Key Squares in King and Pawn Endgames: The Pawn on the Fifth

Watch the method: press play to see the winning idea run, or step through it move by move.

King and pawn versus king is decided by key squares: squares whose occupation by your king wins the game whoever is to move.

The rule depends on the rank. For a pawn on the second, third or fourth rank the key squares are the three squares two ranks in front of it. Once the pawn reaches the fifth rank the set doubles: for a pawn on b5 the key squares are a6, b6 and c6 as well as a7, b7 and c7. A rook pawn is the exception, because the defending king holds the corner and the ordinary key squares do not apply.

Why this one wins on the spot. Your king is already on b6, a key square. It does not matter whose move it is, and that is precisely what key square means.

King leads, pawn follows. From b6 you step to c6 or a6, the defender is driven back, and only then does the pawn move. Retreat the king to the fifth rank and you hand the key squares back.

In this drill the defender never cracks. Keep the king on the sixth rank, play Kc7 when it comes, and the pawn queens.