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Colle System?

Learn to Play it Better!

The Moment of Zuke:
Critical Positions and
Pivotal Decisions for
Colle System Players

by David Rudel
author of Zuke 'Em

7 modules written just for Colle System Players. Over 150 practice problems accompany lessons written in Rudel's crystal-clear, inimitable style

Thematic Lessons
on game-changing
decisions Colle Players
frequently face

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Basic Endgame Strategy

Basic Mates - King & Rook v. King

This mate is a bit trickier than the previous one. However, once sufficiently learned and practiced, the technique is not soon forgotten. Examine the board below:

The single White Rook cannot by itself force mate against the Black King. Two Rooks were able to deliver mate because they were able to control two ranks: while one Rook moved up the board, taking control of a new rank and delivering check, the other Rook stayed one rank behind, preventing the opponent’s King from moving away from the edge of the board. Clearly, one Rook cannot do all this by itself: anytime it moves up a rank and delivers check, the rank it previously controlled is freed, and the opponent’s King can simply slip away from the edge of the board. Click here for a demonstration.

Thus in order to deliver mate, the White King must “bring up the rear” and control the rank which the Rook gives up when delivering check. Click here for a demonstration, with commentary.

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to learn this basic mate. Most endgames are won by having a material advantage of at least a Rook (often by having promoted a pawn), and the player which cannot deliver this sort of mate will not be able to follow through on even the easiest of wins.

Next: Basic Mates - King & Queen & Rook v. King

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