Exercise 4.1Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
4
Endgame Essentials · Kapilash Chess Academy
How to Defend Pawn Endings
Saving K+P vs K
In this lesson you will learn
- Where the defending king belongs: in front of the pawn
- Taking the opposition at the right moment
- Attacking the pawn when it is left alone
- Why stepping back the wrong way loses
Every board on this page is live. Move the pieces by tapping or dragging, click any move in the lines to see that position, and press ↺ to start again.
4.1 The Defender's Plan
In King and Pawn against King, the defender has a simple plan: put the king directly in front of the pawn, and keep the opposition whenever the attacking king comes close. If the pawn is left without its king, attack it.
Diagram 4.1Black to move
Example 4.1 · Taking the opposition
White's king is beside its pawn. If White's king reaches d6, e6 or f6, White wins. Black to move.
1...♔e6! puts the king in front of the pawn and takes the opposition. Now the white king cannot reach a key square. When the pawn advances, the black king goes straight back, and when the white king comes forward, Black takes the opposition again. In the end White can only give stalemate.
Diagram 4.2Black to move
Example 4.2 · Go for the pawn
White's king is far from its pawn. Black does not need to think about the opposition.
1...♔f5! attacks the pawn, and the white king is too far away to protect it. Before you start an opposition battle, check whether you can simply win the pawn.
Diagram 4.3Black to move
Example 4.3 · Straight back
White's king and pawn are still far back. Black's king must get in front of the pawn early.
The black king heads for the squares in front of the g-pawn. Against a pawn on the third rank, the defender has plenty of time — as long as the king goes to the front, not the side.
WarningWhen the pawn advances to the sixth rank with check, the defending king must go straight back to the eighth rank, directly in front of the pawn. Stepping to the side lets the attacking king take the key squares.
Remember
- The defending king belongs directly in front of the pawn.
- Take the opposition when the attacking king comes close.
- If the pawn is left alone, attack it.
- When the pawn gives check, go straight back.
Exercises · Lesson 4
Every exercise has been checked with a chess engine: exactly one move keeps the best result. Find it and play it on the board.
Exercise 4.2Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.3Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.4Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.5Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.6Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.7Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.8Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.9Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.10Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.11Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.12Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.