Opposition — the king duel that decides endgames
Master the fundamental endgame relationship between kings and convert winning pawn endings.
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How It Works — Step by Step
Direct opposition — who has it?
Kings face each other on the e-file with one square between them. It is Black to move — so White holds the opposition. Black must step aside, giving White the ability to advance.
Opposition + pawn = winning formula
White has a pawn on e4 and the opposition. Understanding when to push the pawn vs. maintain the opposition is the heart of pawn endings.
Distant opposition — the long-range version
The kings are on the same file with more than one square between them. When separated by an odd number of squares, the side NOT to move holds the opposition.
Using opposition to break through
White has the opposition and uses it to outflank Black. After Kd5, Black must choose a side — whichever way Black moves, White penetrates on the other.
Find opposition in my games
Kingsights scans your real games to find positions involving opposition.
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