THE KIDNAPPED KING

Chess literature is full of instructive games where a piece sacrifice is made in order to force the opposition King out of its protective shell. There are many sad stories of such Kings who went walkabout only to wonder aimlessly before being overpowered by enemy pieces but none more spectacular than this 1912 classic between Edward Lasker & G. Thomas.

1.    d4             f5

2.    e4             fxe4

3.    Nc3          Nf6

4.    Bg5          e6

5.    Nxe4        Be7

6.    Bxf6         Bxf6

7.    Nf3           O-O 

8.    Bd3           b6

9.    Ne5          Bb7

10.  Qh5

The threat is fairly obvious. White is going to play Nxf6 & Qxh7. So Black played......

10.  ...              Qe7

Intending to make the recapture on f6 with his g pawn. If only he had a clue about the impending disaster… 

11.  Qxh7 + !!

Forcing his majesty out of his castle.

11.  ...              Kxh7

12.  Nxf6 +

Now it’s clear that turning back towards his broken castle would mean curtains for black King. (12.  …  Kh8  13. Ng6 #). Time to run for life your highness.

12.  …              Kh6

The hunting of the king continues with

13.  Neg4 +     Kg5

14.  h4 +

Even the lowly foot soldiers do not want to miss out on the fun of the great King hunt.

14.  …                Kf4

15.  g3 +            Kf3

Now the Bishop enters to administer final riots … & to complete the kidnapping

16.  Be2 +       Kg2

17.  Rh2 +       Kg1

IS THAT THE BLACK KING? ARE YOU SURE?

But rightfully, the honour of completing the capture belongs to the white King

18.  Kd2 #



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