Tutorials for Kasparov's Gambit. By Eric Schiller
Advanced Rules
.
.NEWGAME
.WHITE Advanced Rules
.BLACK Castling
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Be7
[If neither King nor Rook have moved, and there are no pieces between them, 
and there is no enemy piece attacking the King or the squares that the King 
must cross or move to, then the King can move two squares toward the Rook, and 
the Rook will then jump over the King and land one square on the other side.]
5.0-0
[Now Black can castle, too.] 
5...0-0
[Remember, you cannot castle if:

a) Your King has moved previously

b) Your Rook has been moved previously

c) You are currently in check

d) There are any pieces between the King and the Rook

e) The squares that the King must cross or move to are under 
attack by an enemy piece.]


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Advanced Rules
.BLACK En Passant
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 c5 2.d4 
[This opening is known as the Smith-Morra Gambit. Black usually captures the 
pawn, since there is no real reason why he shouldn't.]
2...cxd4 
[Now White usually continues by advancing his pawn from c2 to c3. But 
sometimes a slip of the hand takes place and the pawn can accidentally be 
advanced from c2 to c4.] 
3.c4
[Now Black has the right to capture the pawn on the square c3, by the rule 
known as $gen passant$b. The logic is that the double advance of the pawn 
cannot allow the pawn to escape the capture that might have ensued had the 
pawn only been permitted to advance a single square. Remember that the rule 
applies only immediately after the pawn advances two squares in one turn. It 
is as if you can go back in time a bit and capture it as it made its leisurely 
way across the first of the two squares.] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKf8 WRg8 BKf6 BQe6] 
.WHITE Advanced Rules
.BLACK Stalemate #1
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[White appears to be helpless because of his material deficit. However, he has 
a saving resource based on $gstalemate$b.] 
1.Rg6+ 
[This surprising sacrifice saves the game.] 
1...Kxg6 
[With White not having any legal move and his King not in check the game is 
drawn due to stalemate!] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKe1 BKe3 BPf2] 
.WHITE Advanced Rules
.BLACK Stalemate #2
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[Although Black's pawn on the second rank appears to give Black an advantage 
White is able to save the game through stalemate.] 
1.Kf1 
[Now Black has only one square for his King to protect his pawn.]
1...Kf3 
[The game is drawn due to stalemate.] 
[1...Ke4 2.Kxf2] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg8 WPf7 BKd4 BQg6] 
.WHITE Advanced Rules
.BLACK Stalemate #3
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[With White's pawn only one square away from promotion it looks like Black's 
Queen has arrived just in time to force the White King in front of his pawn,
however.] 
1.Kh8 
[This surprise move saves the game since White is now threatening to promote 
his pawn. Black must accept the gift or repeat the position.] 
1...Qxf7 
[The game is drawn because White's King is stalemated.]

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WQf8 WPa5 BKa7 BQe3 BPa6 BPb7 BPc4 BPe4] 
.WHITE Advanced Rules
.BLACK Stalemate #4
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[White, Pilnik, is three pawns behind. Black, Reshevsky, expected White to 
resign.  He was in for quite a shock!] 
1.Qf2
[An amazing conception. White gives up his own Queen in order to save the
game!] 
1...Qxf2
[Forced since Black has no way of protecting his Queen. The game is now drawn 
because the White King has been stalemated!]

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh8 WQg1 BKb6 BQd3 BPc5 BPc3]  
.WHITE Advanced Rules
.BLACK Stalemate #5
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[Black has a passed c-pawn well on it's way to $gpromoting$b. However, 
White does not lose his head and instead works out a drawing line.] 
1.Qg6+
[Black has a double attack on the White King and Queen thus forcing White's 
reply.] 
1...Qxg6 
[The game is drawn as the White King has been stalemated!]

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WRa3 BKg3 BRg2 BPf3 BPg5] 
.WHITE Advanced Rules
.BLACK Stalemate #6
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[White seems to be near the end of his rope. However, thanks to the cornered 
positioning of his King he has a saving resource.]
1.Rxf3+
[With this one move White is able to save the game, since Black's King must 
accept the gift or else part with his own Rook!]
1...Kxf3
[The game is drawn as the White King has been stalemated!]

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Advanced Rules
.BLACK Stalemate #7
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[This example is a composition by Sam Loyd.] 
1 .e3 
[It represents the shortest possible path to stalemate from the starting 
position.] 
1...a5 2.Qh5 Ra6 3.Qa5 
[The moves taken in isolation are a bit silly.] 
3...h5 4.Qc7 Rah6 
[And if played in a tournament, 
would invite suspicion of collusion.] 
5.h4 f6 6.Qd7 Kf7 7.Qb7 Qd3 8.Qb8 Qh7 9.Qc8 Kg6 10.Qe6 
[Stalemate!] 
.
Checkmating Patterns

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK An Introduction
.SETUP [WKe6 WRa1 BKe8]
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[A chess game is won when one player places the opponent in $gcheckmate$b.  
There are many ways to accomplish this, but certain basic patterns are seen 
quite frequently, and we will introduce them in the Checkmating Patterns 
tutorial.] 
1.Ra8++

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKe1 WRa1 BKg8 BPf7 BPg7 BPh7] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Back Rank Mate #1
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[ The pawns which guard the King also keep the King hemmed in, and since the 
castling position is at the edge of the board, there is nowhere for the King to 
run to if attacked from the side. Black has left his $gback rank$b undefended 
and White can deliver checkmate in a single move.] 
1.Ra8++
[The same basic idea can be seen in a variety of formations, all of which 
involve the inability of the King to flee because the squares on the 7th rank 
are inaccessible, either because they are occupied by his own forces, as in 
the previous example, or because they are guarded by the enemy.] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKe1 WRa1 WPh6 BKg8 BPf7 BPh7] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Back Rank Mate #2
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[ In this position, the same theme applies. There is no longer a pawn at g7 
to keep the Black King hemmed in, but the White pawn at h6 fulfills the same 
function.] 
1.Ra8++


.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg1 WRa1 WPg6 BKg8 BPg7] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Back Rank Mate #3
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[Sometimes the King can be trapped by just a couple of lowly pawns. In this 
position there are even fewer pawns, but Black's King is nevertheless trapped, 
and the same mating plan applies.] 
1.Ra8++

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg1 WRa1 WPf6 BKh8 BPh7] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Back Rank Mate #4
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[ Here is yet another example of the same theme.] 
1.Ra8++

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg1 WRg2 WPf7 BKh8 BRh7] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Back Rank Mate #5
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[It is not only pawns which can restrict the mobility of the King. Here a Rook 
stands in the way of escape, and the White pawn guards the mating square.] 
1.Rg8++

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WRa2 WPf6 BKh8 BRg8 BPf7] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Back Rank Mate #6
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy.
[In a slight variation on the same theme, the Black Rook and White pawn work
together to eliminate any possibility of escape.] 
1.Rh2++

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg2 WQe4 BKc8 BRb8 BRd8] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Epaulette Mate
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[White can deliver what is known as an "Epaulette Mate", which gets its name 
from the fact that there are two pieces flanking the Black King.]
1.Qc6++

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg2 WRf7 WRg5 BKc8] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Double Rook Mate #1
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[Another kind of checkmate, which can take place on any edge of the board, is 
the "Double Rook" mate, where two pieces join forces to trap the enemy King.]
1.Rg8++
[Two Rooks are almost as strong as a Queen, and when they work together they 
can deliver checkmate all by themselves.] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WRg2 WRh3 BKa4] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Double Rook Mate #2
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[We can achieve the checkmating position of the previous example in a few 
easy steps.]
1.Rg4+ Kb5 2.Rh5+ Kc6 3.Rg6+ Kd7 4.Rh7+ Ke8 5.Rg8++

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WRa2 WRh3 BKg8 BPf7 BPg7] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Double Rook Mate #3
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[In this example we combine our two themes, using the back rank mate but 
having an additional Rook cut off the h-file.]
1.Ra8++

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WRh3 WRh8 WPf5 BKg7 BPf6] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Double Rook Mate #4
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[Here the Rooks cooperate with a pawn to deliver checkmate.]
1.R3h7++


.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh2 WQa5 WPd6 BKc8] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Queen & Pawn Mate #1
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[Let us look at checkmate as delivered by the most powerful piece of all: the 
Queen. White delivers checkmate with the Queen, aided by the lowly pawn.]
1.Qc7++

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh2 WQh4 WPe5 BKg7 BRg8 BPh7] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Queen & Pawn Mate #2
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[Black's pieces only get in the way, and enable White to deliver checkmate 
immediately, again with just Queen and pawn.]
1.Qf6++

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WQf4 WNg5 WPf2 WPg2 WPh2 BKg8 BQb2 BRb8 BPg7 BPh7] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Smothered Mate
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Mod 
[A smothered mate involves the suffocation of the enemy King, who, surrounded by his own forces, is attacked by an enemy Knight.]
1.Qc4+ 
[Most beginners would play Qf7+ here, but that is a mistake. The f7-square 
belongs to the Knight!]
1...Kh8
[If 1...Kf8, White checkmates immediately. If you don't see it, let Gambit 
demonstrate.] 
2.Nf7+ Kg8 3.Nh6+
[This is a $gdouble check$b, since both the Queen and the Knight attack the 
Black King.]
3...Kh8
[Now If the Black Rook were at g8, then White could move the Knight to f7 and 
deliver checkmate. This can be achieved by an elegant Queen sacrifice.]
4.Qg8+ Rxg8
[The Queen must be captured by the Rook, since the Knight guards the  
g8-square.] 
5.Nf7++
[The smothered mate is a favorite among chess players,  
who always enjoy setting 
it up. Gambit is unlikely to fall for it, however!] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKe6 WQe5 BKe8] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Queen Mate #1
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.Qh8++
[This is a typical checkmating position, with the enemy King backed up to the 
edge of the board.] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKc6 WQb2 BKa8] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Queen Mate #2
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[Here is another typical position. White checkmates with the next move.] 
1.Qb7++

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh8 WQg8 BKe4] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Queen Mate #3
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy.
1.Kg7
[The King must assist the Queen, who cannot deliver checkmate without some 
help.] 
1...Kd4
[Black tries to keep the King in the center of the board, where it cannot be 
checkmated by just a King and Queen.] 
2.Kf6 Ke4 3.Qd8
[This cuts off half the board. The basic idea is to keep limiting the space 
available to the enemy King. That is a theme that recurs in all lone King 
endgames.] 
3...Kf4 4.Qd3
[Further limiting the Black King's options.]
4...Kg4 5.Qe3 Kh4
[The first goal is achieved. White has forced the Black King to the edge of 
the board. Now the White King joins in.]
6.Kf5
[What would have happened on 6.Qf3? Try it and see!] 
6...Kh5 7.Qg5++
[There was another checkmate. Did you see 7.Qh3++?] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WRh8 BKd4] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Rook Mate
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Mod
[The same theme as the Queen mate applies, but it takes longer because the 
Rook can only move on the files and ranks, but not on the diagonals.]
1.Re8
[Again, we start by slicing off half the board.] 
1...Kd5 2.Kg2 Kd4 3.Kf3 Kd5 4.Ke3
[Now the Black King must leave the center.]
4...Kc4 5.Re5 Kc3 6.Rc5+
[When the Kings are lined up facing each other with a single square dividing 
them, a check by the Rook along the rank occupied by the enemy King will drive 
it backward.] 
6...Kb4 7.Kd4 Kb3 8.Rc4 Kb2 9.Rc3 Kb1 10.Kd3
[We are getting close to creating a $gmating net$b.] 
10...Kb2 11.Kd2 Kb1 12. Rb3+
[Now Black is forced into the corner.] 
12...Ka1 12.Kc2 Ka2
[What now? Here we can take advantage of the fact that in chess one cannot 
simply pass, but must make a move when it is one's turn to move.] 
14.Rh3
[This brings about a position known as $gzugzwang$b. If Black could pass here, 
things would not come to a quick end, but alas a move must be made.] 
14...Ka1 15.Ra3++
[Now set up a position with a King and Rook against King, and see if you can 
beat Gambit. If you have trouble completing the assignment, switch sides and 
Gambit will beat you!] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKb3 WBd3 WBb4 BKa1] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Double Bishop Mate #1
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.Bc3++
[An easy move to find. But how can this position be forced? The answer is to 
use the same technique of limiting the scope of the enemy King. Try beating 
Gambit from the next position. If you can't get the job done, switch sides and 
let Gambit show you how.] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WBa8 WBh8 BKe3] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Double Bishop Mate #2
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Mod 
[Play on!] 
1.Be5

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKe1 WNf3 WNc3 BKe8] 
.WHITE Checkmating Patterns
.BLACK Two Knights Mate
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Mod 
[White cannot force checkmate. Set Gambit at its weakest level and try for a 
while. It just can't be done! See Drawing Patterns- 2 Knights vs King] 
1.Nd5

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Drawing Patterns
.BLACK 2 Knights vs King
.EVENT Tutorial
.SETUP [WKg6 WNe4 WNg5 BKg8] 
.SCORE Easy
[Can Black avoid losing?]
1.Nf6+
[The ending of two Knights versus a lone King is a draw if you can calculate 
one move ahead! The reason is that two Knights are unable to force checkmate, 
the defender must walk into it.] 
1...Kf8 
[As stated if you can calculate one move ahead you can never lose against two  
Knights since they are unable to force checkmate, the defending side must fall 
into it! Therefore, the diagram position is a draw.  If instead 1...Kh8?? 
2.Nf7++] 


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Drawing Patterns
.BLACK King & Rook Pawn
.EVENT Tutorial
.SETUP [WKg1 BKg4 BPh4] 
.SCORE Easy
[The ending of King and Rook pawn versus King is always a draw providing that 
the defending King stays in front of the pawns path.]
1.Kh2
[In order for White to draw all he has to due is to keep his King in front of 
the pawns path.] 
1...h3 2.Kh1 
[The White King stays in front of the pawn's path.]
2...Kg3 3.Kg1
[The four safest squares for the White King to stand are on h1,h2,g1 
and g2 if he stays on any of these four squares his King will always be able 
to stay in front of the pawn's way.] 
3...h2+ 4.Kh1 Kh3
[White has achieved his goal since his King has been stalemated.]

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Drawing Patterns
.BLACK King & Bishop vs King
.EVENT Tutorial
.SETUP [WKh6 WBd3 BKh8] 
.SCORE Easy
[The ending of Bishop and King versus King is always a draw. As there exists 
no possible mating positions! For example.] 
1.Bf5 Kg8
[Black has nothing to fear as White has no way of controlling the dark squares 
in order to force checkmate.] 
2.Bd3 Kh8 3.Bc4
[The game is a draw since Black's King has been stalemated.]

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Drawing Patterns
.BLACK King & Center Pawn
.EVENT Tutorial
.SETUP [WKe2  BKe4 BPe3] 
.SCORE Easy
[The ending of King and pawn versus King can be drawn only if the defending 
King stays in front of the pawn. For example:]
1.Ke1 
[The only move that holds the draw! Take special notice that the defending 
sides King drops straight back staying directly in front of the pawn's path.]
1...Kf4 
[Black tries to trick White into making a mistake.]
2.Ke2
[The King stays directly in front of the pawn! 2.Kf1 would be a mistake as 
the King is not directly in front of the pawn. 2...Kf3 3.Ke1 e2 4.Kd2 Kf2 
and Black wins since White has no defense against 5...e1Q.]
2...Ke4 3.Ke1 
[The King stays directly in front of the pawn!]
3...Kd3 
[Only when the opposing King comes up even with his pawn do we follow him 
over!] 
4.Kd1 
[4.Kf1 is a mistake as Black is able to force through his pawn. For 
example: 4...Kd2 5.Kg2 e2 6.Kf2 e1Q+] 
4...e2+ 5.Ke1 Ke3 
[White has achieved his goal since his King has been $gstalemate$bd.]


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Drawing Patterns
.BLACK Bishop & Rook Pawn
.EVENT Tutorial
.SETUP [WKg5 WBd3 WPh5 BKg7] 
[The ending of Bishop and Rook pawn can be drawn only if the Bishop does not 
control the pawn's Queening square! We refer to this as the wrong Rook Pawn  
for the Bishop.]
1.h6+
[In order to make progress the pawn must sooner or later advance.] 
1...Kh8 
[If Black is to achieve a draw his King must stay on one of these four squares 
h8,h7,g8 or g7! Otherwise his King may be driven away from the corner thus 
allowing the pawn to promote. 1...Kf8 is mistake which breaks the rule of 
staying on one of the four corner squares, h8,h7,g8 or g7.] 
2.Kg6 Kg8 3.Bc4+ Kh8 
[Take special notice of how Black's King remains in the corner. White's Bishop 
must now give way because of the Black King being stalemated.]
4.Bd3 Kg8 5.Be4 Kh8
[The game is drawn since White can make no further progress.] 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Drawing Patterns
.BLACK Queen vs Rook Pawn
.EVENT Tutorial
.SETUP [WKb8 WPa6 BKg3 BQe3] 
.SCORE Easy
[The ending of Queen versus Rook pawn is a draw providing that the pawn is 
threatening to Queen with the enemy King being away from the action. ]
1.a7 
[This raises the threat of 2.a8 promoting the pawn.] 
1...Qb6+ 2.Ka8
[Take special note that the White King is currently stalemated.]
2...Qd8+ 3.Kb7
[Once again the pawn is threatening to promote.] 
3...Qd7+ 4.Kb8
[White must keep his King as forward as possible in order to help his pawn to 
promote. 4.Ka8?? is a blunder that is met by 4...Qc8++ while 4.Kb6 is a mistake 
since White's King is no longer helping his pawn to promote.]
4...Qb5+ 5.Kc8 Qc6+ 6.Kb8 Qb6+ 7.Ka8
[The game is drawn as Black is unable to make progress. Notice that White's 
King is $gstalemated$b.]


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Passed Pawns #1
.EVENT Tutorial
.SETUP [WKh1 WPb5 BKf8] 
.SCORE Mod
[In order to accurately decide if a passed pawn will be able to promote, 
simply move the pawn in your mind and draw a diagonal from your pawn to your  
opponents back rank. If the enemy King cannot play to that file the pawn 
wins.] 
1.b6
[Thus we mentally draw a diagonal from our pawn to our opponents back rank and 
find that the enemy King must play to or within the d-file. Since he can only 
play to the e-file the pawn promotes.] 
1...Ke8 2.b7
[Again we draw a diagonal from our pawn to the opponents back rank. In this 
case the enemy King must play to the c-file in order to stop the pawn. Seeing  
that he can only play to the d-file we know the pawn promotes.] 
2...Kd7 3.b8Q
[The pawn has $gpromoted$b.] 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Passed Pawns #2
.EVENT Tutorial
.SETUP [WKb2 WPg4 WPh4 BKb4 BPg6] 
.SCORE Mod
[White has the advantage of two pawns versus one on the Kingside. In order to 
break through he must create a passed pawn.] 
1.h5
[As a general rule in creating passed pawns you start with the pawn that is 
unopposed.] 
1...gxh5 
[If 1...Kc5, trying to head of the pawn, then 2.hxg6 Kd6 3.g7 Ke7 4.g8Q] 
2.gxh5 Kc5 3.h6 Kd6 4.h7
[White wins because Black has no defense to 5.h8Q.] 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Passed Pawns #3
.EVENT Tutorial
.SETUP [WKa3 WPg2 WPh2 BKb1 BPg6] 
.SCORE Mod
[When you have the advantage of two pawns versus one you should always start 
by pushing the unopposed pawn!] 
1.h4
[White applies the rule that in order to create a passed pawn you should 
always start by advancing the unopposed pawn first!] 
1...Kc2 2.g4 Kd3 3.h5 gxh5 4.gxh5 Ke4 5.h6 Kf5 6.h7 Kg6 7.h8Q

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Passed Pawns #4
.EVENT Tutorial
.SETUP [WKh1 WPa5 WPb5 WPc5 BKh3 BPa7 BPb7 BPc7] 
.SCORE Mod
[In order to create a passed pawn sometimes it is necessary to sacrifice 
material to accomplish your goal!] 
1.b6
[Black must capture the b-pawn since White has a double attack on Black's a 
and c pawns.] 
1...axb6
[Notice that White's a-pawn is almost passed the only thing in his way is the 
Black pawn on b7. Or 1...cxb6 in which case it is the White c-pawn whose path 
has been opened. Therefore White plays 2.a6, clearing the b7 pawn for White's 
c-pawn to advance.] 
2.c6
[Through this sacrifice White's a-pawn is able to promote.] 
2...bxc6 3.a6
[White wins since Black cannot stop the a-pawn from promoting.] 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Passed Pawns #5
.EVENT Tutorial
.SETUP [WKe1 WPa3 WPh3 BKe4] 
.SCORE Mod
[When you have two passed pawns you can divert the enemy's attention by  
alternating which pawn you plan on promoting!] 
1.h4 Kf4
[As soon as the enemy King approaches one pawn you push the other!]
2.a4 Ke5 
.VARIATION 2...Kg4 3.a5 Kxh4 4.a6 Kg5 5.a7 Kf6 6.a8Q 
3.a5 Kd6
[Now that the King is closer to the a-pawn White starts running the h-pawn!]
4.h5 Ke6 5.a6 Kd7 6.a7 
[6.h6 also wins.] 
6...Kc7 7.a8Q

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Bishop & Pawn vs King
.EVENT Tutorial
.SETUP [WKg3 WBf3 WPh6 BKf6] 
.SCORE Mod
[In order for White's passed pawn to promote the Black King must be kept from  
getting in front of the pawn's way.] 
1.Bh5
[In his way the Black King is forced away from the pawn's Queening square.]
1...Ke7 
[Or 1...Kg5 2.h7 when White wins since Black is unable to stop the pawn from 
promoting.] 
2.h7
[Wins for White since Black has no defense against 3.h8Q] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKa1 WPh2 BKa8] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Pawn #1
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[Let's take a look at some of the most basic endgame positions, starting with 
those in which White has just a single pawn, but Black has nothing but the 
King. In this case White can win provided that the pawn can reach the eighth 
rank and be promoted to a Queen or Rook without being captured immediately by 
the Black King. ]
1.h4 
[Here White wins, because the Black King cannot stop the pawn from reaching 
the promotion square.] 
1...Kb8 2.h5 Kc8 3.h6 Kd8 4.h7 Ke8 5.h8Q+ 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKa1 WPh4 BKd6] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Pawn #2
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[This position is a draw.] 
1.h5 Ke6 2.h6 Kf6 3.h7 Kg7

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKa1 WPh2 BKc6] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Pawn #3
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
1.h4 Kd6
[Sometimes the result depends entirely on which player has the move. White to 
move wins, but Black to move draws.] 
2.h5 Ke6 3.h6 Kf7 4.h7 Kg7 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg2 WPh4 BKb7 BPa5] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Pawn #4
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[Whichever player moves first, wins, because the new Queen will control the 
promotion square of the enemy pawn.] 
1.h5 a4 2.h6 a3 3.h7 a2 4.h8Q 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg2 WPa6 WPb5 BKb6 BPe4 BPh4] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Pawn #5
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[When two pawns are separated by two files, they can win without assistance.]
1.Kf2
[Try defending the position against Gambit.] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKf6 WPe6 BKf8 ] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Opposition #1
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[When two Kings are separated by an odd number of squares 
(1,3,5) then the player that does not have to move next has the "opposition". 
Here, with White to move, Black has the opposition, and White can not win.] 
1.e7+ Ke8 2.Ke6 
[Stalemate.] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKf5 WPe6 BKf8] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Opposition #2
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
1.Kf6
[But if Black is to move, then White wins.] 
1...Ke8 2.e7 Kd7 3.Kf7 Kd6 4.e8Q 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKa8 WPa6 BKc7] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Pawn #6
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
1.a7
[This is an important position. White to move is a draw because it is 
stalemate and Black to move draws with 1...Kc8, also creating a stalemate. 
This is an important and recurring theme in pawn endgames.] 
1...Kc8

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Endgame
.SETUP [WKb6 WPa7 BKa8] 
.BLACK Pawn #7
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[This is also a draw, because if White plays 1.Ka6 to defend the pawn, then it 
is stalemate.] 
1.Ka6

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKb8 WPa7 BKb6] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Pawn #8
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[In this position, however, White can promote the pawn.] 
1.a8Q 
[We can conclude then that if the Black King can get into the corner, or force 
the White King to stay in the corner, then the game will be drawn.]

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg1 WPh6 BKa8 BNg8]
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Pieces vs Pawns
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[It is interesting that the pawn, considered the weakest of the chessmen, is 
sometimes stronger than a Rook, Bishop or Knight. This is because the pawn can 
be transformed into a Queen if it reaches the eighth rank. Since you cannot be 
checkmated by a combination of King and Bishop or King and Knight if there are 
no other pieces on the board, the pawn gains in strength in the endgame.] 
1.h7
[The pawn is clearly not weaker than the piece here!]

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKa8 WQd8 BKe2 BPd2] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Queen vs Pawn #1
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Hard
[Usually winning with a Queen versus a lone pawn is easy, but when the pawn 
has advanced to the 7th rank, it can be tricky, and sometimes even impossible. 
In this position, White can win, but it takes time.] 
1.Qe7+ Kf2 2.Qd6 Ke2 3.Qe5+ Kf2 4.Qf4+ Ke2 5.Qe4+ Kf2 
[In the first phase, White has brought the Queen close to the enemy King and 
pawn. Now the King can be forced to occupy the promotion square d1.]
6.Qd3 Ke1 7.Qe3+ Kd1 
[Otherwise Black loses the pawn.] 
8.Kb7 
[Now it is time to bring the King in. White wins.]

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKa8 WQc8 BKd2 BPc2 ] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Queen vs Pawn
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Hard
[When we slide the Black pieces one file to the left, it turns out that White 
cannot win against best play. The trick involves placing the King in the #2 
corner and only allowing White to capture the pawn when it will be stalemate.] 
1.Qd7+ Kc1 2.Kb7 Kb1 3.Qb5+ Ka2 4.Qc4+ Ka1 
[Now if the pawn is captured, it is stalemate and the game is drawn.] 
5.Qc3+ Kb1 6.Qb3+ Ka1 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Endgame
.SETUP [WKh8 WRh5 BKc6 BPb5 ] 
.BLACK Rook vs Pawn #2
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Mod
[Rook versus pawn is also usually a win for the side with the Rook, but since 
the Rook is less powerful than the Queen, there are more exceptions. Here 
White can win because the Black King is too far from the promotion square.]
1.Kg7 Kb6
[The black monarch tries to circle around the pawn, to forge ahead of it and  
help it advance without falling to the rook.]
2.Kf6 Ka5 3.Ke5 Ka4 4.Kd4 b4 5.Kc4 b3 6.Rb5
[And White has successfully corralled the pawn.]

1.Rg5 b4 2.Kg7 b3
.VARIATION 2...Kb6 3.Kh6 Ka63.Rg3 b2 4.Rb3 
[and White wins.] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKe6 WPd6 BKg8 BRg5] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Rook vs Pawn #1
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[Here with White to move, Black cannot win.] 
1.d7 
[The pawn must not be allowed to Queen, but how can this be stopped?]
1...Rg6+ 2.Ke5 
[And now White wins!] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKd5 WPa5 BKg6 BBg5] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Bishop vs Pawn #1
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Mod
[Here there is only one dark square between the pawn at a5 and the promotion 
square. Therefore the Bishop has to get to either b8 or, preferably, a square 
on the g1-a7 diagonal. White cannot prevent this.] 
1.Ke4 Bd8 2.a6 Bb6
[White cannot win.] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKd5 WPa5 BKf6 BBg5] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Bishop vs Pawn #2
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[Here the position is only slightly different, but now White can win because 
the procedure available in the last example is no longer an option.] 
1.Ke4 Bh4 2.Kf3 Be1 3.a6 
[There is no way to stop the pawn.] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKd5 WPb7 BKd3 BNd7] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Knight vs Pawn #1
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[Here the Knight has just enough maneuvering room to hold the draw.]
1.Kd6 Nb8 2.Kc7 Na6+ 3.Kb6 Nb8 4.Ka7 Nc6+ 5.Ka8 Kc4 
[There is no way for White to win.] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKc5 WPa7 BKc3 BNc7] 
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Knight vs Pawn #2
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[Here White wins because the Knight is not allowed to move off the 
edge of the board!] 
1.Kc6 Na8 2.Kb7 Kb4 3.Kxa8 Ka5 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Endgame
.BLACK Knight vs Pawn #3
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SETUP [WKc2 WNd3 BKa2 BPa3 ] 
.SCORE Easy
[We conclude with a rare example of the Knight winning against a lone pawn. It 
is an old study from the 12th century! White mates in 3. If you don't see the 
solution, let Gambit show you.] 
1.Nb4+ Ka1 2.Kc1 a2 
[The only legal move.] 
3.Nc2++ 


.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKe1 WQd1 BKe8 BPe7 BNe4] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Introduction
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[Tactics are the basic devices used to win games. Our tutorials will explore 
the $gpin$b, the $gskewer$b, the $gdiscovered attack$b, the $gdiscovered 
check$b, the $gdouble attack$b, and the $gfork$b. ]
1.Qa4+


.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKe1 WQd1 BKe8 BNe5] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Pin #1
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[A pin is used by tailors to hold something in place. In chess, a pin is used 
for the same purpose.]
1.Qe2
[The Black Knight is pinned. It cannot legally move, since 
doing so would place the King into chess.]

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WRa1 BKh8 BBc8] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Pin #2
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[You don't need to use the mighty Queen to set up a pin. Here, White can pin 
the Black Bishop to the King using his Rook.]
1.Ra8 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WBd2 Wpg2 BKb8 BNe5 BPg7] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Pin #3
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[This time use your Bishop to pin the Black Knight.]
1.Bf4
[So we see that Queens, Rooks, and Bishops can all set up pins. The pin is a 
powerful tactic because the pinned piece cannot move, and therefore if it is 
attacked it is usually lost.] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WBb2 WPf2 Wpg2 BKh8 BNe5 BPd6 BPg6] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Pin #4
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[The Knight is pinned, but it is also protected, so that if White plays Bxe5 
then Black can recapture with the pawn. But White can gain material by 
attacking the Knight.]
1.f4
[Now the Knight cannot move, so at the next turn White will play fxe5.]

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Pin #5
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[The pin is used early in the game to limit the mobility of the enemy pieces.] 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6
[This variation is considered inferior, because Black voluntarily walks into a 
pin.] 
4.d4 a5
[A serious mistake. Now the pin results in a gain of $gmaterial$b.] 
5.d5
[The Knight cannot move, because the King would be in check. So it is lost.]

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WQe2 BKe8 BNe5] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Pin #6
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[Sometimes an opening blunder results in a very painful pin.] 
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qc6
[This move is motivated by a desire to keep the Bishop at f1 in its place, 
because if it moves, then Black can capture the pawn at g2. But Black has 
miscalculated. Do you see why? If not, let Gambit show you.] 
4.Bb5

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WRa1 BKd5 BRd8 ] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Skewer #1
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.Rd1+
[The skewer is sort of an inverted pin. Here the more valuable piece lies on 
a path between the attacker and another friendly piece. Black's King is in 
check.] 
1...Kc5 
[It must move, but then the Rook on d8 will be captured by its counterpart on 
d1. This shish-kabob arrangement of pieces gives the basic idea of the skewer. 
Skewers, like pins, can be delivered by Queens, Rooks, and Bishops.]
2.Rxd8

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh2 WPh7 BKe5 BQa1]
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Skewer #2
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[This position illustrates a skewer at the end of a pawn race - Black has 
Queened his a-pawn first, but White has the last word after...]
1.h8Q+ 
[And Black loses his Queen after his monarch steps out of check.]
1...Kd5
2.Qxa1

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh2 WRf5 WNg4 WPg2 WPh4 BKh8 BRg8 BBe6 BPg7 BPh6] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Skewer #3
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[In this position, Black's skewer does not succeed, because  
White can defend the Knight with the Rook. Do you see how?]
1.Rf4

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg1 WRe1 WNe5 WPf2 WPg2 WPh2 BKg8 BRf8 BBe7 BPf7 BPg7 BPh7] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Discovered Attack #1
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[The term discovered attack describes an attack made by a piece whose 
operations against an enemy piece were blocked by a friendly piece standing in 
the way. By moving that piece out of the way, the enemy piece comes under 
fire.] 
1.Nf3
[This creates a discovered attack, but the maneuver has no particular effect, 
since Black can simply move the Bishop away. But if the Knight has a target, 
then White can set up a $gdouble attack$b, which is the subject of a different 
Tutorial.] 
.VARIATION 1.Nd7 Re8

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg1 WRe1 WNe5 WPf2 WPg2 WPh2 BKg8 BRf8 BBe7 BPf7 BPg6 BPh7] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Discovered Attack #2
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Mod 
[We have made a slight modification to the previous position, but it makes all 
the difference in the world!] 
1.Nd7
[Now the Rook and Bishop are both attacked. Black can try to defend as in 
the variation from the previous position, but this time it will not work.] 
1...Re8 2.Nf6+
[This illustrates a the idea of a $gfork$b, which will be discussed in yet 
another Tutorial.] 
2...Kf8 3.Nxe8
[White has won material. The discovered attack usually sets up another tactic, 
as we have just seen. An especially potent form of the discovered attack is 
the discovered check, where the enemy King comes under fire.]

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg1 WRe1 WNe5 WPf2 WPg2 WPh2 BKe8 BRh8 BBb6 BPf7 BPg7 BPh7] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Discovered Check
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[The Rook seems to be safely out of the range of the White Knight, but the 
discovered check increases the power of the Knight.]
1.Ng6+
[The move by the Knight opens up a check by the Rook. That is what we mean by 
discovered check. White will capture the Rook on the next turn.]

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WPg2 WNb2 BKa5 BQe5]
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Double Attack & Fork Intro
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
[The simultaneous attack on two pieces or squares is one of the most powerful 
tactics in chess. When one piece attacks two or more enemy pieces, it is 
called a "fork" and if it attacks two or more vulnerable squares, or a piece 
and a vulnerable square, it is called a double attack. Some players use the 
terms interchangeably.] 
1.Nc4+

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WQd4 WPf2 WPg3 WPh2 BKg8 BRf3 BPd5 BPf7 BPg7 BPh7 ] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Double Attack #1
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[This is double attack by the Queen, which targets both the Rook at f3 and the 
d8 or a8 squares with checkmate.]
1.Qxd5
[There is no way for Black to guard against both threats.] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg1 WRc1 WPf2 WPg2 WPh2 BKg8 BBg5 BPc5 BPf7 BPg7 BPh7] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Double Attack #2
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
1.Rxc5
[This is a double attack, with the threat of a back-rank mate with 2.Rc8 and 
an attack on the Bishop at g5. Black can defend in this case.]
1...Be7 2.Rc8+ Bf8 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh2 WBc6 WRc3 WPf2 WPg2 WPh3 BKg8 BRb1 BPb6 BPf7 BPg7 BPh6 ] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Double Attack #3
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
1.Be4
[The Bishop attacks the Rook and the h7-square. The threat is Rc8++. Black 
can't save the Rook and avoid mate at the same time.]


.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh1 WNf3 WRa7 WPg3 WPh2 BKh8 BNg8 BRh3 BPg7 BPh7] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Double Attack #4
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
1.Ng5
[The Knight attacks both the Rook and the vacant f7-square, but the if allowed 
to occupy the latter it will be checkmate. Again, Black cannot defend against 
both threats.] 


.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg1 WNg3 WRd7 WPf2 WPg5 WPh2 BKg8 BNf7 BRh8 BPe7 BPg7] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Double Attack #5
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[Even the lowly pawn can create a double attack. The King only has one 
$gflight square$b from the back rank , h7., but White can cut that square off 
while also attacking the enemy Knight.]
1.g6 
[If the Knight moves, then Rd8 is mate.]

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh5 WBa3 WRb7 WPe5 WPf3 WPg2 BKg8 BBf2 BRf5 BPf4 BPg7] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Double Attack #6
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[The King rarely participates in a double attack. But it can happen. Here the 
King moves to a square which both attacks the enemy Rook and also cuts off the 
only $gflight square$b available to the Black King.]
1.Kg6 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKg1 WQd4 WNf1 WPf2 WPg2 WPh2 BKg8 BBg5 BRa8 BPf7 BPg7 BPh7] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Double Attack #7
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.Qd5
[The Queen forks the enemy Rook and Bishop. Since neither can defend the 
other, one of the pieces is lost.] 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh2 WRb7 WPf2 WPg2 WPh3 BKg7 BNb3 BBg5 BPb5 BPf7 BPg6 ]
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Fork #1
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
1.Rxb5
[The Rook forks the Knight and Bishop and wins one of them.]
1...Bf4+ 
[The only move to avoid immediate loss of a piece.] 
2.g3 Nd4 
[A temporary respite, since the White Rook is attacked.]
3.Rd5 
[Both enemy pieces are once again under fire.] 
3...Ne6 4.gxf4 Nxf4 5.Ra5 
[White ends up with a significant advantage, though it is not easy to win.]

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh2 WBa6 WRf1 WPd3 WPf2 WPg2 WPh3 BKg7 BNd5 BRa2 BPa5 BPf7 BPg6 BPh7 ] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Fork #2
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.Bc4
[The Bishop forks the Rook and Knight, and Black must lose the $gexchange$b.]
1...Nc3 2.Bxa2 Nxa2 3.Ra1 Nb4 4.Rxa5 Nxd3 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh2 WNd5 WRf1 WPf2 WPg2 WPh3 BKg8 BNd3 BRc8 BPf7 BPg6 BPh7] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Fork #3
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
1.Ne7+
[The Knight is the piece which thrives on forks. Here it forks the King and 
Rook from e7, a common theme.]

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh2 WQg3 WNb5 WRa1 WRf1 WPa4 WPe4 WPf2 WPg2 WPh3 BKe8 BQe6 BRa8 BRh8 BPe5 BBg7 BPa5 BPf7 BPg6 BPh7] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Fork #4
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[Here White can deliver what is sometimes called a "family fork", where the 
Knight simultaneously attacks both the King and Queen and in this case, a Rook 
as well.] 
1.Nc7+ 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKh2 WNf2 WNf3 WPd4 WPg2 WPh3  BKe8 BNc6 BNe6 BPf7 BPg6 BPh7] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Fork #5
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[The pawn can also fork two pieces, and here, though under attack from both 
enemy Knights, it gets the last laugh.]
1.d5 

.NEWGAME
.SETUP [WKd2 WNf2 WNf3 WPg3 WPh3  BKe8 BNb4 BNc4 BPg6 BPh7] 
.WHITE Tactics
.BLACK Fork #6
.EVENT Tutorial 
.SCORE Easy
[The King rarely delivers a fork, but it does happen on occasion. Here the 
King not only escapes from check, but forks the enemy Knights.]
1.Kc3 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Spanish (Closed)
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 
[Many consider this to be the best move, because it takes control of central 
territory and also allows both the Bishop and Queen to enter the battle. The 
only drawback is that the pawn is not defended at the moment.] 
1...e5 
[The symmetrical reply is considered best by many, though there are plenty of 
alternatives which we will explore later. This move fights for control of the 
center, and, importantly, discourages an immediate 2.d4.] 
2.Nf3 
[The most logical move. White attacks the enemy pawn, and thereby maintains 
the $ginitiative$b. The Knight also supports the central square d4.]
2...Nc6 
[Black both defends the pawn and fights for control of the d4-square.] 
3.Bb5 
[White logically attacks the defender of the pawn at e5, threatening to 
capture it and then take the pawn. There are many other strategies available, 
but this is the most popular with masters and amateurs alike.] 
3...a6 
[Black does not have to challenge the Bishop immediately, but it is considered 
the best way of dealing with the threat at e5.] 
4.Ba4 
[Very few strong players share Bobby Fischer's high regard for the exchange at 
c6. The retreat is far and away the most popular move, because Bishops are 
considered slightly stronger than Knights.]
4...Nf6 
[An obvious move, because it develops a piece with $gtempo$b, since White now 
has to take into consideration the threat on the pawn at e4.] 
5.0-0 
[White can continue to develop because the control of the e-file makes it 
possible to temporarily sacrifice the pawn at e4.] 
5...Be7 6.Re1 
[Now it is time to defend the pawn.] 
6...b5 7.Bb3 0-0 
[Here beginners might think that 8.Nc3 is natural, but the Knight does not 
belong on that square since it can be easily attacked by an advance of Black's 
b-pawn. White's goal remains the establishment of pawns at e4 and d4.] 
8.c3 d6 
[Now White can play 9.d4, but then Black sets up a $gpin$b with 9...Bg4, so 
the best move is to prevent that plan.] 
9.h3 
[We have now reached the standard position of the Closed Variation of the 
Spanish Game. In the next few moves White will finally achieve the goal of 
establishing the central pawn mass at e4 and d4.] 
9...Re8 
[The most popular line now. Even though the opening is more than a century 
old, the Rook move did not emerge until the late 1970s!]
10.d4 Bb7 
[The opening is not over yet, and in fact Grandmasters often continue for 
fifteen or twenty moves without leaving the area of published analysis. But 
both sides have already developed well and there are no weaknesses to 
exploit.] 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Spanish (Open)
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 
[Many consider this to be the best move, because it takes control of central 
territory and also allows both the Bishop and Queen to enter the battle. The 
only drawback is that the pawn is not defended at the moment.] 
1...e5 
[The symmetrical reply is considered best by many, though there are plenty of 
alternatives which we will explore later. This move fights for control of the 
center, and, importantly, discourages an immediate 2.d4.] 
2.Nf3 
[The most logical move. White attacks the enemy pawn, and thereby maintains 
the $ginitiative$b. The Knight also supports the central square d4.]
2...Nc6 [Black both defends the pawn and fights for control of the d4-square.] 
3.Bb5 
[White logically attacks the defender of the pawn at e5, threatening to 
capture it and then take the pawn. There are many other strategies available, 
but this is the most popular with masters and amateurs alike.] 
3...a6 
[Black does not have to challenge the Bishop immediately, but it is 
considered the best way of dealing with the threat at e5.] 
4.Ba4 [Very few strong players share Bobby Fischer's high regard for the 
exchange at c6. The retreat is far and away the most popular move, because 
Bishops are considered slightly stronger than Knights.]
4...Nf6 
[An obvious move, because it develops a piece with $gtempo$b, since White now 
has to take into consideration the threat on the pawn at e4.] 
5.0-0 
[White can continue to develop because the control of the e-file makes it 
possible to temporarily sacrifice the pawn at e4.] 
5...Nxe4 
[This is the starting position of the Open variation of the Spanish Game. 
Black concentrates on the center of the board. The pawn will have to be 
returned, but that is not the main point of the opening.] 
6.d4 
[This is a strong move because if the pawn is captured, then the e-file will 
be opened, and the Rook will move to e1, creating a deadly $gpin$b on the 
Knight at e4.]
6...b5 7.Bb3 d5 
[Black has driven back the 
Bishop and takes control of important squares in the center.]
8.dxe5 Be6 
[This is a variation which has enjoyed considerable popularity, especially 
among players who enjoy a good fight in the opening. It was featured in the 
1981 World Championship match, where Viktor Korchnoi used it against Karpov.] 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Spanish (Exchange)
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 
[Many consider this to be the best move, because it takes control of central 
territory and also allows both the Bishop and Queen to enter the battle. The 
only drawback is that the pawn is not defended at the moment.] 
1...e5 
[The symmetrical reply is considered best by many, though there are plenty of 
alternatives which we will explore later. This move fights for control of the 
center, and, importantly, discourages an immediate 2.d4.] 
2.Nf3 
[The most logical move. White attacks the enemy pawn, and thereby maintains 
the $ginitiative$b. The Knight also supports the central square d4.]
2...Nc6 [Black both defends the pawn and fights for control of the d4-square.] 
3.Bb5 
[White logically attacks the defender of the pawn at e5, threatening to 
capture it and then take the pawn. There are many other strategies available, 
but this is the most popular with masters and amateurs alike.] 
3...a6 
[Black does not have to challenge the Bishop immediately, but it is 
considered the best way of dealing with the threat at e5.] 
4.Bxc6 dxc6 [The point of this line is that White cannot safely take the pawn 
at e5. But Black's $gBishop pair$b is offset by White's superior pawn 
structure.] 
5.0-0 
[If 5.Nxe5 then 5...Qd4 regains the pawn easily.] 
5...Bd6 
[There are many other moves, but this will illustrate the main point of the 
opening variation.] 
6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4 
[White has a Kingside $gpawn majority$b which can prove decisive in an 
endgame. Black will use the $gBishop pair$b to try to build an attack and 
finish off White before an endgame is reached.] 


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Italian 
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 
[Many consider this to be the best move, because it takes control of central 
territory and also allows both the Bishop and Queen to enter the battle. The 
only drawback is that the pawn is not defended at the moment.] 
1...e5 
[The symmetrical reply is considered best by many, though there are plenty of 
alternatives which we will explore later. This move fights for control of the 
center, and, importantly, discourages an immediate 2.d4.] 
2.Nf3 
[The most logical move. White attacks the enemy pawn, and thereby maintains 
the $ginitiative$b. The Knight also supports the central square d4.]
2...Nc6 
[Black both defends the pawn and fights for control of the d4-square.] 
3.Bc4 
[The goal here is the f7-square, which is the weakest spot in Black's 
position. The direct attack rarely succeeds if Black develops his pieces 
quickly.] 
3...Nf6 4.Ng5 
[Not the best move, because pieces should not be moved twice before their 
companions have been brought into the game. But there are many traps involved 
in this line, so Black must be careful.] 
4...d5 
[This cuts off the Bishop and gives Black time to chase the Knight away.]
5.exd5 b5 
[A vigorous defense which has become very popular in recent years. The Bishop 
once again find itself under attack. If White captures at b5, then the Black 
Queen captures at d5, attacking both the Bishop and the pawn at g2.]
6.Bf1 
[After many years of experience, this move has emerged as the best one. Now 
Black must do something about the attack on the Knight at c6.]
6...Nd4 7.c3 
[If Black moves the Knight, then the pawn at b5 falls with check.]
7...Nxd5 
[This move is a $gdiscovered attack$b on the Knight at g5, which is threatened 
by the Queen at d8. In this complicated and exciting position Black has good 
chances thanks to superior development and control of the center.] 



.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Spanish (Cozio)
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 
[Many consider this to be the best move, because it takes control of central  
territory and also allows both the Bishop and Queen to enter the battle. The 
only drawback is that the pawn is not defended at the moment.] 
1...e5 
[The symmetrical reply is considered best by many, though there are plenty of 
alternatives which we will explore later. This move fights for control of the 
center, and, importantly, discourages an immediate 2.d4.] 
2.Nf3 
[The most logical move. White attacks the enemy pawn, and thereby maintains 
the $ginitiative$b. The Knight also supports the central square d4.]
2...Nc6 
[Black both defends the pawn and fights for control of the d4-square.] 
3.Bb5 
[White logically attacks the defender of the pawn at e5, threatening to 
capture it and then take the pawn. There are many other strategies available, 
but this is the most popular with masters and amateurs alike.] 
3...Nge7 
[Now if White captures at c6, Black will recapture with the Knight and the 
pawn at e5 is still defended. But the Knight at e7 causes some congestion and 
Black's pieces cannot develop normally.] 
4.c3 
[Black's inability to develop lets White capture the center in two moves.] 
4...d6 5.d4 
[White has achieved the ideal central formation with pawns at e3 and d4. The 
remaining forces can be developed quickly and effectively.] 
5...Bd7 
[Black breaks the $gpin$b on the Knight at c6. But none of the remaining 
pieces can be developed.] 
6.0-0 Ng6 7.Ng5 
[Ordinarily such a move would not be effective, but White's lead in 
development and control of the center justify an immediate attack.] 
7...h6 
[A mistake, but even after the best move, 7...f6. Black has an ugly game.] 
8.Nxf7 
[Black's small inaccuracies in the opening have led to disaster. This 
sacrifice ends the game quickly.] 
8...Kxf7 9.Bc4+ Ke7 
[9...Be6 would have been met by 10.d5.] 
10.Qh5 Qe8 
[Now White delivered checkmate in two moves.] 
11.Qg5+ hxg5 12.Bxg5++ 
[Believe it or not, the 
player of the Black pieces was considered one of the very best of the 19th 
century! Zukertort-Anderssen, Breslau 1865] 


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Scotch
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 
[Many consider this to be the best move, because it takes control of central 
territory and also allows both the Bishop and Queen to enter the battle. The 
only drawback is that the pawn is not defended at the moment.] 
1...e5 
[The symmetrical reply is considered best by many, though there are plenty of 
alternatives which we will explore later. This move fights for control of the 
center, and, importantly, discourages an immediate 2.d4.] 
2.Nf3 
[The most logical move. White attacks the enemy pawn, and thereby maintains 
the $ginitiative$b. The Knight also supports the central square d4.]
2...Nc6 
[Black both defends the pawn and fights for control of the d4-square.] 
3.d4 
[This direct assault on the center has enjoyed new popularity because Kasparov 
used it effectively against Karpov in their 1990 World Championship match.] 
3...exd4 4.Nxd4 
[The $ggambit$b line 4.Bc4 is also playable and enjoys a strong following, 
especially in amateur chess. In either case the battleground is the center, as 
it should be in the opening.] 
4...Qh4 
[A bad move, like most early Queen sorties. White responds by defending the 
pawn and developing at the same time.] 
5.Nc3 Nf6 
[Black returns to sensible development, but overlooks the fact that the Queen 
is now stranded.] 
6.Nf5 Qh5 7.Be2 Qg6 8.Nh4 
[The Queen is lost, so Black resigned in Fraser-Tabenhaus, Paris 1888.]

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Philidor's Defense
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 
[Many consider this to be the best move, because it takes control of central 
territory and also allows both the Bishop and Queen to enter the battle. The 
only drawback is that the pawn is not defended at the moment.] 
1...e5 
[The symmetrical reply is considered best by many, though there are plenty of 
alternatives which we will explore later. This move fights for control of the 
center, and, importantly, discourages an immediate 2.d4.] 
2.Nf3 
[The most logical move. White attacks the enemy pawn, and thereby maintains 
the $ginitiative$b. The Knight also supports the central square d4.]
2...d6 
[Another way of defending the pawn, but it has the disadvantage of locking in 
the Bf8 and does nothing to further the development of Black's forces. Here is 
a drastic example of what can result.] 
3.Bc4 Bg4 4.Nc3 g6 
[White develops pieces while Black moves pawns. Generally this is a recipe for 
disaster.] 
5.Nxe5 Bxd1 6.Bxf7+ Ke7 7.Nd5+ 
[This is known as "Legal's Mate", from a game played in the 18th century: 
Legal-Saint Brie, Paris 1850. Black's play in this game was rather cheesy.] 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK King's Gambit
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 
[Many consider this to be the best move, because it takes control of central 
territory and also allows both the Bishop and Queen to enter the battle. The 
only drawback is that the pawn is not defended at the moment.] 
1...e5 
[The symmetrical reply is considered best by many, though there are plenty of 
alternatives which we will explore later. This move fights for control of the 
center, and, importantly, discourages an immediate 2.d4.] 
2.f4 
[Another method of attacking the center. The pawn can be captured, however,
and this is a $ggambit$b. The game often becomes quite wild if Black decides 
to hold on to the prize.] 
2...exf4 3.Nf3 g5 4.Bc4 
[White is willing to remain a pawn behind in order to achieve a rapid attack. 
This strategy has resulted in many beautiful games, especially in the 19th 
century, when defensive technique was not very refined.] 
4...g4 5.0-0 
[This is the Muzio Gambit, an extreme form of the opening which, even after 
100 years, is still not definitively worked out.] 
5...Qe7 
[Usually the Knight is captured here, but in this example Black wanted to 
defend the f7-square first.] 
6.Nc3 gxf3 7.d4 
[In return for the material investment, White has advanced $gdevelopment$b, 
control of the $gcenter$b, and, believe it or not, the f-file, now blocked by 
three Black pawns, usually gets opened up.] 
7...d6 
[Black had to contest the center with c6 followed by d5. The control of the d5 
square is often very important in the King's Gambit.] 
8.Nd5 Qd7 9.Qxf3 Nc6 10.Qxf4 
[The f-file is now open for business!] 
10...Nd8 
[From here the Knight defends f7 and can go to e6, blunting White's attack on 
the a1-g8 diagonal.] 
11.Qg3 c6 
[A mistake. This plan would have worked back at move 7, but now the consistent 
move was 11...Nc6.] 
12.Qxg8 
[A brilliant sacrifice which brings the game to a rapid conclusion.] 
12...Rxg8 13.Nf6+ Ke7 14.Nxg8+ Ke8 15.Nf6+ Ke7 16.Nxd7 Bxd7 17.Bg5+ 
[and Black resigned in Zukertort-Anderssen, 1865.] 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Sicilian (Classical)
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 
[In this section we explore the Semi-Open games, where Black refrains from 
1...e5.] 
1...c5 
[This is just as popular as 1...e5. Black contests the d4-square, but does not 
place a pawn in a position where it can be attacked by enemy forces. At the 
same time, it does not help the Bishops get developed.]
2.Nf3 
[The most logical move, supporting the critical d4-square. Now Black has many 
options, but we will choose just a few lines to illustrate the ideas behind 
this opening.] 
2...Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bg5 
[White threatens to capture at f6 and disrupt the Black pawn structure.] 
6...e6 
[This creates a momentary $gpin$b on the Knight at f6, but Black will usually 
break this pin by developing the Bishop at e7.]
7.Qd2 Be7 8.f4 
[White can also castle, of course, and play this later. But this move order 
hides a nice trick. Black's goal is to advance his pawn to e5 and attack the 
center. Why not now? Because not enough pieces have been developed.] 
8...d5 
[Black could have achieved a normal position by capturing at d4.] 
9.e5 Nd7 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.0-0-0 
[Black's problem here is the same as that of the French Defense, 1.e4 e6. The 
Bishop on c8 has no easy way to get into the game.]
11...a6 12.Nf3 0-0 13.Bd3 
[White's Kingside attack can take effect more quickly because of superior 
development. Black has a hard time getting things going, but adopts the 
typical strategy of advancing the b-pawn supported by a Rook.]
13...Rb8 14.Qe3 
[A cunning move. The White Queen is needed on the h-file. The time taken up by 
this move is not important because Black is so far behind in development.] 
14...b5 
[Black fails to appreciate the danger.] 
15.Bxh7+ Kxh7 16.Ng5+ 
[A typical attack in the Semi-Open games. Black cannot retreat to g8 because 
of 17.Qh3.] 
16...Kg6 17.Qh3 
[In the game Hort-Radulov, played in 1974, Black resigned here. But checkmate 
was coming.] 
17...Ncxe5 18.Qh7+ Kf6 19.Nce4+ dxe4 20.Nxe4+ 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Sicilian (Pelikan)
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 
[In this section we explore the Semi-Open games, where Black refrains from 
1...e5.] 
1...c5 
[This is just as popular as 1...e5. Black contests the d4-square, but does not 
place a pawn in a position where it can be attacked by enemy forces. At the 
same time, it does not help the Bishops get developed.]
2.Nf3 [The most logical move, supporting the critical d4-square. Now Black has 
many options, but we will choose just a few lines to illustrate the ideas 
behind this opening.] 
2...Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 
[This variation creates a big hole at d5, but World Champion Lasker liked it 
and many modern Grandmasters do too. A typical continuation is:] 
6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 
[Threatening a $gfork$b at b4.] 
9.Nd5 
[White has a lot of pressure, but resourceful analysts continue to find ways 
to defend.] 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Sicilian (Dragon)
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 
[In this section we explore the Semi-Open games, where Black refrains from 
1...e5.] 
1...c5 
[This is just as popular as 1...e5. Black contests the d4-square, but does not 
place a pawn in a position where it can be attacked by enemy forces. At the 
same time, it does not help the Bishops get developed.]
2.Nf3 
[The most logical move, supporting the critical d4-square. Now Black has many 
options, but we will choose just a few lines to illustrate the ideas behind 
this opening.] 
2...d6 
[is the most common alternative. Play usually continues:] 
3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 
[White defends the pawn at e4, which could not advance to d4 because of 
Black's choice of 2...d6. Here there are four major alternatives, of which we 
will look at just one, the formidable Dragon Variation.] 
5...g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 
[White wants to advance the Queen to d2 and castle Queenside, then roar down 
the h-file with a pawn. But this preliminary move is necessary, to prevent 
Black from playing Ng4.] 
7...Nc6 8.Qd2 0-0 9.Bc4 
[White can castle immediately, but then Black gets to counter play in the 
center with an early d6-d5.] 
9...Ne5 10.Bb3 Bd7 11.0-0-0 Rc8 12.h4 
[The battleground is prepared. White tries to checkmate Black by opening up 
the h-file, while Black attacks the Queenside, usually by sacrificing the 
$gexchange$b ]

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Sicilian (Paulsen)
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 
[In this section we explore the Semi-Open games, where Black refrains from 
1...e5.] 
1...c5 
[This is just as popular as 1...e5. Black contests the d4-square, but does not 
place a pawn in a position where it can be attacked by enemy forces. At the 
same time, it does not help the Bishops get developed.]
2.Nf3 
[The most logical move, supporting the critical d4-square. Now Black has many 
options, but we will choose just a few lines to illustrate the ideas behind 
this opening.] 
2...e6 
[This is a more cautious move. The idea is to play an early d7-d5, though that 
rarely comes to pass.] 
3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 
[Sometimes 4...a6 is played, to keep the White Knight from using b5.]
5.Nb5 
[Now White threatens 6.Nd6+] 
5...d6 6.c4 a6 7.N5c3 
[This is a popular formation these days. Black will have a slightly cramped 
but very solid position, and there will be a lot of maneuvering behind the 
lines. Often Black places a Bishop at b7, creating a $gHedgehog$b formation.]


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Caro-Kann
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 c6 
[The goal is to attack the center with 2...d5.] 
2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 
[A common alternative is to capture at d5 and then advance the c-pawn, as in 
the Queen's Gambit, refer to that tutorial for more discussion. The text move 
keeps the play squarely within the confines of the Caro-Kann.] 
3...dxe4 4.Nxe4 
[White has control of more space, but can never establish the ideal pawn 
center (e4,d4). From this position there are a number of strategies. You can 
look at some of them in the Starter Opening book. Here is the normal line:] 
4...Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 [White has an 
advantage in space, but Black has some central pressure and the pawn at h5 can 
prove to be a weakness in the endgame.] 
10...e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.0-0-0 
[White usually castles Queenside in this variation, but Black can castle in 
either direction. Castling Queenside is more traditional, but the modern 
option of castling Kingside is a serious alternative.]


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK French
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 e6 
[The plan is to attack the center with d7-d5, but the problem is that the pawn 
blocks in the Bishop at c8.]
2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 
[The Knight can also go to d2, and that would not make any difference if Black 
plans to exchange at e4. Normally, however, Black does not abandon the center 
that quickly.] 
3...Nf6 
[The classical approach. 3...Bb4 is more modern, but the older approach better 
illustrates the drawbacks of the opening.] 
4.Bg5 Be7 5.e5 Nfd7 6.h4 
[This is a well-known pawn sacrifice. If Black accepts it with 6...Bxg5 7.gxh5 
Qxg5 then White has a huge lead in development. But even if Black ignores the 
Bishop and simply castles, the cramped position is dangerous.]
6...0-0 7.Nh3 
[Usually in the opening this Knight is developed at f3, but here White can use 
the advantage in space to launch an early Kingside attack, so the d1-h5 
diagonal is reserved for use by the Queen.]
7...c5 8.Bd3 
[In the opening it is development that counts. Black can neither take the pawn 
at d4 nor annoy the Bishop at d3, because then White could sacrifice the 
Bishop at h7. Play those lines against Gambit if you don't believe me!]
8...h6 
[This move seems to have a dual purpose: driving back the Bishop at g5 and 
getting out of the way of the Bishop at d3. But White's superior opening play 
has resulted in an advantage so large that $gmaterial$b doesn't matter.] 
9.Bxh6 gxh6 10.Qg4+ Kh8 
[And now for a finishing touch!] 
11.Ng5 cxd4 
[Or 11...hxg5 12.Qh5+ and 13.Qh7++.] 
12.Qh5 Kg7 13.Nxe6+ fxe6 14.Qg6+ Kh8 15.Qh7++ 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Scandinavian
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 
[This is not a good opening because the Black Queen is exposed and White can 
develop with $gtempo$b (gain of time). The gambit approach with 2...Nf6 also 
fails to obtain a level game.] 
3.Nc3 
[Now whether the Queen goes to a5 or retreats, White continues to develop with 
4.d4 and obtains the advantage.] 
3...Qa5 
[3...Qd6 is sometimes seen, but after 4.Bc4, followed by Nge2 and Bf4, the 
Queen is too exposed. 3...Qd8 was once played, but it is no longer seen. For 
the reason, load the game Fischer - Addison, Palma de Mallorca 1970.] 
4.Nf3 Bg4 
[This is too ambitious. 4...Nc6 is more cautious.] 
5.b4! Qh5 
[The pawn cannot be captured because of Rb1 followed by Rxb7.] 
6.Be2 e6 7.Rb1 
[Now the pawn has to b defended.] 
7...Bd6 8.Ne4 Be7 9.h3 
[Black is already in trouble, with insufficient room to maneuver. If the Bishop  
retreats then 10.g4 will be very strong.] 
9...Qg6 
[The counterattack on the Knight is the only move.]
10.Nc5 Bf5 11.Ne5 Qf6 12.Bb2 
[Black's position is hopeless, Kieninger-Helling, 1937.] 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Alekhine
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 Nf6 
[This opening bears the name of World Champion Alekhine, though for him it was 
little more than a diversion. The idea is to tempt the White pawn forward, 
where it will be weak.] 
2.e5 
[There is no reason why White should not take up the challenge.] 
2...Nd5 
[A few eccentrics retreat the Knight, which has accomplished its task, to g8, 
but Black can hardly expect to achieve equality with such a strategy.] 
3.d4 
[Black's Knight sits vulnerably on d5, and White can continue to harass it 
with 4.c4. The idea is to encourage White to overextend with the pawns, a 
hyper modern concept. Few strong players trust it, however.] 
3...d6 4.Nf3 
[The most popular reply, developing a piece.] 
4...Bg4 
[This is the normal strategy for Black, bringing the Bishop into the game, 
pinning the Knight.]
5.Be2 e6 6.0-0 Nc6 7.c4 Nde7 
[The Knight usually goes to b6. One of the drawbacks of this opening is that 
Black keeps losing time as his Knights are attacked by enemy pawns.]
8.exd6 Qxd6 9.Nc3 
[The pawn at d4 is safe.] 
9...Ng6 
[Or 9...Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Nxd4 11.Bxb7 Rb8 12.Be4] 
10.d5 
[A strong move. While Black has been moving Knights around, White has been 
preparing an attack.] 
10...exd5 11.cxd5 Bxf3 12.gxf3 Nce5 13.Nb5 Qd7 14.f4 Nh4 
[Black hopes to build an attack of his own with Qh3.] 
15.fxe5 Qh3 
[Now for a fine finish!] 
16.Nxc7+ Kd8 17.Ne6+ 
[In the game Aronin-Mikenas, USSR 1951, Black resigned because Nf4 is a major 
threat, and if the Knight is captured at e6, checkmate follows. Let Gambit 
analyze the position if you are not convinced.] 


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Modern & Pirc
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.e4 g6 
[The immediate $gfianchetto$b of the Bishop has only become acceptable in 
recent decades, and has no following among World Champions.] 
2.d4 Bg7 3.c3 
[White can support the center in this way, so that the enemy Bishop "bites on 
granite". If 3.Nf3 d6 4.Nc3 Nf6 we reach the Pirc Defense, a related opening 
with similar characteristics.] 
3...d6 4.f4 
[White controls the center and can support it with $gminor pieces$b. This does 
not mean that Black is without resources, because the broad pawn center can 
also be viewed as a target. But White has tangible advantages.] 
4...Nf6 5.Bd3 
[White has made four pawn moves. It is time to start moving pieces!] 
5...e5 
[In the Modern Defense, Black often lets White take control early in the game 
only to launch a counterattack against it later. This move is a good example 
of the strategy adopted fairly early on.] 
6.Nf3 exf4 7.Bxf4 0-0 8.0-0 c5 
[Again Black strikes at the center.] 
9.Nbd2 cxd4 10.cxd4 Nc6 11.Qb3 d5 
[And yet again! These central actions obtain a satisfactory position for 
Black.] 
12.e5 Ne4 13.Nxe4 dxe4 14.Bxe4 Nxd4 
[This variation is from the game Byrne-Donner, San Juan 1969. Black has solved 
the opening well, and has nothing to fear.] 


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Queen's Gambit Declined
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.d4 d5 
[The Closed openings are quite different than the Open or Semi-Open games. 
Here there are fewer rapid attacks. Both sides develop their forces with a 
keen eye on the center of the board.] 
2.c4 
[This is the normal move. White tries to undermine the d5-square so that the 
e-pawn can be advanced to e4. This takes a long time to achieve in many of the 
variations.] 
2...e6 
[Black defends the pawn. If White captures at d5 at any point in the opening, 
Black recaptures with the pawn and then the Bishop on c8 can be deployed. But  
if White refrains from capturing, the Bishop will sit at home for a long 
time.] 
3.Nc3 Nf6 
[Both sides develop Knights on squares which keep an eye on the center.]
4.Bg5 
[A typical opening strategy is being employed. There is a key square (d5) which 
both sides fight to control. First Knights are used in support, and now the 
Bishop attacks Black's Knight, and sets up a $gpin$b.]
4...Be7 
[Black develops a piece and breaks the $gpin$b.] 
5.e3 
[5.cxd5 is treated in the tutorial on the Exchange Variation, a popular line.] 
5...0-0 6.Nf3 h6 7.Bh4 b6 
[The main problem for Black in the Queen's Gambit Declined is what to do with 
the light-squared Bishop. In many cases, as here, it is stationed at b7.]
8.Qc2 c5 9.0-0-0 
[Castling on opposite sides of the board leads to exciting play in the Queen's 
Gambit Declined. In this case, thinks work out well for Black.] 
9...cxd4 
[First Black initiates a series of exchanges to reduce the pressure in the 
center.] 
10.Nxd4 Bb7 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Kb1 
[White cannot afford to leave the King on the open c-file.]
13...Nc6 14.Nxc6 Bxc6 15.Nxd5 
[A big mistake which is quickly punished!] 
15...Bxd5 16.Bc4 
[White tries to exploit the pin on the d-file.] 
16...Bxc4 
[Bet he wasn't expecting that!] 
17.Rxd8 Raxd8 18.Qxc4 Rd2 19.b4 Rfd8 20.Re1 b5 
[This gets the Queen out of the way and lets the Black Rooks in.]
21.Qxb5 Rc8 
[and in Sokolsky-Vasiliyev, Leningrad 1947, White resigned, because Rb2+ 
followed by Rcc2 was coming.] 


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Queen's Gambit Exchange Variation
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.d4 d5 
[The Closed openings are quite different than the Open or Semi-Open games. 
Here there are fewer rapid attacks. Both sides develop their forces with a 
keen eye on the center of the board.] 
2.c4 
[This is the normal move. White tries to undermine the d5-square so that the 
e-pawn can be advanced to e4. This takes a long time to achieve in many of the 
variations.] 
2...e6 
[Black defends the pawn. If White captures at d5 at any point in the opening, 
Black recaptures with the pawn and then the Bishop on c8 can be deployed. But 
if White refrains from capturing, the Bishop will sit at home for a long 
time.] 
3.Nc3 Nf6 
[Both sides develop Knights on squares which keep an eye on the center.]
4.Bg5 Be7 5.cxd5 
[The Exchange Variation is a popular line.] 
5...exd5 6.e3 0-0 7.Bd3 c6 
[Black has a solid position. White will try to attack on the Queenside by 
advancing pawns, and Black will respond with a Kingside attack.]

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Tarrasch Defense
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.d4 d5 
[The Closed openings are quite different than the Open or Semi-Open games. 
Here there are fewer rapid attacks. Both sides develop their forces with a 
keen eye on the center of the board.] 
2.c4 
[This is the normal move. White tries to undermine the d5-square so that the 
e-pawn can be advanced to e4. This takes a long time to achieve in many of the 
variations.] 
2...e6 
[Black defends the pawn. If White captures at d5 at any point in the opening, 
Black recaptures with the pawn and then the Bishop on c8 can be deployed. But 
if White refrains from capturing, the Bishop will sit at home for a long 
time.] 
3.Nc3 c5 
[This is a major alternative to the 3...Nf6 lines. Black fights for the center 
right away.] 
4.cxd5 exd5 
[If White now captures with 5.dxc5 Black will advance 5...d4 and the Knight 
will be exiled to the edge of the board. White's next move exercises control 
over the critical d4-square.] 
5.Nf3 Nc6 
[Black responds in kind, developing a piece and re-establishing pressure at 
d4.] 
6.g3 
[White's target is the pawn at d5, so the Bishop belongs at g2.]
6...Nf6 7.Bg2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 
[Both sides are well-developed and there are a number of strategies that can 
be employed here.] 
9.dxc5 
[9.Bg5 is also frequently seen, and can be explored in our Illustrative 
Games.] 
9...Bxc5 10.Bg5 
[The pin on the Knight at f6 weakens the support of the pawn at d5.]
10...d4 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Nd5 Qd8 13.Nd2 
[This is a common position. The Knight at d5 is strong, protected by the 
Bishop at g2. White will play against the $gisolated pawn$b while Black will 
put pressure on the pawns at e2 and b2.] 



.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Queen's Gambit Accepted
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.d4 d5 [The Closed openings are quite different than the Open or Semi-Open 
games. Here there are fewer rapid attacks. Both sides develop their forces 
with a keen eye on the center of the board.] 
2.c4 
[This is the normal move. White tries to undermine the d5-square so that the 
e-pawn can be advanced to e4. This takes a long time to achieve in many of the 
variations.] 
2...dxc4 
[This premature abandonment of the center has the support of some strong 
players. The idea is that if White tries to take control of the center right 
away then Black can attack it quickly.] 
3.Nf3 
[If White plays 3.e4 then either 3...c5 or 3...e5 is possible, and then White 
must defend the central territory.] 
3...Nf6 4.e3 e6 
[This is the normal move, even though it locks in the Bishop at c8. 4...Bg4 is 
a worthy alternative.] 
5.Bxc4 a6 
[This keeps the Bishop off of b5 and Black can eventually put a pawn there, 
attacking the Bishop.]
6.0-0 c5 
[Black attacks the center. You can see examples of this strategy in action by 
looking at games from the Fischer-Spassky match of 1992.]


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Slav
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.d4 d5 
[The Closed openings are quite different than the Open or Semi-Open games. 
Here there are fewer rapid attacks. Both sides develop their forces with a 
keen eye on the center of the board.] 
2.c4 
[This is the normal move. White tries to undermine the d5-square so that the 
e-pawn can be advanced to e4. This takes a long time to achieve in many of the 
variations.] 
2...c6 
[This method of defense does not lock in the Bishop at c8 but it does keep the 
Bf8 from entering the game easily, since the e-pawn must advance to let it out 
. Sometimes Black places the Bishop at g7 instead.]
3.Nf3 
[One of the drawbacks to this system is that White can play 3.cxd5 and the 
resulting position can be somewhat boring, with White enjoying a minuscule 
advantage due to his $ginitiative$b.] 
3...Nf6 4.e3 g6 
[This is just one of many approaches to the opening. 4...e6 leads to the  
Semi-Slav, many examples of which are contained in the Illustrative Games.] 
5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Bd3 0-0 7.0-0 Bg4 
[This is a fairly comfortable position for Black, whose pieces have no real 
difficulty finding useful posts.] 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Queen's Indian
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.d4 Nf6 
[Openings which begin this way are known as Indian openings. There are a wide 
variety of strategies employed, some of which we will examine here. They have 
in common a tendency toward a $ghypermodern$b attitude toward the center.]
2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.a3 
[The more traditional approach is 4.g3, but thanks to Kasparov, the advance of 
the a-pawn has become at least as popular.] 
4...Bb7 
[Black can also play 4...Ba6, attacking the pawn at c4. Then after 5.Qc2, the 
Bishop can retreat to b7, having deflected the Queen from the c-file. This is 
all fairly subtle, and usually seen at high-level competition.] 
5.Nc3 
[Now we see the point of a3. It keeps the enemy Bishop from reaching b4.]
5...d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 
[The capture with the pawn is also possible.] 
7.e3 
[Both 7.Qc2 and 7.Bfd2 are frequently encountered.] 
7...Nd7 8.Nxd5 exd5 9.b4 
[White's pieces have somewhat more room to maneuver, but the Bc1 has to find a 
way into the game.] 


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Bogoindian
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.d4 Nf6 
[Openings which begin this way are known as Indian openings. There are a wide 
variety of strategies employed, some of which we will examine here. They have 
in common a tendency toward a $ghypermodern$b attitude toward the center.]
2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 
[This opening has become enormously popular in recent years. It used to be 
considered very boring. It is named after Bogoljubow, a great past master, but 
his name has become eroded by frequent invocation!] 
4.Bd2 
[White can also $ginterpose$b the Knight, but the pieces get a bit crowded.]
4...c5 
[The main alternatives are 4...a5 and 4...Qe7. ] 
5.Bxb4 cxb4 6.e3 0-0 7.Be2 d6 8.0-0 
[White has the better pawn structure, but Black's game has dynamic potential 
on the Queenside.]


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Nimzoindian
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.d4 Nf6 
[Openings which begin this way are known as Indian openings. There are a wide 
variety of strategies employed, some of which we will examine here. They have 
in common a tendency toward a $ghypermodern$b attitude toward the center.]
2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 
[There is no need to provoke the capture at c3 by 4.a3, since Black often 
captures without encouragement. Many other moves are possible, the most 
popular alternatives being 4.Qc2, 4.Nf3 and 4.f3.] 
4...0-0 5.Nf3 c5 
[As is typical in $ghypermodern$b play, the attack against the center is 
launched in the middle of the opening.] 
6.Bd3 d5 7.0-0 Nc6 
[Black is developing rapidly in accordance with general principles of the 
opening. Since Black has not elected to capture at c3 on his own, White now 
harasses the Bishop.]
8.a3 Bxc3 9.bxc3 Qc7 10.Qe2 
[A natural move, but capturing at d5 is better.] 
10...dxc4 11.Bxc4 e5 
[A typical Nimzoindian thrust. Now if 12.d5, then the Bishop at c4 is useless 
and the advanced pawn can become an easy target.] 
12.Nxe5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Qxe5 
[Black can be satisfied with the opening. White must now guard the e4-square 
with 14.f3, but does not do so, and loses in an instructive and entertaining 
manner.] 
14.f4 Qe7 15.Bd3 Re8 16.c4 Bg4 17.Qc2 Rad8 18.Re1 Qd7 19.Bf1 Bd1 20.Qb1 Ne4 
21.Bb2 Qd2 
[and in Zlotnik-Roizman, Leningrad 1969 White resigned. If you are not sure 
why then play the position against Gambit and find out!] 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK King's Indian
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.d4 Nf6 
[Openings which begin this way are known as Indian openings. There are a wide 
variety of strategies employed, some of which we will examine here. They have 
in common a tendency toward a $ghypermodern$b attitude toward the center.]
2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 
[White usually grabs the entire center.] 
4...0-0 
[Black does not fear 5.e5. The Illustrative Games contain examples of White's 
punishment should the premature advance prove too tempting. See, for example, 
Letelier-Fischer.] 
5.Nf3 
[White has a huge number of options, and our Illustrative Games contain 
examples of most of them. But we will focus on a typical, orthodox line.] 
5...d6 6.Be2 e5 
[Again, a typical $ghypermodern$b plan by Black. The pawn on e5 cannot be won 
by White. If you don't believe us, then try playing 7.dxe5 against Gambit and 
see what happens!] 
7.d5 
[This sets the character of the game. White will advance on the Queenside and Black will go head-hunting on the Kingside. Play can get very 
wild here and tactical proficiency is essential!] 
7...Nbd7 8.Be3 
[This scheme was cooked up by former World Champion Tigran Petrosian and now 
bears his name.] 
8...Ng4 9.Bd2 
[Cowardice which gets punished. 9.Bg5 is better.] 
9...f5 
[The typical attack by Black.] 
10.h3 
[Such slow and timid play by White in the King's Indian will usually lead to 
disaster, as it does here.] 
10...Nxf2 11.Kxf2 fxe4 12.Nxe4 Qh4+ 
[A move made possible by the $gpin$b on the f-file.] 
13.Ke3 Bh6+ 14.Kd3 
[And now for a truly spectacular finish:] 
14...Qxe4+ 15.Kc3 
[If the Queen is captured then it is checkmate in one move. If you don't see 
it, let Gambit help you.] 
15...Bg7 16.Rf1 Nc5 17.b4 Rxf3+ 
[A nice little sacrifice to end things.] 
18.gxf3 Qd4+ 
[In a correspondence game Sakins-Dambitis White resigned rather than waste 
postage on 19.Kc2 Bf5.] 


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Grunfeld
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.d4 Nf6 
[Openings which begin this way are known as Indian openings. There are a wide 
variety of strategies employed, some of which we will examine here. They have 
in common a tendency toward a $ghypermodern$b attitude toward the center.] 
2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 
[The normal move, although 4.Nf3 or development of the Bishop from c1 also are 
quite reasonable.] 
4...Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 
[This structure is typical of the Grunfeld. White has a firm grip on the 
center, but Black can place $ghypermodern$b pressure on it with c5, Bg7 and 
Qa5.] 
6...c5 7.Bb5+ 
[This is not a good move. 7.Bc4 is normal. But this game is so pretty and 
illustrates some basic themes so well that we will explore the byways.] 
7...Nc6 
[After 7...Bd7 White's seventh move would turn out to be a waste of time.] 
8.d5 
[This looks like it wins a piece, because of the $gpin$b at c6. But in fact 
Black has a cunning reply.] 
8...Qa5 
[Now the Bishop is attacked, and the pressure on c3 mounts. The threat is Qxc3 
and then Qxa1.] 
9.Qa4 
[The Grunfeld is not for the faint of heart!] 
9...Qxc3+ 10.Ke2 Bd7 
[Black realizes that after 10...Qxa1 11.dxc6 White would pull the same trick. 
After 11...bxc6 12.Bxc6+ Black loses at least a piece.] 
11.dxc6 bxc6 12.Bxc6 
[Now if Black captures at c6, then 13.Qxc6+ picks off the Rook at a8.]
12...Rd8 
[Black has a tremendous plan. If 13.Rb1, then 13...Qd3+!! 14.Kxd3 Bxc6+ 
regains the Queen with interest.]
13.Qb3 
[Wow! The Rook is sacrificed anyway.]
13...Qxa1 14.Bb2 Qb1 15.Nf3 
[And now a second Rook!!]
15...Qxh1 16.Ne5 
[Threatening mate at f7.] 
16...e6 17.Bxd7+ Rxd7 18.Qb8+ Rd8 
[Or 18...Ke7 19.Nc6 mate. But now White wins anyway.] 
19.Qb5+ Ke7 20.Qb7+ Kf6 21.Qxf7+ Kg5 22.Nf3+ Kh5 23.g4+ Kxg4 24.Qxe6+ Kf4 
25.Be5+ Kxe4 26.Ng5++ 
[This is an example of the brilliant Rashid Nyezhmetdinov as White, playing in 
a simultaneous exhibition. Most Grunfelds are not quite so exciting, and 
often come down to complex endgames. But gems like this are also possible.] 

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Modern Benoni
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.d4 Nf6 
[Openings which begin this way are known as Indian openings. There are a wide 
variety of strategies employed, some of which we will examine here. They have 
in common a tendency toward a $ghypermodern$b attitude toward the center.] 
2.c4 c5 
[This is the Modern Benoni. Black provokes White into advancing the d-pawn, 
and will later make use of the e5 square, usually for a Knight.]
3.d5 e6 
[Black moves to undermine the pawn chain. If White captures, then Black can 
recapture with the f-pawn and later play d5 with a strong center.] 
4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.e4 Bg7 8.Be2 0-0 9.0-0 
[This is the most common continuation. Both sides develop quickly. Play 
usually becomes extremely sharp very quickly, for example...] 
9...Bg4 10.Bf4 
[10.Bg5 and 10.h3 are good alternatives.] 
10...Re8 11.h3 Nxe4 
[Black counts on the pressure at c3 to bring compensation for his Bishop, but 
his arithmetic leaves something to be desired.] 
12.hxg4 Bxc3 13.Bb5 
[Probably hadn't 
counted on that!] 
13...Bxb2 14.Bxe8 Qxe8 15.Re1 
[The $gpin$b on the e-file gives White plenty of compensation for the 
material.] 
15...Bxa1 16.Qxa1 f5 17.Bh6 
[In the openings where Black $gfianchetto$bes a Bishop at g7, the removal of 
that piece often leads to disaster. So the $gexchange sacrifice$b on the a1-h8 
diagonal is a common theme in these openings.] 
17...Qe7 18.Ng5 Qe5 19.Qb1 Qxd5 20.Rxe4 
[And with another exchange sacrifice White won in Korchnoi-Lutikov, Tbilisi 
1969. The game would have continued:] 
20...fxe4 21.Qb2 Qe5 22.Qxb7

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Benko Gambit
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.d4 Nf6 
[Openings which begin this way are known as Indian openings. There are a wide 
variety of strategies employed, some of which we will examine here. They have 
in common a tendency toward a $ghypermodern$b attitude toward the center.] 
2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 
[This is the important opening contribution of Pal Benko, the Hungarian-born 
American grandmaster. Black sacrifices a pawn for open lines on the 
Queenside.]
4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 Bxa6 
[In return for the pawn Black has pressure on the Queenside and on the a6-f1 
diagonal.] 
6.Nc3 d6 7.e4 
[The major alternative plan for White is to play g3, Bg2, Nf3 and 0-0.] 
7...Bxf1 8.Kxf1 g6 9.g4 
[A somewhat reckless plan.] 
9...Bg7 10.f3 0-0 11.Nge2 e6 
[Now Black goes to work on the center.] 
12.Kg2 exd5 13.Nxd5 Nc6 14.Nec3 Nxd5 15.exd5 Nb4 
[As is often the case in the Benko Gambit, the Queenside pressure eventually 
gets the pawn back. The threat is Bxc3 followed by capture at a2. White chose 
to launch a Kingside attack instead.]
16.h4 f5 17.g5 c4 
[The d3 square is now ready for occupation, and there isn't anything White can 
do about it.] 
18.a3 Nd3 19.Rb1 Qb6 
[An indirect path to the Kingside, especially f2.]
20.Qc2 Rfe8 
[Threatening Ne1+, with a $gfork$b of King and Queen. White resigned.]

.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK English
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.c4 
[There is little that can be said about this amorphous opening, which often 
transposes into other variation, especially those that begin 1.d4.] 
1...e5 
[This has the virtue of making those transpositions difficult, but now Black 
is in effect playing a Sicilian Defense (1.e4 c5)with an extra $gtempo$b. On 
the other hand experience has shown that White often gains the advantage 
anyway.] 
2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d3 Be7 5.g3 0-0 6.Bg2 
[This is a typical formation. For further discussion of the English, see the 
Illustrative Games.] 


.NEWGAME
.WHITE Openings
.BLACK Reti
.EVENT Tutorial
.SCORE Easy
1.Nf3 d5
2.c4 
[The Reti is like the English, but it often involves the temporary sacrifice 
of a pawn. It is a $ghypermodern$b opening.] 
2...e6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.Qa4+ 
[White regains the pawn, and now has a central pawn majority. For a different 
approach to the Reti, see the 24th match game Kasparov-Karpov from Seville, 
1987 in the Illustrative Games section.] 





