One Tempo Saves the Draw

Black to play and draw

Play

The identical position, but now it is your move as the defender. On the mid-line's edge a single tempo flips the result, and this time it is enough to hold the draw.

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One Tempo Saves the Draw

Hold the draw against perfect play

Waking the engine…

The theory

On the edge of the mid-line rule, results hinge on tempo. The position that wins with the attacker to move draws when the defender gets the move.

Spend the tempo well. With the move, the defender breaks up the escort: a check, or a king dash toward the pawn's path, before the attacker locks in.

Reach the blockade. Once the king is in front of the pawn and it has not crossed the center, correct defense holds. The extra tempo is what makes that possible.

In this drill you must find the saving move at once. Hesitate and the winning setup snaps back into place.

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