KING AND TWO GENERALISED KNIGHTS AGAINST KING

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kotěšovec, Václav^{; 1}

Affiliations: Czech Republic

Note: [1] P. O. Box 43, 111 21 Praha 1, CZ (Czech Republic). Email: kotesovec@mbox.dkm.cz. English translation by John Beasley, 7 St James Rd., Harpenden, Herts. AL5 4NX UK: johnbeasley@mail.com.

Abstract: A Knight jumps two squares in one direction and one square in the other. It can be generalised as a Leaper which jumps x squares in one direction and y squares in the other. At various times in its history, chess has featured other pieces of this kind, in particular, the mediaeval Firzan which moved one square in each direction. Calculations are described which examine the general outcome of the ending “King and two Leapers against King” on a square chessboard of any size. In particular, it is shown that all endings of this kind appear to be drawn on boards larger than 13×13, and that two identical Leapers cannot mate from a general position.

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-2001-24212

Journal: ICGA Journal, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 105-107, 2001