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Passed pawn power
A pawn that no enemy pawn can stop can decide the game.
Intermediate · Strategy · 19 steps. On Chess Castles, Chess Guru reads each step aloud in English, Hindi or Marathi while the moves play on the board, and you can practise any position against the engine. With games of Gukesh D, Viswanathan Anand, Divya Deshmukh, Praggnanandhaa R, Humpy Koneru, Arjun Erigaisi.
Step 1
A passed pawn has no enemy pawns in front of it or on the files next to it. Only pieces can stop it, and every step forward makes it more dangerous. When it reaches the last rank it becomes a queen.
Step 2
Gukesh D vs Polina Shuvalova, Gelfand Challenge 2021. Gukesh from Chennai became the youngest undisputed World Champion in 2024, at just 18. Gukesh D plays White here. Look at the pawn on a6: what can it do?
Step 3
Moves: 76.a7
Gukesh D pushes the pawn to a7.
From the game Gukesh D – Polina Shuvalova, Gelfand Challenge 2021 .
Step 4
Moves: 76.a7 Bxa7 77.Kxa7 Kg4 78.Kb6 Kf5 79.d4
The moves: 76.a7 Bxa7 77.Kxa7 Kg4 78.Kb6 Kf5 79.d4. At the end of the line, Gukesh D has won the bishop. Now try it yourself: press Practice and play this position against the engine.
From the game Gukesh D – Polina Shuvalova, Gelfand Challenge 2021 .
Step 5
Viswanathan Anand vs Praveen M Thipsay, Coimbatore 1987. Viswanathan Anand became India's first grandmaster in 1988 and was World Champion five times. Viswanathan Anand plays White here. Look at the pawn on c6: what can it do?
Step 6
Moves: 62.c7
Viswanathan Anand pushes the pawn to c7.
From the game Viswanathan Anand – Praveen M Thipsay, Coimbatore 1987.
Step 7
Moves: 62.c7 a2 63.c8=Q a1=Q 64.Qc3+ Ka2 65.Qc4+
The moves: 62.c7 a2 63.c8=Q a1=Q 64.Qc3+ Ka2 65.Qc4+. The pawn reaches the last rank and becomes a queen. Now try it yourself: press Practice and play this position against the engine.
From the game Viswanathan Anand – Praveen M Thipsay, Coimbatore 1987.
Step 8
A Nimmy vs Divya Deshmukh, 48th IND Championship w 2022, Hatkanangale. Divya Deshmukh from Nagpur won the FIDE Women's World Cup in 2025, at 19, and became a grandmaster. Divya Deshmukh plays Black here. Look at the pawn on f3: what can it do?
Step 9
Moves: 60...f2
Divya Deshmukh pushes the pawn to f2.
Step 10
Moves: 60...f2 61.Bxf2+ Kxf2 62.Kh2 Nf4 63.Kh1 Kg3
The moves: 60...f2 61.Bxf2+ Kxf2 62.Kh2 Nf4 63.Kh1 Kg3. At the end of the line, Divya Deshmukh has won the bishop. Now try it yourself: press Practice and play this position against the engine.
Step 11
G Oparin vs Praggnanandhaa R, Titled Arena Mar 6th 2021. Praggnanandhaa from Chennai became a grandmaster at 12 and reached the World Cup final in 2023. Praggnanandhaa R plays Black here. Look at the pawn on g3: what can it do?
Step 12
Moves: 79...g2
Praggnanandhaa R pushes the pawn to g2.
Step 13
Moves: 79...g2 80.Kh2 Kf2 81.Kh3 g1=Q 82.Kh4 Qg6
The moves: 79...g2 80.Kh2 Kf2 81.Kh3 g1=Q 82.Kh4 Qg6. The pawn reaches the last rank and becomes a queen. Now try it yourself: press Practice and play this position against the engine.
From the game G Oparin – Praggnanandhaa R, Titled Arena Mar 6th 2021 .
Step 14
Humpy Koneru vs Ruofan Li, FIDE World Cup QF women, Hyderabad 2002. Humpy Koneru is one of India's greatest players and twice Women's World Rapid Champion. Humpy Koneru plays White here. Look at the pawn on a6: what can it do?
Step 15
Moves: 59.a7
Humpy Koneru pushes the pawn to a7.
From the game Humpy Koneru – Ruofan Li, FIDE World Cup QF women, Hyderabad 2002.
Step 16
Moves: 59.a7 Kg3 60.a8=Q Kf2 61.Qa2+ Kf3 62.Qd5+
The moves: 59.a7 Kg3 60.a8=Q Kf2 61.Qa2+ Kf3 62.Qd5+. The pawn reaches the last rank and becomes a queen. Now try it yourself: press Practice and play this position against the engine.
From the game Humpy Koneru – Ruofan Li, FIDE World Cup QF women, Hyderabad 2002.
Step 17
Arjun Erigaisi vs S Vidit, Tata Steel IND Rapid Open, Kolkata 2023. Arjun Erigaisi from Warangal became only the second Indian, after Anand, to cross a 2800 rating. Arjun Erigaisi plays White here. Look at the pawn on a6: what can it do?
Step 18
Moves: 60.a7
Arjun Erigaisi pushes the pawn to a7.
From the game Arjun Erigaisi – S Vidit, Tata Steel IND Rapid Open, Kolkata 2023.
Step 19
Moves: 60.a7 Kg3 61.a8=Q Kf4 62.Qg8 Kg3 63.Kc4
The moves: 60.a7 Kg3 61.a8=Q Kf4 62.Qg8 Kg3 63.Kc4. The pawn reaches the last rank and becomes a queen. Now try it yourself: press Practice and play this position against the engine.
From the game Arjun Erigaisi – S Vidit, Tata Steel IND Rapid Open, Kolkata 2023.
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More lessons in Strategy
- Knight outposts: A safe square deep in enemy land, where no pawn can chase your knight.
- Rooks on open files: Put your rooks where no pawns block them.
- Rook on the 7th rank: A rook on the 7th rank eats pawns and traps the king.
Next lesson: Knight outposts