King and Pawn Endgame Puzzles

The endgame with only 8 pieces, white to play and win. Why is Kg8 a draw?

Kg8 is not a legal move. Did you mean Kg1? If so, 1.Kg1 Ke3. Did you mean Kg2? If so, 1.Kg2 g3. Your move for White.

Sorry, meant Kg2, after g3 i would play: b3

2.b3 Ke3 3.e5 Kxd3.

After this capture, the 7-man tablebases can be consulted. Result: Draw. If you want to see the draw, we can continue. With White's queen on e8 and Black's king on c2 and pawn on d2, how will White stop the black pawn's promotion? (The b4 pawn stops the queen from going to c3.)

Ah yes, i see, it is a draw. Also first 3. Kxg3 Kxd3 4. e5 is a draw.

Play 1. b3 g3 is also a draw.

Maybe the answer lies in 1. e5 Kxe5 2. Kg3 ? however i think it is again a draw after 2. ... Kf5

That only leaves 1. Ke2 to give the black King no room on the Queens side. 1. ... Kg3 2. e5 seems to be winning for white after both make it to Queen, trade and the white King has good position. And 1. ... g3 - 2. b3 also looks very strong. So i play 1. Ke2

1.Ke2 g3  2.b3 g2  3.Kf2 g1=Q  4.Kxg1 Ke3  5.e5 Kxd3.  Draw.

Well, I am curious. What is white's first move to win this game?

1.Kf1 Kg5.  Take it from there.

Black could also play 1. Kf3 or Ke3 or g3

I could, but I didn't. What's the winning move now for White?

It might be winning after Kg5. But is it also winning with the other moves? Otherwise the puzzle is useless....

With all due respect!

White will win sooner against the other moves.

Do you need a hint for White's second move? 2.Kg1 g3 draws. Don't let the pawn advance yet.

No hints needed before posting, i was not online, after 1. ... Kg5 2. Ke2 ?

1.Kf1 Kg5  2.Ke2 Kf4

Cannot be right, in this way g-pawn promotes first. second move better had to be Kg2 and after Kf4 white can play 3. e5 ?

3.e5 Kxe5 Black wins.  3.b3 Ke3 draw.  You're on the right track but you need a better move 3.

Past my bedtime, I'll check back tomorrow.

Half the world in time-difference, haha, .... 3. Kf2

hi