One of the scenarios I am allowed to study using my Fritz 9's endgame training mode is Knight, Bishop, King vs. lone King.

 

Interestingly enough, the Fritz 9 tutor doesn't actually provide me with any instruction or tutorial.  I just move around the board unable to mate.  Asking the computer to provide hints doesn't mate, nor does allowing the computer to play against me when I'm the lone king.

 

Is there a mate possibility for this?  What is it?

 

Also, for anyone else out there, can someone tell me why Fritz9 won't actually teach me anything?  That is why I bought it. 

Yes, you can mate with it, I'm not very good at doing it though, so I can't help you much, sorry.

If you search online you can find the pattern.  If I remember right it can take as long as 40 or 60 moves though if defended against properly.  2 Bishops is pretty easy.

 why Fritz9 won't actually teach me anything?

Fritz is good for analysis. If you want a tutor, you may want Chessmaster. 

 

Is there a mate possibility for this?

 Certainly. But first, ask why you're learning it... probably to learn to coordinate a bishop and knight? In that case, check out this lesson which covers B+N+P vs B+2P and then the B+N mate. If you're focused on only the mate here's a 4-part lesson covering it in detail.

it can take as long as 40 or 60 moves though if defended against properly.

With the worst starting position and perfect defense mate takes 33 moves. But on average, it only takes 15-20 moves. You can make a few mistakes and still win.

The Black King can only get mated in the corner, the colour of which is that of the Whit Bishop. BUt you have to be careful, not to stalemate your opponent!

Thanks likeforests.

 

Fritz starts in the following position:

Black:   K on F8

White: K on F6, N on F7 and B on F5.

 

I searched Fritz's game database and found several games that contained this position, but I never found one ending in checkmate, only in resignations. 

I've notated the combination to mate with just a knight and a bishop.  Enjoy.

 

I'll try to add more detail later.

 

Next, can anyone explain why my Fritz9 endgame training for this scenario doesn't actually show me how to mate this way?? 

Its a forced mate but rarely occurs in practice.

I performed a checkmate from that starting position, in 19 moves. You have 50 moves to perform checkmate... so you don't need perfect technique. You just need to slowly take away your opponent's squares and keep forcing him in the right direction, and eventually you'll score checkmate. The real danger is accidently letting him back into the center. You can only afford to make a mistake like that once, or you'll completely blow the win.

 

 

I've notated the combination to mate with just a knight and a bishop.

Awesome!