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Knight Endgames (Part 1)

Knight Endgames (Part 1)

dbojkov
GM Dejan Bojkov
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Are you ready to master knight endings?

This course aims to give you a basic understanding of the most common knight endgames. GM Dejan Bojkov has selected positions that range from 1000 up to 2400 level in difficulty, so there should be a few appropriate positions for any chess student. Start improving your play in knight endgames today!

Here is what you will learn:

  • Calculate tricky tactics!
  • Find out how to make knights the most effective!
  • When should you promote a pawn into a knight?

Limited Mobility of the Knight

The knight might not feel very well maneuvering when the opponent's or even its own forces hinder its mobility.
2 Challenges

The Edge of the Board

Knights feel badly when fighting against rook pawns. The reason for this phenomenon is the fact that their mobility is highly restricted towards the edge of the board.
4 Challenges

Knights can be trapped on the edge

Knights can be trapped easily on the edge of the board as their strength is considerably lower than usual. Always be alert for such opportunities in knight endgames!
4 Challenges

Knight Can't Win Tempo

Contrary to any other piece, knights cannot win a tempo, so they can not triangulate like the kings.
2 Challenges

Short-ranged

A knight is too short-legged to easily switch from one flank to another. Therefore it usually hates playing on two flanks.
1 Challenge

Fork

Knights are capable of miracles, especially if the opponent's king is near them. Forks are their favorite weapons.
8 Challenges

Flexibility for the Knight

The most unpleasant pawn which the knight has to face is the corner one. It can handle it alone only if it does not reach the second (seventh) rank.
7 Challenges

Barrier

The ability of the knight to switch the color of the squares he controls helps him in the creation of barriers on the road of the opponent's king.
5 Challenges

Fortress

Knight and a rook pawn usually win against a lone king. However, if the pawn has reached the seventh (second) rank and is defended by the knight, the position is a fortress.
5 Challenges

Positional Draw

Poor coordination of the pieces might prevent the stronger side making use of their material advantage.
10 Challenges

The Knight is a Strong Piece

Despite its drawbacks the knight is a powerful piece. If the opponnet's king is limited in its motion, the knight can even mate it. The edge of the board is very helpful for the knight's intentions.
8 Challenges

Knight of Defense

The good co-ordination of the defensive pieces might also make a hero of a knight if the opponent's king lacks air.
7 Challenges

Zugzwang

When our pieces are dominating in an endgame, we must usually use zugzwang as a strong weapon to finally destroy the opponent's defensive construction.
6 Challenges

Decoy

The knight is a brave piece and can sacrifice itself to force the opponent's pieces to occupy inferior squares.
7 Challenges

Underpromotion

Sometimes, the best piece to defend against a knight fork is a... knight!
3 Challenges

A Role for Each Piece

The knight usually cannot fight alone against two separated passed pawns. It needs the support of its king to deal with the passers.
15 Challenges

Knight versus 3 Pawns

Against three pawns, a knight usually has a very difficult time. The best for it is to deal with connected pawns. In that case blockade is the defender's best (only) bet.
1 Challenge

Solo for the Knight

What other pieces cannot do, the knight can!
13 Challenges

Knight Endgames (Part 1)

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18 Lessons
No Videos
108 Challenges
Released 11/11/2007

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