Lesson 14

Passed Pawns, Promoting & Other Pawn Tactics

Part 1: Introduction to Passed Pawns and Basic Pawn Play Strategy Concepts:
What is a passed pawn? The Big 3 passed pawn ad antages: Advantage #1 - Outside passed pawn! Advantage #2 - Protected passed pawn! Advantage #3 - Connected passed pawns or connected passers"

Passed Pawns Must Be Pushed! With a C ear Path, !othing Can "to# the Pawn! cuuuuuuuuC # passed pawn is a pawn that has no opposing $ene%y& (wd*dwdwd} pawns to deal with' neither on its (ile in (ront o( it nor on the 70w8w0w0w} (iles ne)t to it" #s in our e)a%ple diagra%' the c*pawn is the 6wd*dwdw8} only passer on the +oard (or either white or +lac, and can 5dw8wdwdw} easily ad ance to the -ueening s.uare $c/& without worry &wd*dwdwd} o( capture or +loc,ade +y an opponent0s pawn"

3dw8wdw8w} 2PdPdPdw)} The ulti%ate goal o( a passed pawn is to reach the other %dwdwdwdw} side o( the +oard $/th ran, (or white or 1st ran, (or +lac,& v,./9EFJMV and 1pro%ote1 to a +igger piece" 2sually' a pawn will
Passed pawns have a clear path to their goal of promotion!

pro%ote to a -ueen' as she is the %ost alua+le piece! howe er' certain occasions will call (or under*pro%otion which %eans to pro%ote to a piece other than the -ueen"

Two Passed Pawns $re Better Than One, Which is !o %un &or an 'nem( )ing! cuuuuuuuuC Cases o( under*pro%otion will +e discussed in Part 3 (*dwdwdw8} when we deal with pro%otion tactics" 4or now' let0s 7dwdwdwdw} discuss one %ore +asic e)a%ple o( the power o( a passed 6wdwdwdwd} pawn and wor, our way toward understanding why the Big 5dwdkdwdw} 3 are such strong (orces in a practical ga%e"

&wdwdwdwd} 3dwdKdwdw} 2Pdwdwdw)} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

There is no way black can stop both white's pawns!
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5ere we see a position where the +lac, 6ing stands no chance against the two power(ul passed a and h pawns" #(ter 1"h7 (or e)a%ple' the +lac, 6ing will ha e to co%%it to the h*pawn and a(ter a (ew o+ ious %o es it +eco%es clear that the pawns are too %uch: 1"""6e8 3"h8 6(8 3"a79 6g8 7"a8 6)h8 8"a: and white0s a*pawn -ueens on a/""" Page 1 o( 1<

Lesson 14
Passed Pawn $d*antage +1 , The Outside Passed Pawn! cuuuuuuuuC =ow that we understand the raw power o( a passed pawn' (wdwdwdwd} it0s ti%e to learn a (ew practical and super deadly ways to 7dwdwd 0 } use the%" #n outside passed pawn is de(ined as a passed 6wdwdw!wd} pawn that is (ar away $usually at least three (iles& (ro% the 5dwdwdwdw} rest o( the pawns or pawn groups re%aining on the +oard"

&Pdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdKdw} 2wdwdw)P)} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

After distracting the black King, white's King moves in for the kill!

Typically' an outside passer is used as a deco( to distract the ene%y 6ing away (ro% what %atters %ost: protecting his ar%y9 With +lac, to play' the 6ing is >ust in ti%e to catch the a*pawn' +ut that isn0t good enough to sa e the ga%e a(ter: 1"""6e: 3"a89 6d: 3"a: 6c: 7"a? 6+? 8"6e79 6)a? :"6d8 6+: ?"6d:9 @ and the +lac, 6ing is cut o((" White will continue /"6e? then start %unching on +lac,0s pawns"""

Passed Pawn $d*antage +- , The Protected Passed Pawn! cuuuuuuuuC Perhaps the %ost power(ul ad antage a player can ha e in (wdwdwdwd} a 6ing and Pawn ending $outside o( +eing ahead %aterial& 7dwdwdwd } is a protected passed pawn" # protected passer is a 6w!wdwdwd} passed pawn that is de&ended .( another #awn' %a,ing it 50Pdwdwdw} i%possi+le to re%o e without (irst re%o ing the de(ender"

&Pdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdKdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

lack's King is doomed to a life of blockading the passed pawn on b!!

#s you can see (ro% this position the +8*pawn is passed' +ut e en %ore i%portantly' it0s #rotected +y the un* re%o a+le a7*pawn" 4or e)a%ple' i( the +lac, 6ing e er tries to attac, the a7*pawn with 1"""6c8*+7' the +*pawn pushes (orward and cannot +e stopped" White0s 6ing on the other hand can %a,e the long >ourney to the other side o( the +oard and capture the un*protected h*pawn with ease9

Passed Pawn $d*antage +/ , Connected Passed Pawns cuuuuuuuuC Connected passed pawns are e)tre%ely strong in any (wdwdwdwd} type o( position' +ut their powers are highlighted easily in 7dwdwdwdw} the endga%e" 5ere we see a position where the d7*pawn is 6wdwdwdwd} ser ing as the protector o( the e8*pawn" The +lac, 6ing can 5dwdk)wdw} do nothing to change this situation' as capturing d7 would &wdw)wdwd} only allow the e*pawn to ad ance and pro%ote"

3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} Blac,0s 6ing is at the %ercy o( the pawns and %ust %"wdwdwdw} %aintain a +loc,ade o( the% until the white 6ing >oins the v,./9EFJMV (ight and ine ita+ly helps his pawns ad ance and win" #(ter:
"ike a protected passed pawn, connected passers can't be taken! 1"6+3 6e: 3"6c3 6d8 3"6d3 6e: 7"6e7 6e? 8"d8 6d? :"e:A 6d: ?"6(8 6e? /"6e8 6e/ B"d: 6d/ 1<"e?A 6d? 11"6(: 6e/ 13"d?A9 6)d? 13"6(? and ne)t 17"e/C-ueen"""

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Lesson 14

Passed Pawns, Promoting & Other Pawn Tactics

Part 3: 2nder*Pro%otion' Pawn Tactics and the Dule o( the S.uare Concepts:
Eore practical passed pawn lessons9 Pro%otion and under*pro%otion tactics9 The Dule o( the S.uare9

Passed Pawn Promotion Tactics , '0am# e 11 The 2eco( "acri&ice "3ewer! cuuuuuuuuC 2nderstanding the +asic goal o( a passed pawn $to (wdwdwdw"} pro%ote& is si%ple enough' +ut what types o( positions and 7dwdwdw)w} tactical hurdles %ight a player co%e across in a practical 6wdwdwdwd} ga%e? In Part 3 o( this lesson we ha e asse%+led se eral 5dwdwdw!w} co%%only seen and highly use(ul tactical patterns9

&wdw#wdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwd$8w} v,./9EFJMV

#$%g#&! forces black's %'een to her final destination!

Because it is natural to pro%ote a pawn to a -ueen or %ay+e a Doo, as they are the most powerful there o(ten occurs positions where a s,ewer tactic $see Fesson 1<& e)ists at the end o( a co%+ination o( %o es" 5ere white is winning easily a(ter the +rilliant -ueen sacri(ice on g19 This decoy (orces the +lac, -ueen to a +ad s.uare: 1"""-)g1 3"g/C-ueenA is winning the +lac, -ueen9

Passed Pawn Promotion Tactics , '0am# e -1 The Pawn 4ace "3ewer! cuuuuuuuuC 5ere we see perhaps the %ost (a%ous e)a%ple o( a (wdwdwdwd} pro%otion s,ewer tactic" #t the end o( a long and (orced' 7dwdwdwdw} se.uence o( %o es' white is winning in this position 6wdwdwdwd} +ecause o( the aw3ward # acement o& the . ac3 )ing5 5dw"wdwd } #(ter 1"a79 +y white' the pawns are o(( to the races"""

&*dwdkdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2Pdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

This common trick (skewer) occ'rs in many different types of pawn races!
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Blac, %ust continue with 1"""h7 as any 6ing %o e would lea e hi% one %o e +ehind in the race" 4or e)a%ple: 1"""6e3 allows 3"a8 h7 3"a: h3 7"a? h3 and 8"a/C-ueen guarding the h16s7uare5 #(ter +lac,0s (orced 1"""h7' white wins in the end with 3"a8 h3 3"a: h3 7"a? h1C-ueen 8"a/C-ueenA' and the +lac, 6ing is s,ewered to the -ueen on h1" #(ter the 6ing %o es to any legal s.uare' white wins the +lac, -ueen and the ga%e with :"-)h19 Page 3 o( 1<

Lesson 14
8nder6Promotion , '0am# e 11 9ueen "ta emates, B8T 4oo3 Chec3mates! cuuuuuuuuC 5ere we see a per(ect e)a%ple position to introduce us to (wd*dwdwd} the concept o( under*pro%otion" Gssentially' anyti%e you 7!w)wdwdw} pro%ote your pawn to a piece other than a -ueen' you are 6wdKdwdwd} under*pro%oting" In this e)a%ple' 1"c/C-ueen?? would 5dwdwdwdw} stale%ate the +lac, 6ing' ending the ga%e in a draw"

&wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

*nder+Promotion, tho'gh not common, is !"# 'sef'l to know abo't!

#d ancing the pawn to pro%ote to a Doo, $generally the (irst choice a(ter a -ueen& would not only a oid stale%ate in this position' +ut end the ga%e in two %o es a(ter: 1"c/CDoo,9 6a: 3"Da/ chec,%ate" =oted should +e that pro%otion to any other piece $6night or Bishop& li,e the -ueen' would also lead to a (orced draw due to the ina+ility to chec,%ate with only one %inor piece on the +oard"""

8nder6Promotion , '0am# e -1 The Power o& an 8nder6Promotion %or3! cuuuuuuuuC 2nder*pro%otion as a %eans to a oid stale%ating your (wdw%wd&'} opponent in a winning position is critical! howe er' >ust as 7dwdw)(0 } interesting are cases where an under*pro%otion can ta,e 6wdkdwdwd} an otherwise losing position to an unclear' or perhaps' e en 5dwdwdwdw} winning position" G)a%ple 3 is e)actly one o( those ti%es"""

&wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wd)dwdP)} %dwdwdw"w} v,./9EFJMV

This was a st'dy by former ,orld -hampion .man'el "asker$$$

1"e)d/C6night is an e)tre%ely strong under*pro%otion that i%%ediately (or,s $see Fesson B& +lac,0s 6ing on c: with the -ueen on (?" #(ter +lac,0s 6ing %o es $(orced&' white will continue 3"=)(? and 3"=)h/9 In the end white will ha e gone (ro% +eing down a -ueen' 6night and Doo, to +eing ahead a piece9 =ote that 1"e)d/C-ueen would ha e +een an i%pro e%ent' +ut still le(t white down lots o( %aterial9

8nder6Promotion , '0am# e /1 2e&ensi*e 8nder6Promotion! cuuuuuuuuC There are loads o( possi+le e)a%ples o( de(ensi e under* (wdKdwdwd} pro%otion' with so%e leading to i%%ediate stale%ate in an 7'wdPdwdw} otherwise lost positions' while others creating a perpetual 6wdkdwdwd} chec," 5ere we ha e selected a ery co%%on' and 5dwdwdwdw} there(ore practical' e)a%ple o( under*pro%otion de(ense9

&wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

#$d/0Knight with check is the only way for white to save the game$$$

This position is the cli%a) o( a ery co%%on endga%e resulting (ro% a passed pawn race where white is stri ing to pro%ote the d*pawn and (ight against the +lac, Doo," 5ere +lac,0s ,ing has %o ed in (or the ,ill' and so white0s only chance to continue the ga%e is 1"d/C6night with chec, $which is a draw in theory& as pro%oting to any other piece' including the -ueen' would allow 1"""Da/ %ate9 Page 7 o( 1<

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Lesson 14
The 4u e o& the "7uare , '0am# e 11 : Mar3s the Bo0! cuuuuuuuuC The 4u e o& the "7uare de&ined1 I( the ene%y 6ing $in this (w8wdw8wd} case +lac,& is within the imaginary s$uare or %o& o( the 7dw8w8wdw} pawn' then the 6ing can catch the pawn +e(ore it pro%otes" 6wdw8wdwd} I( the 6ing is not within the +o)' the pawn can +e 4'eened 5dw8w8wdw} without the support o( its 6ing $a,a' the pawn runs (ree&"

&w8wdw)wd} 3dwdwdwdw} When we draw lines (ro% the starting s.uare o( the pawn 2wdwdwdwd} $(7& to +7' +/' (/ and +ac, to (7 @ we ha e created a %dwdwdwdw} s.uare" When playing an endga%e with passed pawns' v,./9EFJMV .uic,ly calculate whether or not your opponent0s 6ing is
1n some cases, the 2'le of the 34'are creates a perfect 5 on the board! within' or can get within on hisHher %o e' the s.uare" The i%aginary I drawn (ro% (7*+/ and +7*(/' represents the .uic,est path (or the ene%y 6ing to catch the (*pawn"

The 4u e o& the "7uare , '0am# e -1 Within the Bo0, The Pawn ;s "to##ed! cuuuuuuuuC Eo ing along the a3*(/ diagonal' the +lac, 6ing catches (wdwdw8wd} the white pawn e en with white to %o e" With white<s )ing 7dwdw8wdw} standing no chance to help his (*pawn +e(ore the +lac, 6wdw8wdwd} 6ing reaches it' white has no +etter plan then to continue: 5dw8wdwdw} 1"(8 6c8 3"(: 6d: 3"(? 6e?' and the pawn is had +y +lac,9

&w!wdw)wd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dKdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

6ere we see how easily the black King catches the white pawn$$$

5ope(ully these (irst two e)a%ple diagra%s o( the Dule o( the S.uare ha e displayed clearly the ways o( .uic,ly (inding out whether or not an ene%y 6ing can catch a passed pawn" The Dule o( the S.uare can +e applied to any pawn +ecause the rules are si%ple: The ene%y 6ing is either in the S.uare and can catch the pawn' or he is not and he cannot stop the pawn" =ow (or a s.uare tactic:

The 4u e o& the "7uare , '0am# e /1 Tactica ;deas That Wrec3 the Bo0! cuuuuuuuuC This co%%on tactical pattern can occur in 6ing and Pawn (wdwdwdwd} endings that in ol e the Dule o( the S.uare" White could 7dw0wdwdw} ad ance his (*pawn i%%ediately' +ut the S.uare Dule tells 6wdw8wdwd} us the +lac, 6ing can catch the pawn" 4urther%ore' the 5dwdPdwdw} white 6ing is still useless" What else can white try in this &w!wdw)wd} position to . oc3 the +lac, 6ing0s path to the (*pawn?

3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} The winning %o e as %entioned +eneath our diagra% is %dKdwdwdw} 1"d:9 This %o e (orces 1"""c)d: @ as otherwise the d*pawn v,./9EFJMV .ueens @ and a(ter 3"(8 6c8 3"(: the +lac, 6ing is denied
#$d7! 8estroys black's clear path and wins easily with the f+pawn! the d:*s.uare +y his own pawn" Whites d*pawn was used as a decoy to disrupt +lac,0s I and clear path within the s.uare" White will play 7"(? and -ueen the pawn' winning9

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Lesson 14

Passed Pawns, Promoting & Other Pawn Tactics

Instructor0s Juide
Fearning to recogniKe $and utiliKe9& the power o( a passed pawn is a huge step (or e ery +eginning chess player" These concepts will not only teach your student$s& to appreciate the alue o( pawn pro%otion' +ut also the alue o( e ery pawn in general" Lnce a +eginning chess player +egins con erting ictories si%ply +ecause o( one or two e)tra pawns' heHshe will start placing %ore worth in the pawns throughout e ery stage o( the ga%e" 6ids will no longer +e gi ing their little guys away without worry o( the conse.uences" Because it is the %ost essential ,nowledge (or a +eginning chess player' we ha e included a %ini*ga%e handout to +e used along with teaching your students a+out outside passed pawns" The %ini*ga%e Con erting Mour Passers will (urther dri e ho%e the decoy principles associated with using an outside passed pawn ad antage in a practical ga%e" # coachHinstructor %ay choose to +rea, a(ter Part 1 * Niagra% 3' to allow (or practice o( the concepts" #n i%portant hint (or children struggling with the %ore di((icult stages o( the Con erting Mour Passers %ini*ga%e is to re%ind the the% that acti ation o( the white 6ing toward the ene%y pawns is i%portant' and so%eti%es should +e the (irst step' when con erting an outside passed pawn ad antage into a ictory" Practica !otes and $d*ice , Lesson 141 ;n order to show the true *a ue o& a Protected Passed Pawn =using the #osition &rom Part 1, 2iagram 4>, a coach shou d wa 3 the white )ing o*er to the h6&i e, and #roceed to wander with the white )ing to random s7uares, .ac3 and &orth, .e&ore mo*ing &orward to win on the 9ueen6side5 This wi high ight &urther that the . ac3 )ing is com# ete ( stuc3 to guarding the #assed .6#awn5 $ coach shou d .e sure to em#hasi?e that under6#romoting (our #awns to an( #iece other than a 9ueen is on ( &or s#ecia circumstances, i3e the e0am# es gi*en =Part -> and the wor3sheets associated with the Lesson5 "tudents wi earn the 4u e o& the "7uare conce#t &aster when the( rea i?e that when the )ing is inside the [email protected], his 7uic3est #ath =diagona ( .46&A &or e0am# e in Part -, 2iagram B> to the 7ueening s7uare is ne*er more than the amount o& mo*es it wou d ta3e the #awn to reach the 7ueening s7uare5

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Lesson 14

Con*erting Cour Passers!

wdwdwdwd dwdwd 0 wdwdw!wd dwdwdwdw wdwdwdwd dwdwdKdw* P8*8*)P) dwdwdwdw
Fe el 1 $Gasy&: PPPPK*with outside passed $-6Pawn vs. Blac,0s Niagra%ed Position Fe el 3 $Beginner&:*PPPPK*with outside passed B-6Pawn vs. Blac,0s Niagra%ed Position Fe el 3 $Eediu%&:*PPPPK*with outside passed C-6Pawn vs. Blac,0s Niagra%ed Position Fe el 7 $5ard&:*PPPPK*with outside passed 2-6Pawn vs. Blac,0s Niagra%ed Position Fe el 8 $G)pert&:*PPPPK*with outside passed '-6Pawn vs. Blac,0s Niagra%ed Position 48L'"@DO$L1 White to %o e and win the ga%e9

Con erting Mour Lutside Passer: Tips to the Ja%e9

De%e%+er to use your 6ing too9 The goal o( the position is not necessarily to -ueen your outside passer' +ut to use it as a way to distract the ene%y 6ing away (ro% his pawns9 In Fe el 8 you %ust (irst create (our #assed #awn +y e)changing pawns on the e*(ile" Mour e*pawn is ,nown as a pretender +ecause e en though there are no ene%y pawns along the e*(ile directly in his way' he isn0t a real passed pawn until he recei es the help o( his +uddy $the (*pawn& and e)changes o(( +lac,0s (?*pawn to create a passer on the e*(ile" #d ance the e and ( pawn together as tea%%ates9 Play with a partner' or your coach' and rotate colors as each side co%pletes a le el" To %a,e the ga%e real tough $and %ore (un&' play touch %o e with your partner and learn to play +y tourna%ent rules9 #lways thin, +e(ore you touch your pieces9

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Lesson 14 Lesson 141 Circ e the Passed Pawns!

Circle all the passed pawns you can (ind' (or +oth white and +lac,' in each o( the (ollowing diagra%s" 4ind e ery passed pawn and write how %any you (ound +eneath the diagra%"

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwd dwdw} 6wdwdw0wd} 5dwdwdw0w} &PdwdPdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2w)wdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
How many passed pawns are there? # of passed pawns:

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 70 dwdw0 } 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &PdPdP0wd} 3dPdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdP)} %dwdwdwdw} ,./9EFJM
How many passed pawns are there? # of passed pawns:

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdw0w} 6wdwdwdwd} 50wdw0Pdw} &P0wdPdw0} 3dPdwdwdP} 2wdPdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} ,./9EFJM
How many passed pawns are there? # of passed pawns:

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdwd } 6wdwdwd )} 50wdwd dw} &P0P)wdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
How many passed pawns are there? # of passed pawns:

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Lesson 14 Lesson 141 To 8nder or PromoteE

The (ollowing diagra%s contain e)a%ples o( pro%otion' or in so%e cases' under*pro%otion" Dead the diagra% caption and circle pro%ote $(or a -ueen& or under*pro%ote" 4or +onus points' write the na%e o( the piece you would pro%ote to on the right side o( each diagra%"

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwd+!} 7dwdwdPdw} 6wdwdwdw"} 5dwdwd,dw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdw"Pdk} 6wdwdwd d} 5dwdwdw)w} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
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cuuuuuuuuC (-dwdwdwd} 7dwdwdkdP} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdKdwdw} &wdwd-dwd} 3dw.wdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} ,./9EFJM cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdkdP} 6wdwdwdw)} 5dwdw/wdw} &wdwdwdKd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
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White has forced checkmate in three: White has forced checkmate in three: Promote? OR Under-promote? Promote? OR Under-promote?

White has forced checkmate in three: White has forced checkmate in three: Promote? OR Under-promote? Promote? OR Under-promote?

Lesson 14

Passed Pawns, Promoting & Other Pawn Tactics

#nswer 6ey
Wor,sheet Page 1 * To 02nder0 or Pro%ote?:
2iagram +1 , *nder+Promote9 1"(/CB9 Bg/ anywhere 3"=e? +lac, +ishop anywhere 3"Bg?O9 2iagram +- , *nder+Promote9 1"(/CD9 is +est" 1"(/C= or 1"(/CB are also good" 2iagram +/ @ *nder+Promote9 1"h/C=99 chec,%ate9 2iagram +4 @ Promote9 1"h/C-9 6g: 3"-g? chec,%ate9

Wor,sheet Page 3 * Circle the Passed Pawns:

2iagram +1 , Three passed pawns: a7' +3' and g8" 2iagram +- , Lne passed pawn: e7" 2iagram +/ @ =o passed pawns" 2iagram +4 @ 4i e passed pawns: +7' c7' d7' (8' and g:"

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