Queen Versus Pawn Endgame - Queen Versus A Pawn On The Seventh Rank

Queen Versus A Pawn On The Seventh Rank

a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
White wins by 1. Qg5!, followed by 2. Qc1

In order for the defending side to have a chance at a draw (with the other side to move), the pawn must be on its seventh rank and the king must be nearby (plus a few drawing positions with the pawn on the sixth rank, as above). Except for unusual cases, the attacking side wins if the pawn is a knight pawn (b- or g-files) or a central pawn (d- or e-files). For bishop pawns and rook pawns, the result depends on the location of the kings. If the attacking king is close enough to the pawn, it wins; otherwise a draw results (Seirawan 2003:49–53).

First note that the attacker may win easily, depending on the location of the kings. In this position, White wins by 1. Qg5! followed by 2. Qc1, and then the white king is brought nearer to win the pawn. If the black king is on any other square around the pawn, the position is a draw, see below (position modified slightly) (Flear 2004:155).

Read more about this topic:  Queen Versus Pawn Endgame

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