Impossible Endgame

What are some of the smallest amount of material you could checkmate a lone king with, if you have no king yourself. I know the game can't be played without kings, but let's throw that aside temporarily. R+R can do it, but Q alone clearly can't. Anything else is much more difficult to discover.

Originally posted by ark13
What are some of the smallest amount of material you could checkmate a lone king with, if you have no king yourself. I know the game can't be played without kings, but let's throw that aside temporarily. R+R can do it, but Q alone clearly can't. Anything else is much more difficult to discover.

How abt R+N....i think that works...

Originally posted by gaurav2711
How abt R+N....i think that works...

I doubt it. Maybe R+N+N

Originally posted by ark13
What are some of the smallest amount of material you could checkmate a lone king with, if you have no king yourself.

Do you mean if the opponent plays best or just if there is a theoretical mate position?

Originally posted by ark13
I doubt it. Maybe R+N+N

try R on a7 and N on c6 with k on a8. I think thats mate.

Originally posted by crazyblue
Do you mean if the opponent plays best or just if there is a theoretical mate position?

i presume its theoretical....otherwise i think wat i am saying is almost impossible.

Sorry for the confusion. I meant if the other side plays well. I tried it out, and I think you can drive the king to the last rank, but you can't mate him.

I tried out the R+N+N and its pretty easy. How about B+N+N?

Edit: I tried B+N+N, and if there's a way, I can't find it. I'm trying B+B+N and it seems promising.

4 pawns?

Originally posted by iamatiger
4 pawns?

Yup. 3 pawns would work, but one will promote, and the rest would be taken, leaving no way to deliver mate.

But I was more focusing on endgames without pawns.