World Championship Challenger. The charismatic and founding father of Soviet Chess. From about 1883 to the end of the 19th century he was one of the strongest players in the world and twice unsuccessfully fought matches for the World Championship against Steinitz. He was a fine tactical player who made original contributions to chess theory. 

This ending is of some historical interest because it was the final game in a short match between Chigorin and Charousek (+3 -1) to decide the winner of the Budapest tournament of 1896. Both had scored 8 1/2 out of 12 points against the world's best except for Lasker and Steinitz who were busy preparing for their return match for the World Championship. After this win Chigorin was declared the overall winner of the tournament with the prize option of "Victoria" a 12kg silver cup. Perhaps understandably the cup was left behind at the Budapest Chess Club !!

White has the advantage in this ending because of the more active King and the possibility of creating a passed pawn with his more mobile pawns. Steve Mayer in his interesting book: Bishop v Knight the verdict ( Batsford 1997) indicated that he had found no evidence to support the 'myth' that Chigorin favoured the Knight over the Bishop. This ending in a high profile game would only add fuel to this 'myth'. The following line is similar to what happened in the game:

(a) Basic Endings. These are theoretical positions in which we know the correct result with optimum play by both sides. They may consist of three pawns or less and also include all the non-pawn and five piece endings which have now been extensively analysed by computer and of which we have tablebases. In the days when we had adjournments some of these endings could be looked up in text books to give us some idea how to play the position. As we no longer can do this, knowledge and memory of these endings has become important in practical play. Fundamental Chess Endings (2001) by Muller and Lamprecht and Basic Endings (1992) by Balashov and Prandstetter and the earlier A Pocket Guide to Chess Endgames (1970) by David Hooper are good introductions to these endings.

(b) Practical Endings. These occur in over-the-board play where usually more pawns are present. The above ending is an example of this type. Some of these endings are in the process of being transformed to basic endings but often they finish before this stage is reached. Endgame strategy is very different from the middlegame and has its own set of rules and exceptions. Fine's book Basic Chess Endings (1941,2003) recently revised by Pal Benko and Batsford Chess Endings (1993) by Speelman, Tisdall and Wade are about basic and practical endings and both can be recommended.

(c) Endgame Studies. These are positions which have been composed and will contain elements of one or both of the above types of endings. But there are important differences between these types and the study, such as artistic form and economy of construction. An endgame study has to follow strict rules of composition, especially if it is entered into a composing competition. One of these rules states there should only be one solution. If there is an unintended second solution then the study is unsound and said to be "cooked".