Luft is a term used in chess to refer to the space or square created by moving a pawn, which provides an escape route for the king (often after castling), particularly when this space is deliberately created to prevent a back-rank checkmate.
Month: April 2023
The retreat of Napoleon from Moscow: The famous problem
The solution of this puzzle is also limited by one more rule: Marshall Kutuzov must remain near the Czar, which means that the white king and the white queen are obliged to stay at adjacent squares all the time.
#6: Find the only Black’s move to win instantly
White is up a pawn, and both players have a passed pawn very close to…
Oldřich Duras vs. Hugo Süchting: The first brilliancy prize
Taking place a few weeks after Vienna’s major international event of the year in 1908, the Prague event was also organized to honor Emperor Franz Joseph’s 60th anniversary of ruling and showcased many of the same prominent figures.
Learn to play Evans Gambit: A Welsh sea captain’s invention
The Evans Gambit has been played at the highest levels of chess, and has been employed by famous players such as Paul Morphy, Mikhail Tal, and Garry Kasparov.
Los Alamos Chess: From the history of early game engines
This variant is played on a smaller board than traditional chess, with fewer pieces and some unique rules that make for an exciting and challenging game.
Smith-Morra Gambit trap: You must learn this cavalry attack
Traps are a common occurrence in chess, and the Smith-Morra Gambit is no exception. In this section, I will describe one of the most famous traps in the Smith-Morra Gambit.
Isolated pawns and how to exploit them
One of the main ways to exploit an isolated pawn is to attack it. By attacking an isolated pawn, you force your opponent to either defend it with a more valuable piece, such as a knight or bishop, or to leave it undefended.
Beginner: King and pawn vs king – the key squares
One important aspect of endgame strategy is identifying the key squares on the board. Key squares are those squares that, when controlled by one player, can make it difficult or impossible for the other player to make progress.
The history of chess clocks: Time is of the essence
From the early mechanical clocks of the late 19th century to the sophisticated electronic clocks of today, chess clocks have played a vital role in the game of chess.