King & Pawn Endgame #1

Position Study - This is the Goal

You will see this. When a King faces a lone pawn and its King, there are one key elements which must be understood. The is opposition, when Kings are directly opposite from one another and one is forced to move away. Maintaining or controlling opposition is the key to King-Pawn endgames - It is especially relevant with this position:

Note: Black King is at e8.

White to move to win.
Black to move to draw.

With White to move:

With Black to move:

All Black has to do to draw is to maintain opposition.

#1 Pawn Move

• If e7+: Ke8 Forces White to stalemate or loss of the pawn.

• If Ke5: Ke7 Puts White in opposition.
  
  
• If Kg6: Ke8 Puts White in diagonal opposition.
  
  
• If Kg5: Ke7 Puts White in diagonal opposition.
  
  
• If Kf5: Ke8 Waits for White's next move, which will allow
  Black to get opposition again.