The King Chase
King Chase is one of the first entertaining topics I cover in my chess lessons. There is great fun in chasing the opponent’s king and mating! It is more special if the king is dragged to the centre or to an opposite end. I was playing a rating tournament in Sangli in 2008. My opponent was wearing a shirt that had the following position:
This attracted me instantly. I noted the names of the players on the back of my scoresheet,(which is not allowed according to FIDE rules at the moment. SO, don’t try it. Please) and then I found the game in the database after reaching my room! Since then, I have been maintaining database on King Chases. Well, I have also got an example from one of my own games(In the second part of this series). So, it did pay well!
First, have a look at the following positions and then go over the games:
White to move in all the positions
Game 1
Game 2
Game 3
Game 4
Tips on the King Chase
1. If you have three pieces attacking your opponent’s king, you must start thinking about possible ways to demolish the pawn shield.
2. If your opponent has violated a few opening principles, it is a signal for you to seek the initiative
3. Keep an eye on intermezzo. Intermezzo or Intermediate moves are great powerful tactical themes to outwit your opponent
4. Decoy the opponent’s knight. Since the knight is a good defender, it makes sense to lure the knight to a bad square or deflect it away from its role of defence.
5.Bring all your pieces to the nursery! – Jacob Aagard. Make use of all your pieces in the attack
