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King Hunt: The "Fatal Attraction"
A king hunt is an aggressive attack that forces the enemy king into the open. This page explains common king hunt patterns.
The Concept: A King Hunt occurs when the King is forced out of safety and into a "Royal Walkabout." Through a series of forced checks and sacrifices, the King is dragged across the board to be mated in the open.
1. The Most Famous Hunt
Edward Lasker vs. Sir George Thomas (1912)
The Spark: 1. Qxh7+!
White sacrifices the Queen to drag the King out. The King is forced on a journey from g8 to g1.
1.Qxh7+ Kxh7 2.Nxf6+ Kh6 3.Neg4+ Kg5 4.h4+ Kf4 5.g3+ Kf3 6.Be2+ Kg2 7.Rh2+ Kg1 8.Kd2#
White sacrifices the Queen to drag the King out. The King is forced on a journey from g8 to g1.
1.Qxh7+ Kxh7 2.Nxf6+ Kh6 3.Neg4+ Kg5 4.h4+ Kf4 5.g3+ Kf3 6.Be2+ Kg2 7.Rh2+ Kg1 8.Kd2#
2. The Long Walk
Norwood vs. Marsh
The Sequence: A brutal 9-move hunt.
White sacrifices the Queen on c6 to start a journey that ends with the Black King on the opposite side of the board.
1.Qxc6+! Kxc6 2.Nxd4+ Kb6 3.Rb1+ Ka6 4.Bb7+ Ka5 5.Bd2+ Ka4 6.Bc6+ Kxa3 7.Bc1+ Ka2 8.Rb2+ Ka1 9.Nc2#
White sacrifices the Queen on c6 to start a journey that ends with the Black King on the opposite side of the board.
1.Qxc6+! Kxc6 2.Nxd4+ Kb6 3.Rb1+ Ka6 4.Bb7+ Ka5 5.Bd2+ Ka4 6.Bc6+ Kxa3 7.Bc1+ Ka2 8.Rb2+ Ka1 9.Nc2#
3. Mini King-Hunt
Popov vs. Ryumin
The Pattern: 1...Rxf3!
Black destroys White's pawn shield. After White recaptures, the King is pulled into the center and finished by a Knight.
1...Rxf3 2.Bxf3 Qxf3+ 3.Kxf3 Nxd4+ 4.Kg4 Bc8+ 5.Kh4 Nf3#
Black destroys White's pawn shield. After White recaptures, the King is pulled into the center and finished by a Knight.
1...Rxf3 2.Bxf3 Qxf3+ 3.Kxf3 Nxd4+ 4.Kg4 Bc8+ 5.Kh4 Nf3#