THE FIVE FUNDAMENTAL POSITIONS

While in the examples of elementary endings given in the previous chapter, the correct method of play was comparatively easy to find, positions with few men often occur which look very simple but which require considerable thought to be handled in the right way. The knowledge of these positions, of which there are five distinctly different types, is essential for any one who desires to become a fair player and they are, therefore, thoroughly explained in the following five characteristic examples.

THE FIRST POSITION

It does not make any difference in the method of play whether the Black man is located as shown in Diagram 93 or on 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11 16, 20 or 24. The essential point is that he must not be able to march to the King row without being intercepted by White.

The winning maneuver is this: White turns the Black King out of the double corner in the manner shown in the play from the position of Diagram 89 and thereby compels the Black man to advance, finally forcing an exchange which secures the opposition.

          32        31        30
       +---------------------------------------+
       |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    | 29
       |---------------------------------------|
    28 | ** |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
       |---------------------------------------|
       |    |    |    | oo |    |    |    |    | 21
       |---------------------------------------|
    20 |    |    | oo |    |    |    |    |    |
       |---------------------------------------|
       |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    | 13
       |---------------------------------------|
    12 | ** |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
       |---------------------------------------|
       |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    | 5
       |---------------------------------------|
     4 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
       +---------------------------------------+
                    3         2        1

           Diagram 93.--White to Move and Win.

This maneuver, as will be evident from a careful study of the position, is possible only in case White has the move. If Black has the move the ending is a draw.

Black White (1) ... 23-27 (2) 28-32 19-23 (3) 32-28

Black cannot play 12-16, as 27-24 would win a piece. (3) ... 27-32 (4) 28-24

Again 12-16 is not possible on account of 32-27 winning a piece in three moves. (4) ... 23-18


              32        31        30
       +---------------------------------------+
       |    | oo |    |    |    |    |    |    | 29
       |---------------------------------------|
    28 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
       |---------------------------------------|
       |    | ** |    |    |    |    |    |    | 21
       |---------------------------------------|
    20 |    |    |    |    | oo |    |    |    |
       |---------------------------------------|
       |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    | 13
       |---------------------------------------|
    12 |  * |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
       |---------------------------------------|
       |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    | 5
       |---------------------------------------|
     4 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
       +---------------------------------------+
                    3         2        1

                    Diagram 94.

White played 32-28 Black would exchange by five 24-19 and draw the game.

In the position of the Diagram Black has the choice between 24- 20, 12-16, 24-19 or 24-28, but he loses, no matter what move he makes as demonstrated below. (A)
(5) 24-20 | 32-27
(6) 20-16 | 18-15
(7) 16-20 | 15-18
(8) 12-16 | 18-15

(B)
(5) 12-16 | 18-15

Now Black cannot play (6) 16-19 because of the exchange 32-27; (6) 16-20 would also lose quickly through 15-18, (7) 24-19, 32- 28, (8) 19-16, 18-23. The best try is (6) 24-28.

Against 15-18 Black would now draw by (7) 16-19, 32-27; (8) 19- 23.

The only way to win is
(6) ... 15-11

after which Black can do no better than
(7) 16-19 | 32-27
(8) 28-32 | 27-31
(9) 32-28 | 11-16
(10) 19-24 | 16-19, etc.
(C)
(5) 24-19 | 32-28
(6) 12-16 | 28-32
(7) 19-24 | 18-15

and White continues as shown before.
(D)
(5) 24-28 | 18-15
(6) 28-24 | 32-28
(7) 24-27 | 15-18
(8) 12-16 | 28-32
(9) 27-24 | 18-15

and wins as before by 15-18 in reply to (10) 16-20 or 15-11 in reply to 24-28.

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