Does someone know the rule for promoting a pawn when white or black has one pawn left with the kings left on the board only?

I am referring to the ending square rule where the pawn is inside or outside the square for promotion.

This is one important rule that every one should know just like the pawn vs king ending when the opposite king is inside the box.

Any comments or experience on this? Can someone explain it?

It can probably be worded more efficiently, but:

If the oposing king cannot move inside the box, (a box made by counting the moves to its 8th rank and extending the same number of squares toward the oposing king)the king cannot catch the pawn, so the pawn can queen even if unaided by his own king.

Example, assume black pawn on its 4th rank, say e5, it will take 4 more moves to queen, and it is whites move.  The white king must be able to move within a box extending from b1 to b5 to h5 to h1, in order to catch it, if not, the black pawn can queen without the protection or any help from his own king.

There is an End Game Study forum called Carefully Now which is a more complex study on the rule of the square. 

I actually wrote a small lesson on the Square of the Pawn. :)

Ignore me, go to likesforests link, much clearer with good examples.

You made a good attempt, really, it's just easier with pictures. Thanks for pointing out the Carefully Now study... it's interesting and I haven't seen it before.

paul211 wrote:

Does someone know the rule for promoting a pawn when white or black has one pawn left with the kings left on the board only?

I am referring to the ending square rule where the pawn is inside or outside the square for promotion.

This is one important rule that every one should know just like the pawn vs king ending when the opposite king is inside the box.

Any comments or experience on this? Can someone explain it?

In the playstation 2 Chess Master game, Josh Waitzkin verbally and visually explains the king and pawn end game very thoroughly. It's a matter of whos turn it is and what square you are on that decides weather it wins or draws. You can get this game used for around $10.00 at any Game Stop. It takes about a whole day and a half to watch his tutorials in this game, and has all the book openings, famous historic games, and emulations of every master you can think of...excellent choice for someone trying to learn.

Thanks likesforests, very professional presentation and clear.