Square of the Pawn: chess endgame

The instant rule for whether a king catches a pawn

Picture a square whose side equals the pawn's distance from promotion. King inside it catches the pawn. King outside it doesn't.

• Side of the square equals the pawn's distance to promotion.
• Enemy king inside the square: pawn caught.
• Enemy king outside the square: pawn promotes.
• Pawn on its starting square counts from the next rank, since it can move two.