Puzzles XXIV

Knight and pawn versus king

In such endings, if you fail to take the pawn, then the weaker side loses.

The exception is situations where the king of the stronger side cannot approach its pawn due to stalemate threats.

Positions are tied. On 1. Ka6 or 1. Kb6 there will be a stalemate. And if you move with a knight, you will lose a pawn.

In next example, by interacting the knight with the king, White easily queens the pawn.

It happens that the king of the strongest side is far away from a pawn. In this case, you have to protect it with a knight.

When defending a passed pawn, it is best to keep the knight behind the pawn.

The next position must be remembered. When White moves - win,

if Black moves - draw.

In such positions the following rule applies: The weakest side achieves a draw if, with its own move, the king can occupy a square of the same color as field on which the knight stands.

Now test Your might:

1. Black to move. Win

2. White to move. Win

3. White to move. Draw

4. White to move. Draw

5. Black to move. Win

6. Black to move. Win

7. White to move. Draw

8. White to move. Win