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Passed Pawns

A passed pawn has no enemy pawn to stop it. A passed pawn is the most valuable pawn in the endgame.

A passed pawn in the endgame

White pawn is on d5. No Black pawn stands ahead of it or beside it, so it is passed.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/3P4/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . P . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Push the passed pawn

White pawn moves from d5 to d6. Each step forward brings promotion closer.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/3P4/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . P . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

The king must stop it

Black king is on e8 and White pawn is on d5. Black must bring the king toward the pawn, or the pawn will promote.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/3P4/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . P . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • A passed pawn has no enemy pawn in front of it or on the files next to it.
  • A passed pawn must be pushed. A passed pawn left at home does nothing.
  • The enemy king must stop a passed pawn, or the pawn will promote to a queen.
  • A passed pawn can tie down enemy pieces. Pieces that stop the pawn cannot take part elsewhere.
  • Two passed pawns that are connected defend each other. Connected passed pawns are very strong.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White pawn is on d5 with no Black pawn ahead or beside it. What is the pawn?