Hold the Draw: Face the King
EndgamePawn EndgamesGoal: draw
The position
| ♙ | ♔ | ||||||
| ♚ | |||||||
Black to move and hold the draw. A draw is a good result here, and knowing the defensive method saves half points.
The idea
The second way to take the opposition is to step forward and face the enemy king. When the attacking king has moved and the kings are not yet facing each other, you can step towards him so that one square is between you and he has to give way.
How to do it
- Check the gap between the two kings, and whose turn it will be.
- Step forward so that the kings face each other with one square between them, with the attacker to move.
- The attacker must now move his king away or push the pawn. Neither helps him if you keep the opposition.
- Keep your king in front of the pawn all the time.
Common mistakes
- Stepping to a square that leaves a gap of two squares, which gives the opposition away.
- Moving off the pawn's file for no reason.
- Forgetting to count whose move it is.
Remember
If the kings are not facing each other, step towards him so that they are, with him to move.