Passed pawns
Passed pawns must be pushed - they win endgames all by themselves.
A passed pawn is a pawn with no enemy pawns able to block or capture it on its way to promotion. In the endgame, passed pawns are the most dangerous objects on the board.
The classic principle is 'passed pawns must be pushed.' Every move the passed pawn advances, the opponent must deal with the promotion threat. This ties down enemy pieces to stopping the pawn while your pieces remain free.
Passed pawns are even stronger when they are connected (two passed pawns side by side), or protected (supported by another pawn). An outside passed pawn on the opposite wing from the main action is particularly powerful because it drags the enemy king away from where it is needed.
Examples
Outside passed pawn drags the enemy king
White has an outside passed pawn on b5. By advancing b6, White creates a passer that Black's king must chase across the board. While Black runs to stop it, White's king is free to attack on the kingside. This 'decoy' technique wins material on the other wing. Outside passers often decide king-and-pawn endings.
Connected passed pawns are unstoppable
Two connected passed pawns on c5 and d5 advance together. The Black king can only stop one of them. White pushes c6 - if Black's king moves to take c6, White plays d6 and the other pawn queens. Two connected passers supported by a king are nearly always decisive.
Key terms
Practice endgames from YOUR games
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Practice endgames from YOUR games →Related endgames
- King and pawn vs kingThe most important endgame every beginner must know: can your pawn promote?
- 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.
- Rook and pawn endgamesThe most common endgame in chess - understand the key positions to save half-points.