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Guided lesson · Intermediate · Endgames

The bishop stops a pawn from afar

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A bishop can control a square on a pawn’s route from a distant diagonal. It need not stand next to the pawn: it needs a safe square and time for its king to approach. First locate the pawn’s next advance, then the squares from which your bishop controls it. As the enemy king approaches, do not lose the bishop merely to retain a diagonal. Bringing your own king closer reduces the piece’s workload.

The key idea

Control a transit square while keeping your distance from the attacking king.

Example 1 · Blockading from a safe diagonal

The bishop targets g3 from e5.

  1. Be5 The bishop targets g3 from e5.
  2. Kf5 Black’s king seeks to drive it off the diagonal.
  3. Bb8 Bb8 keeps control of g3 from a distance, outside the reach of the king on f5.
  4. Ke4 The opposing king changes route to approach.
  5. Kb1 Kb1 starts to activate the king; the bishop still watches g3 from b8.
  6. Kf3 Kf3 approaches the pawn but does not attack the bishop on b8: the diagonal holds.

Example 2 · From distant control to a checking blockade

Bd1 controls b3 from afar, restricting the pawn.

  1. Bd1 Bd1 controls b3 from afar, restricting the pawn.
  2. Kc4 Black’s king approaches through c4.
  3. Kg2 White’s king starts taking part in the defence.
  4. Kd5 Black changes its angle of approach.
  5. Bb3+ Bb3 checks and stands directly ahead of the pawn.
  6. Kd4 The king escapes check; the blockade preserves the draw.

Practice

Play White. Control a transit square while keeping your distance from the attacking king.

  1. The bishop targets g3 from e5. Be1, Bb2, Bd2+, Bb4, Bd4, Ba5, Bg7, Bh8, Kb1, Ka2 and Kb2 also hold the draw, but need another continuation. To follow this exercise, play Be5.
  2. You have preserved the bishop and the draw. Hold the draw: Bb8, Bb2, Bh2, Bc3, Bg3, Bd4, Bd6, Bc7, Bg7, Bh8 are valid options here. The bishop can watch g3 from a distance; it does not need to block beside Black’s king.

You have held the draw. If enemy pawns remain, keep watching their advances and the safety of your pieces.