Pawn endings · foundation
Passed pawn race
Push a passed pawn when the defending king cannot catch it.
The rule
A king outside the pawn’s square cannot catch the pawn before it promotes.
How to play it
- 1
Count the square
Count from the pawn to promotion, then imagine the same number of files toward the defending king.
- 2
Check the support
Make sure your king prevents the defender from entering the path with tempo.
- 3
Push to promotion
Queue the remaining pushes when no reply changes the race.
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 5
Starting position
Play through the line one move at a time.
Before you play
Moves to queue
- 1.h5-h6
- 2.h6-h7
- 3.h7-h8=Q
Safe when
The king stays outside the square and cannot check or capture the pawn.
Stop when
The king enters the square, the pawn can be checked, or promotion would stalemate.
Common mistake
Stopping after every king move uses time without changing the answer.
Promote the pawn before the king can catch it.
Start with a comfortable clock. Reduce it when the position feels familiar. Your record is 0/0.