If Kt × B; R × Kt and Black would be helpless.
3. Q - R 7 ch K - K 1 4. Q × Kt ch K - Q 2 5. Q - R 7 ch Q - K 2 6. B - B 8 Q × Q 7. R × Q ch K - K 1 8. R × R Resigns
In these few examples the attacking has been done by Rooks and Bishops in combination with the Queen. { 71} There have been no Knights to take part in the attack. We shall now give some examples in which the Knights play a prominent part as an attacking force.
18. ATTACKING WITH KNIGHTS AS A PROMINENT FORCE
EXAMPLE 46.--White is two Pawns behind. He must therefore press on his attack. The game continues:
Evidently an error which made the winning easier for White, as he simply took the Rook with the Knight and kept up the attack. Black should have played: 1 ... Kt × Kt. Then would have followed: 2 Kt - B 6 ch, K - Kt 3; 3 Kt × B, P - B 3 (best); 4 P - K 5, K - B 2; 5 Kt × P, R - K 2; 6 Kt - K 4, and Black should lose.[4]
EXAMPLE 47.--The student should carefully examine the position, as the sacrifice of the Bishop in similar situations is typical, and the chance for it is of frequent occurrence in actual play. The game continues:
1. B × P ch K × B 2. Kt - Kt 5 ch K - Kt 3
Best. If 2...K - R 3; 3 Kt × P ch wins the Queen, and if 2...K - Kt 1; 3 Q - R 5, with an irresistible attack.
We have so far given positions where the attacks were of a violent nature and directed against the King's position. Very often, however, in the middle-game attacks are made against a position or against pieces, or even Pawns.
_The winning of a Pawn among good players of even strength often means the winning of the game._
Hence the study of such positions is of great importance. We give below two positions in which the attack aims at the gain of a mere Pawn as a means of ultimately winning the game.
EXAMPLE 48.--Black is a Pawn behind, and there is no violent direct attack against White's King. Black's pieces, however, are very well placed and free to act, and by co-ordinating the action of all his pieces he is soon able not only to regain the Pawn but to obtain the better game. The student should carefully { 74} consider this position and the subsequent moves. It is a very good example of proper co-ordination in the management of forces. The game continues: