0ZPA020OPM0ZPZ1S0ZQS0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZqZrZkZ7opZ0spon60ZpZ0Z0o5Z0M0Z0Z040OQSPZ0Z3Z0Z0ZPO02PZ0S0ZKO1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZrZkZ7ZpZ0lpo06pZpZ0Z0o5Z0Z0O0Z040O0L0O0O3O0Z0Z0O020Z0S0ZKZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8rZbl0s0Z7o0Z0m0jp60o0Z0opZ5Z0o0m0Z040Z0oPZ0Z3Z0ZPZ0O02POPLNMBO1S0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g hB B W WQe5. Black wants a5-a4 but first pre-vents white from exchanging bishops andequalizing.

Kf8. Bc2, Ke7. Securing defense of d6pawn.

g5. Preventing Nf6-d7-c5. Ba3. Black planning Nf5 or Ng6.

80s0s0ZkZ7o0Z0Zpo060Zbopl0o5Z0o0Z0Z040ZPZ0Z0Z3ZPZBO0Z02PZQS0OPO1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80s0s0ZkZ7Z0Z0Zpo060ZbopZ0o5o0o0Z0Z040ZPZ0Z0Z3ZPZBO0Z02PZ0S0OPO1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0ZnZ0Z7ZbZ0ZkZp6pZ0o0ZpZ5Z0ZPo0Z040ZPZ0ZPZ3Z0Z0Z0OP20ZBA0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZbZ0lkZ7opZ0m0s060Z0ZpZ0Z5Z0ZpO0ZQ40Z0Z0Z0S3Z0O0Z0O02PZ0Z0OKZ1S0A0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hW B B WRa1. Neutralizes counterplay is queen-side. If exchange on b3, then a6,a7 underattack.

Rf5. Tying rook to defense of pawn. h5. White knight poorly positioned. c5. Preventing knight getting to c5.

80Z0Z0ZkZ7o0o0Z0op6bZ0ZpZ0Z5Z0Z0Z0Z04psPZ0Z0Z3ZPZ0Z0O02PZ0ZPOBO1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0Z0Z7Z0Z0ZrZ06RZ0Z0Z0Z5O0Z0Z0Z040Z0Z0ZpZ3Z0Z0ZkZ020J0Z0Z0Z1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0s0skZ7Z0l0apmp6pZbZpZpZ5ZpZ0O0Z040Z0A0Z0Z3O0OBM0ZQ20O0Z0ZPO1S0Z0ZRZK

a b c d e f g h

80s0mnskZ7Z0lbapZp6pZ0o0ZpZ5Z0ZPo0Z04pZPZPZ0Z3Z0OBZNZP20Z0ZQOPZ1SNA0S0J0

a b c d e f g hW W W WBd5. Black wants to get knight to f4.Prevents Ne6 and prepares attack on f7.

Bd5. Allowing an exchange instead ofd6-d5.

Qa3. Constraining king and creatingthreat of Ne4. Mate at Qe7 or win knight.

a4. Black wants to play c5 or Qe6, Nfd2,c5. But now white can play b5.

80Z0Z0mkZ7Z0Z0ZpZ060Z0Z0ZpZ5L0Z0Z0Z040Z0ZBZPo3O0ZPZ0ZP20l0Z0OKZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

80s0s0Z0Z7Z0m0a0ok60o0o0Zpo5Z0Z0o0Z04PZBZ0Z0Z3Z0O0A0Z020O0Z0OPO1S0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0ZkZ0s7opZnZpZ060Z0ZpmpZ5Z0ZqZ0Ap40Z0O0Z0O3Z0ZQZ0M02PO0Z0OPZ1S0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZrZkZ7Zbonlpa06po0Z0mpo5Z0Z0o0Z040ONZPZ0A3Z0O0ZNZ02PZQZ0OPO1S0Z0SBJ0

a b c d e f g hW B B Bf3. White retains valuable bishop frombeing exchanged. Gives an escape.

g5. White wants space with g3 and f4.Restricts possibilities.

Bb3. Block whites queenside and pre-vents b4.

g5. Prevents opening of h-file.

80ZrZrZkZ7ZbonZpa06po0ZqZpo5Z0Z0o0Zn4PONZPZ0A3Z0O0Z0Z020ZQM0OPO1S0Z0SBJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0skZ7opZbZrZp60Z0ZpZpZ5Z0ZpZ0Z040ZpO0l0Z3O0O0Z0Z020ZPZROPO1S0Z0LBJ0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0s0ZkZ7opZ0Zpo060Z0ZpZ0o5Z0m0Z0Z04bZPZ0Z0Z3O0S0ZNZ020O0ZBOPO1Z0Z0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrlrZka7opZ0opZp60Z0obZpA5Z0Z0Z0ZP40ZnZPZPZ3ZNM0ZPZ02POPZ0Z0L1ZKZRZ0ZR

a b c d e f g h

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CHAPTER 4. PUZZLES

W B B BNe2. Covers knights from getting to f4and plans for f4.

b5. White wants Qc4 to exchange queenswith better position.

a5. White wants to open line with b4. Rh8. Stopping rook from going h3 org4.

80s0a0s0j7Z0oqZpop60Z0o0ZnZ5ZpZ0Z0Zn40Z0OPZ0Z3ZBM0APZ020O0Z0O0O1S0Z0ZQSK

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZrZkZ7apZ0Z0o06pZnZ0opZ5Z0ZqZ0Z040Z0O0ZPA3ZPL0ZNZP2PZ0S0OKZ1Z0ZRZ0Z0

a b c d e f g h

8rZ0Z0skZ7Z0l0Z0Z06pZ0o0a0o5Z0o0ono04QZPZRZ0Z3Z0ZNZPZ02PO0Z0APO1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

80ZrZ0Z0Z7Z0Z0Z0Z060Z0Z0Z0Z5ZpZ0oko040Z0o0Z0Z3ZPZ0ZPS020ZPJ0ZPZ1Z0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g hW W W WRa2. Black wants to free himself Bb5.But now when pawn takes, a2 is defendedby the bishop.

a4. Black wants b5 then Nb6 or Ne4. e4. Take control of d5 square. b6 knightcould use it to get to b4.

a5. Black wants to kick c5 knight awaywith a5 then b6.

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a b c d e f g h

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a b c d e f g h

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a b c d e f g h

80Zbs0s0j7Zpo0mpa06pZ0Z0l0o5Z0M0o0o04PZBZPZ0Z3Z0O0M0O020O0ZQOPZ1S0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g hW B B BBb6. Prevents Na5, Bd5, Rc8 and takesd8 square away from rook.

a5. Nc1, a4. Prevented equalizing moveNc1-b3, and also prepares to develop rookvia a6 to b6.

b5. ab, b6. Preventing pawn break-through b5 then a5.

h5. Stopping the exchange off of strongd5 knight by Ne5-g4-e3.

8rZ0Z0Z0j7ZpZ0lpo06pZnonZ0o5Z0Z0o0Z040Z0ZPZQZ3ZBO0A0O02PO0Z0O0O1Z0ZRZ0J0

a b c d e f g h

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a b c d e f g h

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a b c d e f g h

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a b c d e f g hW B W BQf2. Defending against Qg3 and Qe5threatening Qxe3 and Qxd4.

a5. For the a3 bishop to get in game,white must do b4.

Rh4. Black knight wants to get to c4 ora4.

Qa5. White wants g4 then either f3 or f4then g5. After g4 black plays Nxg4.

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a b c d e f g h

8rZbl0skZ7o0Z0mpa060o0Z0Zpo5Z0o0Z0Z04QZ0oNZ0Z3A0ZPZ0O02PO0ZPOBO1Z0S0ZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

80Z0Z0skZ7Zpl0Z0op6pm0S0o0Z5Z0Z0oPZ040Z0Z0Z0Z3O0OQZ0Z020ZPZ0ZPZ1Z0J0Z0ZR

a b c d e f g h

80Zkl0Z0Z7opZ0spo060Z0Zpm0o5Z0Z0A0ZP40ZPZ0Z0Z3Z0Z0Z0O02PO0ZQO0Z1ZKZ0S0Z0

a b c d e f g hB W W WBxf3. Rxf3, Be5. Black saving bestpiece (blockading d6 knight) from beingexchanged.

Ra5. Preventing blacks only activemove Ne5.

Rb1. Protecting b6 pawn from Bxa4, ba,Rxb6

Be6. Attacks d7 knight, defends e4pawn and doesn?t allow Qf6. Also createsthreads ef and Nc4.

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a b c d e f g h

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a b c d e f g h

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a b c d e f g h

8rZ0l0s0j7ZbonZ0ap60o0m0ZpZ5o0Z0opZ04PZBZPZ0Z3APO0ZNZ020ZQM0OPO1Z0ZRS0J0

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B B B WKe7. Doesn’t allow d6 and prevents ac-tivity of king.

Re2. Prevents capture of e7 pawn andalso g4.

a5. b6 knight protects c4 so repel threadof a5.

g3. Nb6, h4. Black plans Nb6 and g5.

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a b c d e f g h

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a b c d e f g h

8rZbZrZkZ7Zpl0Zpap6pm0o0ZpZ5Z0ZPm0Z04PZpZPZ0Z3Z0Z0Z0OP20OQM0OBZ1S0ANZRJ0

a b c d e f g h

8rZnZkZ0s7Z0Zba0o06pZ0ZpZpZ5ZpZpOpZ040O0M0Z0Z3O0ZBZNZ020ZPZ0OPO1S0Z0S0J0

a b c d e f g hW W B BNc7. Impede invasion of black rook one2 bc then white plays Ne6 losing rook.

g4. Black wants Nc6 seizing d4. a5. White wants b4 then a5, getting c5for knight.

Qd7. White wants g3 then f4, or also g4.Black can then Nh5 and prepares bishop tob6.

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a b c d e f g h

80m0s0skZ7l0Z0apop6pZ0ZpZ0Z5Z0obAnZ04PoNZNO0Z3ZPZPZ0OP20ZPZRLBJ1S0Z0Z0Z0

a b c d e f g h

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a b c d e f g h

8rZbarZkZ7Zpl0Zpop60Zpo0m0Z5o0mPo0Z04PZPZPZ0Z3Z0M0A0ZP20O0MBOPJ1S0ZQZ0S0

a b c d e f g hW Wa5. Preventing b6. Qd3. Prevents bishop getting to f5 and

threatens Qxb5 and Qxh7.

80Z0srZ0j7opZ0Z0Zp60ZpZ0lbZ5Z0O0ZpZ04PZ0O0L0S3ZBZ0S0Z020Z0Z0OPZ1Z0Z0Z0J0

a b c d e f g h

8rZbj0ZrZ7Z0l0ZpZp60Z0o0Z0Z5opZPZ0a040Z0Z0o0Z3Z0A0ZBZ02POPL0ZPZ1Z0JRS0Z0

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Chapter 5

Appendix

5.1 SUMMARY

Play the opening like a book, the middlegame like a magician, and the endgamelike a machine.

1. Opening: develop quickly, connect your rooks, don’t move a piece twice,control the center, don’t leave pieces hanging, develop all your pieces be-fore starting any combinations, don’t grab pawns at the expense of devel-opment or position.

2. Middlegame: Strategy and piece activity are the priority! It is positionalplay that assures a player that definite winning opportunities will disclosethemselves, and decisive combinations will appear on the board. The mas-ter does not search for combinations. He creates the conditions that makeit possible for them to appear! At any given moment, you should be ableto lecture others about the pros and cons of any position you reach. Tacticsis knowing what to do when there is something to do. Strategy is knowingwhat to do when there is nothing to do. Centralization: Move as forward aspossible and towards center. Improve your least active piece (forward andcenter). Force your opponent to do something concrete. Attack! Blunder-check! Expect your opponent to make the correct reply!The most important idea/goal in chess is to increase Piece Activity: It isthe basis for all strategic and tactical ideas. Piece activity is the doorwayto planning. The player with the most pieces should win. The reason todevelop all your pieces in the opening. The reason an attack is successful.Create the attitude of ”I’ll do what I want no matter what you say”, ”I willmake a way”. Make the search for superior and preventative piece activityan addiction.Don’t believe all those stories you hear of chess masters analyzing intricatecombinations with dozens of variations for 30 moves ahead. They don’t dothis because they don’t have to! It is far easier and more to the point to onlylook a few moves ahead and try to maintain at least an equal game at every

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stage. Winning by accumulating small advantages is more consistent withthe common sense approach than to seek to overwhelm the opponent withbewildering combinations and ventursome sacrificial attacks. Strengthen-ing ones own position gradually while undermining that of the opponent ismore important than indulging in fruitless speculative fancies.

Since chess is inherently a drawn game with perfect play, and that manyplayers have improved their skill in defence, general solidity and soundnessmeans that the game is different compared to previous times. In general,dubious play on the whole is now discouraged.

Place an emphasis on consistency and playing well for the whole game. Itis an excellent idea to try to play 40 or 50 good moves going into everygame and not stress out over perfectionism. It is undeniable that consis-tently playing good, reasonable moves is an extremely important part ofplaying strong chess. Strong chess is much more about making simplehigh-percentage decisions that are solid and good than it is about beingbrilliant, macho or blowing anyone away. The main emphasis is that hugeerrors are avoided.

Instead of viewing the game as a random tactical sequence, you should fo-cus on playing good moves, restricting your opponent, playing the best highpercentage moves to maintain all of your pluses and giving the opponentnothing constructive to do.

Getting better at playing with the patience to improve your pieces calmlywhile restricting the opponent’s main sources of counterplay will allow youto manage you advantages more competently and lose far fewer of thoseadvantages.

It is important to realize when calculating that you do not strictly need tocalculate the exact consequences of your intended move. You only need toconvince yourself that it is better than the alternatives.

As a general piece of advice, the first candidate moves you select should bethe progressive ideas: the most direct ideas that deal with the first threats orproblems you have identified. List your options and mentally work throughthem.

Ask if a move is ’healthy’ or not. Strong players usually know when theyhave an equal position and just need to play sensible moves to maintain thestatus quo.

Defensive resources are objectively much greater than many players in thepast thought. Find defensive resources!

Dynamism is the single word most associated with modern chess. A styleof play in which the activity of the pieces is favoured over more positionalconsiderations, even to the point of accepting permanent structural or spa-tial weaknesses.

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3. Endgame: Know the theory and basic mates. Know how to get or avoid adraw. Get your king into an active position. Create a passed pawn (withrook behind it). When ahead in material, look to simplify down.

Dvoretsky Book:In practice, tactics are usually closely intertwined with strategy: in order to

make the best choice, it is important not only to find specific moves, but also toevaluate their consequences and to sense the dangers that lie in store for us onone path or another.

Constantly look for pitfalls that may have been set by your opponent. This isthe skill that you should be developing ultimately.

Sometimes accurately calculating the consequences of our intended move isdifficult and even unnecessary. It is easier to convince ourselves that it makessense, is not refuted immediately, and all the other moves are bad or at leastnoticeably weaker. As a result, we save time and simultaneously confirm thecorrectness of our choice. It is natural to call this approach to decision-makingthe process of elimination.

When you compare two continuations that are equally attractive at first sight,it often makes sense to try and refute one of them, to then choose the other bythe process of elimination.

The standard procedure for using the process of elimination: determine allcandidate moves that make sense, then look for the strongest responses by ouropponent, which forces us to throw out the majority of the candidate moves.

Many times, it is impossible or extremely difficult to calculate the correctpath from beginning to end, and so you have to progress move by move.

When choosing one path or another in a game it makes sense, al things beingequal, to give preference to a continuation in which the likelihood of your oppo-nent making a mistake is increased. We can only talk about a trap in these kindsof situations with considerable amount of caution, but still, in essence this is thesame ”trap“ approach.

Prophylactic thinking is the habit of constantly asking yourself what youropponent wants to do, where he would go on his move, the ability to find a replyto the question that has been posed and to take it into account in your decisionmaking process.

The main principle of converting an advantage is the restriction of the oppo-nent’s possibilities; it is clear that here one cannot manage without prophylacticthinking. By developing this trait, you also become stronger in tactics and youmake fewer blunders. When defending a difficult position, you must constantlysee with what you are threatened; and when attacking, you must reckon withthe opponent’s defensive resources. Thus possession of the skill of prophylacticthinking exerts a favorable influence on practically all aspects of your play.

”Prophylactic thinking“ means guessing your partner’s intentions, while ”pay-ing attention to your opponent’s resources“ is primarily the ability to find hiddendefensive moves in the apparently tempting combinations that we would like to

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implement.Some players, knowing about prophylactic thinking only by repute, are sure

that it is a synonym for passive, defensive tactics. Nothing of the sort! The pointis not to defend against everything, it is important to figure out the opponent’sintentions in time, and subsequent actions depend on the player himself. Some-times you really do have to fend off a threat, but sometimes you can ignore it orplay to get ahead, take decisive measures yourself, not giving your partner timeto implement his idea. Finally, prophylactic actions are often associated withsharp, aggressive moves, nothing like passive defense.

Gelfand:Giving the opponent problems is what it is all about. Today we know that

we should fight for counterplay like this; that we need to change the character ofthe game when we have the chance. What mad rubinstein the master is that hedeveloped his pieces, defined a goal and used all the possibilities on the way toachieving it, be they tactics or improving the position of his pieces.

Ches is a game with a sizable drawing margin and we need our opponents tomake mistakes if we are to win. At times this is achieved by putting concreteproblems to them, at other times by asking them to find a way to navigate theirway out of the situation they are in. It may not be necessary to harass them toomuch, and we can just focus on improving our own position slowly. The squeeze:we apply a little pressure just enough to make his life a bit uncomfortable. Intime this might lead to a small inaccuracy, and a few more problems to solve.More problems means more chances to make mistakes. All we have to do is tokeep the pressure up, to keep squeezing. As the playing strength of the playersincreases, the advantage needed to win a game also diminishes. But I am surethat having a better pawn structure is an advantage at all levels, so even if you donot know exactly what to use it for, get it. In the long run it will pay off. If youmanage to get a nice position, the squeeze strategy can be unusually effective. Itis simply easier to play positions where you are applying pressure than to playpositions where everything you do will lead to an inferior position. With thepressure increasing, so does the chance that he will err.

A space advantage occurs when pawns are taking important squares from theopponent’s pieces. Playing for a space advantage is a great strategy. The generalidea is to keep the space advantage and see what happens. Any given pawnstructure has a certain capacity for accommodating pieces efficiently. Exceedthis capacity and the pieces get in each other’s way, and so reduce their mutualactivity. Pawn placement decides who is attacking and who is defending and candecide the entire game. Some guidelines for the side with a space advantage: 1)avoid any unnecessary exchanges of pieces. 2) Carefully prepare to open a file.3) Try to prepare a pawn advance to drive them back more. 4) Manoeuvre againsttwo weaknesses. 5) Prevent any attempts by your opponent to free himself. 6)The advantage can be increases by a transition into an endgame.

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Pawns are the soul of chess, their placement decides who is attacking andwho is defending and can decide the entire game. Aim for a structure that isbeneficial to the activity of your pieces and detrimental to the movement of theopponents pieces.

Never hurry! It makes no sense to hurry, as it does not matter if you win in10 moves or 30 moves. To win without counter-chances is far more important.Play your best moves and see where it leads.

Attacking Book:The mating square is that on which the king stands when it is mated. The

mating focal-point is that from which an opponent’s piece (other than a king,knight or pawn) mates the king at close-quarters. To carry out a mating attacksuccessfully one must concentrate on the focal point, and to clear the focal-point,i.e., to deprive any opposing pieces of their control over a square which wouldbe convenient as a focal-point.

One must carry out a series of preliminary operations, which require only asmaller degree of advantage, and then one will attain the abundant superioritywhich facilitates a mating attack.

The attack against the uncastled kingThe initial position of the king before it castles contains two main weak-

nesses. 1) it is exposed if the e-file is opened up. 2) the f7 square in black’sposition (f2 in white’s) is vulnerable since it is covered by the king alone. Thusmost attacks exploit one of these weaknesses.

–Attack along the e-file: The first and most fundamental condition for anattack on the e-file is that the king should be on that file and for some reason it isimpossible or difficult for it to move away. The second condition depends on theattacker’s own circumstances. The e-file should be open, or it should at any ratebe in the attacker’s power to open it. The attacker should also either have a piecewhich can control a file on the file or be able to quickly post one there. Doublingrooks helps or attacking a piece which is on the file protecting the king. If thispiece is on the square directly in front of the king (e7 or e2), the attacker may beable to mate by capturing it with his queen (or rook), i.e., by making the squareinto the focal-point.

–Attack on the f7 square: threats of a sacrificial attack on f7 (or f2) are com-mon. They are connected with an attack on the king or even with the idea ofmate, in which case the square becomes a focal-point of a mating attack.

The attack on the king that has lost the right to castleSome examples are the following:

1) spoiling the king’s castling chances, or drawing it away from the castlingposition.

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2) the pursuit of the king across the board by checking. Hunting the kingabout the board. What’s important is the extent to which its position is weakened.A typical case is where checks help to nourish the development of the attack.

3) the final mating attack in the middle of the board or on the edge.

The attack on the castled positionThe general rule is that one should castle as soon as possible, with some ex-

ceptions 1) castling is postponed or not carried out at all because some otheraction is more useful. 2) Castling is postponed because for the time being it isstill dangerous. Better to prepare to remove the danger first, by exchanging thethreatening pieces or some other manoeuvre. 3) Castling is not done at once be-cause the player wishes to castle on the other side and needs further preparation.If he is aiming for an attack, he may decide to castle on the opposite side of hisopponent, while if he is aiming to forestall at attack, then he will more likelycastle on the same side as his opponent. 4) Castling may be postponed and per-haps forgone forever, when the center is permanently blocked. 5) Castling isunnecessary because the endgame is already not far off, in which case the kingis well placed in the middle of the board.

Safety from attack and a genuine prospect of making further piece exchangesare two important criteria affecting a decision on the forfeiture of the right tocastle. Even in cases where there is justification for a delay in castling, it is stilla good thing to have the opportunity to castle quickly on one side at least.

The passive nature of the castled position results from the lack of mobility ofthe king, hence the pawns which ’may not be moved, if the position is not to beweakened’ are also indirectly immobile. There is a positive feature coming fromthe fact that the castled position is always a decentralized one, so that any attackon it demands a decentralization of the attacker’s pieces. It is here that principalrisk of such an attack lies. If the attack does not succeed, the fact that some ofthe attacker’s pieces are out of position tells against the attacker.

The squares that the attacker threatens mate or actually mates on, are calledmating focal-points, but if he only harries the king from them or uses them aspoints from which to break into the castled position they are called auxiliaryfocal-points. Generally, every focal-point is a weak square in the defender’sterritory and a potentially strong one for the attacker.

Focal Points: The most important focal-points where castling kingside is con-cerned are g7 and h7 since these squares are more accessible to the attacker. h7is more frequently attacked (due to Bd3 or Ng5), however attacks against g7 aremore dangerous. Also, a weakness on g7 usually brings two more on f6 andh6, while on h7 generally only has a single weakness at g6. Thus ...g6 involvesa greater weakening than ...h6. The main task involved in attacks on g7 is the’clearing’ of that square, while the escape of the king is a minor worry. In at-tacks on h7 the ’clearing’ is usually the easier task, while the attacker’s mainpreoccupation is to stop the king escaping. The ’classic bishop sacrifice’ is themost important kind of attack on the focal-point h7. The f7 square is rarely

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the actual focal-point in a mating attack, but it is often an auxiliary focal-pointwhich is attacked either in order to drive the king away from g8 or, by means ofa sacrifice, to draw the king on to the actual square itself. Control over a net-work of squares is an important factor in positional play, but in attacks on thecastled king it is particularly effective since control over a network often is of apermanent nature. The most essential precondition is to ’clear’ the network notonly of the influence of the opponent’s bishop (either by eliminating it or drivingit away) but also of possible resistance from the opponents pawns at importantpoints in the network. When the attacker has ’cleared’ the network, the candi-date focal-points can easily be determined while the other squares in the networkmay serve as secondary focal-points or else as strong squares for the attacker topost his pieces on.

An action in the vicinity of the castled king can be carried out by any of thepieces, but the long range ones, the queen, rook, and bishop, are most effective.One should always look for weakness on the back rank. Be on the lookout forcreating ’escape holes’. They have pros and cons like any move in chess. Thesecond rank (or 7th rank) is generally as weak as the back rank. The secondrank is harder to ’clear’ because the pawns are in the way. The purpose is to putpressure on the pawns and capture them or else prevent the king from movinginto the center. Also, the position of a queen or rook on the 7th can be useful inan attack on the castled king. Of all the long-range actions, the most importantwhen attacking the castled king is the vertical one on the open file. It is importantbecause it is easier to ’clear’ than a rank. Using a rook to control an open h-fileis a classic method of attack after castling kingside. A really important case iswhen the h-file has heavy pieces doubled on the file, threatening mate on h8.Of the various formations on the h-file the most important is that with a rookon h1 and a pawn on h4.A pawn captures a piece and opens the file for hisrook. Often, place another attacking piece on the square covered by the pawn,creating threats which induce or oblige the opponent to take it. There are twoother methods of exploiting this formation. One is simply to advance the pawn,the other is moving rook to h3 then to g3.

The queen is the most important piece in the attack on the castled king, with-out it such an attack rarely comes into consideration. The queen is made forfocal-points. The main use of a sacrifice in an attack on the castled king isto eliminate the pawns in the castled area, and aim at creating a focal-point.Attacking the castled position with pawn has many varied goals. The centralpawns is a restricting agent and also a direct controller of squares in the castlingarea. The formation composed of two or three neighboring pawns on the samerank is called a ’phalanx’, and when such a phalanx attacks it is described as an’avalanche’ or ’roller’. This is involves much more commitment than the bay-onet attack of one pawn. When using an avalanche, it is important that one’sopponent should be unable to retaliate in the center or the other wing (as for anyattack on the castled king). Its greatest enemy is a blockade, usually a sacrificemust be made.

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Ten practical tips: 1) for any attack on the castled king, it is essential thatthe opponent cannot counterattack in the center or on the other side, or that it isat least not dangerous. Attacking with pawns takes longer, take that into consid-eration. 2) A central pawn blockade prevents/limits counterattacks and so makesa pawn attack on the castled king much easier. 3) If a promising attack can bemade by the pieces alone, then leave the pawns at home. 4) It is difficult for apawn assault to succeed against a unweakened castled position since blockadesare possible. A preliminary action by the pieces is necessary to produce a weak-ening of the castled position. 5) every blockade in the castling area radicallychanges the character of the position. 6) one’s own pawns constitute a great ob-stacle to one’s rooks, consider the files as well as the rook on third rank. 7) Apawn storm generally increases the risk of an inferior endgame. 8) an advancedpawn facing the opponent’s castled position but which somehow gets in his way(like at f5), could sometimes use the advance of the adjacent pawn, turning intoan avalanche. Doesn’t much happen with the h-pawn. 9) Attacks on the cas-tled king in general, and those using pawns in particular should be judged onwhat’s happening on the whole board. Piece placement, situation in the centerand on other wing, positional strength/weakness, blocks, prospects of endgame.10) Before opening an attack, be cautious. During an attack be consistent andmerciless.

The Classic Bishop sacrificeWhite must have a queen, a light bishop and a knight. The knight should

should be in easy reach of g5 and the queen within reach of h5, though in somecases its enough to get to the h-file. For black, there should be two pawns stand-ing at f7 and g7. The position of black’s queen on d8 and a rook on f8 pointsto (but doesn’t guarantee) correctness. What is more important is that black’sknight should not be able to reach f6 and that neither his queen nor bishop shouldbe able to occupy the h7-b1 diagonal unharmed.There are three main variations arising from the sacrifice:

1) ...Kg81.Bxh7+ Kxh7 2.Ng5+ Kg8 3.Qh5 Re8 4.Qxf7+ Kh8 5.Qh5+ Kg8 6.Qh7+

Kf8 7.Qh8 Ke7 8.Qxg7#.

2) ...Kh61.Bxh7+ Kxh7 2.Ng5+ Kh6 3.Nxe6+ and 4.Nxd8, etc. This succeeds because

black’s queen is on d8, but even if not, white would win by 3.Qg4 Rh8 (otherwiseQh4+ and Qh7#) 4.Nxe6+ and 5.Qxg7#.

3) ...Kg61.Bxh7+ Kxh7 2.Ng5+ Kg6 3.h4 Rh8 4.h5+! Rxh5 5.Qd3+ f5 6.exf6+ Kxf6

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7.Qf3+ Ke7 8.Qf7+ Kd6 9.Qxh5 and white wins. This is the strongest move; inother cases ...Kg6 may be best met by Qg4. Black’s reply is forced.

Attack on the fianchettoed and queenside castled positionThe weak aspect of the fianchettoed position lies in the fact that the position

of the g-pawn at g6 simplifies the attackers task in opening up the h-file by theadvance of his h-pawn. There is also a danger that the fianchettoed bishop maybe exchanged. Without the bishop the castled position becomes weak and vul-nerable and the squares previously covered by the bishop form a weak network.An attack usually consists of these two things, an assault by the h-pawn andexchanging the fianchettoed bishop.

When castled queenside, the king and rook are both a square nearer the centerof the board, this can be useful for the rook but it usually presents difficulties forthe king, which is safer on g1 than c1. It takes more tempi as well. Castlingqueenside occurs when the rook is well placed on the d-file. One must usuallyplay the consolidating move Kb1, else it isn’t safe! The conditions for longcastling more often arise for white than for black. Main factors for castlingqueenside: 1) pawn position on the kingside has already been weakened whilethat on queenside is sound. 2) the opponents forces are favourably placed foran attack on the short castled position but not on long position. 3) the kingsideis not sufficiently developed while the queenside is clear 4) One’s opponent hascastled kingside and can only be exploited by pawns, like when fianchettoed andattacked with h-pawn. 5) when a rapid deployment of the rook on d-file is ad-vantageous.

Defending against the attack on the castled kingA direct defense is passive, and involves the defense of the actual castling

area or the removal of one’s opponent’s aggressive pieces. 1) protecting thesquares of the castled position 2) transforming the castled position by movingthe pawns in front of the king, like setting up a blocked position. 3) Alteringthe castled position by moving the king 4) defense by means of repulsing one’sopponent’s pieces through their capture, exchange, or ejection from powerfulpositions.

An indirect defense is active, actions further away from the castled position,which the defender uses to keep the attacker so busy that he fails to pursue hisattack. 1) the defender carries out a counterattack on the opposite side, where theattacker has castled. 2) action on the opposite side, like defender takes controlof attacker’s first or second rank. Who will be the first to force mate or whichof the two attacks will be brought to a halt through the diversion of pieces toprovide direct defense. 3) An action on any part of the board with the aim ofgaining material. The most important case is where the attacker sacrifices, thenthe defender’s repertoire is greatly increased since he is given various ways toreturn material in order to counter the attacker’s plan. The sacrifice is also asignal to the defender to counter with a sacrifice which would previously have

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been out of question. 4) The counterattack results in material equality but matecannot be forced and both attacks are brought to a halt, and simplification leads toan ending. 5) The counterattack does not lead to a mating attack, nor to materialor position, but does transition to a direct defense. 6) advance of a queensidepawn majority, to promote a pawn. 7) retaliation in the center 7a) a centralthrust weakens the attacker’s formation and prepares for further operations by thedefender, or transpose to direct defense. 7b) the destruction of the pawn centereliminates its auxiliary function with regard to attack. 7c) because of a centralthrust, many attackers block the position in the center. The attacker can activatethe center with a sacrifice, then the defender can make a return sacrifice in thecenter 7d) The destruction of the attackers center usually gives the defender theprospect of better conditions for positional play.

The importance of the center during must be emphasized as the critical areawhere the decisive step is often made. Every attacker must be able to calculateaccurately what is likely to happen in the center during an attack on the castledking.

The phases of the attack on the castled kingAn attack on the castled king cannot be successfully carried out on the ba-

sis of the attacker’s wishes or brilliance alone, but the essential conditions forit must also be present. These preconditions may be fulfilled to a greater orlesser degree, and the attacker’s game must adapt itself accordingly. The degreeand type of these preconditions determine the extent of the commitments whichthe attacker can undertake without harm; thus there is a reciprocal relationshipbetween preconditions and commitments, and the phase of the attack can berecognized.

Types of preconditions: The attacker should have pieces strongly deployed inthe vicinity of the enemy king or aimed in that direction. At the same time theremust be some deficiencies in the defender’s camp, a vulnerable king’s positioneither from weakness in the pawn structure or because pieces are misplaced.Such preconditions are the first or initial phase of attack, but they can also becreated by force at this stage. The second phase: the provocation of furtherweaknesses or the exclusion of one’s opponent’s counterattack or its suppression,control of the center, restraint against a central counter-thrust. The third phaseof the attack is the execution of mate or decisive material advantage, or of beingable to call off the actual attack and obtain a positional advantage or favourableending.

A greater degree of commitment is needed in the second phase. The sensibleplayer aims to conduct his game with a minimum of commitments, unless he isundertaking an uncompromising material attack that is certain to succeed.

One of the attacker’s most important tasks is assessing the extent to whichthe preconditions for an attack are present and the degree of commitment whichmay be incurred. Of all the different preconditions for an attack, one shouldcreate first those which entail the lesser degree of commitment, those that also

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strengthen one’s position in general. The heaviest commitments are those in-curred in an attack carried out with the aid of pawns. Of these, the heaviest isthe g-pawn, next comes the h-pawn while advancing the f-pawn entail the leastcommitment.

An attack on the king as an alternative which never materializes but whichacts as a secondary threat in the context of play with other objectives is a veryimportant concept. The threat to attack brings the player some advantage intempi or helps the deployment of his pieces for the other operations.

It has to be decided whether it is best to continue promoting the preconditionsfor an attack on the king or to seek a favourable ending.

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5.2 MY ULTIMATE SYSTEM

• When my opponent’s clock is going, I focus on the big picture with no calculating: What are theoverall goals of each side, what does the structure tell me to do i.e., should I be attacking, simplifyingto an endgame, making good trades, or improving? If he makes an indifferent move, what will I do?

• When my own clock is going, I do the following steps, and I calculate variations because I knowwhat my options are. I use a physical cue to keep myself accountable for completing each of thefour steps on each turn, no matter what.

Defend: What are the forced tactics (1 − 6) I need to prevent? There is alwaysa defense, find it!

Tactics: Can I force mate, material, or a superior position via tactics (1− 6)?

Strategy: Confine their pieces, liberate my pieces, make good trades, and reachan end.

1. Structure: Create a liberating pawn-structure. Consider all pawn-structuretransformations and pawn-breaks.

2. Piece Activity: Liberate my pieces. Fight for flexibility, piece activity, andslow improvement. What (weak†) square, rank, file, or diagonal should Icontrol? Stop all counterplay, confine their pieces. Make forty slow, solid,and high-probability moves. Maintain at least an equal position at everystage. Consider all trades. Trade off their better piece, or trade for a betterposition.

3. The End: The game is won from an attack or by simplifying to an endgame,decide which is more favorable. To attack: create focal-points and weak-nesses. Direct defense: protect target squares, remove aggressors fromtarget area, move pawns or king. Indirect defense: counterattack on theopposite side for mate or material, or retaliate/thrust in the center.

Blunder-Check: Visualize each candidate move, find tactical (1 − 6) or posi-tional refutations.

——————————————————-

Tactics: Force Mate or Material. Which tactics (1 − 6) are readily available to me? For each candidate move and refutation, now which tactics (1 − 6) are available to me? Alwaysimplement a double attack when possible. Complete each step and move on.

1. Mate: Can I pick up one piece and move/jump it to a mating position? If so, how can I get it there? Or, what’s the problem and can I find a way to safely land there? Highlightthese squares in your mind. Can I threaten mate?

2. Check: Does check force mate or material?

3. Get hanging pieces: How many hanging pieces are there? For each, can piece be captured? Can piece be threatened, forcing capture, or can I take away its flight squares?

4. Create hanging pieces: How many weak (once-defended) pieces are there? For each, can defender be captured or relocated, as to then take hanging piece? Can defender’s influencebe interfered with, creating a hanging piece?

5. Captures: Does any capture lead to a positive exchange? Can I add more attackers than defenders?

6. Threats: Find all threats. Does threatening any piece, especially the queen, lead to a material plus? Visualize all knight forks as well as all avenues of attack from all long rangepieces.

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5.3 STUDY PLAN

• Monday:

– d4-d5 openings and Slav structure– black Sicilians and Scheveningen, French II, 3-3 vs 4-2– One tactic: without calculating variations, go through “defend” and “attack” steps, to practice

awareness. Then look at solution.– Nightly review

• Tuesday:

– French and French I and III structures– Carro-kann and Isolani structure– Ruy Lopez and Closed Ruy, Lopez, KID I and II, structure– One tactic: without calculating variations, go through “defend” and “attack” steps, to practice

awareness. Then look at solution.– Annotated game– Nightly review

• Wednesday:

– White Sicilian and Najdorf I and II, maroczy, dragon structure.– white and black other– One tactic: without calculating variations, go through “defend” and “attack” steps, to practice

awareness. Then look at solution.– Annotated game– Nightly review

• Thursday:

– d4-d5 openings and Slav structure– black Sicilians and Scheveningen, French II, 3-3 vs 4-2– One tactic: without calculating variations, go through “defend” and “attack” steps, to practice

awareness. Then look at solution.– Play a game– Nightly review

• Friday:

– French and French I and III structures– Carro-kann and Isolani structure– Ruy Lopez and Closed Ruy, Lopez, KID I and II, structure– One tactic: without calculating variations, go through “defend” and “attack” steps, to practice

awareness. Then look at solution.– Review Endgames– Nightly review

• Saturday:

– White Sicilian and Najdorf I and II, maroczy, dragon structure.– white and black other– One tactic: without calculating variations, go through “defend” and “attack” steps, to practice

awareness. Then look at solution.– Nightly review

• Sunday: off

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One will not really find a better chess training program than having a regular rou-tine of a well-analysed game or two per day and a few puzzles. A good trainingplan would be to start with 1000 puzzles, memorize them and solutions so thatyou can play through them all in less than an hour, solving each in 1-3 seconds.Once a week, it helps to get a tactics book, look through all exercises/solutionsquickly.

During every master game and every puzzle, if something was not apparentto me, ask how I would come to the solution next time.

When there are numerous classic games in a given opening you want to learn,make a short term to study all the games briefly. It helps to have a small openingfile of all the openings you play, a batch of favorite tactics and positional exer-cises, and go through them every month. The types of slightly better positionsthat white is aiming for in most major openings should be understood by everyplayer. Part of controlling the position is understanding the aims of your openingwell and being familiar with the pawn-structure you are playing.

The most relevant questions to ask in post-game analysis: 1) who won theopening battle and why? 2) What were the key moments of the game? 3) Whatlarge errors or blunders were made, and why? 4) What positional errors weremade? 5) Could the pawn-structure have be profitably changed by either side?6) Did I make any poor exchanges or miss any good ones?

Players should write down their time spent during a game and mark the fivemoves they spent the most time on in order and mark the critical moments intheir games to judge whether they are happy with the time expenditure there andin the opening phase. Moves spent more than 5 minutes on should always benoted.

Beware of the dogma in chess books. Try to read these books with a criticaleye as if you do not believe a word. Memorize openings, endgames, combina-tions, but not rules and dogma.

The theory that chess is 99% pattern recognition is definitely false. Peoplerarely come up with brilliancies or totally new brilliant ideas during a game, theyare nearly always some form of a known idea or pattern. This is exactly the basisbehind seeing a lot of strong chess and learning a lot of good patterns.

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5.4 TOURNAMENTS

Notation: alpha-num. x means piece taken. 1 move represents the move by bothplayers. If pawn captures something, place x between square came from andwent. Kingside castling: 0-0. Queenside: 0-0-0.

Recall: When castling, king goes two squares away in either direction. Kingcant castle out of check or through a check. White square is always the right cor-ner, with queen on her color. The rules of en passant: The capturing pawn mustbe on its fifth rank. The threatened pawn must have moved two squares from itsstarting square, and be on an adjacent file. The capture can only be made on themove immediately after the opposing pawn makes the move, otherwise, the rightto capture en passant is lost. If all these conditions have been met, the threatenedpawn can be removed, as if the pawn had moved only one square.

The player with the black pieces gets to decide which set and board will beused for the game, as long as Black shows up before the start of the round,and as long as Black chooses a standard set and board. Black may also chosewhich clock to use unless White has a ’preferable’ clock. A digital clock withtime delay activated is preferable over any other type of clock in a game with asudden death time control. Black determines which side of the board the clockis on unless Black is late for the start of the game. If Black is late, White cansetup his or her equipment

When the tournament director announces that it is time to start the clocks,it is proper to first shake hands and then the player with the black pieces startsWhite’s clock. If the player with the white pieces is not present, Black shouldstart White’s clock. If the player with the black pieces is not present, Whiteshould start his or her own clock, make a move, and then start Black’s clock.

The rules clearly state: ’A player who wishes to make a claim of any sort orsee a director for any legitimate reason may stop both sides of the clock beforeclaiming and/or finding a director’

If you touch a piece intending to move it, you must move it; if you touch youropponent’s piece intending to capture it, you must capture it; and if you move apiece from one square to another and remove your hand from it, you must leaveit where it is assuming, of course, it is your turn to move and the move made islegal. If you knock over a piece with the cuff of your sleeve, or the back of yourhand, say ’I adjust’ (or j’adoube) and restore the piece to its proper position. Ifit is your turn to move and you wish to adjust a piece on the board or remove aspeck from the board, first say ’I adjust’ (or j’adoube) and only then adjust theset and board. But you are only allowed to touch the board and/or pieces whenit is your turn to move.

Sudden death time pressure is defined as either player having less than fiveminutes remaining. If either player has less than five minutes remaining, bothplayers are allowed to stop keeping score (= recording moves on score sheet).On the other hand, one may continue to keep score if one wishes. During sudden

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death time pressure, each player must operate the clock with the same hand thatmoves the pieces. During sudden death time pressure, one should not pick upthe clock.

Only the players of the game are allowed to call attention to a fallen flag(or time expired) on their clocks. A director should never initiate a time-forfeitclaim. And spectators should never say (or hint) at anything about a game. A flagis considered to have fallen only when a fallen flag is pointed out by either player.If your flag falls and then you play a move which checkmates your opponent?sking, and then your opponent points out that your flag has fallen, you have stillwon. On the other hand, if your opponent points out that your flag has fallenbefore you play the move which checkmates your opponent, you lose (or draw ifyour opponent has insufficient material, see below). If a player claims that bothflags are down (while they are indeed down), prior to a checkmate, the game isdrawn. Only after both flags have fallen, a director is allowed to rule the gameas drawn in order to avoid delaying the tournament. If your flag falls and youropponent has insufficient material to win on time, the game is a draw. Insufficientmaterial is when (1) one’s opponent has only a lone king; (2) one’s opponent hasonly king and bishop or king and knight, and does not have a forced win; orwhen (3) one has no pawns and one?s opponent has only king and two knightsand no forced win.

The proper way to resign a game is to either say ’I resign’ or by tipping overone’s king one may then also stop both clocks. Then one should shake handswith one’s opponent, and congratulate him or her for a won game. It is rudeand unsportsmanlike to abandon a lost position without resigning so as to allowyour clock to run out of time. It is generally considered proper chess etiquetteto resign clearly lost positions. The proper time to resign should vary with one’schess ability. Most beginners should probably play on until they are checkmated.But more advanced players should resign clearly lost positions when they arecertain that if they were on the other side of the position, they could beat even amaster.

1) Stalemate: the game is drawn when a player cannot make any legal movesand yet is not in check.

2) Agreement: the game is drawn when both players agree to a draw. Theproper procedure for offering a draw is, (a) immediate after making one’s moveon the board, (b) say: ’I offer a draw,’ and only after making one’s move andannouncing ’I offer a draw,’ (c) press the button on one’s clock so as to startyour opponent?s clock. After a draw has been offered, one’s opponent has theoption of accepting anytime before his or her next move. One rejects a draw offersimply by playing one?s next move. To accept a draw which has been offered,one may stop the clocks and shake hands, thus signifying the acceptance of thedraw offer.

3) Triple occurrence of position: the game can be claimed to be drawn whenthe same identical position occurs three times. Only a player on the move mayclaim a draw by triple occurrence of position. There are two ways to make such

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a claim. If a move is required to complete the third occurrence of the position,the player claiming the draw should write this move down on his or her scoresheet (without making the move on the board) and then stop both clocks, andmake the claim. If no move is needed to complete the third occurrence of theposition, the player claiming the draw should stop both clocks. If the opponentagrees with the claim, the game is drawn. If the opponent does not agree with theclaim, a director should be called over to make judgment. If the director deniesthe claim, the claimant is still obligated to play the move recorded on his or herscore sheet, if one was made.

4) Insufficient material to continue: the game is drawn when one of the fol-lowing endings arises: (a) king versus king; (b) king versus king with bishop orknight; (c) king and bishop versus king and bishop (when both bishops are onsquares of the same color); or (d) any position where there are no longer anymoves that could lead to any player being checkmated.

5) Insufficient material to win on time: the game is drawn when a playerexceeds the time limit and yet his or her opponent has insufficient material towin on time, such as having a lone king, a king with a bishop or knight, or a kingwith two knights.

6) 50-move rule: the game is drawn when 50 moves have been made by eachside without any capture or pawn move.

7) Both flags down in sudden death: the game is drawn in a sudden deathtime control if one of the players points out that both flags are down and they areindeed down.

8) Insufficient losing chances in sudden death: in a sudden death time controlwithout a clock with time delay, a player with two minutes or less of remainingtime may stop the clocks and ask the director to declare the game drawn onthe grounds that the player has insufficient losing chances. This rule refers tomore complex position than those under insufficient material to win on time.Examples of the type of positions which qualify as insufficient losing chancescan be found in the rule book under. The tournament director, if unsure of theclaim, has the option of continuing the game with a clock which has time delay.

9) Accepting the implied draw offer: if one’s opponent makes a draw claim(such as: triple occurrence of position, insufficient material to continue, insuffi-cient material to win on time, the 50-move rule, both flags are down in suddendeath, insufficient losing chances, etc.), one may accept the implied draw offer,thus ending the game drawn.

10) Draw declared by director: on rare occasions the director may declare agame drawn

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