The first thing, then, for the beginner to do is to acquaint himself thoroughly with the characteristic features of each man so that he may know exactly how much work to expect from him.  The best way to accomplish this is the study of the elementary problems which are in end games, that is, in positions where only a few men are left on each side.

FUNDAMENTAL ENDINGS

Considering that the object of the game is the capture of the opposing King, it seems most important to find out whether there are positions in which this capture can be accomplished in the face of the best possible defense.  Naturally a player must have a certain material superiority to be able to force a mate, and the first question which offers itself is what Minimum force is required to compel the surrender of a King whose men have all been captured during the game.

It is clear that in order to checkmate the lone King it is necessary to attack the square on which he stands as well as all adjacent squares to which he could escape.  The most unfavorable position for the King is, of course, a corner of the board as there he has only three squares to go to while in the middle of the board eight squares are accessible to him.  Consequently, in an ending in which one player has only his King left the other player will try to drive the King into a corner where he needs control over only three additional squares.

It can easily be seen that this can be done without difficulty with King and Queen or with King and Rook.  Supposing, for instance, White has his King on c3 and his Queen on h3 while Black’s King stands on d6 as shown in the following diagram.

+---------------------------------------+
8 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
7 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
6 |    |    |    | #K |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
5 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
4 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
3 |    |    | ^K |    |    |    |    | ^Q |
|---------------------------------------|
2 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
1 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
+---------------------------------------+
a    b    c    d    e    f    g    h

Diagram 9.

How will White proceed in order to drive the King into a corner and checkmate him there?

A direct onslaught with the Queen on e6 or d7 is clearly not advisable as the Queen would not be protected on these squares, so that the King could simply capture her.  A long range attack from h2, g3, d3 or h6 is not effective either as it would not restrict the mobility of the King who could go to either d5 or e6 or e5, that is away from the corner to which he is to be driven.