Two Knights vs Queen: Caging the King
White to play and draw
PlayYou cannot stop the b-pawn, so let it queen and lock the black king in instead. The rule: keep the king shut in on the edge with your pawn and your knights, because a queen without her king cannot mate. Here every one of your moves is the only one that holds.
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Two Knights Cage the King
White to play and draw · Hold the draw against perfect play
Waking the engine…
The theory
Watch the method: press play to see the winning idea run, or step through it move by move.
Sometimes the enemy king can be caged against the edge of the board. Without its help, even a queen may be unable to make progress.
Do not chase the pawn. The b2-pawn cannot be caught. 1.Nd5 threatens Nc3 and forces Black to promote immediately, which is exactly what you want: you get to choose the shape of the position that follows.
The wedge. 2.b6+ is the only move. It gains a tempo with check, plants a pawn in front of the black king, and leaves Black's own b7-pawn frozen behind it.
The wall. Knights on d5 and f6 supported by the king on e6 cover every square the black king would need to come round and help. A queen on its own has nothing to attack and no way in.
In this drill every move is precise. Build the cage rather than grabbing material, and the draw holds.
Keep going
Locked Rook Pawns: Run for the Corner
White to play and draw
Knight and Pawn vs Knight
White to play and win
Choosing the Barrier Square with King Support
White to play and draw
All 21 knight endgames positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)