King and Pawn vs King

Why This Endgame Matters

• It's one of the most fundamental endgames.
• King and Pawn vs King can be winning if you know the right technique.
• Its often easy to trade down from a more complex position to a King and Pawn vs King endgame. So knowing if it's winning is crucial for correct decision making.
• The same principles appear in more complicated endgames with several pawns.

Key Concepts

• The opposition is key to be able to move your King forward.
• Once the opposition is gained, outflank the opponent to gain key squares.
• King in front of the pawn: The King's place is in front of the pawn, trying to gain the opposition
• Reserve pawn moves: Using a pawn move can give your King the opposition.

Interactive Chess Board

King and Pawn vs King

8/5k2/8/4K3/5P2/8/8/8 w - - 0 1

{White needs to win the opposition} 1. Kf5 { White is winning getting the opposition, now black will have to move away and let the white King in. } 1... Ke7 { The black King is forced to sidestep. } 2. Kg6 { White is outflanking. } 2... Kf8 3. Kf6 { White is regaining the opposition. } 3... Ke8 { [%cal Gf6g7] } 4. Kg7 { White is outflanking the black King again and this time he controls the promotion square f8. } 4... Ke7 { Now the white pawn has a free passage to the promotion square. } 5. f5 Ke8 { The pawn is supported all the way and can't be stopped any more. } 6. f6 Kd7 7. f7 Ke7 8. f8=Q+ { The pawn has reached the last rank and is promoted to a Queen. } *

Interactive Chess Board

King and Pawn vs King

8/8/3k4/8/3K4/8/3P4/8 w - - 0 1

{ The Kings are facing each other, but its white's turn to move. },1. d3 { Whit moves the pawn and its black's turn to move. White has the opposition. } 1... Ke6 { Black has to sidestep. } 2. Kc5 { White outflanks black } 2... Kd7 3. Kd5 { White gains the opposition again. } 3... Kc7 4. Ke6 Kd8 { Black moves back to the promotion square. } 5. d4 { White could also have played his King to d6 and it would also be winning, since he has several spare tempos to gain the opposition and outflank his opponent. } 5... Kc7 6. d5 Kd8 7. Kd6 { The only correct and winning move is Kd6. Moving the pawn to d6 would be an error as there would not be a way to outflank the black King any more. White now has the opposition again. } 7... Ke8 { Black has to sidestep. } 8. Kc7 { White outflanks and controls the promotion square. Its now free sailing for the white pawn. } 8... Ke7 9. d6+ Ke8 10. d7+ Ke7 11. d8=Q+ { White promotes and the King and Queen endgame is an easy win for white. } *

Practice Positions

Pawn promotion

Find the right plan.

4k3/8/8/8/8/8/2KP4/8 w - - 0 1

Practice Positions

King and Pawn vs King

How can white queen the pawn?

4k3/8/8/4PK2/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1

Practice Positions

Pawn promotion

Secure the path of the pawn.

3k4/8/8/8/4K3/3P4/8/8 w - - 0 1

Common Mistakes

• Pushing the pawn too early instead of improving the king first.
• Allowing the defending king to stand directly in front of the pawn.
• Moving the king beside the pawn instead of in front of it.
• Trading into a king-and-pawn ending without checking whether it is actually won.

Quiz

FAQ