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Impossible mate?

Impossible mate?

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Scotty70
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Can a king and two knights checkmate a king (nothing else is on the board)? I have played out all possible scenarios and there always seems to be an out.

z
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Originally posted by Scotty70
Can a king and two knights checkmate a king (nothing else is on the board)? I have played out all possible scenarios and there always seems to be an out.
No, 2 bishops can, 2 knights cant

FL
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It is possible for the two knights to checkmate the bare king, but it can't be forced. I myself once got checkmated by two knights when my king had to move into a corner to capture a newly promoted queen.

F
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Originally posted by Scotty70
Can a king and two knights checkmate a king (nothing else is on the board)? I have played out all possible scenarios and there always seems to be an out.
Yes, 2 knights and a king can mate the other king, if they help each other:

s
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Originally posted by FabianFnas
Yes, 2 knights and a king can mate the other king, if they help each other:

[fen]5K1k/5N2/5N2/8/8/8/8/8 b - - 0 1[/fen]
Oopps

l
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Originally posted by Fat Lady
It is possible for the two knights to checkmate the bare king, but it can't be forced. I myself once got checkmated by two knights when my king had to move into a corner to capture a newly promoted queen.
is that actually possible? i can't see it

h
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Originally posted by loaf86
is Fat Lady's example actually possible? i can't see it
No it is not; the King must have been attacked by one of the Knights when it captured the promoted pawn, which would mean that White's previous move 1 - promoted a pawn 2 - checked the King with a Knight. But perhaps there was some more material involved..?

For example

1. h8=Q+ Kxh8 2. Kf7 a1=Q 3. Ng6#

sh76
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Sure it's possible:

[/b]

1. Kf8 Kh7 2. Nf6+ Kh8 3. Nf7#

It's not forced; but it's possible.

l
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actually, i found a position where it is forced

Invalid FEN inserted - 8/8/8/4n3/8/6n1/5K2/2k1q3 w - - 0 1 wKf2/bKc1,Qe1,Ne5,g3


of course, white doesn't have to take the queen, but that'd just be cruel

h
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Originally posted by loaf86
actually, i found a position where it is forced [fen]8/8/8/4n3/8/6n1/5K2/2k1q3 w - - 0 1 wKf2/bKc1,Qe1,Ne5,g3[/fen]

of course, white doesn't have to take the queen, but that'd just be cruel
But that is not in the corner

l
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rain on my parade, why don't you 🙂

AThousandYoung
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Originally posted by loaf86
actually, i found a position where it is forced [fen]8/8/8/4n3/8/6n1/5K2/2k1q3 w - - 0 1 wKf2/bKc1,Qe1,Ne5,g3[/fen]

of course, white doesn't have to take the queen, but that'd just be cruel
1. Kxe1 Nf3+ 2. Kf2

cg
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Originally posted by AThousandYoung
1. Kxe1 Nf3+ 2. Kf2
1.Kxe1 Nd3#

R
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No,there is no such thing as a forced checkmate with only 2 Knights for one player on board,unless it is a special set up position,but if both players can select their own squares for their own pieces,then there is no forced checkmate.--------------😉

S
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Originally posted by RECUVIC
No,there is no such thing as a forced checkmate with only 2 Knights for one player on board,unless it is a special set up position,but if both players can select their own squares for their own pieces,then there is no forced checkmate.--------------😉
Hmm...so if I can place my own pieces, can I always draw with K+P vs. K+Q, provided that you have to place your pieces first?

And K+P vs. K is always a win; if I place first, +wKe6 +wPe7 wins, and if you place first, I will put my pawn far away from your King.

Edit: I suppose it also depends on whose move it is...

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