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The Great Pawn Hunter
Chess Tutorial

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The Opposition

In the endgame, the King must come out from its corner, usually to the center of the board, and fight for key squares. The opposition is used to make the opponent give up more ground so that key squares can be occupied by the king. Using this technique, the King can capture or promote pawns to the queening square.

In diagram #1, the final position has been reached where the Black King is sitting on the critical square c2. This square is necessary to insure that the pawn has a protected free ride to the queening square on d1.

In diagram #2, Black can take the Opposition by making an odd number of squares between the two kings. Black can do this by
1) ... Kd5
When the Black King is sitting on the square d5, Three squares (d4,d3,d2), are between the two kings. Notice how the Black King is ahead of his pawn so that he can march down to capture the critical square c2 or e2 in order to promote the pawn to the queening square d1.
2) Ke2
When Black moves his king to d4, the White King will move to d2 and take the opposition for himself.

2) ... Kd4
3) Kd2
Now it is White that has the opposition. Can Black get it back?

Since there is already an odd number of squares between the two kings, Black pushes the pawn instead!
3) ... d5
4) Ke2

Now Black uses the outflanking move to gain more ground on the chess board.
4) ... Kc3
5) Kd1

Note how White makes it harder for Black to play by constantly stepping in front of the pawn.
5) ... Kd3!
Black takes the opposition once again.
5) Ke1

6) ... Kc2!
Using the outflanking move to gain the critical square that will protect the pawn all the way to the queening square.
7) Ke2 d4!

Notice how the pawn can move all the way down the (d) file right to its queening square on (d1) because it is protected by the Black King. This is opposition at its best!