Lesson · phase 6

Knight Versus Pawn Endgames

Knight versus pawn is tricky because knights cannot lose a tempo. Key squares and patterns.

Positions

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K . . . . . . .
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. k . . . . . .
. N . p . . . .
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Nd1!

A king cannot promote against a knight

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K . . . . . . .
. . . . N . . .
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. . . . . . . p
. . . . . . . k
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Ng4+!

Against flank pawn there's a drawing mechanism that's quite advanced and good to know! Note that Nf3+ would lose to Kg2

K . . . . . . .
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. . . . . N . .
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. . . k . . . p
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Ng3!
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p . . . . . . .
. . K . N . . .
k . . . . . . .
Nc1!
. . . k . . . .
. n . . . . . .
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P . . . . . . .
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. . . . . . . K
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a6!

Knight Versus Pawn Endgames

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. . K . . . . .
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P . . . p k . .
. . . . N . . .
Nc2!

Here we see Nc2 matters, black cannot force us to move the knight every move so white wins easily

Drill these positions in spaced repetition

FSRS-6 spaced repetition surfaces only the positions you need to refresh. Free to use.

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