Legall's Mate - Defeated by Greed

Submitted by neospooky on Mon, 04/21/2008 at 3:46pm.

This is one of the first things I learned when I took an interest in playing chess. It taught me the importance of controlling the center, developing pieces, and not letting greed rush my play. I believe this situation is a good one to learn early on. It comes up a lot in beginners' games, it gives you a solid understanding of why the fundamentals are actually "fundamentals," and gives you a trick up your sleeve for the unsuspecting opponent.

In the puzzle to the right, you're playing White. Your first move is to take Black's leading pawn with your Knight. Sounds crazy? Watch what happens. When you've solved it, use the arrow buttons to move back and read the move by move commentary.

Without further ado, I give you: Legall's Mate!

» posted in For Beginners

| 731 reads | 4 comments |

1 vote:

Comments:

by Wrenn - 45 days ago
Massachusetts United States

Member Since: Jun 2008
Member Points: 38

This is one of those patterns that is refered to often, but this is the first time I have actually seen it. Thank you.

by leonelcm - 5 months ago
Mexico City Mexico

Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 179

Thanx for sharing this fundamental, it's very important for fans and rookies in chess playing...

by wjones4 - 5 months ago
PA United States

Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 930

Excellent post...I actually ran across this in a book (I found it in the library and flipped through it and put it back on the shelf and couldn't find it when i wanted to check it out later)and could never remember how it was done....thanks!!!!!!!!!

by vahid-tavakoli - 5 months ago
L, KY United States

Member Since: Apr 2008
Member Points: 11

Good reminder of the humiliating

Legall's Mate

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