When the Defending King Arrives in Time
White to play and draw
PlayHere the extra pawn is short of the mid-line and the enemy king is close enough to reach the queening path. When the defender arrives in time, the mid-line rule holds and it is only a draw.
No signup needed. The opponent never gives up, and every mistake gets explained.
When the Defending King Arrives in Time
Hold the draw against perfect play
Waking the engine…
The theory
The mid-line rule turns on a race: can the defending king reach the pawn's path in time? When it can, the extra pawn short of the center only draws.
King in time. With the enemy king close to the queening path and the pawn short of the mid-line, the blockade forms and cannot be broken.
Conflicting tasks. You cannot both escort the pawn and hide your king from the active enemy rook while the defending king holds the front. Progress stalls.
In this drill you hold the stronger side to a draw. The skill is recognizing when the defense has done enough.