A fragment from the book by Y. Kirillov ‘Искусство защиты’. Part 64

12.08.2026

Sometimes it seems that the position is already ‘impossible to save’, after a while you will have to give up, but there is the only plan that still leads to a cherished draw.

The art of defense in the draughts game is certainly one of the indicators of the player’s skill. We express our gratitude to Yuri Kirillov for the book of paradoxically drawish positions ‘Искусство защиты’. Perhaps in this book you will find the game that was ‘not saved’.


	Diagram No. 321 In a bad position white found a simple draw! 1.CD6 (the only move) EC5 2.BD6 FG3 3.DC7! BD6 4.EF2! Draw! Everything is easy, but, if it ought to be done in a limited time?

	Diagram No. 322 (black to move) White pieces are in the centre! However, after 1… AB4!! (the only move) 2.CA5 DE7 3.AB4 GF6! 4.FE5 FB6 5.AC7 ED6! 6.CE5 GF4 they agreed on a draw.

	Diagram No. 323 (black to move) Black pieces are in the centre, but they have a flank tied up. 1… AB6 2.BC3 BC5!! 3.CB4 EF4!! 4.BD6 FD2 5.EC3 EC5 6.GE7 FD6 7.HF8 DE5 8.FB4 AC5 9.HG5 CD4!! Draw. Centre still is the centre!

	Diagram No. 324 White have a bad position, just one piece is playing, bu the main purpose – a draw – will be achieved! 1.FG5 EF6!! /the best move/ (After 1… HG7 2.CD4! Draw.) 2.GE7 DF6 3.HG5!! FH4 4.CD4 CE3 5.DF4 AB4 6.AC5 BD4 7.BC3 DB2 8.CA3 AB6 9.AB4 HG7 10.FE5 HG3 11.ED6! Draw.

	Diagram No. 325 (black to move) Black pieces are well positioned. The only weakness – their flank is tied up. 1… CD6 2.EF2 DC7 3.FG3 CB4 4.AB6!! (the only move) CA5 5.CD4 EE1 6.GC7!! Draw.