King activity means using the king as a fighting piece once the queens are off and mating attacks are over. In the endgame an active king often decides the game.
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In the middlegame the king hides. In the endgame there are too few pieces left to mate it, and the side whose king reaches the pawns first usually wins them.
How to do it
- 1When the queens come off, walk your king towards the centre.
- 2Head for the weakest enemy pawns, or the squares in front of your own passed pawn.
- 3Use the king to attack pawns, so your other pieces are free.
For your level
When the queens go, bring your king out. Walk it to the middle. Now your king can fight.
Check you have it
Pitch it for:
Question 1 of 1
Play the moves through and count. How much material has the attacker won?
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Common mistakes
- Leaving the king on the back rank long after the danger has gone.
- Marching the king towards a pawn the opponent can defend, instead of towards the centre.
Questions
- When is it safe to bring the king forward?
- When the opponent no longer has the pieces for a mating attack, usually once the queens are off. If a check would drive it back, improve another piece first.