In general connected pawns are stronger than separated pawns, but there are some exceptions. An opposing King cannot stop the promotion of two pawns when they are separated by one or more files once they have reached the 6th rank, while he is able to stop the connected pawns.
In the next diagram White will be unable to prevent the promotion of one of the pawns and Black will win the game.
A King is also unable to stop the promotion of two pawns when they are separated by two or more squares once they have reached the fifth rank. And the same is true when they are separated by three or more files once they have reached the fourth rank (unless one of them is captured on the next move).
This is in fact the square rule for two pawns which follows the square rule of the pawn.
Tags: Chess, Endgame.
Categories: Chess lessons, Intermediate 2 //
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