Step 3 plus

Name: Date of birth:

Street: Place:

School: Club:

Trainer: 1st step completed:

3r
znd step completed: d step completed:
X-ray protection

A simple topic to start on the Plus book. You have already learnt about X-ray protection and X-ray
attacks, but there is more that can be done using the X-ray effect of queen, rook and bishop.

� • • •
'' ' .i� '
' ' ' ' '
.i ..t. .i '
' � [3J ..t.
[3J [3J � 'ii' [3J [3J
[3J [3J [3J @ �
'ii' M @ M 1:t
The white rook is attacking In this position the f4-bishop Is 1. Rxh6+ possible? Yes.
the Rd5 and also controlling is looking through the e5- White saves himself by X­
the squares behind the rook, bishop to the b8-square. ray protection after 1. ... Kg7
White can win a piece with White can deliver mate with with 2. Rd6, and both rooks
1. Bxd7. 1. Qb8+ Bxb8 2. Rxb8 mate. are protected.

•
•
. ' ' '
'' ''

X-ray protection works very 1 . . Rxc4 is not good since

well in other sorts of combi­
nations. Here it is the double
attack. White wins the queen
with 1. Bc4+.
. Here again White can win
White plays 2. exd5 +. The material by X-ray protection:
capture can wait, since 1. ... 1. Bd6+ Kg7 2. Bxb4. White
Nc3+ is possible. The rook is lucky because his bishop is
will protect the knight. protecting the queen.

.i& • .i .i& • ..t. .i

'�' '' ' ''''
' i&i ' &
� � '
[3J [3J Cjj [3J �
[3J 'ii' [3J
[3J [3J [3J [3J [3J [3J [3J [3J
M � @� M M @� M
The a8-rook is safe because Exchanging queens would be White can eliminate the
of X-ray protection. silly, since after 1. Qxb5 black king as a defender by
Unfortunately Black cannot axb5 the knight is pinned. 1. chasing it away. After 1.
save the rook after 1. Bg2 Nb6 is good, and Black has Nc6+ Black loses the queen.
(the queen on b7 is pro­ to abandon the protection of The knight on c6 is pro­
tecting the bishop). the knight on b8. tected!

2 Step 3 plus
X-ray X-ray protection: A

• • .I& � ·-*-
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•
ii i..i � • iVi&� ii
& 8 i .I i
iV i iV i
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n @ i,, @ n @

• .I A • & .I • •
n i ii iii.Ai i
.I i i i n
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8 @ i,, 8 iV8 � ·
8tfJ
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3
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Pinned pieces

In this reminder we deal once more with pinned pieces. This is the subject in which most mistakes are
made in practice. We shall take a look at how other types of combinations exploit the fact that pinned
pieces are bad defenders.

.I .I • .I � .1• .I •J. .I
' ' . , ' ' ' J. ' ' ' ' '
' ·� � J. ' ' '
' �8.l .l CD � J.
8 8 it � it '
'iV 8 it88 CD
88 8 8 8i,, 888 888 CD 88
@ s s s s @ s@ s
Double attack: knight Double attack: queen Double attack: rook
The queen on e3 is pinned, so The pin on the Be6 lets the Unprotected pieces in view!
the knight can give check queen go safely to g4. After White wins a piece with 1.
without heeding it: 1. ... 1. Qg4 White wins a lot of RdS. The c6-pawn cannot do
Nd3+ winning the exchange. material. anything.

.I .I •
•
' ' ' ' '
' CD '
8.l 'iV
8.l
8 8 81.
'iV 88 8
si,, s @
Discovered attack Threatening mate Chasing away + material
Firing away with the front Black has sacrificed his White exploits the pin on the
piece by 1. Re4 Bxe4 2. bishop on d6 with a clever Bd7 with 1. Ne6. If the rook
Qxf6 Bxf5 leads nowhere. plan. He exploits the pin on moves away, the d7-bishop
The correct move is 1. Rd8. the e-pawn with 1. ... Qf3! falls. The best move is 1. ...
The queen on f6 is pinned. Qe8.

.I •
•
' .I
� ·� ' '
s ' i,,
' 'iV
J. 88 � 88
8it 8
ct> @s
Luring away + mate Trapping The pinned piece can help!
Black and White are both The knight on d7 cannot The Rb7 is pinned, but watch
ready to mate. White gets help. After 1. Bc6 the rook is . .
closely: 1. . Qb2+ 2. Rxb2
there first with 1. RfS. shut in. Rfl+ 3. Rbl Rxbl mate.

5
s117d [ doJS 9
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T T 7$T \t!TT T
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• h!f. 'i • 'i • \tt'i
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T \ti T 'iT 'iT '
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 6
Hit. : cp : cp :
cp'V : 'V 'V'V'V v 'V 'V 'V v 'V 'V
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: Ai. T 'V \?( \?( 'V
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el K • T K
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: 'V'VV\?7�'V'V 'V 'V � 'V'V : 'V � 'V'V
v 'V v Hit. V\?7 T\?7\?7 v
'V. 'V Hit. 'V T
'V T • T T 'V
TT T T T • T
T T Hit. TT TT• TT TT TTTT
el •• K I I I • ••
cp tr : : Cf> Ai. tr tr \?7 Cf> v :
'V v 'V ;m. 'V'V 'V v v 'V'V'V 'V 'V'V
'V 'V 'V 'V'V v \?(
'V \?( 1t1mr. T
\?t'VT \ft Hit.Tit! T T'V Hit.
T lt/T T
T TTT Hit.TT • TT T TTT TTT
•z K K K e1K It! • T K
cp jJ jJ tF jJ jJ \?( Cf> Ai. v jJ
V'V 'V 'V'V 'V 'V'V V'V'V'V'V
'V 11/f. 'V'V v 'V
'V \?(. 'V T v • \?( T
T Hit. T TK 'V
T T T T
TT T •T T• • \?( T TTT TT
K T K T • K •mt. Tit/I
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The rook pawn

A pawn is worth 1 point, but not all pawns are of equal value. The rook pawn is weaker than its colleagues,
since it controls one square less and therefore can only capture in one single direction.

Draw. On the left the black
king cannot be chased out of
the comer. On the right the
white king cannot get away
without letting the black king
into the comer.
Win. On the left White plays
1. a7 and wins. On the right
White must occupy a key
square (g7 or g8) in order to
win: 1. Kg7 Ke6 2. h4 Kf5
3. h5.
In Berger-Mason, Breslau
1889 White played 1. Ke4?
After 1 . . . . Kb4 2. Kd3 Kb3
he could no longer reach the
comer. 1. Ke3 is correct, to
head for the safe square c 1.

• • •

Black should not carelessly
play 1. . . . Kf4 in view of 2.
Kg6. His king must keep the
white one away with 1. ...
Kf5, winning the pawn.
The defender can exploit the
weakness of the rook pawn
by downgrading his oppo­
nent's knight pawn to a rook
pawn: 1. ... a4!
Can Black draw? Yes; he
causes White to lose time: 1.
... Kc5 2. Kg7 (2. h5 Kd6 3 .
h6 Kd7 draws) 2. ... hS 3.
Kg6 Kd6 4. KxhS Ke7.

The side with the rook pawn
must make sure he can hang
on to it: 1. Kf5 Kg2 2. h4.
The most important tech­
nique: shouldering off.
White keeps the black king
out of the comer with 1. Kg5
Ke6 2. Kg6 Ke7 3. Kg7 .
After 1. Kf5 Ke3 the king gets
to f8 in time. So it must be
kept at a distance: 1. Kf4 Ke2
2. Kg5 Ke3 3. Kxh5 Kf4 4.
Kg6.

10 Step 3 plus
Pawn ending The rook pawn: A

• • •

• • •

i c;t> • i
8
• 8 �
@ i
•
8

Kasparov and Ivanchuk

11
The intermediate move (in-between move)

•
•.t..
ii

White pays no attention to
his threatened queen; he
plays 1. Ne5! A very good
intermediate move which
threatens mate on f7. After 1.
... e6, 2. Nxc6 wins material.
I
Both queens are attacked. White does not thoughtlessly
Black wants to exchange take on c4, but first saves his
queens, but first quickly own knight with an interme­
takes the knight: 1. ... Qxe5! diate move: 1. Nf8! Only
He wins a piece. then does he look to the Nc4.

.I .I. .I •
ii i .i..iii ii ii
/&ii I& I ' '
� i �
8 .M
�tt:J 8 � 88
888�tjj 88 8
@ .M I @
Black intended to play 1. ... Discovered attack Pin
Qxf3 after 1. Nxd5, but with With 1. Nd5 Qxd2 (or else The pin on the queen looks
2. Ne7+ and 3. Nxf3 White Qxa5) 2. Nxe7+ White very harmless but after 1. Rd4
wins. Intermediate moves cleverly uses an in-between Qxb3 2. Rxd8+ Kf7 3. axb3
like this also work in other move. He only recaptures on White wins a rook with the
combinations. d2 after 2 . ..• Kh8. help of an intermediate move.

• •
.I .M .M .1• •
ii i ii
.I i i
i llJ

Capture + Material
Black takes the defender of
the queen: 1. . .. Nxc3 2.
Qxd7, and now the in­
between move 2. ... Ne2+
and then 3. . .. Rxd7.
I& 8
88
@
Luring away + Material Black thinks he is being clev­
White diverts the king with er and with 1. . . . Rxh4 takes
1. Nh7. After 1. . Rxc8 . . the defender of g2. However,
White gives an intermediate with the in-between move 2.
check on f6. 1. . . . Kxh7 is Qd8+ Kh7 3. Qxh4+ White
followed by 2. Rxf8. wins the exchange.

12 Step 3 plus
Elimination of the defence Intermediate move: A

.! I• .! .t I•
' i.t' ' • ' ' ' .tiii
' &i ' ' &
·� ii.!.t �
' ltJ
8 !fl ltJ 8 8 !fl 8
8 8 88 8 8 cJ;; 8
n � n@ n

.! .!.! •
•
n ' ' ' ,., .,
' ' i&I:ti ' ' ' � .! '
' � 8
� 8 8
8 8 8 ltJ 8 'iV n 8
8 8 8 88 8@
@ n@

.! .! • .! .! • .! &
• .!
.t& ' ' � ' ' I. I. I..t '
�
' ' ' ' ' I. I.
& 8 I.8 &
' 8 8 !fl
!fl I:ttt:J il 8 'iV �8 ltJ
8 88 88 8 8 ltJ 888
n ct; � n :S M M �

.! • .! • .! .! •• •
iii.t ' ' i.t I. .! M
&i &� .t I. I.& ' 8
!fl ' I.8I. I.
i il 8 8
8 ltJ 8lt:J
8 MM 8 8 @88
@

13
Winning material Intermediate move: A

•.1 & .I&.t • .I .I 'ii'•.t .I

' ' ' ' ' .i.iii ' .i. ' ' '
' 'ii' i&.i. & ' 8 &&
' .it 'ii' � ' 8
' CD .it '
CD 8 � CD i CD
88 888 888 �888 888 88
M .it@ n .it @.it n n .it @ CD n

• .I
' ' '
i I
'ii' .t
88
8� 8 CD
.it 888
@.it M

.I • .I .I .I •
' ' ' 'ii' i& ' .i. 'ii'i.i.i
&.i. ' ' ' '
' &8 '
8 ' 'iV 8.it&8 CD
8.it CD 8 � 8 8
88 .it8 8.it8
:I 1:1 � 1:1 1:1 CD @

14 Step 3 plus
Discovered attack Intermediate move: A

E E• E •
i &i j_ i i i
i j_ i i i. i
'ii' i i8
� 8 �
Cjj 8 8 �8 8
88 'Wi 88�8 � 'ii' 88@
n bl@

E •
E • • E•
i i j_ ii iE.i. iE i.i.
& i ii.i. i i i
'ii' 8 � i Cjj 'iV & 'ii' i
i 8 8 8 8 8
8 Cjj � 8 �8 8 �
8 8 @8 88 k1 8
k1 � k1 @Cjj k1

E •
E• •
ii &ii i i i • i
.i.E i 'ii'ii 'ii'.i. �i
i8 i 'ii' .i.k! i
8 8 8i
k!tD�8 � 8� Cjj 8
�88 88 8 8 88 E 8
k1 @ @ k!@

• •
E .i. • E E
i i i i. i iii • &
i'iV & 'ii' i 'ii' i i
i.i. E
.i.8i
8 8 Cjj 'iV8.i. 8 � �
8� tD888 8 8 8 8
k1 k!@ ld ct; @ n n

15
Vulnerability in the opening

It is possible to win material even in the opening with the combinations from Steps 2 and 3 . Look out
for unprotected pieces, pieces on the same line, pieces with restricted mobility and defenders.

.I .i. .x• .x• .I .i. 'if. .I

i ii iii i.i.i ii i&iii
i i &i i .i.
&8 8i
.i. ltJ 'if 8
ii, ltJ
888 888 88 �888
!I ii, � !I@ �'iV :�
Trapping the queen Trapping Pin
The black queen is active, In the opening other pieces The mating pattern on f7
but also vulnerable. White can also be shut in. A well­ immediately catches the eye.
wins the queen with 1. BgS. known case is the knight on So the f6-bishop is pinned.
the edge of the board: 1. b4. The attack 1. eS wins a piece .

.I .I .i. •.i. .I •
ii.i.i ii 'ifi iii
i .i. ' & '
'ifi ii, ltJ
& �8
8 ltJ ltJ
88 ltJ 888 8 888
!I 'iV@il. !I !I �
Pin Eliminating the defender Eliminating the defender
Black is threatening mate on Again, mate on f7 catches Black lures away the
f2. what a pity that the d­ the eye. The defending bishop defender of h2 by 1. ... Nd4.
pawn is pinned and that 1. can be eliminated by capturing If White moves the queen, 2.
Nxe4 wins a piece. it: 1. Bxe6. . .. Nxf3+ will follow.

.I 'if•.i. .I .I .i. 'if •.i. .i

i ii iii &iii
&i i& ' &
ltJ i .i.
8 ii,
8'if ltJ
8 8888
!I � ii, !I
Double attack Discovered attack Attacking a vulnerable point
White plays 1. Qa4 and After 1. d6 mate is Attack your opponent's
threatens not only 2. Qxa6, threatened on f7. After 1. ... weakest point. After 1. NbS
but also 2. Nc7+. Black loses Nxb3 the intermediate move Black can no longer
material. 2. dxe7 wins a piece. satisfactorily protect c7.

16 Step 3 plus
 Ll
:c: :c: cp :c: \11 <'.F :c: :C: 1f CF� 1f :C:
\] \] 1!; \] \] \] \] 1!; \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \11 \]
\!; 1!; 1!; \!; \] \!; \] \]
\l \l T T \l
T '! T lf!T
T lf! TT '! • TT •
TT �T TT TTTTTmt.TT
T•mt.T� t
et'! e •mt.T '! et'! T• '!
:c: 1J;cp� :c: :c: cp :c: 1!; cp \11 :c:
\] \] \] 1!; \] \] \] !ffe:. \] \] \] \] \] \] 1!; \] \]
\!; \!; \] \11 :c: \!;
T \] \] 1!; \l \l T
T \l mt. \l T mt. TT�
• • T T
TTT TTT TTT T T TTT lf!T T
'! T 'I• '! T• 'i e'ilft
i I •mt. '!
:c: 1f CF� 1f :c: :c: CF 1!; :c: :c: CF� :c:
\] \] \11 \] \] \] \] \] \] 1!; \11 \] \] \] \] \] \11 \] \]
\!; mt. \] \11 \] 1!; \]
\] . T \l � 1!; \]
\] \11 TT T
T • T• lf!T T
TTT TTT TTT TTTT TTTTlft
'! T• T• '! e '! •mt. '! '! •mt.T '!
CF tr � 1!; \!; tr CF tr � 1!; tr tr 1!; cp� 1!; tr
\] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \]
\!; 1!; \] \] \11
\] \11 T \] \] \11 mt.
T T T mt.TTlft Tlft
TT Tlf!TT TTT TT TTTTlf!TTT
'! •mt.T '! •'I T '! '! T• '!
� : 6U!ddeJJ. Bu!uado
sn1d f d ais 81
l:!\17 cp : : cp� : Cf>?! Ai. \171:!
\] \] \] \] \] \] \] \]\]\17 \] \] \] \] \]\]
� \1( \] \] \1( �\]\]
\] T �· \]
\17 � \] T
'1 T T TT '1T TT T
TTTT TT TTTT T T TTTT
I T •T'1I I •Mt. I •x Mt.T I
?!'7il° CF v : cp l:r AW V '11 l:r l:r Cf> Ai. v \17 l:r
\] AW. \] \] \] \]\] \] \] \] \] \] \]\]
\] \17 v \] \17
\] '1 \] \] \] v
T \] \] T \]'1T
'1TT T T
TTTh!t. TTT TTT TTT TTT T T
e1I T• '1I •x Mt. I • I T•Mt.T'1I
Cf> l:r � v \17 l:r l:r \17 cp AW. l:r cp l:r Ai. v \17 l:r
\] \] \] \]\]\] \]\]\] \] \] \] \] \]\]
\17 v v \] \] \17 V\J
'1 T \] \] \17 \]
\JV T Mt. T\]T '1
T '1 T T TT T'1 T
TT TTT TTTT TT TTT TT
I T•Mt. I • I'1 • T'1I •x Mt.T I
Cf> l:r V C?7 II � II AW.V II II � II
\]\]\]� \]\] \] \]\] \] \] \] \] \] \] \]\] \]
\17 � \] \17 \] \17 v Ai. \17
\] v \] \]
\]'1 T T
T '1T T TT
TTTTTTT T TTT'1 T TT TTTT'1T TT
•I Mt. I e1I •Mt.T I I •Mt. I
a : 6u1ddeJJ_ 6u1uado
Opening Pin: A

x j_ x• • X& 'iV • &X • x • x

l. 'iV iii iii I. l..i. I. ii iii
I. I.& j_ I. 'iV & I.&
j_ C£J � .t.CiJ j_
'i' C£J /j j_ /j �
C£J /j /j /j 'i' C£J /j
/j 8 /j 8 /j /j 8 /j /j � /j /j /j /j /j /j
n il <ti n n �'i'@ CiJll n � n

X&.t.. • &X x .t.. 'iV •.t.. x

iii iii ii &ii.ii
j_ 'iV I.
� & /j 'i'
C£J /j & /j I.
C£J � C£J C£J
8 /j /j /j /j /j 8 /j /j � /j /j
lI 'i'� lI lI �'i' lI

x .t.. 'iV • x x 'iV • x X& •.t..&X •

ii .t..i. I.I.I. .t..i.i&.i..t..t..t. ii .i. 'iV l.1.1.
& I.
I. /j � I. �/j I.
il 'i' /j
/j C£J
/j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j � 8 /j /j /j /j /j C£J 'i' /j /j /j
lICiJ� @ n n 'i'@ lI lI � @ CiJlI

x • x x x x
j_ 'iV x• j_ •.t.. .t.. 'iV •.t..
iii I.l..i. I. I. I. iii I. I. I. I.
&I. ·� I.I. &I.
/j � & �
� /j
/j 'i' C£J C£J
/j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j
lICiJ� @ lI lI �'i'@ lI lI 'i'@� lI

19
 I

Opening Elimination of the defence: A

i.&..t • &i. • E•..t&i.I i. ..t •..t i.

''' ''' i 'if ...... '1 '' 'ifiii
' 'if ' &i '' &
..t ' ' 8 & �
' I t2J
81:2Jt2J 8 'WI 8 CiJ
IL\
8 8888�8 Li� 888 888 �888
g��@ g gti:JJl g� g @� g

i.&..t •&i. i. ..t • i.. i.& •..t i.

' i..ti i 'if ''' '' ''''
i 'if ' ' ' & ' ' &
Jli 8 ..t 'if ..t
8 Jl 8 &
t2J � t2J 8 ti:J� CiJ 8
888 888 8 'W/88 8888 �8
g 'WI@ ti:Jg gti:JJl g� n Jl�� 1l

i. 'if. &i. • i. •..t 1. 1 i.&..t •..t i.

''' ''' iii&iiii ''' ''''
&..t &
' Jl 'WI 'if Jl 'if t2J
� ..t ' &
8� t2J t2J � 'l!I'
88
nti:J �@
888
n
888 888
I!� ti:JI!
888 Li Li
I �I! � t2J I!. I
i. i. • i. ..t •..t i. • • 1. ..t&i. •
.t. .t. i..t ' .t. ' .t. 'if ' ''' ''''
' 'if '' & '
� .t. 'if
&�8 � 8 'W/8 &
'WI �8 � Jl CiJ
8 t2J 88 888 888 8 8�88
I! 11 � I!ti:J @ I! I! �� .M

20 Step 3 plus
 I z:
: Tc+> T : : IJ7 Cf> IJ?'J::r : Cf> IJ?'J::r
'V 'V'V T'V'V 'V'V 'V 'V'V'V 'VT'V'V 'V'V
;m. IJ7 � T 'V IJ7 �
'V IJ7 T 'V .,'V T
T hi.
., T .,TTT T T T
TTTT., TT TT TT TTTT TT
!' T•h!i !' !' •hi. .,!' • •I' T.,!'
: Cf> : : Cf> TIJ?I:I c+>: �TIJ?I:I
'V'V'V Im. 'V'V'V 'VT'V'V'V 'V 'V 'V'V 'V 'V'V 'V
IJ7 IJ7
T 'V AW. TT
IJ7 hi. IJ?hl.T 'V .,
T., T T .,
T TT., TT TTT TT TTT TTT
!' T• !' !' .,T. T.,!' !' T•hl.T !'
Cf> II IJ7 I:I II cp T IJ7 II II Cf> AW. II
'V'V'V 'V'V'V 'V'V'V 'V'V 'V'V'V 'V'V
T 'V IJ7 IJ7
'V Im. T ., T T T'V T
\!) ., AW.
hl.T T T
TTT TTTT TT TTTT TTT.,T TT
!' .,T. !' !' • hl.T !' !' T•hi. .,!'
: Cf> :
'V 'V'V 'V'V
IJ7 'VT IJ7
'V �
T TT T
TT T T
• •I' hi. T.,!'
� : >1oe:ne a1qnoa 6u!uado
Opening Discovered attack: A

.I. it' .I. • • .I. .I. •

.t. .i. .t. .t. .t. .i. .t. .t. .i.'it'i ' ' '
' �· ' ' '�
� 8 .t.
8W/J8 ' Wli �8
� il. � 8� 8
88 il.888 888 888 8 W/J88il.8
M @ M M�� @ :g � � .tl@

.I. .i. • �.I. .I. � it' .I. •

.t. .t. 'it' .t. '' .t. .i. .t. .i. .t. .t. .t.
� ' ' '
' ' '
88 88
8 il. 8Wli �8
8 8888 8 88�8
a'. Wli@��M M � M@

.I. .I. • .I. .i. it' .I. • • .I. .I. •

' 'it' .t. .t. .t. '' .t. .t. .i. .t. �' .t. .i. .t.
.i. .t. �.i. .t. � �� ' .i. ' �·
' ' .t. 8
8 8 8 .t. �
8�!/l,8� 8 � 'it'8� �8
8!/l, 8W/J 88 8!/l, il.888 8 W/Jil.88!/l,8
a'. Mcb n � z:t@ : n@

.I. .i. it' �.I. • .I. .I. • .I. .i. it' .I. • •
' '�.i.''' .t. .t. .t. 'it' i.i. .t. �� .i.i
' ' �· � '' ' '
8 .t. .i.il. .t. 8 .t.
88 8 8
�8 8 � �
888� 8!/l,8 �il. 8
a'. il.Wli a'.@ a'. Wli@ :

22 Step 3 plus
Opening Exploiting vulnerability: A

I." 'iV• I. • I." j_ • I. •

''' ''' '' ei '''
.i." '
j_ .l8
8 8
Cjj 8 'iV
88 8 �888 88 Cjj 88
n �'IW@ Cjj.J:. .J:.Cjj 'if ct> � n

I. j_�· j_ I. I.j_� •" I. I. • j_ I. •

''' "'''' ' "' j_ .l.i.i '''
j.Cjj ''
� ' ' � "' �
� 8
'i¥8 8 8Cjj 8
88 888 88 888 88 888
n @�Cjj n n 'IW@ � n .J:.Cjj �'IW n@

I." • I. • I." j_ I. • I. •.t.. I.

j_ ''' '' '' j_ 'iV " ''
·� '" ·� ' '
.l.i. ' '' Cjj
8 � j_ �8 Cjj 'lW
8 Cjj � Cjj 8
8 Cjj888 88 888 88 888
n 'lW n@ n 'IW@ n n �: @

•x .t" I. I. j_ 'iV. I. •
' j_ '' '''' '''
' ' '
'
8�
CjjCjj
888 888
n n ct>

23
Mini-plans

In your games you always have to be finding another good move. You have to make sound moves! But
what is a sound move? Read on and make use of the following plans in your games.

.! .1•
�
' ' ' '
' j_ ' �'
' �
� 8
88
88 Wl/88 8
M ll ct>
Increase the activity of Put a piece on a better Improve your pawn
your pieces square structure
Both of White's bishops are For the moment the knight Doubled pawns are often not
active. The queen can go to on c3 has nothing better to so strong. So it is a good plan
f3, but what next? The rooks do than to attack the well to undouble them. In this
are not working hard enough. protected d5-pawn. It is high position White has the strong
So 1. f4 is better. After the time to move the knight to a 1. Ba3 up his sleeve. Black
capture on e5 the f-file is better square by means of 1. cannot prevent the exchange
opened and if required White Na4. The knight will be of rooks ( 1. .. . Rc7? 2.
can double his rooks on that better on c5. From there it Re8+) and has to take on e3.
f-file. Black cannot solve the attacks opposing pieces and After 2. fxe3 the white
problem of the pin on his controls more squares in the pawns are linked again. In
knight without losing a opponent's half of the board. addition White has more
pawn. control over f4.

.i .1• • .i .i.�.i • .!
' j_ ' ' ' ' �-*- ' ' ' � ' �-*-
' ' ' Cjj ' ' � ' '
8 ' i8
8 8 � 8 8
8 ltJ�8CLJ 8�
88� cJ-;8 8 8 8 Wi 888 �
ll ll ll ll *
Capture towards the centre Exploit vulnerability Exploit vulnerability
1 . . . . fxg6+ looks good since It is always a good plan to In this position White is
the rook will then be attack a weak point of your better. The vulnerable point
activated. That is true, but opponent. Black has just does not immediately catch
there is a disadvantage: the played . .. a6 to prevent Nb5. one's eye. White played 1.
e6-pawn is no longer Thanks to a tactical trick Rfc 1 and missed the imme­
protected by another pawn. It White can still play 1. Nb5 diate win with 1. Qf3. Black
is usually better to capture (1. .. . axb5 2. Bc7). Black seems to be able to protect II
towards the centre. After 1. has to apply the brakes with easily, but appearances are
... hxg6 the black pawns 1. ... eS. White can then win deceptive. 1. ... Be8 or
control more squares than material either with 2. N c7 or another bishop move is
after 1 . . . . fxg6. with 2. dxe5. followed by 2. Nxe6+.

24 Step 3 plus
Mini-plans Exploiting vulnerability: A

.i A�.i • .i � .1•
ii lti.t i i i.tltilti 'i
i i i '
i i 8i8i
8 8 8
8 Cfj 8 Cfj 8 8 �Cfj 8
8iV 88 CfjjV 8 8
.M@� .M .M .M@

.i .t •.t .I .i • .I •
i iii i i &�.t i
i lti lti i .t i i
' 8.l
�
8 8Cfj
8 888
.MCfj�.M @

x • .t .I Xlti • x .i • .I •
' iiii iii i i .ti i ii '
i � lti lti i &i
8 � .t � i8
�lti 8 88
�Cfj Cfj 8Cfj 8�
88 �888 88 88 8 � 88
.M <;t> 1:1 1:1 �@ � 1:1 .M @ Cfjl:r

.i �.i· .i.t� .1• .i � .i •

' i .t ' i i i .ti i ' i .t.t i i
i ltii ' i ltii
i .tlti 8i � i .ltfj
8 8 8 WI 8
tfj 8 88 8 8 8
8 8 �tfj 8 8 8'ii' � 8� 8 88 8
.M 'if @ 1:1 1:1@ .M � � � 1:1

25
Mini-plans Activating a piece: A

.i .i A. .i .i • • •
i i 'iV i i '' ii
�i i i
i i 8i '
8 8 8 8 A
8 8 it 8 fl 8
8it 888 88
a'. Wi I:r� l:t l:t @

.i 'iV .i. • .i .i • •
ii A iii .i. i i '
� ttJi /& 'iV ' '
' 8
8 8 it
8 it ttJ 8 8
8 Wi 88 8 88
l:t l:r @ l:t Wi l:t @

.i.i • • .i 'iV .1• • .i .i

I& i i ii i .i. i i i i •-*-i i
i A i i .i. 8 ' I& i 'iV '
' i
8 8 8 ttJ 8
8 flttJ8 8 it 8 8Wi t:D
88 8 8 t:D 8 88 888
l:t l:t@ l:t Wi :S@ :s � :s

.i .i. • .i .i .i.
i .i.i 'iVi i i 'iVi .i. i i i /&'iV Ai
i /&i I& I& i i I& i
iti it i '8' fl
8 8 8
8 ttJ ljj itt!Jt:D t:D :s
8 88 888 888Wi 88 88 8�it88
l:t Wi l:t@ �:S fl I:r @l:r

26 Step 3 plus
 a
Cf> : : : tF ::
v v v1f!v v v v �vv
v T AWt v 1f; 1f; � v vl"l" v
v v
.,
-
v v ., T .,
., T T ., • ., ., T •T
•T ., T tr T• T •T Alr. TT
• x .ff. x x x • x x
Cf> l:t : : I tF: AW. :
vvv vvv vv tF v I vv 1f; v
vv v v \!) v v
Ai.\!) 1f; v T Tv
v T T ., T
T T T T\!J ., •
TT ., •T ., T., •• ., ., T T
• x A1r. x • x • • x A1r. x
: Cf> AWi. : : Cf> AWi. : Cf> : � :
vv vv vvv v vv\!J v v
v \!) v \!Jv�\!J v vv 1f;
\!Jv v v v
1f; ., v '
T ., ., • ., •T T ., A1r. T•
T TT TT TTT.fn• TT TT ., TT
x •mr. x •I •x T x x ... x
tfll:t � : tr cp : Cf> ::
vvv vvv v vv vv vv vv
\!J v\!J v v \!) � �v
T v l" ., v
1f; ., T• T .,
. ., . ' T T TT
TTT T TTT '' ' TT .ff. T
e1X •h!i X • x x • xx
'fl :At!A!lOR 6U!SR9JOUI sue1d-!U!IJ\I
Mini-plans Improving the pawn structure: A

•
i i i.i.. i i i i i I&
• i • i
ii i i i 8
8 8 8 i
8@8 88 � @88 8 ltJ � j_ 8
8 8 8 8 @

I. I.• • I. I..
i 'it' i i i i • i i i. i
i I& i ltJ i i i 'it'
i i i j_
i 8 8 i 8�
� 8 j_ 8 88 8 8
888� 888 @ �8 �888
n n@ n 't/W n@

I. • •
ii 'it' i i •
j_ i i i j_ i
'it' I& i
8 � 8
8 8 8 8 ltJ 8
8 � 888 8 �88.
n @� n n <;ti

j_ •
ii
i
i i I.8 i
8
8 ·n
88 � @8

28 Step 3 plus
 Mate

In order to deliver mate, you almost always need several pieces. We know about:
the chaser - the piece which delivers mate or threatens mate
the helper - the piece which supports the piece which delivers mate
the guard - the piece which deprives the king of escape squares
What is special about the examples on this page is that the chaser, the guard and the helper are brought
in closer without giving check.

• I• I ..t .i.I •i& I•

iii i i i .i i ii i
I& i i ii i :
� � 8
i.. it i
� 8 8 8 �8 8 8tLJ 81&
8 8 88 8 8 8 i.. 8 @8
� : :: @
Bringing in the helper Bringing in the chaser Bringing in the chaser and
The black knight needs to Of course, the white queen the guard
help the queen with the mate must deliver mate, but The white king can still
on b2. But 1 . . . . Nc4 would where? 1. Qc3 seems to win, escape to e 1. Luckily pieces
not be good: 2. Qb5 and since Black cannot protect can often do more than one
White saves himself. After 1. c7. Unfortunately 1 . . . . f5 job at a time. After 1. . . . Rhl
. . . Na4 White can no longer spoils the plan. So the queen the black rook is both chaser
protect b2 properly (2. Qb5 must mate on d8, when ... f5 no and guard. White can no
Nxc3+ 3. Kal Qxa2#). longer works. So the only way longer defend against mate on
to win is 1. Qd3! fl.

I••

. .

Bringing in the guard
The white threats on the h­
file seem to be decisive, but
after 1. Qh7+ Kf8 the king
escapes.
White must first deprive the
black king of an important
escape square with 1. Bb4.
Black can still protect h7
with 1. . . . Nf8, but then it is
mate on h8.
Extra duties for the guard
The black rook is taking care
of the squares on the g-file.
The knight is controlling the
h4-square. For the moment
Black has no more pieces
available. The rook must be
deployed more effectively: 1.
. .. Rg4. Mate by 2 .. . . NgS#
can no longer be prevented.
Clearing a square
To mate, White does not
have to bring in a piece, just
the opposite! What is
amusing is that the white
rook on b7 is just getting in
the way. Without it, the
queen can mate on b7. White
must clear the b7-square with
tempo: 1. Rxa7+ Nxa7 2.
Qb7 mate.

29
Threaten mate Bring in the guard: A

.i if .1• .i .i •• •
.t. .t. .t. .t .t. .t. .t. .t. � .t. .t. •
& .t. .t. .t. & .t. .t.
8 .t. 8� if .t. &
8& 8 �
8 8 il il
il 88 88 88
: @ llJ a'. @II :

• .i .i I.t• .i •
� .t. .t. if .t. .t. .t. .t.
if .t. � .t. .t. .t. .t.
.t. & .t. .t. .t.t .t.
8 .t .t.
8 il I 8 if .t. 8iV
llJ 8 8 8 il 8 8
8 8@ il 84J 88 8 8 8
.i II @ @ II :

.i.i • .i .1• • .i. •

&'ir' .t. .t .t. .t. .t .t. .t. .t.
.t. .t. & .t. .t.
.t. .t. .t. .t. 8 8
8 8 .t. 8 8 8
8 llJ 'tW 8 8 8 .t. il if 8 llJ �
88 8 il 8 8 8 II
@ : II @Il a'. @ a'.

.i •• .i & iV .i.• iV •
.t. .t. .t. • .i .t .t.
.t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. 8
.t. 8 .t. 8 .t. .t. .t. .t .t.
.t. � 8 8
if 8 8 8 8 88 8
8 if il 8 8
@ II : tjj @ @ II

30 Step 3 plus
 1£
� tr : � � 1l
\j \j \j \j \j \j 1$ \j \j
\j 1$ \j Im. \j \j \j \j
\!J \j \j \j \!J 1$
T T \j
T®TT lt!T • T TT T�
T �'i T T� T T T• Aft.TT
•I' T • • T 'i
CF> 1l cp l: ':I �: ':I
\j \j \j \j 1$ Mr. \j \j \j \j \j \j \j
\j \j 1$ \j \!J
Im. \j T \j • \j
\j T \j T
• T �T TT �T T fm.T�
TT i'T T •T T T T T
• 'i 'i x• T 'i
� �':I R*.
Cf; \j \j � T : \j \j \j \j \j
\j \j \j \j \j \j
\j T \!J \J Tf!\!J � T
T T \j T T T
'i \j \j T Tf!• T
• � T T T T
�'i· • • • •
':I : � Cf> l!t ':I �: :
\j \j \j \f \j 1$ :\7 \j \j 'i \j
\j 1$ \f � � \j Mr. \j \j \j
Mr. \j \j \j \f :\!:; \j
• \!J T T
T T• 1' T T T iif.. T T 1$
T T T• TT 'i TT T T 1' T
• 'i •• 'i I •x 1m.
"ti :Jad1a4 a4l LI! Bu!JB alew ualeaJ4.1
Threaten mate Bring in the chaser: A

� .I .t •
.t. 8i
.t. .t. .t.
i �
8 'if
8
8 8
1::!: @

• •
.t. .t.
.t � etJ i
[::,
'iY .t.
� 8
1::!: 8@
.I

·� .!. • .I �.t • i. •.t .I

.t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t� � i .t.
.t. M .t. 4j .t. .t.
8 .t. 8 � .t. .t. etJ
.t. 8 8 'if
88 4j 8� � 8
�8 cJ;; 8 88 8 8 [::, 888
@ 1::!: �1::!: �

.I .t .t .I • •
.t. • .t. .t. .t. .t. .t.
.t. .t. .t. 8 .t. .t.
� .t
�
8 VJ/18
8 8 8
MM @

32 Step 3 plus
Mate Clearing a square: A

.i .i • •
a:
' ' ' '
i'if
� 'iV
fj,
fj, fj, fj, fj,
@ a:

.i 'if •.i •
' �.i. 'iY .l ·� M fj,
.i. ' fj, '
' ltJ ' '
M.i.
'if fj,
�
@

.i .i. 'if �•-*- • • .i. .i. .i

' ' ' ' i.i. iY
' ' � ' �
lt:Jitt:J fj, llJ
' fj, fj, fj, fj, fj, ' 'if
fj, fj, M ' fj, 'if
fj, fj, fj, fj, � fj, M fJ,
M@ <it> �

• • •
.i • ' ' ' ' .i ' ' ,.
' � '
·� fj, ' iY iY � .l.i. M �
fj, fj, fj, 'if
'if fj, llJ fj, fj, '@tt:J .i fj, 'if
fj, fj, � n fj, fj, M fJ, fj,
@ M 'iV@

33
Creating mate Mating pattern (it..tb): A

.i. = /ti=

it..= lb= it..= ttJ =

•
I. I. * *
I. 81.
• • *
I.
88 8 1. 8
•

�= lb= �= 4j = .i. = /ti=

/ti.i
I. I. •
• • �
I.
!::,

34 Step 3 plus
Creating mate Where do the pieces go? : A

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • • • •

• • •

• • • • •
• • •

• • • •

• •

• • •

.: ttJ .,, iVil. .,, @ll ii. •-*-

• • • •
• •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• •

• • •
•

• •

• • •

• • • • • •

• • •

35
Eliminating the defender

Some pieces with a specific job to do are called defenders. These can be eliminated by capturing them,
chasing them away or luring them away. You already know this. In this reminder there are three forms
which are slightly different from the ones we already know:
• eliminating the defender and gain material with a single piece
• eliminating two defenders simultaneously
• luring away a defender which has two jobs to do

• .i .i .i .i • iV •
''' ' ''' ' ' �' '
' /ti' � /ti ' .t ' ' 8/ti '�
iV ' ' ' .i
8 .t 888 iV
8 cu cu cu 8
88� 888 88 888 8 8�
: :@ : 'i}''.Q'. @ :
White can win a piece with Pieces other than the queen White would like to mate
1. QgS. What is special is can also eliminate a defender with 1. Qf8. There are two
that the same piece chases on their own. With 1. NdS defenders. White takes one
the defender away and White wins the bishop on f6. with 1. Rxe6 and lures the
attacks the target. The queen has to abandon other away with: 1. . . Qxe6
.

This combination is not a
double attack by the queen,
because the Bg4 is (not yet) a
target. But it looks as though
this were already the case.
the protection of the bishop.
The problem with this form
of eliminating a defender is
that so far nothing is being
attacked.
2. Qf8#. This combination
only works because the f7-
pawn is pinned. 1. Qf6 would
not be good on account of 1.
. .. Rf5 .

The queen on e5 is protected
twice. White takes the
defending pawn with 1.
Nxf6+. Black must recapture
(h7 is now attacked twice).
After the recapture with the
knight the queen on e5 does
not have a single defender
left. Recapturing with the
queen also costs material.
.i • .i .i •
'' iV !ti.ii '' ' ''
' iV'' .t
.t
iV 8
8 cu 8 8� 'iV 8
8 88 88 88
: �@ : :@
The knight on e7 has at least It is sometimes not so easy to
one clear task: it must protect find a defender with two jobs
the bishop on d5. to do. It helps to first
Its second job is also easy to recognise one of its tasks.
spot. It is the only defender The g7-pawn must protect
against mate on h8. White the bishop. White can lure
wins the bishop on d5 with 1. the g-pawn away with 1.
Qh8+ Ng8 2. RxdS. QfS. The g-pawn has to give
up the defence of the bishop.

36 Step 3 plus
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Underpromotion

Sometimes it is better not to take a queen. Promotion to a rook, bishop or knight is known as
underpromotion.

Underpromotion to a knight is On the left 1. d8Q al Q draws. Promotion to a rook or a

sometimes possible. A knight White wins with 1.
dSN alQ 2. bishop only makes sense if
moves differently from a Nc6+ KaS 3. Bb7#. you want to avoid stalemate.
queen. Above 1. gSN is mate On the right White has 12 These pieces have fewer
(1. g8Q Nf6+). points less after 1. gxh8Q options than the queen. After
Below 1. .. . clQ 2. Qd2+ Qxg6+ 2. Kf2 Nxh8. After 1. 1. d8Q? Nf7+ 2. Bxf7 Black is
does not win; 1. . . . clN+ gxhSN QxhS 2. Qxf7 or 1. . . . stalemated. So only 1. dSR
does. Qxg6 2. Nxg6 things are level! wms.

I
•
I
@
Cjj

Promotion to a queen or rook

leads to stalemate: 1. d8Q Ne6+
2. Nxe6. Only 1. dSB is correct.

Sometimes underpromotion is Underpromotion to a knight is useful if:

necessary to draw. Above 1.
bSN+ is necessary to avoid a
double attack. Below 1 . . . .
blN+ defends against mate.
40
• the knight makes a double attack
• the knight protects one of its own pieces
• the knight gives check or mate
Underpromotion to a rook, bishop or knight is useful:
• to avoid stalemate
Step 3 plus
Endgame Underpromotion: A

'
•
'

'it; x
8 8 • 8M '
x • @.l
' CfJ
' 'iY
'iY � @ &
• 88 8

• &.t
t!J'iY ., 8 8
' 8@

•
8' 8
8 8
�

•
•
8 8X 8
• .t
�
'iY .t
.t •
' '
@�

41
Endgame Underpromotion (yes/no): B

� .i �I .1 •
8 • 8 ''' 8
��
�
• ' '
8 8 8
� 8 ��
@

• •
8@ 1: 8 i.
� ' • � '
tjj 8 ' i. @
8 8 8
'

42 Step 3 plus
 • •
("')
<C ... <] . ... <] ... Q<] ID:1 . ... <] "<!"
.
c.
.
• -oil ... <] "8ll ... <] +£D . ... <] -oil ... <] +£D
-
0 . ... Q<J ... . Q <] ID:1 !illl] ... <] ... �<]�
Q)
> .... <] ID:1 • ... <] -oil ...<] +£ID .� ... Q
Q)
c � ... <] � � ... <] ®!ID � ... <] ®!ID
-out ....�Q<J� -out.... -out <] � -out ...� <]� -out ... <] �
... <] ... <JQ ... • <] . ... �<]
. ... <] ID:1 • ... � <] ID:1 !illl] ... <] !Ull !illl] ... <]�
• •
. ... <] ID:1 . ... <] ID:1 !illl] ... <] ID:1 . ... <]
... <JQ . ... <] ... <] ... -out <] +£D
-oil .... <] � -out... Q<J ... . ... . Q<J
• ... <] +£ID • ...<] +£ID • ...<] +£ID • -out � ID:1
� ... <]� ... ®oo � <] � � ... <]
-out.... Q<J� -out ... <] � -out... -out�Q<J� .... <] �
... <] � <JQ ... <] ... � <JQ
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•
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• ...<] +£D • -oil <] ..go • ... <] +£ID .... <] +£ID
... <] ®@ � ... ®oo � <] ��
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c:
- -oil ... -out <] � -out... <] ... Q<J� ... . Q
c:
Q) .... <JQ . ... <JQ . ... <] ... <]
c.
0 . ... <] ID:1 !illl] ... <] ID:1 !illl] ... <] !Ull !illl] ... � <] ID:1
Opening Deve lop : B

.I .i. iH .I • .I � .i. iH•A� .1 •

.t. .t. .t. � .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t.
.i. � .t. .t.
.t.
.t. 8
tjjtjj
8888 888
: � � @� :

.I AiH• .I • .I � .i. •-*- .I .I .i. •-*-� .I •

.t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. iH .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t.
� � .t. .t.
.i. .t. tjj � 8tjj iH
� 8 .t. tjj
8 8 8
888 888 88� 888 88 8 888
: tjj � � @ : :tj�
j 'i{f@ : : tjj �'i{f@ :

.I AiH• .I .I iH .. . .I .i. •-*- .I

.t. .t. .t. .i. .t. .t. � .t. j .i. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. iH .t. .t. .t.
� .t. .t. � .t. �
.t. .t. .i..
8 8 � 'if8
� 8 8tjj 'if 8 tjj tjj
8 888 88 tjj 888 888 888
: � @� : : @� : : � @� :

.I AiH• � .I .I •.i.. .I • .I iH. .I

.t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. j .t. j .t. .t. j .t. .t. .t. .t. .t.
.t. j .i. iH� � � .t. �
j � .t.
8 8 � .i. � .i..�8 .i..
tjj tjj tjj 8 tjj tjj 8tjj
8888 888 88 888 88 888
: ��@ : : 'if@ : : � @ :

44 Step 3 plus
Pins

Almost every game contains a pin. Sometimes pins are harmless, but usually they are very disruptive. In
this reminder we shall take a look at some complicated aspects of pins.

iY • I. •
•'i¥ 'i¥ • .t. I. .t. .t. !ti .i. .t. .t.
:8 !ti .t. .i. .t. 'i¥ .t. .t. .t.
'i¥ lLi !ti 8
.i. 8 � 8 88lLi
I. 8 8 'ti' 8
8 : .! 8�8
@: : @ :
There are three aspects: In this position you first have "A pinned piece is not a
Pinning: above left White to find the pin. In any case good defender" (for the sake
plays 1. Rc7 and pins the the Rc7 is pinned. That looks of simplicity "NGD") is
queen. harmless, since after 1. Nd7 quite the most difficult of the
Attacking a pinned piece: (threatening mate on b8) three aspects. Even
On the right White plays 1. there is the saving move 1. grandmasters overlook it
gS and wins the pinned . . . Rc5. Mate on b8 would from time to time. Since it is
knight. also be possible without the "NGD" other pins are
A pinned piece is not a b7-pawn. Thinking that possible. With 1. . . . Bb4
good defender: below left through, we easily find the Black exploits the pin on the
Black exploits the pin with 1. solution: 1. Nc6+! White a-pawn. Any rescue comes
. . Ra3#.
. exploits two pins. too late for White.

I. !ti I. • 'i¥ .! !ti .i. •.t .!

.t. ... 'i¥ .i. .t. : I. • .t. .t. .t. .t. ... .t.
.t. .t. .i. iY .t. .t. � .t. !ti
.t. :
8 � 'i¥ .i. 8
lLi 8 �8 iY 8
88 88 8 'ti' 888 88
: � @� @ :tD� � �lD:
The bishop on g7 is pinned. The d7-rook may not move The pins in the previous
White can attack the pinned along the d-file, but can diagram are called cross pins.
piece with 1. Qd4, but the make a move along the The pieces which are taking
bishop is still sufficiently seventh rank. So an attack part in the pins form a cross.
protected. Now the d6-pawn with 1. Qc6 would make no On straight lines a +, on
is in a pin (the Rd8 is not sense. White must attack the diagonals a X. A combina­
protected), so 1. BeS is pinned piece again but also tion of straight and diagonal
possible. White combines an pin it at the same time: 1. is also possible. The queen on
attack on a pinned piece with Qd6. Now if the rook moves c6 is partly pinned. It is tied
"a pinned piece is not a good the queen is lost. This trick to the protection of the Bc8.
defender". Black loses mate­ also works along a diagonal. White takes advantage of that
rial. Below Black wins the bishop with 1. BbS. In a cross pin the
with 1. . .
. Qb4 front piece is pinned twice.

45
 s1qd [ dCJJS 917
tr \Ji cp : cp tr :
Cfiv ?rl" v vvv
\!:; � v AW.T
l" hl T hl ., l" • C!J
l"KT ., . ., v .,
: " . ., "' TAW.
., K T ''' ' ., ' " ., hl
• • K K@;>K
: � : K
ep v l" v VKC!J cp v C!J
v T � v v AW.TV
TC!JAW. v v lj 'v
� � " ' Cf> l"
" ' ' "
: K . , ' hl• ''
T K• : K • • • K
�?rcp\Ji : : Cf> : cp
v vv v vvv vvv vvv
l"?r v
v v v C!J Thl
v " ., \!:; l" ., ' " . �
T ' ., ' ' ' K " \!:; '
' ' T ' ' Ai TT• '
• K • hl K T •T .m K•hlT K
Cf>
vl"� Cf> v hl�IJ?VC!J v v
v TAW. v :
� v �
• " • Cf> .,
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?:r T@;> ?:r ., l"
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� : U!d e OJ S>fue41 a:iel/\I a:iel/\I
 LP
� l:r l:r l:r T Cfi T l:r
vv vv vv � v vv v vv
v �v \!:; v v \!:;
l:r \!:; vv A*.
T T T
T Ar+. T T .,T ., T
TT T T TTT T T TTTTM+. T
.,• 'i 'i • 'i 'i T• 'i
cpl:[ : \!:;cp l:r � : :
v vvv v �T vv vvv� � v
v � \!:;� v : v \!:;
� v 'i T v Tvv
hi+.
TT'1TTT TT T T T.,T
•TTA!+. TT T TTT TTT Mf.TT
'i 'i •x • 'i 'i
: :� � l:r : cp : :
\!:;vv vv� vv
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v vv TTv \!:; v v
v T T Ar+. TT
TT T TT T
TTTT TTT.,Mf. T 'i TT T
el• 'i 'i 'i • 'i • 'i
cp :� : :
vvv � : cp v�v T T
v v v v v
v \!:; T v � � I
T v T 'i v
., T., T TX TTM+.T T
TTTTM+.T TT Mf.T •
•'i 'i el•x �
:Japuaiap poo6 e iou S! aoa!d pauu!d 'ti U!d
V
Pin The cross pin : A

� • .!. .!. � •• •

1:1 .!. • .t. .t. .t..t. .t..t. .t. .t..t..t.

.t. 8.t. .t..i. �
.t. .t. � Cjj
.t. �
8 8� � 88
8�@ � 8 @ 888 88
1:1 : � 1:1 �

• •• •
.!. � .i. .!. •
.t. I. .t..i. I. .t. .t. I. .t. I.
I. I. � I. .t..t. I.
.t. � � 8 .t.
8�
8 ttJ
8 88
1:1 @

• �· .!. • •

.t. .i..t. � I. � .t. .t. .i. � � .t..i. .t.

.t. � I. .t.ttJ .t. .t. I. I.
'ti .t. 8 8
8ttJ
8 'ti �8 8: �
8 Cjj 88 88 8 88
@ @ � � @

.!. .!. ••
.t. � I. : .t. I.
.!. .t. .t. I.
8�.t..t.8 .i. � .t.
.t. .t.
.i. � 8
·� 88 888
@ 'ti: @

48 Step 3 plus
Defending against mate
White is threatening mate
with 1. Qf6#. Black can only
defend by protecting. Not
with 1. . . . Nd5 2. Bxg7+, but
with 1. .. . Kfi after which
White loses even more
material.
K •
' I.
' ''
K
Black must defend against
Ra3#. He can protect the a3-
square and win a tempo at
the same time: 1. .. . Rdl+ 2.
Kf2 Ral.
K •
.t..•
' '
� 'iYI.
� '
j_
8 �
� 8'
Black has no defence against
the mate on h8.Counter­
attack saves him. 1. .. . clN+
leads to perpetual check, but
1. ... Bb3+! 2. Kxb3 clN# is
even better!
•
,,. j_ I. ''
' '
� j,,
8 V/i 8
8 j_
8 8 j,, 8
�
Black is threatening mate on Unfortunately White cannot
d 1. Making an airhole with 1. save himself with 1. Qe 1
h3 does not help: 1. . . . Qd l + (protecting), since the Bd5 is
2. Kh2 Qhl#. White must en prise. Salvation comes via
protect with 1. Qa4, and moving away and interpo­
after 1. ... Qe4 the king must sing: 1. Khl! Qfl+ 2. Bgl.
move away to fl.
Gaining a tempo and X-ray Mate on fl and g6 can only
protection. After 1. Qd7+ be defended against by
Kh6 comes 2. Qc7. After 2. pinning the attacking piece
. . . NeS White pins the and capturing it: 1. . . Bc7 2.
.
attacking piece with 3. Qcl. Kgl BxeS.
•
•
� I.
8 I.
8
8
8�
Black's rescue comes from This position is very like the
an unexpected quarter. Apart previous one. But here the
from his queen Black cannot king still has a move. So
move. So stalemate is Black must play very accu­
possible: 1. . . Qxg3+ 2.
. rately: 1. . . . Qe6+. He saves
Kxg3 stalemate. himself by stalemate.
49
Defending Defend against mate: A

.I .I • •
.i..i. '' ''
8 ' 'ii' '
� '
' 8� 8
8 ·� �8 8 8 i8'ii'
.I 88 � iDM88 8 8
@ M @ �@

•
.I .1 • •• • •

' � ' ' '' �

' ' ' � ' 't:D �
� .i. ' �
8 l'iJ8 8
8 � 8 8 8
8@ 8 @8 88
@

.I .I • •
'ii' • .I • • •

'' ' i .i.i i i.i. '

�.i. � ' � i8 i '�
'ii'
i 8
8' 8 88 8 M 8
88 888 8 8 @
M @ @ .I

•
•
i.i. i
'�

8
8 M 8
8 *
.I
' -,� �n ��
,!) »,1j
.
!
�-
AMARIC
l
1{ f

50 Step 3 plus
Defending Defend against mate: B

• .I. .I. •
' i't\V ''
..t '
8
8 8
8�8 8
� Cjj 8
M M@..t
Can White prevent mate? Can White prevent mate? Can White prevent mate?
0 yes, by 0 no 0 yes, by 0 no 0 yes, by 0 no

.I. .I. • •
'' ' 'tW '
.t. '�'
�

� 8
88 88
@
Can Black prevent mate? Can White prevent mate? Can Black prevent mate?
0 yes, by 0 no 0 yes, by 0 no 0 yes, by 0 no

•
..t •
' �
8 �
' '
.t. .I. '
�
8
M @
Can Black prevent mate? Can Black prevent mate? Can Black prevent mate?
0 yes, by 0 no 0 yes, b y 0 no 0 yes, by 0 no

•
' ..t'''
' '
' 8
8 8 � 't\V
8
8 8
� M M@
Can Black prevent mate? Can White prevent mate? Can White prevent mate?
0 yes, by 0 no 0 yes, by 0 no 0 yes, by 0 no

51
The square of the pawn
In pawn endings the rule of the square of the pawn is very helpful in calculating whether a passed pawn
can still be caught. Of course that is not all you need to know about the square of the pawn .
First, a little revision. The
square of the h-pawn is
indicated. If White to move
reaches the square, it is a
draw. If it is Black's move
the pawn can promote.
1. h4! prevents both white
pawns being lost. 1. ... KfS
2. KaS Kg6 is followed by 3.
f4! KhS 4. fS. White wins
with the help of his king.
Connected passed pawns are
very strong. After 1. b4 Ka7
2. bS Kb6 3. Kh2 Black
cannot take on b5.
52
The white king can reach the
square of the g-pawn. But if
it is Black to move, he can
set up a barrier in its way
with 1. ... e3. After 2. dxe3
g4 3. Kd4 g3 the white king
arrives too late.
Black cannot win the pawn:
1. a4 KcS 2. Kgl Kb6 3. c4,
but White cannot win
without his king:3. ... KcS
4. aS Kc6 4. Kgl KcS.
Black must remain in the
square of the e-pawn. After
1. Ka4 he must abandon his
pawn.
'
•
Opposing pawns can keep
the king out of the square of
the pawn. White plays 1. f5!
Black soon runs out of
moves: 1.... a4 2. Kc3 a3 3.
Kb3 a2 4. Kxa2 Ke7 5. h7.
In this diagram the pawns
cannot stop White drawing,
since they cannot keep the
king under control: 1. Kg4!
Kg7 2. KfS.
A knight must protect its
pawn from outside the
square of the pawn. So 1.
Nb3! Kb4 2. a5.
Step 3 plus
Pawn ending The square of the pawn: A

'
•

'' •

f'}J f'}J
•
� f'}J
• <ti

53
Discovered attacks

• .! • •
'.i • 'Wi
.! ' i .! i i � . , '
� ' i.i. � i i.i. i .! .i. .i.
i i .!
8 � 8 8 � 8 Cjj
8VJ/i Cjj88 'Wi Cjj88 8
: ii, 8@ 8 ii, 8 88 88
: : : @ @ : :
In discovered attacks the Almost the same position, Without the Nd4 White can
front piece in the battery but here 1 . ... Ne3+ 2. Ke2 is mate. The knight must move
needs to find a suitable no use. Black must take a away with tempo. Not 1.
target. Black wins with 1. .. . piece with 1. .. . Nxd2+, so Nf5+ Bxf5 2. Qd8+ Ke6, but
Ne3+: an attack on king + once more king + material. 1. Nc6+ Qxc6 2. Qd8#, an
material. attack on king + square

• .i .1• • .! �
ii .! i i i �· i ii .! iii
� �iii, .i.i i�i i
.i. 8i8� �
: 8 Cjj 'Wi 8
8VJ/i Cjj 8 8 WI 8 8:
8 88 88iL : 8 8 ii, 8
@ : � @ ll:
The battery Qc3/Rd4 must be Discovered attack + Disc. attack and trapping
aimed at material + square in-between move. White can The battery Qa4/Rb3 leads to
with 1. Re4! It will be mate win with 1. Nxg6: 1. . . . Qxf3 the win: 1. Rh3. The queen
on g7 or on e8. 2. Nxe7+ and 3. Rxf3. is now controlling dl.

• .i .i • � •
ii i ii i.i. i.i. i i
.i.�i i � ii i i� �
ii, llJi llJ 8
88 �8 8 8
ii, Cjj 8Cjj 'Wi ii, 8
8 8 888 8 �
: :@ : : ii, @ @
Discovered attack and The knight on c4 is under The bishop is attacking the
elimination of a defender indirect attack from the Bfl. queen indirectly. So the front
On the left the front piece The front piece can attack the piece can find a suitable
has a different goal in mind. defending queen with 1. Nf4, target to attack: 1. Ng4. The
1. Bd6+ chases away the and the knight deprives the queen is being attacked and
king. On the right the back queen of the d5-square. The can no longer protect the
piece eliminates the queen has to abandon the Nc4. Nh6. The discovered attack
defender: 1. Nh5. eliminates the defender.

54 Step 3 plus
Discovered attack Trapping: A

• .i •
.i • .i. t;' .i • .i.
I. .i.i ii i ii
i &ii t;' I. i&
i i i
8 �i .i. ttJi .i. 8
ttJ .i 8 8 8��8
88 88 � 8�8 88 � 88
� rJ: : 1:1 � : @

/ ... -.... -
\
-
---------
.i • .i. .i •
.i.'i!V i I. i
( '
I I

(I i1llllifilillr i &i
i 'li'i
8

.i .i. • .i .i &.i. • .i .i .i &•

i ii&iii ii & I. ii i & I.
& t;' I. .i. i
.i.ttJ 8 i 8 i i
� 8'i!V8i i
ttJ 8 8 8'i!VttJ 8ttJ8 �
8 � 888 � ttJ888 8
: � :@ l:IltJ @� : : : 'iV�

.i .i. t;' • I • I • • .i .i.&I

i I. i& i i .i &i iii iiii
i'iV i i i & t;'
I. 8 t;'
8 8 i8
8 8 � 8 8 � .i. 8 ttJ 8
8 888 .tl8 8 � 888
: @� l::r � � ttJ:� : 'lW@� :

55
 snzd E da1s 9�
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v : v 'V 'V v vv 'V 'V
v v ' v � 'V
v v \!:; v 'V ' � ®
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el • 'i Hff. 'i 'i. el •
Cfi?r : Cfi?r Cf> ::
vv® v 'V v �® 'V 'V v 'V v
\!:; 'V Hff. v \!:;
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TT ' T TTT T '' '
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v v v v v \!:; 'V v 'V v
'V v v � v
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