--------------------------------------- 8 | | | | | | | | | |---------------------------------------| 7 | | | | | | | | | |---------------------------------------| 6 | | | | | #K | #P | | | |---------------------------------------| 5 | | | | | | | | | |---------------------------------------| 4 | | | | | | ^P | ^P | | |---------------------------------------| 3 | | | | | ^K | | | | |---------------------------------------| 2 | | | | | | | | | |---------------------------------------| 1 | | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------- A B C D E F G H
Diag. 69
A counterpart to this position is found in Diagram 69, which shows one of the few cases in which the possession of an extra pawn does not force a win. It seems at first sight as if White could win by simply assuming the opposition with 1. K-K4 continued: ... K-K2; 2. K-Q5, K-Q2; 3. P-B5, K-K2; 4. K-B6, etc. But Black would reply 1. ... P-B4ch! and after 2. PxPch, K-B3 followed by KxP ensure the draw.
We come now to those end-games in which pieces as well as pawns are left on the board.
As it is my aim to give typical examples, I shall confine myself to positions where there is only one piece besides the King. Most end-games with several pieces can be reduced to that.
In nearly all end-games with pieces the King’s manoeuvres used in pawn endings are of no avail, as far as opposition is concerned, as the advantage of opposition means that the opponent is forced to move his King, and as long as there are pieces on the board, such “forced move” positions are infrequent. However, the strength of the pawn position is of the same importance as in pawn endings, just as the command of as many squares as possible is essential for the King. A third and very important factor is again the mobility of pieces.
A good example is found in Diagram 70, a position from a game Post-Leonhardt (Berlin Jubilee Tournament, 1907).
--------------------------------------- 8 | | | | | | | | | |---------------------------------------| 7 | | | | | | | | | |---------------------------------------| 6 | #P | | | #K | | | #B | #P | |---------------------------------------| 5 | ^P | #P | | #P | | #P | | | |---------------------------------------| 4 | | ^P | | ^K | | ^P | | | |---------------------------------------| 3 | | | | ^B | ^P | | | ^P | |---------------------------------------| 2 | | | | | | | | | |---------------------------------------| 1 | | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------- A B C D E F G H
Diag. 70