ADetroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan Tuesday, November 30, 1971 - Page 1
Q: I read in “Chess for Beginners” by I.A. Horowitz that a checkmate can't be forced by two knights. I think I've proved differently. Who's right—G.R., Battle Creek.
A: Three time U.S. Open Chess champion Horowitz. Action Line asked Edmund Edmondson, Executive Director of the U.S. Chess Federation and chess wizard Bobby Fischer's right hand man on the tournament trail, to look over moves you described. Edmondson, who's won his share of tournaments, said you couldn't get away with it unless your opponent was sleeping—and that's not exactly a forced mate. He added that least you could get away with would be two knights and a pawn to block opposing king's escape route, but that's a “very difficult” checkmate. Players in Fischer's class don't play through to a checkmate, Edmondson said. Champs can see 10 or 12 moves ahead, concede game's outcome when an amateur would be just getting started.
