King and pawn vs king
The most important endgame every beginner must know: can your pawn promote?
When the board empties down to a king and one pawn versus a lone king, the result depends on one thing: can the attacking king get in front of its pawn and push the defending king back?
The winning method is to march your king ahead of the pawn, reach the sixth rank in front of it, and use the opposition to shoulder the enemy king aside. Once your king is on the sixth rank directly in front of the pawn, you win regardless of whose turn it is.
The main exception is the rook pawn (a- or h-pawn). Even with the king in front, the defending king can reach the corner and draw by stalemate. Every other pawn file is a win with correct technique.
Examples
King steps in front of the pawn
White plays Kc5, placing the king in front of and beside the pawn. The plan is to reach d6, standing directly in front of the pawn on d4. From d6, white pushes the black king back and the pawn advances to promotion.
King in front - pawn advances to promotion
With the king already on the sixth rank (d6), White pushes the pawn: e6. Black's king on f8 is being squeezed. After e6, the pawn marches to e7, e8=Q with the king in support. Once your king is on the sixth rank in front of the pawn, pushing it home is straightforward - the defending king cannot stop both the king and the pawn.
Key terms
Practice endgames from YOUR games
Free. Chess2EZ finds the endgames you keep losing and drills them with your own positions.
Practice endgames from YOUR games →Related endgames
- The oppositionFacing kings with one square between them - the key to winning pawn endgames.
- The square of the pawnA quick visual trick to decide if the enemy king can catch a passed pawn.
- Promotion techniqueGetting your pawn to the eighth rank and choosing the right piece.
- Passed pawnsPassed pawns must be pushed - they win endgames all by themselves.