Chess lessons › Chess endgames
The active king
Use your king, count the moves in a pawn race, and look for zugzwang.
The idea
In the endgame the king stops hiding and becomes a fighting piece.
- White’s king steps forward to the centre.
- From there it aims at the black pawns.
- Black’s king must stay close to them, or Black loses.
In a game: When few pieces are left, bring your king forward: it can attack and block pawns.
How the lesson begins
In the endgame the king stops hiding and becomes a fighting piece. It can take pawns, block pawns and escort its own. Here both kings stand in the centre, and each side has two pawns on the queenside. This position is equal.
White steps forward with Kd5. From d5 the king can walk to c6 and attack the black pawns. Black has to answer with care.
- 1. Kd5 The king steps into the centre and eyes the black pawns.
Find the move
Black’s king is on e7 and White’s has come to d5. Black has ten moves, but only three hold the draw. Pawn moves lose, and so do king moves away from the pawns. Find one of the three.
A hint
Keep your king near your pawns, on the d-file or the e-file.
Show the answer
1... Kd7
Kd7, Kd8 and Ke8 hold the draw. Black’s king has to stay near its own pawns, because White’s king is aiming at them. A pawn move, or a king that wanders off to the kingside, loses.