Pawn versus King
Overview
The oldest study material in chess: one pawn decides everything. The result depends less on the material than on king activity — who controls the key squares in front of the pawn and who wins the opposition.
Key squares and opposition
Every pawn has a cluster of key squares two ranks ahead. If the attacking king occupies any of them, the pawn queens regardless of whose turn it is. The defensive side fights for the opposition: standing directly opposite the attacker so that he must eventually step aside.
A model win
With the king already leading the pawn, progress is straightforward: push the pawn only as far as the key squares allow, take the opposition, and promote.
The king seizes the key squares — the black king must give way.
The defender keeps opposing for as long as he can.
Now the pawn advances, protected by its king.
Back to the e-file — the pawn keeps coming.
Onto the seventh rank, still shielded by the king.
Hitting the pawn from the front.
The escort answers: the promotion square is guarded.
Nothing left to try.
The pawn promotes — the model win is complete.
Practice positions
Play each position out against the engine from the exact spot on the board — unrated, you take the strong side. Positions marked with a goal are drills: your result is recorded on your profile. Positions marked 🔍 discovery are the opposite task: theory says they are draws — try to win the strong side and let perfect defense show you why you can't.
The key-squares position from the diagram: take control of d7/e7/f7 and promote.
🎯 Checkmate within 15 moves
♞ Drill this positionPawn on the sixth with the king in front: push carefully, avoid stalemate after promotion setups.
🎯 Checkmate within 15 moves
♞ Drill this position