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Guided lesson · Intermediate · Endgames

Knight against two separated passers

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Chasing both pawns with the knight often wastes time. Split the tasks: the king approaches one pawn while the knight controls the other. Calculate each push as the distance between the fronts changes. Before each king move, identify which pawn advance the knight controls. In the first example the king captures the nearer pawn; in the second both pawns advance, requiring the knight to change squares and watch its pawn’s next step.

The key idea

Assign one pawn to the king and the other to the knight, checking who arrives first.

Example 1 · The king removes a passer

The king takes the c2-b3 route towards the b5-pawn.

  1. Kc2 Kc2 prepares a route via b3; Kc3 also holds the draw.
  2. b4 That pawn advances closer to White’s king.
  3. Kb3 The king approaches b4 while the knight watches g4.
  4. Kd5 Black’s king tries to reach the other front.
  5. Kxb4 The capture removes one of the two passers.
  6. Kd4 King and knight still need to contain g5.

Example 2 · The knight changes its control square

The king becomes active towards the queenside.

  1. Kd4 The king becomes active towards the queenside.
  2. a4 The a-pawn advances as White’s king approaches.
  3. Kc3 The king continues towards a4; the knight has the other job.
  4. f4 The second pawn advances too: recalculate the knight’s jumps.
  5. Nd4 Nd4 watches f3, the f4-pawn’s next square.
  6. a3 Black pushes a3; White’s king still handles that front.

Practice

Play White. Assign one pawn to the king and the other to the knight, checking who arrives first.

  1. You hold the draw in this position. Nd1, Nh1, Nh3, Ne4, Ng4, Kd2, Ke2, Ke3, Kd4 and Ke4 also hold the draw, but need another continuation. To follow this exercise, play Kc2 or Kc3.
  2. The king approaches b4 while the knight watches g4. Other moves also preserve the draw, but need a different continuation. To follow this exercise, play Kb3.
  3. You hold the draw in this position. Hold the draw: Kxb4, Nd1, Nh1, Nd3, Nh3, Ng4, Ka2, Kb2, Kc2, Ka4 are valid options here.

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