Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: Chess Board Game - Should I offer a draw with my rook and King versus King only? ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   0 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Chess Board Game - Should I offer a draw with my rook and King versus King only?
Category: Sports and Recreation > Games
Asked by: dewsbury-ga
List Price: $5.00
Posted: 16 Oct 2003 13:53 PDT
Expires: 15 Nov 2003 12:53 PST
Question ID: 267015
I am at the closing stages of a game of chess.
I have a rook and a king against my opponents King only.
He suggests that I should offer a draw since neither of us can win.

SHould I offer the draw or continue to try win the game.
Answer  
Subject: Re: Chess Board Game - Should I offer a draw with my rook and King versus King only?
Answered By: mvguy-ga on 16 Oct 2003 14:39 PDT
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Your opponent is very wise to offer a draw.  But you wouldn't be so
wise to accept it.

Yes, it is possible to force a win with a king and a rook versus a
king. Basically what you want to do force your opponent to the edge of
the board.  A checkmate will end up looking something like the
following chart:

.r..K...   The capital K is your
........   opponent's king.  The  
....k...   r is your rook and the
........   k is your king.  It is
........   your opponent's turn,
........   but he/she is checkmated.
........
........

This position (anywhere along the edge of the board) is the only way
you can checkmate your opponent. Your rook must be in the same row or
column as your opponent's king, and your king must be positioned in
such a way that the opponent's king can't move into the adjoining row
or column.

There's a good explanation of how you accomplish that here:

Learn to Play
http://www.unichess.org/learn1.htm

Search on the page for "types of checkmates" or scroll down about
three-fourths of the way.  The page explains how to win with just a
king and queen, then explains how you use basically the same procedure
with a rook and king.

You can find another explanation here:

Checkmating with a Lone Rook
http://www.chesscorner.com/tutorial/basic/r_k_mate/r_k_mate.htm

If you want to practice and have Java installed in your computer, you
can go here:

Rook and King vs. King
http://www.mindspring.com/~jradin/Chess/PieceMate_Rook.htm

If you play efficiently, you should be able to force checkmate in 15
to 20 moves.

It also may interest you to know you can force a checkmate with two
bishops and a king, or with a bishop and a knight and a king.  But you
can't force it with two knights.

Bishop-Knight Simple Checkmate
http://www.markalowery.net/Chess/Checks_Checkmate/Bishop_Knight.html

Bishop Pair Simple Checkmate
http://www.markalowery.net/Chess/Checks_Checkmate/Bishop_Pair.html

Now go win that game!

Best wishes,

Mvguy-ga (who was on his high school chess team way back when)





Google search terms used: "rook and king vs. king"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22rook+and+king+vs+king%22

chess "rook and king"
://www.google.com/search?q=chess+%22rook+and+king%22
dewsbury-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars and gave an additional tip of: $2.00
Excellent answer. Thankyou

Comments  
There are no comments at this time.

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy