Pawn endings · intermediate
Pawn race
Count both pawn routes and include any promotion with check.
The rule
Count how many moves each pawn needs to promote, then check whether either promotion gives check.
How to play it
- 1
Count both races
Count pushes to promotion for each pawn before touching the board.
- 2
Include the check
A promotion with check changes the move count by a full tempo.
- 3
Push the faster pawn
When the count is fixed, keep pushing until a king move, capture, or check changes it.
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 9
Starting position
Play through the line one move at a time.
Before you play
Moves to queue
- 1.h2-h4
- 2.h4-h5
- 3.h5-h6
- 4.h6-h7
- 5.h7-h8=Q
Safe when
Neither king can enter a pawn square and the opponent cannot promote with check first.
Stop when
A capture, king move, or checking promotion changes the tempo count.
Common mistake
Ignoring the opponent’s promotion check can reverse the result.
Win the pawn race and convert the promotion.
Start with a comfortable clock. Reduce it when the position feels familiar. Your record is 0/0.