Exercise 6.1Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. You are worse, but there is one move that saves the game. Find it.
6
Practical Chess Psychology · Kapilash Chess Academy
Never Resign Too Early
Stalemate, perpetual check and fortresses
In this lesson you will learn
- The defender’s rescue resources
- Stalemate tricks
- Why you should make your opponent prove the win
Every board on this page is live. Move the pieces by tapping or dragging, click any move in the lines to see that position, and press ↺ to start again.
6.1 Why fight on?
Club players resign far too often. A position can be lost on paper and still be very difficult to win in practice. The defender has several rescue resources, and you will only find them if you keep looking.
- Stalemate
- If your king has no moves and your other pieces cannot move, a careless opponent may stalemate you. With few pieces left, aim your king for the corner.
- Perpetual check
- If you can give check after check and the king cannot escape, the game is drawn by repetition.
- Fortress
- Some positions cannot be broken even with extra material: the wrong rook pawn, a blocked position, or a queen against a rook pawn on the seventh rank.
- The opponent’s nerves
- A player who expects to win easily often relaxes. Many “lost” games are saved simply by continuing to find good moves.
6.2 Queen against a pawn on the seventh
A lone pawn on the seventh rank, supported by its king, can hold a draw against a queen if it is a rook pawn or a bishop pawn: the defending king hides in the corner and the queen must avoid stalemate. Never resign these positions.
Diagram 6.1Black to move
Diagram 6.1 · The king goes to the right square
The pawn is on the seventh rank and the white queen is checking.
Find the only move that draws.
Only this move holds: 1...h1=Q+ 2.♔d4 ♕a1+ 3.♔e4 ♕xe5+ 4.♔xe5 ♔e3. Any other move lets the white king approach.
Remember
- Do not resign while you still have resources.
- Look for stalemate, perpetual check and fortresses.
- Rook and bishop pawns on the seventh can draw against a queen.
- Make your opponent prove the win.
Exercises · Lesson 6
You are worse, perhaps much worse. Find the only move that saves the game.
Find the only draw
Exercise 6.2Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. You are worse, but there is one move that saves the game. Find it.
Exercise 6.3Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. You are worse, but there is one move that saves the game. Find it.
Exercise 6.4Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. You are worse, but there is one move that saves the game. Find it.
Exercise 6.5Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. You are worse, but there is one move that saves the game. Find it.
Exercise 6.6Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. You are worse, but there is one move that saves the game. Find it.
Exercise 6.7Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. You are worse, but there is one move that saves the game. Find it.
Exercise 6.8Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. You are worse, but there is one move that saves the game. Find it.
Exercise 6.9Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. You are worse, but there is one move that saves the game. Find it.
Exercise 6.10Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. You are worse, but there is one move that saves the game. Find it.
Exercise 6.11Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. You are worse, but there is one move that saves the game. Find it.
Exercise 6.12Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. You are worse, but there is one move that saves the game. Find it.