King and pawn ending

A king and a pawn against a lone king is a win when your king can take the opposition and escort the pawn. It is a draw when the enemy king can sit in front of the pawn and you cannot get your king in front.

1. The key squares are the ones in front of the pawn. If your king reaches the sixth rank in front of a pawn that is not a rook pawn, the pawn promotes against a lone king.
2. Opposition means the kings face each other with one square between them, and the opponent is to move. The player to move has to give way.
3. A rook pawn (a-pawn or h-pawn) is different. If the enemy king reaches the promotion corner, the game is a draw even if your king is close, because stalemate appears.
4. The line below is one win with a central pawn. The white king stays in front of the pawn, and the pawn advances when the black king steps aside.

On the board