The Square of the Pawn
EndgamePawn EndgamesGoal: promote a pawn
The position
| ♙ | |||||||
| ♚ | |||||||
| ♔ |
White to move and queen a pawn. Count the squares and the moves: endgames like this are decided by a single tempo.
The idea
The square of the pawn is a quick way to see whether a lone king can catch a passed pawn. Draw an imaginary square with the pawn in one corner and the promotion square on its side. If the king can step into the square (on its move), it catches the pawn; if not, the pawn queens.
How to do it
- Count the number of squares from the pawn to the promotion square. That is the side of the square.
- Draw the square from the pawn, forward and towards the enemy king.
- If the king is inside the square, or can step into it with the move, it catches the pawn.
- If a pawn is on its starting rank, count from the third rank, since it can move two squares at once.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting that the pawn can move two squares from its starting square.
- Counting the square in the wrong direction.
- Forgetting that the side to move matters. A king one step outside the square can still get in if it is its turn.
Remember
If the king cannot reach the square, the pawn promotes.