Queen against Pawn : Endings of Chess Games - Part 14

To play with correctness and skill during the end of a chess game is a very rare accomplishment (except among the very best players).

In order to assist the beginning chess student as much as possible in this branch of the game, I have put together a collection of 38 diagrams illustrating 30 different chess ending positions and the proper play necessary to win the chess game.

QUEEN AGAINST PAWN.

In all ordinary situations, the Queen of course easily stops a single Pawn and wins against it; if, however, the latter has reached its 7th square, and has the support of its King, there are instances in which the game must be drawn. Our first position (see Diagram 18), will show the method of winning, and we shall afterwards point out the exceptions.

Diagram 18.

BLACK.

WHITE.

WHITE.	BLACK.
1. Q. to K. B's 5th. (ch.)	1. K. to K. Kt's 7th.
2. Q. to K's 4th. (ch.)	2. K. to B's 7th.
3. Q. to K. B's 4th. (ch.)	3. K. to Kt's 7th.
4. Q. to K's 3d.	4. K. to B's 8th.
5. Q. to K. B's 3d. (ch.)	5. K. to his 8th.
6. K. to Q's 4th.	6. K. to Q's 8th.
7. Q. to her 3d. (ch.)	7. K. to his 8th.
8. K. to his 3d.	8. K. to B's 8th.
9. Q. takes P. (ch.) and wins.

The same mode of procedure can always be adopted, unless the single Pawn should be either on the Bishop's or Rook's file, in which case Black may usually make a drawn game, owing to the power which he then has of making a stalemate. His having this alternative, however, altogether depends upon the distance which the adverse King may chance to be from the scene of action. In the next position (Diagram 19) the game is drawn.

Diagram 19.

BLACK.

WHITE.

WHITE.	BLACK.
1. Q. to K. Kt's 4th. (ch.)	1. K. to R's 8th.
2. Q. to K. B's 3d. (ch.)	2. K. to Kt's 8th.
3. Q. to K. Kt's 3d. (ch.)	3. K. to R's 8th.

And it is evident, that if White take the Pawn, his adversary is stalemated. The result is the same when the Pawn is on the Rook's file, as you will at once see by making the experiment. The next position (see Diagram 20), is a very ingenious exception to this rule, and will well repay your attention.

Diagram 20.

BLACK.

WHITE.

WHITE.	BLACK.
1. K. to Q. B's 5th. (ch.)	1. K. to Q. B's 7th. (best)
2. Q. to K. Kt's 2d. (ch.)	2. K. to Q. B's 6th.
3. Q. to K. B's sq.	3. K. to Q. Kt's 7th.
4. Q. to K's 2d. (ch.)	4. K. to Q. Kt's 6th.
5. Q. to her sq. (ch.)	5. K. to Q. Kt's 7th.
6. Q. to her 2d. sq. (ch.)	6. K. to Q. Kt's 8th.
7. K. to Q. Kt's 4th.	7. P. Queens.
8. K. to Q. Kt's 3d.
And wins.

I know that this collection of chess ending positions is limited - but it does serve to show that careful strategic play is requisite even when the stronger party feels sure of success. Be sure to review the following lessons and diagrams in this miniseries of chess game endings:

1. King and Queen against King : Diagram 1.
2. King and Rook against King : Diagrams 2 and 3.
3. King and Two Bishops against King : Diagram 4.
4. King, Bishop, and Knight against King : Diagram 5.
5. King and Two Knights against King : The two Knights, with the assistance of the King, cannot force checkmate, except in some very rare cases.
6. King and Pawn / King, Bishop, and Pawn / King, Knight, and Pawn against King : Diagrams 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
7. Queen against a Knight or Bishop : Diagram 11.
8. Queen against Rook : Diagram 12.
9. Queen against Rook and Pawn : Diagram 13.
10. Queen against Two Bishops : Diagram 14.
11. Queen against Two Knights : Two Knights can often draw the game against a Queen.
12. Queen against Knight and Bishop : A King with Bishop and Knight can in many cases draw the game against a King and Queen.
13. Queen against Queen and Pawn : Diagrams 15, 16, and 17.
14. Queen against Pawn : Diagrams 18, 19, and 20.
15. Rook against Bishop : Diagrams 21 and 22.
16. Rook against Knight : Diagram 23.
17. Rook and Pawn against Bishop : Diagram 24.
18. Rook against Three Minor Pieces : Diagram 25.
19. Rook and Pawn against Rook : Diagram 26.
20. Rook against One or More Pawns : Diagrams 27, 28, and 29.
21. Rook against Two Rooks : Diagram 30.
22. Rook and Bishop against Rook : Diagram 31.
23. Rook against Rook and Knight : Diagram 32.
24. King and Pawn against King and Pawn : Diagram 33.
25. King and Two Pawns against King and Pawn : Diagram 34.
26. King and Two Pawns against King and Two Pawns : Diagram 35.
27. King and Two Pawns against King and Three Pawns : Diagram 36.
28. King against Three 'Passed' Pawns : Diagram 37.
29. King and Three 'Passed' Pawns against King and Three 'Passed' Pawns : Diagram 38.

For you beginning chess students, I invite you go through my free online chess lessons. For you advanced chess players looking for a strategic advantage, I recommend you read through some of the other miniseries including The King's Knight's Opening, The King's Bishop's Opening, The King's Gambit, The Queen's Gambit, and Irregular Openings.