Knights are a very special piece. The knight is the only piece in chess allowed to jump and this creates very nice moments when playing chess. Not in vain, German players have given it the name of “Springer”.
The way a knight moves is odd, it not only jumps over other pieces, it also moves in a non-linear way and this makes them unique as well. All other pieces on the board are allowed to move in a straight line, but knights hop in an “L” pattern. The movement of the knight is the only which can not be done by a queen, making it even more unique. This difference in the movement pattern of the knight leads to completely different principles and strategies in the ending.
Just to start, we’ll take a look at some positions which are usually given in an ending involving the knight.
Even having a good advantage when it comes to material, it is impossible for white to win in this position. Even if white player sends the king to defend the pawn, he will only get a stalemate if black king is smart enough to crawl into the corner.
This position is much better for white. That’s what it is usually called “mutual defense pact” involving the passed pawn and the knight. The king can not capture the pawn and if the monarch moves to capture the knight, it will get out of the square and the pawn will promote to queen. To win in this position, white king must first capture the passed pawn to avoid problems and then protect the passed pawn till it promotes.
The above is a clear example of knight and pawn vs knight played by two masters. In such a position of knight and pawn vs knight, black is the stronger side and it would seem easy to win the game. The idea is to keep the white knight clear from the way of the pawn. To do this, the knight must cooperate with the king. It is not easy to white to defend in this position because the king is located far away from the passed pawn and it is blocked by the black king.
1.Ne3 g3 2. Ng2 Nf5
To limit the movement of White’s knight, and to relocate his in a better position;
3. Kc4 Ke4 4. Kc3 Kt3 5. Nel+ Ke2
In this position 6.Ng2 White’s 6. Nd3 loses because of… Ke3 7. Nel Nh4 8. Kc2 Ke2 9.Nd3Ng6 10.Ncl+Ke3 so… 6…. Kfl 7. Nf4 Ne7!
Black threatens 8…. Ng6.
8. Kd2 Ng6
9-Nh3
White shall not capture the black or the black pawn will promote with no opposition. This is a clear Trojan horse. If white decides to play 9. Ne2, then 9. … g2 10. Ke3 Nf4! the board will look like the below:
Black would be pleased to sacrifice the knight in order to promote the pawn, this push is something to be done in such a situation, it is a good deal to exchange a knight for a queen!!