Rook, Knight, and a pawn Mate

January 27, 2016
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Usually seen in endgames, this mate “is extremely useful to know.” The combination of a Rook, Knight, and a pawn often proves to be a very potent fighting unit against an opposing King in an endgame. There are two primary mating positions as shown below, followed by an interactive board with an endgame example.
[Source credit: The Complete Book of Chess Strategy, IM Jeremy Silman, at page 168]

 

DIAGRAMS: Rook, Knight, a pawn-Barebones Mating Positions

DIAGRAM RNP-1Rook, Knight, pawn Mate Position 1 DIAGRAM RNP-2Rook, Knight, pawn Mate Position 2

 

 

DIAGRAM RNP-3 Game Example
 
 a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h 
 8   8 
 7   7 
 6   6 
 5   5 
 4   4 
 3   3 
 2   2 
 1   1 
 a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h 
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                 Move:   
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Rook, Knight, and a pawn Mate (example)1.Rd8+ Kf7
[1…Kh7 2.Rh8#]
2.Rf8# 

1-0Click Here to Download PGN

 

Chess