CHAPTER 8:

QUEENING A PAWN PART 2

We saw in Chapter 4 how and when you can win with King and Pawn against King. But what happens when you're a pawn up with several pawns on the board?

Before we answer that question we need to introduce a new term: PASSED PAWN. A passed pawn is a pawn which cannot be blocked or captured by an enemy pawn on its way through to queening.

If you have an extra pawn (or more) with only a few pieces left on the board here's your three-stage plan to win the game:

1. Put your pieces (including the King) on their best squares (usually as near the centre of the board as possible).

2. Create a PASSED PAWN by advancing on the side of the board where you have more pawns than your opponent, starting with the pawn which doesn't have an opposite number.

3. When your opponent stops you from queening run over to the other side of the board and eat up all his pawns. He will have to stop and capture your passed pawn before rushing over to try to save his pawns.

Sometimes you will even be able to win like this with equal pawns. On the other hand you will occasionally be a pawn up but not be able to win.

In this volume we only look at positions with just Kings and Pawns on the board. The plan often works if you have other pieces as well but it can be more complicated.

Set up the position in Diagram 109 and see how the plan works right from the beginning of Stage 1.

XABCDEFGH
8-+-+k+-+(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1+-+-mK-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 109
White to move

First we move the King to his best square in the centre of the board.

1. Ke1-d2 Ke8-d7
2. Kd2-d3 Kd7-d6

3. Kd3-d4 Kd6-c6 (Diagram 110)

XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+k+-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-mK-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 110
White to move

The end of Stage 1. The White King has reached his ideal square, in the middle of the board where he cannot be checked by a black pawn. Now we start on stage 2. The pawn we are trying to queen is the c-pawn because it doesn't have an opposite number so that's the one we advance first.

4. c2-c4 f7-f6
5. b2-b4 h7-h5
6. c4-c5 g7-g6
7. Kd4-c4 a7-a6 (Diagram 111)

XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7+p+-+-+-'
6p+k+-zpp+&
5+-zP-+-+p%
4-zPK+-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2P+-+-zPPzP"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 111
White to move

White wants to play b4-b5+ to continue his pawn advance and shift Black's King. Black tries to stop him.

8. a2-a4 h5-h4
9. b4-b5+ a6xb5+
10. a4xb5+ Kc6-c7

Now White wants to play c5-c6 to get a PASSED PAWN.

11. Kc4-d5 f6-f5
12. c5-c6 b7xc6+

13. b5xc6 (Diagram 112)

XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-mk-+-+-'
6-+P+-+p+&
5+-+K+p+-%
4-+-+-+-zp$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-zPPzP"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 112
Black to move

End of Stage 2. White now has a PASSED PAWN.

13... f5-f4
14. f2-f3 g6-g5
15. h2-h3 Kc7-c8
16. Kd5-d6 Kc8-d8
17. c6-c7+ Kd8-c8 (Diagram 113)

XABCDEFGH
8-+k+-+-+(
7+-zP-+-+-'
6-+-mK-+-+&
5+-+-+-zp-%
4-+-+-zp-zp$
3+-+-+P+P#
2-+-+-+P+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 113
White to move

Now White has to be careful. If he forgets the en passant rule and plays 18. g2-g4?? he loses! 18. Kd6-c6 g5-g4 19. h3xg4?? h4-h3 20. g2xh3 is stalemate. So we move onto Stage 3.

18. Kd6-e6 Kc8xc7
19. Ke6-f5 Kc7-d6
20. Kf5xg5 Kd6-e5
21. Kg5xh4 Ke5-f5
22. Kh4-h5 Kf5-e5

23. Kh5-g4 (Diagram 114)
XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-+-+-'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-mk-+-%
4-+-+-zpK+$
3+-+-+P+P#
2-+-+-+P+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 114
Black to move

White avoids 23. g2-g4 allowing an en passant capture and wins easily.

That wasn't too difficult, was it? Play it through over and over again until you are sure you understand what's happening. You may even find some quicker ways for White to win.

Now try Diagram 115, where all the pawns are on the same side of the board. This time it's a bit harder. You can't use the decoy plan this time, so you have to win by playing for the OPPOSITION. If you don't remember what this means, go back to Chapter 4 and have another look.

XABCDEFGH
8-+-+k+-+(
7+-+-+-zpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-zPPzP"
1+-+-mK-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 115
White to move

We start off by moving the King into the centre of the board.

1. Ke1-e2 Ke8-e7
2. Ke2-e3 Ke7-e6
3. Ke3-e4 g7-g6
4. f2-f4

Advancing the pawn we're going to queen.

4... h7-h5 (Diagram 116)
XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-+-+-'
6-+-+k+p+&
5+-+-+-+p%
4-+-+KzP-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+PzP"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 116
White to move

You probably decided, correctly, that White's plan is to play g2-g4 here. So maybe you played h2-h3 to prepare the g-pawn's advance. Well, that's the right plan but the wrong execution. 5. h2-h3? h5-h4! (planning to take en passant when White plays g2-g4) 6. Ke4-f3 Ke6-f5 7. g2-g4+ h4xg3 8. Kf3xg3 g6-g5, exchanging the g-pawn and f-pawn. This leaves White with just an h-pawn, which, as you know from Chapter 4, is a draw.

The right plan for White is to play g2-g3, then h2-h3, then g3-g4. If you worked all this out for yourself you've done very well.

5. g2-g3! Ke6-f6
6. h2-h3 Kf6-e6
7. g3-g4 h5xg4
8. h3xg4 Ke6-f6

Stop again and think carefully before you decide on your next move.

If you remember Chapter 4 you'll know that 9. f4-f5 g6xf5 10. g4xf5 is only a draw. 9. g4-g5+ Kf6-e6 gives Black the OPPOSITION and White can make no progress. White has to be more subtle than this. He has to advance his King and wait to see which way Black goes before he knows whether to play f4-f5 or g4-g5. So the right move is 9. Ke4-d5.

9. Ke4-d5 (Diagram 117)

XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-+-+-'
6-+-+-mkp+&
5+-+K+-+-%
4-+-+-zPP+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 117
Black to move

From this position we'll look at three possible moves for Black.

Variation 1

9... Kf6-f7

Black takes the DIAGONAL OPPOSITION

10. Kd5-e5 Kf7-e7

What would you play next for White? 11. f4-f5 is no good: 10.. g6xf5 11. g4xf5 Ke7-f7 12. f5-f6 Kf7-f8! is a draw (Chapter 4 again), or, in this line, 11. Ke5xf5 Ke7-f7 12. Kf5-g5 Kf7-g7 and again it's a draw because Black has the OPPOSITION (Chapter 4 again).

So White must take the OPPOSITION himself.

11. g4-g5!

White could equally well have played this on move 10.

11... Ke7-f7
12. Ke5-d6! (Diagram 118)
XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-+k+-'
6-+-mK-+p+&
5+-+-+-zP-%
4-+-+-zP-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 118
Black to move

12. f4-f5 is still only a draw, so the White King takes the side road and runs Black out of moves.

12... Kf7-g7
13. Kd6-e6 Kg7-g8
14. Ke6-f6 Kg8-h7
15. Kf6-f7

And White wins. This sort of position is VERY IMPORTANT. White can attack the g-pawn from two squares but, because of the pawn on g5, Black can only defend it from one square.
Variation 2

Back to Diagram 117

9... Kf6-e7
10. Kd5-e5 Ke7-f7

Now what? f4-f5 or g4-g5? Unlike the last variation, g4-g5 doesn't work here because Black seizes the OPPOSITION with Kf7-e7. But now f4-f5 DOES work because WHITE has the OPPOSITION.

11. f4-f5! g6xf5 (Diagram 119)
XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-+k+-'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+-mKp+-%
4-+-+-+P+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 119
White to move

11... g6-g5 loses to 12. f5-f6 Kf7-g6 13. Ke5-e6.

It's make your mind up time again. Which way do you take back? You should know by now that g4xf5 is only a draw. But Ke5xf5 keeps the OPPOSITION and wins.

12. Ke5xf5! Kf7-g7
13. Kf5-g5

And you'll remember from Chapter 4 that this position with BLACK to move is a win for White. If Black goes to f7 White goes to h6, and if Black goes to h7 White goes to f6.

Variation 3

Back once more to Diagram 117.

9... g6-g5
10. f4-f5 Kf6-f7
11. Kd5-e5 Kf7-e7
12. f5-f6+ Ke7-f7
13. Ke5-f5

And White takes the g-pawn next move, winning easily.

Now let's take the position after Black's 11th move in this last variation and move everything down one rank, giving Diagram 120. Now something slightly different happens.

XABCDEFGH
8-+-+k+-+(
7+-+-+-+-'
6-+-+KzPp+&
5+-+-+-zP-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 120
White to move

1. f6-f7+ Ke8-f8

Hold it! Ke6-f6 is stalemate! How do we make progress?

The answer is to give up the f-pawn to come round the side.

2. Ke6-d6! Kf8xf7
3. Kd6-d7 Kf7-f8
4. Kd7-e6 Kf8-g7
5. Ke6-e7 Kg7-g8
6. Ke7-f6 Kg8-h7
7. Kf6-f7 (Diagram 121)

XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-+K+k'
6-+-+-+p+&
5+-+-+-zP-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 121
Black to move

7... Kh7-h8
8. Kf7xg6 Kh8-g8

Chapter 4 taught you that THIS position is a win for White with either White or Black to move.

Just one last position for you to look at. Set up Diagram 122 and see what you make of it.

XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7mk-+-+pzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5mK-+-+PzPP%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 122
White to move

It's White's move. He starts off with 1. g5-g6! Now if Black plays 1... f7xg6, 2. h5-h6 forces a pawn through and if Black plays 1... h7xg6, 2. f5-f6 again forces a pawn through. Every Russian schoolboy (and girl) knows this one - make sure you know it too!

You may well be wondering, "Why bother to look at positions like this. They don't happen very often."
Firstly, they do happen sometimes, and if they happen in your games you need to know how to play them. Getting these endings right will often make the difference between a win and a draw, or a draw and a loss.

Secondly, knowing about these endings can often come in useful in deciding how you play the middle game, or sometimes even the opening. Suppose you win a pawn early in the game. Then the easiest way for you to win will often be to exchange off all the pieces to reach a King and Pawn ending. Likewise, if you lose a pawn early on, you will probably do best to avoid piece exchanges whenever you can. You will also have seen that the more pawns you have to start with, the easier it is to win.

So we have two very useful pieces of advice for you. DON'T FORGET THEM.

1. If you're ahead on material EXCHANGE PIECES BUT NOT PAWNS.

2. If you're behind on material EXCHANGE PAWNS BUT NOT PIECES.

We mentioned the opening just now. Yes, you can even start thinking about the ending in the opening. Just one example: a variation of the Ruy Lopez.

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3. Bf1-b5 a7-a6
4. Bb5xc6 d7xc6

The Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez, which we looked at in the last chapter. This time, a different 5th move for White.

5. d2-d4 e5xd4
6. Qd1xd4 Qd8xd4
7. Nf3xd4 (Diagram 123)

XABCDEFGH
8r+l+kvlntr(
7+pzp-+pzpp'
6p+p+-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-sNP+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1tRNvL-mK-+R!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 123
Black to move

This variation is not much played now because Black's two Bishops are thought to give him good play, but in the early years of the century it was popular with players like Emanuel Lasker.

If we take everything off the board except the Kings and Pawns we get Diagram 124

XABCDEFGH
8-+-+k+-+(
7+pzp-+pzpp'
6p+p+-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+P+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzPP+-zPPzP"
1+-+-mK-+-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 124
In this position White can always get a PASSED PAWN on the King side. But Black has DOUBLED PAWNS on the c-file so cannot get a PASSED PAWN on the Queen side (unless White plays carelessly, for instance by undoubling Black's c-pawns). So White has a winning advantage. Why not try playing this position out yourself and see what happens.

So White's plan in this opening will be to exchange off all the pieces, while Black will try to keep the pieces, especially his Bishops, on the board.

QUIZ

The first thing you have to do is to play the positions in Diagrams 109 and 115 against your chess teacher, training partner or computer. Don't give up until you are certain you can win these positions with White playing against the World Champion.

Secondly, a mini-quiz to test your understanding of King and Pawn endings. A score of 4 out of 5 will enable you to go on to the next chapter.

Q1.
XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-mk(
7+-+-+-+P'
6-+-+-+K+&
5+p+-+-+-%
4p+-+-+-+$
3zP-+-+-+-#
2-zP-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
White to play
. What is his best move?
Q2.
XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-+-+-'
6-zp-mk-+-+&
5zp-+-+-+-%
4-+PmK-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
White to play.
What is his best move?
Q3.
XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-+-+-'
6-+pmk-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+PzPK+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
White to play.
What is his best move?
Q4.
XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7+pzp-+-+-'
6-zp-+-+-+&
5zP-zP-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+-+-+k#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+K!
xabcdefgh
White to play.
What is his best move?
Q5.
XABCDEFGH
8-+-+-+-+(
7+-+-+-+-'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+Kzp-+-+-%
4-+Pmk-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2-+-+-+-+"
1+-+-+-+-!
xabcdefgh
a) White to play.
What should the result be?
b) Black to play.
What should the result be?

ACTIVITIES

Next chapter it will be time to look another opening. It goes like this.

1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3. Bf1-c4

The Italian Game again. But this time something different for Black.
3... Ng8-f6 (Diagram 125)

XABCDEFGH
8r+lwqkvl-tr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6-+n+-sn-+&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-+L+P+-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2PzPPzP-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-+R!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 125
White to move

The Two Knights Defence. Named for obvious reasons. Black defends with two knights.

White has two interesting moves here. The more popular one in junior chess is 4. Nf3-g5. Play some games with this against your training partner or computer before tackling the next chapter and see what happens. You might also like to try some games with 4. d2-d4 as well if you have time.

Masters of the Universe 8

For twenty years after the end of World War Two, international chess was dominated by players from what was then the Soviet Union. You've already read how Mikhail Botvinnik became World Champion in 1948, and held onto his title by drawing matches with his first two challengers. In 1957 his opponent was again Vasily Smyslov. This time Smyslov was successful. But his reign as World Champion was short. The rules entitled Botvinnik to a return match the following year, which he won to regain the Championship.

Vasily Smyslov was born in Moscow in 1921. His father, a strong player, taught young Vasily the moves when he was six and a half. He started playing in adult tournaments when he was 14. In 1938 he became a Master by coming first equal in the Moscow Championship.

After he lost the world title his career went into a decline but he caused a sensation in 1983 by reaching the finals of the Candidates Matches for the World Championship where he lost to Kasparov. In 1991, when he was 70 years old, Smyslov became the first World Veterans' Champion. Even in his mid seventies he is still competing regularly in Grandmaster tournaments.

Here he is in action back in 1935 at the age of 14, in the Moscow House of Pioneers (Junior Chess Club) Championship.

White: K Gerasimov Black: Vasily Smyslov
Moscow 1935
Opening: Queen's Pawn Game

1. d2-d4 d7-d5
2. Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6
3. e2-e3 e7-e6
4. Bf1-d3 c7-c5
5. b2-b3

White's opening system is rather unusual and not very adventurous.

5... Nb8-c6
6. Bc1-b2 Bf8-d6
7. 0-0 Qd8-c7
8. a2-a3 b7-b6
9. c2-c4

With this move White makes it a sort of Queen's Gambit.

9... Bc8-b7
10. Nb1-c3 (Diagram 126)
XABCDEFGH
8r+-+k+-tr(
7zplwq-+pzpp'
6-zpnvlpsn-+&
5+-zpp+-+-%
4-+PzP-+-+$
3zPPsNLzPN+-#
2-vL-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 126
Black to move

10... a7-a6

To prevent Nc3-b5, attacking Queen and Bishop.

11. Rf1-e1 c5xd4
12. e3xd4 0-0
13. Nc3-a4 Bd6-f4
14. Nf3-e5 d5xc4
15. b3xc4 Nc6xe5
16. d4xe5 Qc7-c6

Threatening mate. White's best bet is to force off Queens with Qd1-f3.

17. Bd3-f1? Rf8-d8
18. Qd1-b3 Nf6-g4
19. h2-h3 (Diagram 127)
XABCDEFGH
8r+-tr-+k+(
7+l+-+pzpp'
6pzpq+p+-+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4N+P+-vln+$
3zPQ+-+-+P#
2-vL-+-zPP+"
1tR-+-tRLmK-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 127
Black to move

19... Rd8-d3!!

A double DECOY! Smyslov tries to decoy the Bishop AWAY FROM f1 (20. Bf1xd3? Qc6xg2#) or to decoy the Queen TO d3 (20. Qb3xd3 Bf4-h2+ 21. Kg1-h1 Ng4xf2+ (FORK!))

20. Qb3xb6 Rd3xh3!

Another double DECOY! This time we have 21. g2xh3? Qc6-h1# or 21. Qb6xc6? Bf4-h2+ 22. Kg1-h1 Ng4xf2#.

21. Bb2-d4 Bf4-h2+
22. Kg1-h1 Bh2xe5+

DISCOVERED CHECK. Black has a WINDMILL or PENDULUM. Every time the Bishop goes to h2 the White King has to move to h1, exposing himself to a DISCOVERED CHECK. So Black can pick up almost anything he likes on a black square. In this case 23. Kh1-g1 Be5-h2+ 24. Kg1-h1 Bh2-c7+ (DISCOVERED CHECK, winning the Queen.) You notices, of course, that White can never play g2xh3 because of the PIN on the long diagonal.

White resigns

Smyslov is famous above all for his superb endgame play. Botvinnik's next challenger, Mikhail Tal, was quite different. He was renowned for the brilliance of his attacking play. Even though some of his sacrifices were not always entirely sound, his opponents were usually bamboozled into finding the wrong defence.

Mikhail Tal was born in Riga, Latvia, in 1936 and learned the moves from his cousin when he was ten. He always recalled how upset he felt when, shortly afterwards, and thinking he was a good player, he lost a game to Scholar's Mate. (Yes, it happens to everyone, even future World Champions.) This defeat encouraged him to join his local Junior Chess Club where he learned how to play properly. To such an effect that within a few years he reached master standard, and in 1960 won a match against Botvinnik to become the youngest ever World Champion (a record since broken by Kasparov).

Sadly, Tal's career was interrupted by bouts of ill health, and it was after a period of illness that he played his return match against Botvinnik. He was not at his best and was well beaten.

Although, when his health was good he could still play as well as almost anyone, he was not able to stage another challenge for the world crown. He died in 1992 at the age of 55.

At Montreal in 1979 he was in top form, sharing first place with Karpov in what was then one of the strongest tournaments ever held. In this game he demolishes another ex-champion.

White: Boris Spassky Black: Mikhail Tal
Montreal 1979
Opening: Queen's Indian Defence

1. d2-d4 Ng8-f6
2. c2-c4 e7-e6
3. Ng1-f3 b7-b6

This is the Queen's Indian Defence. Black FIANCHETTOS his Queen's Bishop (plays b7-b6 and Bc8-b7). If he develops his King's Bishop on g7 instead it's the King's Indian Defence.

4. e2-e3 Bc8-b7
5. Bf1-d3 d7-d5
6. b2-b3 Bf8-d6
7. 0-0 0-0
8. Bc1-b2 Nb8-d7
9. Nb1-d2 Qd8-e7
10. Ra1-c1 Ra8-d8
11. Qd1-c2?!

e2 is a better square for the Queen here.

11... c7-c5
12. c4xd5 e6xd5
13. d4xc5 b6xc5
14. Qc2-c3?!

Another unfortunate queen move. The Queen's open to attack here. Rf1-e1 would have been safer.

14... Rf8-e8
15. Rf1-d1 (Diagram 128)

XABCDEFGH
8-+-trr+k+(
7zpl+nwqpzpp'
6-+-vl-sn-+&
5+-zpp+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+PwQLzPN+-#
2PvL-sN-zPPzP"
1+-tRR+-mK-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 128
Black to move

15... d5-d4!
16. e3xd4 c5xd4

Tal is sacrificing a pawn to get at White's King. Black's Bishops point menacingly at the White King's fortress while most of his officers are over the other side of the board.

If 17. Qc3xd4, Bc6-d5 or Nd7-c5 both give Black a very strong attack, while if Nf3xd4 Black could sacrifice a Bishop to expose the White King. One variation will give you an example of what might happen. 17. Nf3xd4 Bd6xh2+!? (A very common sacrificial idea which you'll learn much more about as you continue your chess career) 18. Kg1xh2 Nf6-g4+ 19. Kh2-g3 Qe7-e5+ 20. Kg3xg4 (20 f2-f4 is unclear) 20... Nd7-f6+ 21. Kg4-h3 Qe5-h5+ 22. Kh3-g3 Qh5-g4+ 23. Kg3-h2 Qg4xg2#. So Spassky turns down the pawn.

17. Qc3-a5 Nd7-e5
18. Nf3xe5 Bd6xe5
19. Nd2-c4 Rd8-d5

20. Qa5-d2 (Diagram 129)
XABCDEFGH
8-+-+r+k+(
7zpl+-wqpzpp'
6-+-+-sn-+&
5+-+rvl-+-%
4-+Nzp-+-+$
3+P+L+-+-#
2PvL-wQ-zPPzP"
1+-tRR+-mK-!
xabcdefgh
Diagram 129
Black to move

20... Be5xh2+!

The same sacrifice as in the previous note.

21. Kg1xh2 Rd5-h5+
22. Kh2-g1

Or 22. Kh2-g3 Nf6-e4+ 23. Bd3xe4 Qe7-h4+ 24. Kg3-f3 Qh4xe4+ 25. Kf3-g3 Qe4-h4#

22... Nf6-g4

White resigns: he cannot prevent mate for very long. One of the threats is Rh5-h1+ followed by Qe7-h4#.
LESSONS FROM CHAPTER 8

1. IF YOU'RE AHEAD ON MATERIAL EXCHANGE PIECES BUT NOT PAWNS. IF YOU'RE BEHIND ON MATERIAL EXCHANGE PAWNS BUT NOT PIECES.

2. IF YOU'RE AHEAD TRY TO KEEP PAWNS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BOARD. IF YOU'RE BEHIND TRY TO EXCHANGE OFF ALL THE PAWNS ON ONE SIDE OF THE BOARD.

3. IN ALL ENDINGS GET ALL YOUR PIECES - ESPECIALLY THE KING - ONTO THEIR BEST SQUARES BEFORE ADVANCING YOUR PAWNS. KINGS BELONG IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOARD IN THE ENDING.

4. IF YOU'RE A PAWN UP IN THE ENDING, CREATE A PASSED PAWN AND, IF YOU CAN'T QUEEN IT, USE IT AS A DECOY.