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The square of the pawn
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The idea
Draw a square from the pawn to its queening rank: if your king can step into it, it catches the pawn. One file further away and it is too late.
A square on the board that grows smaller as the pawn runs.
- Picture the square: from the pawn to the promotion square, and as wide as it is long.
- If your king can step into the square on its move, it catches the pawn.
- Walk diagonally when it helps: a diagonal step covers a file and a rank at once.
- Once you catch it, take the pawn or blockade it.
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).