kevin, those are some good examples of draws, but look at my game against markforbes(most recent) and notice that the draw could not be forced, marks rating is 1700 and he knew exactly what to do

Kevin, at move 57 in the first example black did finally move his king to f3 but I can assure you he wasn't trying to do what I suggested in my example because if he did he would have won, black clearly had no plan at all at this point and the outcome was a draw.

Check out the following link, it's an example of the opposition and how to drive your pawn right down your opponents throat,

http://blog.chess.com/ttiot/nice-endgame-tidbit

p.s.sorry, I can't seem to make the links work so I unlinked it. 

ttiot,

In my 2 examples white is paying close attention to the king.  Note  in the first example, move #57(KF3), black is trying to do what you are suggesting. White's response #58 (KG1) - my initials!  :)  moves closer to black. I suspect by that point it might be too late, that is.. unless white screws up.

In the second, black does something similar with 2 pawns at #73 (KF2), however by then it is too late.  White has already done what it was waiting for.

Your example is an excellent counter, it shows what black must achieve to win!

In very base terms, what you really see in both of my examples is black, with an advantage, mishandling the situation.

However, isn't that what happens in all chess games??

What I hope to give with this article is the knowledge that, when you are down to just your king, all may not be lost, perhaps your opponent is not up on their endgame!  You may just take that win away from your opponent!

 

 

 

Kevin, if you can stop your opponents king from getting in front of his pawn then the game would be a draw if he had only that one pawn but with two pawns i'm not sure but it looks like it is a win also for black as black could advance both his pawns and support them from behind. As far as staying directly in front of the pawn to force a draw is impossible once the king moved to Kf3 so I don't see how the white king has any way of stopping the pawn from promoting, if you see something there please post an example.

ttiot,

In your example, you moved white King UP.  I probably should have been a bit more wordy & less *showy* of the need to stay directly underneath the pawn so as to keep the black King from pushing white king out from underneath.

It is indeed all about timing.  The best way to win with black is to stay in front of the pawn.  In that case, White has advantage if it can stay under black king. 

What I like about your example, is if there are 2 pawns, black can come down with one, then use the other so the black king can wait if its in a bad position until white moves away from the pawn. 

 

That is very helpful to know. So then it looks like it really depends on how well your opponent knows endgame!

the first example is a  clear win for black, his king is in front of his pawn, he has the opposition, if he's looses the opposition he has the h pawn to get it back, this is essential endgame knowledge, if you don't know this then get Silman's book "Complete Endgame Course". 

in second case black wins with pawn to g2chk   kxh2 black kfi followed by queen.