Secrets of Trapping Pieces: Epaulette Configuration

While exploring certain piece placements, I came across a specific configuration I had only thought of in terms of the infamous Epaulette Mate. Of which, by the way, I found very few actual examples. And those I found at higher levels often appeared to involve a number of Help-Mates based on the moves played. But there turn out to be a rich and diverse universe of complex games in the configuration I will now describe. 

There is one puzzle resulting in an Epaulette Mate that was included as a reminder of that mating position. But the primary purpose of showing that is to set a baseline for a broader context. Most of the puzzle material will focus on Epaulette-like configurations. Essentially some of the key elements of an Epaulette Mate are to be found, but one or more ingredients for a mate are missing, so there is no mate. There may be other loot to pillage. 

Does this material really matter, you ask? From my research, a valuable, practical apect DOES exist. That practical aspect is to be found in recognizing and taking advantage of the essential elements of Epaulette Configurations. Recognition of these elements may offer the opportunity to steer the game in favourable directions. With two preferred outcomes. One, you actually get to deliver the rare Epaulette Mate. The other is that your opponent realizes events are steering in that direction and makes concessions that improve your position.Think of it like the eval bar on chess.com. When your opponent makes concessions, then the bar moves in a positive direction for you, and a negative direction for them!  Or, worst case scenario, allows you to hold a worse position. 

On to our diagram showing some key elements of an Epaulette Configuration.

First, there is a King along the back rank. He is flanked on either side by His Rooks or perhaps a Rook and Bishop. Or the King might even be flanked on one side by the edge of the board. Simultaneously, the enemy Queen has impolitely and grievously parked Herself two squares in front of Him. There may be an empty square between King and Queen, in which case it is either mate or some other pieced must intervene between His Majesty and Her Majesty. Or the opposing Queen might reach that point without delivering checks because the intervening square is occupied by a Knight, Bishop or pawn. The diagram captures most of the possible piece configurations we will consider. NOTE: There are instances of a distant Epaulette Configuration where the Queen is further back along the file from the King. But those tend to be more malleable for the defense.

Some KEY SQUARES: Obviously the perch where the Queen holds court, two squares in front of Her target. Other key squares are located two squares to the left and right of Her Majesty. In many instances She can deliver a thunderous check from one of those squares. Finally, the squares located two to the left and right of His Majesty often figure into these positions. Again, there are numerous instances in which the Queen finds Herself able to deliver a mortal blow from one of those squares.

KEY POINT: Proximity does NOT betoken victory for the side of the Queen crouched so close to her prey. So, it's the usual question. Is the trap good, flawed, temporary, temporal? Just what is the nature of this trap? When should we prepare a crying towel? When should we prepare a feast as we can smell the sweet scent of victory? All these questions that I cannot in good conscience promise to answer fully, but we'll make a start.

Bottom line? We will explore a few of these positions. With the usual goal of sharpening our sense for opportunity and danger. How to take advantage when opportunity strikes. And how to spoil our opponents plans to despoil us in such positions.

Fedorov,A (2580) - Lastin,A (2535) RUS-Cup4 Perm (3) 1997

An Epaulette Mate occurs when the King is along the edge of the board, flanked on either side by His Estates, I mean Rooks, and the enemy Queen impolitely and importunely appears two squares in front of Him whilst He has no forces available to intervene. The ending scraps of the game below reek of a Help Mate, even if one assumes the flag was hanging on the clock. Nonetheless, it is the perfect visual for an Epaulette Mate. Following this extremely simple problem we will examine some more complex cases.

OK, Black complains, that didn't feel good the first time we got this far in the puzzle. The remainder of the game was shown in the first puzzle, so we shan't do so here.

Assessment: Some consideration has to be made for capturing with the Knight on e6. But the material situation is balanced after Black gladly gives up the d8 Rook which is far less valuable than White's Knight. In return Black has Bishop and Knight versus Rook and Pawn. Not the scenario White envisioned.

Lessons learned or revisited:
A. Another example of how the attacking Queen maneuvers freely on the available KEY SQUARES.