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A Paul Wiseman Ebook.
Chess: The Endgame
by Paul Wiseman
ISBN: 978-1-4653-0989-1
Modestly priced at2.99, this easy-to-read masterpiece
is a must for all club players. Speed up your endgame play
to beat the clock and your opponent!
Purchase from:
www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk
Select: Browse by Subject > Games > Chess
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Chess:The Endgame
Published for Paul Wisemanby
Xlibris
Copyright 2012 Paul Wiseman
1st Edition, License NotesThis ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment
only. Thisebook may not be re-sold or given away to other
people. If youwould like to share this book with another person,
then pleasepurchase an additional copy for each recipient. If
youre readingthis book and did not purchase it, or it was not
purchased foryour use only, then please purchase your own copy.
Thank youfor respecting the hard work of this author.
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Table of ContentsBack to Top
#Chess Notation
#Chapter 1: King and Pawn Endings
Promotion Square Races
1.1 The OppositionVertical Opposition
Horizontal Opposition
Diagonal Opposition
Oblique Opposition
Distant Opposition
1.2 #The Opposition in ActionThe Trbuchet (1)
The Trbuchet (2)
Pawn Promotion 3(a)
Pawn Promotion 3(b)
Pawn Promotion 3(c)
Multiple Pawns 4(a)
Multiple Pawns 4(b)
Multiple Pawns 4(c)Triangulation 5(a)
Triangulation 5(b)
Triangulation 5(c)
Summary: Opposition and Triangulation
1.3 #Pawn Ending Technique
Pawn Ending Technique (1 to 16)
The 50 Move Rule (and 3-fold repetition rule)
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BACK TO TITLE PAGES
Chapter 2: Rook and Pawn Endings
2.1#Winning MethodsThe Lucena Win (1497)
The Ersatz Lucena Win
2.2 #Defending against the LucenaShort side defence - advanced pawn
Short side defence - less advanced pawn
The king is cut off along 2 or more files
The king is cut off along a rank
The king is cut off along a file
The Rule of Seven (A)
The Rule of Seven (B)
2.3 #Defensive Methods
Philidor's Draw (1777)Short side defence
Short side defence examples (A)
Short side defence examples (B)
Short side defence examples (C)
Back-rank defence (A)
Back-rank defence (B)
Attacking Rook in front of pawn
Rook in front of pawn - Vanura positionAttacking King in front of pawn
The Frontal defence
2.4#Rooks and PawnsRook & Pawn v. Rook Problem
Rooks & Pawns Problem
Wing Play
Nothing Fancy!
2.5 Rook versus minor piece games#
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Chapter 3: Bishop and pawn Endings
Wrong ColourBMate with two BsThe Finesse
3.1 Same Colour Bishops and Pawn (1)Same ColourBs and P(2)Same ColourBs and P(3)Same ColourBs and P(4)Same ColourBs and P(5)
3.2#Opposite Colour BishopsOpposite ColourBs versus POpposite ColourBs v. two Ps
Isolated pawns (a)Isolated pawns (b)
Isolated pawns (c)
Wrong Rook Pawn (d)
Connected Pawns (e)
Connected Pawns (f)
Chapter 4: Knight and Pawn v Knight EndingsN and P versus N (1) (2) and (3)
Chapter 5: Bishop & Knight EndingsMate with B& NThe Good Nv. A Bad BN and P versus B(1) and (2)B and P versus N(1) and (2)
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# Chapter 6: Queen and pawn Endings
Queen versus a pawn on the 6th rank
Exceptions (1)
Exceptions (2)
6.1 Queen versus a pawn on the 7th rankCentral pawn orN pawn (1)Central pawn orN pawn (2)Rook pawn (1)
Rook pawn (2)
Bishop pawn (1)
Bishop pawn (2)
Bishop pawn (3)Stalemate Example (1)
Stalemate Example (2)
Stalemate Test
6.2 Queen + pawn v Queen Ending (1)Queen + pawn v. Queen Ending (2)
Bibliography
About_the_Author
About Chess The Endgame
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#Chess Notation
When setting the board a white square is always
bottom right (and top left). The BlackR(Rook orCastle), in the diagram, is standing on a7, the
White N on c3 and the White B is on f5.
!""""""""# + + + +%T + + + % + + + +%+ + +b+ % + + + +%+ N + + % + + + +%
+ + + + %/)
Files = a to h
Ranks = 1 to 8
Squares = Rank & File coordinates
(e.g. a1 = bottom-left square)
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Chess Notation
Each square on a chess board has a name indicated
by its coordinate combinations of letters andnumbers. Every piece has a symbol. K=King;
Q=Queen; R=Rook; B=Bishop; N=Knight.There is no symbol for a pawn. To show a piece move,the symbol and the square its moving to is indicated.
For example, Rh7 means a R moves to the h7square; Ne4 means the N moves to e4. To show apawn move, you just name the square the pawn is
going to; e.g. d5 means the pawn goes to that
square. En passant is shown by "e.p." Captures areshown with an x. Thus Qxg5 means a Q captureson g5 especially if it is a pawn. (This ebook'snotation indicates the name of the piece being taken
so it is easier to visualize; e.g. QxB=Queen takesBishop).Kside castling is shown by 0-0 and Qsidecastling is shown by 0-0-0. The symbol + means
check and ++ means double check(i.e. two piecesthreaten a king). Discovered check is indicated by
the abbreviation dis.ch.
! = good move. ? = poor move.
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Chapter 1: King and Pawn Endings
Promotion Square Races
Count the moves for the pawn to promote, then
make an imaginary square from that number. Place
opposing Ks on the long sides outside the square.See diagram.
!""""""""# L + + +%
+l+ + + % L + + +%+l+ +p+ % LlLlL +%
+ + + + % + + + +%
+ + + + %/)Clearly, the White pawn will promote if it moves
first. If a Kenters the square first, however, it willstop (or take) the pawn. With both sides having a
pawn, the game need not be so straight forward.
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Back to
The Opposition (1)
1. Vertical Opposition
With one square between the Ks, whoever has themove must give way. The other side thus has the
opposition. However, because of the pawn, Whitemaintains the opposition and eventually promotes.
!""""""""# + + + +%+ + + + %
+ + L +%+ + + + % + + K +%+ + + + % + + P +%
+ + + + %/)
e.g. 1.f3 Ke6 2.Kg5 Kf7 3.Kf5 (retainingopposition)Kg7 4.Ke6 Kf8 5.f4 Ke8 6.f5
Kf8 7.Kf6 Ke8 8.Kg7 and wins.
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The Opposition (2)
1. Horizontal Opposition
2. Diagonal Opposition
!""""""""#
+ + + +%+ + + +l%k+l+ + +%+ + +kP %
P + + +%+ + + + % + + + +%+ + + + %
/)Left: White wins easily: 1.b5+ Kc7 2.Ka7Kc8 3. 6and the pawn promotes.
Right: 1.Kf6 Kh8 2.Kf7 easing the pawns wayto g8. (If1. Kg8 then 2.Kg6thus seizing theopposition and next3.Kf7 orK 7 depending onBlack s next move).
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The Opposition (3)
Oblique Opposition
Black to move draws by: .K 7 (five squaresaway, taking oblique opposition) 2.Kd2 Kd63.Kd3 Kd5 and thus Black denies White theopposition.
!""""""""# + +l+ +%+ + + + %
+ + + +%+ + + + % + + + +%+ + + + % + +p+ +%
+ + K + %/)
White to move plays: 1.Kd2 (5 squares away -taking oblique opposition) 1..Kd8 2.Kd3 Kd73.Ke4 Ke6 4.e3 reaching the vertical oppositionposition and wins.
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The Opposition (4)
Distant Opposition
White, to move, is up one pawn but Black
uses distant opposition to save the game?
!""""""""# + + + +%+ + + + % + + + +%
+ +l+o+ % + + P +%+ +kP + % + + + +%+ + + + %
/)
E.g. 1.Kc2 Kc6 2.Kd2 Kd6 taking thedistant opposition (with three [i.e. odd
no.] squares between Ks) and White isnot able to progress and promote a pawn.
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The Opposition in Action (1)
The Trbuchet (1)
Not technically classed as an example of opposition
but included here because, like opposition generally,
whoever has the move must lose out.
(A pawn and the game in this case).Either side to move first.
!""""""""# + + + +%+ + + + %
+ + + +%+ Ko+ + % + Pl+ +%+ + + + % + + + +%
+ + + + %/)
In this particular position (the trbuchet),both players are also in zugzwang.
(Zugzwang = whoever has the move will
weaken their position). See the next page.
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The Opposition in Action (2)
The Trbuchet (2)
!""""""""# +l+ + +%
+ + + + % +o+ + +%+ + + + % +p+ K +%
+ + + + % + + + +%+ + + + %
/)White wins by: 1.c5 Kb7 2.Ke5 Ka63.Ke6 Ka5
4.Kd7 Kb5 5.Kd6 - activating the trbuchet. 1-0.White may also win with: 1.c5 Kd8 2.Kf5 Ke73.Ke5(seizing the Vertical Opposition) Kd7 4.Kf6Kd1 5.Ke6 Kc7 6.Ke7 Kc8 7.Kd6 Kb7 8.Kd7 Kb8 9.Kxc6 1-0.
Note the relevance of the Oppositionin these manoeuvres!
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The Opposition in Action (3)
Pawn Promotion (a)
Left: The ideal position. White will win
whoever has the move. i.e.1..Ka8 2.Kc7or1.Ka6 orKc6 and the pawn promotes.
!""""""""# L + + L%
+ + + + % K + + K%
+p+ + +p% + + + +%+ + + + % + + + +%
+ + + + %/)
Right: Black can stop a pawn on the aorh files, if he controls the promotionsquare, whoever has the move.
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The Opposition in Action (3)
Pawn Promotion (b)
Is Black(to move) lost?
!""""""""#
+ + + +%+ + L + % + +p+ +%+ +k+ + % + + + +%+ + + + % + + + +%+ + + + %
/)Black must go straight back to save the game.The pawn cannot now progress to the 8thrank.
e.g. 1..Ke8 2.Kd6 Kd8 3.e7+ Ke8!
The Rule is that, with the pawn on the 6th rank
and the opposing Kon the 7th rankin front ofthe pawn, the game is drawn whoever has the
move.
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The Opposition in Action (3)
Pawn Promotion (c)
Here, the vital f7 square is denied to the BlackKand White wins by taking the Opposition.
!""""""""# + + + +%+ +l+ + % + + P +%
+ + + + % +k+ + +%+ + + + % + + + +%
+ + + + %/)
For example:
1.Kd5 Kd8 2.Kd6 Ke83.Ke6 Kf8 4.f7
1-0.
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The Opposition in Action (4)
Multiple Pawns (a)
With (1) White or (2) Black to move
first, what will be the result?
!""""""""# + + + +%
+o+ +l+ % P + + O%
+ + +k+p% + + + +%+ + + + % + + + +%+ + + + %
/)(1) Black draws as he is able to keep the
opposition (i.e. White to move first).
(2) If Black moves first, he loses as White
can snap up a pawn and promote.
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The Opposition in Action (4)
Multiple Pawns (b)
Black draws by keeping the Opposition
(diagonal or direct). White to move wins.
!""""""""# + + + +%+ + + + % + + + +%+ + L + %pO + + +%+p+ +k+ % + + + +%
+ + + + %/)
1.Ke3 Kd5 2.Kd3 Kc53.Ke4 Kc64.Kd4 1-0.
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The Opposition in Action (4)
Multiple Pawns (c)
1.Kf4 K 72.Kf5 (a) K 7 3.Kg Ke4.c4 Ke 5.K(b) K 6.K (c) 1-0.
!""""""""# + + + +%+ + + + %o+o+ Ol+%P P + + %
+ + +p+%+ P + K % + + + +%+ + + + %
/)Blackburne v. Teichmann, Berlin 1897
(a) taking opposition (b) again taking opposition(c) Black resigned as all is lost.
(If1.Kf4 Kg7 then 2.Kf5 Kf7 3.c4taking theopposition Ke7 4.Kg6 Ke& Black takes backopposition! 5.Kh6Kd7 (best?) 6.Kh7and Blackmust give way!)
Proof that pawn endings need careful handling!
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The Opposition in Action (5)
Triangulation (a)
Triangulation is a technique forlosing a move so
that thesame position is reached but with the other
player now on the move. Essentially, the manoeuvre
is used to gain the Opposition with a view topromoting a pawn.
!""""""""# + + L +%
+ + + + %
+ + P O%+ + K +o% + + + P%+ + + + % + + + +%+ + + + %
/)
White wins by triangulating: e.g. 1.Kf4 K 82.K Kf8 3.Ke5 (forcing vertical or diagonal
Opposition)and now Black has only losing moves.
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The Opposition in Action (5)
Triangulation (b)
The White Kis behind his c pawn.(In front of a pawn is the ideal position).
How can White promote the pawn?
!""""""""# +l+ + +%+ + + + %o+p+ + +%P +k+ + % + + + +%+ + + + % + + + +%
+ + + + %/)By triangulation. i.e. 1.Kc4 Kb8 2.Kd4Kc83.Kd5 and the c pawn cannot now be stopped.
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The Opposition in Action (5)
Triangulation (c)
The Kis behind the d pawn - not ideal!What can White do?
!""""""""# + + + +%+ + + + % + + + +%+ + + + %
+oPl+ +%+ P + + % + K + +%+ + + + %
/)White wins whoever has the move. E.g.1..Kf42.Kc2 going round via the a file ortriangulatingby 1.Kd1 Kd52.Ke2Ke4 3.Kd2and Blackmust give way.
(Blacks Kdares not enter the 3rd
rank as thed
pawn promotes).
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Summary
Opposition and Triangulation
All is not lost if you are a pawn down in the
ending as there are several saving techniques
you can try such as ensuring that the opposing
pawn is on the a orh file, and your Kcontrolsthe promotion square, as shown earlier.
However, sound knowledge of the above
techniques are essential for anyone who wishesto become a formidable player. Even so, be
assured that even very good players often find
the winning moves hard to see. Indeed,
endgame technique may well be the most
difficult of arts in chess.
The following section involves pawns v. pawns
endings. Knowledge of Opposition and
Triangulation, and other endgame skills, will
enable you to understand and see the
possibilities in similar positions over-the-
board.
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Read More and Buy This
Paul Wiseman Ebook. Chess: The Endgame
by Paul Wiseman
ISBN: 978-1-4653-0989-1
Modestly priced at2.99, this easy-to-read masterpiece
is a must for all club players. Speed up your endgame play
to beat the clock and your opponent!
Purchase from:
www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk
Select: Browse by Subject > Games > Chess
A
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About the Author
Paul Wiseman was born and raised in Walsall, Staffordshire.
After working in the printing industry he entered Edinburgh
University as a mature student, gaining an MA honours degree
in Social Anthropology. After graduating, he moved to Dulwich
and worked in Education and for the Home Office. A keen
chess player since boyhood, he played for the Metropolitan
Chess Club of London and was a member of a team that won a
national title in 1985. Although now retired, he still plays chessfor his local club in Brixham, Devon.
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TRUE OR FALSE?
NEWSFLASH!
ELEPHANT EATS AUTHOR
The great chess author and libertine, Paul Wiseman, has,
reportedly, been eaten by Jumbo the Performing Elephant
during his visit to Inner Mongolia. Local witnesses were
shocked as Jumbo had never eaten a whole human before.
Happily, to date, Jumbo has had no adverse after effects tothe feast.
As many chess players are aware, Paul is famous for
inventing the Alzheimer (What was my last move?) Attack
and the Kamikaze Attack. Sadly, many of his most brilliant
losses are unavailable as he never remembered where he
put the score sheets!
Equally, with soccer, Paul was famous for his idiosyncratic
football refereeing. He would give yellow cards for spittingon the pitch and a red card for clearing ones nostrils without
benefit of a tissue.
Admirers of Paul's works are now entreated to purchase
his ebooks so that his relatives can afford to bring his remains
back to Devon for proper internment.
Also by Paul Wiseman
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