Lesson 8: Fortress Positions

A fortress position is a position where the weaker side can avoid loss by passive play. Importantly, there are several fortress positions where, say, Black can draw even though Black is down a piece or more. In this lesson, Grandmaster Smirin will explain several useful fortress positions.

Position 1: Q+P versus R+P

White (to move): Kg3, Qf5, h5.
Black: Kg7, Re6, f7.

Position 2: B+P versus P

White (to move): Kd5, Bd6, b6.
Black: Kc8, b7.

Position 3: R+P versus B

White (to move): Kd5, Rh7, c6.
Black: Kc8, Bg3.

Position 4: Q versus N+B

White (to move): Kd4, Qd8, .
Black: Ka7, Nd5, Bb7.

Position 5: A. Petrosian-Hazai

White: Kb3, Qd2, Na4, a3, b5, c4, d5, e4, f3, g2, h3.
Black (to move): Kc8, Qa7, Bg3, a5, c7, c5, d6, e5, f4, g5, h5.

Position 6: Sokolov-Jusupov (Riga, 1986)

White (to move): Kg1, Ra1, Nb4, Bd3, Be3, d4, f2, g3, g2.
Black: Kg8, Re8, Bb6, Nc3, Ng4, g7, h6.

Position 7: Keres-Portish (Moscow, 1967)

White: Kg1, Rc1, Rd1, Ng3, Nf3, a3, b2, c3, e4, f2, h2.
Black (to move): Kg8, Ra5, Re6, Nf6, Bf8, a4, b5, c6, e5, f7, g7, h6.