Invite the King to the party!

Hello again!

Today I bring you three examples where we will see how the king can be a very active piece.

It is true that when you start playing chess, coaches always emphasize the importance of securing the king with castling. However, the king usually takes center stage in the endgame and must become an active piece, especially in king and pawn endgames.

Although it shines more in the endgames, the king can be useful even in other phases of the game. Its activity can be decisive in winning the game. In addition, in complex endgames, I have seen how a well-positioned king can dominate the situation, creating threats and ensuring victories even in seemingly difficult situations. This understanding has made me appreciate even more the dynamic role of the king throughout the entire game.

In this post, as I mentioned, I bring you three examples where we will see how the king was the protagonist. One of my favorites is a game between Short and Timman in Tilburg, 1991, which vividly illustrates how the king can transform from a defensive figure to a powerful active agent, determining the final outcome of the game. Let's take a look at them:

I hope you liked these examples. Personally, the game between Short and Timman in Tilburg, 1991, is one of my all-time favorites and probably for many others as well. See you, and remember that the king is an active piece! Invite him to the party!