Tactics in the endgame
With few pieces left, a passed pawn drives the tactics: deflect its guard, give up material, count the race.
The idea
Near promotion, pull the guard away or give material to win the race.
- The pawn on e7 is one step from promoting.
- The rook on c8 guards e8, the square in front of it.
- Rd8+ checks and attacks that rook: if it takes, the pawn takes back.
In a game: When your pawn reaches the seventh rank, ask which piece guards its square and how to move it.
How the lesson begins
Tactics do not stop when the pieces come off. In the endgame a passed pawn, one that no enemy pawn can stop, is often the reason for them. Every square in front of it, and every piece that guards those squares, becomes a target.
This is Georg Marco against Frank Marshall, Monte Carlo 1902. The black knight on f1 gives check. White takes it with the queen, and Black’s rook takes the queen.
- 38. Qxf1 Rxf1
Find the move
White to move. The pawn on e7 wants to reach e8, but the rook on c8 guards that square. Pull the rook away.
A hint
Give a check on the back rank that also attacks the rook on c8.
Show the answer
39. Rd8+
Rd8+ gives check and attacks the rook on c8. If Rxd8, then exd8=Q+: the pawn takes back and becomes a queen with check. In the game Marshall blocked with Rf8, and exf8=Q# was mate.