ChessEndings
JourneyTheoryTrainingChallengesMy gamesLeaderboard
Log inSign up
ChessEndings
Journey
TheoryStrategy
TrainingChallenges
My games
Leaderboard
Log inSign up

© 2026 ChessEndings

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play
AboutContactPrivacyTerms
Theory/The Short Diagonal

The Short Diagonal

Black's king stands right next to the pawn, and he still loses. The rule: look at the two diagonals that guard the pawn's next square. If one of them is shorter than four squares, and your king and bishop can control all of it except the square the defending bishop stands on, that bishop runs out of moves.

Play a time trial