Exercise 7.1Find the move
White to move
White to move and win.
7
Endgame Essentials · Kapilash Chess Academy
Queen against Pawn
When the pawn reaches the seventh rank
In this lesson you will learn
- How the queen stops a pawn on the seventh rank
- The staircase method: checks and pins to gain time
- Why rook and bishop pawns can draw by stalemate
- When the attacking king is close enough to win anyway
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.
7.1 The Method
A queen beats a pawn on the seventh rank when the pawn is on the b-, d-, e- or g-file. The queen comes closer with checks and pins until it forces the enemy king onto the queening square, in front of its own pawn. That gives White one free move to bring the king one step closer. Repeat until the king arrives and wins the pawn.
Diagram 7.1White to move
Example 7.1 · Queen against a centre pawn
Black threatens ...c1=Q. White's king is close enough to help.
The queen first stops the pawn, then the white king joins in. Black's best try is the under-promotion ...c1=♘+, but the knight is soon lost. With the king near, even a c-pawn loses.
7.2 The Stalemate Defence
With a rook pawn (a or h) or a bishop pawn (c or f) on the seventh rank, the defending king has a trick. Against a bishop pawn, the king goes into the corner: if the queen takes the pawn, it is stalemate. Against a rook pawn, the king in the corner is stalemated as soon as the queen comes close. Unless the attacking king is already near, these positions are drawn.
Diagram 7.2White to move
Example 7.2 · The stalemate defence
The c-pawn is on the seventh rank and the white king is far away.
After 4.♕b3+ ♔a1! White cannot make progress: 5.♕xc2 is stalemate, and there is no time to bring the white king. Recognise these positions in advance: the result depends on the file of the pawn and on how close the attacking king is.
Diagram 7.3White to move
Example 7.3 · The king is close enough
A bishop pawn on the seventh rank, but this time the white king is near the action.
1.♕c1+ stops the pawn, and while Black's king guards it, the white king walks in. The stalemate defence only works when the attacking king is too far away to help.
RememberRook and bishop pawns on the seventh rank usually draw against a lone queen; centre and knight pawns usually lose. The attacking king's distance can change this.
Remember
- The queen comes closer with checks and pins.
- Force the king in front of its pawn, then bring your own king one step.
- Rook and bishop pawns on the seventh: watch for stalemate.
- A nearby attacking king can still win against rook and bishop pawns.
Exercises · Lesson 7
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 7.2Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 7.3Find the move
White to move
White to move and win.
Exercise 7.4Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 7.5Find the move
White to move
White to move and win.
Exercise 7.6Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 7.7Find the move
White to move
White to move and win.
Exercise 7.8Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 7.9Find the move
White to move
White to move and win.
Exercise 7.10Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 7.11Find the move
White to move
White to move and win.
Exercise 7.12Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.