On 1 Rh3? c4+! 2 Kxc4 a2, White’s in zugzwang. For example: 3 h6 (or 3 Kb4 c5+ 4 Kc4 h6!) 3...c5! (both sides have used up their extra pawn moves at the same time) 4 Rg3 (4 Kd3 Kc1 wins) 4...Ke2 5 Rg2+ Kf1 and wins (on the g-file, the rook is too close to the pawn - only two files between them!) So White must lose a move!
1...a2? 2 Rg1+ Ke2 3 Kc2 would be a mistake - White wins; and Black gets nothing out of 1...Kc1 2 Rc3+ Kb1 3 Rd3.
4 h6! (and now it’s Black who’s in zugzwang) 4...Kc2 5 Rc3+ Kb2 5 Rb3+ Kc1 7 Rc3+ Kd1 8 Rh3! Ke2 9 Rh2+ Ke1 10 Rh1+ Ke2 11 Rh2+ Kd1 12 Rh3! =
A Very Powerful Piece: The Octopus
A knight in the heart of the enemy's position, aiming at both the kingside and the queenside, paralyzing the opponent's pieces. Sounds good, doesn't it? Such a knight is sometimes referred to as an octopus, comparing its eight legs to the eight squares that the mighty knight controls.
A knight in the heart of the enemy's position, aiming at both the kingside and the queenside, paralyzing the opponent's pieces. Sounds good, doesn't it? Such a knight is sometimes referred to as an octopus, comparing its eight legs to the eight squares that the mighty knight controls.
Unity Chess Club
White to move Mate in three
1.Qe6! with the idea of Qf5# 1...fxe6 2.h4 e5 3.Bg5#
A knight on f5 (or f4) versus a castled king often exerts tremendous pressure. Generally, such a knight must be challenged right away, before it will create strong threats with the support of other pieces.