Lesson 13

Rook Mates, Zugzwang & King Play

Part 1: Basic Checkmates: King and Rook vs Lone King Concepts:
King and Rook play! More complex checkmate patterns! Introd ctions to opposition and Zugzwang !he concept o" a #$aiting move%

Step 1, The Pattern: Rook Checks from Afar, King Chases the Knight's Stars cuuuuuuuuC &nlike the ' een (Lesson )* Part 1+* the Rook is una le to (wdwdwdwd} "orce the enemy King to the corner on its o$n, In this 7dwdwdwdw} checkmate patte!n* the King and Rook $ill need to help 6wdwdwdwd} each other every step o" the $ay, !he #Knight-s 5dwdwiwdw} Move.Check% pattern does contin e ho$ever* only this time &Rdwdwdwd} o r King is #chasing the stars%,

3dwd*dwdw} 2wdwIwdwd} !he reason $e move to d/ 0 rather than e/ "or example 0 %dwdwdwdw} is that it needs to 1e $hite-s t rn to move as soon as the v,./9EFJMV Kings take opposition ($hich means they are directly
White moves 1.Kd3 A Knight's Check !om the "#ack King...

aligned, 2ee Lesson 1) "or more on opposition+. 3xample: I" 1lack $ere to play 1,,,Kd4 the Kings $o ld 1e opposed* and $hite $o ld immediately play 5,Ra46* "orcing the King to retreat one step closer to the 1ack rank,

The !na"oi#a le $%pposition& 'he(k cuuuuuuuuC 7otice that even $ith #his 1est r nning shoes on%* the 1lack (wdwdwdwd} King is na1le to avoid opposition, 3vent ally* the Kings do 7dwdwdwdw} line p* $hich is the per"ect (an# only+ time to give check, 6wdwdw8*8} 8"ter 4,Ra46* the 1lack King m st retreat and move one 58wdwdwiw} rank closer to the 1ack ro$,

&Rdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwIw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

1...K $ %.Ke3 Kg$ 3.K 3 Kh$ &.Kg3 and &...Kg$

!his pattern o" keeping the rook at a distance* chasing the #opposition% $ith yo r King* and only #eli"ering (he(k $hen the King $ill have to retreat (meaning only $hen the Kings are directly opposed+ is an nstoppa1le plan, Black only possesses one "inal trick that $hite can easily stop,,,

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Lesson 13
Step ), Stay %n the $Sa*e Rank&, and Don't Forget To Wait cuuuuuuuuC 3vent ally* $e reach a position $here the 1lack King* (wdwdwdwd} playing the 1est possi1le moves* is attacking o r Rook, ;e 7dwdwdwdw} m st stop o r #King Chase% "or the moment and "ind a sa"e 6wiwdwdwd} place "or the Rook* other$ise the Rook $ill 1e capt red,

5$wdwdw8*} &wdwIwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

A te! $.'a$( K ) ).Kg& Ke) *.K & Kd) +.Ke& Kc) ,.Kd& and ,...K")

By trans"erring the Rook to the opposite side o" the 1oard (staying on the 4th rank+* $e-re p tting as m ch space as possi1le 1et$een o r Rook and the Black King, 8"ter 1<,Rh4 (or g4+ 1<,,,Kc= $e m st 1e care" l: Be"ore making the mistake o" 11,Kc)>! 0 $hich $o ld allo$ the 1lack King to* once again* travel to the other side o" the 1oard and attack o r Rook $ith 11,,,Kd= 0 $e make one simple #$aiting move%,

Step 3, The $+aiting Mo"e& cuuuuuuuuC By sliding the rook over one s? are* $e have made a (wdwdwdwd} #$aiting move% and there1y placed 1lack in @ugzwang 7dwdwdwdw} ($hich means that 1lack #oesn,t want to move, 2ee Part 6wdkdwdwd} 5+, 7o$ 1lack-s choices are either to r n a$ay to 1= A 5dwdwdw8R} delaying the inevita1le* move to d= A allo$ing the &wdwIwdwd} immediate 15, Rg=6* or vol ntarily retreat the King to the Bth 3dwdwdwdw} rank A $hich also allo$s Rg= 0 c tting o"" the =th rank,

2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} 8"ter 11,,,K1= 15,Kc) Ka= 1/,K1) K1= and 1),Rg=6* it is v,./9EFJMV clear that $e have a repeating pattern: Chase the KingC
A te! 1-.'h$ Kd) white shou#d p#a. the waiting move 11.'g$/ give check onl a"ter opposition is achievedC and remem1er to swing the Rook and make a $aiting move (making $aiting moves repeats+ in the critical moment,

Step 3, Reach the !ack Rank, and Finish the "o# cuuuuuuuuC Dere $e see a position o""ering a per"ect example o" the (wdwdwdkd} ina# se1uence o moves. ;hite* once again* sho ld s$ing 78*dwdwdR} the rook to the far side o" the 1oard (Bth rank+, 8"ter ,,,K"E 6wdwd dwd} $hite can play the "inal $aiting move (either RaB or R1B+ 5dwdwdwdw} and the 1lack King $ill 1e checkmated $ithin three moves: &wdwdwdwd} 1,,,KgE 5,K"= KhE /,Kg= KgE ),RaE(1E+F

3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} Like all good checkmate patterns* this techni? e $orks %dwdwdwdw} regar#less o- the opponent,s willingness to (ooperate , v,./9EFJMV Do$ever* i" 1lack did not have to move $hite $o ld never
A te! o"vious moves0 the a"ove position is #ike#. 1e a1le to corner the King, !his sit ation is kno$n as Zugzwang, Gor more on @ gH$ang* proceed to Part 5,

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Lesson 13

Rook Mates, Zugzwang & King Play

Part 5: @ gH$ang 3xplained and 3xamples Concepts:
Ie"inition and examples o" @ gH$ang! !ricky com1inations and Zugzwang 2actica# 3oti s/

Zugzwang: A 4e!man wo!d meaning 5move6need50 #ite!a##. t!ans#ated as move compu#sion. 2his is a situation whe!e eve!. move a p#a.e! cou#d make causes him7he! to #ose 8o! at #east wo!sens thei! position9. Zugzwang ./a*ple 1

cuuuuuuuuC (*i*dwdwd} 7dwdwdwdR} 6wd dwdwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
:#ack is in Zugzwang0 with eve!. possi"#e move "eing a "ad one/

I" either player had the a1ility to pass their t rn at $ill* only moving $hen it $as convenient 0 n mero s positions in chess $o ld 1ecome #st ck%* reaching a "ig rative stalemate, In o r "irst diagram $e see a per"ect "ollo$ p example to o r previo s lesson (Part 1 0 Lesson 1/+, Jo can see that i" 1lack co ld #pass the t rn% in this position* and $hite $ere "orced to move again ("ollo$ing the last move* 1,Kc= $ith 5, K1= "or example+ 1lack $o ld escape a"ter 5,K1= $ith 5,,,KcE! and #r n% to the other side o" the 1oard 0 $aiting to #pass% again at K st the right moment, I" 1lack co ld contin e this pattern o" only moving $hen he.she $anted to* the game $o ld never end,

Zugzwang ./a*ple )

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwiw} 2wdwdwdwd} %d!dwd"I*} v,./9EFJMV
:#ack p#a.ed 1...'"1.
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Black-s last move pinned the "1ABishop (meaning the Bishop is attacked 1 t can-t move A see Lesson 1<+ to the King on g1, Black-s move e""ectively ends the game* and here-s $hy: ;hite has no choice 1 t to move 5,Kh1* allo$ing the immediate 5,,,Rx"1F, !his is a per"ect example o" @ gH$ang* as $hite-s only legal *o"e is losing on the spot* yet i" a player co ld #pass the t rn%* $hite-s King remain per"ectly sa"e* "orever shielded 1y the pinned 1ishop on "1C there"ore the game $o ld never end, Page / o" :

Lesson 13
Zugzwang ./a*ple 3

cuuuuuuuuC (k# dwdwd} 7$%dwdwdw} 6*&wdwdwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2Rdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
;au# 3o!ph. 1+&-s<

In this "amo s position* $hite plays 1,Ra=!! 0 sacri"icing the rook 1 t immediately placing 1lack in @ gH$ang, !ho gh it may not 1e the most practical example* it is a #classic% idea 0 and one that is repeated in a large n m1er o" chess p HHle 1ooks, I" 1,,,1xa=* then 5,1BF and i" 1,,,B on 1E moves any$here 0 then 5,RxaB is checkmate, !he #imaginary% or composed natu!e o" this position sho$s the po$er o" playing "orcing moves and leaving the opponent $ith no good options (aka @ gH$ang+, 8gain $e see that i" 1lack co ld #pass%* the 1ea ty o" Morphy-s idea $o ld 1e lost* or perhaps $o ld have never existed,,, Dere $e see that 1lack-s King is (almost+ stalematedC 1lack-s only move in o r c rrent diagram is 1,,,g4, ;hite then plays 5,hxg4* and this leads to a series o- -or(e# *o"es* $ith 1lack kno$ingly $alking to his o$n doom, 8"ter 5,hxg4 h) /,g= h/ ),gB h5 4,gEL' een h1L' een and =,'gB checkmate! !ho gh the "irst position is the most critical* yo co ld arg e that 1lack $as in @ gH$ang "or = moves in a ro$* $ith no $ay o" escaping the ens ing checkmate along the a1AhE diagonal* 1lack contin es to make the #only moves% 0 kno$ing that the position is lost,

Zugzwang ./a*ple 0

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdwdwd%d} 5dwdwdw8%} &wdwdwdw&} 3dwdwdwdw} 2%d dwdwd} %iwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
White's #ast move was 1.Kc%/ Zugzwang

Zugzwang ./a*ple 1

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdkd} 7dwdwdw&w} 6wdwdwIwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
=e!e white has >ust p#a.ed 1.g*/ o!cing "#ack to the h*6s1ua!e

M r "inal example sho$s the commonly reached climax o" a 1asic #King and Pa$n vs King% ending (Lessons 1) and 14+ in $hich $hite achieved the goal o" event ally "orcing his opponent to gi"e up (ontrol o" the all important #promoting.' eening s? are (gE+%, 8"ter 1lack-s only legal move* 1,,,KhB* $hite plays 5,K"B and promotes the gApa$n on the next move 0 easily $inning in the King and ' een vs King ending (Lesson ) 0 Part 1+, 2la(k (oul# 3ust $pass& the turn, 1lack $o ld never have to s rrender the gE or "B s? ares, 8s yo can see* a position $here one player is in @ gH$ang can end the game ? ickly!

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Lesson 13

Rook Mates, Zugzwang & King Play

Part /: King Play* King Po$er* and King 8ctivity Concepts:
King play 0 ;hen to 1e aggressive and $hen to #play it sa"e% $ith the King! King po$er and domination over other sho!t !ange pieces (Knights and Pa$ns+! King 8ctivity in the endgame and other 1asic endgame ideas!

+hen $%T to use your King 4 $Play 2t Sa-e&, ./a*ple 1: cuuuuuuuuC !he King-s role is an important one 0 1oth $hen $e are (!'()*#*+} sing him and $hen $e are not sing him, Beca se #losing 7$%$%i%$%} the King% immediately res lts in the loss o" the game* 6wdwdwdwd} keeping him sa"e is al$ays priority F1! Nenerally the 5dwdw,wdw} opening stage o" the game is the $orst time to play $ith &wdwd-dwd} yo r King 0 2o keep the #Big N y% home!

3dwdwdwdw} 2-&-&w&-&} 8s $e sa$ in Lesson B Part 1* this is an extreme example %$./wI"0R} o" $hat happens $hen the King decides to #lead his army%, v,./9EFJMV In this /Amove checkmate* 1lack has K st played 5,,,KeEA
1.e& e$ %.?h$ and %...Ke+6e*<< 3.?@h$A eB>>* allo$ing /,'h4xe4 $ith checkmate, Black sho ld have developed his other pieces* keeping the King sa"e,,,

+hen $%T to use your King 4 $Play 2t Sa-e&, ./a*ple ): cuuuuuuuuC !ho gh speci"ic openings are not relevant "or this concept (!d()w#w+} to 1e nderstood* here $e see an example "rom a "amo s 7$%dw'w$%} opening: the #Gried Liver% 8ttack! !his position clearly 6wd%iwdwd} displays the pro1lem $ith sacri"icing the development o" 5dwd*dw/w} yo r pieces and displacing yo r King "or the sake o" &wd"dwdwd} material, Black-s t$o piece advantage is* amaHingly* not 3dw$wd1dw} eno gh to sa"eg ard the King or save the game!

2-&-dw&-&} %dwIR$wdw} Dere $hite can play a n m1er o" moves that lead to a v,./9EFJMV signi"icant advantage and the event al $inning o" materialC
;osition !eached !om the B!ied Cive! Attack0 a te! 1%.'he1( and 1%...Kd) ho$ever* the most "orcing line o" play is 1/,Bxd4 cx156 1),K11 (avoiding any threats "rom 1lack+ 1),,,cxd4 14,BxeB6 BxeB and 1=,Rxd4! $inning the ' een on dE* and likely checkmating the 1lack King shortly therea"ter,,,

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Lesson 13
King Power an# S5uare 'ontrol 4 ./a*ple 1: cuuuuuuuuC 8"ter seeing t$o examples o" $hy $e don't $ant to se o r (.dwdwdwd} King too early in the game* $e move onto o r "irst position 7dk8wdwdw} designed to display the King-s po$er, Many players do not 6w8wdwdwd} realiHe that only one other piece 1esides the ' een 5d-dwdwdw} controls every s? are directly s rro nding its c rrent &w&wd*8*d} position: The King&

3dwdw8 8w} 2wdwd*8*d} In o r third diagram $e see t$o examples o" the King-s %dwdwdwdw} po$er, Girstly* standing alone in the middle o" the open v,./9EFJMV 1oard* the $hite King controls a total o" eight s? aresC
=e!e we see two e@amp#es o the ;owe! o the King/

2econd (as mentioned a1ove+ the King-s a1ility to control every s? are directly s rro nding it gives the King po$er over other short range pieces* s ch as Knights and Pa$ns, !he Knight is trapped on aE and the Pa$ns can-t help,,,

King Power an# S5uare 'ontrol 4 ./a*ple ): cuuuuuuuuC In the c rrent position $hite can trap the 1lack Knight on h1 (wdwdwdkd} $ith the correct move, !ho gh $e don-t normally think o" 7$%dwd%$w} o r King as an aggressive* "ighting or po$er" l piece 0 it is 6wdwdwdw$} important to kno$ that the King is capa1le o" great things!

5dwdwdwdw} &wdwd d-d} 3dw0wdw8-} 2-&-dw8wd} %dwdwdwd*} v,./9EFJMV

White to p#a. and win...

8"ter 1,K"/!* the $hite King is controlling 1oth the "5 and g/ s? ares* th s preventing the 1lack Knight "rom escaping the corner, Regardless o" 1lack-s response* $hite $ill play 5,Kg5 next* attacking the trapped piece and $inning it in K st one more t rn, Black sho ld never have p t his #Knight on the Rim% (2ee Lesson 1: "or more in"ormation on that+,

King Power an# S5uare 'ontrol, Rare 6ggressi"eness with the King 4 ./a*ple 3: cuuuuuuuuC &sing yo r King $hen the enemy ' een is still in play is (wdwd!+kd} risky* and tho gh $e don-t normally think o" sing o r King 7d($Rd%dw} $hen there are still so many dangero s pieces on the 6w$2d%,%8} 1oard* as $e see "rom this legendary game* there can #e 5$wdw&w8%} e'ceptions to this r(le& ;hite to play and $in!

&-d-$w8w&} 3dwdwd.Iw} 2wd-dw&-d} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

White to p#a. in the game 16- Dho!t0 E. 6 2imman0 F. 2i#"u!g 1,,1

In this "amo s position* 3nglish Nrandmaster 7igel 2hort played the move //,K")!!* "ollo$ed that $ith /),Kg4* and 1e"ore he co ld even reach the h=As? are* protecting the ' een "or giving checkmate on gB* his opponent* Nrandmaster Oan !imman* resigned,,,;o$* $hat an incredi1ly po$er" l King!!!

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Lesson 13
King Play in the .n#ga*e 4 Acti)ating the King, *'ample +, cuuuuuuuuC !he endgame is considered to 1e the "inal stage o" a chess (wdwdwdwd} game, Nenerally* $e are considered to have reached the 7dwdwd%d%} endgame stage $hen the ' eens have 1een traded and 6wdwdwd%d} only a "e$ pieces remain, In e? al (or close to e? al+ 5dkd dw&w} endgames the King-s val e is very high* and playing &w&wdw&w&} acti)el $ith the King is an a1sol te m st!

3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} Dere* 1eca se o" the active and cent!a# position (meaning %dwdwdwdw} the middle o" the 1oard+ o" the King on d4 0 $hite is v,./9EFJMV $inning regardless o" $hose t rn it is to move! 7o$ even i"
With an acti)e King0 white is -inning& it $ere 1lack to play and 1lack chooses 1,,,Kx1)* the $hite King $ill go to e4* "=* and start capt ring 1lack-s pa$ns,,,

King Play in the .n#ga*e 4 Acti)ating the King, *'ample ., cuuuuuuuuC !he c rrent position is reached ass ming the 1est line o" (wdwdwdwd} play "ollo$ing the original position in 3xample 1, 8s $e can 7dwdwdwI%} see* $hite-s more active and 1etterAplaced King leads to a 6wdwdwd%d} position $here 1lack-s King is one move.tempo 1ehind the 5dwdwdw&w} $hite King in their race to the kingside Pa$ns, Black-s &wdwdwi*&} position is losing 1y "orce,

3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} Black contin es $ith =,,,Kg) and the game "ollo$s the %dwdwdwdw} logical line o" B,KxhB Kxh) and E,Kxg=! 0 e""ectively ending v,./9EFJMV the game as $hite-s King not only protects his g4APa$n* 1 t
A te! 1...K@"& %.Ke$ Kc& 3.K ) Kd& &.K@ * Ke& $.Kg* K@ & and ).Kg* $ill soon clear the $ay "or the pa$n to advance p the gA "ile $here it $ill promote to a ' een, An acti)e King alone can -in an other-ise e/(al endgame&

King Play in the .n#ga*e 4 Acti)ating the King, *'ample 0, cuuuuuuuuC !he opposite o" the a(ti"e an# (entralize# King (wdwdwdwd} 7./a*ple 18 is the passive and s#ow King, 3verything "rom 7dwdwd%d%} this position is the same as o r "irst example except the 6wdwdwd%d} position o" $hite-s King, !his sho ld display the "inal 5dkdwdw&w} instr ctive point o" Lesson 1/: 1n an e/(al endgame, a &w&wdw&w&} passi)e King alone can lose someone the game&

3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} 3ven $ith $hite to play* $e see the "ollo$ing line (note %Iwdwdwdw} $hite-s King is na1le to challenge 1lack-s march to the v,./9EFJMV kingside Pa$ns+: 1,K15 Kx1) 5,Kc5 Kc) /,Kd5 Kd) ),Ke5
With a passi)e King0 white is losing& Ke) 4,K"5 Kx") =,Kg5 Kg) B,Kh5 Kxh) "ollo$ed 1y Kxg4 $ith an easily $inning position "or 1lack,,,

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Lesson 13

Rook Mates, Zugzwang & King Play

Instr ctor-s N ide
;hen teaching the advanced concepts o" the King and Rook Checkmate* @ gH$ang and King po$er.activity it is very important "or the instr ctor to move slo$ly thro gh each example* not K mping to the next position or concept ntil the teacher is s re each st dent " lly nderstands the idea, It-s vital that each child 1egins to see the patterns in every lesson, Chess is a game o" pattern recognition in many $aysC there"ore* moving onto a harder position $itho t proper kno$ledge o" the more 1asic version o" the same concept is going to 1ecome increasingly more di""ic lt as st dents progress, Chess st dy "ollo$s a logical #stepA1yAstep% path that re? ires a player to 1e prepared "or the potential #next phase% or position, 2o* $itho t the " ndamental nderstanding o" those 1asic positions* a player $ill "ind him.hersel" consistently miscalc lating and miseval ating their $ants and needs d ring real games, In short: No slo$! Pra(ti(al 9otes an# 6#"i(e 4 Lesson 13: :isplaying the repeating concept o- the $Knight,s Mo"e;'he(k& pattern 2 first learned in 3esson 4, 5art + 2 (an help a stu#ent 5ui(kly *aster the King an# Rook 'he(k*ate 7Part 18< 6 (reati"e way to illustrate Zugzwang is to point out that in other oar# ga*es a player (an $lose a turn& or $go to 3ail& as p(nishment= howe"er, in (hess your turn m(st rotate as otherwise positions like ./a*ple 1 woul# e unwinna le< .ssentially, Zugzwang pre"ents players -ro* *o"ing only when they $-eel like it<& This *ay help the* realize another area that *akes (hess #i--erent 7Part )8< To -urther illustrate the power o- the King an# the i*portan(e o- King 6(ti"ity in the en#ga*e, re"isit Lesson 13 Mini>?a*e 7Part 38 Pawn +ars: a## a king, a## a knight without a king, et(<, to show the power o- king as a $-ighting& pie(e<

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Lesson 13

King>Play Pra(ti(e ?a*es

wdwdwdwd $%$%$%$% wdwdwdwd dwdwdwdw wdwdwdwd dwdwdwdw3 -&-&-&-& dwdwIwdw
Level 1: --------3 Level 5: --------. Level /: --------" Level ): --------R Level 4: --------1 3vs. %%%%%%%% 3vs. %%%%%%%%* 3vs. %%%%%%%%( 3vs. %%%%%%%%! 3vs. %%%%%%%%2

R!L.S;?%6L: Girst player to promote (reach either the 1st or Eth rank $ith a Pa$n+ $ins,

!eaching !ips
8dditional levels may 1e added* as long as the repeating pattern o" one side (1lack or $hite+ playing $ith a King against a #KingAless% opponent contin esC ho$ever* it is not recommended to move onto a more #complicated% level ntil 1oth st dents have easily $on playing $ith the extra King, Remind yo r st dents that sing yo r extra piece (the King+ and activating him early is s ally a good idea $hen there are no ' eens on the 1oard (rein"orcing good #endgame principles%+: Levels 1A), Mne $ay to realiHe an extra piece advantage is to make trades, It $ill 1e easier "or the King to dominate the pa$ns a"ter trading o"" the pieces (Knight "or Knight* Bishop "or Bishop* etc+: Levels 5A4,

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