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The idea
Against a centre or knight's pawn on the seventh, check the king into the queening square to block the pawn, gain a move, bring your king one step closer, and repeat.
Every time the king blocks its own pawn, your king takes a step.
- Check or pin until the defending king has to stand in front of its own pawn.
- That is the free move: bring your king one step closer.
- Repeat until your king is close enough to help take the pawn or mate.
- Against a rook's or bishop's pawn, stalemate tricks often save the defender: then your king must already be near.
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).