Knight Development Tutorial



1.
[{B:24/4N3/32}{W:003_409}This chapter will focus on using the Knight in various pawn skeleton situations.]

2.
[{B:24/4N3/32}{W:003_410}{W:sil}{W:003_411}{W:sil}{W:003_412}Of all the pieces of our army, the Knight is certainly the most difficult to master. The Knight is the one piece that is able to jump over friendly and unfriendly forces. Its strange L-shaped movement is difficult to get used to. For these reasons and many others, the Knights are unappreciated for all the goodness they can bring to a position.]

3.
[{B:24/4N3/32}Here are some practical things to keep in mind. Knights are not long-range pieces. To be effective, they have to be close to the action.{W:003_413}]

4.
[{B:56/N7}{W:003_414}Here we have a Knight on a1. How many squares does he control?]

5.
[{B:56/N7}{D:1695}{H1:c2}{D:1161}{H1:b3}Only two. The c2 and b3-squares. Pretty bleak. This is the reason for the witticism, 'A Knight on the rim is dim.'{W:003_415}{C}{W:sil} Imagine that all the action was on the Kingside, say the g8-square. It would cost White five moves to bring his Knight to g8.{W:003_416}]

6.
[{B:56/N7}{D:3134}{S:a1b3}{D:1184}{S:b3d4}{D:1323}{S:d4f5}{D:1323}{S:f5e7}{D:1207}{S:e7g8}{W:003_417}He would try a tour like Na1-b3-d4-f5-e7-g8. By the time the Knight made the trip, the action might have shifted to the Queenside and the tour has to take place all over again.]

7.
[{B:24/4N3/32}{W:003_418}This brings us to a crucial understanding. To be effective, Knights must be centralized.]

8.
[{B:24/4N3/32}{H1:c6d7f7g6g4f3d3c4}Here we see White's Knight attacking eight squares. Brilliant! Whether the action is on the Kingside or Queenside, the Knight will have no difficulties making himself a part of the scene.{W:003_419}{C}{W:sil} However, this presents a problem. If Knights have to be centralized, it means they will have to be protected, or else they will be driven off their squares.{W:003_420}{W:sil} This means that Knights must have secured outposts.{W:003_421}]

9.
[{B:8/pp3ppp/8/2p1p3/2P1P3/8/PP3PPP/8}{D:2832}{H1:b5}{D:905}{H1:d5}{D:1114}{H1:f5}{W:003_422}In this position, White's outposts are the b5, d5 and f5-squares. The reason why is that these are the squares that are protected by White's pawns.]

10.
[{B:8/pp3ppp/8/2p1p3/2P1P3/8/PP3PPP/8}{C}{D:278}{D:882}{D:6919}{S:a7a6}{D:2159}{S:g7g6}{W:003_423}The b5 and f5-squares, however, are not secured. That is, Black could drive a Knight away by playing ...a7-a6 or ...g7-g6. The only secured outpost is the d5-square.]

11.
[{B:8/pp3ppp/8/2p1p3/2P1P3/8/PP3PPP/8}{W:003_424}From Black's perspective, his is exactly the mirror image of White's line of reasoning.]

12.
[{B:8/pp3ppp/8/2p1p3/2P1P3/8/PP3PPP/8}Now we add a pair of Knights to the position.{W:003_425}{P:WNg1}{P:BNg8}{W:sil} Here, the race is on for both sides to try to bring their Knights to their outposts.{W:003_426}]

13.
[{B:6n1/pp3ppp/8/2p1p3/2P1P3/8/PP3PPP/6N1}White starts with{W:003_427}{W:sil} 1.Ne2!{D:400}{S:g1e2}{W:003_428}]

14.
[{B:6n1/pp3ppp/8/2p1p3/2P1P3/8/PP3PPP/6N1}{D:1764}{S:e2g1}{S:g1f3}{D:8382}{S:f7f6}{W:003_429}This is superior to 1.Nf3 which attacks a pawn and is quite attractive. The only problem is that after 1.Nf3 g6! White's Knight hasn't reached one of his outposts.]

15.
[{B:6n1/pp4pp/5p2/2p1p3/2P1P3/5N2/PP3PPP/8}{D:1706}{S:f3h4}{D:2000}{S:g7g6}{D:1533}{A:Wh4f5}{W:003_430}If he continues with 2.Nh4, Black's playing g6! keeps White's Knight out of the f5-square and he will be forced to rethink his path.]

16.
[{B:6n1/pp3ppp/8/2p1p3/2P1P3/8/PP2NPPP/8}Black matches White's first move,{W:003_431}{W:sil}{D:510}{S:g8e7}{D:1753}{S:e2c3}{D:1370}{S:e7c6}{D:2089}{S:c3d5}{D:1381}{S:c6d4} 1...Ne7 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nd5 Nd4{W:003_432}]

17.
[{B:8/pp3ppp/8/2pNp3/2PnP3/8/PP3PPP/8}{W:003_433}Both sides have played very well and have moved their Knights to the best outposts available.]

18.
[{B:8/pp3ppp/8/2pNp3/2PnP3/8/PP3PPP/8}{D:3250}{N1:d5}{D:3436}{N1:f5}{D:3018}{A:Wf5g7}{N1:g7}In this diagram, White has moved his Knight to the d5-outpost when he might have preferred to move it to the f5-outpost, where the Knight could attack the g7-pawn.{W:003_434}{C}{R}{W:sil} The reason he didn't do this is that the f5-outpost was unstable. It couldn't be secured. How can an outpost be secured? The answer is by pawn play.{W:003_435}]

19.
[{B:7n/pp4p1/5p1p/2p1p3/2P1P2P/5P2/PP4P1/N7}In this diagram, both players have a fairly good idea as to where they want to move their Knights. The problem for White is that the d5-outpost, as nice as it is, doesn't create enough problems for his opponent. He therefore starts the race with{W:003_436}{W:sil}{S:h4h5} 1.h5!{W:003_437}]

20.
[{B:7n/pp4p1/5p1p/2p1p2P/2P1P3/5P2/PP4P1/N7}{D:3300}{A:Bg7g6}{D:4200}{G:WNf5}{W:003_438}The purpose of this move is to stop the response ...g7-g6 when the White Knight plops down on the f5-square. From the f5-square, the Knight will attack the g7-base pawn. Play might continue...]

21.
[{B:7n/pp4p1/5p1p/2p1p2P/2P1P3/5P2/PP4P1/N7}{D:336}{S:h8f7}{D:1776}{S:a1c2}{D:1393}{S:f7g5}{D:2159}{S:c2e3}{D:1207}{S:g5e6}{D:1950}{S:e3f5}{W:003_439}1... Nf7 2.Nc2 Ng5 3.Ne3 Ne6 4.Nf5]

22.
[{B:8/pp4p1/4np1p/2p1pN1P/2P1P3/5P2/PP4P1/8}{D:8405}{A:Be6g7}{W:003_440}White has moved to his outpost before Black could get to the d4-square. As a result, Black's Knight is tied to the defense of the g7-pawn.]

23.
[{B:16/4p3/3pP3/3P4/24}This example features a locked center pawn struggle.{W:003_441}{D:5294}{H1:c5}{D:1161}{H1:d6}{D:1021}{H1:f6}{D:3877}{C}{H2:f5}{D:1068}{H2:e4}{D:1021}{H2:c4}{W:sil} The Knight outposts for both sides are straightforward. White would love to have a Knight on the c5, d6 or f6-squares. For Black, his choices are the f5, e4 or c4 squares.{W:003_442}]

24.
[{C}{B:16/4p3/3pP3/3P4/24}Knights love locked pawn formations. In such situations, they know exactly what squares to go to.{W:003_443}{W:sil} What Knights don't like are pawn structures that are in a great deal of flux. What was once an ideal landing square may suddenly be taken away.{W:003_444}]

25.
[{B:8/pp3ppp/4p3/3pP3/2pP4/2P5/PP3PPP/8}{D:3947}{N1:d6}{D:2322}{C}{H2:c5}{D:1219}{H2:f6}{D:4179}{A:Bg7f6}{D:4574}{A:Bb7b6}{W:003_445}In this locked pawn formation, White's best outpost is the d6-square. While the c5 and even f6-squares might be nice, the f6-square is covered by the g7-pawn, while the c5-square could be covered by ...b7-b6.]

26.
[{F:B}{B:8/pp3ppp/4p3/3pP3/2pP4/2P5/PP3PPP/8}{R}{C}{D:1880}{H1:d3}{D:928}{H1:e4}{D:998}{H1:f5}{D:3715}{S:b7b5}{W:003_446}From Black's point of view, the d3, e4 and f5-squares would all be nice. If Black plays ...b7-b5, then bringing a Knight to the a4-square would be attractive too.]

27.
[{R}{C}{B:8/pp3ppp/4p3/3pP3/2pP4/2P5/PP3PPP/8}{D:9032}{N1:f4}{A:Bf4d3}{W:003_447}But, Black has to be realistic as well. How to bring a Knight to the d3-square? Most likely, it would have to traverse through the f4-square.]

28.
[{B:8/pp3ppp/4p3/3pP3/2pP4/2P5/PP3PPP/8}{D:1811}{A:Wg2g3}{D:2647}{N1:e4}{D:2066}{A:Wf2f3}{D:3343}{N1:f5}{D:3645}{R}{A:Wg2g4}{W:003_448}White might prevent this by g2-g3. The e4-square can be blocked by f2-f3. That leaves the f5-outpost. This could be covered by g2-g4.]

29.
[{C}{R}{B:8/pp3ppp/4p3/3pP3/2pP4/2P5/PP3PPP/8}{D:3424}{S:h7h5}{D:4365}{N1:f5}{A:Wg2g4}{W:003_449}Therefore in such pawn formations, the move ...h7-h5 is often played in order to secure the f5-square.]

30.
[{B:8/pp3pp1/4p3/3pP2p/2pP4/2P5/PP3PPP/8}{D:1044}{C}{S:h2h3}{D:2879}{A:Wg2g4}{D:3668}{S:h5h4}{W:003_450}If White plays h2-h3 in order to play g2-g4, Black often continues with h5-h4 in order to prepare en passant.]

31.
[{F:W}{B:8/pp3ppp/3n4/3P4/4P3/2N5/PP3PPP/8}One of the Knight's greatest uses is that of a blockader.{W:003_451}{W:sil} If your opponent has a protected passed pawn, the Knight does terrifically as a blockader. The reason is that the Knight not only blocks the pawn, it attacks squares at the same time.{W:003_452}]

32.
[{F:W}{B:8/pp3ppp/3n4/3P4/4P3/2N5/PP3PPP/8}{D:2356}{N1:d5}Here we see that White's protected passed d5-pawn is firmly blocked from moving.{W:003_453}{C}{D:1068}{N1:d6}{D:1416}{N1:d5}{D:3483}{A:Wd6e4}{N1:e4}{W:sil} Not only does the d6-Knight stop the d5-pawn, it simultaneously attacks the e4-pawn. This makes the d6-Knight a rather powerful piece that White wants to exchange-off.{W:003_454}]

33.
[{B:8/pp3ppp/3n4/3P4/4P3/2N5/PP3PPP/8}{C}{D:2507}{N1:c3}{D:6153}{A:Wa2a4}{D:1718}{A:Wc3b5}
To do this, White would have to move his c3-Knight, which might cost his e4-pawn. White might plan to play 1.a4 and 2.Nb5. But, fearing the loss of his e4-pawn, he starts with{W:003_455}{W:sil}{C}{R}{D:400}{S:f2f3} 1.f3, securing his pawn chain.{W:003_456}]

34.
[{B:8/pp3ppp/3n4/3P4/4P3/2N2P2/PP4PP/8}{D:3157}{N1:g2}White has created a new base pawn. His g2-pawn now plays a key role.{W:003_457}{W:sil}{C}{D:7592}{A:Bb7b6}{D:2322}{A:Wa2a4}{D:905}{A:Ba7a6}{D:1648}{A:Wc3b5} Black might counter White's strategy in two ways, depending upon the needs of the position. He might play 1...b6 in order to meet 2.a4 with a6, stopping Nc3-b5.{W:003_458}]

35.
[{B:8/pp3ppp/3n4/3P4/4P3/2N2P2/PP4PP/8}{R}Or he might try to transfer White's base pawn forward. The way to do this is to attack White's pawn chain in the middle. Black might try{W:003_459}{W:sil}{D:580}{S:f7f5}{D:1579}{S:a2a4}{D:1219}{S:f5e4}{D:2577}{S:f3e4} 1...f5 2.a4 fxe4 3.fxe4{W:003_460}]

36.
[{B:8/pp4pp/3n4/3P4/P3P3/2N5/1P4PP/8}{D:4260}{N1:e4}{W:003_461}Now the base pawn is no longer the g2-pawn but is now the e4-pawn. Along the pawn chain, base pawns can be moved.]

37.
[{F:W}{B:24/4n3/32}{H1:c6d7f7g6g4f3d3c4}One of the Knight's specialties is attacking in different directions. A Knight in the middle of the board can attack eight different squares simultaneously.{W:003_503}{W:sil} This gives the Knight a great potential for forking the enemy pieces.{W:003_504}]

38.
[{B:r3k2/2N5/48}This example shows the most common type of Knight fork.{W:003_505}{W:sil}{A:Wc7a8}{A:Wc7e8}{H:a8e8} Black's King is in check and he can kiss his a8-Rook goodbye.{W:003_506}{R}{C}]

39.
[{B:r3k2/2N5/48}{W:003_507}Forks in which the King, Queen, and Rook are simultaneously attacked are known as a 'FAMILY FORK.']

40.
[{B:r3k2/2N5/48}{P:BQd5}{W:003_508}By adding a Queen, we get a family fork.]

41.
[{B:r3k2/2N5/8/3q4/32}{D:2000}{A:Wc7a8}{A:Wc7d5}{A:Wc7e8}{H:a8e8d5}{W:003_509}{R}{C}
All three Black pieces are under attack at once. This ability to jump around the board and fork pieces makes the hostile Knights pieces to watch out for.]

42.
[{B:r3k2/2N5/8/3q4/32}{W:003_510}While Knights and Queens can't work together to form a battery, they do work very well together in a number of circumstances. The best known example is the SMOTHERED MATE.]

43.
[{B:1r1r3k/6pp/1q6/3Q2N1/16/5PPP/7K}{W:003_511}White seems to be having it tough. His Queen is under attack and Black has a back rank mate threat.]

44.
[{B:1r1r3k/6pp/1q6/3Q2N1/16/5PPP/7K}{D:8521}{S:g5f7}{D:2275}{S:h8g8}{D:1648}{S:f7h6}{W:003_512}White had better come up with something in a hurry. Fortunately, White is spared defeat by a nifty little mate. White plays 1.Nf7+ Kg8 2.Nh6!+]

45.
[{B:1r1r2k1/6pp/1q5N/3Q4/16/5PPP/7K}{D:4800}{A:Bg8f8}{D:1900}{A:Wd5f7}{D:3000}{R}Black is now in double check and must move his King. He can't play 2...Kf8 as 3.Qf7# is checkmate. Black goes back to hide in his corner. {W:003_513}{W:sil}{D:400}{S:g8h8}2...Kh8{W:003_514}]

46.
[{B:1r1r3k/6pp/1q5N/3Q4/16/5PPP/7K}White could now repeat the position with 3.Nf7+ and a perpetual check and a drawn game. But, with a gleam in his eye, White finds the mate.{W:003_515}{W:sil}{D:400}{S:d5g8} 3.Qg8+!!{W:003_516}]

47.
[{B:1r1r2Qk/6pp/1q5N/8/16/5PPP/7K}{D:4644}{S:d8g8}{D:2647}{S:h6f7}{W:003_517}A fine move. Black is forced to take away his King's escape square. 3...Rxg8 4.Nf7#]

48.
[{B:1r4rk/5Npp/1q6/8/16/5PPP/7K}{W:003_518}A beautiful smothered mate. This Knight smothered mate occurs in a lot of games from a number of positions. It's worth keeping in mind.]

49.
[{B:64}{F:B}{B:2b3k1/7p/p1n5/PpP1pp2/1P2p1p1/2B1P1P1/4NP1P/6K1}{W:003_466}Although Knights move around slowly, their advantage over Bishops is that they do move to both black and white squares. The following example was taken from my own practice.]

50.
[{B:2b3k1/7p/p1n5/PpP1pp2/1P2p1p1/2B1P1P1/4NP1P/6K1}{D:7569}{N1:c5}{D:3599}{N1:c3}{D:2298}{N1:e2}{W:003_467}A rather difficult position has arisen. White's pawn skeleton tells us several things, 1) He has a protected passed pawn. 2) He has a bad Bishop. 3) His Knight has no chance of finding a good outpost.]

51.
[{B:2b3k1/7p/p1n5/PpP1pp2/1P2p1p1/2B1P1P1/4NP1P/6K1}{C}{W:003_468}Black's pawn structure also reveals several things...]

52.
[{B:2b3k1/7p/p1n5/PpP1pp2/1P2p1p1/2B1P1P1/4NP1P/6K1}{D:1091}{N1:e5e4}{W:003_469}1) The doubled e-pawns are usually a grave weakness. While White has a passed pawn on the Queenside, I have little chance of creating a passed pawn on the Kingside.]

53.
[{B:2b3k1/7p/p1n5/PpP1pp2/1P2p1p1/2B1P1P1/4NP1P/6K1}{D:3459}{N1:e5}{W:003_470}2) Although I have doubled e-pawns, the e5-pawn is magnificent. It denies White's Knight access to the d4-square and closes the a1-h8 diagonal.]

54.
[{B:2b3k1/7p/p1n5/PpP1pp2/1P2p1p1/2B1P1P1/4NP1P/6K1}{D:1462}{N1:c6}{W:003_471}3) My c6-Knight perfectly blockades White's passed c5-pawn.]

55.
[{B:2b3k1/7p/p1n5/PpP1pp2/1P2p1p1/2B1P1P1/4NP1P/6K1}{D:1369}{N1:c8}{W:003_472}4) My c8-Bishop is a bad one as most of my pawns are on light squares.]

56.
[{B:2b3k1/7p/p1n5/PpP1pp2/1P2p1p1/2B1P1P1/4NP1P/6K1}{C}{W:003_473}These revelations brought about the following plan.]

57.
[{B:2b3k1/7p/p1n5/PpP1pp2/1P2p1p1/2B1P1P1/4NP1P/6K1}{W:003_474}1) I must activate my Bishop, trying to exchange it off for White's Knight.]

58.
[{B:2b3k1/7p/p1n5/PpP1pp2/1P2p1p1/2B1P1P1/4NP1P/6K1}{W:003_475}2) I must activate my King, bringing it up the board to keep an eye on White's passed pawn while protecting my important e5-pawn. Finally, I can then move my Knight around the board to the f3-outpost.]

59.
[{B:2b3k1/7p/p1n5/PpP1pp2/1P2p1p1/2B1P1P1/4NP1P/6K1}{D:5178}{S:g1f1}{D:1091}{S:c8e6}{D:2461}{S:f1e1}{D:928}{S:e6c4}{D:2020}{S:e2c1}{W:003_476}My opponent, Grandmaster Alex Wojtkiewicz of Poland, now played 1.Kf1 Be6 2.Ke1 Bc4 3.Nc1.]

60.
[{B:6k1/7p/p1n5/PpP1pp2/1Pb1p1p1/2B1P1P1/5P1P/2N1K3}{D:11679}{S:g8f7}{D:1996}{S:e1d1}{D:1741}{S:f7e6}{D:1648}{S:d1c2}{D:2066}{S:c6d8}{W:003_477}Alex notes that I am trying to exchange-off my Bishop for Knight and tries to stop me, for now. His problem, however, is that the c4-Bishop dominates the Knight. 3...Kf7 4.Kd1 Ke6 5.Kc2 Nd8.]

61.
[{B:3n4/7p/p3k3/PpP1pp2/1Pb1p1p1/2B1P1P1/2K2P1P/2N5}{D:9543}{S:c2d1}{D:1370}{S:d8f7}{D:2507}{S:c1e2}{D:1439}{S:c4e2}{D:3274}{S:d1e2}{D:1834}{S:e6d5}{W:003_478}Now that the Black King keeps a watchful eye over the c5-pawn, the Knight begins his journey to the f3-outpost. 6.Kd1 Nf7 7.Ne2 Bxe2+ 8.Kxe2 Kd5.]

62.
[{B:8/5n1p/p7/PpPkpp2/1P2p1p1/2B1P1P1/4KP1P/8}{W:003_479}Black is now ready to bring his Knight to f3.]

63.
[{B:8/5n1p/p7/PpPkpp2/1P2p1p1/2B1P1P1/4KP1P/8}{D:400}{S:e2f1}{W:003_480}{D:2298}{A:Bf7g5}{D:963}{A:Bg5f3}{D:2728}{N1:h2}{W:003_481}9.Kf1 Anticipating ...Nf7-g5-f3, White prepares to keep his h2-pawn protected.]

64.
[{B:8/5n1p/p7/PpPkpp2/1P2p1p1/2B1P1P1/5P1P/5K2}{C}{R}{D:760}{S:d5c4}{D:2153}{S:c3e1}{W:003_482}9...Kc4 10.Be1 {D:12306}{S:f7g5}{D:2229}{S:f1g2}{W:003_483}White is forced to retreat his Bishop in order to protect his b4-pawn base. But now the Bishop is on a defensive diagonal, only with hardly a place to move. 10...Ng5 11.Kg2.]

65.
[{B:8/7p/p7/PpP1ppn1/1Pk1p1p1/4P1P1/5PKP/4B3}{S:g2f1}{D:882}{S:c5c6}{G:WPc6}{D:870}{S:g5e6}{G:BNe6}{D:4948}{A:Bc4d5}{D:2000}{A:Bd5c6}{D:2200}{R}{A:Bc4d5}{D:1100}{R}{W:003_484}If 11.c6 Ne6 and the c6-pawn will be neatly rounded up after ...Kc4-d5xc6 and then Kc6-d5-c4 back again.]

66.
[{B:8/7p/p7/PpP1ppn1/1Pk1p1p1/4P1P1/5PKP/4B3}{S:e6g5}{W:sil}{S:c6c5}{W:sil}{S:f1g2}{W:sil}{S:c4d3}{D:6800}{S:h2h3}{D:1000}{S:g5e6}{W:003_485}A very powerful move. White is now reduced to making only King and pawn moves. 12.h3 Ne6!]

67.
[{B:8/7p/p3n3/PpP1pp2/1P2p1p1/3kP1PP/5PK1/4B3}{S:e6g5}{D:3100}{S:g4h3}{G:BPh3}{D:3300}{S:g2h2}{G:WKh2}{D:1400}{S:g5f3}{G:BNf3}{D:2800}{S:h2h3}{G:WKh3}{D:1900}{S:f3e1}{G:BNe1}
{D:2900}{S:c5c6}{G:WPc6}{D:6600}{B:8/7p/p3n3/PpP1pp2/1P2p1p1/3kP1PP/5PK1/4B3}{D:1800}{S:h3g4}{D:1950}{S:f5g4}{D:2983}{S:g2f1}{D:1346}{S:e6c7}{D:2681}{S:f1g1}{D:1021}{S:c7d5}
{D:2635}{S:g1f1}{D:1044}{S:h7h6}{W:003_486}Avoiding the clever trap 12...gxh3+ 13.Kh2 Nf3+? 14.Kxh3 Nxe1 15.c6! and Black's slow moving Knight cannot return in time to stop the pawn from promotion. 13.hxg4 fxg4 14.Kf1 Nc7! 15.Kg1 Nd5 16.Kf1 h6!]

68.
[{B:16/p6p/PpPnp3/1P2p1p1/3kP1P1/5P2/4BK2}{D:5166}{S:f1g1}{D:1904}{S:d3e2}{W:003_487}
Losing a tempo so that White has to move. If he moves his King, with 16.Kg1 Ke2 wins the White Bishop.]

69.
[{B:16/p6p/PpPnp3/1P2p1p1/3kP1P1/5P2/4BK2}{D:7325}{S:c5c6}{D:894}{S:d5c7}{D:2298}{S:f1g1}
{D:1335}{S:c7e6}{D:2275}{S:g1f1}{D:1219}{S:h6h5}{D:2171}{S:f1g2}{D:1137}{S:d3c4}{D:2322}{S:g2f1}{D:1044}{S:c4d5}{D:2414}{S:f1e2}{D:1428}{S:d5c6}{W:003_488}White is forced to give up his beautiful passed pawn and Black wraps up the game. 17.c6 Nc7 18.Kg1 Ne6 19.Kf1 h5 20.Kg2 Kc4 21.Kf1 Kd5 22.Ke2 Kxc6]

70.
[{B:16/p1k1n3/Pp2p2p/1P2p1p1/4P1P1/4KP2/4B3}Black has realized his objective. He has won White's protected passed pawn, but his doubled e-pawns don't offer a passed pawn of his own.{W:003_489} To win the game, Black has to go back to the c4-square with his King. That means coordinating with the Knight to force White's King back.{W:003_490}{W:sil} 23.Kd2!{D:400}{S:e2d2}{W:003_491}]

71.
[{B:16/p1k1n3/Pp2p2p/1P2p1p1/4P1P1/3K1P2/4B3}{D:6000}{A:Bc6d5}{D:1200}{A:Bd5c4}{D:2800}{R}{S:e6g5}{D:2972}{S:d2c2}{D:2007}{S:c6d5}{D:1625}{S:c2b3}{D:2089}{S:g5f3}{D:1711}{S:e1c3}
{D:2368}{S:h5h4}{W:003_492}The best defense. White has to stop the Black King march ...Kc6-d5-c4. 23...Ng5 24.Kc2 Kd5 25.Kb3 Nf3 26.Bc3 h4!]

72.
[{B:16/p7/Pp1kp3/1P2p1pp/1KB1PnP1/5P2/8}{N:g3}{A:Wg3h4}{D:4400}{R}{N:f2}{A:Wf2e3}{D:4500}{R}{N:g4}{W:003_493}The g3-pawn stops the h5-pawn from going through. Now the f2-pawn not only protects the e3-pawn, it also has to stop the g4-pawn from promoting.]

73.
[{B:16/p7/Pp1kp3/1P2p1pp/1KB1PnP1/5P2/8}{N:f2}{D:3436}{C}{S:g3h4}{D:3205}{S:f3h4}{D:2020}{S:c3d2}{D:2298}{S:h4f3}{D:1648}{S:d2c3}{W:003_494}This spells double trouble for the f2-pawn. 27.gxh4 Nxh4 28.Bd2 Nf3 29.Bc3]

74.
[{B:16/p7/Pp1kp3/1P2p1p1/1KB1Pn2/5P2/8}{S:c3d2}{D:3500}{S:d2c1}{G:WBc1}{D:1500}{S:f3e1}{G:BNe1}{D:2600}{S:e1d3}{A:Bd3f2}{D:3000}{B:16/p7/Pp1kp3/1P2p1p1/1KB1Pn2/5P2/8}{D:1000}{S:f3g1}{D:2507}{S:c3d2}{D:1764}{S:g1e2}White has no choice. If 29.Bc1? Ne1 and ...Ne1-d3 would win the f2-pawn. 29...Ng1 30.Bd2 Ne2!{W:003_495}{W:sil} which means that White is compelled to make a bad move.{W:003_496}{W:sil} White would prefer to 'pass,' but is forced to make a move. However, any move he makes weakens his position. Thus he is in Zugzwang.{W:003_497}]

75.
[{B:16/p7/Pp1kp3/1P2p1p1/1K2P3/3BnP2/8}{D:400}{S:b3c2}{W:003_498}{S:c2b3}{D:534}{S:d2e1}{G:WBe1}{D:2136}{S:e2c1}{G:BNc1}{D:1834}{S:b3c3}{G:WKc3}{D:1811}{S:c1d3}{G:BNd3}{D:5897}{N1:f2}{D:1230}{N1:b4}{W:sil}31.Kc2 Or 31.Be1 Nc1+ 32.Kc3 Nd3 reaching a killer outpost. White would be forced to give up either his f2 or b4-pawn.{W:003_499}]

76.
[{B:16/p7/Pp1kp3/1P2p1p1/4P3/2KBnP2/8}{D:400}{S:d5c4}{W:003_500}31...Kc4]

77.
[{B:16/p7/Pp2p3/1Pk1p1p1/4P3/2KBnP2/8}{D:10356}{S:d2e1}{D:2089}{S:e2g1}{D:1671}{S:e1d2}{D:1904}{S:g1h3}{D:1811}{S:d2e1}{D:1950}{S:h3g5}{W:003_501}At last, Black has made inroads with his King. Now, using a coordinated attack of King and Knight the b4-pawn must fall. 32.Be1 Ng1 33.Bd2 Nh3 34.Be1 Ng5]

78.
[{B:16/p7/Pp2p1n1/1Pk1p1p1/4P3/2K2P2/4B3}{D:5317}{A:Bg5e6}{D:1044}{A:Be6c7}{D:1323}{A:Bc7d5}{D:1114}{A:Bd5b4}{W:003_502}...and White gave up. He is helpless to prevent ...Ng5-e6-c7-d5xb4. While the winning process was a long one, it showed the way that a Knight can dominate a Bishop and vice versa. A fine example.]

79.
[{B:64}{F:W}{B:4k3/1p6/p7/16/3N4/8/4K3}
{V:What is White's material gaining move here?{W:003_462};
d3c5;Correct!{W:cor};
Sorry, that's not correct.{W:stnc}}]

80.
[{B:1kr2bnr/ppp3pp/2np4/1B1p2N1/1N6/2P1P3/PP1P1PPP/R1B1K2R}
{V:White to move.{W:wtm} What is a desirable Knight maneuver?{W:003_464};
g5f7;You got it right!{W:ygir};
No, that's not correct.{W:ntnc};
b4c6:There's a better move.{W:tbm}}]

81.
[{B:5q1k/p2b2p1/1p5p/2p1N3/8/1P6/P5PP/6RK}
{V:What is a desirable Knight maneuver?{W:003_464};
e5g6;That's correct.{W:tc};
That's not the correct answer.{W:tnca};
e5d7:There's a better move.{W:tbm}}]

82.
[{B:64}{F:B}{B:k1r5/ppp3p1/3p3p/6n1/5Q2/BPn5/P1P2PPP/2R3K1 BLACK}
{V:Black to move.{W:btm} Move a piece to create a family fork.{W:003_ff};
c3e2;Correct.{W:cor};
Sorry, that's not correct.{W:stnc}}]

83.
[{B:64}{F:W}{B:4k3/8/p3p3/1p1p4/1P1P4/P3P3/8/1N2K3}
{V:What is a desirable Knight maneuver?{W:003_464};
b1d2;That's right.{W:tr}{J};
Sorry, that's not the right answer.{W:snra}}]

84.
[{B:4k3/8/p3p3/1p1p4/1P1P4/P3P3/3N4/4K3}
{D:4500}{S:d2b3}
{D:1300}{S:b3c5}
{W:003_465}
Nd2, moving him from b1 to d2, then to b3 and up to c5.]

85.
[{B:3q2kb/5p2/8/4N3/16/1P6/1K5Q}
{V:How should White continue?{W:003_519};
h1h8;That's correct.{W:tc};
That's not the correct answer.{W:tnca}}]

86.
[{B:3q2kQ/5p2/8/4N3/16/1P6/1K6}
{S:g8h8}
{V:After Kxh8, what next?{W:003_521};
e5f7;You got it right.{W:ygir};
No, that's not correct.{W:ntnc}}]

87.
[{B:rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/32/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR}{D:1393}{S:d2d4}{D:928}{S:g8f6}{D:1532}{S:c2c4}
{D:1091}{S:e7e5}{D:1207}{S:d4e5}{D:2020}{S:f6g4}{D:1462}{S:g1f3}{D:1741}{S:b8c6}{D:1648}{S:c1f4}{D:2020}{S:f8b4}{D:2252}{S:b1d2}{D:2322}{S:d8e7}{D:1555}{S:a2a3}{D:1416}{S:g4e5}{W:003_523}In the opening, after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ng4 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Bf4 Bb4+ 6.Nbd2 Qe7 7.a3 Ngxe5.{J}]

88.
[{B:r1b1k2r/ppppqppp/2n5/4n3/1bP2B2/P4N2/1P1NPPPP/R2QKB1R BLACK}{M:B}
{Q:What prevents White from capturing the Bishop, a3xb4?{W:003_524};
Bishop to d2;Sorry, that's not the right answer.{W:snra};
Knight to d3;That's right.{W:tr};
Pawn to g5;Sorry, that's not the right answer.{W:snra};2}]

89.
[{B:rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/32/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR}{D:1764}{S:e2e4}{D:673}{S:c7c6}{D:1532}{S:d2d4}{D:696}{S:d7d5}{D:1509}{S:b1c3}{D:1300}{S:d5e4}{D:2461}{S:c3e4}{D:1486}{S:b8d7}{D:1996}{S:d1e2}{W:003_525}Another opening, 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Qe2.{J}]

90.
[{B:r1bqkbnr/pp1npppp/2p5/8/3PN3/8/PPP1QPPP/R1B1KBNR}
{Q:Why can't Black develop, Ng8-f6?{W:003_526};
Bishop to g5;That's not the correct answer.{W:tnca};
Pawn to f3;That's not the correct answer.{W:tnca};
Knight to d6;That's correct.{W:tc};3}]

91.
[{B:k1r2r2/pp6/N7/4Q3/16/3B2PP/7K}
{V:White to move.{W:wtm} Move a piece to set up for a smothered mate.{W:003_526a};
e5b8;You got it right.{W:ygir} After the computer has moved, make the follow-up move.{W:acmfum}{J};
No, that's not correct.{W:ntnc}}]

92.
[{M:W}{V:{S:c8b8}{W:sil}Continue.{W:cont};
a6c7;That's right!{W:tr};
Sorry, that's not the right answer.{W:snra}}]