Doubled Pawns vs King: The Reserve Tempo
White to play and win
PlayTwo pawns on the same file still beat a lone king, and the method is the one you already know: the king leads, and the spare pawn is a reserve tempo. Keep that extra pawn in hand until a standoff forces you to spend it.
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Doubled Pawns Against a Bare King
White to play and win · Win against perfect defense
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The theory
Doubled pawns are weak, but against a lone king they still win, and they win exactly like a single pawn plus a free tempo.
King first, pawn second. Lead with the king, get it in front of the pawns, and take the opposition on the sixth rank. This is the same winning formation as king and one pawn versus king.
The rear pawn is your reserve tempo. In a single-pawn ending you can lose the fight for the opposition because you have no waiting move. Here you do: at the critical moment you advance a pawn one square and put the defender in zugzwang. Two exceptions spoil it: rook pawns only draw, and a rear pawn already stuck on the fifth rank gives you no tempo to spend.
In this drill the defender will try to hold the opposition. Bring the king up, and when you need a spare move, let the doubled pawn provide it.
Keep going
Inside the Square and Still Too Slow
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Stop the Runner First, Then Queen
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Mined Squares: c4 and b6
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All 68 king & pawn positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)