White plays to get the opposition. This will place his King in a dominating position, force Black to retreat, and clear a way for the Pawn to come through.
- Ke4 Ke6
White's position is ideal. His King is in front of the Pawn with one square between them. In cases such as this, where he does not have the opposition, he can wrest it from Black by gaining a tempo with a Pawn move.
- e3!
Shows the value of having a square between King and Pawn. The spare move leaves the position of the Kings unchanged - but it is Black's move and he must give way!
- ... Kd6
- Kf5 Ke7
If instead 3. ... Kd5, the procedure is 4. e4+ Kd6, 5. Kf6 Kd7, 6. e5 Ke8, 7. Ke6, and White wins.
- Ke5
Seizes the opposition. Black must retreat or step aside.
- ... Kd7
- Kf6 Ke8
Or 5. ... Kd6, 6. e4 Kd7, 7. e5 Kd8, 8. Kf7 and White wins.
- Ke6
The simplest, as White has a forced win no matter whose move it is, and no matter wether his Pawn stands on e2, e3, e4 or e5.
- ... Kf8
- e4 Ke8
- e5 Kf8
- Kd7 Kf7
- e6+ Kf8
- e7+
White wins.