Expert: Satyajit Das - 7/14/2007

Question
QUESTION: I will give you simplest example possible.  You need five pieces to set-up this problem.  White: king and rook.  Black: pawn, pawn and King.  Put White's King on d6 and rook on d7.  Put black's king on g7 and pawns on e6 and f7.  White to move.

Shouldn’t white’s king be able to capture black’s e6 pawn?  At first it seems not because that would put white’s king in check by black’s pawn on f7.  however, the f7 pawn is absolutely pinned by white’s rook.  The f7 pawn could not capture white’s king if king took the e6 pawn because that would put black’s king in check by white’s rook on d7.

What's the answer -- thank you sir.

ANSWER: Dear friend!
You have given me a very beautiful combination. Your position explaines your question aptly.
Now see, what you said in your question is correct i.e. white king can take the pawn easily, but there is a chess rule that no player can place his/her king on any given position on the board where it can be subjected to check. So legally the white king cannot take the pawn, but yes as per the situation given by you, the king can take the pawn if he wishes to.
Whether that move will be made or not now solely depends on the type of tournament being played, the rules and regulations of the tournament.
Thank You
Satyajit Das

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your answer.  But I am confused.  Legal move or not?  You say "the white king cannot take the pawn, but yes as per the situation given by you, the king can take the pawn if he wishes to."  King can take the pawn or not?

Thanks, David

Answer
NO! legally the white king cannot take the pawn.
If you are playing a fisher chess then only the king is allowed to take it. (Or if it is in the rules of the the tournament).
According to FIDE, (International chess federation), white king cannot take the pawn.
Regards
Satyajit Das