Knight vs Bishop and Pawn: Holding the Draw
White to play and draw
PlayA lone knight can hold against bishop and pawn when your king blocks the pawn. The rule: keep your king in front of the pawn, never leave the knight hanging, and give it up for the pawn as soon as you can. A bishop alone cannot mate.
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Knight Holds vs Bishop & Pawn
White to play and draw · Hold the draw against perfect play
Waking the engine…
The theory
Watch the method: press play to see the winning idea run, or step through it move by move.
Bishop and pawn usually beats a knight, but with the defending king planted on the square in front of it, the pawn never advances and the extra material is worth nothing.
The method. Your king holds the square in front of the pawn, and the knight comes alongside to block. If the bishop takes the knight, recapture with the king and keep blocking.
The safety valve. If the attacker ever wins the blockade, trade the knight for the pawn: king and bishop versus king is a draw. That resource removes all danger.
In this drill you defend with the knight. Keep the king in front of the pawn, bring the knight up beside it, and give the knight for the pawn if you are ever forced to.
Keep going
Win It by Zugzwang, Not by Pushing
White to play and win
Keep Your Knight Far: the Defender Holds
Black to play and draw
Cutting the Knight Off with the Bishop
White to play and win
All 15 bishop vs knight positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)