Agreed that the box is more efficient.
Just pointing out that for beginners, the above technique is easy to absorb and quite reliable in blitz/bullet play. ... nice catch though in pointing this exception out. :)
King+Rook vs King- the problem with one method
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I just used it as an example that the box method is much quicker.
Yeah. I don't understand why anyone would even WANT to use that method. The normal technique works simply and quickly, as you said.
You didn't play it anywhere near as accurately as you could have.
kvlc- I know. I posted this to show how slow that method is.
Also, 6.Rb3+ would be good because if Kh2 then white wastes a move with his rook on the third rank and plays Rh3# after the forced Kh1.
The point I am making is, the attacker when using this method is so focused on getting the king to the 8th rank that he doesn't want to cut the enemy king off on the a or h files.
You're welcome.
There is no way on earth it will take 50+ moves using this method, because you played the wrong move Rh2. I want you to show me a line with my first move that will take 50+ moves.
However, I do agree with you box is way more efficient.
Aug 2, 2011
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#12
I guess what the OP was trying to show is that this "method" if executed inaccurately (as the previous post pointed out) could result in an embarassing situation.
Aug 3, 2011
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#13
In all the books that I have on basic moves, and as many times I have taught the mate, King & Rook vs King it always is accomplished way before 50 moves.
The side ways moves that you used with the king in your demo are unnecessary moves just to get to the position where you check the king and it is forced to retreat one rank.
The demos by others where the rook makes a waiting move and then final mate is correct.
IMHO
I have always used the method shown above with out fail...however would love to know the alternative box method as well. Could someone show it from the same position as the beginning illustration?
In the box method, you want to try to take away ranks AND files (rather than just ranks in the other method). You do this by making a box with your rook in which the enemy king will be trapped in (Don't continue when he reaches the corner, because that would be stalemate). I will put a diagram up showing this later.
Here is the Box Method:
Edited version:
Thanks for spotting that, i will fix it at some point.
SUMMARY OF THIS TOPIC AND EVERYTHING I HAVE SAID:
The method of chasing the enemy king all the way to the other edge of the board to make sure he gets to another edge of the board takes way too long and in a blitz/tourney game under time pressure, the box method is quicker and equally easy.
There are some vids on YouTube which show this method, but I once tested it out with the king starting on the third rank and the fifty move limit was actually reached right before checkmate was delivered.
In summary, use the box method instead.