A magic knight

by Karsten Müller
7/6/2021 – Knights that fight against pawns can be clumsy but sometimes they can also work magic. In the diagram position, Black's a-pawn wants to queen but the white knight can still stop him. On the other hand it is hard to see how Black can stop White's e-pawn from queening. But Black can help her knight to do some magic and win. Do you have an idea how?

Endgames of the World Champions from Fischer to Carlsen Endgames of the World Champions from Fischer to Carlsen

Let endgame expert Dr Karsten Müller show and explain the finesses of the world champions. Although they had different styles each and every one of them played the endgame exceptionally well, so take the opportunity to enjoy and learn from some of the best endgames in the history of chess.

More...

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.e3 c6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.Bd3 Be6 8.c5 Nh5 9.Be5 f6 10.Bxb8 Rxb8 11.0-0 f5 12.b4 Nf6 13.Ne5 Ne4 14.Ne2 Qc7 15.f4 b6 16.Qc2 bxc5 17.bxc5 Rb4 18.Rab1 Rfb8 19.Rxb4 Rxb4 20.Rb1 Rxb1+ 21.Qxb1 Bxe5 22.fxe5 Bc8 23.Qb4 Kf7 24.g3 Ng5 25.Kg2 Qb7 26.a3 Ne6 27.Nc1 Qxb4 28.axb4 Nc7 29.Kf3 Bb7 30.Nb3 Ba6 31.Ke2 Ke8 32.Na5 Bxd3+ 33.Kxd3 Kd7 34.Nb3 g5 35.Nd2 h6 36.Nf3 Ne6 37.Ne1 Nc7 38.Nf3 Ne6 39.Nd2 g4 40.Nb1 Ng5 41.Nd2 Kc7 42.Ke2 Kb7 43.Nb1 Ne4 44.Kd3 h5 45.Na3 Ka6 46.Ke2 Ng5 47.Kf2 Nf3 48.Kg2 Nd2 49.Kf2 Nc4 50.Nc2 Kb5 51.Ke2 Ka4 52.Kd3 a6 53.Kc3 e6 54.Kd3 Kb3 55.Ne1 Kxb4 56.Ng2 Kb3 57.Nf4 a5 58.Nxe6 a4 59.Nf4 Nb2+ 60.Kd2 a3 61.Ne2 Nc4+ 62.Kd3 Nb2+ 63.Kd2 Nc4+ 64.Kd3 A magic knight Knights that fight against pawns can be clumsy but sometimes they can also work magic. In the diagram position, Black's a-pawn wants to queen but the white knight can still stop him. On the other hand it is hard to see how Black can stop White's e-pawn from queening. But Black can help her knight to do some magic and win. Do you have an idea how?
Black to move and win
Show Solution
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Mendonca,L2549Abdumalik,Z2472½–½2021D93Polgar Challenge 20217.10

Karsten Mueller in ChessBase Magazine

Do you like these lessons? There are plenty more by internationally renowned endgame expert Dr Karsten Müller in ChessBase Magazine, where you will also find openings articles and surveys, tactics, and of course annotations by the world's top grandmasters.

ChessBase Magazine #201

 

ChessBase Magazine Extra #201

 

Apart from his regular columns and video lectures in ChessBase Magazine there is a whole series of training DVDs by Karsten Mueller, which are bestsellers in the ChessBase Shop.

Karsten Mueller

Karsten Mueller regularly presents endgame lessons in the ChessBase Video Portal

Links

Karsten Müller is considered to be one of the greatest endgame experts in the world. His books on the endgame - among them "Fundamentals of Chess Endings", co-authored with Frank Lamprecht, that helped to improve Magnus Carlsen's endgame knowledge - and his endgame columns for the ChessCafe website and the ChessBase Magazine helped to establish and to confirm this reputation. Karsten's Fritztrainer DVDs on the endgame are bestsellers. The mathematician with a PhD lives in Hamburg, and for more than 25 years he has been scoring points for the Hamburger Schachklub (HSK) in the Bundesliga.

Discuss

Rules for reader comments

 
 

Not registered yet? Register

We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.