Step 3 plus

Name: Date of birth:

Street: Place:

School: Club:

Trainer: 1st step completed:

3r
znd step completed: d step completed:
X-ray protection

A simple topic to start on the Plus book. You have already learnt about X-ray protection and X-ray
attacks, but there is more that can be done using the X-ray effect of queen, rook and bishop.

� • • •
'' ' .i� '
' ' ' ' '
.i ..t. .i '
' � [3J ..t.
[3J [3J � 'ii' [3J [3J
[3J [3J [3J @ �
'ii' M @ M 1:t
The white rook is attacking In this position the f4-bishop Is 1. Rxh6+ possible? Yes.
the Rd5 and also controlling is looking through the e5- White saves himself by X­
the squares behind the rook, bishop to the b8-square. ray protection after 1. ... Kg7
White can win a piece with White can deliver mate with with 2. Rd6, and both rooks
1. Bxd7. 1. Qb8+ Bxb8 2. Rxb8 mate. are protected.

•
•
. ' ' '
'' ''

X-ray protection works very 1 . . Rxc4 is not good since

. Here again White can win
well in other sorts of combi­ White plays 2. exd5 +. The material by X-ray protection:
nations. Here it is the double capture can wait, since 1. ... 1. Bd6+ Kg7 2. Bxb4. White
attack. White wins the queen Nc3+ is possible. The rook is lucky because his bishop is
with 1. Bc4+. will protect the knight. protecting the queen.

.i& • .i .i& • ..t. .i

'�' '' ' ''''
' i&i ' &
� � '
[3J [3J Cjj [3J �
[3J 'ii' [3J
[3J [3J [3J [3J [3J [3J [3J [3J
M � @� M M @� M
The a8-rook is safe because Exchanging queens would be White can eliminate the
of X-ray protection. silly, since after 1. Qxb5 black king as a defender by
Unfortunately Black cannot axb5 the knight is pinned. 1. chasing it away. After 1.
save the rook after 1. Bg2 Nb6 is good, and Black has Nc6+ Black loses the queen.
(the queen on b7 is pro­ to abandon the protection of The knight on c6 is pro­
tecting the bishop). the knight on b8. tected!

2 Step 3 plus
X-ray X-ray protection: A

• • .I& � ·-*-
.I • .I
i i • iii ii ii i
iiiVA ii i i i
i � iV AtfJ
88 8 8 8 itfJ � i..8
8 8 8 8 &
tfJ n @ tfJ 8
n .I M @

� & .I .I .I .
... .I
,., i iii ,. 1.1. .1 n
i 81. & i A i
i � A ii8
A 8 8 iV �
8 i,, i..8 i,, n 8 iV
88 8 8 88 88 i,,
@ iV n tfJ n @ @ n

.I .I • • .I
•
ii i..i � • iVi&� ii
& 8 i .I i
iV i iV i
ii. 1.8 i 8
tfJ � 8 8 � 8.i. 8 i,,
88 i..8 iV 8 8 n 888
n @ i,, @ n @

• .I A • & .I • •
n i ii iii.Ai i
.I i i i n
81. A 8 � 8 i A8 i..
8 @ i,, 8 iV8 � ·
8tfJ
8 8888 8 @
n �@i,, n

3
 sn7d [dais p
tr tr C?i tr Cf> C?i tr '!
Cf> tr v vvvv v v Cf> tr
C?tv v �hWt v v '! v
'! v v hi. ., v �v T Tv
hi.� T v T ., tr T
T T T •
T• T I 'TTT TTTT T
T T el'! • T'1'!
� tr
vvv tr v
v
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.m tr
hi. 'VT
TT T TT
'! '1T •T'1'!
tr tr
v�v.m Cf>vvC?t v Cf) v
v I
'
v ., '! hi.
C?i v C?i I
tr T v tr
Tv '! I v � v
TT ' r ' '! tr T T
•TT hi.., tr I TT T ' '., '
'! I • •
Cf> Cf>� ?!
v tr v vCf> .m hi. vv tr vv
�v C?i v vv v C?i vhWt
'! tr v i tr tr v
Tv I v �
T ., T I ' ' TT T
' '' ' T ?! T T ., '''
e1'! ., . ·' • '! ... '!
� : UO!JOaJoJd AeJ-X >1oene a1qno a
Pinned pieces

In this reminder we deal once more with pinned pieces. This is the subject in which most mistakes are
made in practice. We shall take a look at how other types of combinations exploit the fact that pinned
pieces are bad defenders.

.I .I • .I � .1• .I •J. .I
' ' . , ' ' ' J. ' ' ' ' '
' ·� � J. ' ' '
' �8.l .l CD � J.
8 8 it � it '
'iV 8 it88 CD
88 8 8 8i,, 888 888 CD 88
@ s s s s @ s@ s
Double attack: knight Double attack: queen Double attack: rook
The queen on e3 is pinned, so The pin on the Be6 lets the Unprotected pieces in view!
the knight can give check queen go safely to g4. After White wins a piece with 1.
without heeding it: 1. ... 1. Qg4 White wins a lot of RdS. The c6-pawn cannot do
Nd3+ winning the exchange. material. anything.

.I .I •
•
' ' ' ' '
' CD '
8.l 'iV
8.l
8 8 81.
'iV 88 8
si,, s @
Discovered attack Threatening mate Chasing away + material
Firing away with the front Black has sacrificed his White exploits the pin on the
piece by 1. Re4 Bxe4 2. bishop on d6 with a clever Bd7 with 1. Ne6. If the rook
Qxf6 Bxf5 leads nowhere. plan. He exploits the pin on moves away, the d7-bishop
The correct move is 1. Rd8. the e-pawn with 1. ... Qf3! falls. The best move is 1. ...
The queen on f6 is pinned. Qe8.

.I •
•
' .I
� ·� ' '
s ' i,,
' 'iV
J. 88 � 88
8it 8
ct> @s
Luring away + mate Trapping The pinned piece can help!
Black and White are both The knight on d7 cannot The Rb7 is pinned, but watch
ready to mate. White gets help. After 1. Bc6 the rook is . .
closely: 1. . Qb2+ 2. Rxb2
there first with 1. RfS. shut in. Rfl+ 3. Rbl Rxbl mate.

5
s117d [ doJS 9
:r Cf) � : � : 1$ :
Pm. 'V'V 'V 'V'V 'V 'V 'V'V'V
'V 'V 1$ 'V 'V'V 'V
T QI QI T QI T QI
'V T QI hm T T T
T T 7$T \t!TT T
T T'i T T TT TT TTT T
• h!f. 'i • 'i • \tt'i
:r tr : � �
� 'V 'V'V � 'V 1$ 'V :
1$ 'V 'V 'V 1$ 'V 'V 'VT 'V
'V T � QI T 'V QI
'V 7$TT' QI T T T
T \ti T 'iT 'iT '
TT'i 'iTT TT hm TTT\tt hm
• • T •
Cf> tr tr Cf) gf$ : � : :
'V 1$ 'V 'V 'V'V QI 'V 'V'V 'V'V
'V 'V Pm. 'V 1$
Pm. QI 'V. T 'V'V 1$ QI T
hm T
'i T T \tf T T 'i • T
TT TTTT TTT T T
• T 'i el •x hm 'i • 'i
: :Cf> g:i: 1$ : : Cf> 1$ It
'V 'V - 'V'V'V 'V'V tm. 1$ 'V 'V'V tm. 'V'V 'V'V
'V 'V 'V QI
QI Pm. • 'V QI
hm TT h!f. QI hm T
TT T T\tt T
TT •T T 'T TT TT
'i 'i • l •'i !l 'i.
I I'' • T 'i
'fl :i46!U)I >1�ene a1qnoa
 l
: : Cf> ep : 7!;\!Jl:r : �ww :
\] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] Cf> \] \] \] \]
\] " \!:; 7f; \] \]
\!:; '!' ma \!:;
h!f. ' •
�,. ' ' ' T h!f. ' , ., '
' ' ' ' , , ' ' ' ' ' '
'!' • '!' T"1• 'i '!' T"1 h!f. ., '!'
Cf> : � : (fl : Cfil:r � 7!; :
\] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \]
\] 7f; \] \!:; \] 7f; h!f. : \!:; \!:;
T \] ' \]
' \!:; T T• W
I
h!f. ' ,, ,. .
' ' T TT ' '� • TT T T h!f.TT
., •'i 'iI • 'i • 'i T"1 T '!'
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\]
\] : :
\] \]
\!:; \] ' \]
•
' ' ' '
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7f; tr tr ep Cfi
ep \] : \] \] � \] \] \] \] \] \]
\] � \] \] . 7f;
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• . .. h!f. .,.
'fl : uaano >1oene a1qnoa
 sn1d £dais 8
(fl (fl g g �
v vv : v v v � vv v Cf> v
�v \!:; v
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• \J) g � T ' • I
TT T• •T
TT I T TT� TT
.,. I •I I
cp g g � g l:'Cf>
v v g �v vv
� v v� v v � \J)
vv T v T v :
v T � v T T v• Tv
T TT. T T T
TTT, TT T T I TTT
• • I ••I I I •
Cf) '
cp g : tr
v � vv � v v v �v Cf> vv
1
v v T '
v v v \J)
T v \JJT
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T• T •
T .
T T T T
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TT T TT T
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Cf> 1 Jg : � :� :
v vv lv � cp· vv � v
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• T � '!' v v
v I T T T
: T T • TT •
T TT T T TTT TT
• I '!' '!' • •I � I
"fl : uMed JO do4s!q 1>1001:::1 >1:>e:n.e a1qnoa
 6
Hit. : cp : cp :
cp'V : 'V 'V'V'V v 'V 'V 'V v 'V 'V
'VI \?( 'VT 'V Ai. 'V I'V
: Ai. T 'V \?( \?( 'V
T 'VT T v v T
I T • Hit. lt/T T
TT• T TTT TT TT•• T T
el K • T K
?(cp ?(cp : cp v :
: 'V'VV\?7�'V'V 'V 'V � 'V'V : 'V � 'V'V
v 'V v Hit. V\?7 T\?7\?7 v
'V. 'V Hit. 'V T
'V T • T T 'V
TT T T T • T
T T Hit. TT TT• TT TT TTTT
el •• K I I I • ••
cp tr : : Cf> Ai. tr tr \?7 Cf> v :
'V v 'V ;m. 'V'V 'V v v 'V'V'V 'V 'V'V
'V 'V 'V 'V'V v \?(
'V \?( 1t1mr. T
\?t'VT \ft Hit.Tit! T T'V Hit.
T lt/T T
T TTT Hit.TT • TT T TTT TTT
•z K K K e1K It! • T K
cp jJ jJ tF jJ jJ \?( Cf> Ai. v jJ
V'V 'V 'V'V 'V 'V'V V'V'V'V'V
'V 11/f. 'V'V v 'V
'V \?(. 'V T v • \?( T
T Hit. T TK 'V
T T T T
TT T •T T• • \?( T TTT TT
K T K T • K •mt. Tit/I
� : 6U!ddeJJ. AJ!l!qOIJ\I
The rook pawn

A pawn is worth 1 point, but not all pawns are of equal value. The rook pawn is weaker than its colleagues,
since it controls one square less and therefore can only capture in one single direction.

Draw. On the left the black Win. On the left White plays In Berger-Mason, Breslau
king cannot be chased out of 1. a7 and wins. On the right 1889 White played 1. Ke4?
the comer. On the right the White must occupy a key After 1 . . . . Kb4 2. Kd3 Kb3
white king cannot get away square (g7 or g8) in order to he could no longer reach the
without letting the black king win: 1. Kg7 Ke6 2. h4 Kf5 comer. 1. Ke3 is correct, to
into the comer. 3. h5. head for the safe square c 1.

• • •

Black should not carelessly The defender can exploit the Can Black draw? Yes; he
play 1. . . . Kf4 in view of 2. weakness of the rook pawn causes White to lose time: 1.
Kg6. His king must keep the by downgrading his oppo­ ... Kc5 2. Kg7 (2. h5 Kd6 3 .
white one away with 1. ... nent's knight pawn to a rook h6 Kd7 draws) 2. ... hS 3.
Kf5, winning the pawn. pawn: 1. ... a4! Kg6 Kd6 4. KxhS Ke7.

The side with the rook pawn The most important tech­ After 1. Kf5 Ke3 the king gets
must make sure he can hang nique: shouldering off. to f8 in time. So it must be
on to it: 1. Kf5 Kg2 2. h4. White keeps the black king kept at a distance: 1. Kf4 Ke2
out of the comer with 1. Kg5 2. Kg5 Ke3 3. Kxh5 Kf4 4.
Ke6 2. Kg6 Ke7 3. Kg7 . Kg6.

10 Step 3 plus
Pawn ending The rook pawn: A

• • •

• • •

i c;t> • i
8
• 8 �
@ i
•
8

Kasparov and Ivanchuk

11
The intermediate move (in-between move)

•
•.t..
ii

I
White pays no attention to Both queens are attacked. White does not thoughtlessly
his threatened queen; he Black wants to exchange take on c4, but first saves his
plays 1. Ne5! A very good queens, but first quickly own knight with an interme­
intermediate move which takes the knight: 1. ... Qxe5! diate move: 1. Nf8! Only
threatens mate on f7. After 1. He wins a piece. then does he look to the Nc4.
... e6, 2. Nxc6 wins material.

.I .I. .I •
ii i .i..iii ii ii
/&ii I& I ' '
� i �
8 .M
�tt:J 8 � 88
888�tjj 88 8
@ .M I @
Black intended to play 1. ... Discovered attack Pin
Qxf3 after 1. Nxd5, but with With 1. Nd5 Qxd2 (or else The pin on the queen looks
2. Ne7+ and 3. Nxf3 White Qxa5) 2. Nxe7+ White very harmless but after 1. Rd4
wins. Intermediate moves cleverly uses an in-between Qxb3 2. Rxd8+ Kf7 3. axb3
like this also work in other move. He only recaptures on White wins a rook with the
combinations. d2 after 2 . ..• Kh8. help of an intermediate move.

• •
.I .M .M .1• •
ii i ii
.I i i
i llJ

I& 8
88
@
Capture + Material Luring away + Material Black thinks he is being clev­
Black takes the defender of White diverts the king with er and with 1. . . . Rxh4 takes
the queen: 1. . .. Nxc3 2. 1. Nh7. After 1. . Rxc8 . . the defender of g2. However,
Qxd7, and now the in­ White gives an intermediate with the in-between move 2.
between move 2. ... Ne2+ check on f6. 1. . . . Kxh7 is Qd8+ Kh7 3. Qxh4+ White
and then 3. . .. Rxd7. followed by 2. Rxf8. wins the exchange.

12 Step 3 plus
Elimination of the defence Intermediate move: A

.! I• .! .t I•
' i.t' ' • ' ' ' .tiii
' &i ' ' &
·� ii.!.t �
' ltJ
8 !fl ltJ 8 8 !fl 8
8 8 88 8 8 cJ;; 8
n � n@ n

.! .!.! •
•
n ' ' ' ,., .,
' ' i&I:ti ' ' ' � .! '
' � 8
� 8 8
8 8 8 ltJ 8 'iV n 8
8 8 8 88 8@
@ n@

.! .! • .! .! • .! &
• .!
.t& ' ' � ' ' I. I. I..t '
�
' ' ' ' ' I. I.
& 8 I.8 &
' 8 8 !fl
!fl I:ttt:J il 8 'iV �8 ltJ
8 88 88 8 8 ltJ 888
n ct; � n :S M M �

.! • .! • .! .! •• •
iii.t ' ' i.t I. .! M
&i &� .t I. I.& ' 8
!fl ' I.8I. I.
i il 8 8
8 ltJ 8lt:J
8 MM 8 8 @88
@

13
Winning material Intermediate move: A

•.1 & .I&.t • .I .I 'ii'•.t .I

' ' ' ' ' .i.iii ' .i. ' ' '
' 'ii' i&.i. & ' 8 &&
' .it 'ii' � ' 8
' CD .it '
CD 8 � CD i CD
88 888 888 �888 888 88
M .it@ n .it @.it n n .it @ CD n

• .I
' ' '
i I
'ii' .t
88
8� 8 CD
.it 888
@.it M

.I • .I .I .I •
' ' ' 'ii' i& ' .i. 'ii'i.i.i
&.i. ' ' ' '
' &8 '
8 ' 'iV 8.it&8 CD
8.it CD 8 � 8 8
88 .it8 8.it8
:I 1:1 � 1:1 1:1 CD @

14 Step 3 plus
Discovered attack Intermediate move: A

E E• E •
i &i j_ i i i
i j_ i i i. i
'ii' i i8
� 8 �
Cjj 8 8 �8 8
88 'Wi 88�8 � 'ii' 88@
n bl@

E •
E • • E•
i i j_ ii iE.i. iE i.i.
& i ii.i. i i i
'ii' 8 � i Cjj 'iV & 'ii' i
i 8 8 8 8 8
8 Cjj � 8 �8 8 �
8 8 @8 88 k1 8
k1 � k1 @Cjj k1

E •
E• •
ii &ii i i i • i
.i.E i 'ii'ii 'ii'.i. �i
i8 i 'ii' .i.k! i
8 8 8i
k!tD�8 � 8� Cjj 8
�88 88 8 8 88 E 8
k1 @ @ k!@

• •
E .i. • E E
i i i i. i iii • &
i'iV & 'ii' i 'ii' i i
i.i. E
.i.8i
8 8 Cjj 'iV8.i. 8 � �
8� tD888 8 8 8 8
k1 k!@ ld ct; @ n n

15
Vulnerability in the opening

It is possible to win material even in the opening with the combinations from Steps 2 and 3 . Look out
for unprotected pieces, pieces on the same line, pieces with restricted mobility and defenders.

.I .i. .x• .x• .I .i. 'if. .I

i ii iii i.i.i ii i&iii
i i &i i .i.
&8 8i
.i. ltJ 'if 8
ii, ltJ
888 888 88 �888
!I ii, � !I@ �'iV :�
Trapping the queen Trapping Pin
The black queen is active, In the opening other pieces The mating pattern on f7
but also vulnerable. White can also be shut in. A well­ immediately catches the eye.
wins the queen with 1. BgS. known case is the knight on So the f6-bishop is pinned.
the edge of the board: 1. b4. The attack 1. eS wins a piece .

.I .I .i. •.i. .I •
ii.i.i ii 'ifi iii
i .i. ' & '
'ifi ii, ltJ
& �8
8 ltJ ltJ
88 ltJ 888 8 888
!I 'iV@il. !I !I �
Pin Eliminating the defender Eliminating the defender
Black is threatening mate on Again, mate on f7 catches Black lures away the
f2. what a pity that the d­ the eye. The defending bishop defender of h2 by 1. ... Nd4.
pawn is pinned and that 1. can be eliminated by capturing If White moves the queen, 2.
Nxe4 wins a piece. it: 1. Bxe6. . .. Nxf3+ will follow.

.I 'if•.i. .I .I .i. 'if •.i. .i

i ii iii &iii
&i i& ' &
ltJ i .i.
8 ii,
8'if ltJ
8 8888
!I � ii, !I
Double attack Discovered attack Attacking a vulnerable point
White plays 1. Qa4 and After 1. d6 mate is Attack your opponent's
threatens not only 2. Qxa6, threatened on f7. After 1. ... weakest point. After 1. NbS
but also 2. Nc7+. Black loses Nxb3 the intermediate move Black can no longer
material. 2. dxe7 wins a piece. satisfactorily protect c7.

16 Step 3 plus
 Ll
:c: :c: cp :c: \11 <'.F :c: :C: 1f CF� 1f :C:
\] \] 1!; \] \] \] \] 1!; \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \11 \]
\!; 1!; 1!; \!; \] \!; \] \]
\l \l T T \l
T '! T lf!T
T lf! TT '! • TT •
TT �T TT TTTTTmt.TT
T•mt.T� t
et'! e •mt.T '! et'! T• '!
:c: 1J;cp� :c: :c: cp :c: 1!; cp \11 :c:
\] \] \] 1!; \] \] \] !ffe:. \] \] \] \] \] \] 1!; \] \]
\!; \!; \] \11 :c: \!;
T \] \] 1!; \l \l T
T \l mt. \l T mt. TT�
• • T T
TTT TTT TTT T T TTT lf!T T
'! T 'I• '! T• 'i e'ilft
i I •mt. '!
:c: 1f CF� 1f :c: :c: CF 1!; :c: :c: CF� :c:
\] \] \11 \] \] \] \] \] \] 1!; \11 \] \] \] \] \] \11 \] \]
\!; mt. \] \11 \] 1!; \]
\] . T \l � 1!; \]
\] \11 TT T
T • T• lf!T T
TTT TTT TTT TTTT TTTTlft
'! T• T• '! e '! •mt. '! '! •mt.T '!
CF tr � 1!; \!; tr CF tr � 1!; tr tr 1!; cp� 1!; tr
\] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \] \]
\!; 1!; \] \] \11
\] \11 T \] \] \11 mt.
T T T mt.TTlft Tlft
TT Tlf!TT TTT TT TTTTlf!TTT
'! •mt.T '! •'I T '! '! T• '!
� : 6U!ddeJJ. Bu!uado
sn1d f d ais 81
l:!\17 cp : : cp� : Cf>?! Ai. \171:!
\] \] \] \] \] \] \] \]\]\17 \] \] \] \] \]\]
� \1( \] \] \1( �\]\]
\] T �· \]
\17 � \] T
'1 T T TT '1T TT T
TTTT TT TTTT T T TTTT
I T •T'1I I •Mt. I •x Mt.T I
?!'7il° CF v : cp l:r AW V '11 l:r l:r Cf> Ai. v \17 l:r
\] AW. \] \] \] \]\] \] \] \] \] \] \]\]
\] \17 v \] \17
\] '1 \] \] \] v
T \] \] T \]'1T
'1TT T T
TTTh!t. TTT TTT TTT TTT T T
e1I T• '1I •x Mt. I • I T•Mt.T'1I
Cf> l:r � v \17 l:r l:r \17 cp AW. l:r cp l:r Ai. v \17 l:r
\] \] \] \]\]\] \]\]\] \] \] \] \] \]\]
\17 v v \] \] \17 V\J
'1 T \] \] \17 \]
\JV T Mt. T\]T '1
T '1 T T TT T'1 T
TT TTT TTTT TT TTT TT
I T•Mt. I • I'1 • T'1I •x Mt.T I
Cf> l:r V C?7 II � II AW.V II II � II
\]\]\]� \]\] \] \]\] \] \] \] \] \] \] \]\] \]
\17 � \] \17 \] \17 v Ai. \17
\] v \] \]
\]'1 T T
T '1T T TT
TTTTTTT T TTT'1 T TT TTTT'1T TT
•I Mt. I e1I •Mt.T I I •Mt. I
a : 6u1ddeJJ_ 6u1uado
Opening Pin: A

x j_ x• • X& 'iV • &X • x • x

l. 'iV iii iii I. l..i. I. ii iii
I. I.& j_ I. 'iV & I.&
j_ C£J � .t.CiJ j_
'i' C£J /j j_ /j �
C£J /j /j /j 'i' C£J /j
/j 8 /j 8 /j /j 8 /j /j � /j /j /j /j /j /j
n il <ti n n �'i'@ CiJll n � n

X&.t.. • &X x .t.. 'iV •.t.. x

iii iii ii &ii.ii
j_ 'iV I.
� & /j 'i'
C£J /j & /j I.
C£J � C£J C£J
8 /j /j /j /j /j 8 /j /j � /j /j
lI 'i'� lI lI �'i' lI

x .t.. 'iV • x x 'iV • x X& •.t..&X •

ii .t..i. I.I.I. .t..i.i&.i..t..t..t. ii .i. 'iV l.1.1.
& I.
I. /j � I. �/j I.
il 'i' /j
/j C£J
/j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j � 8 /j /j /j /j /j C£J 'i' /j /j /j
lICiJ� @ n n 'i'@ lI lI � @ CiJlI

x • x x x x
j_ 'iV x• j_ •.t.. .t.. 'iV •.t..
iii I.l..i. I. I. I. iii I. I. I. I.
&I. ·� I.I. &I.
/j � & �
� /j
/j 'i' C£J C£J
/j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j /j
lICiJ� @ lI lI �'i'@ lI lI 'i'@� lI

19
 I

Opening Elimination of the defence: A

i.&..t • &i. • E•..t&i.I i. ..t •..t i.

''' ''' i 'if ...... '1 '' 'ifiii
' 'if ' &i '' &
..t ' ' 8 & �
' I t2J
81:2Jt2J 8 'WI 8 CiJ
IL\
8 8888�8 Li� 888 888 �888
g��@ g gti:JJl g� g @� g

i.&..t •&i. i. ..t • i.. i.& •..t i.

' i..ti i 'if ''' '' ''''
i 'if ' ' ' & ' ' &
Jli 8 ..t 'if ..t
8 Jl 8 &
t2J � t2J 8 ti:J� CiJ 8
888 888 8 'W/88 8888 �8
g 'WI@ ti:Jg gti:JJl g� n Jl�� 1l

i. 'if. &i. • i. •..t 1. 1 i.&..t •..t i.

''' ''' iii&iiii ''' ''''
&..t &
' Jl 'WI 'if Jl 'if t2J
� ..t ' &
8� t2J t2J � 'l!I'
88
nti:J �@
888
n
888 888
I!� ti:JI!
888 Li Li
I �I! � t2J I!. I
i. i. • i. ..t •..t i. • • 1. ..t&i. •
.t. .t. i..t ' .t. ' .t. 'if ' ''' ''''
' 'if '' & '
� .t. 'if
&�8 � 8 'W/8 &
'WI �8 � Jl CiJ
8 t2J 88 888 888 8 8�88
I! 11 � I!ti:J @ I! I! �� .M

20 Step 3 plus
 I z:
: Tc+> T : : IJ7 Cf> IJ?'J::r : Cf> IJ?'J::r
'V 'V'V T'V'V 'V'V 'V 'V'V'V 'VT'V'V 'V'V
;m. IJ7 � T 'V IJ7 �
'V IJ7 T 'V .,'V T
T hi.
., T .,TTT T T T
TTTT., TT TT TT TTTT TT
!' T•h!i !' !' •hi. .,!' • •I' T.,!'
: Cf> : : Cf> TIJ?I:I c+>: �TIJ?I:I
'V'V'V Im. 'V'V'V 'VT'V'V'V 'V 'V 'V'V 'V 'V'V 'V
IJ7 IJ7
T 'V AW. TT
IJ7 hi. IJ?hl.T 'V .,
T., T T .,
T TT., TT TTT TT TTT TTT
!' T• !' !' .,T. T.,!' !' T•hl.T !'
Cf> II IJ7 I:I II cp T IJ7 II II Cf> AW. II
'V'V'V 'V'V'V 'V'V'V 'V'V 'V'V'V 'V'V
T 'V IJ7 IJ7
'V Im. T ., T T T'V T
\!) ., AW.
hl.T T T
TTT TTTT TT TTTT TTT.,T TT
!' .,T. !' !' • hl.T !' !' T•hi. .,!'
: Cf> :
'V 'V'V 'V'V
IJ7 'VT IJ7
'V �
T TT T
TT T T
• •I' hi. T.,!'
� : >1oe:ne a1qnoa 6u!uado
Opening Discovered attack: A

.I. it' .I. • • .I. .I. •

.t. .i. .t. .t. .t. .i. .t. .t. .i.'it'i ' ' '
' �· ' ' '�
� 8 .t.
8W/J8 ' Wli �8
� il. � 8� 8
88 il.888 888 888 8 W/J88il.8
M @ M M�� @ :g � � .tl@

.I. .i. • �.I. .I. � it' .I. •

.t. .t. 'it' .t. '' .t. .i. .t. .i. .t. .t. .t.
� ' ' '
' ' '
88 88
8 il. 8Wli �8
8 8888 8 88�8
a'. Wli@��M M � M@

.I. .I. • .I. .i. it' .I. • • .I. .I. •

' 'it' .t. .t. .t. '' .t. .t. .i. .t. �' .t. .i. .t.
.i. .t. �.i. .t. � �� ' .i. ' �·
' ' .t. 8
8 8 8 .t. �
8�!/l,8� 8 � 'it'8� �8
8!/l, 8W/J 88 8!/l, il.888 8 W/Jil.88!/l,8
a'. Mcb n � z:t@ : n@

.I. .i. it' �.I. • .I. .I. • .I. .i. it' .I. • •
' '�.i.''' .t. .t. .t. 'it' i.i. .t. �� .i.i
' ' �· � '' ' '
8 .t. .i.il. .t. 8 .t.
88 8 8
�8 8 � �
888� 8!/l,8 �il. 8
a'. il.Wli a'.@ a'. Wli@ :

22 Step 3 plus
Opening Exploiting vulnerability: A

I." 'iV• I. • I." j_ • I. •

''' ''' '' ei '''
.i." '
j_ .l8
8 8
Cjj 8 'iV
88 8 �888 88 Cjj 88
n �'IW@ Cjj.J:. .J:.Cjj 'if ct> � n

I. j_�· j_ I. I.j_� •" I. I. • j_ I. •

''' "'''' ' "' j_ .l.i.i '''
j.Cjj ''
� ' ' � "' �
� 8
'i¥8 8 8Cjj 8
88 888 88 888 88 888
n @�Cjj n n 'IW@ � n .J:.Cjj �'IW n@

I." • I. • I." j_ I. • I. •.t.. I.

j_ ''' '' '' j_ 'iV " ''
·� '" ·� ' '
.l.i. ' '' Cjj
8 � j_ �8 Cjj 'lW
8 Cjj � Cjj 8
8 Cjj888 88 888 88 888
n 'lW n@ n 'IW@ n n �: @

•x .t" I. I. j_ 'iV. I. •
' j_ '' '''' '''
' ' '
'
8�
CjjCjj
888 888
n n ct>

23
Mini-plans

In your games you always have to be finding another good move. You have to make sound moves! But
what is a sound move? Read on and make use of the following plans in your games.

.! .1•
�
' ' ' '
' j_ ' �'
' �
� 8
88
88 Wl/88 8
M ll ct>
Increase the activity of Put a piece on a better Improve your pawn
your pieces square structure
Both of White's bishops are For the moment the knight Doubled pawns are often not
active. The queen can go to on c3 has nothing better to so strong. So it is a good plan
f3, but what next? The rooks do than to attack the well to undouble them. In this
are not working hard enough. protected d5-pawn. It is high position White has the strong
So 1. f4 is better. After the time to move the knight to a 1. Ba3 up his sleeve. Black
capture on e5 the f-file is better square by means of 1. cannot prevent the exchange
opened and if required White Na4. The knight will be of rooks ( 1. .. . Rc7? 2.
can double his rooks on that better on c5. From there it Re8+) and has to take on e3.
f-file. Black cannot solve the attacks opposing pieces and After 2. fxe3 the white
problem of the pin on his controls more squares in the pawns are linked again. In
knight without losing a opponent's half of the board. addition White has more
pawn. control over f4.

.i .1• • .i .i.�.i • .!
' j_ ' ' ' ' �-*- ' ' ' � ' �-*-
' ' ' Cjj ' ' � ' '
8 ' i8
8 8 � 8 8
8 ltJ�8CLJ 8�
88� cJ-;8 8 8 8 Wi 888 �
ll ll ll ll *
Capture towards the centre Exploit vulnerability Exploit vulnerability
1 . . . . fxg6+ looks good since It is always a good plan to In this position White is
the rook will then be attack a weak point of your better. The vulnerable point
activated. That is true, but opponent. Black has just does not immediately catch
there is a disadvantage: the played . .. a6 to prevent Nb5. one's eye. White played 1.
e6-pawn is no longer Thanks to a tactical trick Rfc 1 and missed the imme­
protected by another pawn. It White can still play 1. Nb5 diate win with 1. Qf3. Black
is usually better to capture (1. .. . axb5 2. Bc7). Black seems to be able to protect II
towards the centre. After 1. has to apply the brakes with easily, but appearances are
... hxg6 the black pawns 1. ... eS. White can then win deceptive. 1. ... Be8 or
control more squares than material either with 2. N c7 or another bishop move is
after 1 . . . . fxg6. with 2. dxe5. followed by 2. Nxe6+.

24 Step 3 plus
Mini-plans Exploiting vulnerability: A

.i A�.i • .i � .1•
ii lti.t i i i.tltilti 'i
i i i '
i i 8i8i
8 8 8
8 Cfj 8 Cfj 8 8 �Cfj 8
8iV 88 CfjjV 8 8
.M@� .M .M .M@

.i .t •.t .I .i • .I •
i iii i i &�.t i
i lti lti i .t i i
' 8.l
�
8 8Cfj
8 888
.MCfj�.M @

x • .t .I Xlti • x .i • .I •
' iiii iii i i .ti i ii '
i � lti lti i &i
8 � .t � i8
�lti 8 88
�Cfj Cfj 8Cfj 8�
88 �888 88 88 8 � 88
.M <;t> 1:1 1:1 �@ � 1:1 .M @ Cfjl:r

.i �.i· .i.t� .1• .i � .i •

' i .t ' i i i .ti i ' i .t.t i i
i ltii ' i ltii
i .tlti 8i � i .ltfj
8 8 8 WI 8
tfj 8 88 8 8 8
8 8 �tfj 8 8 8'ii' � 8� 8 88 8
.M 'if @ 1:1 1:1@ .M � � � 1:1

25
Mini-plans Activating a piece: A

.i .i A. .i .i • • •
i i 'iV i i '' ii
�i i i
i i 8i '
8 8 8 8 A
8 8 it 8 fl 8
8it 888 88
a'. Wi I:r� l:t l:t @

.i 'iV .i. • .i .i • •
ii A iii .i. i i '
� ttJi /& 'iV ' '
' 8
8 8 it
8 it ttJ 8 8
8 Wi 88 8 88
l:t l:r @ l:t Wi l:t @

.i.i • • .i 'iV .1• • .i .i

I& i i ii i .i. i i i i •-*-i i
i A i i .i. 8 ' I& i 'iV '
' i
8 8 8 ttJ 8
8 flttJ8 8 it 8 8Wi t:D
88 8 8 t:D 8 88 888
l:t l:t@ l:t Wi :S@ :s � :s

.i .i. • .i .i .i.
i .i.i 'iVi i i 'iVi .i. i i i /&'iV Ai
i /&i I& I& i i I& i
iti it i '8' fl
8 8 8
8 ttJ ljj itt!Jt:D t:D :s
8 88 888 888Wi 88 88 8�it88
l:t Wi l:t@ �:S fl I:r @l:r

26 Step 3 plus
 a
Cf> : : : tF ::
v v v1f!v v v v �vv
v T AWt v 1f; 1f; � v vl"l" v
v v
.,
-
v v ., T .,
., T T ., • ., ., T •T
•T ., T tr T• T •T Alr. TT
• x .ff. x x x • x x
Cf> l:t : : I tF: AW. :
vvv vvv vv tF v I vv 1f; v
vv v v \!) v v
Ai.\!) 1f; v T Tv
v T T ., T
T T T T\!J ., •
TT ., •T ., T., •• ., ., T T
• x A1r. x • x • • x A1r. x
: Cf> AWi. : : Cf> AWi. : Cf> : � :
vv vv vvv v vv\!J v v
v \!) v \!Jv�\!J v vv 1f;
\!Jv v v v
1f; ., v '
T ., ., • ., •T T ., A1r. T•
T TT TT TTT.fn• TT TT ., TT
x •mr. x •I •x T x x ... x
tfll:t � : tr cp : Cf> ::
vvv vvv v vv vv vv vv
\!J v\!J v v \!) � �v
T v l" ., v
1f; ., T• T .,
. ., . ' T T TT
TTT T TTT '' ' TT .ff. T
e1X •h!i X • x x • xx
'fl :At!A!lOR 6U!SR9JOUI sue1d-!U!IJ\I
Mini-plans Improving the pawn structure: A

•
i i i.i.. i i i i i I&
• i • i
ii i i i 8
8 8 8 i
8@8 88 � @88 8 ltJ � j_ 8
8 8 8 8 @

I. I.• • I. I..
i 'it' i i i i • i i i. i
i I& i ltJ i i i 'it'
i i i j_
i 8 8 i 8�
� 8 j_ 8 88 8 8
888� 888 @ �8 �888
n n@ n 't/W n@

I. • •
ii 'it' i i •
j_ i i i j_ i
'it' I& i
8 � 8
8 8 8 8 ltJ 8
8 � 888 8 �88.
n @� n n <;ti

j_ •
ii
i
i i I.8 i
8
8 ·n
88 � @8

28 Step 3 plus
 Mate

In order to deliver mate, you almost always need several pieces. We know about:
the chaser - the piece which delivers mate or threatens mate
the helper - the piece which supports the piece which delivers mate
the guard - the piece which deprives the king of escape squares
What is special about the examples on this page is that the chaser, the guard and the helper are brought
in closer without giving check.

• I• I ..t .i.I •i& I•

iii i i i .i i ii i
I& i i ii i :
� � 8
i.. it i
� 8 8 8 �8 8 8tLJ 81&
8 8 88 8 8 8 i.. 8 @8
� : :: @
Bringing in the helper Bringing in the chaser Bringing in the chaser and
The black knight needs to Of course, the white queen the guard
help the queen with the mate must deliver mate, but The white king can still
on b2. But 1 . . . . Nc4 would where? 1. Qc3 seems to win, escape to e 1. Luckily pieces
not be good: 2. Qb5 and since Black cannot protect can often do more than one
White saves himself. After 1. c7. Unfortunately 1 . . . . f5 job at a time. After 1. . . . Rhl
. . . Na4 White can no longer spoils the plan. So the queen the black rook is both chaser
protect b2 properly (2. Qb5 must mate on d8, when ... f5 no and guard. White can no
Nxc3+ 3. Kal Qxa2#). longer works. So the only way longer defend against mate on
to win is 1. Qd3! fl.

I••

. .

Bringing in the guard Extra duties for the guard Clearing a square
The white threats on the h­ The black rook is taking care To mate, White does not
file seem to be decisive, but of the squares on the g-file. have to bring in a piece, just
after 1. Qh7+ Kf8 the king The knight is controlling the the opposite! What is
escapes. h4-square. For the moment amusing is that the white
White must first deprive the Black has no more pieces rook on b7 is just getting in
black king of an important available. The rook must be the way. Without it, the
escape square with 1. Bb4. deployed more effectively: 1. queen can mate on b7. White
Black can still protect h7 . .. Rg4. Mate by 2 .. . . NgS# must clear the b7-square with
with 1. . . . Nf8, but then it is can no longer be prevented. tempo: 1. Rxa7+ Nxa7 2.
mate on h8. Qb7 mate.

29
Threaten mate Bring in the guard: A

.i if .1• .i .i •• •
.t. .t. .t. .t .t. .t. .t. .t. � .t. .t. •
& .t. .t. .t. & .t. .t.
8 .t. 8� if .t. &
8& 8 �
8 8 il il
il 88 88 88
: @ llJ a'. @II :

• .i .i I.t• .i •
� .t. .t. if .t. .t. .t. .t.
if .t. � .t. .t. .t. .t.
.t. & .t. .t. .t.t .t.
8 .t .t.
8 il I 8 if .t. 8iV
llJ 8 8 8 il 8 8
8 8@ il 84J 88 8 8 8
.i II @ @ II :

.i.i • .i .1• • .i. •

&'ir' .t. .t .t. .t. .t .t. .t. .t.
.t. .t. & .t. .t.
.t. .t. .t. .t. 8 8
8 8 .t. 8 8 8
8 llJ 'tW 8 8 8 .t. il if 8 llJ �
88 8 il 8 8 8 II
@ : II @Il a'. @ a'.

.i •• .i & iV .i.• iV •
.t. .t. .t. • .i .t .t.
.t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. 8
.t. 8 .t. 8 .t. .t. .t. .t .t.
.t. � 8 8
if 8 8 8 8 88 8
8 if il 8 8
@ II : tjj @ @ II

30 Step 3 plus
 1£
� tr : � � 1l
\j \j \j \j \j \j 1$ \j \j
\j 1$ \j Im. \j \j \j \j
\!J \j \j \j \!J 1$
T T \j
T®TT lt!T • T TT T�
T �'i T T� T T T• Aft.TT
•I' T • • T 'i
CF> 1l cp l: ':I �: ':I
\j \j \j \j 1$ Mr. \j \j \j \j \j \j \j
\j \j 1$ \j \!J
Im. \j T \j • \j
\j T \j T
• T �T TT �T T fm.T�
TT i'T T •T T T T T
• 'i 'i x• T 'i
� �':I R*.
Cf; \j \j � T : \j \j \j \j \j
\j \j \j \j \j \j
\j T \!J \J Tf!\!J � T
T T \j T T T
'i \j \j T Tf!• T
• � T T T T
�'i· • • • •
':I : � Cf> l!t ':I �: :
\j \j \j \f \j 1$ :\7 \j \j 'i \j
\j 1$ \f � � \j Mr. \j \j \j
Mr. \j \j \j \f :\!:; \j
• \!J T T
T T• 1' T T T iif.. T T 1$
T T T• TT 'i TT T T 1' T
• 'i •• 'i I •x 1m.
"ti :Jad1a4 a4l LI! Bu!JB alew ualeaJ4.1
Threaten mate Bring in the chaser: A

� .I .t •
.t. 8i
.t. .t. .t.
i �
8 'if
8
8 8
1::!: @

• •
.t. .t.
.t � etJ i
[::,
'iY .t.
� 8
1::!: 8@
.I

·� .!. • .I �.t • i. •.t .I

.t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t� � i .t.
.t. M .t. 4j .t. .t.
8 .t. 8 � .t. .t. etJ
.t. 8 8 'if
88 4j 8� � 8
�8 cJ;; 8 88 8 8 [::, 888
@ 1::!: �1::!: �

.I .t .t .I • •
.t. • .t. .t. .t. .t. .t.
.t. .t. .t. 8 .t. .t.
� .t
�
8 VJ/18
8 8 8
MM @

32 Step 3 plus
Mate Clearing a square: A

.i .i • •
a:
' ' ' '
i'if
� 'iV
fj,
fj, fj, fj, fj,
@ a:

.i 'if •.i •
' �.i. 'iY .l ·� M fj,
.i. ' fj, '
' ltJ ' '
M.i.
'if fj,
�
@

.i .i. 'if �•-*- • • .i. .i. .i

' ' ' ' i.i. iY
' ' � ' �
lt:Jitt:J fj, llJ
' fj, fj, fj, fj, fj, ' 'if
fj, fj, M ' fj, 'if
fj, fj, fj, fj, � fj, M fJ,
M@ <it> �

• • •
.i • ' ' ' ' .i ' ' ,.
' � '
·� fj, ' iY iY � .l.i. M �
fj, fj, fj, 'if
'if fj, llJ fj, fj, '@tt:J .i fj, 'if
fj, fj, � n fj, fj, M fJ, fj,
@ M 'iV@

33
Creating mate Mating pattern (it..tb): A

.i. = /ti=

it..= lb= it..= ttJ =

•
I. I. * *
I. 81.
• • *
I.
88 8 1. 8
•

�= lb= �= 4j = .i. = /ti=

/ti.i
I. I. •
• • �
I.
!::,

34 Step 3 plus
Creating mate Where do the pieces go? : A

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • • • •

• • •

• • • • •
• • •

• • • •

• •

• • •

.: ttJ .,, iVil. .,, @ll ii. •-*-

• • • •
• •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• •

• • •
•

• •

• • •

• • • • • •

• • •

35
Eliminating the defender

Some pieces with a specific job to do are called defenders. These can be eliminated by capturing them,
chasing them away or luring them away. You already know this. In this reminder there are three forms
which are slightly different from the ones we already know:
• eliminating the defender and gain material with a single piece
• eliminating two defenders simultaneously
• luring away a defender which has two jobs to do

• .i .i .i .i • iV •
''' ' ''' ' ' �' '
' /ti' � /ti ' .t ' ' 8/ti '�
iV ' ' ' .i
8 .t 888 iV
8 cu cu cu 8
88� 888 88 888 8 8�
: :@ : 'i}''.Q'. @ :
White can win a piece with Pieces other than the queen White would like to mate
1. QgS. What is special is can also eliminate a defender with 1. Qf8. There are two
that the same piece chases on their own. With 1. NdS defenders. White takes one
the defender away and White wins the bishop on f6. with 1. Rxe6 and lures the
attacks the target. The queen has to abandon other away with: 1. . . Qxe6
.

This combination is not a the protection of the bishop. 2. Qf8#. This combination
double attack by the queen, The problem with this form only works because the f7-
because the Bg4 is (not yet) a of eliminating a defender is pawn is pinned. 1. Qf6 would
target. But it looks as though that so far nothing is being not be good on account of 1.
this were already the case. attacked. . .. Rf5 .

.i • .i .i •
'' iV !ti.ii '' ' ''
' iV'' .t
.t
iV 8
8 cu 8 8� 'iV 8
8 88 88 88
: �@ : :@
The queen on e5 is protected The knight on e7 has at least It is sometimes not so easy to
twice. White takes the one clear task: it must protect find a defender with two jobs
defending pawn with 1. the bishop on d5. to do. It helps to first
Nxf6+. Black must recapture Its second job is also easy to recognise one of its tasks.
(h7 is now attacked twice). spot. It is the only defender The g7-pawn must protect
After the recapture with the against mate on h8. White the bishop. White can lure
knight the queen on e5 does wins the bishop on d5 with 1. the g-pawn away with 1.
not have a single defender Qh8+ Ng8 2. RxdS. QfS. The g-pawn has to give
left. Recapturing with the up the defence of the bishop.
queen also costs material.

36 Step 3 plus
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Underpromotion

Sometimes it is better not to take a queen. Promotion to a rook, bishop or knight is known as
underpromotion.

Underpromotion to a knight is On the left 1. d8Q al Q draws. Promotion to a rook or a

sometimes possible. A knight White wins with 1.
dSN alQ 2. bishop only makes sense if
moves differently from a Nc6+ KaS 3. Bb7#. you want to avoid stalemate.
queen. Above 1. gSN is mate On the right White has 12 These pieces have fewer
(1. g8Q Nf6+). points less after 1. gxh8Q options than the queen. After
Below 1. .. . clQ 2. Qd2+ Qxg6+ 2. Kf2 Nxh8. After 1. 1. d8Q? Nf7+ 2. Bxf7 Black is
does not win; 1. . . . clN+ gxhSN QxhS 2. Qxf7 or 1. . . . stalemated. So only 1. dSR
does. Qxg6 2. Nxg6 things are level! wms.

I
•
I
@
Cjj

Promotion to a queen or rook

leads to stalemate: 1. d8Q Ne6+
2. Nxe6. Only 1. dSB is correct.

Sometimes underpromotion is Underpromotion to a knight is useful if:

necessary to draw. Above 1. • the knight makes a double attack
bSN+ is necessary to avoid a • the knight protects one of its own pieces
double attack. Below 1 . . . .
• the knight gives check or mate
blN+ defends against mate.
Underpromotion to a rook, bishop or knight is useful:
• to avoid stalemate
40 Step 3 plus
Endgame Underpromotion: A

'
•
'

'it; x
8 8 • 8M '
x • @.l
' CfJ
' 'iY
'iY � @ &
• 88 8

• &.t
t!J'iY ., 8 8
' 8@

•
8' 8
8 8
�

•
•
8 8X 8
• .t
�
'iY .t
.t •
' '
@�

41
Endgame Underpromotion (yes/no): B

� .i �I .1 •
8 • 8 ''' 8
��
�
• ' '
8 8 8
� 8 ��
@

• •
8@ 1: 8 i.
� ' • � '
tjj 8 ' i. @
8 8 8
'

42 Step 3 plus
 • •
("')
<C ... <] . ... <] ... Q<] ID:1 . ... <] "<!"
.
c.
.
• -oil ... <] "8ll ... <] +£D . ... <] -oil ... <] +£D
-
0 . ... Q<J ... . Q <] ID:1 !illl] ... <] ... �<]�
Q)
> .... <] ID:1 • ... <] -oil ...<] +£ID .� ... Q
Q)
c � ... <] � � ... <] ®!ID � ... <] ®!ID
-out ....�Q<J� -out.... -out <] � -out ...� <]� -out ... <] �
... <] ... <JQ ... • <] . ... �<]
. ... <] ID:1 • ... � <] ID:1 !illl] ... <] !Ull !illl] ... <]�
• •
. ... <] ID:1 . ... <] ID:1 !illl] ... <] ID:1 . ... <]
... <JQ . ... <] ... <] ... -out <] +£D
-oil .... <] � -out... Q<J ... . ... . Q<J
• ... <] +£ID • ...<] +£ID • ...<] +£ID • -out � ID:1
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•
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• ...<] +£D • -oil <] ..go • ... <] +£ID .... <] +£ID
... <] ®@ � ... ®oo � <] ��
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c:
- -oil ... -out <] � -out... <] ... Q<J� ... . Q
c:
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c.
0 . ... <] ID:1 !illl] ... <] ID:1 !illl] ... <] !Ull !illl] ... � <] ID:1
Opening Deve lop : B

.I .i. iH .I • .I � .i. iH•A� .1 •

.t. .t. .t. � .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t.
.i. � .t. .t.
.t.
.t. 8
tjjtjj
8888 888
: � � @� :

.I AiH• .I • .I � .i. •-*- .I .I .i. •-*-� .I •

.t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. iH .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t.
� � .t. .t.
.i. .t. tjj � 8tjj iH
� 8 .t. tjj
8 8 8
888 888 88� 888 88 8 888
: tjj � � @ : :tj�
j 'i{f@ : : tjj �'i{f@ :

.I AiH• .I .I iH .. . .I .i. •-*- .I

.t. .t. .t. .i. .t. .t. � .t. j .i. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. iH .t. .t. .t.
� .t. .t. � .t. �
.t. .t. .i..
8 8 � 'if8
� 8 8tjj 'if 8 tjj tjj
8 888 88 tjj 888 888 888
: � @� : : @� : : � @� :

.I AiH• � .I .I •.i.. .I • .I iH. .I

.t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. j .t. j .t. .t. j .t. .t. .t. .t. .t.
.t. j .i. iH� � � .t. �
j � .t.
8 8 � .i. � .i..�8 .i..
tjj tjj tjj 8 tjj tjj 8tjj
8888 888 88 888 88 888
: ��@ : : 'if@ : : � @ :

44 Step 3 plus
Pins

Almost every game contains a pin. Sometimes pins are harmless, but usually they are very disruptive. In
this reminder we shall take a look at some complicated aspects of pins.

iY • I. •
•'i¥ 'i¥ • .t. I. .t. .t. !ti .i. .t. .t.
:8 !ti .t. .i. .t. 'i¥ .t. .t. .t.
'i¥ lLi !ti 8
.i. 8 � 8 88lLi
I. 8 8 'ti' 8
8 : .! 8�8
@: : @ :
There are three aspects: In this position you first have "A pinned piece is not a
Pinning: above left White to find the pin. In any case good defender" (for the sake
plays 1. Rc7 and pins the the Rc7 is pinned. That looks of simplicity "NGD") is
queen. harmless, since after 1. Nd7 quite the most difficult of the
Attacking a pinned piece: (threatening mate on b8) three aspects. Even
On the right White plays 1. there is the saving move 1. grandmasters overlook it
gS and wins the pinned . . . Rc5. Mate on b8 would from time to time. Since it is
knight. also be possible without the "NGD" other pins are
A pinned piece is not a b7-pawn. Thinking that possible. With 1. . . . Bb4
good defender: below left through, we easily find the Black exploits the pin on the
Black exploits the pin with 1. solution: 1. Nc6+! White a-pawn. Any rescue comes
. . Ra3#.
. exploits two pins. too late for White.

I. !ti I. • 'i¥ .! !ti .i. •.t .!

.t. ... 'i¥ .i. .t. : I. • .t. .t. .t. .t. ... .t.
.t. .t. .i. iY .t. .t. � .t. !ti
.t. :
8 � 'i¥ .i. 8
lLi 8 �8 iY 8
88 88 8 'ti' 888 88
: � @� @ :tD� � �lD:
The bishop on g7 is pinned. The d7-rook may not move The pins in the previous
White can attack the pinned along the d-file, but can diagram are called cross pins.
piece with 1. Qd4, but the make a move along the The pieces which are taking
bishop is still sufficiently seventh rank. So an attack part in the pins form a cross.
protected. Now the d6-pawn with 1. Qc6 would make no On straight lines a +, on
is in a pin (the Rd8 is not sense. White must attack the diagonals a X. A combina­
protected), so 1. BeS is pinned piece again but also tion of straight and diagonal
possible. White combines an pin it at the same time: 1. is also possible. The queen on
attack on a pinned piece with Qd6. Now if the rook moves c6 is partly pinned. It is tied
"a pinned piece is not a good the queen is lost. This trick to the protection of the Bc8.
defender". Black loses mate­ also works along a diagonal. White takes advantage of that
rial. Below Black wins the bishop with 1. BbS. In a cross pin the
with 1. . .
. Qb4 front piece is pinned twice.

45
 s1qd [ dCJJS 917
tr \Ji cp : cp tr :
Cfiv ?rl" v vvv
\!:; � v AW.T
l" hl T hl ., l" • C!J
l"KT ., . ., v .,
: " . ., "' TAW.
., K T ''' ' ., ' " ., hl
• • K K@;>K
: � : K
ep v l" v VKC!J cp v C!J
v T � v v AW.TV
TC!JAW. v v lj 'v
� � " ' Cf> l"
" ' ' "
: K . , ' hl• ''
T K• : K • • • K
�?rcp\Ji : : Cf> : cp
v vv v vvv vvv vvv
l"?r v
v v v C!J Thl
v " ., \!:; l" ., ' " . �
T ' ., ' ' ' K " \!:; '
' ' T ' ' Ai TT• '
• K • hl K T •T .m K•hlT K
Cf>
vl"� Cf> v hl�IJ?VC!J v v
v TAW. v :
� v �
• " • Cf> .,
Ai ' T �' TK
?:r T@;> ?:r ., l"
KK • @;>K
� : U!d e OJ S>fue41 a:iel/\I a:iel/\I
 LP
� l:r l:r l:r T Cfi T l:r
vv vv vv � v vv v vv
v �v \!:; v v \!:;
l:r \!:; vv A*.
T T T
T Ar+. T T .,T ., T
TT T T TTT T T TTTTM+. T
.,• 'i 'i • 'i 'i T• 'i
cpl:[ : \!:;cp l:r � : :
v vvv v �T vv vvv� � v
v � \!:;� v : v \!:;
� v 'i T v Tvv
hi+.
TT'1TTT TT T T T.,T
•TTA!+. TT T TTT TTT Mf.TT
'i 'i •x • 'i 'i
: :� � l:r : cp : :
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v vv TTv \!:; v v
v T T Ar+. TT
TT T TT T
TTTT TTT.,Mf. T 'i TT T
el• 'i 'i 'i • 'i • 'i
cp :� : :
vvv � : cp v�v T T
v v v v v
v \!:; T v � � I
T v T 'i v
., T., T TX TTM+.T T
TTTTM+.T TT Mf.T •
•'i 'i el•x �
:Japuaiap poo6 e iou S! aoa!d pauu!d 'ti U!d
V
Pin The cross pin : A

� • .!. .!. � •• •

1:1 .!. • .t. .t. .t..t. .t..t. .t. .t..t..t.

.t. 8.t. .t..i. �
.t. .t. � Cjj
.t. �
8 8� � 88
8�@ � 8 @ 888 88
1:1 : � 1:1 �

• •• •
.!. � .i. .!. •
.t. I. .t..i. I. .t. .t. I. .t. I.
I. I. � I. .t..t. I.
.t. � � 8 .t.
8�
8 ttJ
8 88
1:1 @

• �· .!. • •

.t. .i..t. � I. � .t. .t. .i. � � .t..i. .t.

.t. � I. .t.ttJ .t. .t. I. I.
'ti .t. 8 8
8ttJ
8 'ti �8 8: �
8 Cjj 88 88 8 88
@ @ � � @

.!. .!. ••
.t. � I. : .t. I.
.!. .t. .t. I.
8�.t..t.8 .i. � .t.
.t. .t.
.i. � 8
·� 88 888
@ 'ti: @

48 Step 3 plus
Defending against mate

•
,,. j_ I. ''
' '
� j,,
8 V/i 8
8 j_
8 8 j,, 8
�
White is threatening mate Black is threatening mate on Unfortunately White cannot
with 1. Qf6#. Black can only d 1. Making an airhole with 1. save himself with 1. Qe 1
defend by protecting. Not h3 does not help: 1. . . . Qd l + (protecting), since the Bd5 is
with 1. . . . Nd5 2. Bxg7+, but 2. Kh2 Qhl#. White must en prise. Salvation comes via
with 1. .. . Kfi after which protect with 1. Qa4, and moving away and interpo­
White loses even more after 1. ... Qe4 the king must sing: 1. Khl! Qfl+ 2. Bgl.
material. move away to fl.

K •

' I.
' ''
K

Black must defend against Gaining a tempo and X-ray Mate on fl and g6 can only
Ra3#. He can protect the a3- protection. After 1. Qd7+ be defended against by
square and win a tempo at Kh6 comes 2. Qc7. After 2. pinning the attacking piece
the same time: 1. .. . Rdl+ 2. . . . NeS White pins the and capturing it: 1. . . Bc7 2.
.

Kf2 Ral. attacking piece with 3. Qcl. Kgl BxeS.

K • •
.t..• •
' ' � I.
� 'iYI. 8 I.
� ' 8
j_ 8
8 � 8�
� 8'

Black has no defence against Black's rescue comes from This position is very like the
the mate on h8.Counter­ an unexpected quarter. Apart previous one. But here the
attack saves him. 1. .. . clN+ from his queen Black cannot king still has a move. So
leads to perpetual check, but move. So stalemate is Black must play very accu­
1. ... Bb3+! 2. Kxb3 clN# is possible: 1. . . Qxg3+ 2.
. rately: 1. . . . Qe6+. He saves
even better! Kxg3 stalemate. himself by stalemate.

49
Defending Defend against mate: A

.I .I • •
.i..i. '' ''
8 ' 'ii' '
� '
' 8� 8
8 ·� �8 8 8 i8'ii'
.I 88 � iDM88 8 8
@ M @ �@

•
.I .1 • •• • •

' � ' ' '' �

' ' ' � ' 't:D �
� .i. ' �
8 l'iJ8 8
8 � 8 8 8
8@ 8 @8 88
@

.I .I • •
'ii' • .I • • •

'' ' i .i.i i i.i. '

�.i. � ' � i8 i '�
'ii'
i 8
8' 8 88 8 M 8
88 888 8 8 @
M @ @ .I

•
•
i.i. i
'�

8
8 M 8
8 *
.I
' -,� �n ��
,!) »,1j
.
!
�-
AMARIC
l
1{ f

50 Step 3 plus
Defending Defend against mate: B

• .I. .I. •
' i't\V ''
..t '
8
8 8
8�8 8
� Cjj 8
M [email protected]
Can White prevent mate? Can White prevent mate? Can White prevent mate?
0 yes, by 0 no 0 yes, by 0 no 0 yes, by 0 no

.I. .I. • •
'' ' 'tW '
.t. '�'
�

� 8
88 88
@
Can Black prevent mate? Can White prevent mate? Can Black prevent mate?
0 yes, by 0 no 0 yes, by 0 no 0 yes, by 0 no

•
..t •
' �
8 �
' '
.t. .I. '
�
8
M @
Can Black prevent mate? Can Black prevent mate? Can Black prevent mate?
0 yes, by 0 no 0 yes, b y 0 no 0 yes, by 0 no

•
' ..t'''
' '
' 8
8 8 � 't\V
8
8 8
� M M@
Can Black prevent mate? Can White prevent mate? Can White prevent mate?
0 yes, by 0 no 0 yes, by 0 no 0 yes, by 0 no

51
The square of the pawn

In pawn endings the rule of the square of the pawn is very helpful in calculating whether a passed pawn
can still be caught. Of course that is not all you need to know about the square of the pawn .

'
•

First, a little revision. The The white king can reach the Opposing pawns can keep
square of the h-pawn is square of the g-pawn. But if the king out of the square of
indicated. If White to move it is Black to move, he can the pawn. White plays 1. f5!
reaches the square, it is a set up a barrier in its way Black soon runs out of
draw. If it is Black's move with 1. ... e3. After 2. dxe3 moves: 1.... a4 2. Kc3 a3 3.
the pawn can promote. g4 3. Kd4 g3 the white king Kb3 a2 4. Kxa2 Ke7 5. h7.
arrives too late.

1. h4! prevents both white Black cannot win the pawn: In this diagram the pawns
pawns being lost. 1. ... KfS 1. a4 KcS 2. Kgl Kb6 3. c4, cannot stop White drawing,
2. KaS Kg6 is followed by 3. but White cannot win since they cannot keep the
f4! KhS 4. fS. White wins without his king:3. ... KcS king under control: 1. Kg4!
with the help of his king. 4. aS Kc6 4. Kgl KcS. Kg7 2. KfS.

Connected passed pawns are Black must remain in the A knight must protect its
very strong. After 1. b4 Ka7 square of the e-pawn. After pawn from outside the
2. bS Kb6 3. Kh2 Black 1. Ka4 he must abandon his square of the pawn. So 1.
cannot take on b5. pawn. Nb3! Kb4 2. a5.

52 Step 3 plus
Pawn ending The square of the pawn: A

'
•

'' •

f'}J f'}J
•
� f'}J
• <ti

53
Discovered attacks

• .! • •
'.i • 'Wi
.! ' i .! i i � . , '
� ' i.i. � i i.i. i .! .i. .i.
i i .!
8 � 8 8 � 8 Cjj
8VJ/i Cjj88 'Wi Cjj88 8
: ii, 8@ 8 ii, 8 88 88
: : : @ @ : :
In discovered attacks the Almost the same position, Without the Nd4 White can
front piece in the battery but here 1 . ... Ne3+ 2. Ke2 is mate. The knight must move
needs to find a suitable no use. Black must take a away with tempo. Not 1.
target. Black wins with 1. .. . piece with 1. .. . Nxd2+, so Nf5+ Bxf5 2. Qd8+ Ke6, but
Ne3+: an attack on king + once more king + material. 1. Nc6+ Qxc6 2. Qd8#, an
material. attack on king + square

• .i .1• • .! �
ii .! i i i �· i ii .! iii
� �iii, .i.i i�i i
.i. 8i8� �
: 8 Cjj 'Wi 8
8VJ/i Cjj 8 8 WI 8 8:
8 88 88iL : 8 8 ii, 8
@ : � @ ll:
The battery Qc3/Rd4 must be Discovered attack + Disc. attack and trapping
aimed at material + square in-between move. White can The battery Qa4/Rb3 leads to
with 1. Re4! It will be mate win with 1. Nxg6: 1. . . . Qxf3 the win: 1. Rh3. The queen
on g7 or on e8. 2. Nxe7+ and 3. Rxf3. is now controlling dl.

• .i .i • � •
ii i ii i.i. i.i. i i
.i.�i i � ii i i� �
ii, llJi llJ 8
88 �8 8 8
ii, Cjj 8Cjj 'Wi ii, 8
8 8 888 8 �
: :@ : : ii, @ @
Discovered attack and The knight on c4 is under The bishop is attacking the
elimination of a defender indirect attack from the Bfl. queen indirectly. So the front
On the left the front piece The front piece can attack the piece can find a suitable
has a different goal in mind. defending queen with 1. Nf4, target to attack: 1. Ng4. The
1. Bd6+ chases away the and the knight deprives the queen is being attacked and
king. On the right the back queen of the d5-square. The can no longer protect the
piece eliminates the queen has to abandon the Nc4. Nh6. The discovered attack
defender: 1. Nh5. eliminates the defender.

54 Step 3 plus
Discovered attack Trapping: A

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55
 snzd E da1s 9�
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v : v 'V 'V v vv 'V 'V
v v ' v � 'V
v v \!:; v 'V ' � ®
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el • 'i Hff. 'i 'i. el •
Cfi?r : Cfi?r Cf> ::
vv® v 'V v �® 'V 'V v 'V v
\!:; 'V Hff. v \!:;
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TT ' T TTT T '' '
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