Peregrination of the king. Improving own position

Strategy - the magical side of chess

Peregrination of the king

Peregrination – a journey, especially a long or meandering one. The king usually becomes an active piece only in the last stage of a game. If the king becomes active earlier, typically it is caused by the danger of getting
checkmated. Situations where the king helps other pieces happen rarely.

Macieja Bartlomiej - Carlsen Magnus
Drammen (Norway) 2005
https://lichess.org/study/XiGLMJhl/GIv5mp4e#0
White to move

To convert the advantage, White needs to sneak with the king to the opponent’s camp. That’s why he plays: 1.Kb3, starting the march. After 1...Be7 2.Qe3 Bf8 3.Ka4, the king has created the first threats.

Ciszek Mieczyslaw - Sapis Witalis
Swiebodzin (Poland) 1983
https://lichess.org/study/XiGLMJhl/g0ioSdcJ#1
Black to move

White has set a stable, although a passive position, and intends to defend it. In order to break though, Black needs to engage the king and bring him all the way to b4. After 1...Kf6 2.Kg3 Ke7 3.Kg2 Kd6 4.Kf1 Kc5 5.Qe1 Qxe1+ 6.Kxe1
Kb4 7.Bc2 d3, Black easily won.

("Chess Strategy Explained"-Bartłomiej Macieja Witalis Sapis- Sawit 2021)

"These strategic manuals by two experienced trainers are a must for any instructor! I recommend using them for students with USCF ratings ranging from 1300 to 2500. I have read many instructional books since my junior years but never have I come across such an easy-to-digest way of presenting examples—only a few moves with simple, clear verbal explanations of the ideas from the players themselves! The examples used vary in level of difficulty and going through all of them will only solidify one’s strategic understanding. The exercise chapters (Chapter 3 for Vol 1 and Chapter 7 for Vol 2) add more instructive value as it can be used either as in-class group exercises or individual homework. Any club leader, camp instructor or chess coach will be able to find the topical chapters useful when preparing for their regular lessons. And I won’t be surprised if they improve their strategic intuition as well in the process!”

GM Julio Sadorra
Coach of University of Texas Dallas Chess Team