Learn the must-know endgames for beginners: basic mates, opposition, the “square of the pawn”, zugzwang, and how to push passed pawns — with step-by-step move sequences you can replay on Lichess.

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1. Basic Checkmates

King+Queen vs King & King+Rook vs King

2. Opposition & Key Squares

How to escort a pawn to promotion

3. Square of the Pawn

Know if a pawn can queen without help

4. Zugzwang & Triangulation

Force a concession with king moves

5. Outside Passed Pawn

Distract the king and win the race

6. Practice & Checklists

Drills to lock the patterns

1) Basic Checkmates Beginner


King + Queen vs King (corridor mate) — Drive the king to the edge, then deliver mate with queen while your king covers escape squares.

Example sequence (mate pattern):
1. Qb7# (with the white king already controlling escape squares on b8/c8).
  • Use your queen to box in the enemy king step by step.
  • Bring your king closer to cover the last two escape squares.
  • Final pattern: queen gives mate on the edge, king controls the side squares.

King + Rook vs King (ladder mate) — Cut ranks/files with the rook and “shoulder” with your king until the king is trapped on the back rank.

Example finisher:
1. Ra8# (rook mates on the back rank; your king covers the 7th).

2) Opposition & Key Squares Beginner


Opposition means the kings face each other with one square between them. The side not to move owns the opposition and can force the enemy king back.

Model line (White to move and win):
1. Kd5 Kd7 2. e6+ Ke7 3. Ke5! (regain opposition) 4. Kd5 5. e5–e6–e7 6. Ke6 and the pawn queens.
  • For a pawn on the e-file, the key squares are d6, e6, f6. If your king reaches one, you can force promotion.
  • Use opposition to push the enemy king away from the queening square.

3) The Square of the Pawn Beginner


Draw an imaginary square from the pawn to its promotion square. If the opponent’s king is outside the square and you to move your pawn forward, it will queen without help.

Example (White queens alone):
1. a5 Ke7 2. a6 Kd7 3. a7 Kc7 4. a8=Q and White promotes.
  • After each pawn push, the square shrinks; re-check whether the king can still enter it.
  • If the enemy king is inside the square, you’ll need your king to help.

4) Zugzwang & Triangulation Intermediate


Zugzwang is when any move worsens your position. In king-and-pawn endings, you often win by reaching a setup where the opponent must step aside and allow promotion.

Model line (Black to move and loses):
…Ke8 2. e7 Kf7 3. Kd7 and the pawn promotes;
…Kd8 2. e7+ Kc8 3. Kc6 and White wins the queening race.
  • Use small king maneuvers (triangulation) to “lose a tempo” and hand the move to your opponent.
  • Build zugzwang positions by restricting the enemy king’s squares first.

5) Outside Passed Pawn & King Activity Intermediate


An outside passed pawn (far from the kingside) drags the enemy king away. While it gets chased, your king invades on the other side and wins the remaining pawns.

Typical plan (White to move):
1. a5! Ke6 2. Kc5 Kd7 3. Kb6 Kc8 4. a6 Kb8 5. a7+ Ka8 6. g4 (or Kc7–Kxf7) — Black’s king is too far; White wins the pawns and the game.
  • First create the passer, then use it as a decoy.
  • “The king is a fighting piece” — centralize it early in endgames.

6) Practice & Checklists

Drills (set these up on Lichess):

Mate Net — K+Q vs K

Box the king to the edge in ≤ 10 moves, then deliver corridor mate.

Ladder — K+R vs K

Cut ranks/files alternately; mate on the back rank with your king close.

Opposition Sprint

Convert K+P vs K from 5 different files using opposition and key squares.

Zugzwang Builder

Find a king path that hands the move to your opponent and wins.

Endgame Checklist

  • Activate your king first; it decides pawn endings.
  • Count races: who reaches the queening square first (and with check)?
  • Create/advance passed pawns; force zugzwang when pieces are limited.
  • Know basic mates cold (K+Q vs K, K+R vs K) — they appear after trades.