Secrets of Trapping Pieces: Knight Trapped by Rook Part 1 of 2

KevinSmithIdiot

Updated: Nov 29, 2024, 2:44 AM | 2

Today we'll look at a configuration I spent some time examining during the course of writing Secrets of Trapping Pieces. In the diagram below note that the Black Rook on f5 dominates the White Knight on h7, covering the f6, f8 and g5 squares to which the Knight would like to flee if another piece were to attack it. Similarly, the White Rook on d4 dominates the Black Knight on b2, covering the a4, c4, d3 and d1 squares to which the Knight might desire to flee. Finally, the Black Rook on b6 dominates the a8-Knight, covering the b6 and c7 squares. Only if a Knight is placed on one of the four squares in each corner can a Rook dominate the Knight.

However, the Rook cannot directly attack the Knight, lest the net unthread. So, we are going to add a pawn to the arsenal of the side with the Rook. And to offer some balance, and challenge, we will give the side with the Knight three advanced, passed pawns and the more active King.

Multiple puzzles follow, including some where we ask, "But what if this move was played? Does the result change?"

A very brief puzzle to ease into the following material. White has material equality and three passed pawns, one that is only two squares from Queening. But White does have that troubling Knight on a1, hardly in the game at all.

How should Black obtain a decisive edge (with best play)?

If Black had played 1...Rc6+ instead, pushing the White King to another square, how should White respond?

Here is how that might play out. There are several alternative lines so it's best to show an illustrative line of how to demonstrate your advantage.

We just looked at the case where Black checked on c6 and White gained counterplay by RETREATING to h5. What happens if White tries to make their King more active by playing to f7, as shown below?

First, we looked at the case where Black checked on c6 and White gained counterplay by RETREATING to h5. Second, we looked at the case where Black checked on c6 and White sought to increase the activation of his King by moving to f7. Now, the third case, we examine what happens if White tries to free the g-file by playing Kf5, as shown below?

Here is how the game might play out.

This position below was mentioned in N+3Ps #2 Played Out, the line where Black mistakenly starts with 1...Rc6+ and White responds with the correct 2.Kh5. In that line, what happens if White plays Rxb3 on move six, capturing the Knight?

Congratulations! You achieved the hardest part, now I'll show a plausible continuation. There are a number of ways actual play might proceed, so it would hardly be sporting to expect you to suffer through a series of "only" answers, that aren't really the only answers.

In this next scenario the Knight is a bit closer to the Kingside instead of confined to the corner on a1. On the negative side for White, the g-pawn is only on g4, not yet having reached beyond mid-board. Additionally, the Black Rook has been airlifted from c8 to d7. If the Rook was on d8 there would be two solutions to this problem. I'll leave the solution to that thought to those who like to experiment with chess compositions. What is the only winning move for Black in this position? Followed by another only move. AND THEN, two more only moves.

You are an endgame genius if you get all of these correct. But the first move fits into the theme of these puzzles. And the second only move just seems reasonable. After that it gets harder.

OK, you suffered enough with that one. Here is a plausible continuation.

Secrets of Trapping Pieces: Knight Trapped by Rook Part 1 of 2

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