Take a look at this position. It occurred in a game between the Nigel Short and the world class player Jan Timman. It was an Alekhine, and Short had gained a clear advantage, with an ominous kingside attack. But how could he finish Black off? Take a moment to look at the above position (with White to move) and try to find a clear win.
Nigel found it. And here is what he came up with: the 26-year-old English player decided it was best to mobilize his king, march it up to h6 and then finish Black off with Qg7 mate.
It is really compelling: today computer programs confirm that it is at least a forcing mate in 32 (after many desperate moves by Black). You can switch on the engine in the replayer above and try to defend for Black. Nigel's king walk made this one of the most famous mating attacks in recent times.
So let us look at a couple of spectacular king walks.
In the first position, Huber Lemke, you should guess how, and especially where, White mated the black king. In the second, which came in the middle of a combination the Paul Morphy played against an amateur (in a rook odds game). Here he too took the black king on a long walk. In both diagrams you can start an engine to help in your analysis. The solutions are given in the replay board below.
Finally you should try to win the third position all by yourself – the diagram will defend. Please try it before you peek.
Note that in the last game, Edward Lasker could have mated two moves sooner, with the line ending 16.0-0#. But he preferred 18.0-0-0#. Both lines are completely forced, but the one he chose was the most spectacular.