Harder King and Pawn Endgame Puzzles

Harder King and Pawn Endgame Puzzles...by, Mrs Jessica E Prescott (aka BoundingOwl)

Buon giorno!  Do you remember the 4 critical positions from last week?  Click here if not.  It's time for an endgame quiz.  Can you promote into a queen and then do the queen dance to win?  Do you know how to force a draw on the losing side?  Stronger players will get more endgame positions.  

These puzzles are little harder to get you to be a stronger player!  Don't worry if they are too hard  I put a hint for you BELOW the puzzle if you need it.  Try to solve the puzzle first, then scroll down a little for the hint if necessary.

1.  Black to move and draw.

 

 

 

HINT:  Don't let the white pawn get any closer to the other side!

 

 

2.  Black to move and draw.

 

 

 

HINT:  Remember, "If you push with check, your game is a wreck."

 

 

 

 

3.  White to move and win.

 

 

 

HINT:  Get into the MAGIC POSITION.

 

 

4.  White to move and win.

 

 

 

HINT:  First, get your king to control the path to paradise.  Second, get into the MAGIC POSITION.

 

 

5.  White to move and win.  Don't stalemate!  (Hint:  you can sac a pawn!)

 

 

 

MORE HINTS:  Get your king close, but not too close!  Then sac a pawn to get your king even closer.  If you push and it's not check, you're golden!

 

 

 

 

6.  Black to move and draw.  This puzzle uses the concept of opposition.  Think of a football player holding someone back.

 

 

 

HINT:  Use your king to block the three squares in front of his/her king.  "You shall not pass!"

 

 

How did you do?  You know you're getting better at chess when more of your games get down to an endgame position.  Keep practicing the queen dance until you can do it in less than 30 seconds.

Tip of the week: try to steer your game into a favorable endgame that you are familiar with.  For example, don't trade all your pawns except for a rook pawn. It will likely be a draw if that's all that's left!