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8 ... Kh8-g8
9 Ke6-d7 c7-c5
10 Kd7-c7 b 7 - b 5
11 Kc7-b7 a7-a5
12 Kb7-b6
Black’s pawns at a5, b5 and c5 will now fall like ripe plums, and White will
win easily.
PROBING FOR WEAKNESSES
In the previous example we learned some very important advice for the
endgame. YOUR KING IS AN ACTIVE PIECE. USE IT! Here White’s
king is actively placed but this time Black has also placed his king near the
center of the board. How can White make progress? The answer is to probe
Black’s position and try to create weaknesses. White now starts an advance on
the Q-side where he has the advantage because of his well placed king.
1 a2-a4 g7-g6
2 a4-a5 h7-h6?
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ACTIVE KING AND PASSIVE KING.
In this position, which is completely even, we shall see what happens if White
uses its king ACTIVELY, while Black does nothing and hides its king away
PASSIVELY in the comer.
4 K e l - d 2 K e 8 - f 8
5 K d 2 - d 3 K f 8 - g 8
6 K d 3 - c 4 K g 8 - h 8
In just three moves White’s king has advanced to a menacing position while
Black’s is taking no active part in the game.
7 Kc4-d5
White threatens the pawn on e5. If this pawn falls White will be a pawn ahead
which is usually enough of an advantage to force a win.
7 ... f7-f6
8 Kd5-e6
Although Black has defended his e5 pawn White’s king marches on
mercilessly. The target is now the group of black pawns on c7, b7 and a7.
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