IX

Some of the finest play in end games occurs in positions when two Kings more or less sheltered by the double corner are opposed by three Kings or two Kings and a man. The point for the player with the strong forces to seize, is either to force the exchange of a King for a King, or to give up a King for a forced won position. It is here that great nicety of judgment is required, and the greatest attention is necessary if the game is to be won. The following position is from Payne:—

Black Kings on 1 and 2. (Fig. 12.)

Fig. 12.

White man on 5. Kings on 10 and 11.

Either to move. White wins.

Here is the win when Black moves first:—

2- 6 6- 9 9- 6 6-13
11-1514-1722-1818-14
6- 9 9-13 6- 2 2- 7
15-1818-2213- 9 1- 6
9- 613- 9 1- 6White wins (b)
10-1417-13(a) 5- 1

(a) Here comes White’s opportunity of sacrificing a King, thereby obtaining a position won by force.

(b) For this King must ultimately “fix” the King now on 7.

This is the victory when White moves first:—

10-14 6- 218-2213- 9
2- 616-19 6- 214-10
14-17 2- 6(b) 13-99-13
6- 919-23(c) 1- 6 5- 1
17-13 6- 222-18(d) 13-17
9- 623-18 6-13 1- 5
11-16 2- 618-14White wins (e)

(a) Not 11-15, for then Black wins two for one by 6-9, and this danger must be guarded against for several moves.

(b) This is the decisive moment when the sacrifice of the King must be prepared.

(c) 2-7, too, would lose, for White would then move up his King now on 22, and ultimately man off.

(d) If 2-7, 10-14, 7-2, 14-9, and White wins.

(e) Black must play 17-13 or 17-22, and then comes 10-6, 2-9, 5-14, and all is over.