Key Squares
EndgamePawn EndgamesGoal: promote a pawn
The position
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White to move and queen a pawn. Count the squares and the moves: endgames like this are decided by a single tempo.
The idea
Key squares are the squares from which your king wins, whatever the defender does. If your king reaches a key square, the pawn will promote. Knowing them turns king-and-pawn endgames from guesswork into counting.
How to do it
- For a pawn on the fifth rank, the key squares are the three squares on the seventh rank in front of it. With a pawn on d5, those are c7, d7 and e7.
- The attacking king tries to reach a key square. The defending king tries to stop this, usually by taking the opposition.
- For a pawn further back, the key squares are two ranks in front of the pawn, so you can plan your king's route early.
- Once your king stands on a key square, the pawn can walk forward behind it.
Common mistakes
- Pushing the pawn instead of walking the king to a key square.
- Thinking the opposition matters once you already stand on a key square. It does not.
- Counting key squares for the wrong rank.
Remember
Get your king to a key square and the pawn queens.