Example: Endgame Secret

Contents

Lesson 1 Queen versus King and Pawn Technique

• A King and Pawn is No Match for a Queen

  The side with a Queen can force his opponent's King to assume a post directly in front of his own Pawn. Then, when the Pawn cannot be advanced, the Queen's King will approach to eventually pick off the Pawn. This forcing manuever is performed as often as necessary. The Queen may also blockade her opponent's Pawn directly, if permitted the opportunity.

Notes:

Efficiency experts will note that the strongest move in the initial position on the right is 1. Qf4. After that, black may not advance his pawn because of 2. Qc1. From there, the Queen can move directly in front of the advancing pawn to blockade its advance. Black's King can only move helplessly back and forth around the Pawn while white's King approaches and eventually wins the Pawn.

Still, it is useful to understand that white did not have to memorize or calculate all the correct moves to win this endgame. White only had to know the secret that the position was won and the simple winning method.