White's b5, c5, d5 and e5 against a7, b7, c7 and d7 - the pawns are offset by a file. The outer white e-pawn faces no opponent, and the move 1.e6! opens the gate: after the exchanges an unstoppable passer appears on the e-file.
The blow 1.e6! At the branch, pick a defence for Black.
Four white pawns on b5, c5, d5 and e5 against a7, b7, c7 and d7. The outer e5 pawn faces no opponent - the move 1.e6! opens the gate and creates a passer.
The walkthrough has not started yet.
At the branches several defences are available - take any of them. «Back» returns one move, «Main line» plays the principal variation automatically.
Black has no pawn on the e-file, so it is the outer white pawn that becomes the battering ram. After 1.e6 dxe6 2.dxe6 the e-pawn runs into e7, but the neighbouring exchanges clear its road to promotion.
The point of a breakthrough is not to count pawns but to create a passer the opponent has no time to stop.
Declining loses faster: against 1...c6? comes 2.exd7, and White queens as early as move three.
Taking on e6 does not pay, but declining is impossible too - the gate opens either way.
What to avoid, so the breakthrough does not turn into a draw.
The breakthrough has to start with 1.e6 straight away, while the outer pawn is free. Delay gives Black time to regroup.
The starting position is already loaded - move the pawns yourself or paste your own FEN.
Drag a piece onto the board, or click a piece and then click the squares. The cross beside the pieces sweeps every piece of that colour off the board, and a single piece can be dragged off the edge.
The pieces will be arranged into the chosen pattern.
It is the mating side to move. Find mate in one.
Openings, endgame positions and breakthrough studies - the set-up appears on the board.
With the move 1.e6! The outer pawn on the free e-file becomes a passer after the exchanges and goes through to queen.
Black has no opposing pawn on the e-file, so it is that pawn which breaks through unhindered after the series of exchanges in the centre.
No: both taking and declining lose. White is a move closer and has a free outer pawn.
Pairings are computed by bbpPairings, an open-source engine implementing the Dutch system by FIDE rules: score groups, floats on an odd field, colour alternation. Free to use.
Work through the other pawn studies in the VC series on the board - breakthroughs, races and overtakes.
Build your own position in the board editor, play through the chess openings move by move, or look into endgame walkthroughs such as king and pawn. If you are only starting out, read the rules of chess and how to set the pieces up.
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