Lesson · phase 6

Intermediate King & Pawn Endgames

Beyond opposition: triangulation, outflanking, and the rule of the square in advanced pawn endgames.

Trebuchet

. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. k . p . . . .
. . . P . K . .
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. . . . . . . .
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Kf6!

This is a good pattern to know! The way to win is to attack the black pawn from behind first, forcing the black king to defend their pawn

. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . K . p p
. . . . . . B k
. . . . . . . P
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
Kf5!

Here we have a way to get the trebuchet position!

Positions

. . . . . . . .
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. p . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
k . . . . . . .
. . . K . . . .
. . . . . P . .
. . . . . . . .
Kd4!

Rushing with the pawn would give blacks king time to run and defend

. . . . . k . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. P . . . K . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
Kf7!

This is a concept called distant opposition

Drill these positions in spaced repetition

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