B+N checkamte

Im assuming that somebody worked out B+N can force checkmates before computers. if so how was it worked out? and who worked it out?

Philidor describes the "W" method in his famous 1749 book; it must have been around before that though. And as to how it was worked out - probably just by playing around with the pieces on a board (that's what people used to do!).

Judit Polgar managed it blindfold in a simul once, which I think is pretty impressive.

Thanks bouncing check for the answer. I didnt realise it was discovered so long ago, very intresting. And doing it blindfold what can you say to that!

Then of course there's the example of the former Women's World Champion being unable to deliver the mate (at 01:15 she's even got a theoretically perfect starting position for the "W", she plays Bh7 correctly but must have missed Ne5 after that). The game is drawn and she walks off without a handshake ... you can't help feeling sorry for her, but her opponent can hardly supress her grin!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFF5ibgB6eA

I played it for fun vs Comp4 ;-) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7LNiIcHEyY

zibbit i watched it live. one of the most memorable moments on chess.com! thats what prompted me to open this discussion.

If you really want to experience an endgame of technical beauty in chess check out K+2Bs vs. K+N.  For 300 years this endgame which in almost all cases is a forced mate for the side with the 2Bs was thought to be a draw.  In spite of considerable study over those 3 centuries, without the aid of computers.  

do you know any games where this happened which i could view?

thanks for the info. And thanks for your videos, i always enjoy them1

eatchipss wrote:

Yaroslavl wrote:

do you know any games where this happened which i could view?

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http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1011632

There is so much more to this endgame.  If you would like to know more please let me know.

While both of my posts may seem off topic,  they are actually very much on topic.  I will explain if you like.

https://www.google.com/#q=endgames+King+%2B+2+Bishops+vs.+King+%2B+Knight

The above clickable http is how I accessed the top clickable http.

The  most comprehensive and in depth analysis of  the K+2Bs vs. K+N can be found here:   http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/187-8250881-4153268?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Secrets+of+Minor-Piece+Endings 

thanks yaro i will look into it!

Couldn't resist posting it ... I had a "no I won't resign" opponent today so I used him for B+N+K practice. I messed around a bit at first, I only had about 2 min left, but I got him within the 50 moves.

http://www.chess.com/livechess/game?id=772852644

snowyqueen, thats a really solid logical point you make there. so it wasnt just messing around as say, rather it was broken up into smaller managerble puzzles