Key Squares: When the Pawn Cannot Break Through
White to play and draw
PlayEvery pawn has a set of key squares. Park your king on one and the pawn queens no matter whose move it is. Here the defender guards them all, so the most you can claim is the draw.
No signup needed. The opponent never gives up, and every mistake gets explained.
Key Squares: When the Pawn Cannot Break Through
Hold the draw against perfect play
Waking the engine…
The theory
King and pawn versus king is the foundation of all endgame technique. The result hinges on a small set of squares called key squares.
Key squares. For a pawn on the fourth rank the key squares are the three squares two ranks in front of it. If your king reaches one, the pawn promotes regardless of whose turn it is.
The opposition decides access. When the kings stand a square apart and it is your move, the defender holds the opposition and can always block your route to a key square. That is exactly the drawn case shown here.
In this drill the defender plays flawlessly, so there is no swindle to hope for. Your task is to prove you understand why this one is only a draw.