The Principle of Two Weaknesses

In an endgame, you can create not one but two weaknesses to keep your opponent on their toes!

Your Move

(You play white)

Here’s a basic example of the principle of two weaknesses. White needs both the passed queenside pawn and the targets on the kingside to win. How to start?

Correct!

Good job! While Black is dealing with the a-pawn, the white king will go to capture g6.

Your Move

(You play white)

Note that if there were no a-pawn, Black would play 1…Kc6, with opposition and a draw. But now after 1…Kc6 2.a5, the black king will be decoyed by the a-pawn and the white king will capture the kingside pawns.

There usually comes a time when you have to leave one weakness (in this case, by letting go of the a-pawn) in order to chase the second one. Should White do it?

Correct!

Great job! The black king is distracted by the a-pawn so much that his kingside pawns will fall.

Your Move

(You play white)

Before the king can hope to take part in the defense, the a-pawn must be removed.

As a result, White’s king position is dominant. What is the next move?

Correct!

Good job! The king heads for the base of the pawn chain, g6.

Your Move

(You play white)

Black’s hopes are almost zero, but the alternative is resignation.
How does the white king continue to head for the base of Black’s pawn chain?

Correct!

Right. The g6-pawn cannot be defended.

Your Move

(You play white)

The black king races back, but far too late. Finally the goal is achieved. White to play.

#1 Complete

Right. Next f5 will be captured as well, and White will promote a pawn. One of these two weaknesses (either the a-pawn or Black’s g6-pawn) would not be enough to win the game. But Black had two weaknesses, and could only defend one.

Your Move

(You play white)

Black’s one weakness on c6 is defended. Nevertheless, White has a winning advantage. We need a second weakness! How does White do it?

Correct!

Great job! This move punches a hole in Black’s kingside pawn structure. Now a new weakness will be exposed, which Black cannot defend.

Your Move

(You play white)

Blacks alternatives also give little hope. For example, 1…gxh5+ 2.Kxh5, when h6 falls and White will create a winning passed pawn on the kingside. Or 1…f5+ 2.Kf4, when the kingside pawns are undermined so that White wins a pawn.
How does White use the newly-created weaknesses?

Correct!

Great job! The king invades on an outpost, putting pressure on f6. Black is now in zugzwang, with both pieces tied to the weaknesses on c6 and f6.

Your Move

(You play white)

No other move would be better. For example, 2…Kc7 would be met by 3.Kg6, winning the h6-pawn, with the white h-pawn queening soon after.

What is the best way to deal with the check?

#2 Complete

Right! White protects h5 and attacks h6, as well as the knight. Now Black will lose the h6-pawn, after which White’s h-pawn will soon queen.