LaviChess

King and pawn against king: the key squares

An extra pawn is often enough to win, but not always. With only the kings and one pawn left, everything depends on where the kings stand. Learn the key squares, and you know at once whether the position is won.

King first, pawn second

King and pawn against king is the endgame behind almost every pawn endgame. If the defender's king can't catch the pawn (see the rule of the square), the pawn goes through. But if the king does catch up, everything depends on one thing: where the attacking king stands. That's why the king goes first and the pawn second.

The key squares

Every pawn has a few key squares. If the attacking king reaches one of them, it wins, no matter who is to move and where the defender's king stands (as long as it can't take the pawn at once). For a pawn on the second, third or fourth rank, the key squares are the three squares two ranks in front of the pawn.

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The key squares for a pawn on e4: d6, e6 and f6, two ranks in front of the pawn. If White's king reaches one of them, White wins.
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Once the pawn has crossed the middle of the board there are six key squares, on the two ranks in front of the pawn: d6, e6, f6, d7, e7 and f7.

Once the pawn has reached the fifth or sixth rank, there are six key squares: the three squares one rank in front of the pawn and the three squares two ranks in front. So the key squares lie in front of the pawn, and that's why the king goes there first. (One exception: with a knight pawn on the sixth rank and the defender's king in the corner, the wrong king move can give stalemate.)

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The pawn is still on e2, and White's king already stands on the key square e4. White wins, no matter who is to move.
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The same position with Black to move: White still wins.

The rook pawn is an exception

An a-pawn or h-pawn can't win if the defender's king gets to the corner in front of it. The attacking king can never drive the king out of there, because there is no room on the other side of the pawn to go around.

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The rook pawn is an exception. Its key squares are b7 and b8, and with Black's king in the corner, White's king never gets there. A draw, wherever White's king stands.

How the defender holds the draw

If the attacking king doesn't reach a key square, and the defender's king stands in front of the pawn, it is a draw with correct play. The method is to keep the opposition and, when the pawn comes close, to step straight back. In the end it is stalemate.

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White's king hasn't reached a key square, and Black's king stands in front of the pawn. That is enough for a draw, if Black plays correctly.
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Open on the analysis board

Notice the move Kd8!: the king steps straight back, not diagonally. Then it can take the opposition again when White's king comes. It is the most important defensive move in the whole endgame.

Practice against the computer

White to move wins. Black's king is far away, but not so far that the pawn can run on its own. The pawn moves only draw. Bring up the king and reach a key square.

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You are playing White. Make your first move.

You have White. Win by taking the pawn to the last rank. The computer defends Black. Remember the rule: king first, pawn second.

Remember

  • King first. The pawn can wait. The king belongs on the key squares in front of the pawn.
  • The sixth rank. If the attacker's king stands on the sixth rank in front of the pawn, it wins, except with a rook pawn.
  • The defender steps straight back. The king in front of the pawn, the opposition, and straight back when needed.
  • The rook pawn is a draw if the defender's king reaches the corner in front of it.

The opposition is the tool that takes the king to the key squares. Read more on the page about the opposition.

Frequently asked questions

What are key squares?

Squares where the attacking king wins if it gets there, no matter who is to move. For a pawn on the second to fourth rank, they are the three squares two ranks in front of the pawn. For a pawn on the fifth or sixth rank, they are the six squares on the two ranks in front of it.

Is king and pawn against king always a win?

No. If the defender's king stands in front of the pawn, and the attacking king hasn't reached a key square, it is often a draw. With a rook pawn it is a draw as soon as the defender's king reaches the corner in front of the pawn.

Why does it so often end in stalemate?

When the pawn goes to the seventh rank with check and the defender's king stands on the promotion square, the attacking king can protect the pawn only by standing behind it. Then the defender has no move, and it is stalemate.

Updated October 28, 2026