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Guided lesson · Intermediate · Endgames

The fork that saves an endgame

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The d5-knight is attacked and the pawns threaten on both wings. Only Nf4+ holds the draw: the checking fork attacks the king and the h3-pawn. You can then take h3 while your king contains the a-pawn. In the second example that pawn is already on a2 and White’s king blocks it from a1. Before retreating the knight, check what happens to both pawns. Without the piece, both positions are lost.

The key idea

Save the knight with a fork that removes one pawn; check that the king can contain the other.

Example 1 · Take h3 with tempo

Nf4+ checks and threatens h3: every other move loses.

  1. Nf4+ Nf4+ checks and threatens h3: every other move loses.
  2. Ke5 The king escapes the check; now you can take the attacked pawn.
  3. Nxh3 Nxh3 removes a passed pawn and keeps the knight.
  4. Kd4 Black’s king approaches the remaining pawn on a3.
  5. Ka2 Ka2 attacks a3. The fork has left a sufficient defence.
  6. Kc5 The position is still drawn; do not mistake simplification for a win.

Example 2 · The other pawn is already on a2

Nf4+ is again the only defence: the check lets you take h3.

  1. Nf4+ Nf4+ is again the only defence: the check lets you take h3.
  2. Kf6 Black’s king steps away to f6.
  3. Nxh3 Nxh3 removes the kingside pawn; a2 stays blocked.
  4. Ke5 Black’s king returns to the centre without freeing a2.
  5. Ng5 Ng5 preserves the knight. White’s king remains in front of a2.
  6. Kd6 The remaining pawn does not win against correct defence; keep calculating.

Practice

Play as White. Save the knight with a fork that removes one pawn; check that the king can contain the other.

  1. Nf4+ checks and threatens h3: every other move loses. The knight is attacked: find a checking fork against the king and h3.
  2. Nxh3 removes a passed pawn and keeps the knight. Take h3 now: White’s king can contain the a-pawn.
  3. You hold the draw in this position. Hold the draw: Ka2, Ng1, Nf2, Nf4, Ng5, Kb1 are valid options here.

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