Three Connected Passed Pawns: Reciprocal Zugzwang
White to play and win
PlayThree connected passed pawns are usually too much for a king. Here they are not, because Black has no spare move: his king is tied to g8. When neither side has a spare move, the side that has to move gives way, so make sure it is Black.
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Three Connected Pawns and the One Square That Wins
White to play and win · Win against perfect defense
Waking the engine…
The theory
Watch the method: press play to see the winning idea run, or step through it move by move.
So the game is about who runs out of moves. Kb2? looks natural, but after b3 Black has the position he wants with you to move, and his pawns break through.
A king cannot normally fight three connected passed pawns, and it has no chance at all if the other side has a spare move somewhere on the board. When there are no spare moves, reciprocal zugzwang can save the day, and this is that case.
Black has no spare move. His king must stay on g8, the only square that stops both f7 and h7. Every other king square loses instantly. So Black can only push pawns, and pawn moves run out.
One square wins. Kb1 is the only move. Kb2, Kc1, Kd1 and Kd2 all lose, and so does pushing f7 or h7. After 1.Kb1! b3, the only move again is 2.Kb2!, and Black is out of resources.
Do not push the leash. Your f6 and h6 pawns are worth far more standing still than advancing: they are what freezes the black king in the first place.
In this drill the defender never stops pushing. Find Kb1 and hold the zugzwang.
Keep going
Two Passers and a King on a Leash
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Leaving the Box at the Right Moment
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Winning by Zugzwang
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All 68 king & pawn positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)