1.

[Okay, congratulations! You've come so far. Now you're ready for the Mastery Quiz. This test will involve positions in which you'll have to decide on the best plan given the strategic landmarks of the positions. Now these positions are not so simple, and the solutions won't necessarily be forced continuations. I'll be asking you to find plans based on the principles we've discussed in this section of the course. It's true, some of the solutions may involve tactical devices from Part Two, but the theme of every problem is a strategic one. Remember, each one of the exercises is an opportunity to learn. If you struggle with it and can't find the answer, that's okay. The key is to work your mind, do the best you can, and then learn from my description. One secret about chess study is that you can only take as much as you give. In other words, if you don't even try to solve the problem and just listen to my explanation, you won't learn nearly as much as you would if you try to think creatively about each situation. Now, let's rise to the challenge.

{B:rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/32/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR}{W:j37a}

]

2.

[

{B:r1bq1rk1/ppp2pbp/3p2p1/4p3/1PPPP3/P1N1N3/4QPPP/R4RK1}{V:{SAVE}{W:j37b01}Here it's white to move. Remember, strategical problem solving is not necessarily based on winning material or anything so dramatic, but the type of thought processes needed for solving these problems is what lays the groundwork for decisive tactics. In this position, notice the differences in the white and black armies. Now play the move which resolves the central conflict to your liking.

It's white to move, what do you think?;

${J}

$d4d5;Excellent work!

{W:excellent}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c That's not quite it.{W:notquiteit}{RETRY};

The goal is to improve your position. Consider all of your pawn moves.}

]

3.

[Okay, white has two knights versus two bishops. You know that bishops like open diagonals and open games, and knights prefer closed games where they can use their unique ability to jump over pieces. So the correct move is d5, closing the game and setting up a pawn structure that's advantageous given your surviving warriors. If you can spot the key strategic issues in the position, then the best move can be clear as day.

  Now, imagine if you didn't know the pros and cons of different pawn structures for knights and bishops. You might play dxe5, and after Bxe5, black would have a devastating dark squared bishop, and perhaps more importantly, two bishops in a semi-open game. After d5, white's position is good, after dxe5, black dominates.

{B:r1bq1rk1/ppp2pbp/3p2p1/4p3/1PPPP3/P1N1N3/4QPPP/R4RK1}{D:700}{H:c3e3}{D:800}{H:c8g7}{D:5000}{C}{D:3500}{S:d4d5}{D:2000}{H2:e4d5}{H:e5d6}{D:3000}{C}{R}{W:j37b02}{S:d5d4}{B:r1bq1rk1/ppp2pbp/3p2p1/4p3/1PPPP3/P1N1N3/4QPPP/R4RK1}{D:5000}{S:d4e5}{D:1500}{S:g7e5}{A:Ce5c3}{A:Dc3a1}{A:Ce5h2}{D:1500}{H:a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8f4g3h2}{D:2000}{C}{R}{W:j37b03}

]

4.

[

{B:6n1/8/4k3/2Bp3p/2pPp2P/1pP5/1P3PK1/8}{QB:Okay, take a look at this position. Who do you think is better here? Think about what makes a bishop strong and weak.{W:j37b04};

White;No, that's not quite it. 

It turns out that black is much better, because white has a bad bishop. All his pawns are on dark squares, so the bishop is constricted and there's no targets. Two other factors you may have noticed is that it's a closed game, which favors the knight, and white has more pawn islands. Altogether, white's in trouble. 

  {W:notquiteit}{W:sil500}{D:2000}{H:c5}{D:1500}{H:b2c3d4f2h4}

  {D:3500}{C}{R}{D:2000}{H2:b2c3d4}{H:b3c4d5}{D:2000}{C}

  {D:500}{H:b2c3d4}{D:500}{H:f2}{D:500}{H:h4}{W:j37b05}{W:sil1000}{J};

Black;That's right.

It turns out that black is much better, because white has a bad bishop. All his pawns are on dark squares, so the bishop is constricted and there's no targets. Two other factors you may have noticed is that it's a closed game, which favors the knight, and white has more pawn islands. Altogether, white's in trouble. 

  {W:thatsright}{W:sil500}{D:2000}{H:c5}{D:1500}{H:b2c3d4f2h4}

  {D:3500}{C}{R}{D:2000}{H2:b2c3d4}{H:b3c4d5}{D:2000}{C}

  {D:500}{H:b2c3d4}{D:500}{H:f2}{D:500}{H:h4}{W:j37b05}{W:sil1000}{J}

}

]

5.

[In this position, white just played bishop takes C6. It's black's move. How should he recapture?

{B:2r1rbk1/1p2npp1/p1np3p/q2Bp3/P3P3/2N1N2P/1PP1QPP1/R3R1K1 b}{D:1000}{S:d5c6}{W:j37b06}{V:{SAVE}In this position, white just played bishop takes C6. It's black's move. How should he recapture? ;

$Black should re-capture toward the center. B takes C6, and suddenly the hole on D5 disappears.  

  {D:2000}{S:b7c6}{D:1000}{H:d5}{A:Tc3d5}{A:Te3d5}{A:Te4d5}

  {D:1700}{A:Da5d5}{A:Dc6d5}{A:De7d5}{H2:d5}{W:j37b07}{W:sil1000}{J}

$b7c6;Good job!

Black should re-capture toward the center. B takes C6, and suddenly the hole on D5 disappears.  

  {W:goodjob}{W:sil500}{D:3000}{H:d5}{A:Tc3d5}{A:Te3d5}{A:Te4d5}

  {D:1700}{A:Da5d5}{A:Dc6d5}{A:De7d5}{H2:d5}{W:j37b07}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c Sorry, that's not quite right.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

The key themes here are center and outposts.}

]

6.

[After rook takes C6, or knight takes C6, white can anchor a knight on D5, which is very problematic for black. 

  Always look for ways to shore up your weaknesses when you have the chance to change your pawn structure.

{B:2r1rbk1/1p2npp1/p1Bp3p/q3p3/P3P3/2N1N2P/1PP1QPP1/R3R1K1 b}{G:BRc8}{S:c8c6}{D:1300}{B:2r1rbk1/1p2npp1/p1Bp3p/q3p3/P3P3/2N1N2P/1PP1QPP1/R3R1K1 b}{G:BNe7}{S:e7c6}{D:1200}{G:WNe3}{S:e3d5}{H:c7e7f6f4c3e3b4b6}{W:j37b08}{W:sil500}{W:j37b09}

]

7.

[

{B:rn1qn1kr/p2bppbp/1p1p2p1/2pP2PP/4PP2/2P1BN1B/PPNQ3K/4RR2}{V:{SAVE}In this position, you can see that white has a big spatial advantage. What's white's best move?

  {W:j37b10};

${J}

$f4f5;Good move! {W:goodmove}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c That's not the best move !!! {W:notbest}{RETRY};

What is the main theme when you have a spatial advantage? Try to increase the pressure onto the kingside using a pawn move.}

]

8.

[Of course, the main question here, is should white trade the light squared bishops? The H3 bishop and D7 bishop are lined up. It's important to focus on the right principle here. If some of you notice that the centeral pawns seem to make the black light squared bishop a good one, that's okay, but this position is very dynamic, and the central pawn structure has a lot of potential to change. The most important theme to notice is white's huge spatial advantage, which gives black a hard time developing. If, instead of trading, white plays, for example, F5, then the king's side pressure increases and black can't bring the knight on B8 into the game. Notice, of course, that if after F5, black tries to steal a pawn with G takes H5, then he has only weakened himself further, and there's no way to hold onto the material. Remember, when you have a spatial advantage, increase the pressure without allowing piece trades.

{B:rn1qn1kr/p2bppbp/1p1p2p1/2pP2PP/4PP2/2P1BN1B/PPNQ3K/4RR2}{D:2000}{A:Ch3d7}{H:h3d7}{D:5000}{C}{R}{D:3000}{H2:d5e4}{H:b6c5d6}{D:1500}{C}{D:500}{H2:a4b5c6d7e6f5g4h3c8}{D:2000}{C}{R}{D:13000}{S:f4f5}{D:1000}{A:Cf5g6}{A:Ge4f5}{A:Gh3f5}{D:2000}{H:b8}{D:1000}{H:c6d7}{A:Dd5c6}{A:Tb8c6}{A:Tb8d7}{D:2000}{C}{R}{D:2500}{S:g6h5}{D:2000}{H:f7g7h7}{D:2500}{C}{R}{S:h5g6}{P:WPh5}{W:j37b11}

]

9.

[

{B:r2qk2r/p4ppp/5n2/3p4/8/1P2B2Q/P4PPP/R4RK1}{V:{SAVE}Okay, this is a different type of position. It's white's move. What should you play?{W:j37b12};

$The game is open here. So if white can trap the black king in the center, the end is near. Bishop C5 is a devastating move. Black can't castle through check, and next will be rook E1 check, after which black will be forced to run into an open board with a scared king. White should win if he could find this quiet, prophylactic move that freezes black's development.

  {D:2500}{H:e8}

  {D:2000}{C}{S:e3c5}{D:1000}{A:Dc5f8}{H:f8}{D:1500}{A:Te8g8}

  {D:1000}{S:d8d7}{D:500}{R:e8g8}{S:f1e1}{A:Ce1e8}{H:e8e7}

  {D:2500}{S:e8d8}{C}{R}{W:j37b13}{W:sil1000}{J}

$e3c5;Good job!

The game is open here. So if white can trap the black king in the center, the end is near. Bishop C5 is a devastating move. Black can't castle through check, and next will be rook E1 check, after which black will be forced to run into an open board with a scared king. White should win if he could find this quiet, prophylactic move that freezes black's development.

  {W:goodjob}{W:sil500}{D:5500}{A:Dc5f8}{H:f8}{D:1500}{A:Te8g8}

  {D:1000}{S:d8d7}{D:500}{R:e8g8}{S:f1e1}{A:Ce1e8}{H:e8e7}

  {D:2500}{S:e8d8}{C}{R}{W:j37b13}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c That's not the best move.{W:notbest}{RETRY};

Think king safety!}

]

10.

[

{B:4rrk1/p4pp1/1b3q2/2nn1N1Q/2pp4/5PPR/1P3PK1/8 b}{V:{SAVE}Here you can see that black is up a huge amount of material, but white has a powerful mating attack. With that in mind, find the best move to defend. {W:j37b14};

$Here, your strategic understanding should tell you to look for a tactic that will use exchanges to get rid of the white queen. Then the endgame would be completely winning for black. Knight F4 check is a great move, sacrificing the knight while forking white's king. Black's whole idea is to give up some material to set up a decisive trade. White has to play G takes F4, or else he loses his queen.

  {D:8000}{S:d5f4}{A:Cf4h5}{A:Cf4h3}{A:Cf4g2}{H:g2}

  {D:9500}{R}{C}{S:g3f4}

  {W:j37b15}{W:sil1000}{J}

$d5f4;Correct!

Here, your strategic understanding should tell you to look for a tactic that will use exchanges to get rid of the white queen. Then the endgame would be completely winning for black. Knight F4 check is a great move, sacrificing the knight while forking white's king. Black's whole idea is to give up some material to set up a decisive trade. White has to play G takes F4, or else he loses his queen.

  {W:excellent}{W:sil500}{D:8000}{A:Cf4h5}{A:Cf4h3}{A:Cf4g2}{H:g2}

  {D:9500}{R}{C}{S:g3f4}{W:j37b15}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c That's not quite right.

  {D:500}{S:h5h8}{A:Ch8g8}{H:g8h7}{A:Gh3h8}{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

f6h6:$c That's not quite right. 

  {D:500}{S:f5h6}{A:Ch6g8}{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

g7g6:$c That's not quite right. 

  {D:500}{S:h5h7}{A:Ch7g8}{H:g7g8h8}{A:Gh3h7}{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

g7g5:$c That's not quite right. 

  {D:500}{S:h5h7}{A:Ch7g8}{H:g7g8h8}{A:Gh3h7}{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

d5e3:$c That's not quite right.

  {D:500}{S:f2e3}{W:notquiteit}{RETRY};

f6h4:$c That's not quite right.

  {D:500}{S:h3h4}{W:notquiteit}{RETRY};

Look for your most forcing move.}

]

11.

[

{B:4rrk1/p4pp1/1b3q2/2n2N1Q/2pp1P2/5P1R/1P3PK1/8 b}{V:{SAVE}Now what should black play?{W:j37b16};

$ 2 …Qg6+!, and suddenly white's attack is over. The queens come off, and black will win easily.

So in this example, you can see how understanding the principles of when to trade can help guide your tactical vision. White had a huge attack. Black gave up a little bit of material to stop the attack and trade into a winning endgame. 

  {S:f6g6}{A:Cg6g2}{A:Cg6h5}{D:3000}{R}{S:h5g6}{D:1000}{S:f7g6}

  {W:j37b17}{W:sil500}{W:j37b18}{W:sil1000}{J}

$f6g6;Good job!

2 …Qg6+!, and suddenly white's attack is over. The queens come off, and black will win easily.

So in this example, you can see how understanding the principles of when to trade can help guide your tactical vision. White had a huge attack. Black gave up a little bit of material to stop the attack and trade into a winning endgame. 

  {W:gg}{W:sil500}

  {A:Cg6g2}{A:Cg6h5}{D:3000}{R}{S:h5g6}{D:1000}{S:f7g6}

  {W:j37b17}{W:sil500}{W:j37b18}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c That's not quite right.

  {D:500}{S:h5h8}{A:Ch8g8}{H:g8h7}{A:Gh3h8}{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

f6h6:$c That's not quite right. 

  {D:500}{S:f5h6}{A:Ch6g8}{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

g7g6:$c That's not quite right. 

  {D:500}{S:h5h7}{A:Ch7g8}{H:g7g8h8}{A:Gh3h7}{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

g7g5:$c That's not quite right. 

  {D:500}{S:h5h7}{A:Ch7g8}{H:g7g8h8}{A:Gh3h7}{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

f6h4:$c That's not quite right.

  {D:500}{S:h3h4}{W:notquiteit}{RETRY};

f6g5:$c That's not quite right.

  {D:500}{S:f4g5}{W:notquiteit}{RETRY};

Look for a Queen move.}

]

12.

[

{B:8/4r2p/5kp1/p2Q4/4R2P/5KP1/2q1P3/8 b}{V:{SAVE}It's black to move here. What would you do?{W:j37h01};

${J}

$c2e4;That's right! {W:thatsright}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c Incorrect.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

Consider all possible forks.

}

]

13.

[Obviously, the main question is, should black trade into a king and pawn endgame? Here the critical theme to notice is the outside passed pawn. After the trade, white will have the active king, but he has to run all the way to the queen's side to stop the A pawn. You can calculate out the answer, but you can also immediately know the solution by seeing how the outside passed pawn stretches white out too far. It would play out like this: queen takes E4, an excellent move, trading into a winning endgame, because after queen takes E4, rook takes E4, king takes E4, black plays A4, pulling the white queen to queen's side. King D4. Then black can play A3, forcing king C3. Now the black king comes into the game. King E5. White plays king B3. King E4. King takes A3. King E3. King B3. King takes E2, and now the decisive factor of the game is that the black king is much, much closer to the king's side pawns. White plays king C3. King F3. King D4. King takes G3. King E5. King takes H4. King F6. G5. Black's up two pawns. He'll make a queen and win the game. Once again, we can see how strategic understanding can combine with calculation. This might seem like a long variation to calculate, but all the moves are forced, if you combine the themes: the outside passed pawn, the principle of two weaknesses, passed pawns must be pushed, and king activity in the endgame.

{B:8/4r2p/5kp1/p2Q4/4R2P/5KP1/2q1P3/8 b}{D:2000}{A:Cc2e4}{D:3000}{R}{H:a5}{D:1500}{S:c2e4}{S:d5e4}{S:e7e4}{S:f3e4}{D:2000}{H:e4}{D:2000}{A:Te4a4}{D:2000}{C}{R}{D:6500}{B:8/4r2p/5kp1/p2Q4/4R2P/5KP1/2q1P3/8 b}{D:1500}{S:c2e4}{D:3500}{S:d5e4}{D:1500}{S:e7e4}{D:1000}{S:f3e4}{D:2000}{S:a5a4}{D:3000}{S:e4d4}{D:1500}{S:a4a3}{D:1000}{S:d4c3}{D:3000}{S:f6e5}{D:1500}{S:c3b3}{D:1000}{S:e5e4}{D:1500}{S:b3a3}{D:1500}{S:e4e3}{D:1500}{S:a3b3}{D:1000}{S:e3e2}{D:7000}{S:b3c3}{D:1000}{S:e2f3}{D:1000}{S:c3d4}{D:1000}{S:f3g3}{D:1000}{S:d4e5}{D:1000}{S:g3h4}{D:1000}{S:e5f6}{D:1000}{S:g6g5}{W:j37h02}

]

14.

[

{B:1k6/7p/P6p/7p/7p/8/1P6/4K3}{V:{SAVE}White to move here. What's the best move?{W:j37h03};

${J}

$b2b4;Good job! {W:gg}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c Incorrect. That is not the best move.{W:notbest}{RETRY};

The theme of this problem is The Protected Passed Pawn.}

]

15.

[What white has to do to win this game is gobble up all black's H pawns, which are pretty useless, but they're passed over there, and then he has to bring the king to the queen's side and make a queen, but if white plays king F2, then black can just play king A7. Next move for black will be king takes A6, then black will win the B2 pawn. White will win all the H pawns, but it will be drawn. After the powerful move, B4, black plays king A7, attacking the A6 pawn, and now white plays B5, setting up a critical pawn chain. Here, black plays king B6, and now white has all the time in the world. King F2. Black can never take the pawn on B5, because then he can't get back in time. White can play A7, A8, and make a queen. So black has to keep control of the A7 square. King A7. King G2. King B6. King H3. There's nothing black can do. He's completely helpless. White will just take all the H pawns, bring the king over, and win the game. This is how.

{B:1k6/7p/P6p/7p/7p/8/1P6/4K3}{D:2500}{H:h4h5h6h7}{D:3000}{C}{D:3500}{S:e1f2}{D:2000}{S:b8a7}{D:2000}{S:a7a6}{D:1500}{H:b2}{D:1500}{H:h4h5h6h7}{D:3000}{B:1k6/7p/P6p/7p/7p/8/1P6/4K3}{D:1500}{S:b2b4}{D:1500}{S:b8a7}{A:Ca7a6}{D:3500}{S:b4b5}{A:Gb5a6}{D:1500}{H:b5a6}{D:2000}{R}{C}{S:a7b6}{D:3000}{S:e1f2}{D:2000}{G:BKb6}{S:b6b5}{D:3500}{G:WPa6}{S:a6a7}{D:1000}{S:a7a8}{X:a8}{P:WQa8}{D:1000}{B:8/7p/Pk5p/1P5p/7p/8/5K2/8}{D:2000}{A:Db6a7}{H:a7}{D:1500}{C}{R}{S:b6a7}{D:1000}{S:f2g2}{D:1000}{S:a7b6}{D:1000}{S:g2h3}{W:j37h04}{S:b6a7}{S:b6a7}{W:sil500}{S:h3h4}{W:sil500}{S:a7b6}{W:sil500}{S:h4h5}{W:sil500}{S:b6a7}{W:sil500}{S:h5h6}{W:sil500}{S:a7b6}{W:sil500}{S:h6h7}{W:sil500}{S:b6a7}{W:sil500}{S:h7g7}{W:sil500}{S:a7b6}{W:sil500}{S:g7f7}{W:sil500}{S:b6a7}{W:sil500}{S:f7e7}{W:sil500}{S:a7b6}{W:sil500}{S:e7d7}{W:sil500}{S:b6a7}{W:sil500}{J}

]

16.

[Now, when you reach this position, you don't want to make a mistake. Watch out for stale mate. If you play king C7 and he plays king A8, you don't want to play B6 here. That would be stale mate. What a terrible way to end a chess game. So in this position you can just play king C6. Then after king B8, you can play B6. If black plays king C8, then A7, followed by queening, and if black plays king A8, what do you do now? Well, A7 would be terrible because that's stale mate as well. King C7 would also be a terrible move. It's stale mate. You could just play B7. Now if black plays king A7, then after king C7, the next move is to promote, and if black plays king B8, here you can just give up the A pawn. A7 check. King takes A7. King C7. Next move is B8 queen, and white will win easily. So this is the winning plan. The key theme in this problem is the protected passed pawn. The pawn chain B5 and A6 make the black king completely helpless.

{B:8/k2K4/P7/1P6/32}{D:5000}{S:d7c7}{D:1500}{S:a7a8}{D:2000}{S:b5b6}{H:a7b7b8}{A:Tc7b8}{A:Ta6b7}{A:Tb6a7}{D:4500}{B:8/k2K4/P7/1P6/32}{D:2000}{S:d7c6}{D:1500}{S:a7b8}{D:1500}{S:b5b6}{D:2000}{S:b8c8}{D:1000}{S:a6a7}{D:1000}{S:a7a8}{P:WQa8}{D:1500}{X:a8}{P:WPa6}{S:c8b8}{D:1500}{S:b8a8}{D:3500}{G:WPa6}{S:a6a7}{H:b7b8}{A:Ta7b8}{A:Tc6b7}{D:2000}{C}{R}{S:a7a6}{O}{D:500}{G:WKc6}{S:c6c7}{H:a7b7b8}{A:Tc7b8}{A:Ta6b7}{A:Tb6a7}{D:2500}{C}{R}{S:c7c6}{O}{D:500}{D:1000}{S:b6b7}{D:2000}{S:a8a7}{D:1500}{S:c6c7}{D:1000}{S:b7b8}{P:WQb8}{D:1500}{X:b8}{P:WPb7}{S:c7c6}{S:a7a8}{D:1000}{S:a8b8}{D:3000}{S:a6a7}{A:Ca7b8}{D:1000}{R}{S:b8a7}{D:1500}{S:c6c7}{D:2500}{S:b7b8}{P:WQb8}{D:4000}{B:8/7p/Pk5p/1P5p/7p/8/5K2/8}{D:2000}{H:b5a6}{W:j37h05}

]

17.

[

{B:4Q3/p6k/1p6/8/7P/3P1P2/2q3P1/K7 b}{V:{SAVE}Okay, in this position, it's black's move. The themes to be considered here are perpetual check, trading pieces, and the protected passed pawn. Black should make some careful strategical decisions before deciding how to continue. Black to move. Take your time. {W:j37h06};

${J}

$c2c1;Excellent work!!!

The correct move is ... Qc1+! attempting to draw by perpetual check.

  {W:excellent}{W:sil500}{D:1000}{A:Cc1a1}{H:a1}

  {W:j37h15}{W:sil1000}{J:22};

$c Incorrect. That's not quite it{W:notquiteit2}{RETRY};

c2d3:$c This is not the best move. {W:notbest}{W:sil1000}{J};

c2g2:$c This is not the best move. {W:notbest}{W:sil1000}{J};

Is there a way to reduce black's 2-pawns advantage?}

]

18.

[Clearly, white is up two pawns, so trading queens would be to his advantage. Black could take either the D3 pawn or the G2 pawn. It turns out that both are mistakes.

First, if black plays queen takes D3, what could you play with white?

{B:4Q3/p6k/1p6/8/7P/3P1P2/2q3P1/K7 w}{D:4500}{A:Cc2d3}{H:d3}{D:1500}{A:Cc2g2}{H:g2}{D:1500}{C}{R}{W:j37h07}{W:sil500}{V:{S:c2d3}{SAVE}{W:j37h08}Clearly, white is up two pawns, so trading queens would be to his advantage. Black could take either the D3 pawn or the G2 pawn. It turns out that both are mistakes.

First, if black plays queen takes D3, what could you play with white?;

$The correct move is Qe4+, forcing the trade of queens. 

After Qxe4, fxe4, white is up a pawn in the king and pawn endgame, and white will win this one. Black knows that he can't allow a trade of queens because he's down a pawn after Qxd3. So again, Qxd3 allows Qe4+, trading queens to win the endgame. 

  {D:800}{S:e8e4}{A:Ce4d3}{D:500}{A:Ce4h7}{W:j37h09}{R}{W:sil500}

  {D:500}{S:d3e4}{D:1000}{S:f3e4}{W:j37h10}{W:sil1000}{J}

$e8e4;Yep, that's it!

The correct move is Qe4+, forcing the trade of queens. 

After Qxe4, fxe4, white is up a pawn in the king and pawn endgame, and white will win this one. Black knows that he can't allow a trade of queens because he's down a pawn after Qxd3. So again, Qxd3 allows Qe4+, trading queens to win the endgame. 

  {W:yepthatsit}{W:sil500}{D:1000}{A:Ce4d3}{D:300}{A:Ce4h7}

  {W:j37h09}{R}{W:sil500}{D:500}{S:d3e4}{D:1000}{S:f3e4}{W:j37h10}

  {W:sil1000}{J};

$c That's not quite right. Try again.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

White can force the trade of queens using a fork.

}

]

19.

[

{B:4Q3/p6k/1p6/8/7P/3P1P2/2q3P1/K7 w}{V:{S:c2g2}{SAVE}{W:j37h11}If Qxg2, white also has a way of trading queens. Do you see it?;

$The correct line here is Qh+, Kg7, Qg4+, again, forking king and queen, forcing a queen trade. After Qxg4, fxg4, white's up a pawn with three dangerous passers, an easy win for white. 

  {D:1500}{S:e8h5}{A:Ch5h7}{H:h7}{D:1500}{C}{R}{S:h7g7}

  {D:1000}{S:h5g4}{A:Gf3g4}{A:Cg4g7}{D:500}{A:Cg4g2}

  {D:4500}{C}{R}{S:g2g4}{D:1000}{S:f3g4}{W:j37h12}{W:sil1000}{J}

$e8h5;Correct!

The correct line here is Qh+, Kg7, Qg4+, again, forking king and queen, forcing a queen trade. After Qxg4, fxg4, white's up a pawn with three dangerous passers, an easy win for white. 

  {W:thatsright}{W:sil500}{D:1500}{A:Ch5h7}{H:h7}{D:1500}{C}{R}{S:h7g7}

  {D:1000}{S:h5g4}{A:Gf3g4}{A:Cg4g7}{D:500}{A:Cg4g2}

  {D:4500}{C}{R}{S:g2g4}{D:1000}{S:f3g4}{W:j37h12}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c That's not quite right.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

White can also force the trade of queens using a fork, but he checks first in order to force the black king into a desired position.

}

]

20.

[So returning to the original position, I asked you what black should play. Your first instinct should have been, what happens if I take on D3 or G2? Then you should have noticed that white would still be up a pawn. So any time that white can trade off queens, white would be winning. So if you see queen E4 check, in the queen H5 to G4 check tactic, after queen takes D3 or queen takes G2, you'll see that both of those moves for black are bad.

{B:4Q3/p6k/1p6/8/7P/3P1P2/2q3P1/K7}{D:7000}{A:Cc2d3}{H:d3}{D:500}{A:Cc2g2}{H:g2}{D:3500}{C}{R}{D:5000}{S:c2d3}{S:e8e4}{D:1500}{B:4Q3/p6k/1p6/8/7P/3P1P2/2q3P1/K7}{S:c2g2}{S:e8h5}{S:h7g7}{S:h5g4}{D:4300}{B:4Q3/p6k/1p6/8/7P/3P1P2/2q3P1/K7}{A:Cc2d3}{H:d3}{D:200}{A:Cc2g2}{H:g2}{W:j37h13}{C}{R}

]

21.

[

{B:4Q3/p6k/1p6/8/7P/3P1P2/2q3P1/K7 b}{V:{SAVE}Now, what's the option?{W:j37h14};

$The correct move is ... Qc1+! attempting to draw by perpetual check.

  {D:1000}{S:c2c1}{A:Cc1a1}{H:a1}

  {W:j37h15}{W:sil1000}{J}

$c2c1;Correct!

The correct move is ... Qc1+! attempting to draw by perpetual check.

  {W:gg}{W:sil500}{D:1000}{A:Cc1a1}{H:a1}

  {W:j37h15}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c That is not the best move for black. {W:notbest}{RETRY};

Try to anticipate White's trading moves that we previously observed.}

]

22.

[Perpetual check is when one side can keep on checking the other one for the rest of the game. White has to play king A2 here, then white can play queen C2 check. Now, if king A1, then black can just repeat the position. Queen C1 check again, king A2, queen C2 check. The only other option that white has is king A3, and now, what's the difference? Well, now we can take the D3 pawn with tempo. Remember, we always want to find the most forcing alternatives. Queen takes D3 check. You take the pawn with check. Now white has two options, either king A2 or king B2 going backwards, or king A4, or king B4 going forwards. In either case, black has the same option. Let's say king B4. Queen now can come to D2 check. You see, this is forking the king and the pawn on G2. White plays, say, king B3 - king B5 is also fine - and then queen takes G2. Now it's even material. White has pawns on F3 and H4 that are both weak. Black's position is perfectly fine. A key theme to queen endings is having the move, having tempo. Black was able to check, check, take a pawn with check, then win another pawn, and now the position should be drawn. Black saves the game by not taking material right away, but taking material at the right moment.

{B:4Q3/p6k/1p6/8/7P/3P1P2/6P1/K1q5}{D:1000}{A:Cc1a1}{D:4000}{R}{S:a1a2}{D:2000}{S:c1c2}{A:Cc2a2}{D:2000}{R}{S:a2a1}{D:3000}{S:c2c1}{A:Cc1a1}{D:1000}{R}{S:a1a2}{D:1000}{S:c1c2}{A:Cc2a2}{D:3500}{R}{S:a2a3}{D:3500}{H:d3}{D:2000}{C}{D:3000}{S:c2d3}{A:Cd3a3}{D:5000}{A:Ta3a2}{H2:a2}{D:1000}{A:Ta3b2}{H2:b2}{D:1500}{A:Ta3a4}{H2:a4}{D:1000}{A:Ta3b4}{H2:b4}{D:3000}{C}{R}{D:1500}{S:a3b4}{D:3000}{S:d3d2}{A:Cd2b4}{D:1500}{H:b4}{D:1000}{A:Cd2g2}{H:g2}{D:2500}{C}{R}{S:b4b3}{D:1000}{G:WKb5}{D:1500}{O}{D:500}{S:d2g2}{D:4500}{H:f3}{D:1000}{H:h4}{D:2000}{C}{R}{W:j37h16}

]

23.

[

{B:2b5/p5n1/1pBk3p/1P6/1K3p2/5P1N/6P1/8 b}{V:{SAVE}Alright, so this is your final exercise, and it's a very subtle one. So take your time. It's black to move here. You have to optimize your position. {W:j37h17};

$I would begin with Bxh3, because leads to a good knight versus bad bishop ending. Bxh3, gxh3. The next move is the important one.

  {W:j37h18a}{A:Cc8h3}{D:4500}{R}{S:c8h3}{D:800}{S:g2h3}

  {W:j37h18}{W:sil1000}{J}

$c8h3;That's right!

Bxh3, because leads to a good knight versus bad bishop ending. Bxh3, gxh3. The next move is the important one.

  {W:thatsright}{W:sil500}{D:5300}{S:g2h3}{W:j37h18}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c No, that's not quite right.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY}}

]

24.

[

{B:8/6n1/1pBk3p/pP6/1K3p2/5P1P/8/8}{B:8/p5n1/1pBk3p/1P6/1K3p2/5P1P/8/8 b}{V:{SAVE}The idea is to optimize your pawn structure. Take your time. What do you think?{W:j37h19};

$The correct move is A5 check, an excellent move. Suddenly, black creates a dangerous passed pawn, because white can't play B takes A6 en passant due to the hanging bishop on C6. So this uses the theme "removing the defender" to convert a backwards pawn into a protected passed pawn, which in this type of position could be absolutely decisive.  

  {D:800}{S:a7a5}{A:Ca5b4}{A:Gb6a5}{D:200}{D:5000}{R}{S:b5a6}{X:a5}

  {D:2000}{S:d6c6}{D:1500}{B:8/6n1/1pBk3p/pP6/1K3p2/5P1P/8/8}

  {W:j37h20}{W:sil1000}{J}

$a7a5;Very good.

The correct move is A5 check, an excellent move. Suddenly, black creates a dangerous passed pawn, because white can't play B takes A6 en passant due to the hanging bishop on C6. So this uses the theme "removing the defender" to convert a backwards pawn into a protected passed pawn, which in this type of position could be absolutely decisive.  

 {W:verygood}{W:sil500}{D:1000}{A:Ca5b4}{A:Gb6a5}{D:5000}{R}{S:b5a6}{X:a5}

 {D:2000}{S:d6c6}{D:1500}{B:8/6n1/1pBk3p/pP6/1K3p2/5P1P/8/8}

 {W:j37h20}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c That's not quite it. Try again.{W:notquiteit2}{RETRY};

a7a6:$c That's the right idea, but this is not the best move.{W:theresbetter}{RETRY};

Look for a pawn move.}

]

25.

[So we know that white can't take on A6, because the bishop on C6 hangs. White has to move the king, king C4. Now a good move for black would be to play king E5. So here black's up a pawn, but most importantly he has that A5 pawn, which makes the white king stay, guarding the queen's side. So black's path to winning this position is pretty straight-forward. He has the knight and the king and together on the king's side, playing against the lone white bishop, or the lone white king. You see, white could also decide to make his bishop defend the A pawn, but then the white king would be alone, defending the king's side. In either case, it'll be two against one on the king's side. Black will win easily.  

  So always look to maximize your strategical situation. Look back. If here the black pawn was on A7, white would be perfectly fine, because black would hardly be up a pawn. The A pawn can never move because of B takes A6 en passant, but in this position, white is in big trouble. Often the subtlest of improvements can prove decisive, and we can spot them by putting together our expanding arsenal of strategic and tactical principles.

{B:8/6n1/1pBk3p/pP6/1K3p2/5P1P/8/8}{D:1000}{A:Cb5a6}{D:1000}{H:c6}{D:1500}{C}{R}{D:1000}{S:b4c4}{D:2500}{S:d6e5}{D:4500}{H:a5}{D:4000}{C}{R}{D:3500}{H:g7}{D:1000}{H:e5}{D:2500}{H:c6}{D:1500}{H0:c6}{H:c4}{D:1500}{C}{R}{W:j37h21}{W:sil500}{D:6000}{S:a5a7}{D:5000}{S:a7a5}{D:500}{S:b5a6}{X:a5}{D:2500}{Y:0}{X:a6}{P:WPb5}{P:BPa5}{Y:1}{D:1000}{S:a7a5}{W:j37h22}

]

26.

[Congratulations! You've graduated the Chessmaster Academy and are now prepared to journey deeper into the black and white jungle. There are many options open to you at this point. We've designed Chessmaster to be a companion that can guide you all the way to mastery, and you can have a great time on the way. After all, Chessmaster is teacher, mentor, ultimate opponent. I would recommend that you try out what you've learned so far, playing with friends, or against the various quirky personalities we've created in Chessmaster. These personalities are a fabulous training tool. You can start off playing some beginner opponents, and over time, work your way through the gauntlet of stronger and stronger adversaries. Chess is a psychological game, and with this approach, you can have fun testing yourself, and you'll get used to noticing the habits of your opponents. But watch out! You may run into me as a six year old, and if you keep on progressing, you can take me on at various stages in my development. Regarding your chess education, I'd recommend that your next step be to turn to my endgame course. The endgame is truly a window into the heart of chess, and the lessons from this course can be applied to all of your chess games. Then, when you feel increasingly confident, and you're working your way up through the gauntlet of personalities, you should check out my annotated games and psychology of competition course. In these features, I'll guide you through some of my most exciting encounters from high-stakes competition around the globe. You'll see the drama through my eyes, while I describe the thrill of top-rank chess competition. I look forward to working with you further down the Chessmaster experience. Until then, enjoy the jungle.

{B:64}{W:jconclusion}{B:rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/32/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR}

]

