Knight against pawn is the endgame where a knight tries to stop a passed pawn. If it reaches a square in front of the pawn in time, it usually holds; a rook's pawn is its hardest case.
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A knight is slow over long distances and cannot guard a file from far away as a bishop or rook can. On the edge of the board it has fewer squares, so a rook's pawn is hardest to stop.
How to do it
- 1Count the moves the knight needs to reach a square in front of the pawn.
- 2Choose a route that checks the king or attacks the pawn on the way.
- 3Once there, keep the knight where it covers the promotion square.
For your level
A knight can catch a passed pawn by reaching a square in front of it. Count the knight's moves before deciding it is too far.
Check you have it
Question 1 of 1
Play the moves through. How does the game end?
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Common mistakes
- Chasing the pawn from behind, where the knight never catches up.
- Blocking on a square where the enemy king drives the knight away.
Questions
- Can a knight stop a pawn on the seventh rank?
- Sometimes, if it can reach the promotion square or check its way there. Against a rook's pawn on the seventh with the enemy king close, usually not.