Stepping into the square

Black to draw

Moves

1.…
2.
3.
4.
5.

The defender catches a runaway pawn exactly when his king can step inside the pawn's square on his move; a diagonal path loses no time.

The same diagram, but with Black to move. The pawn's square is a4-a8-e8-e4, and the black king on f4 stands just outside its edge. One step takes him in.

Common mistakes

Kf5Still outside the square; 2.a5 and the pawn cannot be caught.
Kg4Moving away from the pawn: 2.a5 wins.
Ke3Not inside the square either (its lower edge is the fourth rank); 2.a5 wins.

The rule of the square: push!W · win
The square of a pawn on its starting rankB · draw

Common mistakes

Related

Common mistakes

Related