Square of the Pawn: Practice the Rule

When a passed pawn runs and your king chases, calculating move by move under time pressure is how half-points die. The square rule answers instantly.

The rule. Imagine a square whose side runs from the pawn to its promotion square. If the defending king, with the move, can enter that square, it catches the pawn. Outside the square, the pawn queens. No calculation required.

Two traps. (1) A pawn still on its starting rank moves two squares first: draw the square as if it stood one rank further on. (2) The rule assumes an unobstructed king walk: your own pieces or checks along the way break it, so a quick sanity-check of the path never hurts.

In this drill you defend with a bare king against pawn and king. Enter the square, escort the pawn's capture, or slip into the corner fortress: your opponent gives you nothing and will punish a single step outside the geometry.