Bishop and Locked Knight Pawns: Holding the Draw
Black to play and draw
PlayWhite has an extra bishop, but his g6 pawn is blocked by yours on g7, a dark square his light-squared bishop can never attack. Only his king could win your pawn. The rule: keep his king out of f7, by keeping yours on a square that touches it.
New to this ending? Learn the method first: The Wrong Bishop
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Locked Knight Pawns: the Defender Holds
Black 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.
White just made a waiting move with Bc4, and now one king move loses. Kd8 would let his king in: Kf7, then Kxg7, and the pawn is free.
A bishop and pawn win most endings, but a pawn blocked head-on by an enemy pawn changes everything when the blocker stands on the other colour.
The lock. White's g6 pawn cannot move, and your g7 pawn stands on a dark square his light-squared bishop can never attack.
The only danger. White's king could win your pawn from f7. Keep your king on a square that touches f7, so his king can never get there.
In this drill you defend. One careless king move lets his king in, and the right ones end in stalemate.
Keep going
Blocked Rook Pawns: the Defender Holds
Black to play and draw
King Behind King
Black to play and draw
The Position Janowsky Resigned
Black to play and draw
All 24 bishop endgames positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)