Endgame question

In this endgame, there is only one move that wins for white, everything else draws. The move is Kc2. My question is how do you find that move, without being a human computer? Is there a simple method to see it instantly?

I don't think there's a trick to seeing stuff like this instantly... other than to solve puzzles like this, and the pattern gets ingrained into you brain. I have to imagine, for example, every talented 10 year old master would fail to see this solution quickly... provided they hadn't see something similar before.

I can only answer how it makes sense afterwards, and how you might use that to help you in future positions.

For example, what's your win condition (and what's black's draw condition) in this position? Well to win your king escorts the pawn, and to draw black's king keeps your king behind your pawn (or just in front of it if black has the opposition).

And after understanding that, the only trick is to realize that, for example, the path c2-b3-a4-b5-c6 is exactly the same length as e2-f3-e4-d5-c6. In fact any path inside of that diamond shape is the same length, provided you always advance 1 rank forward... seriously, try it. Try to NOT reach c6 in 5 moves while moving 1 rank forward and not crossing out of those bounds

So the question becomes, with all the many equally fast paths to your win condition, how to minimize black's draw condition? And now it makes intuitive sense to advance while simultaneously adding files between the kings.

(By the way, of course I was using c6 as a convenient point. c6 is not some magical key square for this particular position. The point is there are very many equally long paths between 2 points.)

Take for example positions like this (below) and pretend it's an endgame and white needs to bring the king out.

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Sometimes you'll see a GM bring the king out Kg2-f3-etc and sometimes you'll see Kf1-e2-etc

What's the difference? Well now you probably understand that diagonal moves advance you in 2 ways at once (along a rank and a file). Starting with 1.Kg2 is giving preference to advancing more ranks up the board. Starting with 1.Kf1 is giving preference to advancing across more files.

The line is from g1 to a7. If your target square is above that line (for example c6) then you should start with Kg2. If your target is below, then start with Kf1. If your target is on that diagonal, then either way is equally fast.

 Nice explanation. Thanks.

Well there are a lot of wacky endgames like that. I think mastering the simple ones first is key to endgame mastery (i have been teaching endgames over 3 years to my students and we concluded that patterns recognition from basic endgame positions is a key element in solving more difficult endgames).

Hi.

The key squares for the c3-pawn are b5, c5 and d5 (always remember this pattern: two files ahead of the pawn). That is, if the White king reaches one of those three squares, then White wins.

You have to attack the key square that is farthest from the Black king. In this case, go after b5.

If the White king reaches b4, then the only way for Black to draw is to put the king on b6... but in this case it is impossible: Black is missing one crucial tempo.

Greetings.

This was a great explanation, makes sense and is easy to grasp, thank you! It is about being able to reach a key square without letting black take the opposition in front of the pawn. This was the info i was missing.

In case the position is more complex, is there a way to figure out where the key squares are or is it something that you have to memorize?

Don´t know if you have a membership that allows you to see Videos but in this one

https://www.chess.com/video/player/mastering-king-and-pawn-endgames-tips-and-tricks

Anna explaines it VERY well and very understandable. Just follow the T.....

Maybe there is no formula, but you have to know by heart one thing! In such a constellation you have to have your king two rows in front of your pawn. There are always three target fields. If you reach one of them, you will be able to promote the pawn.

There are several ways to go there, BUT if you try d2-d3-d4-d5 the black king will be in time to stop you (the king needs only 2 moves to come to d6 und you will never reach one of these squares. But if you go to c2 and then b3 the black king will be on d6 and is unable to stop you from going to b5. Thanks Anna Rudolf I know this now.

@NervesofButter: Yeah, if one knows the secret of the three fields, he/she will never forget it. And the rest is....... counting (what´s the quickest way to this important fields of the battle).

I love this memory aids. Like the magic square. A help to know if the pawn is fast enough to reach the promotion field.

If your memory is good, this technique is called "The Underpass."  You can find a discussion in Pandolfini's Endgame Course, Endgames 66 and 69.  It's basically getting your king to the outside critical square.  So all that you have to remember is get your king to the outside critical square quickly.

Learning endgames and tactics are what will have the most bang for your buck in skill level. Jeremy Silmans Endgame Course is one I've made it to 250 pages deep and only talks about 1800 level games at this point. So you can see the course is very extensive. I've under read it, but I've won just as many games in these types of positions because of reading this book. I've picked it up again lately, hoping to reach 2000 level. 

Sometimes you just have to memorize something and sometimes you have to calculate the games in your head. Sometimes you gotta just do both. When learning something new you can also try try make a metaphor or saying. For example, in this opening keeping the kings on opposite colors when your turn is the key to winning the game. The concept is called "opposition".

Yes i really believe learning endgames is on of the best ways to improve as a chess player! That is why i teach endgames extensively to my students throughout my coaching carrier

Hi.

With some study and practice, you will memorize the simple cases, even if you are not trying.

The most complex cases seldom occur in practice. And even grandmasters blunder in them, especially if they are low on time.

The most complete exposition I have seen about key squares and corresponding squares is by Maizelis and Averbakh, in "pawn endings", from the "comprehensive chess endings" series. But that is not for beginners, not even for intermediate players. I must admit it, for the difficult positions I have no chance of making the good moves for the correct reasons in a practical game (but of course, there is a positive probability of me making a good move, or even a very good move, without being aware of all its consequences... but that happens also in the middlegame and the opening, not only in pawn endings... and not only me, I think we all make some good moves for the wrong reasons).

Greetings.

I'm a little disappointed... the key square stuff is indeed beginner level stuff. I wanted to talk about something a little more interesting.

At the same time I realize that not answering the question at the OP's level can only be my fault.

The ending in this thread is in almost every endgame book. A version of it is the third diagram in Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual. I vaguely recall seeing it in something hundreds of years ago. 

You need to understand key squares or opposition and outflanking. Johann Berger discusses opposition in Theorie und Praxis der Endspiele (1890), the first systematic work on the endgame. But the concept had to be understood to solve this exercise that dates to before 1450 (i.e. when bishops still moved two squares and jumped over the square between).

White to mate in 12 or less. The rook may only move once.