King and pawn endgame opposition.
Understand opposition in king and pawn endgames, calculate key squares, and practice the winning method on an interactive board.
What is opposition in a chess endgame?
Opposition occurs when the kings face each other with one square between them. The player who does not have to move can often force the other king to give way.
The king belongs in front of the pawn
A passed pawn usually needs its king to clear a route. Move the king ahead when possible instead of pushing the pawn so far that it becomes a target.
Count key squares
A pawn wins when its king can occupy the key squares that force the defending king away. For a pawn that has crossed the halfway line, these squares are close enough that tempo becomes decisive.
Calculate to promotion
Engine scores can be misleadingly large in simple endings. Play the full winning line and confirm that the pawn promotes without allowing stalemate or losing the pawn to a final check.
Practice it on the board
Test your move first, then use Stockfish to compare the strongest continuation.