Step 1 · Count first
White to move
r5k1/5ppp/8/1p1B4/2n5/8/P4PPP/6K1 w - - 0 1Pawn 1, knight 3, bishop 3, rook 5, queen 9. Your bishop on d5 can capture three different pieces.
Which capture gains the most?
Quick check
- Bishop takes the rook on a8
- Bishop takes the knight on c4
- Bishop takes the pawn on f7, check
Show the correct answer
Correct answer: Bishop takes the rook on a8 — A rook is worth 5 and nothing can take back on a8. That is the biggest gain on the board.
- Bishop takes the knight on c4 — Knight and bishop are both worth 3 — and the pawn on b5 takes your bishop back. An even trade, nothing gained.
- Bishop takes the pawn on f7, check — A check, but the king simply takes back: you gave a bishop (3) for a pawn (1).
Step 2 · Take the rook
White to move
r5k1/5ppp/8/1p1B4/2n5/8/P4PPP/6K1 w - - 0 1Bishop from d5 to a8.
The move: Bd5xa8
Bishop takes rook, and Black cannot take back. Five for nothing — always count before you capture.
Common mistake: The rook on a8 is still there, and it is free. Bishop from d5 to a8.
Step 3 · When ahead, trade pieces
White to move
3rr1k1/pp3ppp/8/8/2B5/8/PP3PPP/R2R2K1 w - - 0 1Count the whole exchange. Simplify when it preserves your advantage, and check the resulting pawn ending before trading.
Which plan converts the advantage?
Quick check
- Trade the rooks: rook takes d8
- Push the pawns and keep every piece
- Attack: bishop takes f7, check
Show the correct answer
Correct answer: Trade the rooks: rook takes d8 — This exchange preserves your extra bishop and removes a pair of active rooks. In other positions, check the resulting ending before trading.
- Push the pawns and keep every piece — A pawn push does not exchange the active rooks here. Compare the rook exchange first; pawn moves are not always wrong when ahead.
- Attack: bishop takes f7, check — The king takes the bishop back — and your advantage is gone. Do not gamble what you have already won.
Step 4 · Trade
White to move
3rr1k1/pp3ppp/8/8/2B5/8/PP3PPP/R2R2K1 w - - 0 1Rook takes rook on d8.
The move: Rd1xd8
You offered a rook exchange. If Black recaptures with the other rook, you keep your extra bishop with fewer rooks on the board.
Common mistake: Offer the trade: rook from d1 takes the rook on d8.
Step 5 · The last pawn
White to move
3k4/8/2KP4/8/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1King and pawn against king. The pawn on d6 wants to become a queen, and your king on c6 stands beside it.
What now?
Quick check
- Push the pawn to d7
- King to d5
- King to b7
Show the correct answer
Correct answer: Push the pawn to d7 — Yes. On d7 the pawn is guarded by your king, and the black king's only move is to e7 — it cannot get in front.
- King to d5 — Your king should lead the pawn, not follow it. From d5 it no longer guards d7, the square the pawn needs next.
- King to b7 — Then Black plays king to d7 and takes the pawn on d6 next — nothing would defend it.
Step 6 · Push
White to move
3k4/8/2KP4/8/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1Pawn from d6 to d7.
The move: d6-d7
The pawn stands on d7, guarded by your king. The black king cannot take it and cannot get in front — its only move is to e7.
Common mistake: Push the pawn: d6 to d7, where your king guards it.
Black's only move
Black to move
3k4/3P4/2K5/8/8/8/8/8 b - - 0 1Black's only move: king to e7. Now guard the queening square with your king.
Step 7 · Guard the queening square
White to move
8/3Pk3/2K5/8/8/8/8/8 w - - 1 2King to c7. It guards d8, and nothing can stop the pawn from queening next move.
The move: Kc6-c7
King on c7, pawn on d7: the queening square is covered. Next move the pawn becomes a queen — the advantage is converted.
Common mistake: The pawn needs d8 guarded. King from c6 to c7 does it — then nothing can stop the promotion.
What you learned
Count the whole exchange. Simplify when it preserves your advantage, and check the resulting pawn ending before trading.
Practise this idea
Public-domain positions that turn on exactly what this lesson taught.
- Promotion — 12 positions
- Pawn endings — 12 positions