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Guided lesson · Intermediate · Endgames

Knight against a rook’s pawn

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White’s king is far away and the knight is attacked. In the first example only Nh2+ draws: it blocks h3 with check. You must keep calculating, because Black’s king can attack the knight again. In the second, the pawn is one rank farther back: both Nh3+ and Ne2 draw. Without the knight both positions are lost. A useful check gains time to stop the pawn; just giving any check is not enough.

The key idea

When the knight is attacked, look for a check that also preserves the defence against the rook’s pawn.

Example 1 · The only blocking check

Nh2+ saves the attacked knight and blocks h3. It is the only drawing move.

  1. Nh2+ Nh2+ saves the attacked knight and blocks h3. It is the only drawing move.
  2. Kg3 Kg3 attacks the h2-knight again.
  3. Nf1+ Nf1+ retreats with check and keeps control of h2.
  4. Kg2 Kg2 attacks the piece again: one blockade is not the end of the task.
  5. Ne3+ Ne3+ escapes the attack with tempo and keeps the draw.
  6. Kf2 The king escapes the check. Keep calculating the knight’s route before each pawn advance.

Example 2 · A less advanced pawn gives another option

Nh3+ blocks h4 with check. Here Ne2 also draws.

  1. Nh3+ Nh3+ blocks h4 with check. Here Ne2 also draws.
  2. Kf5 Kf5 escapes the check without being able to take the knight.
  3. Nf2 Nf2 keeps the h3 blockade available.
  4. Ke5 Black’s king heads towards the centre.
  5. Nh3 Nh3 returns in front of the pawn; the knight is still needed.
  6. Ke4 The draw is preserved, although the defence must continue.

Practice

Play as White. When the knight is attacked, look for a check that also preserves the defence against the rook’s pawn.

  1. Nh2+ saves the attacked knight and blocks h3. It is the only drawing move. The knight is attacked: block h3 with check.
  2. Nf1+ retreats with check and keeps control of h2. Escape the attack with a knight check that keeps h2 under control.
  3. Ne3+ escapes the attack with tempo and keeps the draw. Your knight is attacked again: find another checking jump that holds the draw.

You have held the draw. If enemy pawns remain, keep watching their advances and the safety of your pieces.