Minimum pieces for a checkmate
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The fact that people are STILL replying and this was four years ago...
mimimum piece is a pawn
Mar 22, 2022
0
#24
eric0022 wrote:
MARattigan wrote:
eric0022 wrote:
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DeirdreSkye is also correct. The minimum strength required to force checkmate against a lone king is a king and two minor pieces.
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Wouldn't king and two minor pieces normally be regarded as stronger than king and rook in a basic endgame, at least if the two minor pieces are not both knights?
It's difficult to ascertain if king and two minor pieces would be stronger than king and rook in an endgame involving all the relevant pieces, especially if there are no pawns left (i.e. KBN vs KR is going to be quite uncertain). But the sheer trickiness of the knight is what makes it appear difficult for the side having the rook to hold on, since the number of pitfalls is plenty
But from the simplest case of checkmating, KR vs K is easier than KBN vs K.
I was thinking of the games king and two minor pieces v king and rook.
According to https://syzygy-tables.info/ the two minor pieces usually have the edge (but that is reversed in KNN v K).
The tablebase figures can be quite surprising though, because they include all the positions where either side can immediately capture, fork, skewer or mate. For example, dealt a random position in KBB vs K, White is more likely to get draw than a win.
Mar 22, 2022
0
#25
@eric002
This is possibly even more surprising.
Try it yourself https://syzygy-tables.info/?fen=5b2/2b5/8/8/8/k7/8/2K5_b_-_-_0_1
Mar 22, 2022
0
#26
Yes I realised I'd got two same colour bishops after I posted. (Sorry haven't had my morning coffee yet - but then even the analysis board scores your position as +41).
This one's possible.
White to play and draw
Having said that it's possible to checkmate in either - just not against best play.
Anyway that also explains the 55% draw rate in KBBK. (Also why KBBKR has a lower White win rate than KBNKR).
Minimum material to deliver mate. 1: Queen+king vs lone king, proved that you can win no matter what. 2: Rook+king vs lone king, proved that you can win no matter what. 3: 2 bishops+king vs lone king (the two bishops must be on opposite colors). I am not sure can you win no matter what. 4: Bishop+knight+king vs lone king, I am not sure can you win no matter what. 5: 3 knights+king vs lone king, I am not sure can you win no matter what. 6: 2 knights+king vs 1 pawn+king, the side with 2 knights will win if that side does not take the enemy pawn, but I am not sure can you win no matter what.
14 days ago
0
#28
There are no legal endgame classifications where one side can win no matter what.
Minimum material with wins is king and pawn v. king.
2 knights+king vs 1 pawn+king, either side can win, but it's about 70% drawn or 78% drawn depending on whether you're playing FIDE basic rules or FIDE competition rules.
Not even a queen alone can checkmate a lone king.
The OP is asking for the case where "Black is left with a king only".