Expert: Chuck Kinzie - 6/29/2011

Question
Hello Chuck - in a recent game I had the opponents king on the run, I was hunting down check mate with positions covered by my queen, bishop and rook.

My question is my opponents king was in a position to take my rook (Castle) (on the diagonal - i.e was not in check to the rook) and it was my move.

I moved my King one space up to my opponents king, immediately alongside my rook, a move I figured was check mate absolutely.

My opponent believes I cannot move my King up against his king as I effectively put my king in check to his king.

I was of some opion I was the attacking player and an attacking check mate move king upon king was allowed, subject that the opponents king could not take my king as would be in check to my rook.

I am sorry I do not know the right terminology but wondering if I am moving in king on king and calling check mate is that allowed or can I not do that for fact of being in check to my opponents king?

It was bit of a mute point because my opponent could not win from his position but I would like to know if my coup de gras is allowed or dis-allowed?

thanks & regards
wayne

Answer
Hello, Wayne.  Thanks for your question.

It is against the rules for a king to directly attack another king.  In other words, you can't put your king on a square that is right next to your opponent's king.  This is based on the rule that you cannot make a move that puts your own king in check.  If it was legal to move a king right next to another king, then that person would automatically lose because on the very next turn the king that was being attacked could just capture the other king!  It wouldn't matter if the king was protected by another piece or not.

Anyway, I hope I answered your question.  Enjoy your chess!

Your chess friend, Chuck