Chess for Beginners

Tag: Endgame

  • Triangulation

    Triangulation refers to a King maneuver which aims to lose a tempo, and leave the opponent with the move. (Dvoretsky) The d5 and d7 square are in correspondence. White in this position can easily “lose” a tempo and place his opponent in zugzwang.

    Triangulation Position 1

    1.Ke5! Kc6 2.Kd4 Kd7 3.Kd5 White has acheived his aim, by creating a triange with his King. We are now back to the starting position, except that White now has the opposition and it is Black’s turn to move, and the rest is a matter of technique. 3…Kc8 4.Ke6! Attaining the diagonal opposition. 4…Kd8 5.Kd6 Attaining the vertical opposition. 5…Kc8 6.Ke7 Kb8 7.Kd7 Ka8 8.c6+-

    Triangulation Posiiton 2
    Position after White’s 8th move.

    The game would continue as follows: bxc6 9.Kc7 c5 10.b7+ Ka7 11.b8Q+.

  • Key Squares

    Key squares are squares whose occupation by the King assures victory, regardless of whose turn it is to move. (Dvoretsky)

    Key Squares with Pawn on Fourth Rank

    White to move is a draw.

    It is important to note that a pawn on the 4th rank or below has 3 key squares, whereas a pawn on the 5th rank or higher has six key squares.
    Key Squares with Pawn on 5th Rank

    A Pawn on the 5th rank or higher has 6 key squares.

    In the example below the key squares are a6, b6 and c6. The key to winning in this position is for the White king to head to the square furthest away from the enemy King (a6), since that square will be the hardest to defend.

    Key Squares Example I

    1.Kc2! Ke7 2.Kb3 Kd6 3.Ka4 (3.Kc4? Kc6=) 3…Kc6 4.Ka5 Kb7 5.Kb5 +- and Black is in zugzwang.