A passed pawn is a pawn with no enemy pawns in front of it on its own file or on either file beside it. Only pieces can stop it from promoting.
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A passed pawn threatens to become a queen, so the opponent must keep a piece in front of it or watching it. That piece is tied down, and the further the pawn advances, the more it costs to stop.
How to do it
- 1Check its own file and the two beside it for enemy pawns ahead of it.
- 2Push it when it is supported, by the king in an endgame.
- 3When it is stopped, attack elsewhere while the blocking piece stays tied down.
For your level
No enemy pawn in front or beside it: it is passed. Push it towards the end of the board. Bring your king to help in the endgame.
Check you have it
Question 1 of 1
Which white pawn has no friendly pawn on either neighbouring file?
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Common mistakes
- Pushing the pawn before it is supported, so it is blocked and lost.
- Letting an enemy piece settle in front of the pawn without a fight.
Questions
- What is a protected passed pawn?
- A passed pawn defended by another of your pawns. The enemy king cannot take it, so the opponent must keep a piece or the king in front of it.
- What is an outside passed pawn?
- A passed pawn far from the other pawns, often on the a- or h-file. In a king and pawn endgame it pulls the enemy king away, and your king goes after the pawns on the other side.