--- title: "Key squares in chess" url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/key-squares.md" canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/key-squares" last_updated: "2026-11-07" type: "reference" summary: "Key squares are the target squares for the attacking king in a pawn ending. The pawn usually waits, because pushing it early moves the targets forward too." related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opposition.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-and-pawn-endgame.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/passed-pawn.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rule-of-the-square.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/corresponding-squares.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/endgames.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"] --- # Key squares in chess > **For AI agents:** the complete index of GeorgeLiChess pages is [llms.txt](https://georgelichess.com/llms.txt). Every page is also served as markdown at its URL plus .md. Key squares are the target squares for the attacking king in a pawn ending. The pawn usually waits, because pushing it early moves the targets forward too. Key squares are the target squares for the attacking king in a pawn ending: once it reaches one while its pawn is safe, the pawn promotes by force, no matter whose move it is. Endings with a single pawn often come down to a race between the kings for a handful of [squares](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/square.md). Learn where those squares lie and you can judge many positions without calculating a single line. For a pawn on the b- to g-file that has not crossed the middle of the board, the targets are the three squares two ranks above it: a pawn on d3 has c5, d5 and e5. Once the pawn stands on its fifth or sixth rank, the three squares directly above it are added, so the attacker has six targets. [Rook pawns](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rook-pawn.md) are the exception: only the two squares beside the [promotion](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/promotion.md) corner, such as g7 and g8 for an h-pawn, do the job, and even those are hard to reach. The attacker's plan follows from this. Walk the king toward the nearest key square, using the [opposition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opposition.md) when the enemy king stands in the way. The pawn usually waits, because pushing it early moves the targets forward too. The defender plays the mirror image, keeping the king in front of the pawn and on or beside those squares. A common error on both sides is to chase the pawn instead of the squares; another is to forget that a rook pawn plays by different rules. Also called: critical squares. ## Example position White to move. The pawn on e4 has d6, e6 and f6 as its key squares, and White's king can reach one at once with Ke6 or Kd6. Once it stands there, White wins whoever is to move. Position (FEN): `8/6k1/8/3K4/4P3/8/8/8 w - - 0 1` It sits close to [Distant opposition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/distant-opposition.md). Distant opposition is the long-range form of the kings' standoff: the kings share a line with an odd number of empty squares between them, and the side not on move can keep that count odd until the kings meet. It sits close to [King and pawn endgame](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-and-pawn-endgame.md). A king and pawn endgame is an ending in which only kings and pawns remain, so the result depends on promotion races, king placement, opposition, and exact counting of moves. It sits close to [Wrong rook pawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/wrong-rook-pawn.md). A wrong rook pawn is an a-pawn or h-pawn whose promotion square is the opposite color to its side's bishop, so king, bishop and pawn cannot win once the defending king reaches the corner in front of it. If "Key squares" has cost you half a point, a [first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md) is a good place to find the pattern behind it: George Li goes through your games and builds a plan. ## Related terms - [Opposition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opposition.md) - [King and pawn endgame](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-and-pawn-endgame.md) - [Passed pawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/passed-pawn.md) - [Rule of the square](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rule-of-the-square.md) - [Corresponding squares](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/corresponding-squares.md) ## Guides that go further - [How to choose a chess coach](https://georgelichess.com/how-to-choose-a-chess-coach.md): What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid. - [How much does chess coaching cost?](https://georgelichess.com/chess-coaching-cost.md): Published rates for private, group and subscription chess coaching, with the source and the date of each. - [The first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md): A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li. [Book your first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book.md) and George Li reviews your games and builds a study plan around them. Questions about lessons: write to hello@georgelichess.com. ## Related - [Opposition in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opposition.md) - [King and pawn endgame in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-and-pawn-endgame.md) - [Passed pawn in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/passed-pawn.md) - [Rule of the square in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rule-of-the-square.md) - [Corresponding squares in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/corresponding-squares.md) - [Chess terms: Endgames](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/endgames.md) - [Chess terms glossary: plain definitions](https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md)