Learn · lesson 2 of 8 · Pawn endgames
Rule of the square
If the king is inside the pawn's square it catches it. Otherwise the pawn runs through.
White to move: White wins Black to move: Draw
Starting position. “Next” plays it move by move.
Pawn endgames · Pawn endgame
The position and its key
If the king is inside the pawn's square it catches it. Otherwise the pawn runs through.
The verdict
White to move: White wins Black to move: Draw
The key
1.b6
Rule of the square
How to recognize it
- A passed pawn, no king near it
- Picture a square from the pawn to its queening rank
- If the king can step into the square with its move, it catches the pawn
- From its starting square the pawn may move two squares: there the square starts one rank further up
Rule of the square
In our databases
Games in which exactly this kind of position stood on the board – recognized by material and the places of the pieces, each confirmed by the tablebase. Counted from the stronger side's view.
Often comes from these openings
A45 Indian Defense 3 C77 Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense 2 E61 King's Indian Defense 2 B20 Sicilian Defense 2 C10 French Defense: Paulsen Variation 2
Examples – the great players first