Bishop versus Knight (Part 1)

GM Dejan Bojkov

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Learn to evaluate knights against bishops in every ending!

How can you tell if knights or bishops are better in any position? It is generally known that the bishop is stronger than the knight in most cases. Some experts even call such an advantage "a small exchange." Why the bishop is better, and when in the endgame—this is what we are going to discover in our course. GM Dejan Bojkov has selected only fresh samples from modern practice when strong players were following their plans in the best possible way. Start improving your minor piece endgame play today!

Here is what you will learn:

Learn what positions favor each piece!
Learn how to convert a material advantage in the ending!
Learn to use the Principle of Two Weaknesses!

Pawns on Two Flanks (Symmetry)

Just place the bishop on one of the central squares and you will discover that it can attack two pawns on different flanks simultaneously. Try the same with the knight. It does not work.

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Pawns on both Flanks (Assymetry)

Capablanca: In this position the bishop has an indisputable advantage. Both players have an equal number of pawns, but they are not balanced on the flanks.

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Pawns on both Flanks (further Assymetry)

White can simply place the bishop on b2 from where it will both stop the black passers and support White's.

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Domination

Efimenko-Najer, Bundesliga 2008/2009 The bishop can dominate the knight alone, if the latter is at the edges of the board, and trap it.

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Domination and the Corner Pawns

Cmilyte-Csonka, Gibtelecom Masters 2009

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Restriction, Deflection, Win

Kveinys-Ejsmont, Polish Ekstraliga 2006

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Material Advantage

Carlsen-Adams, World Cup Khanty-Mansiysk 2007 Converting the material advantage is an easy task if the opponent cannot build a fortress.

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Positional Advantage

Ki. Georgiev-Nisipeanu FIDE Wch k.o. 2000 When the stronger side has possibility for play on both flanks the bishop becomes a monster.

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Pawn Fixation

Adams-Karjakin, ECC men 2007

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Outside Passed Pawn

Rej-Castor, Sydney International Open 2010 An outside passed pawn is a great advantage in all endgames. A bishop is extremely happy to have such support as it eases its main hobby- play on two flanks.

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Play on both Flanks

Ki. Georgiev- Erdos, EICC Budva 2009 Play on both flanks is the most successful strategy in the bishop versus knight endgames.

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Complex Positions

Bogner-Mutschnik, 2 Bundesliga South 2008/09

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Principle of the Two Weaknesses

Fischer-Taimanov Candidates match, Vancouver 1971

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