A guide for beginning and more advanced players

of the international game of 10 x 10 draughts

A course in international draughts

By Tjalling Goedmoed
Finished december 2008,
Leeuwarden / Netherlands
The diagram shows a composition by A. Ermakov. White to play and win!

Table of contents

Sources

Introduction
1. Notation
2. Combinations
3. Coup Philippe
4. Harlem shot
5. Coup Royal
6. Kung Fu shot
7. Ping Pong shot
8. Bomb shot
9. Arch shot
10. Coup Napoleon
11. More shots
12. Forcing
13. The free move
14. The stick-move
15. Giving your opponent a king
16. Attacking a wing
17. The sacrifice
18. Strong threats
19. Base pieces
20. Trapping your opponent
21. King shots
22. The king is caught
23. Formations
24. Freezing out your opponent
25. Tactical freeze out
26. Exploiting a weak spot
27. Locks
28. The fork lock
29. The chain lock
30. Right wing lock
31. Other locks
32. The endgame
33. Opposition
34. King against pieces
35. The main diagonal
36. Trictrac lines
37. Quadrants
38. Laying an ambush
39. Tactics in the endgame
40. Practical endgames

Opleiding tot het Sijbrands diploma

B. Dollekamp / H. Hylkema
Prisma Damboek
R.C. Keller
Monografie van de Coup Royal
Herman de Jongh
DamMentor
Tj. Goedemoed
Slagzetten in het klassieke middenspel
J. Stokkel / P. Levels
Geforceerd winnen
H. de Waard
500 Lokzetten op het dambord
H. de Waard
Kleine schuifdwangproblemen
A. v.d. Stoep
Strategie der honderd velden
J. F. Moser
Alle typezetjes
A. van der Stoep
Praktische damcombinaties (31) (34) (35)
I. Koeperman
Turbo Dambase
K. Bor
Strategie en taktiek
H. Wiersma / Tirion Sport
Honderd praktische problemen
V. Bulat

Introduction

About the author

This is a course for people who want to play the

game of draughts at a higher level. Not only
beginners but also fairly advanced players can
gain a lot from this course.
The game of draughts is characterized by an
unlimited number of tricks and surprises. The
most important trick in the game is called a
combination or a shot. The number of shots is
so
enormous
that
even
grandmasters
sometimes miss a shot during their games. The
shots, sacrifices, forcings and other tricks make
the game very attractive to play, watch and
practise!
Teaching you how to become a stronger player
is not the only goal of this course. The course
also wants to show you some beautiful aspects
of the game.

Tjalling Goedemoed is an experienced trainer in

draughts. He has worked with many successful
young players who played in World and
European championships. Goedemoed is author
of a Dutch draughts book (translated): Uncle
Ian teaches his nephew how to play draughts.
Goedemoed composed five courses in draughts
at cd-rom. This trainings program containing
thousands of exercises is called DamMentor.
You
can
buy
these
cd-roms
at
[email protected]

Every lesson consists of a theoretical part with

examples you can perform at your board. Every
lesson is completed by a number of exercises.
You can note down the solutions to the
exercises in an exercise book. The solutions of
the exercises are given after every 10 lessons.
Usually the task is to look for a combination.
Exercises like these are marked with a C.
C 3.4 means exercise 4 of lesson 3: white wins
by means of a combination.

Thank you!
I want to thank Edwin Twiest for checking the
technical part of this course and I thank Martijn
de Jong and Martijn van der Klis for checking
the English text.
Thanks to Frits Luteijn the course can be
distributed internationally.

This course is mainly aimed at tactical aspects

of the games. Tactics refers to shots, forcings,
traps etc. A second course will have a more
strategic approach.
I hope you will learn a lot from this course and
above all I hope you will enjoy the game!
Tjalling Goedemoed, june 2008

White performs a nice combination here with a

coup Turc.

1. Notation
1
6

2
7

11
16

12
17

21
26

27

41
46

13

28

42
47

14

29

26 21 17 x 46
28 x 19 46 x 14
29 23 14 x 29

25
30

39

48

15

34

43

Exercise 1.1: Put the position at your board and

then play the following moves:

20
24

33
38

5
10

19
23

32
37

4
9

18
22

31
36

3
8

35

Write down the last capturing move for white!

40
44

49

45

Exercise 1.2: Put all the pieces on your board

and try to follow the moves that are written down
here: In front of the moves the number of the
move is written. So 1.32 28 means that at the
first move white moves piece 32 to square 28.

50

The squares of the draughts board are

numbered from 1 to 50. The diagram shows the
way the board is numbered. In the beginning of
the game blacks pieces are at squares 1 until
20, white is at squares 31 until 50.
2

1
7

12

11
16

26

32

31
36

33

42

41

30
35

34
40

39
43

48

47

46

25

24
29

38

37

A question mark (?) means: a weak move or a

mistake. An exclamation mark (!) means: a
strong move.

15
20

19
23

28

27

14

13

22

5
10

18

17
21

3
8

1.32 28 18 23
2.33 - 29 23 x 32
3.37 x 28 12 18?

45

44
49

50

We can write down moves now.

33 29 means that the piece at 33 moves to 29.
After this move black has to capture 3 pieces:
35 x 22 (majority rule: you have to take the most
pieces!). Piece 35 goes to 22. Because it is a
capture we write down an x in stead of a -
between the numbers.
White plays 29 x 27, taking 4 pieces and
cleaning the board.

This is the position that should be at your board.

White can perform a combination. So you have
to give away pieces and take more pieces back.
Try to find it!
Exercise 1.3

1
6

2
7

11
16
21

22

31

24

25
30

34
39

43
48

15
20

29
33

42
47

10

19

38

14

23

32

41

28

37

13
18

27

36

46

8
12

17

26

35
40

44
49

45
50

Example 1.6

Black has just played a move attacking white

pieces in two directions.
Which was blacks last move?
Play the following move:
1.37 31!
How does black have to capture now?
Write down the capture of black and white.

Exercise 1.4
Lets do this again. Whites king has to stop
blacks pieces. First stop piece 16 and after it
stop the other piece.

28 33
16 21
33 39

White can win piece 20 by attacking it.

Write down the 3 moves white has to play. We
show you blacks moves:

Exercise 1.7

. 3 9
. 9 14
.
Exercise 1.5

White plays a move after which his opponent

has to capture 3 pieces. After this white takes 4
pieces to king.
Write down the moves described above.

Piece 28 is not protected well. White to play can

win the piece by attacking it. Write down the
move that wins a piece for white.

2. Combinations
A combination (or shot) is a sequence of moves
in which your opponent has to take several
pieces after which you take more pieces or get a
king.

White wants a black piece at 31!

White has to begin playing 49 43 because
playing other moves, white has to take back
after 35 x 44 by 49 x 40 after which he loses his
turn!
1.49 43! 35 x 44
2.43 39 44 x 33
3.42 38 33 x 42
4.41 37 42 x 31
5.36 x 9

White gives all his pieces but one, taking a shot.

1.26 21 17 x 26
2.37 31 26 x 37
3.38 32 37 x 28
4.39 33 28 x 39
5.40 34 39 x 30
6.35 x 11

White wants black to go to 20 and bring piece 26

to square 30. Because black has to capture at
the next move white has a free move.
1.33 28! 29 x 20
2.27 21 26 x 17
3.28 22 17 x 28
4.39 33 28 x 39
5.40 34 39 x 30
6.35 x 11

In this diagram you have to give away pieces in

the right sequence. After 1.45 40? black takes
34 x 45.
1.42 38 33 x 42
2.43 - 39 34 x 43
3.45 40 35 x 44
4.50 x 28

When looking for a shot you

always have to look at moves giving
away pieces !

It often helps to ask yourself the

question: Where do I want to get a
black piece to make a shot?

Exercise 2.1

2.32 28 choice
3.38 x 20
At the first move black has to take the most
pieces. At the second move black can choose
how to take one piece, but it doesnt make a
difference.

The majority rule is very important

when taking shots. You always have
to take the most pieces!
Write down the combination for white!

Exercise 2.2

White to play can perform a combination. At the

first move black has to take the most pieces.
Write down the combination!

White can sometimes take one or more pieces

during a combination. In this case black has to
capture again to make sure white can move
again. White removes piece 13 so that he can
take a shot to king.
1.34 30! 25 x 23
2.28 x 19 13 x 24
3.37 31 26 x 28
4.33 x 4

White will bring a black piece at 34 by taking

backwards 34 x 43.
1.33 29 23 x 32
2.29 23 19 x 28
3.39 33 28 x 39
4.34 x 43 25 x 34
5.43 39 34 x 43
6.49 x 18

White gives away 3 pieces in order to take back

4 pieces himself.
1.33 29 24 x 22

Write down the combination for white!

At the second move white takes a piece, but

black has to take again, so that the combination
goes on.

Sometimes it makes sense to look at the

strangest move you can play! Black to move can
get one or two pieces (of course he should take
2 if the situation doesnt change). White however
offers him three pieces!

1.33 28 26 x 37
2.28 x 19 37 x 28
3.19 14 10 x 19
4.38 33 28 x 30
5.34 x 2

1.42 38 32 x 23
2.20 x 16

During the combination white takes two pieces.

Removing piece 23 gives white a 45 x 3 shot.

1.29 24! 20 x 27
2.23 x 5

1.33 28! 16 x 27
2.28 x 30 25 x 43
3.38 x 49 27 x 38
4.49 43 38 x 40
5.45 x 3

Exercise 2.4

Exercise 2.3

Write down the combination for white!

C 2.1

C 2.5

C 2.2

C 2.6

C 2.3

C 2.7

C 2.4

C 2.8

3. Coup Philippe
The French word for combination (shot) is coup.
Many combinations have been given a name.
Most names were invented by French players,
who were the strongest players of the world at
th
the beginning of the 20 century. A very
important type of combination is called after the
French draughts player Philippe. In many, many
games this combination plays a role.
In this case white will get a 38 x 20 shot. The
piece at 20 is going to king.
1.27 22! 18 x 27
2.32 x 21 16 x 27
3.34 30 24 x 33
4.38 x 20

This diagram shows the basic pattern of the

Coup Philippe.
White obtains the following goals:
He removes pieces 18 and 16.
He gets a black piece at 34.
He takes 4 black pieces: 40 x 16.
1.27 22! 18 x 27
2.32 x 21 16 x 27
3.34 30 25 x 34
4.40 x 16

Pieces 16 and 18 are removed in a different way

in this example.
1.26 21 17 x 26
2.27 22 18 x 27
3.37 31 26 x 37
4.41 x 21 16 x 27
5.33 29 24 x 33
6.38 x 16
Lets look at an opening of the game in which
the coup Philippe plays a role.
1.33 28 18 23
2.39 33 12 18
3.44 39 7 12
4.31 26 20 25?

The same pattern, but this time white takes from

38 to 16.

White put a piece at the edge of the board at the

th
4 move hoping his opponent will do the same.
White removes pieces 18 and 16 and makes a
34 30 shot.

Example 3.1 Write down this second example

of the Coup Philippe!

5.28 22 17 x 28

6.33 x 22 18 x 27
7.32 x 21 16 x 27
8.34 30 25 x 34
9.40 x 16

1.33 28! 22 x 44
Black must take 2 pieces, giving white the
opportunity to remove pieces 18 and 16.
2.27 22 18 x 27
3.32 x 21 16 x 2 7
4.43 39 44 x 33
5.38 x 16

Lets look at another opening:

1.32 28 18 23
2.38 32 12 18
3.31 27 7 12
4.43 38 20 24
5.37 31 17 21
Usually white plays 31 26 in such situations,
but in this game white tries to trap his opponent:
6.27 22 18 x 27
7.31 x 22 12 18?
Black attacks piece 22, but white has prepared a
shot.
8.22 17! 21 x 12

In this position the Coup Philippe is quite

difficult, because black has a capturing choice.
Try to concentrate well to understand what
happens.

After 11 x 22 9.28 x 26 white gains a piece.

9.28 22 18 x 27
10.32 x21 16 x 27
11.33 29 24 x 33
12.38 x 16

1.27 22!

Now we change blacks 4 move. We let black

play:

Black has a choice. If black takes 18 x 27 the

combination is easy: 32 x 21 16 x 27 33 29 24
x 33 38 x 16 and white is 2 pieces up. Better for
black is to choose 17 x 28.

4 17 22
5.28 x 17 11 x 31
6.36 x 27 1 7
7.49 43 20- 24
8.41 36

1 17 x 28
2.33 x 22 18 x 27
3.32 x 21 16 x 27

th

The first goal is accomplished. Pieces 18 en 16

are removed. Now white must get a black piece
at 33. White gives 3 pieces to do that.

Exercise 3.2 White hopes for his opponent to

play a move after which he can perform a coup
Philippe.
Which move is white hoping for?

4.35 30! 24 x 35
5.44 40 35 x 33
6.38 x 16
The position seems equal. If you look well it is
clear that piece 27 cant be defended. So white
will gain a piece. You can investigate this
yourself.
In the examples 3.1 / 3.8 white to move can
perform a coup Philippe.

C 3.1

C 3.5

C 3.2

C 3.6

C 3.3

C 3.7

C 3.4

C 3.8

10

The same combination is possible after:

4. Harlem shot

1.32 28 18 23
2.37 32?

This is a combinational pattern that is named

after a Dutch city, Harlem. It is a famous shot.

Black can bring 3 pieces in a row: 32, 28 and 23.

Then he removes piece 28. After that he can
take 19 x 26.

This diagram shows the idea of the combination.

White brings 3 pieces in a row at 19, 23 and 28.
Then he removes the middle piece, piece 23.
After this white can take 3 pieces with 32 x 5.

1 23 29!
2.33 x 24 20 x 29
3.34 x 23 17 22
4.28 x 17 19 x 26

1.28 22! 17 x 28
2.34 29 23 x 34
3.32 x 5
The reason this combination is so famous is
because it can appear after only 2 moves in a
game! Watch:

In the beginning of the game the Harlem shot

can often play a role.
Lets play like this:

1.33 28 18 22
2.39 33?

1.32 - 28
2.28 x 19
3.37 32
4.41 37
5.33 28

19 23
14 x 23
10 14
14 19
5 10?

A mistake. Black wins two pieces by:

2. 22 27
3.32 x 21 16 x 27
4.31 x 22 19 23
5.28 x 19 17 x 30
6.35 x 24 20 x 29

The pattern is the same: White brings 3 pieces

in a row to 19, 23 and 32 and removes the
middle piece 23.
Do you see how the combination is performed?

And also piece 19 is lost.

11

3.27 x 18 13 x 33
4.38 x 20 19 x 26

We play from the beginning position:

1.32 28 18 23
2.33 29 23 x 32
3.37 x 28 16 21
White can change pieces 4.28 23 19 x 28
5.29 24 20 x 29 6.34 x 32 or play 4.31 26 or
4.38 33.
The logical move 4.39 33 playing towards the
centre (which is normally good as we will learn
later) is answered by a Harlem shot.
4.39 33?

First white opens square 14. After that a black

piece is transported to square 28 in a way you
should bear in mind.
1.34 29 23 x 34
2.40 x 20 14 x 25
3.35 30 25 x 34
4.28 22 17 x 39
5.38 33 39 x 28
6.32 x 5

4 21 27!
5.31 x 22 19 23
6.29 x 18 12 x 32
7.38 x 27 17 x 30
From the opening we play:
1.33 28 18 23
2.31 27 20 24
3.37 31?
White has to sacrifice a lot of pieces before
performing the final shot.
1.27 22 18 x 27
2.36 31 27 x 36
3.28 22 17 x 28
4.35 30 24 x 35
5.44 40 35 x 33
6.38 x 20 15 x 24
7.32 x 5

In each of the following exercises white to move

can perform a Harlem shot all the time.

Black uses the majority rule (you always have to

capture the most pieces) to perform a Harlem
shot here.
1 23 29!
2.34 x 23 17 22

12

C 4.1

C 4.5

C 4.2

C 4.6

C 4.3

C 4.7

C 4.4

C 4.8

13

5. Coup Royal

The position is much better for white because

white is in possession of the Olympic formation.
White creates a threat by

The pattern of the coup Royal goes like this:

1.27 22! 18 x 27
2.32 x 21 23 x 34
3.40 x 7

1.43 39!
A threat is a strong move (which is mostly the
beginning of a combination) you want to play at
the next move. In this case white wants to play
27 22!! at the next move. So we can say:
White threatens to perform the coup Royal.
What can black do to prevent this winning coup
Royal?
If black plays 11 17 or 12 17 white plays the
winning 27 22!. The only solution that doesnt
cost black a piece, is to play 15 20. After this
move white creates a longer formation than 40,
45 by putting an extra piece at 34. Now the
formation is 34, 40, 45.

The first move 27-22 helps to achieve several

goals:
Piece 18 is removed.
Because piece 32 disappears black must take 3
pieces at 34.
White takes several black pieces with piece 40.

Pieces 40 and 45 work together

nicely. The formation of pieces 40
and 45 is called
the Olympic formation.

1 15 20 2.39 34!
There is a new threat now. White wants to play
the exchange 34 29 23 x 34 40 x 29 to create
a (positionally) winning position.
For example: 2. 11 17 3.34 29! 23 x 34
4.40 x 29 17 21 5.45 40 12 -17 6.40 35 17
22 8.28 x 17 21 x 12 7.32 28 12 17 8.38
32 17 22 (after 17 21 9.48 42 black is
forced to give away a lot of pieces) 9.28 x 17 19
23 10.27 22! 18 x 38 11.29 x 9 14 x 3 12.25
x 14 38 x 29 and white wins.
In this example the Olympic formation is not
finished yet. During the combination white gains
a free move to finish the formation playing 44
40.

After 2 24 30 3.34 29! 23 x 34 4.40 x 29

30 - 35 there is the simple shot 29 23 W+1.
After 2 23 29 3.34 x 23 18 x 29 white plays
4.48 43 11 - 17 (same plan for white after 13 18) 5.43 39 17 21 6.40 35 and at the next
move white plays 35 30 +.

1.27 22! 18 x 27
2.32 x 21 23 x 34
3.44 40! 16 x 27
4.40 x 7

14

This position showed you some practical ideas

in a normal position.

Right from the opening white fell into a nice trap.

White has just played 31 27 attacking piece
21. You would expect black to play 11 16, but
he performs a beautiful combination:
1 24 29!!
2.33 x 15 19 24
3.28 x 17 11 x 33
4.39 x 28 24 30
5.35 x 24 14 20
6.25 x 14 10 x 50

Sometimes the coup Royal is only the beginning

of a deeper combination. In this case the coup
Royal is followed up by a king shot.
1.27 22! 18 x 27
2.32 x 21 23 x 34
3.35 30 20 x 40
4.50 x 30 16 x 27
5.37 32 27 x 38
6.42 x 4

1.37 31 26 x 37
2.32 x 41 23 x 34
3.40 x 9 17 x 39
4.45 40 13 x 4
6.40 34 39 x 30
7.35 x 2

1.27 22! 18 x 27
2.32 x 21 23 x 34
3.40 x 18 16 x 27
4.47 41 12 x 23
5.37 31 26 x 37
6.41 x 1

White forces a winning coup Royal. After 37

31 the threat of 27 22 emerges.
1.37 31! 7 11
2.27 22! 18 x 27
3.32 x 21 17 x 37
4.43 39 23 x 34
5.40 x 16

15

C 5.1

C 5.5

C 5.2

C 5.6

C 5.3

C 5.7

C 5.4

C 5.8

16

6. Kung Fu shot

White gets a king at 5, by through the following

actions:
Piece 14 is removed.
A black piece is transported to square 33. White
can take back then with 28 x 39 opening square
28. Black has to capture piece 22 after which
white jumps to king square 5.

The most important theme of this shot is that a

square (square 37 in this case) is opened with
taking backwards so that black jumps to this
square.
1.43 38! 33 x 42
2.37 x 48 26 x 37
4.41 x 3

1.35 30! 24 x 44
2.25 20 14 x 25
3.43 39 44 x 33
4.28 x 39 17 x 28
5.32 x 5

The combination can be performed at different

places at the board.

White achieves the following goals:

Piece 18 is removed.
Square 34 is opened by taking back 34 x 43.
Black must take 25 x 34 after which white jumps
to square 7 and is on his way to a king.

In this case square 34 is opened.

1.38 33! 28 x 39
2.34 x 43 25 x 34
3.40 x 16

1.27 22! 18 x 27
2.28 22 17 x 39
3.34 x 43 25 x 34
4.40 x 7

Sometimes you have to prepare the Kung Fu

part of the combination.

Kung Fu refers to the kicking back

capture which opens a square in
order to make black jump to the same
square.

17

This position occurred in a game between two

grandmasters: G. Jansen beat Gantwarg during
the Wch 1992.
White wants a black piece at 27 after which he
transports another piece to 43 to make the Kung
Fu shot.
1.22 18! 22 x 13
2.37 31 36 x 27
3.25 20 14 x 25
4.35 30 25 x 43
5.38 x 49 27 x 38
6.42 x 15

1.38 33?
A very dangerous move opening a track to king
for black.
1. 23 29!
2.34 x 23 30 34
3.39 x 8 12 x 3
4.21 x 12 7 x 49
5.16 x 7 49 x 2

White is looking for a 39 x 6 shot.

1.24 19! 13 x 24
2.37 31 36 x 27
3.38 32 27 x 38
4.33 x 42 24 x 33
5.39 x 6
In this example white transports a king to square
33 and uses a free move to play 44 40.
1.36 31! 27 x 36
2.47 41 36 x 47
3.44 40 47 x 33
4.29 x 38 20 x 29
5.34 x 3

This is a special case! Square 33 is opened

while piece 33 supports the shot at the same
time!
1.28 22! 17 x 37
2.27 21 16 x 27
3.35 30 24 x 44
4.33 x 42 44 x 33
5.38 x 7

18

C 6.1

C 6.5

C 6.2

C 6.6

C 6.3

C 6.7

C 6.4

C 6.8

19

7. Ping Pong shot

After removing pieces 17 and 18 white can take

the ping pong shot winning a piece.

In a ping pong shot there are several capturing

moves in a row. The capturing part is like a rally
in a ping pong game.

1.27 22 18 x 27
2.31 x 11 16 x 7
3.25 20 14 x 34
4.40 x 18 13 x 22
5.28 x 26

1.35 30! 25 x 34
2.40 x 18 13 x 22
3.28 x 26

Here the situation is more complex, because

black has a choice at the first move.
1. 22 17!
If black takes 1 12 x 21 then white continues:
2.34 30 25 x 34 3.40 x 18 13 x 22 4.28 x 26
gaining a piece. The other capture allows a
longer shot.
1. 11 x 22
2.28 x 17 12 x 21
3.34 30 25 x 34
4.40 x 18 13 x 22
5.33 29 24 x 33
6.39 x 26

In this example white has to open square 18 first

before the ping pong show begins.
1.27 22! 18 x 27
2.35 - 30 25 x 34
3.40 x 18 13 x 22
4.28 x 26

We see a similar idea in a different position of

the board. At the first move black has a choice
but only taking towards the centre makes sense.
1.29 23! 19 x 28
2.37 31 26 x 37

20

4.41 x 23 18 x 29
5.33 x 4

2.33 x 22 17 x 28
3.32 x 23 19 x 28

When looking for a combination

never forget to check moves after
which black has a choice how to
capture!

White has a free move to make a rally.

4.43 39! 21 x 32
5.39 33! 28 x 39
6.34 x 43 25 x 23
7.37 x 10

1.27 22 18 x 27
2.32 x 21 16 x 27
3.29 x 18 12 x 23

White thought this to be a strong move, but he

was mistaken:
1.25 20? 24 30!
2.35 x 24 13 19
3.24 x 13 18 x 9
4.27 x 29 15 x 44

After 13 x 22 white wins a piece by 33 29 24 x

33 39 x 6.
4.34 30 25 x 34
5.40 x 18 13 x 22
6.33 29 24 x 33
7.39 x 6
White gains a piece.

This is a famous composition of Dutch composer

Gortmans. We hope you enjoy this nice piece of
art in which white performs a ping pong shot
ending in a surprising, winning position.
1.35 - 30!

1.38 33! 28 x 48
2.50 44 25 x 34
3.44 39 34 x 43
4.42 38 48 x 31
5.36 x 27 22 x 31
6.11 x 22 18 x 27
7.32 x 21 43 x 32
8.26 x 17

White has a nice position surrounding the black

centre. Black wants to get space and makes an
exchange to square 28. White however has
foreseen this and gains advantage through a
ping pong shot.
1 23 28

21

C 7.1

C 7.5

C 7.2

C 7.6

C 7.3

C 7.7

C 7.4

C 7.8

22

8. Bomb shot

Calculating the Bomb combination is often

complicated. This is a position from a real game
between two young Dutch players.

In this position white can win using the

combinational idea of the Bomb shot.

1.39 34!

1.27 21! 16 x 27
2.32 x 12 23 x 41

It seems that black can perform a good Bomb

combination, but white has calculated deeper
The open square at 9 appears to be the problem
for black.

This is what it is all about. Black has to take 2

pieces so that piece 12 can inflict damage to the
black position. Piece 12 blows up the black
position like a bomb.

1 24 30?
2.35 x 24 19 x 39
3.28 x 10 39 x 28
4.25 x 14 4 9
5.32 x 23 15 x 4

3.12 x 23 19 x 28
4.30 x 10 15 x 4
5.36 x 47 26 x 37
6.33 x 22

White has two free moves now! He uses them to

gain a piece.

And white will also win piece 37. White will gain
2 pieces by the Bomb.

6.43 39! 18 x 29
7.39 33 9 x 20
8.33 x 15

Black to play
After black plays

Taking the Bomb shot 27 21 results in a big

exchange. White should give an extra piece first
before dropping the bomb.

1 12 17?
White can perform the Bomb shot playing 27
21. This is a standard situation. As you will see,
white gains one piece.

1.30 24!
2.27 21
3.32 x 12
4.12 x 34

23

20 x 29
16 x 27
23 x 41
26 x 37

5.36 x 47

5.27 21 16 x 27
6.32 x 5

White will gain a piece at the next move.

If black plays 11 17? In such situations you

can also look at a shot, which is called the
Atomic Bomb shot, because its impact is even
greater than the conventional Bomb shot.
A Bomb shot always has the move 27 21 in it.
An Atomic Bomb shot includes the moves 27 -22
16 x 27 32 x 21.

Black has just played the dangerous 12 17

move. White calculated that the Bomb shot
would result in an equal number of pieces:
1.27 21? 16 x 27 2.32 x 12 23 x 41 3.12 x 23
19 x 28 4.33 x 22 13 19 5.46 x 37 24 29 6.34
x 23 19 x 17 =.

1.27 22! 18 x 27
2.32 x 21 23 x 41
3.46 x 37 16 x 27
4.37 31 26 x 37
4.42 x 2

Its not enough to only look at the Bomb shot in

such situations. You have to check if white can
get rid of piece 34 and take a 27 21 shot after.
1.25 20!
2.34 29
3.39 x 30
4.27 21
5.32 x 14

14 x 25
23 x 34
25 x 34
16 x 27
9 x 20

And after 6.44 39 13 19 7.39 x 30 20 25

8.50 44 25 x 34 9.44 39 etc. white gains a
piece.

An immediate 27 22 shot would only succeed

having a piece at 46. In this case white removes
piece 23 before playing 27 22 etc.
1.35 30 24 x 35
2.34 29 23 x 34
3.39 x 30 35 x 24
4.27 22 18 x 27
5.32 x 21 16 x 27
6.37 31 26 x 37
7.42 x 2

To be able to remove pieces 23 and 14 white

first has to remove piece 24.
1.33 29!
2.25 20
3.35 30
4.40 x 29

24 x 22
14 x 25
25 x 34
23 x 34

24

Having a piece at 41 gives white quite another

idea to perform an Atomic Bomb shot:
1.27 22 18 x 27
2.32 x 21 16 x 27
3.37 31! 26 x 46
4.40 34 23 x 32
5.47 41 46 x 37
6.42 x 2

1.34 29 23 x 34
2.40 x 20 15 x 24
3.27- 22 18 x 27
4.32 x 21 16 x 27
5.37 31 26 x 37
6.42 x 11 6 x 17
7.28 23 19 x 28
8.33 x 11

White has to give piece 25 up and down before

being able to get rid of 23 by 33 29.
1.34 30 25 x 34
2.35 30 34 x 25
3.33 29 23 x 34
4.27 22 18 x 27
5.32 x 21 16 x 27
6.28 23 19 x 28
7.38 32 27 x 38
8.42 x 2
If white has piece 46 and 41 an immediate 27
22 will work.
1.27 22 18 x 27
2.32 x 21
Black has an unpleasant choice between 2 16
x 27 3.37 31 etc. or 2 23 x 32 3.37 x 28 16 x
27 4.28 23 19 x 28 5.33 x 2.

1 11 17?
2.35 30 24 x 35
3.34 29 23 x 34
4.39 x 30 35 x 24
5.27 22 18 x 27
6.32 x 21 16 x 27
7.28 23 19 x 28
8.37 32 28 x 37
9.42 x 2

25

C 8.1

C 8.5

C 8.2

C 8.6

C 8.3

C 8.7

C 8.4

C 8.8

26

Now the move 5 10 is prohibited, just as we

have seen in the lesson about the Coup Harlem.
It is correct for black to play the exchange 17
22 28 x 17 11 x 22. Black normally plays:

9. Arch shot

5. 17 21
6.31 27 5 10?

The black piece at 18 is transported to square

29. The piece moves in the shape of an arch
from 18 to 29. While doing this white gains a
free move because piece 23 will have to capture
at the next move.

White can perform an Arch Shot. Piece 18 is

transported to 29. The capture 23 x 32 at the
next move gives white a free move.

1.27 22! 18 x 27
2.38 33 27 x 29
3.39 34 23 x 32
4.34 x 5

7.27 22! 18 x 27
8.38 33 27 x 29
9.37 31!
This is the best way to use the free move. Now
the piece at 32 is attacked by the king at 5
immediately.
9 23 x 32 10.34 x 5
After this it is a good plan to hide your king
behind your own pieces, so it cant be captured
easily. After the position of the opponent is
weakened you can bring the king into the game
again to make some combinations with it or
attack pieces.

In this example the same pattern is shown, but

this time in another direction.

If black plays

1.30 24 19 x 30
2.39 33 30 x 28
3.38 32 23 x 34
4.32 x 1

6 21 26
White can try to trap black again by playing

Lets put all the pieces at the board and play the
following moves:

7.38 33
After this black is not allowed to play 5 10
again. Can you spot the Arch shot?

1.32 28 19 23
2.28 x 19 14 x 23
3.37 32 10 14
4.41 37 14 19
5.33 28

7 11 17
8.43 - 38 5 10?

27

White can take a king shot although it is not

winning. Black has a choice at the second move
of the combination, but white will end up at 5
anyway.
9.27 22 18 x 27
10.32 x 21 23 x 43
11.49 x 38 16 x 27
12.38 32 27 x 29
13.34 x 5

1.27 22 18 x 27
2.36 31 27 x 36
3.47 41 36 x 47
4.37 31 26 x 37
5.32 x 41 23 x 43
6.41 37 47 x 29
7.34 x 5 43 x 34
8.40 x 20 15 x 14
9.5 x 26

The king is caught by 13 13 19! 14.5 x 11 6

x 17 with an equal amount of pieces.

This is the Grand Prix shot. We will give another

example.

The arch by which piece 18 is going to 29 is

bigger now.

Grand prix shot

White gains two free moves enabling him to
build the Olympic formation during this beautiful
combination. The trapped piece at 43, will come
into play after white has got his king, inflicting
more damage to the black position.

1.25 20! 14 x 25
2.27 22 17 x 28
3.33 x 22 18 x 27
4.36 31 27 x 36
5.47 41 36 x 38
6.39 33 38 x 29
5.34 x 1

1.27 22! 18 x 27
2.32 x 21 23 x 43
3.45 40 16 x 27
4.36 31 27 x 36
5.47 41 36 x 47
6.50 45 47 x 29
7.34 x 5 43 x 34
8.40 x 20 25 x 14
9.5 x 16

(Diagram next column)

This is a very difficult but beautiful shot. Piece
18 is transported to 29 in a special way.
Black gets a king at 47 while one of his pieces is
trapped at 43. After the king shot whites king
can capture more pieces.

28

C 9.1

C 9.5

C 9.2

C 9.6

C 9.3

C 9.7

C 9.4

C 9.8

29

10. Coup Napoleon

A legend tells us that the famous emperor
Napoleon was fond of playing draughts with his
officers and generals.

We see both players having identical positions.

Such a position is called symmetrical.
Black makes a mistake here:
1 24 29?
2.33 x 24 20 x 29
The story tells of Napoleon once having this
position against a general. Napoleon performed
the following devastating combination:

Square 29 is called the graveyard, because it is

pretty dangerous to go to this square, although
sometimes it is very strong. In this case white
can perform a little Coup Napoleon, winning a
piece.

1.27 22! 17 x 28
2.37 31 28 x 46
3.38 32 46 x 28
4.35 30 24 x 35
5.26 21 16 x 27
6.31x 4

3.28 22! 17 x 28
4.27 21 16 x 27
5.31 x 24 19 x 30
6.34 x 25

When adding a black piece at 18 and a white

piece at 31, the combination is also possible.

The capturing part of the Coup Napoleon is

characterized by a capture forwards, followed by
a capture backwards and then proceeding
forwards again.

1.27 -22 18 x 27
After 1 17 x 28 whites goal to bring a piece to
28 is immediately reached. White continues 35
30 24 x 35 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 4.

Lets look at a game in which black was

successful with a coup Napoleon in the opening.
Rabatel Drost
1.32 - 28 20 - 25
2.38 - 32 14 - 20
3.31 - 27 17 - 21
4.43 - 38 21 - 26
5.37 31 26 x 37

2.31 x 22 17 x 28
Now the combination continues in the same way
as the first example: 37 31 28 x 46 38 32 46
x 28 35 30 24 x 35 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 4 +.

30

8.26 21 16 x 27
9.31 x 4

6.42 x 31 10 - 14
7.47 - 42 5 - 10
8.41 - 37 20 - 24
9.46 - 41 18 - 23
10.49 - 43 14 - 20
11.31 - 26 13 - 18

In the Hisard Chiland game (Yalta 1961) white

played a seemingly strong move.
1.28 22?
White has to take care. Both 37 31 as 36 31
are punished by a shot.
At 12.37 31 black takes the arch shot 24 29
12.33 x 22 12 17 13.28 x 19 17 x 46 +.
After white played 36 31? black performed a
coup Napoleon.
12.36 31
13.33 x 22
14.34 x 23
15.27 x 16
16.35 x 24

Black answered 1 5 10 2.22 x 13 8 x 19

after which 3.32 28! 21 x 23 4.34 30 25 x 34
5.40 x 7 followed.
At 1 8 13 white would play 2.32 28 21 x 23
3.42 38 18 x 27 4.34 30 25 x 34 5.40 x 7 1621 6.7 x 16 after which black is in trouble.
However black could have performed a fabulous
combination, which was shown after the game
by the legendary grandmaster Baba Sy from
Senegal.

24 29!
23 29
16 21
25 30
20 x 47

1 3 9!!
2.22 x 4 26 31
3.37 x 17 11 x 31
4.36 x 27 12 18
5.4 x 22 16 21
6.27 x 16 24 29
7.34 x 23 25 30
8.35 x 24 20 x 49

White forces a coup Napoleon.

1.39 33! 19 24
After 1 29 34 2.33 29 piece 34 gets lost.
2.33 28! 13 19
3.28 22! 18 x 27
4.31 x 22 17 x 28
5.37 31 28 x 46
6.38 32 46 x 28
7.35 - 30 24 x 35

31

C 10.1

C 10.5

C 10.2

C 10.6

C 10.3

C 10.7

C 10.4

C 10.8

32

C 2.6 39 34 33 x 22 34 29 24 x 33 45 40
35 x 44 50 x 8

Solutions lessons 1 till 10

C 2.7 49 43 35 x 44 43 39 44 x 33 41 37
31 x 42 47 x 27

Lesson 1: Notation
Exercise 1.1 33 x 31

C 2.8 22 18 13 x 22 32 28 22 x 31 36 x 29

Exercise 1.2 White can perform the combination

in two ways:
1) 29 24 19 x 30 35 x 24 20 x 29 34 x 21
16 x 27 31 x 22 W+2
2) 28 23 19 x 28 29 24 20 x 29 34 x 21
16 x 27 31 x 33 W+2

Lesson 3. Coup Phlippe

Exercise 3.1: 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27
33 29 24 x 33 38 x 16
Exercise 3.2 White hopes for 7 11? 27 22!
18 x 27 32 x21 16 x 27 33 29 24 x 33 38 x 16.

Exercise 1.3: Black has played 24 29.

37 31! 26 x 19 34 x 1

C 3.1 27 22 18 x 27 32 x21 16 x 27 33 29 24
x 33 38 x 16

Exercise 1.4 35 30 3 - 9 33 29 9 14 30
24

C 3.2: 27 21 17 x 26 28 22 18 x 27 32 x 21
26 x 17 33 29 24 x 33 38 x 16

Exercise 1.5 38 - 33

C 3.3 27 22 18 x 38 42 x 33 23 x 32 33 28
37 x 28 34 30 25 x 34 40 x 7

Exercise 1.6 4 27 28 33 27 43 16 21 43
x 16 33 39 16 49

C 3.4 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 34 30
24 x 33 38 x 20

Exercise 1.7 26 21 17 x 28 43 x 3

C 3.5 33 28 22 x 44 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21
16 x 27 43 39 44 x 33 38 x 16 gaining piece
27.

Lesson 2: Combinations
Exercise 2.1: 38 33 28 x 39 29 23 18 x 29
30 24 29 x 20 40 34 39 x 30 35 x 2

C 3.6 27 22 17 x 28 33 x 22 18 x 27 32 x 21
16 x 27 35 30 24 x 35 44 40 35 x 33 38 x 16
gaining piece 27.

Exercise 2.2: 27 21 16 x 29 34 x 5

C 3.7 26 21 16 x 27 33 28 22 x 44 31 x 22
18 x 27 43 39 44 x 33 38 x 16

Exercise 2.3 38 33 35 x 44 33 x 31 44 x 33 31
27 32 x 21 43 38 33 x 42 41 37 42 x 31 36
x 18

C 3.8 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 34 30
24 x 44 33 x 24 19 x 30 25 x 34 44 x 33 38 x 16

Exercise 2.4 29 24 19 x 28 42 x 4

Lesson 4: Harlem shot

C 2.1 26 21 17 x 26 37 31 26 x 37 38 32
37 x 28 39 - 33 28 x 39 40 34 39 x 30 35 x 11

C 4.1 28 -22 17 x 28 34 29 24 x 33 38 x 29 23
x 34 32 x 5

C 2.2 30 24 19 x 30 39 34 30 x 39 38 33
39 x 28 32 x 14

C 4.2 28 22 17 x 28 34 30 25 x 34 40 x 18
13 x 31 32 x 25

C 2.3 27 21 16 x 27 28 22 27 x 18 29 23
18 x 29 33 x 2

C 4.3 29 - 24 20 x 29 32 28 23 x 32 34 x 1

C 2.4 37 31 26 x 37 38 32 37 x 28 33 x 2
C 4.4 25 20 14 x 25 28 22 17 x 28 34 29
24 x 33 38 x 29 23 x 34 32 x 5

C 2.5 29 23 19 x 28 21 x 5

33

C 4.5 35 30 24 x 35 25 20 14 x 25 33 29
23 x 34 28 22 18 x 27 31 x 22 17 x 28 32 x 5

C 6.5 35 30 24 x 35 34 29 23 x 34 39 x 30
35 x 24 25 20 14 x 25 33 29 24 x 33 28 x 39
17 x 28 32 x 5

C 4.6 35 30 24 x 35 33 29 23 x 34 25 20
15x 24 44 40 35 x 44 49 x 20 14 x 25 28 22
18 x 27 31 x 22 17 x 28 32 x 5

C 6.6 29 23 18 x 29 37 31 36 x 27 25 20
14 x 34 44 39 34 x 43 38 x 49 27 x 38 42 x 2
(or 42 x 4)

C 4.7 35 30 24 x 35 44 40 35 x 44 34 29
23 x 34 33 29 34 x 23 28 22 17 x 28 43 39
44 x 33 38 x 7 2 x 11 32 x 5

C 6.7 33 29 23 x 34 39 x 30 25 x 34 40 x 29
24 x 33 28 x 39 17 x 28 32 x 25

C 4.8 25 20 14 x 34 40 x 18 13 x 22 27 x 18
12 x 23 35 30 24 x 35 33 29 23 x 34 39 x 30
35 x 24 28 22 17 x 28 32 x 5

C 6.8 33 28 22 x 33 37 31 26 x 28 38 32
28 x 37 29 x 38 20 x 29 34 x 3
Lesson 7: Ping Pong shot

Lesson 5: Coup Royal

C 5.1 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 33 28
23 x 34 40 x 7

C 7.1 27 22 18 x 27 25 20 14 x 34 40 x 18
13 x 22 28 x 6

C 5.2 26 21 17 x 26 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21
23 x 34 44 40 26 x 17 40 x 7

C 7.2 27 22 x 44 40 x 40 x 18 13 x 22 28 x
26

C 5.3 35 30 24 x 35 34 30 35 x 24 27 22
18 x 27 32 x 21 23 x 34 44 40 16 x 27 40 x7

C 7.3 29 23 19 x 28 26 21 17 x 37 41 x 23
18 x 29 33 x 4

C 5.4 27 21 16 x 27 31 x 22 18 x 27 32 x 21
23 x 34 40 x 16

C 7.4 27 22 18 x 27 31 x 11 16 x 7 25 20 14
x 34 40 x 18 13 x 22 28 x 26

C 5.5 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 23 x 34 41 37
16 x 27 37 32 27 x 38 42 x 33 29 x 38 40 x 7

C 7.5 42 38 25 x 34 38 33 29 x 38 32 x 43
21 x 23 40 x 7

C 5.6 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 23 x 34 40 x 20
25 x 14 33 28 16 x 27 28 23 19 x 28 37 32
28 x 37 42 x 2

C 7.6 27 21 16 x 38 37 32 38 x 27 31 x 13 8
x 30 34 x 3
C 7.7 34 29 23 x 34 39 x 30 28 x 48 30 25
48 x 31 25 x 21 26 x 17 36 x 9

C 5.7 27 22 18 x 27 23 x 34 37 32 16 x 38
35 30 34 x 25 48 43 38 x 40 45 x 1

C 7.8 32 27 21 x 32 36 31 26 x 37 43 38
32 x 43 39 x 48 30 x 28 41 x 14

C 5.8 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 23 x 34 40 x 7 1 x
12 45 40 16 x 27 37 31 26 x 37 42 x 22 17 x
39 40 34 39 x 30 35 x 2

Lesson 8: Bomb shot

Lesson 6: Kung Fu shot

C 8.1 35 30 24 x 35 25 20 14 x 25 27 21
16 x 27 32 x 12 23 x 41 12 x 5 26 x 37 36 x 47

C 6.1 33 29 24 x 33 34 29 23 x 43 28 x 48
17 x 28 32 x 1

C 8.2 30 24 20 x 29 27 21 16 x 27 32 x 12
23 x 41 12 x 34 26 x 37 36 x 47

C 6.2 22 18 13 x 22 37 31 26 x 37 32 x 41
23 x 32 38 x 16

C 8.3 27 21
1) 16 x 27 32 x 12 23 x 34 12 x 5 26 x 37 40 x20
2) 26 x 37 32 x 41 23 x 34 12 x 5

C 6.3 37 31 26 x 37 32 x 41 23 x 32 38 x 27
17 x 28 34 x 32

C 8.4 27 21 16 x 27 32 x 12 23 x 43 12 x 23
19 x 39 30 x 10 39 x 30 35 x 24 26 x 37 48 x 39
37 x 48 10 5 48 x 19 5 x 23

C 6.4 26 21 17 x 26 37 31 26 x 39 34 x 43
25 x 34 40 x 16

34

C 10.5 30 25 29 x 47 39 33 47 x 29 35 30
24 x 35 27 22 17 x 28 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 4

C 8.5 35 30 24 x 35 33 29 23 x 34 39 x 30
35 x 24 27 22 18 x 27 28 23 19 x 37 42 x 2

C 10.6 39 34 30 x 28 29 23 18 x 29 27 x 9 3
x 14 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 2

C 8.6 34 29 23 x 34 40 x 20 15 x 24 27 22
18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 37 31 26 x 37 42 x 11
6 x 17 28 23 19 x 28 33 x 11

C 10.7 35 30 24 x 33 28 x 39 17 x 37 38 32
37 x 28 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 4

C 8.7 35 30 24 x 35 33 29 23 x 34 39 x 30
35 x 24 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 28 23
19 x 28 37 32 28 x 37 42 x 2

C 10.8 32 28 23 x 34 25 20 29 x 47 20 x 7 2
x 11 40 x 20 15 x 24 39 33 47 x 29 35 30 24
x 35 27 22 18 x 27 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 2

C 8.8 34 29 23 x 25 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21
16 x 27 28 23 19 x 28 33 x 2
Lesson 9: Arch shot
C 9.1 27 21 16 x 29 39 34 23 x 32 34 x 3
C 9.2 30 24 19 x 28 40 35 23 x 34 32 x 1
C 9.3 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 23 x 43 (or 23 x
41 with the same shot) 49 x 38 16 x 27 38 32
27 x 38 39 33 38 x 29 34 x 5
C 9.4 27 22 18 x 36 47 41 36 x 47 38 33
47 x 29 32 - 27 23 x 21 34 x 3 25 x 34 3 x 30
C 9.5 30 24 19 x 28 43 38 23 x 34 27 22
18 x 27 37 32 28 x 37 42 x 2
C 9.6 28 22 18 x 29 34 x 23 19 x 28 31 27
21 x 32 43 38 32 x 34 40 x 7
C 9.7 27 22 18 x 29 37 31 23 x 32 34 x 23
19 x 28 42 38 32 x 34 40 x 7
C 9.8 27 22 18 x 27 36 31 27 x 36 47 41
36 x 47 38 33 47 x 29 34 x 23 25 x 34 40 x 20
14 x 25 23 x 5
Lesson 10: Coup Napoleon
C 10.1 27 22 17 x 28 37 - 31 28 x 37 38 32
37 x 28 35 30 24 x 35 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 4
C 10.2 27 22 18 x 29 28 22 17 x 28 35 30
24 x 35 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 4
C 10.3 26 21 17 x 26 24 19 14 x 34 33 29
34 x 23 25 20 15 x 24 30 x 6
C 10.4 27 22 18 x 27 31 x 22 17 x 28 37 31
28 x 37 38 32 37 x 28 35 30 24 x 35 26 21
16 x 27 31 x 4

35

Piece 24 is removed in a special way. The last

capture of white has the shape of a crescent.

11. More shots

There are a lot more combinations with a name.
We will not show them all, but will give you some
beautiful examples.

Coup Raichenbach
This coup resembles the Coup Philippe. Now
piece 24 has to be transported to 22 where it
can be used later on in the combination.

Coup Raphael

1.27 22! 18 x 27
2.33 29 24 x 22
3.35 30 25 x 34
4.40 x 20 15 x 24
5.32 28 22 x 33
6.38 x 20

This combination is considered one of the most

beautiful by many draughts players.
1.34 29! 23 x 34
2.28 23 19 x 39
3.37 31 26 x 28
4.50 - 44 21 x 43
5.44 x 11 16 x 7
6.48 x 17
The position that remains (black 7, white 17) we
call opposition. The one who has to play
always loses in the case of opposition.

Coup Deslauriers
This combination is named after the former
world
champion
from
Canada,
Marcel
Deslauriers. Characteristic for this shot is that
white transports piece 23 to 21 by capturing
backwards 32 x 41. Piece 24 is brought to
square 31. Piece 36 makes the shot.

Moon shot

1.37 31! 26 x 37
2.32 x 41 23 x 21
3.33 29 24 x 42
4.41 37 42 x 31
5.36 x 20

1.27 22! 18 x 27
2.33 29 24 x 31
3.30 24 27 x 38
4.43 x 32 19 x 30
4.28 x 37

36

5 3 - 8 6.2 x 10
5 x 14 6.39 34

Coup Springer
This combination is named after Dutch world
champion 1928 Benedictus Springer.
Because black has to capture 2 pieces at the
second move white can give the piece at 21 at
square 17, bringing a black piece at 22. Then he
uses piece 41 to combine with:

Coup Turc
This is a special coup in which an enemy king is
caught.
1.37 32!!

1.27 22! 18 x 27
2.32 x 21 23 x 41
3.21 17 11 x 22
4.42 37 41 x 32
5.38 x 29

The coup Turc is characterized by three

features:
1) The black king has to take the most
pieces (majority rule).
2) He can only jump over piece 32 once.
3) He should finish the capturing first and
only after that he is allowed to take the
pieces off of the board. So the white
piece at 33 remains there to make the
winning jump to square 2.
1 16 x 28 2.33 x 2

Coup Weiss
Isidore Weiss was the first world champion of
th
draughts at the beginning of the 20 century.
These days draughts was dominated by
combinations. Later positional play became
more important.
Semi Turc

1.37 31 26 x 37
2.27 21 16 x 27
3.28 22 27 x 18
4.38 32 37 x 28
5.33 x 2

1.30 24! 20 x 29
2.38 33 29 x 47
3.48 42 47 x 42
4.37 x 10

After black catches the king white wins through

opposition:

37

Feature number 2 doesnt play a role here.

Therefore it is only a semi-Turc. As a matter of
fact giving three pieces is never a full Turc.

Coup Manoury
1.32 28! 23 x 32
2.37 x 28 26 x 46
3.40 35 46 x 40
4.35 x 24 20 x 29
5.45 x 1

Trap shot
The piece at 24 is transported to square 44,
where it is trapped in between two white
pieces. The piece at 44 is used for a
combination resembling the Coup Philippe.

The coup Manoury is characterized by not taking

an enemy king at once but first capturing a piece
after which the king and several pieces are
taken.

1.35 30 24 x 35
2.45 40 35 x 44
3.28 22 17 x 28
4.33 x 22 44 x 33
5.38 x 16

Coup Ricou
After white transports a black piece to square
29, he plays 27 21 which gives black a
choice, which is typical for the coup Ricou.
However it doesnt matter in which way black
captures, the goal is to bring a piece to square
17 and then transport piece 29 to 27 making the
31 x 2 shot.

Catapult shot
Piece 18 is put in between the white pieces.
Then the piece is put back at his original spot
enabling white to take a shot like a catapult.
1.29 23! 18 x 29
2.28 23 29 x 18
3.39 34 20 x 29
4.34 x 1

1.30 24! 19 x 30
2.35 x 24 20 x 29
3.27 21 16 x 27
4.32 x 21 26 x 17
5.38 33 29 x 38
6.37 32 38 x 27
7.31 x 2

38

C 11.1

C 11.5

C 11.2

C 11.6

C 11.3

C 11.7

C 11.4

C 11.8

39

White has two free moves. He doesnt go to king

but uses the free moves to perform another
combination:

12. Forcing
In some situations you can force a combination.
Before the combination takes place you play a
move that forces your opponent to answer in a
certain way. After this forced answer you can
take a shot.

4.50 45 2 x 13
5.45 40 24 x 33
6.40 34 39 x 30
7.35 x 2

White attacks piece 20.

In this example white plays two forcing moves

before performing a Kung Fu shot.

1.30 25!

1.39 34! 19 23*

2.34 30 13 19*

Now black can only defend the attacked piece

by playing the exchange with 18 23 25 x 14 19
x 10. After this white can perform a Coup
Philippe.

The * - sign means that a move is forced.

3.40 34! 29 x 40
4.35 x 44 24 x 35
5.44 40 35 x 44
6.43 39 44 x 33
7.38 x 7

1 18 23
2.25 x 14 19 x 10
3.35 30! 24 x 35
4.44 40 35 x 44
5.43 39 44 x 33
6.38 x 7

Sometimes the opponent has more than one

answer, but will always lose.
White begins with a forcing move:
He attacks with 34 29, forcing black to play 14
20.

In this case black has no good answer after:

1.33 28!!

1.34 29! 14 20
2.26 21! 17 x 37
3.28 x 8 37 x 39

Investigate this position yourself!

40

2 17 22
3.35 30 25 x 34
4.39 x 30 22 x 31
5.30 24 19 x 30
6.40 34 30 x 28
7.26 21 16 x 27
8.37 x 26 28 x 37
9.42 x 4

.
White takes advantage of the gaps in blacks
position.
1.44 39!
Threatening 28 23 19 x 28 33 x 31 W+1.
1 27 31
2.37 32! 7 - 12
White is able to remove piece 13 and makes a
shot using an opponents king.

White was threatening 28 22 18 x 27 32 x 21

29 23 19 x 28 33 x 2.
2 7 11 isnt possible because of 32 27 31 x
22 28 x 6. After 7 12 however white will get a
break through.

1.27 21 8 12
2.33 29 24 x 33
3.38 x 18 13 x 22
4.37 31 26 x 37
5.42 x 31 17 x 37
6.48 42 37 x 48
7.30 25 48 x 30
8.35 x 4

3.28 22 18 x 27
4.32 x 21 26 x 17
5.29 23 19 x 28
6.33 x 11

White forces his opponent to play 14 19 after

which piece 19 is transported to square 28 after
which white is able to make the 27 22 shot.

1.31 26! 22 x 31
2.36 x 27
White is threatening 26 21 17 x 26 37 31 26
x 28 33 x 4 while 2 9 13 is punished by the
coup Philippe 3.27 22 17 x 28 4.33 x 22 18 x
27 5.35 30 25 x 34 6.40 x 9.
So black should play 17 22 after which white
performs a special trap shot.

1.49 43! 14 19
Black had to stop the 24 19 13 x 24 34 30
threat.
2.39 33 19 x 28
3.27 22 18 x 27

41

4.31 x 2

1.33 29!
White forces a win in a very surprising way.

Because of the threat 27 22 black is obliged to

reply making a planned sacrifice.

1.32 28!! 2 8
1. 23 28
2.32 x 23 30 35

Other moves dont help either.

1 12 17 2.28 23 19 x 28 3.39 34 28 x 30
4.25 x 21 W+1
1. 18 23 2.27 x 20 23 x34 3.42 38! 24 x 15
4.33 x 13 +

Black thought he was OK because of the threat

20 24. But white surprises his opponent.
3.34 30! 25 x 21
4.26 x 17 12 x 21
5.23 x 3

2.28 x 17 12 x 34
3.42 37! 29 x 38
4.40 x 9 13 x 4
5.37 32 38 x 27
6.31 x 2

It looks silly at first sight but whites next move

forces a winning shot.
1.31 26!! 21 - 27

Blacks position has some weaknesses. There

are gaps at 12 and 13. White can force a king
shot by attacking piece 27.

1 18 22 is answered by 2.26 x 17 22 x 11
3.33 29! 13 18 4.29 24 19 x 30 5.28 x 10
15 x 4 6.34 x 25 W+1.

1.42 37! 7 12
2.37 32 11 16
3.32 x 21 16 x 27
4.26 21 17 x 37
5.48 42 37 x 48
6.39 34 48 x 30
7.35 x 4

2.32 x 21 23 x 43
3.39 x 48 16 x 27
4.37 32 27 x 29
5.34 x 1

42

F 12.1

F 12.5

F 12.2

F 12.6

F 12.3

F 12.7

F 12.4

F 12.8

43

1.47 41! 31 x 22
2.43 38 33 x 42
3.41 37 42 x 31
4.36 x 7

13. The free move

Lets put all the pieces at the board and play:

1.33 28 18 23
2.39 33 12 18
3.44 39 7 12
4.31 27 20 24
This is the Old Dutch opening. This opening
used to be very popular and is still being played!
White occupies the strong squares 27 and 28,
while black is in possession of squares 23 and
24. We call this a classical structure. The
position is symmetrical now.

In the first example of the last chapter white was

attacking a piece. You have to be aware that
attacking a piece gives your opponent a free
move. Therefore it is dangerous to attack
pieces. If white attacks here with 30 25, black
is not forced to play 18 23. Black can use his
free move to perform a Coup Weiss.
1.30 25?
2.25 x 14
3.35 x 24
4.24 x 33
5.14 x 23

5.37 31 14 20
6.34 30

19 23!
24 30
23 29
13 19
18 x 47

If black takes 5 18 x 49? the king is caught by

50 44 49 x 40 35 x 44 W+1.
Back to the diagram position: If white is not
allowed to play 30 25, what should he do to
defend against the threatening attack of black 20
25?
White can play 1.50 44 in order to make an
exchange after 20 - 25 by playing 2.44 39 25
x 34 3.39 x 30.

Black can play 20 25 now. White cannot

exploit the free move he gets. A likely play after
20 25 is: 7.41 37 25 x 34 8.40 x 20 15 x 24.
Things change after:
6 17 21
Now white must resist the temptation to attack
31 26?
7.31 26? 24 29!!
Black uses the free move to win a piece. For
example: 8.26 x 17 11 x 31 9.36 x 27 29 - 34!
10.40x29 23 x 25 B+1.
After 7.41 - 37 its blacks turn to watch out. After
20 25 white gains a piece with 27 22!.

Black has just attacked the white piece at 27.

White now has a plan:
The piece at 31 will go to square 22. If I can
transport piece 33 to 31 I have a combination.

Attacking pieces is dangerous,

because your opponent gets a free
move!

44

White has to pay attention: After 11.7 2? 22

28 its a draw.
11.37 31! 36 x 27
12.7 2 27 32
13.2 11 22 27
14.11 - 16

In this composition (Scheijen) white forces a win

by creating a free move.
1.25 20! 24 30
2.38 32! 28 x 37
3.26 21 15 x 24
4.47 42 16 x 27
5.42 x 2 30 35
6.2 x 30 35 x 44
7.30 39 44 x 33
8.48 - 43

In this composition (D. v.d. Berg) white creates a

free move to be able to take a shot.
1.26 21! 27 31
2.33 28 16 x 27
3.50 44 40 x 49
4.29 23 49 x 32
5.23 x 3 32 x 5
6.3 x 37 5 x 41
7.46 x 37

In this composition H. van Meggelen shows a

nice way to use a free move in this composition.
1.27 22! 28 33
2.26 21!
Piece 21 or piece 22 will be sacrificed at square
17. 2 17 x 26 gives the longest defense.

White creates no less than 3 free moves. White

uses his free moves to make a trip from 49 to
35.

2 17 x 26
3.22 17 choice
4.42 38 33 x 31
5.36 x 7 6 11
6.7 x 16 26 31
7.48 42 31 36
8.42 37 8 12
9.16 11 12 18
10.11 7 18 22

1.37 31!!
It doesnt matter which of 4 possible captures
black takes first. In any case black gets kings at
46 and 48, after which the kings will end up at
19 and 30 as food for the marching piece at 49.
1 26 x 48
2.49 44 28 x 46
3.44 40 46 x 19

45

4.40 35 48 x 30
5.35 x 2

In this game position white made a sacrifice

hoping to get an advantage, but his opponent
took advantage of the free move he got.
White creates a free move and makes a nice
shot. White forces piece 30 to attack whites
pieces, giving him the opportunity to prepare a
shot.

1.30- 24? 20 x 29
2.39 33 29 34
3.33 29

1.29 24! 30 35
2.34 30!! 35 x 42
3.47 x 38 25 x 34
4.27 21! 16 x 27
5.32 x 21 19 x 30
6.21 17 12 x 21
7.26 x 10

After 3 13 18? 4.29 x 40 black would be in

trouble. 3 34 39 4.29 x 9 4 x 13 5.28 22
etc. would be probably end in a draw. But black
made a simple shot and won.
3. 4 9!
4.29 x 40 17 22!
5.27 x 29 19 23
6.28 x 19 13 x 31

Black has just played 17 21 threatening 21

27.
In the game white played a nave move giving
his opponent a free move. Black uses the track
6 x 46 for a shot. He only needs to transport a
piece to square 11

1.36 31 21 27?
After 2.31 x 22 12 18 white looses.
2.32 x 21! 23 x 34

1.37 31? 2 7!
2.31 x 22 23 29
3.33 x 24 13 19
4.24 x 11 6 x 46

White can use the free move to perform a coup

Royal, because black has to apply the majority
rule.

In exercise 13.7 and 13.8 you have to force a

win!

3.44 40 16 x 36
4.40 x 16

46

C 13.1

C 13.5

C 13.2

C 13.6

C 13.3

F 13.7

C 13.4

F 13.8

47

14. The stick move

Attacking multiple pieces is dangerous. Your
opponent could make a stick move.

In the game white played 38 33 fearing the

stick move that comes into play after 15 10 23
28 but in this case white has a nice solution.
1.15 10 23 - 28
In the game black played 21 26. In this case
the move is very dangerous. Not only does he
attack multiple pieces, his position is very
vulnerable because the many gaps, especially
the gap at 13. White took a shot to get two
kings.

White cant go to king immediately. If he goes to

5 the king is caught and after 2.10 4 the stick
move 28 32 3.4 x 36 32 x 43 makes a draw.
2.37 32!! 28 x 37
3.10 4!

1 21 26?
2.27 22! 26 x 30
3.22 x 2 24 x 33
4.35 x 4

Now the stick move 27 32 doesnt work: 4.4 x

48 32 x 43 5.48 x 25 +
3 27 31
4.4 x 36 16 21
5.38 32 37 x 28
6.36 41
Its also possible to play 44 39 first and make
an attack using the king at the next move.
6 28 33
7.41 47 21 27
8.47 x 20 27 32
The game is not over yet. Always stay
concentrated until the job has been done.

White can make a shot using the stick move.

9.20 42 6 11
10.44 39! 11 17
11.39 33! 17 21
12.42 26! 21 27
13.26 48

1.39 34! 30 x 28
2.26 - 21! 24 x 42
3.21 x 25 42 48
4.45 40
The black king is trapped: 48 26 5.47 42 26
x 48 6.40 34 48 x 30 7.25 x 34 +

When defending a difficult

endgame you can often use the stick
move
especially in case the enemy king
attacks several pieces.

Attacking multiple pieces is

dangerous because of a possible
stick move!

48

1.22 17 11 x 31
2.33 29! 35 x 22
3.29 x 36

A position from a G. Kolk H. Jansen game.

White forced a shot using the stick move. During
the shot white creates a free move enabling to
activate his king at once.

At the second move 33 29 creates the majority

capture for black. In this case it is called an
African stick move.

1.28 - 22! 21 26
Black cant stop the 31 26 threat by 7 11
because of 2.22 17 11 x 22 3.31 26 22 x 31
4.26 x 19 24 x 13 5.36 x 27 W+1.
2.33 29!! 26 x 17
3.27 22! 24 x 44
4.22 x 2 30 x 39
5. 2 x 49

In this composition white uses an African stick

move to get a shot and empties the board with
his king.
1.17 11! 7 x 16*
2.22 18 13 x 31
3.38 33 16 x 40
4.33 x 2 15 x 24
5.2 x 28 40 45
6.28 50

White could have forced a winning shot using a

stick move.
1.25 20 19 23
2.38 32! 23 x 43
3.32 x 23 36 x 27
4.33 28 22 x 33
5.23 19 13 x 24
6.20 x 49

In compositions we often see a special kind of

stick move.

49

C 14.1

C 14.5

C 14.2

C 14.6

C 14.3

C 14.7

C 14.4

C 14.8

50

We look at a position composed by Swizinski.

15. Giving your opponent a king

Sometimes you can make a shot by giving your
opponent a king.

You always have to look for shots with 47 41

now. In this case there is no immediate
combination, but white can force a shot.
White needs a black piece at 20 to make a shot.
He can get a king there:

1.40 34!

1.38 32! 27 x 47
2.30 24 47 x 20
3.25 x 1

White introduces the threat 47 41 36 x 47 44

40 47 x 29 34 x 3. Therefore black has only one
sensible reply. After that white makes a nice
shot using the majority rule.
1 9 14
2.47 41! 36 x 47
3.32 27! 47 x 23
4.27 x 9

White gives his opponent a king at 48. Then he

transports the king to square 31, while at the
same time piece 27 is removed.
1.39 33! 28 x 48
2.38 32 27 x 38
3.42 x 33 48 x 31
4.36 x 20 15 x 24
5.30 x 28

Black to move
This is a position from a game (Winkel
Heusdens) that was played during the Dutch
championship 2008.
Black has big problems because of the possible
shots with 47 41. For this reason black cannot
play 14 19. Look for yourself which shot white
takes in case black plays 14 - 19.

In some situations there is a good reason to look

for shots after giving your opponent a king. Such
a situation arises when your opponent has a
piece at 36.

At 1 18 23 white plays 2.37 32! And after 2

7 (there is no better move) white forces the
shot with 3.40 35 threatening 25 20 14 x 25
34 30 25 x 34 39 x 28 W+1, so black should

51

play 3 14 19 and instead of winning a piece

with 25 20 even more convincing is: 4.47
41! 36 x 47 5.44 40 47 x 29 6.32 28 23 x 32
7.34 x 5 W+.

White uses his free move for a show in which

black gets a second king!
2.32 28! 36 x 47
3.37 31! 26 x 48
3.38 33 47 x 29
4.28 23 19 x 28
5.30 x 8 3 x 12
6.39 34 48 x 30
7.35 x 4

1 15 20
This move weakens the position of black even
more. The position of piece 14 is very vulnerable
now. White should aim his arrows at this weak
point:
2.33 28!
White prepares the exchange 28 23 18 x 29
34 x 23. For example: 2 10 15 3.28 23! 18
x 29 4.34 x 23 9 13 5.23 19 14 x 23 6.25 x
14 etc. looks very dangerous for black.
If black prevents 28 23 through 9 13 white
has a shot in which he uses the king in a
surprising way.
2 9 13
3.47 41! 36 x 47
4.43 38! 47 x 22
5.26 21 17 x 26
6.34 29 24 x 33
7.39 x 19 14 x 23
8.25 x 5

This is a quite different type of combination.

Blacks king is removed quickly after the shot.
1.27 21! 17 x 26
2.30 24! 19 x 48
3.28 x 6 48 x 31
4.36 x 27

In some situations it is even possible to give

your opponent two kings.

Giving his opponent a king white gains a free

move he uses to open square 12 and
subsequently making the king shot.

White can force a shot in a spectacular way.

1.47 - 41!!
Threatening to win piece 31 by
black has no real choice.

1.28 22! 17 x 28
2.36 31 27 x 47
3.26 21 47 x 33
4.29 x 38 20 x 29
5.21 17 12 x 21
6.38 33 28 x 39
7.43 x 5

41 36. So

1 31 36

52

After giving your opponent a king you can

sometimes use a stick move. White forces a
shot giving a king and playing a stick move.

Black has a strong outpost at 27 and seems to

have a good attack in this game position (R. v.d.
Pal Bedinovs 1995) . However white takes
advantage of the gaps in blacks position by
giving his opponent a king followed by a stick
move winning a piece and the game.

1.20 15 10 14
2.38 33 28 x 39
3.49 43 39 x 48
4.15 10 48 x 22
5.10 x 28

1.38 32 27 x 29
2.39 33 29 x 38
3.49 43 38 x 49
4.31 27 49 x 24
5.27 x 16

In a Koeperman Wiersma game black played

the dangerous move 1 13 18? allowing
white to gain a free move by attacking the
outpost at 28. White uses the free move to make
a shot in which he gives his opponent a king and
makes the shot by a stick move.

This is a special case in which the opponent is

offered no less than 3 kings!
1.28 23! 19 x 37
2.30 x 10 4 x 15
3.38 33 29 x 49
4.48 42 37 x 48
5.47 41 36 x 47
6.50 44 49 x 40
7.45 x 34 48 x 30
8.35 x 24 47 x 20
9.25 x 1

1 13 18?
2.38 33! 9 13
3.33 x 22 12 17
4.40 35! 17 x 28
5.39 33 28 x 39
6.48 43 39 x 48
7.35 30 48 x 22
8.30 x 6

53

C 15.1

C 15.5

C 15.2

C 15.6

C 15.3

C 15.7

C 15.4

C 15.8

54

C 15.9

C 15.13

C 15.10

C 15.14

C 15.11

C 15.15

C 15.12

C 15.16

55

16. Attacking a wing

11.32 27 is met by 17 21 12.27 22 21 27

13.22 x 31 26 x 37 with a breakthrough.
Otherwise black goes to king with 26 31 etc.

Whites left wing is weak. Too few pieces defend

this side of the board. Black makes a plan to
attack this wing.
1 12 17!

Isjimbaev Tsjizjow

White cant protect his left wing by playing 32

27, because black plays 18 23!! 38 - 32 (check
other moves yourself!) 23 29! 34 x 23 24 30
35 x 13 9 x 49 B+.

In this position tenfold world champion Tsjizjow

attacks his opponents left wing. His attack
appears to be unstoppable.
1 27 - 32!
2.43 - 39 32 x 41
3.36 x 47 26 - 31
4.29 24 31 - 36
5.39 - 34 28 - 32
6.34 - 29 32 - 37
7.29 - 23 37 - 41
8.23 18 9 - 13!
9.18 x 20 41 - 46
10.47 - 41 46 x 30!
11.25 x 34 36 41

2.34 29 18 22!
3.29 x 20 14 x 25
Blacks plan is quite simple. He wants to bring a
piece to square 12, to be able to change 22 27
32 x 21 17 x 26 and piece 26 will break through
with a little help from the other pieces.
We will show this plan:
4.39 34 19 24

Because 12.20 14 is answered by 41 46

13.15 10 4 x 15 14.14 9 46 14! 15.9 x 20
15 x 24 with opposition, white surrendered.

Patience is needed. If black hurries 4 3 8?

white has a shot: 5.32 27! 22 x 31 6.28 22
17 x 48 7.45 40 48 x 30 8.35 x 2 =. The = sign means it will be a draw.
The 19 24 move threatens 25 30 34 x 25 24
29 33 x 24 22 x 44 so the next move is forced.
5.34 29 3 8!
6.29 x 20 25 x 14
7.45 40 8 12
8.40 34 22 27
9.32 x 21 17 x 26
10.38 32
Now an immediate 26 31 is punished by 32
27 31 x 22 28 x 8, so black has to get some
reinforcement (help).

Sometimes a sacrifice helps to create a way to

king. In this case piece 24 is attacked very
quickly by the sacrifice:

10 12 17!

56

1.27 22!! 18 x 38
2.42 x 33
White will get a breakthrough at the right wing.

1.39 34!
If black plays 24 29 2.33 x 24 19 x 39 3.28 x
19 13 x 24 white replies 4.38 33! 39 x 28 5.32
x 14 +.
Whites pieces work together perfectly. All his
pieces are making contact with each other. This
is good. White attacks piece 24. If he plays 34
29 23 x 34 40 x 20 black can win back the lost
piece with 19 23 28 x 19 13 x 15 =.
White can prepare the attack with a very strong
move.

You have to consider if black can sacrifice a

piece before playing 24 29. In this case both
16 21 and 26 31 fail.
1 26 31 2.27 x 36!
24 29 is still not possible. White wins.

1.31 27!
Now black has difficulties finding a move! He
cant play 8 12 because white wins a piece
with 34 29. If black plays 1 11 17 the
attack with 34 29 23 x 34 40 x 20 is winning
now, because after 19 23 28 x 19 13 x 15
white plays 27 21! 16 x 27 32 x 23 +.
So black has to play 2 7 or 3 -9. In both cases
34 29 is winning.
1 2 7
2.34 29! 23 x 34
3.40 x 20 19 23
4.28 x 19 13 x 15
5.37 31! 26 x 28
6.33 x 2

1.48 43!
White wants to attack piece 24. He threatens 34
29.

White waited to make the attack until blacks

position was weakened and was rewarded for
his patience.

1 10 15
2.34 29 23 x 34
3.40 x 20 15 x 24
4.39 34

(Diagram)
Black cant stop the next attack playing 18 23
because of 33 29 etc. nor can he play 19 23
because of a coup Philippe: 27 22 18 x 27 32
x 21 16 x 27 33 29 24 x 33 38 x 16.
That means that white plays 34 29 at the next
move winning a piece after 24 30 35 x 24 19 x
30 29 23 18 x 29 33 x 35.

It seems that white cant play 39 34 here,

because of 24 29. But you have to see what
happens next:

57

Scholma composed this example of a double

sacrifice to get a winning attack at 24.
1.28 22!
2.39 34
3.34 29
4.29 x 9

If white attacks immediately 1.30 25? black

plays the stick move 12 17 with a draw.
White won the game making a surprising
sacrifice:

18 x 36
12 18
8 13
13 x 4

1.22 18!! 12 x 23
2.30 25!

There as no other defense for black, but now

white takes a nice shot.

What to do now? Black is obliged to move! After

2 24 29 3.33 x 15 white is winning.

5.47 42! 36 x 29
6.30 24 choice
7.25 x 1

White forces a nice shot attacking piece 21:

1.28 22! 9 13
2.37 31! 21 26
3.33 29 26 x 17
4.27 21 23 x 45
5.21 x 5

In this example white attacks blacks right wing.

Piece 21 is isolated from the rest of blacks
pieces.
1.37 31!

Examples: At every position you

have to look for the best attacking
moves! Dont forget to consider
sacrifices and shots making your
plans!

Black cant prevent the threat 31 26. 1 21

26 is answered by 2.33 29! 24 x 22 3.27 x 9 26
x 28 4.9 3 8 13 5.3 9! etc. W+. Black also
cant use the sacrifice 1 24 29 2.33 x 24 21 26 to attack piece 31, for white has the answer
3.27 22! 26 x 37 4.32 x 41 23 x 32 5.27 22
18 x 27 6.24 x 2 and white wins the endgame.

58

16.1

16.5

16.2

16.6

16.3

16.7

16.4

16.8

59

2.27 22! 18 x 27
3.33 29

17. The sacrifice

Giving your opponent a piece is sometimes very
smart as we have seen at several occasions.
After giving your opponent a piece you can
sometimes attack successfully.

No stick moves or shots available for black.

3. 13 18
4.29 24 19 x 30
5.28 x 10
White won the endgame.

In this game position white makes a sacrifice

followed by an attack. The strong piece at 24 is
removed to be able to attack 23.
1.35 30! 24 x 35
2.33 29

White attacks the vulnerable piece at 19 making

a sacrifice followed by an attack.

Of course this is a dangerous situation. You

have to check carefully if black has a stick-move
or a shot. In this case black has to close square
18.

1.28 22! 17 x 28
2.38 33
Even the possible stick move is losing for black:

2 12 18
3.29 24 19 x 30
4.28 x 10

2 26 31
3.33 x 13 31 x 42
4.32 28!!

Dussaut De Heer 1886

White removes piece 24 in order to attack the

vulnerable piece at 19.

A famous game in which the French player

Dussaut made a double sacrifice. His sacrifice is
still called the Dussaut sacrifice. Note that the
first example was also a Dussaut sacrifice.

1.25 20! 24 x 15
2.35 30!
Threatens to play 30 24, which is also played
also after 15 20.

1.35 30! 24 x 35

60

Black has no choice but to give back the piece.

However, this gives white a very strong position.

Black has to give back at least two pieces and

loses.

2 23 29
3.33 x 24 9 14
4.38 33! 14 20
5.33 29 20 25
6.39 34
Black has no good moves left. 12 - 17 is met by
28 22 +.

This position has emerged in many games.

The way to attack piece 24 is something to
remember!
1.37 31!! 26 x 37
2.32 x 41 23 x 21
3.34 29
In this case the purpose of the sacrifice is to
break through to the kings row.

White sacrificed two pieces for a winning attack.

1.37 31! 26 x 37
2.32 x 41 23 x 32
3.22 18!
White wants to play 18 13 8 -12 13 9. There
is not much black can do about this

This position is composed by the former Dutch

world champion Piet Roozenburg. The sacrifice
is not followed by an attack here, but by a
double threat.
1.16 11! 7 x 16
2.26 21!
Both players possess the strong squares 27 and
28, for black 23 and 24. This type of position is
called a classical position. In classical games
sacrifices play an important role. Because piece
24 is so strong it is often removed by a
sacrifice, like in this example.

White threatens to take the shot a shot at 3 or 5:

33 28 23 x 32 27 x 38 16 x 27 38 32 27 x 38
39 33 38 x 29 34 x 3 + or 34 x 5 +.
2 18 22 2.27 x 29 16 x 27 is met by 3.29
23 19 x 28 4.33 x 31 +.
Black is without defense.

1.35 30! 24 x 35
2.45 40 35 x 44
3.39 x 50

61

White played

This is a beautiful composition by Dutch

grandmaster A. Scholma in which a triple
sacrifice gives white the opportunity to make a
nice shot.

1.32 28! 22 27
2.28 22 27 x 18
3.33 28

1.28 22 17 x 28
2.27 21 26 x 17
3.35 30!! 24 x 35

Leaving his opponent with no sensible move.

3 14 19 is answered by 4.32 28 18 x 20
5.25 x 3 +

An immediate 3.38 33? is punished by 3 9!

4.33 x 22 24 30 5.35 x 13 9 x 49
4.38 33 18 22
5.45 40! 35 x 44
6.32 27 22 x 42
6.33 x 13 44 x 33
7.47 x 7

White seems to be in trouble. Both 24 20 and

32 28 22 x 33 29 x 38 lose because of 13
19. In the game white lost playing 1.25 20? 14
x 25 2.23 19 13 18 and white doesnt have a
break through because 3.19 13 is punished by
22 27 4.13 x 31 36 x 38 B+.
White should have destroyed blacks strong
formation 4/9/13/14.
This sacrifice composed by Scholma is very
surprising:

1.15 10!!

1.25 20 24 x 15

Two possibilities:
1) 1 14 x 5 2.23 19! 13 18 3.29 23
18 x 20 4.25 x 3 +
2) 1 4 x 15 2.32 28! 22 x 33 3.29 x 38
26 31 4.38 32 and black can only
give away a lot of pieces.

At 1 14 x 25 2.38 32 etc. wins.

2.37 32!!
Quite shocking. Black gets a king and some
pieces for free, but after this white plays 30 25
48 x 30 35 x 4 There is no solution for black.

62

17.1

17.5

17.2

17.6

17.3

17.7

17.4

17.8

63

squares 37 and 39. But even then white cant

avoid a shot from black.

18. Strong threats

Lets play from the beginning position:

2.41 37 13 18!

1.33 28 18 23
2.39 33 12 18
3.44 39 7 12
4.31 27 1 7
5.37 31 20 25?

So if white plays 31 27 black makes the Arch

shot with 24 30! 35 x 22 14 20 28 x 19 17 x
50 +.
3.44 39 24 30!
There was one gap left: square 38.
4.35 x 22 23 29
5.33 x 24 14 19
6.24 x 13 9 x 49

Blacks last move, putting a piece at the edge of

the board, was a serious mistake. White can
face his opponent with a strong threat.
6.27 22! 18 x 27
7.31 x 22
Do you remember that the piece at 36 can often
be used for shots? In this case white faces his
opponent with a threat. If black avoids the threat
white has a nice shot.

White is threatening to play 22 18 13 x 22 34

30 25 x 34 40 x 27 W+1.
There is nothing black can do against this threat!

1.39 33!
White threatens 33 29. For example: 1 7
11 2.33 29 11 16 3.27 22! etc. +
1 23 29 costs a piece, so there is only one
reply left to avoid 33 29 to be played.
1 20 24
2.47 41! 36 x 47
3.33 29!! 47 x 30
4.29 x 9 13 x 4
5.35 x 2
Look at the gaps in whites position! Black to
move has to look for a way to take advantage of
these weaknesses.

A very nice shot: Six pieces are fed to the king!

1 18 23!!

Too many gaps make your

position dangerous because of
enemy shots

Blacks plan is to play 13 18 at the next move,

threatening both with the arch shot 24 30 and
24 29. For this reason white has to close

64

Black threatens to force a king at 50. For

example: 2.37 31 15 20!! And white has no
sensible reply against the threat 29 33! 38 x 29
24 x 33 39 x 28 25 30 35 x 15 14 20 15 x 24
19 x 50 28 x 19 13 x 24 B+.
If white plays 2.34 30 25 x 34 3.39 x 30 15
20! Black threatens both 29 33 and 29 34.
White cant stop both threats.

Hoogland - Molimard
This game was played during the World
Championships of 1912. White made a wrong
exchange:
1.27 21? 16 x 27
2.32 x 21 23 x 32
3.37 x 28
1.30 24!!

Black took the opportunity to face his opponent

with a strong threat:
3 18 22!

Threatening 24 19, so black cant refuse to

take a 1 to 4 king shot.

Black threatens to win a piece with 24 29 etc.

If white replies 4.40 34 black wins by the
Haarlem shot 24 29! 5.34 x 23 22 27 6.21 x
32 17 22 7.28 x 17 19 x 46 +.
White became victim of an even more
devastating combination.

1 13 19
2.24 x 13 8 x 48
3.29 23 18 x 29
4.38 32 27 x 38
5.42 x 24 48 x 31
6.36 x 7

4.39 34
5.21 x 32
6.28 x 17
7.26 x 17
8.35 x 24

22 27!
17 22
12 x 21
24 30
19 x 46

33 29!!
Sijbrands surprised his opponent during a
blindfold game. Black cant make the 12 17 29
x 7 or 11 17 29 x 7 8 12 shot because of the
contra shot 27 22 17 x 28 32 x 5.
At 12 18 white makes the shot playing 29 24
20 x 29* 27 22 18 x 27 32 x21 etc. W+

Thijssen Tsjizjow
1. 20 24!

65

 A silent move is a move that

doesnt face the opponent with a
threat, but still gives a shot at every
possible reply.

1.31 26! 1 7
2.37 - 31
Black can play 7 11 or 7 12 but both moves
are punished by 33 28 23 x 32 31 27 32 x 21
26 x 6 or 26 x 8.

This position is from a game between two young

Dutch players. White (Rutger Oskam) was
considering what black can play at his next
move. White has built a position that makes both
20 24 and 19 - 24 impossible because of the
Coup Philippe 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27
33 29 24 x 33 38 x 9 (or 38 x 7) +.
Black also cannot play 12 17 because of 27
21 16 x 27 32 x 3 +.
The only move black has left is 6 11. So white
tried to find a move to be able to make a shot
after 6 11.

Whites pieces work together in a better way

than blacks pieces. White can prove this with a
silent move.
1.28 23!!
Black can reply in three ways:
1) 1 8 13 2.23 19 14 x 34 3.39 x 17
2) 1.. 18 22 2.23 18 12 x 34 3.39 x 10
3) 1 24 30 2.29 24 30 x 28 3.33 x 2

1.48 43!!
Very well played! Notice that white doesnt face
his opponent with a threat at all, but still he can
make a shot at every sensible reply.
At 6 11 white plays 32 28! 23 x 21 26 x 6. So
there is no good move left for black

1.33 29!!
There is no threat but black has only one reply
after which white takes a shot by giving his
opponent a king followed by a stick move.
1 14 19
2.29 23! 19 x 48
3.26 21 49 x 19
4.21 x 3

A small position with a charming solution.

Usually it is good to move your pieces towards
the centre, but here white should play the
opposite way.

Ex.18.1 18.8: Look for a strong threat!

Ex.18.9 18.16: Look for a winning silent move!

66

18.1
Look for a strong threat!

18.5

18.2

18.6

18.3

18.7

18.4

18.8

67

18.9
Look for a winning silent move!

18.13

18.10

18.14

18.11

18.15

18.12

18.16

68

19. Base pieces

Wiersma Sijbrands
1.49 44?

Pieces 46 50 are whites base pieces. Blacks

base pieces are 1 5.
Usually base pieces are only played when there
is a good reason for it. Piece 46 is considered
the least valuable base piece. It is often brought
into play early in the game. Piece 48 is
considered the most valuable piece, it is called
the golden piece.

Black plays an attack having an outpost at 27. In

this case it is dangerous to play without basic
piece 49. Without formation 38/43/49 white cant
change the outpost anymore. Moreover his
opponent can take advantage of the open
square 49 by threatening to take king shots.
1 14 19!
Black threatens to play 27 32! Looking for
shots it makes sense to look at sacrificing the
most advanced pieces first. The 27 32 move
removes piece 38 opening tracks to king.
Lets consider whites forbidden moves:
1) 2.37 32 23 28! 3.32 x 14 27 32
4.38 x 27 13 19 5.14 x 23 18 x 49 6.27
x 18 47 x 29 +
2) 2.34 29 23 x 34 3.39 x 30 17 21 4.26
x 28 27 32 5.38 x 27 15 20 6.25 x 23
18 x 40 +
3) 2.34 30 19 24! 3.30 x 28 27 32
4.38 x 27 15 20 5.25 x 14 13 19 6.14
x 23 18 x 40 7.27 x 18 12 x 32 8.37 x 28
17 21 9.26 x 17 11 x 44
4) 2.44 40 27 32 3.38 x 27 (37 x 28 23
x 32 38 x 27 15 20 B+) 23 29 4.34 x
14 13 19 5.14 x 23 18 x 49 6.27 x 18
49 x 35 +

We see a nearly symmetrical classical position.

There is only one difference between both
positions. White has the golden piece, black has
a weak piece at 15. Because black misses the
golden piece, piece 9 is weak. It is a dangling
piece. Both 9 and 15 are not active.
White uses the formation 37/42/48 to take
control over the left wing. Black will be without
good moves soon.
1.37 31 26 x 37
2.42 x 31 6 11
3.31 26 11 - 17
4.48 42 23 29
5.42 37

Moves like 2.33 28 or 2.33 29 are not

attractive at all. White decided to make the
exchange 2.25 20 15 x 24 3.33 28 22 x
33 4.38 x 20. Black got a great attacking
position and won the game (4 4 10! 5.31
x 22 18 x 27 6.43 38 [6.20 15 19 24
7.15 x 4 24 29 8.4 x 31 29 x 47 B+1] 10
15 7.39 33 15 x 24 8.33 29 24 x 33 9.38
x 9 3 x 14 10.42 38 17 22 with
advantage for black).

Its over already. Both 5 18 23 and 5 1520 are met by 6.35 30 etc. +

69

29.40 x 29 3 - 8
30.29 23! 18 x 29
31.38 33 29 x 38
32.43 x 21 11 - 16
33.49 43! 16 x 27
34.43 - 38 19 - 23
35.37 - 32 13 18
36.32 x 21 8 - 12
37.31 - 27 22 x 31
38.36 x 27 23 29
38 12 17 39.21 x12 18 x 7 40.26 21 etc.
wont stop the break through at the left wing
either.

Valneris - Hezemans
To give you an idea how this position was
reached we show the opening moves of the
game:

39.38 - 32
Black surrendered.

1.32-28
3.37x28
5.39-33
7.50-44
9.31-26
11.29-24
13.35x24
15.24x13

18-23
2.33-29 23x32
17-22
4.28x17 11x22
12-18
6.44-39 19-23
14-19
8.41-37 16-21
21-27 10.46-41 07-11
20x29 12.33x24 19x30
10-14 14.37-31 13-19
08x19 16.41-37 09-13

The situation is quite different from the former

example. Blacks attack is not so strong. White
has built the right formations to neutralize the
attack. He attacks the outpost and removes
centre piece 23 changing 34 29 x 29.
After having removed blacks outpost white
ultimately breaks through at the left wing.
Of course white couldnt do this without piece
49! Watch how white performs his plan
successfully.

Piece 47 can be a very strong defender,

especially in classical positions. Thanks to piece
47 white can force a beautiful win.
1.42 38 12 17
2.28 22! 17 x 28
3.38 33!

17.37 32! 11 - 16
18.32 x 21 16 x 27
19.42 - 37 6 - 11
20.37 - 32 11 - 16
21.32 x 21 16 x 27
22.47 - 42 2 7

Black has no good defense. After 3 26 31

4.37 x 17 28 x 37 5.39 34 black has run out of
moves

Black cant defend the outpost playing 23 28

because after 23.42 37 18 23 24.34 29! 23
x 34 25.40 x 29 (threatening 29 23) black
loses a piece.
23.42 - 37 7 - 11
24.37 - 32 11 - 16
25.32 x 21 16 x 27
26.48 - 42 1 - 7
27.42 - 37 7 - 11
28.34 29! 23 x 34

70

White has two strong base pieces in this

classical position. Which piece to play? There is
no general rule which piece to play. You can
only know by investigating the position. So lets
look at both possibilities.
1.48 43 looks nice after 1 12 17? 2.43
39 but black can play 1 23 29 2.34 x 23 18 x
29 gaining space. White should not allow this if
he wants to win.
Piece 47 usually goes to 41 in such positions.
This is logical, because now you can play 2
more moves at this wing (41 36 & 36 31)
while after 47 42 the piece is dangling. In this
case 47 41 has another benefit. Blacks natural
move 12 17 can be answered by a shot!

The piece at 45 is stopped by piece 50. You

would expect white never to be able to play
piece 50. In this endgame (composed by V.
Nicod) black loses because of some tricks.
Black can try to break through in 2 ways:
1) 1 18 23 2.29 x 18 19 24 3.18 12
(going to 3 wins too) 24 30 4.12 7 30
34 5.7 1 34 39 6.50 44! 39 x 50
7.1 6 +
2) 1 19 23 2.28 x 19 18 22 3.19 14
22 27 4.14 10 27 32 5.10 5 32
38 6.50 44!! A brilliant move! White
threatens to play 44 40 + while 6 45
- 50 7.29 23! also loses.

1.47 41!!
After 1 12 17 blacks position is annihilated
by 2.34 29! 23 x 25 3.28 23 19 x 39 4.38
33 39 x 28 5.32 x 3 21 x 32 6.3 x 19 +.
1 23 29
2.34 x 23 18 x 29
3.41 36!!
An excellent, patient move. White prepares ideal
conditions for the endgame that is reached after
28 23.

Galkin

3 12 18
4.28 23! 19 x 39
5.30 x 10

This is a famous composition. White forces a

win in a very special way:
1.34 30! 35 x 24
2.50 44!!

Black cant play 39 44 now because of the

shot 6.37 31! 26 x 28 7.10 5 21 x 43 8.5 x 3
+. After 5 29 33 6.38 x 29 39 44 white
takes the shot 7.29 23 18 x 29 8.37 31 26 x
28 9.10 4 21 x 32 10.4 x 3 +.
After sacrificing 2 pieces by 26 31 6.37 x 17 39
44 7.10 4 white has a won endgame.

Black cant go to king: 45 50 32 27 50 x 31

36 x 7. White is threatening both 44 40 45 x 34
32 27 21 x 32 43 38 32 x 43 48 x 10 + and
44 40 45 x 34 32 28 23 x 32 43 39 34 x 43
49 x 7. At 18 22 white can take the shot 3.44
40 45 x 34 4.32 27 21 x 32 5.43 39 34 x 43
6.49 x 9 + and 17 22 is answered by 3.44 40
45 x 34 4.32 28 22 x 33 5.43 39 33 x 44 6.49
x 9.
Black has no good way to sacrifice either, so he
loses.

In the exercises you have to select the best of

the two moves.

Black to move

71

19.1 46 41 / 47 - 41

19.5 47 42 / 48 - 42

19.2 50 44 / 49 - 44

19.6 47 41 / 47 - 42

19.3 50 44 / 49 44

19.7 46 41 / 47 - 41

19.4 48 43 / 49 43

19.8 47 41 / 48 - 42

72

Black goes to 44 with the intention of getting a

king. White however takes advantage of the
gaps in blacks position, especially the gap at 13.

20. Trapping your opponent

6.40 34! 29 x 40
7.45 x 34
Going to king with 44 50 loses because of
8.49 44 50 x 30 9.35 x 2 +. Its better to
sacrifice a piece with 9 13 39x30 etc. to
remain in the game.

In this position white wants to trap his opponent.

1.33 - 29?!
De ?! - sign means white is speculating for his
opponent will play a move that looks good but
which is actually a mistake. In this case it looks
as if black can force a win by 19 24. If white
closes the gap with 39 33 black wins a piece
by 22 28 33 x 22 24 x 42 47 x 38 12 17 B+1.
But white has prepared a trap.

1.49 44?!
White offered her opponent a king shot. In the
game black calculated the king shot accurately
and didnt take the shot. This is the calculation
black made:

1 19 24? 2.34 - 30!!

The surprise. Black has to take 4 pieces with
piece 23.

1 24 30
2.35 x 24 19 x 30
3.25 x 34 23 28
4.33 x 22 17 x 28
5.32 x 23 18 x 49
6.38 33! 49 x 21
7.26 x 10

2 23 x 21 3.30 x 6

Black played 1 2 - 8 and got a good position.

1.44 39?!
White is provoking a trap shot.
1 16 21?
2.27 x 16 6 11
3.16 x 7 23 29
4.34 x 23 18 x 29
5.7 x 18 13 x 44

1.39 34?!

73

White plays a snare: a move trying to seduce

your opponent to take a shot after which you
have a shot yourself.
1 22 27?
2.32 x 21! 16 x 27
3.31 x 22 17 x 30
4.29 - 23 18 x 29
5.40 34 30 x 39
6.43 x 5
th

th

There were choices for black at the 4 and 5

move. Check by yourself that other captures will
also result in a king shot for white.

1.35 30?!
Can black resist the temptation to take a Kung
Fu shot? By taking this shot piece 13 is
removed. White will use this gap to make a king
shot.
1 14 20?
2.25 x 14 19 x 10
3.28 x 19 13 x 35
4.37 31! 26 x 28
5.27 21 16 x 27
6.38 32 27 x 38
7.42 x 2

1.39 34?!

The white king costs a piece but after 11 16

8.2 8 8 13 9.8 13 white wins a piece and
will finish the game easily.

It seems that white has made a mistake. Black

can take a Harlem shot! But white calculated
deeper.

It is extremely dangerous to have

a gap at square 38 (13)

1 23 29?
2.34 x 23 17 22
3.28 x 17 19 x 26
4.33 28!! 11 x 33
5.38 x 7
White has to watch out for other shots too. If
black plays the Bomb Shot 1 24 30 2.35 x
24 19 x 39 3.28 x 10 39 x 26 4.10 5 white has
a king for 2 pieces.
If the piece at 6 was at square 1 in this position
white would not be possible to play 1.39 34
because of the shot 17 22! 2.28 x 6 24 30
3.35 x 24 19 x 26 B+2.
If you want to trap your opponent always watch
out you arent trapped yourself (like in the case
blacks piece 6 was at 1)!

White to move seems to have a major problem.

What to do against the threatening 18 23 after
38 32 followed by 24 29 etc. White finds a
shot to solve the problem!
1.48 43?! 18 23?
2.35 30! 23 x 21

74

3.34 29 25 x 23
4.33 28 23 x 32
5.38 x 9 17 x 28
6. 9 3

White saw his opponent was threatening 4 10

15 x 4 21 26 4 x 22 26 x 17. White spotted a
trap shot to reply to this shot.
1.43 38?! 4 10?
2.15 x 4 21 26
3.4 x 22 26 x 17
4.44 40! 35 x 44
5.27 22 17 x 28
6.33 x 22 44 x 33
7.38 x 9 30 x 39
8.9 4

White played 1.46 41?! provoking an arch

shot.
1 24 29?
2.33 x 22 12 17
3.28 x 19 17 x 46
4.19 13! 9 x 18
5.30 24 20 x 29
6.42 37 46 x 40
7.45 x 1

1.29 24?! 23 29?

White prepared a shot with a familiar theme: He
gives his opponent a king and works with a stick
move to open the position.

Blacks trap is ready. White wanted to change 27

22 18 x 27 31 x 22 17 x 28 32 x 23 but was
shocked by blacks 17 x 28 capture
1.27 22
2.32 x 3
3.24 x 4
4.3 x 20
5.38 x 29
6.4 x 27
7.36 x 47

2.37 31! 26 x 48
3.25 20 48 x 19
4.20 x 9 13 x 4
5.33 x 11

17 x 28!
13 19
11 17
15 x 33
17 22
21 x 41
26 x 50

The nice thing about this combination is that

white doesnt take a shot with the stick move
immediately, but opens the position for a shot to
come!

75

20.1 39 34?! 24 30?

20.5 33 28?! 21 26?

20.2 30 24?! 14 -19?

20.6 37 32?! 24 29? 33 x 24 22 - 28

20.3 34 30?! 14 20 x 10?

20.7 38 33?! 23 29?

20.4 33 28?! 25 30?

20.8 29 24?! 25 30?

76

F 12.7 28 22 12 18 (11 17 22 x 11 6 x 17
27 21 16 x 27 31 x 11 7 x 16 34 30 25 x 34
40 x 7 1 x 12 W+1) 27 21 26 x 28 34 30 25 x
34 40 x 29 23 x 34 32 x 25

Solutions lessons 11 - 20
Lesson 11: Other shots
C 11.1 34 29 23 x 34 28 22! (28 23 etc. will
result in a draw) 17 x 39 37 31 26 x 28 49 44
21 x 43 44 x 13 19 x 8 48 x 10 (Coup Raphael)

F 12.8 27 22 24 29 (7 11 22 18 13 x 33
38 x 16 +) 22 x 2 29 x 49 32 27 23 x 34 2 16
49 x 21 16 x 17

C 11.2 27 22 18 x 27 33 29 24 x 22 35 30
25 x 34 40 x 7 (Coup Raichenbach)

Lesson 13: The free move

C 13.1 42 37 25 x 32 37 x 6

C 11.3 37 31 26 x 37 32 x 41 23 x 21 33 29
24 x 33 49 43 35 x 24 43 38 33 x 42 41 37
42 x 31 36 x 29 (Coup Deslauriers)

C 13.2 39 33 25 x 34 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21
16 x 27 33 29 24 x 33 38 x 9 (or 38 x 7)

C 11.4 32 27 22 x 31 41 37 31 x 42 29 24
20 x 29 33 x 24 41 x 33 39 x 10 (Trap shot)

C 13.3 31 26 25 x 34 40 x 20 15 x 24 32 27
23 x 21 26 x 6

C 11.5 28 22 17 x 28 37 32 28 x 37 38 32
37 x 28 47 41 26 x 37 41 x 5 (Catapult shot)

C 13.4 33 29 26 x 37 32 x 41 23 x 21 29 24
20 x 29 34 x 5

C 11.6 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 23 x 41 21 17
11 x 22 (or 12 x 21) 42 37 41 x 32 38 x 7
(Coup Springer)

C 13.5 31 26 29 x 49 28 22 17 x 28 32 x 14
49 x 21 26 x 30
C 13.6 26 21 22 x 31 32 28 choice 30 25
choice 25 x 3

C 11.7 30 24 19 x 39 28 x 10 15 x 4 43 x 23
18 x 29 27 21 16 x 27 32 x 21 26 x 17 38 33
29 x 38 37 32 38 x 27 31 x 2 (Coup Ricou)

C 13.7 30 25 20 24 25 20 24 30 43 38
15 x 24 33 29 24 x 31 36 x 7 18 22 39 34!
30 x 39 7 2 13 18 2 7

C 11.8 47 41 45 x 1 22 18 1 x 22 28 x 6 19
23 6 1 23 28 1 29 28 32 29 42 etc. +

C 13.8 23 18 22 27 37 31 27 x 29 31 26
13 x 22 30 214 29 x 20 25 x 12 17 x 8 26 x 28
+

Lesson 12: Forcing

F 12.1 33 28 14 19 28 22 17 x 28 34 29
23 x 43 32 x 1 43 x 41 36 x47

Lesson 14: The stick move:

F 12.2 32 28 11 17 34 30 24 x 35 28 23
18 x 29 33 x 4

C 14.1 38 32 27 x 29 26 21 22 x 44 21 x 34
44 49 34 30 25 x 34 50 44 49 x 40 35 x 44

F 12.3 34 30 13 19 40 34 29 x 40 35 x 44
24 x 35 44 40 35 x 44 43 39 44 x 33 42 37
31 x 42 47 x 7

C 14.2 39 33 28 x 30 35 x 13 36 x 47 38 32
47 x 8 32 x 3
C 14.3 23 18 12 x 32 22 18 35 x 33 18 x 27

F 12.4 32 27 12 18 37 32 26 x 28 39 33
28 x 30 35 x 4 22 x 31 4 x 22 11 17 22 x 11 6
x 17 36 x 27

C 14.4 39 34 29 x 49 25 20 49 x 12 20 x 7
(missed opportunity in Georgiev G. Jansen
Wch 2005)

F 12.5 37 31 21 26 32 28 26 x 37 27 22
18 x 27 28 22 27 x 18 38 32 37 x 28 33 x 4

C 14.5 37 32 28 x 30 40 34 26 x 28 34 x 32

F 12.6 34 29 23 x 34 39 x 30 20 25 28 23
19 x 50 30 x 17 11 x 22 38 33 50 x 28 32 x 1

C 14.6 47 41 20 x 40 38 - 32 47 x 29 32 x 45
C 14.7 23 19 28 x 48 24 20 48 x 13 20 x 7

77

C 14.8 29 24 30 x 19 37 32 27 x 29 26 21
22 x 35 21 x 34

C 15.16 37 31 26 x 48 47 41 36 x 47 38 33
47 x 29 28 23 19 x 28 30 x 10 4 x 15 39 34
48 x 30 35 x 4

Lesson 15: Giving your opponent a king

Lesson 16: Attacking a wing

C 15.1 38 33 29 x 38 49 44 38 x 49 37 31
28 x 37 31 x 42 49 x 21 26 x 10

16.1 32 28 23 x 21 30 25
C 15.2 38 32 27 x 49 39 33 49 x 35 34 30
35 x 24 29 x 7

16.2 19 13 9 x 18 21 - 16

C 15.3 30 24 36 31 27 x 36 26 21 17 x 26
47 41 36 x 47 43 39 47 x 33 39 x 6

16.3 32 28 23 x 32 37 x 28 26 x 37 41 x 32
and black cant resist the threat 28 23.

C 15.4 26 21 17 x 26 47 41 36 x 47 37 31
26 x 37 38 32 37 x 28 48 42 47 x 38 43 x 5

16.4 34 30 3 9 30 x 19 9 14 39 34 14 x
23 33 28 23 x 41 36 x 47 26 x 30 35 x 4 +

C 15.5 30 24 19 x 30 36 31 27 x 36 37 32
28 x 37 38 32 37 x 28 47 41 36 x 47 39 34
47 x 40 45 x 32

16.5 31 - 26 24 29 (23 29 26 x 17 29 x 38 28
23 19 x 37 43 x 41 followed by a 27 21 16 x
27 17 11 break through) 26 x 17 29 x 38 17
11 16 x 7 27 21 38 x 16 30 25 23 x 32 25 x 1

C 15.6 29 24 19 x 30 38 32 27 x 47 40 35
47 x 40 35 x 24 20 x 29 45 x 3 (coup Manoury)

16.6 37 31 21 26 27 22

C 15.7 26 21 16 x 27 32 x 21 17 x 26 33 28
23 x 32 37 x 28 26 x 46 29 23 18 x 29 34 x 5
46 x 19 5 x 46

16.7 34 - 29 23 x 34 40 x 20 10 15 28 22 17
x 39 27 21 15 x 24 21 17 12 x 21 38 33 39
x 28 32 x 1

C 15.8 27 21 17 x 26 30 24 19 x 30 25 20
15 x 33 39 x 17 30 x 50 42 38 11 x 22 38 33
50 x 28 37 31 26 x 37 41 x 1

16.8 32 28 23 x 32 38 x 27 22 x 31 33 29
and 30 24 at the next move breaking through
in the end.

C 15.9 33 28 26 x 46 30 24 19 x 30 28 x 19
13 x 44 40 x 49 46 x 40 35 x 24 20 x 29 45 x 1
(coup Manoury)

Lesson 17: The sacrifice

17.1 25 20 24 x 15 33 - 29
17.2 27 22 18 x 27 39 33

C 15.10 38 32 27 x 38 28 22 17 x 28 49 43
38 x 49 37 32 49 x 19 32 x 5

17.3 37 31 26 x 37 32 x 41 23 x 21 34 29 14
-20 29 23 19 x 28 33 x 2

C 15.11 38 32 27 x 38 28 22 17 x 28 36 31
26 x 37 49 43 38 x 49 46 41 49 x 19 41 x 5

17.4 26 21 17 x 26 28 22

C 15.12 38 33 29 x 49 30 24 19 x 30 28 x 19
13 x 24 37 31 26 x 28 45 40 21 x 32 48 43
49 x 38 42 x 2 (with the lethal threat 40 34 +)

17.5 26 21 17 x 26 28 22 11 17 22 x 11 16
x 7 27 21 26 x 17 38 33 29 x 27 31 x 2
(Scholma)

C 15.13 27 22 18 x 27 33 29 24 x 33 38 x
20 27 x 47 20 14 19 x 10 30 24 47 x 20 25 x
5

17.6 34 30 35 x 44 (35 x 24 33 28 +)
39 x 50 25 x 34 45 40 34 x 45 33 28

C 15.14 47 41 36 x 47 40 35 47 x 29 39 33
29 x 22 28 x 19 24 x 13 35 x 4 (semi Turc)

17.7 27 22 18 x 27 33 29 23 28 37 31 26
x 37 42 x 33

C 15.15 26 21 17 x 37 48 42 37 x 48 33 29
24 x 42 43 38 42 33 39 x 6 48 x 30 35 x 11

17.8 32 27 22 x 31 30 25 11 17 25 x 14 19
x 10 42 38 31 x 33 39 x 8 12 x 3 47 42 36 x
40 45 x 1

78

18.16 32 27 22 x 31 36 x 27 12 17 (9 14
27 22 18 x 27 24 20 15 x 24 29 x 7) 37 31
26 x 48 27 21 48 x 19 21 x 12

Lesson 18: A strong threat

18.1 32 27 threatening 27 22

Lesson 19: Base pieces

18.2 32 27 22 x 31 36 x 27

19.1 47 41! to be able to change 32 28 23 x

32 7 x 28 26 x 37 41 x 32.

18. 3 39 - 33 threatening both 29 23 18 x 29

33 x 35 and 27 21 16 x 27 33 28 22 x 24 31
x2

19.2 50 44! 49 44? Would allow 14 19! 40

35? 19 x 30 35 x 24 18 22 B+

18.4 34 29 23 x 34 40 x 29 threatening 29 23
(also possible after 17 21)

19.3 49 44! At 50 44 black takes the shot 19

23 28 x 30 25 x 34 39 x 30 17 x 50 +

18.5 34 29 23 x 34 39 x 30 (threatening 30
25) 20 25 28 23 19 x 39 30 x 17 21 x 12 43 x
34

19.4 48 43! White should have the formation

38/43/49
19.5 48 42! 22 x 31 36 x 27 24 29 (12 17
gives a 27 21 16 x 27 32 x 12 18 x 7 33 29
24 x 33 38 x 18 13 x 22 27 31 26 x 48 30 25
48 x 30 35 x 4 +) 33 x 24 9 14 24 20! 14 x 25
38 33 (after having played 47 42 this move
would be impossible! Because of 23 28 etc.) 9
3 9 33 29! With a good position for white.

18.6 38 33 threatening 27 21 etc. and

because 10 14 loses a piece there is no good
defense for black.
18.7 30 24 20 x 29 33 x 24 19 x 30 35 x 24
(threatening 24 19 32 27) 14 20 (14 19
40 35 19 x 30 35 x 24 with the same threat) 39
34 20 x 29 32 27 21 x 32 37 x 19 13 x 24 34
x 21

19.6 47 42! prevents 16 21 18 22 because

of 43 38. After 47 42 white has a winning
position.

18.8 44 39 threatening 47 41 36 x 47 39
33 etc.

19.7 46 41! In such situations you should

simply centralize pieces.

18.9 32 27 9 13/14 27 22 18 x 27 33 29
+

19.8 47 41 gives white the opportunity to

remove piece 28 by 37 32 x 32.

18.10 48 43! (48 42? 28 32! 27 x 38 22

28 =) 28 33 43 38 m33 x 42 31 26 22 x 31
26 x 48

Lesson 20: Trapping your opponent

20.1 39 34?! 24 30? 35 x 24 19 x 39 28 x 8
39 x 28 32 x 23 21 x 41 23 18! 2 x 22 42 37
41 x 32 38 x 7

18.11 39 34 18 22 (14 20 or 13 19 39 34
+) 28 x 17 12 x 21 23 19 +
18.12 39 34

20.2 30 24?! 14 19? 33 29! 19 x 30 29 x 18

12 x 23 39 33 30 x 37 41 x 5

18.13 37 32 14 19 (18 22 24 19 13 x 24*

32 27 21 x 23 29 x 7 +) 40 35 19 x 30 35 x
24 18 22 24 19 13 x 24 32 27 21 x 23 29 x
7

20.3 34 30?! 14 20 25 x 14 19 x 10? 28 x 19

13 x 35 22 18! 12 x 23 32 28 23 x 32 38 x 7

18.14 28 22 20 24 22 18 23 x 12 34 29
24 x 33 32 28 33 x 22 27 x 9

20.4 33 28?! 25 30 34 x 14 10 x 30 28 x 19
13 x 42 37 x 48! 26 x 28 39 34 30 x 39 44 x 4

18.15 43 38 17 - 21 (23 28 29 23 +) 31
26 22 x 33 26 x 8 13 x 2 24 x 22 33 x 24 30 x 28

20.5 33 28?! 21 26? 28 x 19 26 x 28 42 37

14 x 23 34 29 23 x 34 39 x 30 35 x 24 27 21
16 x 27 38 32 27 x 38 43 x 1

79

20.6 37 32?! 24 29? 33 x 24 23 19 28 x 48

40 35 48 x 30 36 31 26 x 37 38 32 37 x 28
19 14 9 x 29
20.7 38 33?! 23 29? 35 30! 29 x 49 25
20 14 x 34 28 22 17 x 28 32 x 14 49 x 21 26 x
39
20.8 29 24?! 25 30 28 22 17 x 39 27 21
16 x 47 48 43 47 x 20 43 x 1

80

Make the shot with 27 21.

21. King shots

1.35 30 24 x 35
2.33 29 23 x 34
3.39 x 30 35 x 24
4.25 20 14 x 25
5.27 21 16 x 27
6.32 x 3

Combinations in order to get a king are

important and often charming to watch.

White wanted to attack and played

1.28 23? 18 x 29
2.34 x 23

White spots a track to king: 32 x 1. To be able to

make the shot you will have to remove piece 23
and transport a piece at 28. Usually this would
cost white too many pieces, but in this case he
can capture several pieces with his king.

To spot the shot it helps to look for a track to

king. In this case the track is 8 x 19 x 28 x 37 x
46.
So you know what to do now:
Remove piece 37.
Transport a piece to square 13.

1.35 30! 24 x 44
2.34 29 23 x 34
3.28 23 19 x 39
4.38 33 39 x 28
5.32 x 1 21 x 32
6.1 x 27

2 16 21!
3.27 x 16 26 31
4.37 x 26 24 30
5.35 x 24 13 19
6.24 x 13 8 x 46
The king is for free and therefore easily winning.

In this position white wants to remove piece 13.

To achieve this goal he has to get rid of piece 24
first. After having opened square 13 white can
gain a free move by playing 37 31 enabling
him to make the 33 x 2 shot.

Black has just played 12 18 and white spotted

a track to king. The track is 32 x 21 x 12 x 23 x
14 x 3.
What has white got to do?
Remove pieces 14 and 23.

1.25 20!
2.30 24
3.28 x 19
4.37 31

81

24 x 15
19 x 30
13 x 24
26 x 28

5.38 33 21 x 32
6.33 x 2

8.39 34 30 x 39
9.44 x 2

White has a king for 2 pieces. Because of the

threat 39 34 white will win easily.

Check yourself that other captures of black will

result in a king for white too.
Sometimes, already in the opening of a game,
you will have to look for king shots.
1.34 30 18 23
2.30 25 12 18
3.40 34 7 12
4.34 30 1 7
Black plays logical moves in the direction of the
centre. White prepares a trap.
5.31 26 17 21
6.26 x 17 12 x 21
7.37 31?!

White uses a trap shot to get to king. Square 14

en 23 are opened. A black piece is brought to
square 38 after which 37 31 gives white a shot
to king.
1.34 29! 23 x 34
2.40 x 20 14 x 25
3.28 23 18 x 38
4.37 31 26 x 28
5.43 x 5

White is hoping for black to play:

7 21 26?
8.33 29!! 26 x 28
9.30 24! 19 x 30
9 23 x 34 10.39 x 30 20 x 29 11.38 33 +
10.35 x 24 23 x 34
11.39 x 30 20 x 29
12.38 33 28 x 39
13.43 x 1

Never forget to look at moves that give the

opponent a choice. In this position white can
remove piece 13 with 30 24 and bring a piece
to 28. After that the piece at 30 gives white a 39
- 34 shot to king. In this process black has
several choices, but he idea stays the same.

Choices for the opponent make the combination

more surprising.

1.30 24 20 x 29
2.33 x 24 19 x 30
3.28 x 19 13 x 24
4.27 21 16 x 27
5.32 x 21 17 x 26
6.37 31 26 x 37
7.38 32 37 x 28

82

C 21.1

C 21.5

C 21.2

C 21.6

C 21.3

C 21.7

C 21.4

C 21.8

83

C 21.9

C 21.13

C 21.10

C 21.14

C 21.11

C 21.15

C 21.12

C 21.16

84

22. The king is caught

If you spot a king shot you should consider
whether your opponent is able to catch the king.

In the game white missed the winning

breakthrough shot with 1.34 - 29!! 23 x 34 2.39
x 30 25 x 34 3.37 31 26 x 37 4.32 x 41 21 x
23 5.33 29 24 x 33 6.38 x 7.
Instead of this white played:
White can make a king shot. Before taking the
king shot you have to consider: Can black catch
the king?
This is not an easy task. You have to visualize
the position after the combination. Then, if black
can catch the king, you have to be able to
determine whats the value of the position after
the king is caught.
In this case white decided not to take the king,
but to play 38-32 (and 43-38 to build a strong
centre supporting the outpost at 24).
White made this calculation:

1.28 22? 12 18
Now white made a shot to 7, costing him two
pieces. It appears to be losing.
2.22 17? 21 x 12
3.27 22 18 x 27
4.32 x 21 16 x 27
5.33 29 24 x 44
6.43 39 44 x 33
7.38 x 7
Black is two pieces ahead. He can capture piece
7.

1.24 19 13 x 24
2.29 23 18 x 29
3.28 23 29 x 18
4.37 31 26 x 37
5.38 32 37 x 28
6.33 x 4

7. 27 32!
8.37 x 28 19 23
9.28 x 8 3 x 1
With a piece down white lost.

After this Coup Weiss white has a king for 2

pieces (we count the king as 1 piece). Black can
catch the king equalizing the number of pieces.
6 2 7!
Black is threatening 3 9 3 x 11 16 x 7. If white
goes to the other side of the line 4/36, for
example 7.4 31 black catches the king 12 18
8.31 x 11 16 x 7. The position after the catch of
the king is still slightly better for white, but as a
matter of fact black can hold a draw quite easily.
If you make a breakthrough to king the same
procedure should take place. You should
consider if your opponent can stop the
breakthrough or catch the future king.

Gantwarg H. Jansen
This is a position from a game during the world
championships of 1976. Black tried to trap his
opponent:

85

1 4 10?

Black can take a king shot. If piece 34 would be

at 40, like in a game Letsjinski - Gantwarg Wch
1980, the next combination would be winning.

Black discovered a contra-combination after

2.28 22 etc. but whites calculation was deeper
and more accurate:

3 13 18?
4.22 x 2 21 27
5.32 x 21 23 x 32
6.38 x 27 14 20
7.25 x 23 6 11
8.30 x 19 3 - 8
9. 2 x 13 8 x 48

2.28 22! 17 x 28
3.33 x 4 3 9(!)
Black performs a Semi-Turc, followed by a king
shot.
4.4 x 20
5.26 x 17
6.37 x 26
7.34 x 23

15 x 24
11 x 31
24 29
19 x 46

The king costs black no less than 3 pieces.

Because in the Letsjinski Gantwarg game the
piece at 34 was at 40, 11 17 was a lethal
threat. In this case white has a strong response.
10.34 30!

The black king costs two pieces. White

calculated he could always catch the king for
only one piece.
8.38 33! 25 x 34
9.40 x 29
There is nothing to do about the threat of 33
28 catching the king.
9 46 32 10.33 28
Black surrendered.

Now 11 17 doesnt work anymore. Moreover

white threatens to play 21 17!! 49 x 24 30 x 19
W+.
10 49 44
White cant catch the king now, but with 3 pieces
more its sufficient to just go to king himself.
11.19 13!
White has a winning advantage in the endgame.
Making efficient calculations in draughts is a
hard thing to do! In this position white must
make a deep calculation to establish whether
the exchange 27 - 22 18 x 27 37 31 26 x 37 42
x 22 is good or not. White must see the following
variation sharply:

Before taking a king shot you

have to check if the king can be
caught and what is the result of this!

1.27 22 18 x 27
2.37 31 26 x 37
3.42 x 22

86

but he calculated the king wasnt winning. His

calculation was wrong however!
1.37 31! 26 x 48
2.33 29 24 x 42
3.43 38 42 x 33
4.39 x 28 48 x 30
5.35 x 4 11 16
6.4 x 22 7 11
It looks as if black will catch the king drawing the
game. White missed the following king sacrifice
that would have won him the game.
7.22 18!! 12 x 23
8.28 x 19

Sijbrands Andreiko
A famous game in which the legendary Andris
Andreiko took a losing king shot, resulting
ultimately in losing his world title to Sijbrands.

Piece 19 is on its way to a new king.

1 14 19
2.41 37 19 x 30
3.38 32?
White should have played 3.37 32.
3 27 x 38
4.26 21 17 x 26
5.28 x 17 12 x 21
6.29 24 30 x 19
7.36 31 38 x 29
8.34 x 1 9 14!

This game position (J. Lemstra G. Postma)

contains an enormous surprise. Black to play
made a erroneous king shot that was punished
by locking the king!

White only considered 8 20 24? 9.1 34 8

12 10.34 x 1 19 23 11.1 x 20 15 x 24 with
equal amount of pieces and a slightly better
position for white.
White was completely surprised by 9 14. He
loses a piece now! Black threatens 8 12 and
after 1 34 he catches the king by 19 23.

1. 15 20
2.24 x 15 4 10
3.15 x 4 13 18
4.4 x 31 26 x 46
5.23 19!! 14 x 32
6.42 37 32 x 41
7.25 20
Piece 12 is stopped just in time by whites future
king.
In spite of the beautiful way white won, black
could have won the game by taking a different
kind of king shot: giving your opponent a king
and then play a stick move!
1. 14 20!! 2.25 x 3 13 19 3.3 x 32 19 x
46 B+.

Tsjizjows opponent Mol had just played 1 13

19? Tsjizjow could have made a king shot now

87

22.1 Is the king shot white can take winning?

22.5 Is the king shot to 5 OK?

22.2 Is the king shot winning?

22.6 White can force a shot to 1. Is it OK?

22.3 Can white take a winning shot to 10?

22.7 Would you take the coup Philippe?

22.4 Is the king shot white can take OK?

22.8 Calculate the shot to 4!

88

Exercise 23.2 Draw the position that is at your

board in your exercise-book.
Black is lost. He can only play moves that give
away pieces.
You have to remember that squares 23, 24 and
27 are usually strong squares to possess or to
control.

23. Formations
Pieces having contact with each other are called
formations. It is good that your position consists
of a lot of formations.

2 13 19 3.34 30
Exercise 23.3 Write down the shot for white
after 3 14 20

In the game black saw no better move than

3 18 23 and white won the endgame after
4.30 24 19 x 30 5.28 x 10 etc.

Black to move
Whites pieces work together in the centre.
All white pieces are making contact with each
other. Blacks position is less strong. Although
black has only one piece at the edge of the
board (26) he has little control over the centre
because of a lack of effective formations.
Black has only one move left in this position
from a game Sijbrands Andreiko.
In this position the outpost at 24 combined with
the cross-formation 27/28/32/37/38 is very
strong. Black to play has a lost position. He has
no formations. After black attacks the outpost
with 1 14 19 2.40 35 19 x 30 3.35 x 24 and
after that no good move is left.

Exercise 23.1 Find out how white wins after the

following moves:
1) 1 14 20?
2) 1 14 19?

The strategic squares for white are 24, 27 and

28 here.

3) 1 13 19?
4) 1 12 17?

Squares 27, 28 and 24 are

strategic important squares for white!

Black played:
1 7 11 2.39 34
Play the following variation (= sequence of
moves) at your board.
2 11 16 2.33 29 14 20 3.34 30 13 19
4.28 23 19 x 28 5.32 x 23 9 13 6.30 24 20
25 7.38 32

89

If black takes 3 19 x 28 white wins a piece:

4.33 x 11 16 x 7 5.27 x 16 W+1.
4.27 22 17 x 28
5.32 x 14 9 x 20
6.35 30 24 x 35
7.33 x 15
The combination isnt over yet. Black tries to
defend against a breakthrough.
7 3 9
8.15 10 9 14
9.10 x 19 13 x 24
10.45 40! 35 x 33
11.38 x 20

All white pieces are making contact with each

other. White has built two strong triangles with
tops at 27 and 29. Blacks position is much
weaker. He doesnt have strong formations.
White can force a win:

It is not until the 10th move that the whole point

of the combination is revealed

1.31 26!
This minimizes the number of possible moves of
black.
After 1 13 19 white plays 2.29 23! +
A move like 1 6 11 makes no sense
because it weakens the position even more.
Piece 17 becomes extremely vulnerable.
1 20 25
2.29 x 20 15 x 24
3.33 28!
With the strong threat 28 22 17 x 28 26 x 17
12 x 21 32 x 3 W+.
Black has no good defence left.

The whites pieces are working together in the

centre. Blacks choice of moves is severely
restricted. White uses the weak piece at 25 to
make shots.
1.32 27!
Leaves black with only one move. At 1 8 12
or 1 9 14 white plays 2.34 30 etc.
At 1 13 19 the Coup Weiss 2.27 22 18 x
27 3.28 22 27 x 18 4.37 31 26 x 37 5.38 32
37 x 28 6.33 x 4 follows W+.
1 11 17
2.28 22 17 x 28
3.33 x 22

Whites pieces are working together in nice

formations. He has a strong centre, with control
over the strategic squares 27 and 28.
White performs a nice combination, using a lot
of his formations.

Now white has occupied square 22 black is

faced with the annoying threat 34 30 etc.
If black changes with 3 24 29 4.34 x 12 8 x
28 white will win the piece by 5.38 33 ( 16 21
6.33 x 22! 21 x 41 7.36 x 47 etc. W+).

1.34 30! 25 x 34
2.40 x 20 15 x 24
3.28 23! 18 x 29

90

x 27 28 - 32 27 x 38 17 - 21 26 x 28 23 x
32 38 x 27 14 - 20 25 x 23 18 x 47 +
2) 2. 33.41 - 37 20 - 24 34.37 - 31 7 - 12
35.42 - 37 (49 - 44 will result in the first
variation) 8 13 and white has run out
of moves because he cant change back
37 32 x 42 because of the 27 32
king shot!

In the Wiersma Bronstring game (1997) white

is going to build a strong formation at his right
wing. Blacks centre piece 23 is not supported
by a piece at 18, so black plays 1 7 12 - 18.
1.44 40 1 7
2.50 45 7 12
3.39 34 12 18
Dutch grandmaster Thijssen showed the
strength of formations with the black pieces
against Kosior (2002).

White blows up the black position now.

4.34 29! 23 x 34
5.40 x 20 15 x 24
6.27 22!! 18 x 27
7.45 - 40

1 16 21
2.26 x 17 11 x 22
3.46 41 12 17
4.41 37 6 11
5.34 29 8 12

Removing piece 18 enables white to attack

piece 24 again. Black gave back the piece 24
29 after which white went to 15 ultimately
breaking through to king.
7 13 18 would be met by 8.28 23! +

Black built the strong triangle 11/12/17/18/22.

6.32 28 2 7!
7.47 41 20 24!
8.29 x 20 15 x 24
9.49 44 11 16
10.37 31
At 10.44 40 16 21 11.39 34 22 27! white
cant play 34 29 because of 27 32! 38 x 16
14 20 25 x 23 9 14! 29 x 9 18 x 36 9 x 18 12
x 41 +.
16 21
11.31 26 21 27
12.44 40 4 10
13.39 34 27 32!

In the Baljakin Kalk game black had a strong

attack. He could have won the game by
reinforcing his attack by closing gaps and
building more formations. We show you the best
way to play this position:

The decisive blow. Black got a breakthrough

after 14.38 x 27 22 x 31 15.26 x 37 14 20
16.25 x 5 17 21 5 x 23 18 x 36. Black won the
game.

1 12 18!
1) 2.49 44 7 - 12 34.41 - 37 20 - 24 35.37
- 31 and black takes the shot 27 - 32 38

91

C 23.1

C 23.5

F 23.2 Forcing!

C 23.6

C 23.3

C 23.7

F 23.4

C 23.8

92

2) 1 16 21 2.27 x 16 18 22 The
Dussaut sacrifice is punished by 3.34
29! 22 x 31 (24 x 31 is even worse) 4.29
x 29 W+
3) 1 24 29 2.30 25 29 x 40 3.35 x 44
3.1) 3 17 21 4.38 33 and black is
frozen out again.
3.2) 3 16 21 2.27 x 16 18 22 3.25 20
22 x 31 4.20 x 29 W+

24. Freezing out your opponent

A nice and important way to win a game is
leaving your opponent with no sensible move
left.

White is able to freeze out his opponent.

1.40 34! 29 x 40
2.45 x 34 8 12

1.31 26! 23 - 29

The only move. Now white must stop the

exchange 23 29 x 29.

White takes control over both wings in this

classical position. Pieces 25 and 26 are very
strong here. The plan is to freeze out the
opponent, an important idea in late classical
positions.
White has to decide in which direction piece 48
should be played. In the game white chose the
wrong direction.

3.25 20!! 14 x 25
4.38 - 33
The solution for white is a sacrifice! Black is
completely frozen out. Giving pieces back wont
change the situation.

2.48 42? 18 23
3.42 37 12 18
4.37 - 31
White has what we call the last temp. But this
is often not enough to win because of a saving
sacrifice. In this case black plays a double
sacrifice and even acquires a better position!
4 29 34!!
5.40 x 9 13 x 4
Astonishing: White has two pieces more but has
difficulties making a draw. He should defend
playing 6.25 20 4 - 9 7.20 15 9 14 8.33 29 23 x 34 9.26 21 17 x 37 10.32 x 41 34 40
11.28 22 etc.

Ricou - Bonnard
This is a famous classical position with black to
play. Black will be frozen out. We will look at his
possibilities:

White should have been alarmed: The position

of piece 31 is actually quite terrible It is more
logical to play the piece in the other direction,
where the play is going on.

1) 1 17 21 2.38 33 and because 14

20 loses to 30 25 black is out of
moves.

93

2.48 43! 18 23
3.43 39 13 18

Both players have the same plan. Black tried to

freeze out the white attack. It looks as if his
strategy is working. For example: 1.40 35 12
17 2.23 19 2 - 7 3.28 23 7 12 4.38 33 17
22 5.35 30 13 18 and white is completely
frozen out.

After 3 12 18 4.40 35 29 34 5.39 x 30

black has run out of moves (23 29 27 21
etc.).
After 3 13 18 4.40 35 will also be winning.
After 29 34 5.39 x 30 23 29 6.28 23! the
endgame is winning, especially because of the
weak position of pieces 12, 17 and 18.
However white has an even faster way to win
the game. An immediate 3.39 34 would be
punished by the Kong Fu shot 17 22 4.28 x 8
18 22 5.27 x 18 23 x 3 6.34 x 23 19 x 37 B+.
But white prepares the 39 34 move.

However, white makes a sacrifice after which

black will be frozen out!
1.28 22! 27 x 18
Black has only one piece left to play. It is an
easy task for white to change blacks last piece.
2.38 32 2 7
3.36 31 7 11
4.31 26 11 17
5.32 27 17 22
6.40 35 22 x 31
7.26 x 37

4.25 20!! 14 x 25
5.39 34!
Black is frozen out. He has to give back a lot of
pieces after which white can win the game.

Black has no good moves left. After 7 18 22

8.23 18 12 x 23 9.29 x 9 20 x 40 10.35 x 44
white gets a king and wins.

In this game position white can win by the

ultimate freeze out.
1.25 20!! 14 x 25
2.36 - 31

In the Schalley Clerc game Wch 2001 white

could have forced a freeze out. As a matter of
fact white can choose between two winning
sacrifices to freeze out his opponent.

White has the last temp. For example: 9 14

3.46 41 14 20 4.41 36 3 9 5.47 41 9
14 6.48 43 1 6 7.43 - 39 W+.

1.34 29! 24 30
2.35 x 24 19 x 30
3.29 24! 30 x 19
4.33 29
White could also have played: 1.35 30! 24 x 35
2.33 29 +.

94

Black sacrificed a piece (T. Kooistra T.

Goedemoed) depriving white from his strategic
piece at 27. White is forced to give back the
piece. After that he is frozen out.
1 16 21!
2.27 x 16 7 11
3.16 x 7 12 x 1
4.48 42 17 21
White has to give back the piece to stop the 21
27 threat. Blacks piece at 27 is very strong.
The main plan in late classical positions is to
freeze out your opponent. In the Baljakin Ba
game Wch rapid 1999 white froze out his
opponent.

5.28 22 18 x 27
6.42 37 1 7
7.50 44 7 11
8.44 40 11 16
9.40 34 13 18
10.34 30 23 29

1.28 22!
If black has the formation 16/21/26 white often
can play this strong move to gain space and
deprive black of some temps. After 28 22
piece 12 cant play anymore. This is called the
Ghestem lock. Ghestem was a French former
world champion who invented this play.

White has no sensible moves left. After 33 28

18 23 white is faced with the horrible 21 26
threat.
11.37 31 27 x 36
12.32 28 18 22
13.28 x 26 36 41
14.33 28 41 46
15.28 22 46 41
16.39 33

If black replies 1 23 29 he is simply frozen

out: 2.39 33 18 23 3.33 28 12 18 4.47
41 and black has run out of moves.
1. 24 29
2.47 41! 29 34

16.22 18 is met by 14 20! 17.25 x 34 41 47

18.30 x 19 47 x 44

2 14 20 3.25 x 14 19 x 10 would be
punished by the Kong Fu shot 4.38 33 29 x 38
5.32 x 43 21 x 32 6.37 x 17 +.

16 14 20
17.25 x 34 41 28
18.30 x 19 28 x 43

3.30 24! 19 x 30
4.35 x 24 34 x 43
5.38 x 49
Black has no sensible moves left.
5 13 19 4.22 x 13 19 x 8 5.24 19 W+

White won a piece but lost the game:

1.40 35? 29 34!
2. 39 x 30 12 - 18
Whites situation is hopeless.

95

24.1

24.5

24.2

24.6

24.3

24.7

24.4

24.8

96

x 17 11 x 31 7.36 x 27 19 23 8.29 x 18
13 x 31 (Coup Raichenbach) B+.

25. Tactical freeze out

A beautiful way to win a game is to get a
position where all your opponents moves are
tactically punished.

3) 2.26 21 24 30! 3.35 x 24 20 x 29

(also possible is 19 x 30 28 x 8 7 12 8
x 17 11 x 42 38 x 47 16 x 49 B+) 4.33 x
24 19 x 30 5.28 x 17 11 x 35 (Coup
Royal) B+.
4) 2.37 31 24 30 3.35 x 24 20 x 29 4.28
x 8 9 13 8 x 19 18 22 27 x 18 30
34 39 x 30 (or 40 x 29) 16 21 26 x 17
11 x 44 B+.
The best move is 2.28 22 after which black
will try to take advantage of the weak
position of piece 22. 2.28 22 7 12 3.37
31 9 14 4.33 28 20 25 5.40 34 23
29! 6.34 x 23 18 x 29 7.39 34 29 x 40 8.35
x 44 12 17! 9.43 39 (after 9.38 33 24
29! 10.33 x 24 19 x 30 11.43 39 30 34
12.39 x 30 25 x 34 white is frozen out) 17
21 12.26 x 17 13 18 13.22 x 13 11 x 42
14.13 8 42 48 and black will win the
endgame.

1.34 30! 20 25
2.39 34 12 17
3.48 42!
Black is tactically frozen out. 17 22 is met by a
coup Philippe. So black has no good move left.

White has a central triangle but more

important is that black controls the wings.
With the help of some shots black can
freeze out his opponent who is to move.
In the game white played 37 31 allowing
his opponent to force a win.

Mensonidus Baba Sy
The famous player from Senegal played a very
smart move, based on several shots.
1 3 9!!

1.37 31 11 16!

We will discuss all possible moves for white

now:
1) 2.39 34 24 29! 3.33 x 24 19 x 48
4.28 x 8 48 x 22 and black wins, for
example: 5.8 3 22 31! 6.3 x 25 15
20! 7.25 x 22 31 x 45 B+.

The exchange with 2.31 26 16 x 27 3.32 x

21 allows black to take the shot 19 23!
4.28 x 30 25 x 32 B+.
2.31 27 18 22!
3.27 x 9 16 x 27
4.32 x 21 8 - 13
5.9 x 18 12 x 34

2) 2.40 34 24 29! 3.33 x 24 20 x 40

4.35 x 44 18 22 5.27 x 29 16 21 6.26

97

4 3 - 8
5.44 - 40 11 17

The only other sensible move for white was

1.21 16.
Not possible is 1.45 40 or 1.32 - 27
because of 19 23! etc. B+.
1.39 34 18 23 faces white with the
horrible threat 24 29 +.

Black cant play 14 20 because of the shot

6.30 24! 19 x 30 7.28 x 19 13 x 24 8.27 21
16 x 27 9.31 x 4 +. The next exchange weakens
blacks right wing.

1.21 16 18 23!
6.27 - 21! 16 x 27
7.31 x 11 06 x 17
8.36 31!

Now 2.28 22 is punished by 12 18!! 3.45

40 (3.32 27 23 28 B+1) 18 x 27 4.32 x
21 23 28 5.33 x 22 13 18 5.22 x 2 19 23 6.2 x 30 25 x 41 B+.

Blacks moves are running out. This time 14 20

is answered by 9.30 24 19 x 30 10.28 x 19 13
x 24 11.26 21! 17 x 39 12.40 34 29 x 40
13.45 x 3 (24 29 14.3 - 25) +. So, black has no
good move left, because what black plays is no
solution to his problems at all.

2.45 40 12 18
Still white cant break the classical pattern
with 28 22 x 21 because of the same shot
as before.

8... 17 - 21
9.26 x 17 12 x 21
10.31 - 26! 18 - 22
11.28 x 17! 21 x 12
12.26 - 21

3.40 34 8 12
4.37 31 11 - 17
5.31 27 17 - 21
6.28 22 21 26

Threatening with 21 17 12 x 21 32 28 23 x
32 38 x 16 with a breakthrough.

Its a tactical freeze out. The only white

move 7.33 28 is answered by 26 31 27 x
36 18 x 27 32 x 21 23 x 43 39 x 48 24 30
35 x 24 19 x 39 B+.

12... 12 - 18
13.21 - 16 18 - 22
14.32 - 28 22 x 33
15.40 34 29 x 40
16.38 x 18 13 x 22
17.45 x 34
Piece 16 walked to king and white won.

1... 24 - 29?
2.33 x 24 20 x 29
Black went to the graveyard (29). With the next
exchange white takes control over the situation.
3.35 - 30! 25 x 34
4.39 x 30

Blacks last move 10 15 was too slow. He

forgot to close the gap at 13. Now white can
freeze out his opponent in a nice way.

Black cant play at his left wing. After 14 20 or

15 20 white plays 30 24 +. Black must play
his strongest defending piece.

1.37 32! 26 x 37
2.42 x 31 8 13
3.48 43!

98

2 14 20 3.28 22!!

White uses piece 45 to threaten 44 40. The

threat cant be parried by 3 - 8 because of 44
40 and after 27 21 +.

The Ghestem lock will do the freezing out job.

After 14 20 4.33 28 black will soon be run
out of moves.

3 24 30 4.39 33!
Threatening both 28 23 and 44 40.
4 30 35
5.33 29! 3 - 8
5 15 20 6.44 40! etc. +
6.29 24!
White is patient. He doesnt take the king shot
44 40? 45 x 23 28 x 19 13 x 24 27 21 16 x
27 31 x 2 because the king is caught: 15 20 2
x 30 35 x 24 =.
After 29 24 black is tactically frozen out. He
has no good reply at the 24 19 threat.

Black to play has a choice between 9 13 and

23 29. To find out which move is best black
has to see the following tactical freeze out:
1 9 13? 2.48 43!
Blacks natural move 23 29 is met by the shot
3.28 23! 19 x 48 4.30 x 8 12 x 3 5.27 21 16 x
27 6.32 x 34 48 x 30 7.35 x 24 W+.
2 15 20 3.27 21! 16 x 27 4.32 x 21 23 x
32 5.38 x 27 results in a winning arrow lock for
white.
The best defence is 2 16 21 23 29
although this position is probably lost.
To prevent these problems black has to play 1
23 29! 2.48 42 (2.48 43 15 20!) 18 23.

Tsjizjow - Keisels
Tsjizjow used a couple of shots to freeze out his
opponent. Take a look at the nice basic pieces
white possesses.
1.39 33!
Black cant play 1 24 29 2.33 x 24 19 x 39
3.28 x 19 13 x 24 because of 4.37 31! 26 x 28
5.49 44 21 x 32 6.44 x 4 +
1 11 17 is met by 2.34 30 24 x 35 3.33
29 23 x 34 4.28 22 17 x 28 5.32 x 23 21 x 41
6.47 x 36 W+1.

1.43 39! 8 13

1 9 - 14 2.42 38!

At 1 19 23 the coup Ricou 2.29 24! 20 x

29 3.27 21 26 x 17 4.39 33 29 x 38 5.37 32
38 x 27 6.31 x 2 follows.

At 11 17 white performs a coup Raphael: 3.34

29! 23 x 34 4.28 23 19 x 39 5.37 31 26 x
28 6.50 44 21 x 43 7.50 x 11 16 x 7 8.48 x 10
+. At 8 12 white also performs a coup
Raphael.

2.39 34!
Black is completely blocked.

99

25.1

25.5

25.2

25.6

25.3

25.7

25.4

25.8

100

White should play quietly:

26. Exploiting a weak spot

1.48 42!
Several moves cant be played now.
At 1 20 24 white responds 28 22! And
after the captures (for example 7 11 22 x 13
19 x 8) white wins a piece by 34 30 25 x 34 40
x 18.
If black plays 3 8 (or 3 9) white forces a
Coup Philippe: 1 3 8 2.28 22! 8 - 13 3.27
21! 16 x 27 (after 18 x 27 immediately 34 30
etc.) 4.32 x 21 18 x 16 5.34 30 25 x 34 6.40 x
7 W+.
White is to move in this classical position.
White has a weak spot at 38. There is no piece
at this important square and no piece can be
transported to this square anymore.
Piece 31 and 44 arent placed well either. They
arent part of any formations.
Moreover, white has few moves left. The only
sensible move he can play is:

1 7 11 2.42 37!
Now black doesnt have any good move left.
2 11 17 is punished by the Harlem shot 3.28
22 17 x 28 4.34 30 25 x 34 5.40 x 29 23 x 34
6.32 x 25 +, while 20 24 and 3 8 and 3 9
are followed by the same moves as before.
So blacks position is lost.

1.34 29 23 x 34
2.30 x 39
Black can exploit the weakness at 38 by a cute
little plan. He brings a piece to square 12, after
which black threatens with a shot.
2 3 8
3.44 40 8 12
Blacks threat is 16 21 27 x 16 14 20 25 x 23
18 x 36. White doesnt have a sensible defence,
for 28 22 is punished by 16 21 27 x 16 18 x
29 B+2.

A classical position with a piece at 25 for black,

which gives white extra opportunities. Whites
pieces work together well. Whites plan is to
inflict damage to the black position.
1.27 22 8 12
After 1 16 21 2.34 30 25 x 34 3.40 x 18 8
12 white has a shot with 4.28 23! 19 x 17
5.37 31 26 x 28 6.33 x 2 13 x 22 7.2x 30 W+.
Black cant go to the graveyard (square 29): 1
24 29 2.33 x 24 20 x29 because of the
small Kung Fu shot 3.37 31 26 x 37 4.32 x 41
23 x 32 5.34 x 14 9 x 20 6.38 x 27 W+1.

The piece at 13 is missing again. White did not

have enough patience to exploit this enormous
weakness. The game was 1.28 22? 19 24
2.22 x 13 23 29 3.34 x 23 24 30 4.35 x 24 20
x 9 =.

Black can make an exchange to square 30: 1

24 30 2.35 x 24 20 x 29 3.33x24 19 x 30 4.28
x 19 13 x 24 but after 5.32 27 white can build a

101

strong central position, although this variation is

the best choice for black.

1 8 13?

2.22 18! 13 x 22
3.28 x 8 3 x 12

Now white takes advantage of the gap at square

8.

Look what happens to the black position! Its

defence is weakened severely. Blacks pieces
are shattered and thus fail to work together!

2.40 - 35!
White is threatening 34 29 23 x 34 39 x 30 25
x 34 43 39 34 x 32 37 x 8 13 x 2 31 x 24. If
black plays 2 11 17 the same moves give
white a shot to king square 2.
The only move left to avoid the threatening
combination was 12 17 after which white could
attack and win blacks outpost with 3.37 32!

4.47 - 42
It is also good to play 4.32 27 9 14 5.34 30
25 x 34 6.40 x 18 12 x 23 because the black
position is split once and for all.
4 16 21?
After this move white succeeds in exploiting the
blacks split position easily. Lets look at other
moves.
Its not possible to connect blacks two groups of
pieces with 4 12 18? because of the 37 - 31
shot.
The only defense left was 4 9 14 5.32 27
with a difficult position. After 5 23 28 6.33 x
22 24 29 7.34 x 23 19 x 17 8.37 32 blacks
position remains split.

White has a weak spot: Piece 28 is not

supported by a strong centre. Especially the lack
of control over square 42 makes whites position
vulnerable. White played 1.43 39 so that he
could play a sacrifice after 18 22. For this
reason black didnt play 18 22 but he was
mistaken! He overlooked that he could use piece
16 for a shot!

5. 34 30! 25 x 34
6.40 x 18 12 x 23
7.39 34
Black has no good reply to prevent 33 29 24 x
33 38 x 18 W+1.
White won the game.
This example shows how important it is that your
pieces are built in formations, so that they work
together.

1.43 39 18 22!
2.28 23 19 x 28
3.37 31
It looks as if white is ok because of the 31 27
threat.
3 24 29!!
4.33 x 24 19 x 30
5.35 x 24 28 33!
6.38 x 29 17 21
7.16 x 18 12 x 43
With a winning breakthrough.

Black played a move weakening her position.

102

2 20 25 gives white a free move he uses for

a breakthrough shot 3.48 42 25 x 34 4.33 29
24 x 31 5.37 x 6
3.27 22!
4.33 29
5.30 25
6.25 x 3
7.3 x

18 x 27
24 x 31
27 x 49
23 x 32
14

And blacks king is caught at the next move!

White is aiming his arrows at blacks weak left
wing:
1.34 30!
Black has many gaps in his position. Therefore
he cant play 20 25? because of 2.28 22 25 x
34 3.33 29 24 x 33 4.38 x 7 W+.
After 1 24 29 2.33 x 24 20 x 29 white wins
the outpost by 3.43 39 & 4.39 33.
1 3 - 9 2.27 22!
Whites position is split. Black isolates pieces
25/30/35.

Whites outpost at the graveyard cant be

attacked (12 18 30 25 +).
2 24 29 3.33 x 24 20 x 29 is met by 4.22
18 13 x 33 5.30 24 etc. +
Changing 2 12 17 3.22 x 13 6x 17 (or 16 x
7) gives white the forcing opportunity 4.30 25!
9 14 5.33 29 24 x 22 6.32 28 choice 7.38 x
9 13 x 4 8.25 x 23 W+1.

1 24 29!
After 2.37 31 21 26 white has no temp to
make the exchange, so he has to play 3.42 37
12 17 4.48 43 3 8! And white is frozen out
(43 39 is met by 16 -21 27 x 16 17 21 16 x
27 29 33 38 x 29 23 x 43 B+).
2.48 43 21 26
3.28 22 29 - 33
Even 3 8 4.43 39 29 33 5.39 x 28 16 21
would be winning.
4.38 x 29 23 x 34
5.30 x 39 16 21
6.27 x 16 18 x 47

The dangling piece at 20 seems to be only

temporary, because the change 34 30 x 30 is
answered by 20 25. However, this only seems
to be the case. Because of the gaps at his other
wing, white can take advantage of the situation
playing:
1.34 30! 25 x 34
2.39 x 30 3 - 9

103

F 26.1

F 26.5

F 26.2

F 26.6

F 26.3

F 26.7

F 26.4

F 26.8

104

27. Locks
If a group of pieces cant play we call it a lock.
Locks are very important for the strategy of
draughts. There are several sorts of locks.
In this lesson, we will discuss several kinds of
locks.

Chain lock
The group of pieces behind piece 22 are locked
up. The chain is given shape by the pieces 27/
31 and 28/33 that embrace the group of pieces
6/7/11/12/16/17/18/22. Black cant play pieces
17 and 18. If black tries to break the chain lock
1 19 23 2.28 x 19 14 x 23 white wins a piece
by 3.25 20! 15 x 24 4.33 28 22 x 33 5.39 x
30.

Right wing lock

Whites pieces at his right wing are locked. The
34 29 move is not possible, it loses two
pieces. In this case the lock is completely
deadly. White has no space to move in the
centre and at his left wing either.

The chain lock can also occur at different

places on the board. Pieces 33/38/34/40 hold
the group of black pieces behind 29.
White to play can perform a coup Philippe.
1.27 22 18 x 27
2.32 x 21 16 x 27
3.34 30 24 x 44
4.33 x 24 19 x 30
5.25 x 34 44 x 33
6.38 x 16

1.34 29!
White escapes from the lock. Black should take
23 x 34 30 x 39. The 25 x 34 capture is
punished by a ping pong shot.
1 25 x 34?
2.27 22 18 x 27
3.29 x 18 12 x 23
4.40 x 18 13 x 22
5.28 x 26

(Diagram)
The fork 26/27/31/36 locks the group of pieces
6/7/11/12/16/17/18/22.
White to move can take advantage of the lock by
changing pieces at the other wing.

105

Black could also play 20 24 x 24 locking

blacks right wing, but the fork lock is even
stronger in this case.
19.30 x 19 13 x 24
20.47 42 21 26
21.42 37 16 21!
The game was 21 8 13? but we show
blacks strongest continuation.

Fork lock
1.29 24! 20 x 29
2.33 x 24 19 x 30
3.35 x 24
Black cant get rid of piece 24. The only piece
that can still play is piece 3. After 3 9 45 40 9
14 42 37 14 19 40 35 19 x 30 35 x 24
black is frozen out.
Gantwarg - Andreiko
1.32 28 19 23
2.28 x 19 14 x 23
3.37 32 10 14
4.41 37 14 19
5.46 41 5 10
6.35 30 20 25
7.33 29 10 14
8.40 35 17 22
9.44 40

Whites position is terrible. He can never play 38

32. If white plays 22.38 32 now, black replies
18 23 23.29 x 18 24 30 24.35 x 24 20 x 27
25.31 x 22 9 13! (black changes piece 18 to
win 22!) 26.18 x 9 4 x 13 27.49 - 43 and 7 12
& 12 18 wins the piece.
Instead of 22.38 32 24 30 black can also
play 22 9 13 and the fork lock should be
winning. You can play the position with some
one else. Black has to try to change pieces at
his right wing to take advantage of the fork lock!

Usually 9.31 27 22 x 31 10.36 x 27 is played.

11 17
10.38 33 6 - 11
11.32 28 23 x 32
12.37 x 28 16 21
13.41 37?
White should have closed square 38 (42 38 or
43 38). Now white is fork-locked.
13 11 16!
Threatening 14 19 40 35 19 x 30 35 x 24 18
23 29 x 27 21 x 41.

Semi Fork
This is a partial lock, because black can still play
17 21 attacking piece 27. The semi fork is
often used as a means to get a surrounding
position. The goal of surrounding play is to
freeze out your opponents centre position or to
play a counterattack.

14.37 32 21 27!
15.32 x 21 17 x 37
16.42 x 31 14 20
17.28 x 17 12 x 21
18.43 38 19 - 24

106

Often the semi fork is temporary. White can

break the semi fork at any time with 31 26 x 27
or 31 26 x 37.
1.31 26! 22 x 31
2.36 x 27 6 11
3.41 36 17 22
4.35 30! 22 x 31
4.36 x 27
Black cant stop piece 30 from going to the
strong square 24, because 14 19 is punished
by 32 28 23 x 21 26 x 6 W+.

Arrow lock

4 11 17 5.30 24!

Pieces 16/21/26 lock pieces 1/7/11/12/17.

The lock is not absolute. You have to take care
piece 17 stays at its place. If white plays 1.44
39 black can play 17 22 getting out of the lock.
White cant play 21 17 12 x 21 26 x 6 because
of 7 11 6 x 28 23 x 25 +.

There is no defence against the threatening 24

19 W+1. White won the game.

Arrow lock
Whites pieces 27/31/32/36/37 are locked by
pieces 16/21/26.
This means that black has a majority at the other
side of the board.

Left wing lock

Pieces 29 and 25 are doing a terrific job, locking
blacks left wing.
Sijbrands won the game after:

In the game black made a mistake. He played

1 14 19? After which white unlocked
sacrificing a piece: 2.28 23! 19 x 28 3.32 x 23
21 x 41 4.36 x 47 26 x 37 5.23 19 and whites
contra attack drew the game.
Black could have frozen out his opponent by:

1 12 18
2.29 23! 18 x 29
3.27 22 11 17
4.22 x 11 16 x 7
5.36 - 31

1 14 20!
2.28 23 9 14
3.23 18 8 12
4.18 x 7 11 x 2

Black surrendered already. After 7 11 6.31

27 11 16 7.27 22 blacks position is hopeless
in spite of one piece more.
7 3 8 is punished by 8.22 18 13 x 22 9.28
x 17 21 x 12 10.35 30 24 x 35 11.33 x 4 +.
Giving back a piece 7 29 34 8.40 x 29 3 8
9.29 23 doesnt help black at all.

White has run out of good moves.

An arrow lock is also possible at the other side
of the board.

27.1 27.8 Write down the type of lock that is

shown!

107

27.1

27.5

27.2

27.6

27.3

27.7

27.4
27.8

108

28. The fork lock

White can tactically freeze out his opponent.

1.48 42!

In this game position white played 1.40 34?

Allowing his opponent to get a very strong fork
lock. It would have been better for white to
attack with 29 24, taking an outpost at 24.

Activates the threat 33 28 22 x 24 27 21 16 x

27 31 x 2 +.
1 18 23 will be answered by 2.27 x 18! 23 x
34 3.31 27! 12 x 23 4.27 21 16 x 27 5.32 x 1
W+.
At 1 8 13 2.29 23 etc. W+1 follows.

1.40 34? 19 23!

2.28 x 19 13 x 24
This exchange is much stronger than 1 19
24, after which white can escape from the fork
lock with 2.34 30 25 x 23 3.28 x 30.
Now piece 27 and 29 form a bad combination.
White cant get to the centre anymore. White is
locked at the right, but at the other side of the
board he has got no freedom to play either.
3.44 40 12 17
4.49 44
Now white is threatening with the standard king
shot 35 30 24 x 35 29 24 20 x 29 34 x 3.
4 8 13 5.47 41?

Black has built formations at his right wing to be

able to change pieces there.

Now black gets a shot. After 5.36 31 14 19!

6.47 41 (29 23 19 x 28 etc. B+1) 10 14
7.41 36 17 22 white has to sacrifice a piece.

1.38 32 18 22!!
2.28 x 17 11 x 22
After 3.32 28 black can take the shot 26 31!!
4.36 x 18 13 x 22 5.28 x 17 19 23 6.29 x 18 24
30 7.35 x 24 20 x 47 with a big advantage for
black.

5 26 31!
6.37 x 26 24 30
7.35 x 24 13 19
8.24 x 22 17 x 46
9.26 x 17 11 x 31
10.36 x 27

3.43 38 16 21!
4.32 28 21 27!
5.28 x 17 26 31
6.37 x 26 27 32
7.38 x 27 19 23
8.29 x 18 13 x 31
9.36 x 27 24 30
10.35 x 24 20 x 47

Black won easily.

109

gives black an unpleasant position due to his

undeveloped left wing.

After 11.27 21 47 38! 12.21 16 38 27

black won the endgame.

9.34 30 2 8?

In the diagram position white should have

changed 1.28 22 18 x 27 2.29 - 23 19 x 28
3.33 x 31 with a slightly better position for black.

Black definitely had to play 19 23. He is

tactically frozen out now!
10.30 24! 19 x 30
11.35 x 24
Black sacrificed a piece by 16 21 etc. because
he cant play the planned move 11 18 23
12.29 x 18 20 x 29 13.27 21! 16 x 27 14.41
37 (or another temp) 12 x 23 15.38 33 29 x 38
16.43 x 1 +.

White forces a win:

1.34 29! 19 23
1 15 20 2.38 33 19 23 3.42 38 23 x 34
4.39 x 30 leaves black without good moves. (13
19 5.30 24! W+)
2.35 30 23 x 34
3.25 20 15 x 35
4.39 x 30 35 x 24
5.32 28 22 x 33
6.38 x 9 13 x 4
7.27 21 16 x 27
8.31 x 2

Tactics govern this position. White shouldnt play

1.45 40? because of 17 21 26 x 28 19 23
28 x 19 14 x 45 B+.
White can use the gap at 13 in blacks position
to prevent black from playing 19 23. Playing
1.37 32 8 13 brings white nothing. Therfore
white plays in a way 8 13 is not possible.

Sijbrands Morsink
1.34 30 18 22
2.31 26 12 18
3.37 31 7 12
4.30 25 1 7

1.38 - 32
Not the central 37 32 but the ugly 38 32
meets whites goals. 1 8 13 is answered by
2.29 23!
If black plays 1 10 15 white shouldnt take
the king shot 2.32 28 22 x 24 3.27 21 16 x
27 31 x 2 for the king is caught by 3 8 =.
White should take the shot using a trapped
piece at 42. 2.25 20!! 15 x 33 3.42 - 38 33 x
42 4.32 28 22 x 33 5.27 21 16 x 27 6.31 x 2
42 x 31 7.2 x 47 +.

4 22 27 gives a more active play.

5.32 27 19 23
6.33 29 23 x 34
7.40 x 29 13 19
A logical play is 7 20 24 8.29 x 20 15 x 24
9.45 40 13 19 10.40 34 19 23 11.34 29
23 x 34 12.39 x 19 14 x 23 13.38 33.
8.39 34 8 13

1 19 23
2.42 38 23 x 34
3.32 28 22 x 42
4.27 21 16 x 27
5.31 x 2 42 x 31

Black can escape from the fork lock changing 17

21 9. x 28 19 23 10.29 x 18 12x 21 but this

110

6.36 x 27
Usually the player who is fork-locked builds a
strong centre. Black wants to change 17 22 28
x 17 21 x 12 but white to play can perform a
famous combination.
1.37 31! 26 x 37
2.48 42 37 x 48
3.28 22 17 x 28
4.33 x 22 24 x 42
5.22 18 13 x 22
6.43 38 42 x 33
6.39 x 26 48 x 30
7.35 x 2
In case you have a fork lock you must be able to
change pieces at the other side of the board.
In this case black has a fork lock, but at the
other wing he has little space to play. In this
case a fork lock usually is not good.
White to play can force a breakthrough:

This is the fork lock destructor shot!

1.37 32! 11 16
2.32 x 21 16 x 27
3.48 42 6 11
4.42 37 11 16
5.35 30! 24 x 35
6.28 23 19 x 28
7.29 24 20 x 29
8.34 x 21 16 x 27
9.33 28! 22 x 42
10.31 x 11 42 x 31
11.36 x 27 12 17
12.11 x 22 8 - 12

White considered he had a strong enough

centre to allow a fork lock. But the gap at 42 and
his piece at 16 allow black to tactically freeze
out his opponent using his formations.
1.34 29? 10 14

When playing a fork lock, you

have to take care you can change
pieces at the other side of the board.

After 2.40 34 black can remove piece 29 to

make a 24 30 king shot: 18 22! 3.28 x 17 12
x 21 4.16 x 27 19 23 5.29 x 18 13 x 22 6.27 x
18 24 30 7.35 x 24 20 x 49 +.
2.28 -23 19 x 28 3.32 x 23 is answered by 25 30 followed by 20 25 x 24 winning piece 23.

White can reach the breakthrough by 26 21

16 etc. or by 38 -32 27 followed by 22 17 x
16.

2.31 26 18 22!
3.28 x 17 12 x 21!
4.26 x 17 11 x 22
After 4.16 x 27 black takes the shot 19 23 5.29
x 18 13 x 42 6.38 x 47 24 30 7.35 x 24 20 x 49
+.
But now white has no good reply at blacks threat
22 28 etc. +. The point is that 5.32 28 is
punished by 7 12! 6.28 x 17 12 x 21 7.16 x 27
19 23 8.29 x 18 13 x 42 9.38 x 47 24 30
10.35 x 24 20 x 49 B+.

111

C 28.1

C 28.5

C 28.2

C 28.6

C 28.3

C 28.7

C 28.4

C 28.8

112

With the threat 20 -15 10 14 29 23 18 x 29

27 x 20 +.
Black cant get rid of the piece at 20: 12 10
14 13.20 x 9 13 x 4 is answered by the shot
14.29 23! 18 x 29 15.27 x 18 12 x 23 16.38
33 29 x 27 17.31 x 13 +.

29. The chain - lock

The next game between two young players

shows that in the opening of a game the chain
lock can be dangerous already.
1.32 28 18 22
2.37 32 13 18
It is better to play towards the centre with 12
18 7 12 and 1 7.

Lewina - Wanders
White has ideal conditions for chain-locking her
opponent. There are many pieces behind piece
22, that can be locked up. Black doesnt have
formations to break the chain.

3.41 37 9 13
4.46 41 4 - 9
5.34 30 20 24
After 5 moves blacks position is strategically
lost! White uses the chain lock to freeze out his
opponent.

1.32 28! 11 16
Black responds to the threat 27 21 17 x 37 28
x 6 W+1.

6.32 27! 14 20
7.30 25

2.38 32 9 13
3.42 38 13 19

White checked if there wasnt a shot for black,

but there isnt.

Black is building the formation 10/14/19 to be

able to get rid of piece 28. White sees this plan
and is taking precautions.

7 10 14

4.35 30! 4 10
5.30 25!
With the idea to answer 19 23 6.28 x 19 14 x
23 by 7.25 20 15 x 24 8.34 29 23 x 34 9.40 x
20. White gets a piece at 15 which will go to king
with a little help from the other pieces.
5 1-6
6. 46 41 19 23
Black has no real choice. For example: 6 8
13 7.34 29! With the lethal threat 29 23 +.

White should anticipate blacks next move 24

29 x 29.

7.28 x 19 14 x 23
8.25 20 15 x 24
9.34 29 23 x 34
10.40 x 20 8 13
11.41 37 2 8
12.33 29!

8.38 32!
White builds the formation 28/32/37 to punish
the 24 29 x 29 exchange. Waiting doesnt help
black, because after 5 10 9.43 38 the
situation hasnt really changed.

113

8 24 29
9.33 x 24 20 x 29
7.28 23 19 x 28
8.32 x 34

Black couldnt play the natural move 20 24,

because of a king shot: 34 29 23 x 34 28 23
19 x 39 38 33 39 x 28 32 x 1 21 x 41 36 x 47
W+.
5.33 29!

White won a piece.

Blacks chain lock is very strong. For example:

5 20 25 6.35 30 21 26 7.37 31 26 x 37
8.42 x 31 and 27 22 wins a piece at the next
move.

Black has locked the white centre with the chain

17/22019/23. White wants to get rid of the chain
lock. White succeeds to break blacks chain and
chain-locking black himself !
1.34 29! 23 x 34
2.40 x 20 15 x 24
3.32 27!

Black to move has a semi-fork. He sees a nice

opportunity to put his opponent in a chain lock.
1 13 19!!

With a very good position for white.

Allowing the lock loses after 2.38 32 19 23
3.40 34 2 7 4.36 31 7 11 5.31 26 12
17 6.32 27 17 22 and white is frozen out.
White thought he could escape from getting
locked by 2.29 23 18 x 29 3.39 34 19 23
4.34 30 = but he was surprised by
2.29 23 19 x 28
3.33 x 13 2 8!!
4.13 x 2 20 25
5. 2 x 30 25 x 32
White surrendered.

Black changed:
1 24 29
2.33 x 24 20 x 40
Usually it makes sense to capture backwards in
a classical game in order to keep enough moves
(for the last temp). In this situation taking
forwards is recommended, because white can
use the chain lock to take control over the
position.
3.45 x 34! 15 20
4.39 33! 7 12

114

C 29.1

F 29.5

C 29.2

C 29.6

C 29.3

C 29.7

C 29.4

C 29.8

115

Because white cant play 30 25 he has to allow

a right wing lock, but is frozen out.

30. Right wing lock

3.48 42 20 25
4.42 37 3 8
5.28 22 15 - 20
6.33 28 is answered by 16 21! 7.27 x 16 18 x
27 8.32 x 21 23 x 41 B+.
White tries a shot which doesnt work.
6.34 29 25 x 34
7.22 17 12 x 21
8.27 22 18 x 27
9.29 x 9 34 39!
10.33 x 44 8 13
11. 9 x 18 19 23
12.18 x 29 24 x 31

Whites play is severely restricted by the right

wing lock. He can try to escape from the lock,
but still he is frozen out.
1.34 29
2.29 x 20
3.40 x 29
4.35 30
5.45 x 34

25 x 34
14 x 25
23 x 34
34 40!
18 22!

Black restricts whites play in the right way. Only

piece 37 can play.
6.27 x 18 13 x 22
7.37 31 9 13
8.31 26 13 - 18
Grandmaster Podolski exploited the weak spots
in blacks position (gaps!) with the help of a shot.
1.36 31!!
An excellent move! Black cant play 21 26
because of 2.33 28! 26 x 46 3.35 30 (white
wants to get rid of piece 34) 24 x 35 4.34 30
35 x 24 5.27 22 18 x 27 6.32 x 5 and the black
king is caught. So blacks right wing is locked.
1 10 15
2.31 26 13 19
3.42 37 8 13
4.41 36 20 25
5.48 42 9 - 14?

In this game position black found a strong plan

to lock a group of white pieces.
1 14 20!
2.25 x 14 9 x 20

White freezes out his opponent tactically now:

Black uses the Bomb shot to punish 30 25:

3.30 24 24 30!!
1) 4.25 x 14 19 x 10 5.28 x 17 30 x 37 B+
2) 4.35 x 24 19 x 39 5.28 x 17 39 x 37 6.25 x 14
37 41 B+

6.34 29! 14 20
7.36 31!
All of blacks moves are answered by a shot:
1) 7 19 23 8.27 22 18 x 36 9.29 x 9

116

5.26 x 17! 24 29
6.33 x 24 22 x 42
7.25 20! 19 x 30
8.35 x 24 11 x 22
9.31 26! 22 x 31
10.26 x 48

2) 7 7 12 8.27 22 18 x 36 9.29 23
19 x 28 10.33 x 22 17 x 28 11.26 x 30
25 x 34 12.39 x 30
3) 7 25 30 8.29 23 18 x 29 9.27 22
17 x 28 10.32 x 23
Black surrendered.

Black has one other move left: 4 23 29 after

which white wins nicely after: 5.25 20! 24 x 15
6.33 x 24 19 x 30 7.35 x 24 17 22 8.28 x 17 21
x 12 9.38 33 12 17 10.33 29! and the
game is over for playing at 22 is answered by
29 23 +.

White has a good lock but in the game he lost.

1.49 43? 18 23
2.42 38 13 18
3.43 39 9 13
White doesnt succeed in freezing out his
opponent, because 4.36 31 is answered by 17
22! with two possibilities:
1) 5.26 x 17 24 29 6.33 x 24 22 x 44 B+
2) 6.28 x 17 21 x 12 7.33 28 12 17 8.39
33 23 29! B+ (Check that 25 20
doesnt work for white!)

In some situation the lock is beneficial for the

locked player. This is especially the case when
too many pieces are involved in locking.
In this case black uses 6 pieces to lock 5 pieces.
White to play can force a win.

White should have played 4.25 20! 24 x 15

5.35 30 17 22 6.26 x 17! 22 x 31 7.36 x 27
11 x 31 8.30 24 19 x 30 9.28 x 8 =. White
played 4.35 30 24 x 35 5.25 20 and lost the
endgame after 23 29 etc.

1.48 42? gives black the opportunity to draw

the game with the shot 17 22! 2.28 x 17 23
29 3.34 x 12 25 x 34 4.40 x 29 19 23 5.29 x 18
24 30 6.35 x 24 20x47. This combination loses
after 1.48 43.
Whether white plays 1.48 42 or 1.48 43
black should not take the shot 17 21? 27 x 16
18 22 28 x 17 23 29 34 x 23 19 x 48 30 x 10
15 x 4 40 34! 48 x 30 35 x 15 W+.

1.48 43!

1.49 44! is a more flexible move than 1.49

43? This means that after 49 44 white has
more choices how to build his position. Piece 44
can not only go to 39 but also to 40. Actually to
use the lock effectively there shouldnt be a
piece at 39. We will explain why.

1 1 7
2.43 38 7 - 11

1.49 44! 18 23
2.42 38 13 18
3.44 40! 9 13
4.36 31!

2 7 12 3.34 29! 23 x 34 (25 x 34 4.27 22!

+) 4.30 x 39 18 23 5.39 34 (also 40 34 12
18 45 40 wins) 12 18 6.34 29 23 x 34
7.40 x 29 W+.

Now the big difference appears to be that black

cant play the important 17 22 move.

3.34 29! 25 x 34
3 23 x 34 4.30 x 39 18 23 5.39 34 W+

4 17 22

117

4.27 22! 18 x 27
5.32 x 12 23 x 43
6.35 30!! 24 x 44
7.29 x 38
The point of the position is hidden until the 35
30 shot is discovered. These kind of surprises
make our game so difficult and interesting.

In this game position white could have forced a

winning shot.
1.33 28! 29 34
The only sensible reply, because 14 19 is
punished by 2.28 22 17 x 28 3.26 x 17 11 x 22
4.27 x 18 23 x 12 5.32 x 5 +.
2.28 x 19 14 x 23
3.27 22! 17 x 28
4.26 x 17 11 x 22
5.39 33 28 x 48
6.31 26 48 x 31
7.36 x 20

Games with a short wing lock are often

characterized by combinational possibilities.
1.32 27!
Threatening to take the arrow shot 27 21 16 x
36 47 41 36 x 47 38 33 47 x 29 34 x 23 25 x
34 40 x 20 14 x 25 23 x 5.
After 1 13 18 white takes the arrow shot in a
different way: 27 22! 18 x 36 47 41 36 x 47
38 33 47 x 29 34 x 23 25 x 34 40 x 20 14 x 25
23 x 5 +.
1 11 17!
The right answer. After the king shot whites king
is caught with equality.
2.27 21 16 x 36
3.47 41 36 x 47
4.38 33 47 x 29
5.34 x 23 25 x 34
6.40 x 20 14 x 25
7.23 x 5

Black has built formations but his position isnt

flexible at all. He has only one way to play at the
next move: 18 22. White anticipates in a very
smart way:
1.35 30! 18 22
2.27 x 18 13 x 33
3.31 27! 9 13
4.27 22! 17 x 28
5.26 x 17 11 x 22
6.42 38 33 x 31
7.36 x 20 28 x 37
8.20 14 19 x 10
9.30 24 29 x 20
10.25 x 5

After 6.23 x 3? 10 14 7.3 x 20 25 x 14 B+1.

7 9 14
8.5 x 7 1 x 12

118

C 30.1

C 30.5

C 30.2

C 30.6

C 30.3

C 30.7

C 30.4

C 30.8

119

C 21.16 28 22 17 x 48 33 29 24 x 33 39 x 28
23 x 21 26 x 8 13 x 2 40 35 48 x 30 35 x 4

Solutions lessons 21 30
Lesson 21: King shots

Lesson 22: The king is caught

C 21.1 27 21 16 x 27 32 x 21 17 x 26 37 31
26 x 37 38 32 37 x 28 33 x 4

22.1 27 22! 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 38 32 27
x 47 28 22 47 x 29 34 x 5 13 19 5 x 7 1 x 12
40 34 is winning for white (double opposition).

C 21.2 34 30 24 x 35 33 29 23 x 34 39 x 30
35 x 24 27 22 17 x 28 37 31 26 x 37 41 x 5

22.2 28 22? 18 x 36 37 31 36 x 27 32 x 21
16 x 27 38 32 27 x 29 34 x 5 13 19 5 x 7 1 x
12 is winning for black.

C 21.3 34 29 23 x 25 28 22 17 x 28 26 x 17
12 x 21 32 x 1

22.3 28 23 19 x 17 34 30 35 x 24 44 40?
45 x 34 39 x 10 17 22! 27 x 18 8 13 18 x 9 3
x 5 results in a draw. But 28 23 19 x 17 34
30 35 x 24 27 22! 17 x 28 44 40 45 x 34 39 x
10 is winning for white.

C 21.4 34 30 25 x 23 28 x 19 13 x 24 37 31
26 x 28 33 x 2
C 21.5 36 31 26 x 37 24 19 13 x 24 34 30
25 x 23 28 x 30 37 x 28 33 x 13 8 x 19 27 22
17 x 28 30 24 choice 39 33 28 x 39 43 x 5

22.4 27 21? 17 x 26 37 31 26 x 28 33 x 4 3
9! 4 x 20 14 x 32 is winning for black.

C 21.6 30 24 20 x 29 33 x 24 19 x 30 28 x 19
13 x 24 37 31 26 x 28 27 21 16 x 27 38 32
27 x 38 (or 28 x 37) 42 x 2

22.5 20 14? 19 x 10 38 32 27 x 38 48 42
38 x 47 30 24 47 x 20 25 x 5 28 33!! 39 x 19
9 14 19 x 10 18 22 B+

C 21.7 27 21 26 x 28 21 17 12 x 21 29 24
19 x 30 35 x 24 20 x 29 38 33 28 x 39 (or 29 x
38) 43 x 1

22.6 39 34! 29 33 27 21 16 x 38 37 32
38 x 27 31 x 22 18 x 27 36 31 27 x 36 42 38
33 x 42 47 x 38 36 x 47 38 33 47 x 29 34 x 1
13 18 1 x 20 15 x 24 40 34 (opposition) W+

C 21.8 25 20 15 x 24 34 30 24 x 35 33 29
23 x 34 39 x 30 35 x 24 26 21 17 x 37 41 x 5

22.7 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 40 34 29
x 40 35 x 44 24 x 35 44 40 35 x 44 43 39 44
x 33 38 x 7 27 32 37 x 28 19 23 28 x 8 3 x 1
42 - 38 = results in a draw.

C 21.9 26 21 17 x 26 32 28 23 x 32 37 x 17
11 x 22 29 24 19 x 30 35 x 24 20 x 29 34 x 1
C 21.10 29 23 18 x 49 37 32 49 x 19 32 x 3

22.8 30 24 19 x 48 28 23 18 x 29 27 21 16
x 38 42 x 4 48 x 31 4 x 36 26 31 36 x 7 1 x 12
47 42 (opposition) W+

C 21.11 33 29 22 x 24 34 30 25 x 34 40 x 20
14 x 25 27 22 18 x 27 31 x 22 17 x 28 32 x 5
C 21.12 27 21 16 x 27 (26 x 17 29 23 18 x
29 28 22 17 x 28 32 x 5 +) 32 x 21 26 x 17 29
23 18 x 29 35 30 24 x 35 33 x 24 choice 28
22 17 x 28 39 33 28 x 39 43 x 5

Lesson 23: Formations

Exercise 23.1
1 14 20 2.28 23 18 x 29 3.33 x 15 W+1
1 14 19 2.27 22! 18 x 27 3.32 x 21 26 x 17
4.28 23 19 x 28 5.33 x 2 +
1 13 19 2.28 23 18 x 29 (or 19 x 28) 3.33 x
4+
1 12 17 2.28 22 17 x 28 3.32 x 1

C 21.13 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 23 x 43 37 31
16 x 47 44 39 47 x 29 34 x 5 43 x 34 40 x 20
25 x 14 5 x 17 (Grand Prix shot)
C 21.14 32 28 23 x 21 26 x 8 3 x 12 45 40
18 x 27 38 32 27 x 29 34 x 5

Exercise 23.2

C 21.15 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 38 32
27 x 29 30 24 19 x 30 35 x 4

120

Black can still go on with 18 22 5.27 x 20 21

27 6.32 x 21 23 x 41 7.42 37! 41 x 32 8.20
15 16 x 27 9.15 10 but the king at 5 will win
the game in the end.
24.4 1.38 33 17 21 Now white has to avoid
the 18 22 27 x 20 21 27 shot: 2.25 20 14 x
25 3.39 34 W+.
24.5 36 31! 23 29 40 35 (18 23 35 30)
+
Exercise 23.3 27 21 26 x 17 28 22 17 x 39
38 33 39 x 28 32 x 3

24.6 33 29 24 x 33 38 x 29 14 20 42 38 20
24 29 x 20 25 x 14 30 25! (38 33? 26 31!
37 x 6 16 21 etc. =) +

C 23.1 34 30 25 x 34 39 x 19 13 x 24 27 21
26 x 17 28 23 18 x 29 38 33 29 x 27 31 x 4

24.7 26 21 17 x 26 41 37
24.8 25 20 24 x 15 35 30 23 29 33 x 24 9
14 38 33 14 20 33 29 20 25 39 34 +

F 23.2 49 43 (or 48 43) 12 17 28 22 17 x

28 33 x 13 9 x 18 37 31 26 x 28 38 33 21 x
32 33x 13 19 x 8 34 30 25 x 34 39 x 37

Lesson 25: Tactical freeze out

C 23.3 34 30 25 x 34 39 x 19 13 x 24 28 23
18 x 29 35 30 24 x 35 33 x 24 20 x 29 40 34
29 x 49 45 40 35 x 44 43 39 44 x 33 38 x 29
49 x 27 31 x 4

25.1 48 43 24 30 (at 8 12 or 8 13 follows

33 29 24 x 33 34 30 25 x 34 43 39 33 x 44
49 x 7/9) 43 39 30 35 (8 13 33 28 13
19 27 22 W+) 49 44 8 13 44 40 35 x 44
39 x 50 13 19 33 28 +

F 23.4 49-44! For example 7 12 34 30 25 x

34 39 x 19 13 x 24 35 30 24 x 35 44 39 35 x
44 37 31 26 x 28 33 x 4 44 x 33 38 x 29

25.2 48 43! 23 29 (at 9 - 14 27 22 coup

Philippe, after 12 17 35 30 24 x 35 33 29
23 x 34 39 x 30 35 x 24 27 21 16 x 27 32 x 14
9 x 20 25 x 14 +) 27 21 16 x 27 32 x 21 9 14
33 28 3 9 21 16! 12 17 28 23! 19 x 28
38 32 28 x 48 39 34 48 x 30 25 x 3 +

C 23.5 30 24 19 x 30 34 x 25 23 x 45 25 20
15 x 24 44 40 45 x 34 39 x 19 13 x 24 27 21
16 x 27 31 x 4
C 23.6 27 22 17 x 39 32 27 21 x 32 37 x 17
11 x 22 38 33 39 x 28 36 31 26 x 37 41 x 1

25.3 27 21 7 12 (7 11 21 x 12 18 x 7 32
27 +) 21 16 18 22 43 38 22 x 33 30 24
19 x 30 35 x 24 29 x 20 38 x 7 +

C 23.7 28 22 18 x 36 34 30 25 x 34 40 x 9 3
x 14 37 31 36 x 27 32 x 3

25.4 29 24! 8 12 (9 14 24 20 15 x 24 34
29 of 33 29 +. After 23 28 24 19 13 x 24
31 26 22 x 31 33 x 4 +) 24 20! 25 x 14 34
30 35 x 24 33 29 23 x 34 39 x 28 +

C 23.8 26 21 17 x 26 27 21 26 x 17 32 28
23 x 32 34 x 21
Lesson 24: Freezing out your opponent

25.5 42 - 38! 20 - 24 38 - 33 13 - 19 (24 - 30 49 44 30 - 35 33 - 29! 13 - 18* 29 - 24 +) 49 - 44 8

- 13 44 - 40!! 24 - 30 40 - 35 19 - 24 33 - 28 13 19 28 - 22 +

24.1 25 20! 15 x 24 28 22 +
24.2 26 21! 17 x 26 33 - 28

25.6 38 33 23 29 35 30 29 x 49 25 20 14
x 34 28 22 17 x 28 32 x 14 49 x 21 26 x 39 +

24.3 1.48 42! (After 1.48 43? Black will play

the Dussaut sacrifice: 16 21 2.27 x 16 18 22
3.38 33 22 27 =) 24 29 (1 17 21
2.38 33 23 29 3.42 38 18 23 4.27 22 +)
2.40 34 29 x 40 3.35 x 44 17 21 4.38 33

25.7 41 36 8 12 37 31 26 x 37 32 x 41 21 x
23 25 20 17 x 39 20 x 20

121

25.8 39 34 24 29 (21 26 38 33 17 21
28 22 +) 36 31 29 x 40 35 x 44 25 x 34 31
26 +

C 28.3 29 23 19 x 37 42 x 31 26 x 37 38 32
37 x 28 33 x 22 17 x 28 34 30 25 x 34 39 x 6
C 28.4 42 37 25 x 34 27 21 16 x 27 43 39
34 x 32 37 x 19 13 x 24 33 28 22 x 33 31 x 4
(or 31 x 2)

Lesson 26:Exploiting a weak spot

26.1 25 20 24 x 15 33 29 +

C 28.5 28 23 19 x 17 35 30 24 x 35 29 24
20 x 29 34 x 1

26.2 35 30 14 20 30 24 20 x 29 39 33 +
26.3 33 29 (attacking piece 13) 13 18 37
31 26 x 28 39 33 28 x 30 35 x 2 23 x 34 2 - 7
+

C 28.6 34 30 25 x 45 33 29 23 x 34 32
28 22 x 33 38 x 40 45 x 34 27 21 16 x 27
31 x 2

26.4 38 32! 27 x 38 30 24 19 x 30 35 x 24
and at the next move white plays 24 19 etc. +

C 28.7 37 31 26 x 37 48 42 37 x 48 28 22
17 x 28 33 x 22 24 x 42 22 18 13 x 22 43 38
42 x 33 39 x6 48 x 30 35 x 2

26.5 34 29 24 30 42 38 30 35 39 34 9
14 28 22 18 x 27 34 30 35 x 24 29 x 16
26.6 34 30 13 19 32 27 21 x 23 30 25

C 28.8 34 30 24 x 33 38 x 29 23 x 34 32 28
22 x 33 27 21 16 x 27 31 x 2

26.7 28 22 15 20 27 21 26 x 28 32 x 23 18
x 29 33 x 4

Lesson 29: Chain lock

C 29.1 35 30 26 x 28 30 x 19 13 x 24 33 x 4

26.8 48 42 8 12 42 37 12 17 37 - 32 17
21 43 39 15 20 38 33 27 x 29 39 34 30 x
39 44 x 4 35 x 44 4 x 16 44 49 36 31 49 35
50 44 35 x 49 31 27 +

C 29.2 34 30 25 x 34 40 x 20 14 x 25 27 21
18 x 16 28 22 17 x 28 32 x 5
C 29.3 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 29 x 18
12 x 23 34 30 25 x 34 40 x 18 13 x 22 33 29
24 x 33 39 x6 (Ping Pong shot)

Lesson 27: Locks

27.1 Arrow lock

C 29.4 45 40 35 x 44 29 24 20 x 29 33 x 24
44 x 33 28 x 39 17 x 28 32 x 1 (Kong Fu shot)

27.2 Right wing lock

27.3 Fork lock

F 29.5 28 22! 18 23 22 18 23 x 12 39 34
19 23 34 30 (or 33 28) W+1

27.4 Chain lock

C 29.6 35 30 24 x 35 27 22 18 x 27 (or 17 x
28 33 x 24 W+1) 29 x 18 12 x 23 32 x 1

27.5 Arrow lock

27.6 Fork lock

C 29.7 32 28 23 x 21 29 23 18 x 29 34 x 23
19 x 28 33 x 2

27.7 Chain lock

27.8 Semi-fork

C 29.8 35 30 24 x 35 33 29 22 x 24 27 22
18 x 27 31 x 22 17 x 28 32 x 5

Lesson 28: Fork lock

Lesson 30: Right wing lock

C 28.1 35 30 24 x 35 37 31 26 x 28 33 x 11
16 x 7 29 24 20 x 29 34 x 1

C 30.1 34 29 25 x 34 40 x 16
C 30.2 34 29 23 x 34 40 x 20 25 x 34 39 x 30
14 x 34 28 23 19 x 39 38 33 39 x 28 32 x 1

C 28.2 26 21 17 x 26 37 32 26 x 28 34 30
22 x 31 30 x 19 13 x 24 33 x 4

122

C 30.3 33 29 24 x 31 37 x 17 12 x 21 30 24
19 x 30 35 x 24 20 x 29 32 28 23 x 32 34 x 1
(Haarlem shot)
C 30.4 28 23 18 x 29 32 28 21 x 34 28 22
17 x 28 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 33 29 x 38 40 x 16
(coup Royal)
C 30.5 27 22 18 x 27 28 22 17 x 39 34 x 43
25 x 34 40 x 18 13 x 22 26 x 28 (Ping Pong
shot)
C 30.6 28 23 19 x 17 30 x 19 13 x 24 37 31
26 x 37 38 32 37 x 28 33 x 4 (Coup Weiss)
C 30.7 27 22 26 x 37 32 x 41 23 x 43 49 x 38
17 x 28 38 33 28 x 39 34 x 43 25 x 34 40 x 7
(Kong Fu shot)
C 30.8 28 22 17 x 28 26 x 17 11 x 22 32 x 23
18 x 29 27 x 18 12 x 23 34 30 25 x 34 39 x 28

123

x 14 13 19 14 x 23 8 13 40 34 12 17 34
29 with the winning threat 29 24 +.
Black prepares an arrow lock.

31. Other locks

1 18 23
White has little space to play. He must fly to
square 22.
2.28 22 24 29!
3.33 x 24 19 x 30
Since white is locked, he has one playable
piece left.
Whites left wing is not developed well. Pieces
36 and 46 are not active. To activate these,
white played 46 41 36 31 41 - 36 building the
formation 27/31/36. Black (Ainur Shaibakov)
anticipated this plan by locking whites left wing.

4.47 42 12- 17
5.22 x 11 16 x 7
6.27 22 loses because of 8 12 7.42 38
(7.32 27 7 - 11 8.42 38 13 19 9.38 33 12
17 etc. B+) 12 17! 8.22 x 2 26 31 9.2 x 28
31 x 22 and black wins: 10.34 29 30 34
11.39 x 30 25 x 45 12.29 24 45 50 13.44
40 35 x 44 14.24 19 22 28! 15.32 x 23 44
49 16.23 18 50 17 17.19 14 49 27 +

1 2 8!
2.46 41 11 16
3.36 31 17 21
4.41 36 8 13
5.40 35

6.42 38

Going to the graveyard 27 22? 18 x 27 31 x 22

12 18 simply loses the piece. Now black
makes a strong exchange gaining space. After
this black has a lot of possibilities, while white is
running out of moves.

Black could have forced a win by playing 6 13

18! 7.38 33 8 13
1) 8.33 28 13 19 9.28 22 26 31!
(stick move) 10.22 x 24 31 x 42 B+
2) 8.33 29 13 19 9.29 24 26 31!
(stick move) 10.24 x 22 31 x 42 B+

5 23 29!
6.34 x 23 18 x 29
White will be frozen out, for example: 7.39 34
29 x 40 8.35 x 44 24 29 44 40 14 20 40
35 20 24 28 22 12 - 18 B+

1.39 34!
Black cant take the Bomb shot in this situation.
If piece 4 was at 5 the Bomb should would win
black a piece. Black should anticipate whites
next moves: 34 29 23 x 34 40 x 29 and play 2
7. Then he is able to remove the dangerous
piece at 29: 18 23 29 x 18 12 x 23.

1.45 40?
White played this move to make a formation
34/40. At 24 30 he can play 27 22 18 x 29 34

124

After 1.39 34 2 7 2.44 39 (or 2.34 30)

black can go to the graveyard without problems:
24 29 33 x 24 20 x 29.

The death blow. There is no good answer to the

threatening 32 28.

1 1 6?
2.34 29 23 x 34
3.40 x 29 2 7
Its too late for this move now. White freezes out
his opponent.
4.28 22!
Black has left only the poor 4 4 9, but after
5.44 39 19 23? is no good and black has to
sacrifice.

White has a semi-fork that works as a perfect

lock here, because white prepares a shot at 17
21.
1.33 29! 15 20
The only move. Both 17 21 and 19 23 are
answered by 2.25 20!!
2.42 37!!
Black is tactically frozen out.
2 19 23
3.29 24! 20 x 29
4.31 26 22 x 33
5.39 x 10

1.39 34!
White takes a fork lock at a different spot of the
board than we are used to.
White is threatening the Coup Philippe 34 30
25 x 34 38 33 29 x 27 31 x 22 18 x 27 40 x 20.
1 19 24 is followed by 34 30 25 x 34 32
28 23 x 43 48 x 17 +.
1 3 9
2.32 27! 14 20
2 19 24 is met by 3.38 33 29 x 38 4.49
43 38 x 49 5.48 32 49 x 21 6.26 x 10 +.
At 2 7 11 white can take a coup Philippe
again.

Black has attacked piece 27 several times with

17 21. White can stop the attack tactically.

3.38 32!
The threat 32 28 is not stopped by 9 14 and
19 24 is punished by 32 28 +.

1.41 37! 17 21?

2.37 32 21 26
3.30 24! 26 x 28
4.24 19 22 x 31
5.36 x 27 13 x 24
6.33 x 4

3 18 22
4.27 x 18 13 x 22
5.31 27! 22 x 31
6.36 x 27

125

So black cant play 17 21. A logical variation is

1.41 37 13 19 2.37 32 9 14 after which
whites position is much better.

White threatens to attack the centre playing 33

28. At 23 29 white attacks again 28 23 and
at 14 19 30 24 is decisive.
Gantwarg Galkin

2 2 8
3.33 28! 4 10
4.28 x 19 13 x 24
5.30 x 19 14 x 23
6.35 30!

1.30 24 19 x 30
2.34 x 25 23 x 34
3.39 x 30 11 17?
Too slow. The only defence was 3 13 19.

This piece is on its way to the strategic square

24. Black will be frozen out. He can never play
piece 6 because of 32 28 +.

4.30 24

6 10 14
7.30 24 8 13
8.39 34 14 19
9.34 30

Whites strategy is helped by tactical means.

Black cant play 4 17 21 because of the nice
shot 5.38 33! 21 x 32 6.24 20 15 x 24 7.33
29 24 x 33 8.43 38 choice 9.48 x 10 +.
At 4 14 19 white forces a win by 5.38 33!
19 x 30 6.35 x 24 3 9 (17 21 is answered by
a 33 29 24 20 43 38 shot) 7.33 29! With
the decisive threat 29 23 +.

The job has been done. Black ran out of moves.

4 3 8
5.43 39 17 21
6.48 43 21 x 32
7.38 x 27 12 17
8.39 34 8 12
White would use the free move after 8 17
21 to play 9.34 30 21 x 32 10.24 20 15 x 24
11.30 x 10 +.
9.34 29

White saw no trouble ahead, but after 1. 28

23? he was trapped in a beautiful way:

Black couldnt parry the 29 - 23 threat and

surrendered.

1.28 23? 13 18
2.34 30? 20 25!
3.30 x 19 12 17!
4.23 x 12 8 13
5.19 x 8 17 22
6.27 x 18 21 27
7.32 x 21 26 x 17
8.12 x 21 3 x 41

Diagram next column: White breaks the semifork in order to surround blacks centre pieces.
1.31 26! 22 x 31
2.26 x 27

126

C 31.1

C 31.5

C 31.2

C 31.6

C 31.3

C 31.7

C 31.4

C 31.8

127

32. The endgame

When the number of pieces gets smaller and
kings come into play, the game usually gets
even more difficult than it already is.
When the opponent gets a king and the king
cant be caught before long, only being dominant
can win the game. Being dominant is only
possible having at least 4 pieces.

The extra pieces of black dont help him much.

After having caught blacks king the remaining
white king will stop the black pieces.
Pieces 46 and 37 are very strong. A little
patience is enough to win this dominant position.
1.36 4 6 - 11
If black plays 1 16 21 white can attack the
piece by 2.47 38. At 1 6 the king is caught by
4 18 +.

White is dominant

2.47 33! 16 21

3 Kings and a piece are always able to catch a

th
single king. Its not necessary to get a 4 king.
It saves time to make a catching construction
immediately. In this position blacks king is not
safe at any square.
At 25 it is caught by 37 14 25 x 31 36 x 27 +.
At 3 it is caught by 27 9 3 x 41 46 x 37 +.
At 26 it is caught by 36 31 26 3 27 9 + (or
27 21 3 x 26 37 48 +).
At 48 it is caught by 37 26 (or 36 31)
followed by 27 43 46 37 catching the king.

After 2 11 6 3.33 x 11 black must capture 6

x 41 4.46 x 37 W+.
3.4 - 36
Black doesnt have a serious defence left.

Strategic draw
If black has a king and a piece things get more
complex. Black holds the main diagonal 46/5.
White has to conquer this diagonal to be able to
bring more pieces to king. In this position whites
goal will not be achieved. He cant chase blacks
king from the main diagonal.

In case the white pieces work together it is

enough to have two kings to catch the
opponents king.
Blacks king isnt safe
anywhere. At 48 it is caught by 50 39 etc. at
25 it is caught by 35 30 etc.

128

2.33 x 6 15 20
3.25 x 14 46 x 5
Usually a draw is agreed in such positions.
If white still wants to play for a win you have to
remember an important rule:

Being in a situation having 3 pieces

of which at least one is a king, the game
is a draw after 16 mutual moves.
Possessing two kings white will succeed in
chasing blacks king from the main diagonal.
Black to play doesnt have a good move.
At 41, 37, 32, 28 or 23 white catches the king
by 15 10! 4 x 15 (if the king takes 20 - 14 +
follows) 24 30 15 x 24 35 x 46 +.
Squares like these, not at the edge of the board,
are called wild squares for the king.

In this situation black holds the main diagonal. In

such a case the chance of winning is very small.

If white is to move he plays 1.15 10! 4 x 15*

2.35 49 (blacks king cant go to a wild square
because of 24 35 +) 46 5 3.49 44 5 46
4.44 35 and black has no safe square for his
king anymore.

You should be aware of some standard tricks.

Black to move is faced with the threat 47 33!
1) 44 x 46 10 5 W+
2) 44 x 5 37 46 +
Black to move should go to the other side of the
main diagonal, for example square 11. However,
in several games black was trapped:
1 44 22?
2.37 31! 22 x 36
3.10 4

Tag 15 / 25
Black can draw this position if he succeeds in
changing one of his pieces. With only 3 pieces
left white cant win theoretically.
Blacks piece at 15 is a problem for white. It
opposes piece 25, so there is a threat 15 20
25 x 14 46 x 5 drawing the game. The position
15 / 25 is an example of a tag.
White tried to stop the exchange 15 20.

Blacks king is locked!

1.50 33
Now at 15 - 20 white takes with his king 33 x 15.
1 6 11!

129

Exercise 32.1 There is a white king missing!

You have to put it at the board!
Find out at which spot whites second king is to
be put, so that blacks king has no save spot at
the main diagonal!

White can force a draw.

An immediate attack by 49 27? is losing
because of 15 20!! B+.
1.25 20 15 x 24
2.49 27 45 22
3.27 32 22 28
4.32 27

Exercise 32.2 There is a white king missing!

You have to put it at the board!
Find out at which spot whites second king is to
be put, so that blacks king has no save spot
anymore!

Black cant do anything else but defend the

piece with his king. After the moves have been
repeated for three times white can claim a draw.

Exercise 32.3 White to play wins!

If black to move plays 2 24? White also wins.
How?

White has refused to sacrifice her piece at 25 for

a long time already. This is very dangerous! Still
white was reluctant to give up the piece.
1.6 1 15 33
Now sacrificing the piece is obliged. But white
refused to do so.
2.1 6?? 33 22!
White surrendered.

Exercise 32.4 32. 4 White to play forces black

into a draw!

130

2.29 - 23

33. Opposition

Its also possible to play 1.29 23 19 x 28

2.27 22 =.

White can force opposition by a double sacrifice.

1.24 19! 23 x 14
2.35 30 14 19
3.30 24 19 x 30
4.45 40

1.28 22!
White calculated that after 1 20 25 2.22 x 13
19 x 8 3.33 29! 24 x 33 4.39 x 28 black would
lose by fivefold opposition.
For example: 11 17 5.28 23 8 13 6.42 37
and black has to give all his pieces (or
surrender).

Sometimes we see double opposition or

opposition of 3, 4 or even 5 pieces.
In the diagram blacks pieces are still working
together, so this is not the end of the game:

White wins according the fourth-rank-rule:

The fourth rank consist of squares 16, 17, 18, 19
and 20. If white is first at this rank he wins. If
black is first its a draw.

This is a famous composition of a very strong

Dutch old master Keller.
White can win by double opposition. Nearly all
people who see this position for the first time
tend to play 1.30 24? It looks a natural move,
but black escapes after 13 18 2.43 38 18
23 34.38 32 15 20 35.24 x 15 23 29 =.

3.29 24 23 x 12
4.24 19

1.30 25! 13 19
2.43 39 19 24

1 17 22
2.27 x 18 19 23

White cant mechanically follow blacks moves:

3.39 34? 24 30 lets black escape.

Find out for yourself how the black piece is

stopped just in time.

3.25 20! 24 30
4.20 - 14

If white is to play he draws the game by:

1.27 22 17 x 28

131

And white has achieved the needed double

opposition.

3) 1 17 22 2.32 27 22 x 31 3.36 x 27
11 17 4.27 21 17 22 5.21 17! 22
x 11 6.16 11 11 16 7.21 17 and
two white pieces are superior to 3
pieces of black.

White has only one winning move:

1.36 31!

With a piece more white can search for a

sacrifice forcing double opposition:

Black has two different replies:

1) 1 16 21 2.26 x 17 11 x 22 3.37 32
6 11 4.31 26 11 17 5.32 27 22 x
31 6.26 x 37 and white wins by
opposition.
2) 1 11 17 2.31 27 and black is
simply frozen out.

1.43 39 17 22
2.39 34 23 28
3.33 29 22 27
4.29 23! 28 x 19
5.34 - 29

White prevents black from going to king after

which he forces opposition.

1.37 32!
Black can defend in three ways. In all cases
white wins in a charming way.

1.5 23! 40 45
2.23 40! 45 x 34
3.49 44 4 - 9
4.44 39 34 x 43
5.48 x 39

1) 1 17 21 2.26 x 17 11 x 22 3.32 27
22 x 31 4.36 x 27 6 11 5.27 21
double opposition.
2) 1 11 16 2.32 27 6 11 3.36 31
23 28 4.33 x 22 17 x 28 5.27 22! 28
x 17 6.31 27 and after 17 22 7.27 x
18 11 17 8.18 13 17 22 9.13 9
22 28 10.9 4 28 33 11.4 27 33
39 12.27 49 white is just in time to
stop the black piece.

33.1 From a game Tsjizjow Schwarzman Wch

2003. How did white win quickly?
33.2 33.8 White plays and wins!

132

33.1

33.5

33.2

33.6

33.3

33.7

33.4

33.8

133

again. White solves the problem by doing

nothing, by losing a temp.

34. King against pieces

1.15 20!
Now at 32 37 white attacks from behind 20
14 + and after 23 28 blocks the black pieces
with 20 42 +.

Whites king controls line 1/45. Black to move

has to sacrifice two pieces in order to pass the
line, but is still lost.
1 24 29
2. 1 x 25 35 40
3.25 39 40 45
4.39 50

Black to move

If white is to play he simply stays at the line

1/45.

In this endgame we see some important ways to

win with a king against two pieces.

If blacks pieces are at the middle of the board

the king has to become active and catch one of
the pieces.

1) 1 14 20 2.8 2 20 25 3.2 19
6 - 11 3.19 28 11 16 4.28 32 25
30 5.32 43 30 35 6.43 49 +
2) 1 14 19 2.8 3 19 24 (6 11 will
be treated in the next variation) 3.3 8
24 29 4.8 17 29 34 5.7 44 +
3) 1 6 11 2.8 3 14 19 3.3 8 19
23 4.8 24! (A silent move)

If black is to move there are two variations:

1) 1 32 37 2.15 10 +
2) 1 23 28 2.15 42 etc. +
So white can:
1) attack the pieces from behind or
2) block the pieces

3.1) 4 11 17 5.24 8 17 22 6.8 13

22 28 7.13 24 28 32 8.24 15 + (see
diagram 2 of this lesson.)
3.2) 4 23 28 5.24 38 11 17 6.38 16
28 33 7.16 43 17 22 8.43 16. At 22
28 follows 9.16 43 + (blocking) and 33
39 is followed by 9.16 11 (attacking from
behind) +.

If white is to move, patience is necessary. An

immediate attack with 1.15 10? 23 28 2.10
14 fails to 28 33 3.14 x 37 33 39 with a draw.
White shouldnt go to 42 at once either. After
1.15 42 23 28 white has to move his king

134

3.3) 4 11 16 5.24 38 23 28 6.38 27

28 33 7.27 43 +

White has to sacrifice a piece at the right

moment to win.
1.4 15! 12 17

1.10 5 25 30
2.5 23! 30 35
3.26 21 27 x 16
4.23 12!

White wants to bring blacks pieces together at

the same line. Other moves make this task
easier.
At 1 12 - 18 white plays 2.15 4 18 23 3.4
15 23 28 4.15 38 14 19 5.38 15 +
At 1.. 14 19 white has many choices, for
example: 2.15 33 12 18 3.33 11 19 24
4.11 2 24 29 5.2 7 18 23 6.7 12 +

Pieces 16 and 35 are fork-blocked.

2.15 42! 17 - 21
2 17 22 3.42 38 14 19 4.38 15 22 27
5.15 4 27 32 6.4 10 +
3.42 26! 21 27
4.26 3 14 19
5. 3 - 9 27 32
Guerra (black to move)
White has accomplished his first goal. Blacks
pieces are brought together at the main
diagonal. Now white must use the block & attack
from behind method.

This is a famous endgame, which was already

known at the 8 x 8 board. This smaller board
th
was current until the 17 century. Guerra was a
Spanish author who published this endgame
first. There are two variations in which white has
to fork-block both black pieces.

6. 9 - 4 19 23
7.4 15
With the attack form behind (32 - 37 15 10 +)
or a block (23 28 15 42 +) at the next move.
Whites king made a journey all over the board:
4 15 42 26 3 9 4 15 ending where it
started!

1) 1 1 7 2.2 x 16 25 30 3.16 43 30
35 4.43 49 6 11 5.49 44 11 16
6.44 49 with the fork block.
2) 1 6 11 2.2 x 16 25 30 3.16 43 30
35 4.43 34 1 6 5.34 7 with a forkblock again.

135

5 29 33
6. 9 14 23 29
7.14 20 29 34
8.20 x 38

This is a game situation. White made a mistake

by putting his pieces at the same line:
1.33 28?
The white king beats 3 pieces here.

White should have played 33 29 or 37 - 31

moving the pieces away from each other.

1.15 4 21 26
2. 4 15 26 31

1 44 50!
2.28 23 50 22!

After 2 16 21 3.15 4 all pieces are

blocked. After 3 26 31 4.4 x 36 5 10 5.36
41 10 15 6.41 32 21 26 7.32 37 15 20
8.37 42 20 25 9.42 48 black is forkblocked.

Keeping the pieces at the main diagonal.

3.23 19 22 9
4.37 32 9 36
5.32 28 36 31!

3.15 42 31 36
4.42 - 37

Winning like we saw before.

Keeping the main diagonal is winning because

piece 5 is not active.
Exercise 34.1

1.25 39 15 - 20
1 18 23 2.38 33 +
2.39 25! 20 24
3.25 9 18 - 23
4.9 13 24 29
5.13 9!

In the game the play went:

1.33 29 26 31?

Blacks pieces are brought together. Black plays

a move enabling him to attack the pieces from
behind.

Find out how white won with a combination

leading to a king against two pieces!

136

In the examples we saw, the white king had to

do the job alone. Now we will look at methods to
win with a king which is accompanied by one or
more pieces.

The attack from behind is a dangerous weapon

in the endgame.
1.47 41! 28 33
2.41 36! 33 39
3.36 18 29 33
4.18 22

1.30 24 15 20
2.24 x 15 23 29
3.15 10 29 34
4.10 4!

The king and piece 42 work together perfectly to

stop the black pieces!

Now piece 42 will help the king.

34 39
5.4 22 39 43
6.42 38 43 x 32
7.22 33 32 37
8.44 47

White thought for 20 minutes but didnt find the

winning continuation. He didnt know the
importance of attacking pieces from behind. He
was looking only at moves like 18 34? or 18
31?
1.18 12!
Exercise 34.2
White can also play 1.18 7. The point is that
after 29 33 white stops the pieces by 12 21
32 37 21 49 +.
As a matter of fact, white can do without piece
25!

Find out how white wins with the help of piece

42.

137

34.1

34.5

34.2

34.6

34.3

34.7

34.4

34.8

138

35. The main diagonal

1 27 32
2.5 x 26 36 41
3.42 37 41 x 32
4.26 42

White needs an extra piece to be able to win this

endgame.
Black to move would draw the game by 27 32
5 x 26 36 41 =.
White to move cant prevent this (5 46 31 37
=).

White can attack piece 32 because black has no

free temp to chase whites king from the main
diagonal.

A piece at 47 is a great help.

1. 5 32!
At 31 37 or 36 41 white takes 32 x 46 +.

1.5 41! 27 32
2.41 x 17 31 37
3.17 28 36 41
4.47 x 36 37 42
5.28 37 42 x 31
6.36 x 27

Whites piece gets right in time to help the king.

1.50 44 16 21
2.44 39 21 27
3.39 33 26 31
4.33 28!
At 31 37 or 36 41 white plays 28 22! 27 x
18 5 x 46 reducing the number of black pieces to
only two.

With the help of piece 42 it is an easy win.

139

8.37 x 48 31 36 (after 31 37 piece

37 is consumed 3 14) 9.3 14 31 36
10.48 42 26 31 11.14 46 etc. +
2) 7.3 17 31 x 33 8.17 x 39 26 - 31 9.39
28 31 36 10.28 5 21 26 11.32
27! 26 31 12.27 22 16 21 13.5
23! 21 27 14.23 1! 27 x 18 15.1 x 23
+
In variation 2 it is also possible to play: 10.28
23 21 26 11.32 27 26 31 12.27 22 16
21 13.23 1! 21 26 14.1 23 +
Sometimes you can allow your opponent to get
a king after which it is caught.
1.29 24! 27 32
2. 5 x 26 36 41
3.26 12!
3 41 46 is answered by 4.12 23 + while
3 41 47 is answered by 4.12 29! 47 36
5.29 18 +.
You can check yourself that 3.26 - 42 is also
winning.
White won with the help of some catching-theking possibilities. At 1.30 24? black would be
able to draw playing 15 20! 24 x 15 18 23 5
x 17 36 41 =.
1.5 19! 22 27
After 1 18 23 2.19 x 17! both 2 36 41 17
28! + and 2 15 20 3.25 x 14 36 41 4.30
24! 41 46 (41 47 17 3 +) 5.24 19!
followed by 17 28 + lose.
2.30 24 27 - 31

White won the game going to an endgame

where he controls the main diagonal.
1.39 34!
2.24 20
3.34 30
4.33 29
5.28 x 8

After 2 18 23 3.19 x 21 15 20 4.25 x 14 36

41 either 5.21 17 or 5.21 8 (41 46 6.8
13) win.

22 27
14 x 25
25 x 34
34 x 23
17 22

3.19 32 18 22
4.32 46 22 27
5.25 20! 31 37
6.46 x 21 36 41
7.21 32 41 47
8.32 10 15 x 4
9.20 15 47 x 20
10.15 x 24

After 5 27 31 6.8 3! 31 x 33 7.32 -27 21 x

32 8.3 x 24 26 31 9.24 19 +.
6. 8 - 3 27 31
White can win in two different ways. We will
show both ways.
1) 7.32 28 22 x 42 (31 x 33 8.28 x 17 21
x 12 9.3 x 39 followed by 39 28 +)

140

35.1

35.5

35.2

35.6

35.3

35.7

35.4

35.8

141

36. Trictrac lines

White has to lose a temp to reach the winning

position.
Lines 6/45 and 1/50 are very special lines in the
endgame. In French they are called trictrac.
En trictrac literally means facing each other.
Many tricks are possible at the trictrac lines.

1.50 39! 40 45
1 26 31 2.32 27 31 x 22 4.39 x 6 40 45
6.6 50 +

1.18 12 25 30
2.12 - 7 30 34
3.7 1 34 39

2.39 6!
White plays to square 6 at the right moment.

After 3 34 40 4.1 6 40 44 5.50 x 39 44

50 6.39 33 blacks king is caught.

2 26 31 3.32 27 31 x 22 4.6 x 50 + or
2 45 50 3.32 28 etc. +

4.50 44! 39 x 50
5.1 - 6
Black must play with his king after which white
takes to square 50 and wins.

In the game white made a mistake allowing

black to play a stick move reaching a famous
endgame win.
1.30 - 25?

Whites control over the trictrac lines guarantees

a win.

White could simply draw the game by 1.30 24

19 x 30 2.29 23 =.

1.34 29 18 22
2.50 x 6 45 50
3.29 23

1 27 31
2.25 x 23 31 x 42
3.23 19 42 47
4.29 23 47 41

After 50 45 4.6 1 blacks king is caught.

Whites pieces are blocked.

142

5.23 18 41 x 14
6.18 12 14 19!

Black has to avoid the opposition after 9 13

2.28 23 +.

You should remember this famous endgame! It

is very practical.

2.28 23 14 20
3.23 19 20 25
4.19 13 25 30
5.13 - 8 30 34

7.12 7 19 23!
8 7 1 23 45 +
8 7 2 23 - 7 +

Black is threatening 34 39 50 x 26 45 50
now.
6.31 26!!
6 34 39 is answered by 7.50 x 6 45 50
8.26 x 17 +.
6 21 27 7.26 21 27 x 16 8.8 3 +
6 34 40
7.26 x 17 40 44
8.50 x 22 45 50
9.8 2!
The king at square 2 will help throw blacks king
back to the edge of the trictrac.

Pieces 6 and 49 give white control over the

trictrac lines. The other piece goes to the trictrac
zone too.

9 50 45
10.22 50 45 23
11.2 7! 23 x 1
12.50 - 45

1.14 9! 45 50
2. 9 3 50 45

Black is trapped at the trictrac.

Obliged because of the threat 3 17 +.

3.6 1 45 50
4.3 12 50 28
5.49 44! 28 x 50
6.1 6
We see the role of piece 49: it takes care of the
return of blacks king to the edge of the trictrac.

In the game white played 37 32? and black

surrendered! As a matter of fact 1.37 32 19
23! is a draw. White has no good temp left. After
2.50 6 26 31 3.27 x 36 45 50 = follows.
1.50 6!
White should just go up and down with his king.
After 26 31 he can always take 37 x 26, such
that a future king at 50 will be caught.

A practical endgame.
1.36 31 9 14

143

In the game white played 1.32 27? and after

34 - 39 2.50 x 33 7 12 3.17 x 8 45 50 it is a
draw.

In a game at the Wch girls white played

1.48 43?

1.32 28! 34 39
2.50 x 33 7 12
3.17 x 8 45 50
4. 8 2 50 45
5.33 50 45 34
6.2 7! 34 x 1
7.50 - 45

White should play 1.48 42 20 24 2.42 37

24 30 3.37 32 30 35 and now:
1) 4.33 28? 23 29 and we have the
position we will get in the game.
2) 4.32 28! 23 x 32 5.33 29 =
1 20 24
2.43 38 24 30?

Exercise 36.1 How does white win after 1.32

28 34 40 ?

2.43 39 is totally lost. After 2.43 38 black

should play 2 23 29! 3.33 28 24 30! 4.28
22 (or 4.38 32 30 35 5.28 22 35 40
with the game position) 29 33! An important
change! 6.38 x 28 1 x 45 and white wins: 7.22
17 45 1 8.17 11 1 45 +
3.38 32 30 35
4.33 28?
White misses the escape with 4.32 28 23 x 32
5.33 29 =
4 23 29
5.28 22 35 40
6.22 18 1 x 37
7. 6 1 37 23!
8.1 6 23 1!
9.1 28 40 44!
10.28 x 50 1 6

Blacks pieces 15 and 24 are waiting to catch a

future white king at 1.
1 23 1?
White could have forced a draw now: 1.36 31
1 45 2.31 26 45 1 3.22 17! 1 - 45 4.6 - 1!
White can use the catching position of pieces 17
and 26! To avoid this trick black should have
changed the odds.

A beautiful ending!

36.6 Kalmakov Schwarzman Wch 2001

White missed the winning move.

1 23 45!
After 1.36 31 45 1 2.31 26 1 45 3.22 17
black is back at square 1 to stop the trick.

144

36.1

36.5

36.2

36.6

36.3

36.7

36.4

36.8

145

Now he traps blacks king using piece 26.

37. Quadrants

4.19 35 49 32
5.26 21! 32 x 16
6.35 - 49

The board is divided in 5 quadrants. Quadrants

are given shape by a rectangle. In the diagram
quadrant 2 25 49 16 is marked.
Most of the time you have to consider how to
play in two quadrants. Black will get a king at 47
or 48 here.

The board consists of 5 quadrants:

- The main diagonal (10 by 1)
- Trictrac zone (9 by 2)
- 4/15/47/36 (8 by 3)
- 2/35/49/16 (7 by 4)
- 3/25/48/26 (6 by 5)

1.3 20!
White has two kings in the 4/15/47/36 quadrant.
After 1 42 47 2.20 15 5 10 3.15 x 4 47
33 white locks his opponent by 4.25 20 33 x
15 5.36 47 +

While playing an endgame it is often very useful

to consider the quadrants.

1 42 48
Now white has to make a catching position with
25. White must consider both 20 29 and 36
18.
2.36 18!
Black is caught in the 3/25/48/26 quadrant. At
48 - 26 white catches the king by 3.20 42! 26 x
48 4.18 34 48 x 30 5.25 x 34 +
Two of whites pieces are in quadrant 2/35/49/16.
Piece 26 also has a function in the quadrant as
we will see. White wants to trap his opponent in
quadrant 2/35/49/16.
1.8 2! 32 38
Black cant go to 37: 32 37 2. 2 19 37 42
3.19 37! 42 x31 4.26 x 37 +.
2.2 19 38 43
3.7 2! 43 49
White added a second king to the quadrant.
The play is taking place in two quadrants:

146

quadrant 2/35/49/16 and the trictrac zone.

1.35 49! 16 - 11
At 1 16 2 the king is caught by 2.34 30 2 x
35 2.23 40 +
2.23 - 1!
A very important move in this type of endgame.
King 49 guards the trictrac zone. If black stays at
the trictrac white will play 49 44 and 1 6 +.
So black must leave the trictrac line.

In the endgame of three kings against one it is

strongly recommended to watch the quadrants!
It is dangerous to put the single king in a
quadrant in which enemy kings are present.

2 11 - 16
3.34 29 16 - 2
3.49 35 2 - 16
4.1 - 7 16 x 2
5.29 - 24 2 x 30
6.35 x 24

Black will go into the 4/15/47/36 quadrant or the

3/25/48/26 quadrant at his next move. Therefore
white puts in two kings in both quadrants!
1.8 - 3!
King 9 is active in both quadrants.
1 42 47
1 42 48 2.9 25 48 37 3.4 31 48 x 26
4.25 48 +
2.9 36 47 33
3.3 20 33 x 15
4.36 47

Its smart to consider what your opponent is

going to do. Black wants to play 31 37 and
after that he has two ways to go to king (black
cant play 37 42 because of 25 48) ;
1) 37 41 47 x 36 37 42
2) 38 42 47 x 38 37 - 41
It is logical to get the second king at square 4
because you need a king in the 4/15/47/36
quadrant.
1.18 13 31 37
2.13 9 37 41
A very interesting game position. White has to
discover blacks plan: 24 30 48 x 25 31 36
35 14 37 42 47 x 38 4 9 14 x 3 36 41.
This knowledge helps to establish whether 12
7 or 12 8 should be played. In the game white
missed this defence and carelessly played 12 -7,
drawing the game

2 38 42 3.47 x 38 37 41 4.25 14! 41 47

5.9 3! +
3.47 x 36 38 42
4.25 48 42 47
5.9 4 47 33
6.48 42 33 x 47
7.4 15

1.12 8! 24 30

147

2.48 x 25 31 36
3.25 14 37 42
4.47 x 38 4 9
5.14 x 3 36 41
6.3 14!
The point of the endgame: at 41 47 blacks
king is caught by 8 3 +.

In this game position white could have won in a

beautiful way. It seems as if the position is a
draw, because white will lose piece 11. But he
can keep the opponents king in the quadrant
2/35/49/16.
1.50 45! 2 x 16
2.6 x 44 16 2
3.44 39!

The position is a draw, but black didnt defend

well.

Threatening 39 30 45 40

1 34 43?

3 2 - 16 4.45 40!

Black is in the same quadrant as king 35.

Piece 45 is marching to square 29!

2.35 49!

4. 16 7
5.39 34 7 - 11

The king is always caught. At 43 16 white

plays 28 32 +. After 43 25 49 43! 25 x 43
28 37 + follows.

Taking control over the trictrac lines. White is

threatening 49 - 44 1 - 6 +.
If black plays 5 7 16 the fastest way to win is
6.49 44! (threatening 34 43 16 x 49 40 35
+) 16 2 7.34 30 2 x 35 8.44 49 +.
6. 34 1! 11 - 2
7.40 34! 2 16
8.34 29 16 2
9.49 35
Exercise 37.2
Show how white wins using the same strategy
after black plays 2 16 7

Exercise 37.1
Black to move. What should black play?

37.1 37.8 White wins the endgame. Watch the

quadrants!

148

37.1

37.5

37.2

37.6

37.3

37.7

37.4

37.8

149

38. Laying an ambush

Sometimes your opponent gets a king but you
can catch it immediately. We call this situation
an ambush.

White wants black to go to square 44. It is

necessary to prevent black from going to 48.
White makes an ambush, catching the king at 49
or 50.
1.6 1 34 39
2.1 29!

1.4 27 39 44
2.37 32

Preventing black from going to 43, because of

29 38! 43 x 21 36 31 with opposition.

Black is ambushed. At 44 49 white catches the

by 27 16 +. At 44 50 the king is caught by 32
28 50 x 31 36 x 27.

2 39 44
3.29 38 44 49
The ambush was ready for square 50 (38 33)
but when black goes to 49 catching the king is
delayed by one move. The next situation is very
important to remember!
4.38 32!!
At the next move blacks king is caught. For
example: 49 35 5.32 19 +.

White can only catch a future king at 50, so he

has to prevent black from going to 49.
1.19 13 25 30
2.13 8 30 34
3.8 2 34 40
4.2 35! 40 45
5.35 19 45 50
6.23 5 50 x 19
7.5 x 23
A similar situation. Black is guided to square 41.
Then the king is caught by a delayed ambush.

Two things are necessary to be able to catch the

opponents king. You have to guide the piece to
the right square and you have to make an
ambush.

1.2 16 32 37
2.16 38 37 41

150

3.29 24 41 47
4.33 29

2.4 10! 38 - 43

And the king is caught at the next move.

White loses a temp, to get the right position at

the right moment. Black couldnt go to 42
because of 10 37 +.
3.10 - 28
The ambush is ready.

Usually you go to king with the piece closest to

promotion (=getting a king). This is not always
the best thing to do. In this case you have to
focus on how to create the right ambush.
1.43 38! 17 21
2.27 x 16 26 31
3.16 11 31 36
4.11 7 36 41
5.7 2!

In this game position the young Ainur Shaibakov

didnt rush to king with piece 23 but played the
winning move:
1.36 31! 10 14
2.31 - 26! 14 19
3.23 x 14 24 29
4.14 10 29 33
5.10 5??

At 5 41 46 6.2 19 white catches the king at

the next move by 19 5.
At 5 41 47 the king is caught by 6.23 19 +.

White was too impatient. He should have

calculated the endgame till the end before
playing. Black escaped with a draw because
after 33 39! 6.5 28 39 43 white is at the
right spot at the wrong time!

This is a very practical endgame. It has occurred

in at least 5 official games recorded in the
database of Turbo Dambase. In 3 out of 5 cases
white went wrong and played 10 5? drawing
the game.
Black to play wanted to force a draw, but he was
impatient. He should have waited until piece 16
or 25 is played before going to 26. After going to
26 immediately black was ambushed.

1.10 4! 33 38
1 33 39 2.4 22 39 43 3.22 28
with a perfect ambush.

151

1 8 26?
2.36 31! 26 x 37
3.48 x 31 38 43
4.31 18!

After 5 27 32 6.10 5 32 38 7.29 24

black has no defence against the threat 24 20
+. Therefore black has to sacrifice two pieces.
5 35 40
6.44 x 35 25 30
7.35 x 24 27 32
8.10 4 32 37
The formation 24/29 is helping white. After 32
38 the piece would be changed by 4 27 38
42 27 38 42 x 33 29 x 38 +.
9.4 27 6 11
9 37 41 10.27 32 +
10.27 38 11 17
11.38 47 17 22
12.24 20 22 28
13.20 15 28 32
15.15 10 37 41

White was in time trouble. He didnt have

enough time to calculate and gambled:
1.18 13?
White should have defended playing 1.44 39
40 45 2.21 17 with stick moves after 45 50.

15 37 42 16.47 x 33 37 41 17.33 47 41
46 18.10 5 +.
White could also have played 15.29 24 37
41 16.47 x 36 32 38 17.36 31 38 43 18.16
49 43 49 19.48 43 +.

2 40 x 38
2.13 x 11 6 x 26
White had time again to calculate, but it was too
late. White will be ambushed:
3.27 22 38 42 4.22 18 42 47 5.18 13
(5.18 12 47 29 6.12 8 29 33 +) 47 20
6.13 8 20 33! +

16.47 x 36 32 38
17.36 27 38 42
18.27 38 42 x 24
Black surrendered.

White (J.P. Drost) made a good calculation

winning the endgame in a beautiful way:

White could have forced an ambush.

1.7 2! 14 19
2.25 20 19 24
3.2 x 30 31 37
3.20 15!

1.16 11! 17 x 6
2.26 21 27 x 16
3.23 19 16 21
4.19 14 21 27
5.14 10

At 37 41 4.30 19 follows.
At 37 42 4.39 34 + follows.

152

38.1

38.5

38.2

38.6

38.3

38.7

38.4

38.8

153

At 6 29 33 white plays 7.5 37 31 x 42 8.47

x 29. Now white can force this tactical possibility.

39. Tactics in the endgame

In the endgame combinations, forcings and
sacrifices play an important role.

7.5 23 34 39
8.23 28 39 43
9.28 37 31 x 42
10.47 x 49

White attacks both black pieces ending the

game with a little combination.
1.12 7 23 28
2. 7 - 1

1.7 2! 13 18
2.2 11 33 38
3.11 7 18 22
4.7 16! 26 31
5.37 x 26 38 42
6.16 27! 22 x 31
7.26 x 48

Black cant continue 2 28 32 because of the

shot 3.34 29 24 x 33 4.1 40 35 x 44 5.50 x
37 +.
At 2 24 30 3.34 x 25 28 32 white wins by
4.1 23 32 38 5.23 29 38 43 6.29 40 35
x 44 7.50 x 48 +.
2 35 40
3.34 x 45 28 32
4.1 23 32 38
5.23 37 38 43
6.37 48 43 49
7.48 30! 24 x 35
8.50 44 49 x 40
9.45 x 34

Only two pieces each player, but still white wins

using a combination!
1.35 30 4 9
Black must evade opposition (4 10 47 41
W+).
2.30 24 9 13
3.24 20 13 19
4.20 15 19 23
5.15 10 23 29
6.10 5 29 34

1.44 40 39 44
2.49 21! 44 x 35
3.21 17 33 38
4.16 11!

154

White wants to use piece 16 for a shot, while

black cant sacrifice the piece!

1.26 - 42
It seems as if black can force a draw now, but
white has a trick.

Whites position seems lost. All his pieces are

behind line 16/49 controlled by blacks king.
But what a surprise: White can lock the
opponent king!

1 41 32 2.42 x 20!
Creating a free move to catch blacks king.

1.31 27! 49 x 16
2.37 32 16 x 49
3.42 38 49 x 46
4.36 31 26 x 37
5.47 41 37 42
6.48 x 37

2 32 x 49
3.2 7 25 x 14
4.7 44 49 x 40
5.35 x 44

Blacks king suffocates

White makes a combination with a choice for

black:
1.47 42! 38 x 47

White could have drawn the game after 1.37

32, but he thought he could force a draw faster.

1 37 x 48 is followed by 2.8 2 etc. +

1.23 19 31 x 42
2.25 20?

2.8 3 47 x 20
3.34 30 25 x 34
4.3 x 26

Black saw a classical lock to end the game.

2 42 48
3.20 14 48 25!
4.14 x 5 25 14
5.19 x 10 26 31

155

6.13 9 29 33
7. 9 4

In this composition (Leo Springer) white traps

the opponent king in a surprising way.
1.18 12 37 42
2.11 7 42 48
3. 7 2 48 26

White threatens to make the combination 37

31 26 x 37 27 21 16 x 27 4 x 15, so black must
sacrifice:
1) 7 16 21 8.27 x 16 33 39 9.4 22
39 43 10.22 31 and black is
ambushed +
2) 7 26 31 8.37 x 26 16 21
(otherwise white plays 26 21 with the
threat 27 22 +) 9.27 x 16 33 38 (33
39 4 22 39 43 22 31 +) 10.4 10
38 43 (38 42 10 37 +) 11.10 32
+.

Black wants to reduce the number of white

pieces to three to draw the game. Now white
tricks his opponent.
4.16 11! 26 x 3
5.11 7! 1 x 12
6.2 - 19
Piece 12 blocks his own king. At the next move
blacks king is caught.

This game looks like a draw, but white has a

beautiful trick.

This is a famous composition of A. Molimard.

The tricks white uses to win this endgame are
very practical.
1.36 31!

1.25 30! 31 37
2.47 41! 37 x 46
3.30 19

If white rushes playing 1.27 22? 16 21 2.22

18 21 27 3.18 12 26 31 37 x 26 27 32
the game is drawn.

There is no sensible reply against 23 5 +.

1 4 - 9
2.27 22 9 13
3.31 27 13 19
4.22 18 19 24
5.18 13 24 29

156

39.1

39.5

39.2

39.6

39.3

39.7

39.4

39.8

157

It was not easy to see the drawing possibility:

2.36 31! 27 x 36 3.33 29 21 27 4.29 24
and black has no good plan to ambush white.
Only if white was to move he would win.

40. Practical endgames

We will show you some nice endgames that
occurred during a game.

2 21 - 26! 3.29 - 24
3.20 14 5 x 34 4.36 31 (15 10 34 23 +)
26 x 37 5.15 10 is answered by 6.34 43! and
white is ambushed.
Exercise 40.1 How did black win now?

G. Heerema M. de Jong
White missed a nice way to ambush his
opponent.
1.7 1! 18 22
2.1 6 22 28
3.25 20 28 32
4.6 x 39 32 37
5.35 30 37 42

H. Meijer W. Sjtsjogoljew

5 37 41 is answered by 6.39 28 41 47
7.20 15 47 36 8.28 41 36 x 47 9.30 24 +.

White needs a couple of combinations to win the

endgame.

6.39 28! 42 48
7.28 14 48 x 30
8.14 3 +

1.8 3 39 44
2.3 x 20!!
After 2.3 x 25 black would escape later. After 3 x
20 black has 3 possibilities, all losing by a shot.
1) 2 44 50 3.27 22 50 x 17 4.32 28
17 x 47 5.20 15 47 x 20 15 x 47 +
2) 2 44 49 3.32 28 49 x 21 4.37 32
21 x 47 5.20 15 +
3) 2 11 17 3.27 21 16 x 47 4.20 15
47 x 20 5.15 x 50 +.

Mironov Tsjizjow
1.38 - 33
1.20 14 5 x 43 2.15 10 is punished by 43
32 3.10 4 16 21 4.4 x 31 21 26 +.
1 16 - 21 2.33 - 29?

158

Baba Sy - Agafonow

H. Jansen A. Abidin

Black gave his opponent a free move by

attacking 18 23? White performed a
spectacular combination!

White could have finished a nice game in a

charming way, but missed it and saw the game
being drawn.

1 18 23
2. 27 - 21 23 x 43
3. 6 - 1 26 x 17
4.25 - 20 14 x 25
5.35 - 30 24 x 44
6.34 - 30 25 x 34
7.1 x 46

1.39 33! 38 x 29
2.37 42 29 - 34
3.42 48 34 40
4.48 42!!
White prevents the sacrifice 40 44 50 x 39 35
40, which would be drawing the game at every
other move, by 39 34 40 x 29 42 x 15 +.
4 11 17
5.42 38 40 45
After 5 17 22 white consumes piece 40 by
6.38 33! 22 27 7.50 45 +.
Now black has a piece at 45 white should take
care that he keeps controlling square 49,
because 35 40 should be answered by the
king moving to 49 at all time.
6.38 27! 35 40
7.27 - 49

C. van Leeuwen Sjtsjogoljew

White thought he could force a draw by
attacking both 12 and 20.
1.9 3?
White only checked moves with blacks most
advanced piece, 42.
1 20 25!
2.3 x 48 29 34
3.48 x 30 25 x 34

W. Leijenaar J. Oost

An unpleasant surprise
White will not win playing 1.10 4? Because of
the stick move 27 32! =.
In the game white played 1.10 5 after which
black could have escaped playing 1 29 34
2.5 28 27 32! 3.38 x 27 13 19 4.32 x 14 34
39 =.
1. 38 32! 27 x 38
2.10 - 4
A sacrifice is the solution! 2 13 19 3.4 27
gives white an easy win.

159

40.1

40.5

40.2

40.6

40.3

40.7

40.4

40.8

160

33.7 38 32 30 35 39 33! 29 x 27 40 - 34

Solutions lessons 31 - 40
Lesson 31: Other locks

33.8 50 45 14 19 44 39 19 24 39 34 35
40 34 30 24 x 35 45 x 34

C 31.1 27 22 18 x 27 34 30 25 x 34 35 30
24 x 44 33 x 24 19 x 30 49 x 7

Lesson 34: King against pieces

C 31.2 27 21 16 x 27 33 28 22 x 44 31 x 22
18 x 27 43 39 44 x 33 38 x 16

Exercise 34.1 33 29 26 31 29 x 9 31 x 31
44 40 35 x 33 32 28 30 x 39 9 3 33 x 22 3
x 27 25 30 27 43 30 35 43 49 +

C 31.3 26 21 16 x 27 32 x 21 17 x 26 28 x 17
12 x 21 35 30 24 x 35 29 24 20 x 29 34 x 5

Exercise 34.2 39 48 26 31 48 43 32 37
43 48 37 41 42 37 41 x 32 48 x 26 32 38
26 48 +

C 31.4 38 33 21 x 32 33 29 23 x 34 39 x 30
25 x 34 24 20 15 x 24 43 38 32 x 43 48 x 6

34.1 12 7 19 23 7 1 23 28 1 29 32 38
29 42 etc. +

C 31.5 35 30 24 x 35 37 31 26 x 37 47 41
37 x 46 29 24 46 x 30 34 x 5

34.2 14 9 4 x 13 15 10 13 19 10 4 27
32 4 10 +

C 31.6 29 24 20 x 29 25 20 14 x 25 27 21
16 x 27 38 32 27 x 40 45 x 5

34.3 18 12 25 30 12 7 30 34 7 1 (or 17
11 first) 34 39 17 11 6 x 17 1 6 +

C 31.7 36 31 26 x 30 40 34 24 x 42 34 x 5

34.4 2 8 17 22 8 13 (8 3 is also winning)

22 28 13 24 28 32 24 42 14 19 42 15
+

C 31.8 30 24 20 x 29 39 34 29 x 49 31 26
49 x 21 26 x 10
Lesson 32: The endgame

34.5 7 1 16 21 (30 35 29 24 16 21 1
18 etc. +) 1 12 21 27 (21 26 12 18 30
35 29 24 +) 12 18 27 32 29 24! 30 x 19
18 4 +

Exercise 32.1 Square 34

Exercise 32.2 Square 3

34.6 3 21 10 14 (10 15 21 38 22 28 38
24 28 32 24 42 +; 22 28 21 38 10 14
38 15 28 32 15 42 14 19 42 15 19 23
15 20 +) 21 38 14 19 38 15 22 27 15 4

Exercise 32.3 4 13! ; 2 - 24? 14 20 24 x 15

41 47
Exercise 32.4 36 31 13 x 36 35 30 25 x 34
45 x 23

34.7 9 3 29 34 (29 33 3 14 23 29 14
20 29 34 20 x 38 34 40 38 33 40 45 33
50; 23 28 3 14 28 33 14 20 +) 3 14 23
29 14 20 29 33 20 x 38 34 40 38 33 40
45 33 50

Lesson 33: Opposition

33.1 32 28 23 x 32 42 38 32 x 43 49 x 38
33.2 38 33 27 32 43 39 32 38 42 37 38
x 29 37 - 32

34.8 42 15 13 18 15 4 18 23 4 15 +

33.3 41 37 12 18 37 32 18 23 32 28 23
x 32 31 27 32 x 21 26 x 17

Lesson 35: The main diagonal

33.4 48 42 32 38 29 23 38 x 18 42 38
33.5 44 40 24 29 40 35 29 34 35 x 24 34
40 39 34 40 x 20 43 39 20 24 39 - 34

35.1 34 48 31 36 48 37 +

33.6 48 43 25 30 43 39 16 21 38 32

35.3 5 32 +

35.2 14 10 31 x 42 41 37 42 x 31 10 5 +

161

Exercise 37.1 Correct is 48 34! Not good are

1 48 43? 2.26 48 43 16 3.48 43 16 x
49 4.28 44 + and 1 48 25? 2.26 3 25
43 3.35 30 43 x 25 4.28 14 +

35.4 5 23 21 27 23 1 27 x 18 1 x 23 +
35.5 10 4 16 21 4 10 21 26 10 4 +

Exercise 37.2 3.44 39 7 16 4.45 40 16

7 39 34 7 11 34 1 16 2 40 34 2 16 34
29 +

35.6 44 39 21 27 39 33 27 32 5 x 26 36
41 26 37 41 x 32 28 23 32 x 23 48 43 +
35.7 23 46 22 27 (31 37 46 x 17 15 20
25 x 14 36 41 17 8 +) 25 20 31 37 46 x
21 36 41 21 32 41 47 32 10 15 x 4 30
25 47 x 30 35 x 24 +

37.1 44 35 2 16 18 7 16 x 2 37 14 +
37.2 44 49 threatens both 48 30 18 40 +
as 49 21 18 31 +

35.8 35 30 (6 1? 24 30 =) 24 x 35 6 1 12
17 1 23 +

37.3 38 29 32 x 21 29 12 +
37.4 41 36 4 15 32 27 15 47 27 4 47
29 37 42 39 x 47 4 15 +

Lesson 36: Trictrac lines

Exercise 36.1 28 22 40 44 50 x 28 7 12 17
x 8 45 - 50 8 2 50 45 28 50 45 23 2 7
23 x 1 50 45 +

37.5 19 -2 49-44 11-6 44-49 2-16 49-35 6-1 3544 1-6 44-35 16-2 35-49 12-21 6-11 +

36.1 39 33 (or another waiting move: 39 28

or 29 44) 16 21 (45 50 31 27 +) 28 50
21 26 31 27 26 31 50 6 31 x 22 6 x 50

37.6 18 12 32 37 48 x 26 35 40 44 x 35 38
43 12 8 and now: 1) 43 48 8 3 48 39
35 30 39 x 25 26 48 or 2) 43 49 8 2 49
38 26 21 38 x 16 35 49

36.2 37 32 7 11 (7 12 32 27 12 17 28
23 18 x 29 50 x 6 +) 28 23 18 x 29 50 x 6
etc. +

37.7 2 11 45 50 11 16 44 49 (50 45 29
33 +) 29 1 49 x 27 16 x 49 50 28 49 44
28 x 50 1 6 +

36.3 32 28 34 39 50 x 33 7 12 17 x 8 45 50 7 2 50 45 33 50 45 23 2 7 23 x 1 50
45 +

37.8 5 23 7 11 29 1 11 16 29 23 16 2
49 35 2 16 1 7 16 x 2 23 19 +

36.4 33 28 39 x 6 (39 x 50 29 33 +) 29 1 6
x 50 1 6 +

Lesson 38: Catching a king

38.1 5 23 26 31 37 x 26 33 38 23 19 (or
somewhere else at the main diagonal) 35 40
(38 43 44 39 43 x 34 19 28 etc. +) 44 x 35
38 43 19 28 +

36.5 38 33 28 32 33 28 22 x 44 15 38 32
x 43 48 x 50
36.6 10 4 35 40 4 x 36 40 44 43 39 44 x
42 36 22 50 x 17 6 x 47

38.2 25 20 12 17 22 x 11 23 28 20 15 28
32 11 7 32 37 7 2 37 42 (37 41 2
19) 2 30 +

36.7 28 22 14 19 22 17 19 23 17 11 23
29 11 x 2 29 33 2 24 33 39 (35 40 24 x
38 40 x 49 38 27 +) 44 x 33 35 40 24 13
40 44 13 22 +

38.3 8 3 14 19 3 21 33 39 21 49 19
23 16 11 23 28 11 6 28 32 49 x 27 (of 49
x 21) 39 44 27 22 +

36.8 10 5 33 39 (33 38 5 32 38 x 27 26
21 27 x 16 6 1 +) 5 32 39 44 32 49 44
50 26 21 50 45 21 17 45 23 49 40 23 x
45 6 1 +

38.4 13 9 36 41 9 4 41 47 4 36 47 x 4
32 27 +
38.5 9 3 12 17 21 x 12 29 33 (29 34 3
25 34 40 25 39 with a trictrac win) 38 x 29 28
32 3 25 32 37 12 8 37 42 (37 41 25
14 +) 8 3 42 48 (42 47 25 14 +) 3 26 +

Lesson 37: Quadrants

162

40.6 29 23 28 x 19 9 3 19 23 3 12! 23
28 12 21 28 33 21 43 +

38.6 1 34 32 38 (32 37 34 48 37 41 42
37 +) 42 x 33 31 37 34 23 37 42 23 29
+

40.7 38 32 17 22 (16 21 32 28 21 26
36 31 17 21 28 23 11 17 23 18 +)
37 31 11 17 (22 - 28 32 x 23 16 21 23 18
11 17 18 13 17 22 13 8 22 28 8 2 28
33 2 11 33 38 11 16 +) 31 26 16 21
36 31 21 27 32 x 12 22 28 12 7 28 33
7 1 (or 7 2) 33 39 (33 38 1 29 38 43
29 38 43 x 32 31 27 +) 1 6 39 43 26 21
+

38.7 1 23 31 37 42 x 31 32 38 31 26 38
43 23 28 +
38.8 32 38 39 44 (26 31 38 33 39x28 27
22 28 x 17 36 x 27) 38 49 44 50 49 44 +
Lesson 39: Tactics in the endgame
39.1 25 20 14 x 25 35 30 +

40.8 13 8 25 30 8 2 30 34 2 35 34 39
35 49 6 11 36 31 11 17 31 27 16 21
27 x 16 17 22 26 21 22 28 16 11 28 33
11 6 39 44 49 x 40 33 38 40 49 38 42
21 17 + (missed by Zimmerman versus
Baldent in 1899)

39.2 34 30 35 x 24 2 x 30 25 x 34 44 39 34 x
43 49 x 47
39.3 16 11 21 x 5 (21 x 23 35 40 +) 35 19
6 x 28 19 x 46
39.4 3 20 26 x 29 32 19 24 x 15 19 24 29 x
20 25 x 14
39.5 35 8 50 x 17 4 22 17 x 50 8 x 17 +
39.6 26 21 17 x 26 27 21 26 x 17 49 16 +
39.7 39 34 40 x 29 26 21 29 34 12 7 34
40 7 1 40 45 1- 6 25 30 6 50 30 34
50 6 34 40 6 50 +
39.8 34 30 25 x 34 19 - 2
Lesson 40: Practical endgames
Exercise 40.1 3 26 31 4.20 14 5 x 30 15
10 30 19 10 4 19 41 36 x 47 31 36 4 x
31 36 x 27
40.1 23 18 13 x 22 10 5 36 41 47 x 36 37
42 5 37 42 x 31 36 x 18
40.2 45 40 39 x 37 35 30 24 x 44 28 33 29
x 38 1 x 41 +
40.3 34 30 41 47 28 22 47 x 35 22 x 13 35
x 8 2 x 13
40.4 32 28 44 x 22 6 x 44 50 x 31 36 x 27
(missed by Tsjizjow versus Ba)
40.5 18 13 8 x 19 32 28 21 x 23 33 28 23 x
32 22 17 11 x 22 4 x 13 + (missed by Dibman
versus Presman)

163