Two Simple Techniques You Need to Know - King Pawn Endgames - Calculation Part IX

When only the kings and a pawn are left, it seems like the game's outcome should be easy to predict. 

This would be the result if you were referring to two seasoned players who have studied these positions thoroughly. 

However, if either player is unprepared, a careless move can turn the tide; a certain victory can instantly be ripped from your grasp. 

A game that should have been an easy draw can turn into sudden defeat. 

From today forward, you'll never have to be in that position again. 

In this article, we'll focus on the following: 

• Simple, actionable tips to enhance your calculation 
• Techniques to ensure perfect play 
• Allowing you to practice these skills without risking your rating

The Square of The Pawn 

I'm not referring to the square that a pawn resides in, at least, not exclusively anyway. 

The square of the pawn is a fundamental technique that allows players to instantly determine if their king or an enemy king can reach a pawn before or immediately after it promotes without taking the time to count each move individually. 

Recognizing this pattern allows players to see several moves into the future and can help you determine if a series of exchanges lead to a winning king pawn endgame. 

Let's look at an example. 

White to move

If white forces an exchange of queens, it is a win.

You could count the moves to promotion and see if the king can catch up. 

Or you could instantly know this is a winning position by using the square of the pawn technique.

Because the enemy king can't make it into the square, he'll never catch up.

Let's see it in action!

If we had the same position with our queen and pawn shifted one space over, black's king could enter the square of the pawn and, therefore, catch up in time. 

If we tried the same thing, it would look like this. 

So we would try something else that probably still leads to a draw.

But it gives our opponent more opportunities to make an error.

That's all we need to know to avoid that trade and wait for better options elsewhere. 

Maintaining the Opposition to Force a Draw

Your opponent is a pawn up, and his king is protecting it. 

They're charting a course to march down the battlefield toward promotion and victory! 

Can you hold them to a draw without making a wrong move or using a hint? 

The trick to drawing in this position is straightforward but not inherently intuitive.

Any time your opponent Is behind their pawn (assuming you can't just take the pawn for free), you must stay on one of the two spaces directly in front of the pawn. 

When they move beside the pawn, you move your king directly in front of their king to "maintain the opposition."

If you use this technique, your opponent can't gain the opposition, get their king in front of their pawn, or get a promotion. 

Ultimately, you will take your pawn, or they'll leave your king nowhere to run, and it will be a stalemate!

If you struggled with the puzzle the first time, try it again using the techniques we discussed.

If you notice a difference in results, please leave a comment below! It's always great to see these articles making a difference!  

To respect your time, we'll look at how you can win king pawn endgames and go deeper into maintaining the opposition in the following article of the series on calculation.

Test Your Skills - Review

Do you have what it takes to checkmate with a knight and bishop?

Find out without risking your rating below!

NOTE - Puzzles only allow me to insert one possible variation. Pull the bishop back to the farthest edge whenever you waste a tempo. Also, move nine will be bishop to d5.

Good Luck!