Queen vs Rook and Knight Pawn: Where the Defending King Stands
White to play and draw
PlayA knight pawn can hold even after it leaves the seventh rank, but the defending king must stand in the right place. With the pawn on the sixth rank, the king must stay behind it. Only when the pawn reaches the fourth or fifth rank may the king also stand in front.
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The Knight Pawn on the Sixth: The King Stays Behind It
White to play and draw · Hold the draw against perfect play
Waking the engine…
The theory
A knight pawn keeps drawing even after it leaves its starting square, provided the defence is set up correctly.
The king rule. With the pawn on the SIXTH rank, the defending king must stay BEHIND it. If the pawn has advanced to the fourth or fifth rank, the king may also stand in front of it.
The count. The b6 pawn protects a5 and c5. Two protected squares for the rook, so the attacker cannot construct a zugzwang and the shuttle holds indefinitely.
In this drill you press with the queen and the honest result is a draw. Read the structure, keep the queen active, and do not walk into stalemate chasing a win that is not there.
Keep going
Why the Knight Pawn Holds and the Central Pawn Does Not
White to play and draw
Defending Rook and Knight Pawn: King in Front Is Allowed
Black to play and draw
The Extra Pawn That Loses the Draw
White to play and win
All 19 queen vs rook positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)