Pawn endings · intermediate
Outside passed pawn
Make the king chase one passed pawn while your king attacks the other wing.
The rule
An outside passed pawn pulls the defending king away from the rest of the board.
How to play it
- 1
Advance the outside pawn
Advance the pawn far enough that the defending king must chase it.
- 2
Cross to the other wing
Let the outside pawn go and use your king against the remaining pawns.
- 3
Make the second passer
Use the distant king to take space and create the real promotion threat.
Study the line, then play it
Step through the example. Then play your moves from the same position.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Move 0 of 4
Starting position
Play through the line one move at a time.
Before you play
Moves to queue
- 1.a5-a6
Safe when
After a5, every legal reply leaves a6 sound or makes the push illegal so it cancels.
Stop when
After a6, verify whether the king kept chasing or Black created a kingside capture.
Common mistake
Trying to save the outside pawn gives the defending king time to return.
Deflect the king with the a-pawn and win the kingside.
Start with a comfortable clock. Reduce it when the position feels familiar. Your record is 0/0.