When a man reaches the crown-head in capturing, and thus becomes a King, that completes the move, although there may be a piece or pieces which could have been captured if it had been a King and not a man, which made the original capture. Many of the finest stroke problems are based upon this peculiarity, for the opposing player has thereby time to make a move. The subjoined position (Fig. 5) shows another won game, the victory being brought about by White gaining a move through the Black having to stop to be crowned.
Black men on 2, 6, 15, and 22. (Fig. 5.)
Fig. 5.
White men on 27, 30, and 32.
White plays 30-26, then Black must play 22-31 and becomes a King. Then the game goes on 32-28, 31-24, 28-1. Black must now play 2-7, and White follows him up and takes him 24. If the piece on 22 had been a King this could not have been brought about, for after going to 31, thereby taking the man on 26, the move would not then have been finished, but the King would have continued by taking the man on 27, thus winning easily.
Many young players are puzzled how to force the victory when they have two Kings against one, the single King being within reach of the “double corner.” Take the following position as an example:—