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Key squares: the attacking king on any of them wins
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The idea
The pawn queens if your king reaches a key square in front of it; the opposition (kings facing with one square between, the other side to move) is how a king gets past.
Three gates in front of the pawn: get your king through any one of them.
- Lead with the king, not the pawn: the pawn is safe behind its king.
- Aim the king at the key squares: two ranks ahead of a pawn on its first half of the board, one rank ahead once it has crossed it.
- Take the opposition: put your king opposite the enemy king with one square between, when it is their move.
- From the opposition, step sideways past the king to a key square (an outflanking move).
- Once your king holds a key square, push the pawn: it cannot be stopped.
Press Next (or →) to watch the technique, move by move. Your side starts.
Every verdict comes from the Lichess tablebase (exact for seven pieces or fewer).