Defending pawn endings is lesson 2 of 6 in Endgame 8: Pawn endings for experts, an endgame course suited to players rated around 2000 (strong club players). The only drawing move: keep the opposition or counter-attack the pawn just in time. It has 7 interactive exercises: 7 calculated lines from real positions. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What you practise
Black to move: hold the draw. (4 positions)
White to move: hold the draw. (3 positions)
Worked examples
Black to move: hold the draw. 1...Kd5 2.g6 Ke6 3.g7 Kf7 4.Kd2 Kxg7. Only Kd5 holds. This is a draw (checked with endgame tables). After Kd4 the position would be lost.
White to move: hold the draw. 1.Kg1 b5 2.Kf2 Kd3 3.g4 b4 4.g5. Only Kg1 holds. This is a draw (checked with endgame tables). After Kg3 the position would be lost.
chessGM