I'm not sure how to search this topic, so apologies to anyone annoyed by repetitive posts.

1.  Can you move next to an opponent's king, checking him, but of course you yourself are in check?  However, you have a guard, say a pawn.

2.  Is it theoretically possible to find checkmate with 3 pieces on the board?

You with your king and a bishop,kight, rook, or queen vs. the opponent's lone king?

1.  No.  You can never move into check, and if you are in check, you must get out or you are checkmated.

2.  

2.   

Thanks.

Seems like they're basic questions, and I guess they would be covered under chess rules and basics, under the Learn tab in the nav bar.

You're right, but it's somewhat of a hassle.

I have to reiterate that I have no time or energy to study chess through reading.  It's just through playing and using the forums to recieve quick answers.  I'll try to keep it to a minimum.

I'd also like to remind formidable players that even the basics of the game are confounding for many people.