CHAPTER VII.
ENDINGS OF GAMES
To play with correctness and skill the ends of games, is an important but a very rare accomplishment, except among the very best players. In order to assist the learner as much as possible in this branch of the game, we present a number of end positions, with the proper play necessary in each case. Our selection of positions is necessarily very limited; but those we give will serve to show the careful play that is requisite even when the stronger party feels sure of success, and the danger of defeat if he suffer his vigilance to be relaxed for a moment.
KING AND QUEEN AGAINST KING.
Diagram 1.
| WHITE. | BLACK. |
| 1. Q. to Q. R's 7th. | 1. K. to Q's sq. |
| 2. Q. to Q. Kt's 8th. Mate. |
KING AND ROOK AGAINST KING.
Diagram 2.
| WHITE. | BLACK. |
| 1. R. to K. R's 7th. | 1. K. to K. B's sq. |
| 2. K. to K's 2d. | 2. K. to K. Kt's sq. |
| 3. R. to Q. R's 7th. | 3. K. to K. B's sq. |
| 4. K. to K's 3d. | 4. K. to K's sq. |
| 5. K. to K's 4th. | 5. K. to Q's sq. |
| 6. K. to Q's 5th. | 6. K. to Q. B's sq. |
| 7. K. to Q's 6th. | 7. K. to Q. Kt's sq. |
| 8. R. to Q. B's 7th. | 8. K. to Q. R's sq. |
| 9. K. to Q. B's 6th. | 9. K. to Q. Kt's sq. |
| 10. K. to Q. Kt's 6th. | 10. K. to Q. R's sq. |
| 11. R. to Q. B's 8th. Mate. |
Diagram 3.
| WHITE. | BLACK. |
| 1. R. to Q. R's 5th, or K. Kt's 5th. | If 1. K. to B's sq. |
| 2. R. to Q. Kt's 5th. | |
| If 1. K. to K's sq. | |
| 2. R. to K. B's 5th. | 2. K. to Q's sq. |
| 3. R. mates at Kt's 8th or K. B's 8th. |