Rules
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If the pawn is not a rook pawn some rules apply:
Rule 1: With one exception, if the black king can get to the square in front of the pawn or the square in front of that (which are key squares), he draws. The reason is that if the black king alternates between those two squares, he can keep the white king from getting to a key square. The exception is the position in the diagram, and only if White is to move because of
- 1. d7 Ke7 (Black was in zugzwang)
- 2. Kc7,
followed by
- 3. d8Q.
Otherwise, if the black king stays on one of those two squares, he keeps the white king from occupying a key square (Müller & Lamprecht 2007:16,21).
Rule 2: White wins if at least any two of the following conditions are met:
- (a) his king is in front of the pawn
- (b) he has the opposition
- (c) his king is on the sixth rank (Müller & Lamprecht 2007:21).
In positions in which fewer than two of the conditions are met, it may or may not be possible to get to a position meeting at least two of the conditions, depending on the position of the pieces and who is to move. In such positions, if the attacker can get to a position that meets two conditions, he wins. On the other hand, the defender may be able to prevent the attacker from getting to such a position (see #Defending drawn positions). Recall that rule 1 above gives a condition which draws for Black.
There are three cases to be considered. In any of these three cases, the white king is able to force his way onto a key square and thus reach a winning position. Accurate play from that position is still needed to win the game.
Read more about this topic: King And Pawn Versus King Endgame
Famous quotes containing the word rules:
“The five kings count the dead but do not soften
The crusted wound nor stroke the brow;
A hand rules pity as a hand rules heaven;
Hands have no tears to flow.”
—Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)
“However diligent she may be, however dedicated, no mother can escape the larger influences of culture, biology, fate . . . until we can actually live in a society where mothers and children genuinely matter, ours is an essentially powerless responsibility. Mothers carry out most of the work orders, but most of the rules governing our lives are shaped by outside influences.”
—Mary Kay Blakely (20th century)
“This is no argument against teaching manners to the young. On the contrary, it is a fine old tradition that ought to be resurrected from its current mothballs and put to work...In fact, children are much more comfortable when they know the guide rules for handling the social amenities. It’s no more fun for a child to be introduced to a strange adult and have no idea what to say or do than it is for a grownup to go to a formal dinner and have no idea what fork to use.”
—Leontine Young (20th century)