The principle of two weaknesses
In short
One weakness can usually be defended. To win, create a second weakness far from the first, then switch the attack between them.
By the end you can
- Create a second weakness to overload the defence
- Switch between targets
The lesson
One weakness can usually be defended. To win, create a second weakness far from the first, then switch the attack between them. The defender’s pieces cannot cover both in time.
This principle is the heart of endgame technique: fix a weakness, tie down pieces, open a second front (often by advancing pawns on the other wing), and break through where the defence is thinnest.
Key points to remember
- One weakness is defendable, two are not
- Fix, tie down, open a second front
- Switch targets quickly
Examples
Show the solution
45. Re8+ Rxe8 46. Rh8+ Ke7 47. dxe8=Q+
Homework
Five endings from games; write where the second weakness came from.
More strategy lessons
- Reading a position: the imbalances (Class D)
- Good and bad pieces (Class D)
- Outposts and open files (Class D)
- The isolated queen’s pawn (IQP) (Class C)
- Carlsbad structure and the minority attack (Class C)
- Hanging pawns and pawn breaks (Class C)