Part 9 (1/2)

EXAMPLE 44.--Black's last move was P - K 6, played with the object of stopping what he thought was White's threat, viz.: R - Q R 5, to which he would have answered Q - B 5 ch and drawn the game by perpetual check.

White, however, has a more forceful move, and he mates in three moves as follows: {70}

1. R P ch Q R 2. R - Q R 5 Black moves 3. White mates

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EXAMPLE 45.--White has a beautiful position, but still he had better gain some material, if he can, before Black consolidates his defensive position.

He therefore plays:

1. R Kt ! P R 2. B P ch K - K 2

If Kt B; R Kt and Black would be helpless.

3. Q - R 7 ch K - K 1 4. Q Kt ch K - Q 2 5. Q - R 7 ch Q - K 2 6. B - B 8 Q Q 7. R Q ch K - K 1 8. R R Resigns

In these few examples the attacking has been done by Rooks and Bishops in combination with the Queen. {71} There have been no Knights to take part in the attack. We shall now give some examples in which the Knights play a prominent part as an attacking force.

18. ATTACKING WITH KNIGHTS AS A PROMINENT FORCE

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EXAMPLE 46.--White is two p.a.w.ns behind. He must therefore press on his attack. The game continues:

1. Kt (B 5) Kt P Kt - B 4

Evidently an error which made the winning easier for White, as he simply took the Rook with the Knight and kept up the attack. Black should have played: 1 ... Kt Kt. Then would have followed: 2 Kt - B 6 ch, K - Kt 3; 3 Kt B, P - B 3 (best); 4 P - K 5, K - B 2; 5 Kt P, R - K 2; 6 Kt - K 4, and Black should lose.[4]

{72}

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EXAMPLE 47.--The student should carefully examine the position, as the sacrifice of the Bishop in similar situations is typical, and the chance for it is of frequent occurrence in actual play. The game continues:

1. B P ch K B 2. Kt - Kt 5 ch K - Kt 3

Best. If 2...K - R 3; 3 Kt P ch wins the Queen, and if 2...K - Kt 1; 3 Q - R 5, with an irresistible attack.

3. Q - Kt 4 P - B 4 4. Q - Kt 3 K - R 3

White finally won.[5]

{73}

19. WINNING BY INDIRECT ATTACK

We have so far given positions where the attacks were of a violent nature and directed against the King's position. Very often, however, in the middle-game attacks are made against a position or against pieces, or even p.a.w.ns.

_The winning of a p.a.w.n among good players of even strength often means the winning of the game._