In Level 1 of winning with another pawn, we introduced the concepts of key squares, opposition, and zugzwang in king and pawn endgames. In this level, the pawn is a rook pawn, which makes winning more difficult.

Key squares

There are only two key squares for a rook pawn:

The two squares in front of the pawn (here h7 and h8) are not key squares, as shown in the following example:

White’s king is in front of the pawn on a7, but with a rook pawn this is not a key square and not enough to win. Black can draw with 1...Kc7!, leaving the white king stuck in front of the pawn. Unlike with a non-rook pawn, White cannot sidestep to the right to clear the way for the pawn: 2.Ka8 Kc8!, and the game ends in a draw either by repetition (3.Ka7 Kc7!) or stalemate (3.a7 Kc7!).

Examples

In the following examples, however, the stronger side can still win if the king reaches the key squares in time.

Pushing the pawn with 1.a6? allows Black to draw: 1...Kb6 2.a7 Kc7! stalemate. White must occupy the key square immediately with 1.Kb7! Kb5 2.a6! to win. Note that 1.Kb8? would actually lose the pawn to 1...Kb5!.

The situation is similar when the pawn is farther back. White cannot win by pushing the pawn with 1.h4?, because Black can draw with 1...Kf8!, preventing White’s king from reaching the key squares. Correct play is required to win. Click the diagram to solve the puzzle.

Pushing the pawn with 1.a4? lets Black step into the square with 1...Ke4! and secure a draw. With correct play, however, White can still win. Click the diagram to solve the puzzle.