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OPPOSITION
The concept of opposition is very important and useful, while playing Pawn Endings.
Let me explain the concept.
Look at this position
1: White: Ke4 Black: Ke6 
Each King is denied the access of the three squares d5, e5 and f5, directly in front of him. The player who has the move is at a disadvantage. He has to lose control of any of the above three squares and thus give way to the enemy King. The player who has moved last, has the advantage and he is said to have the opposition. If you look at those positions which were discussed by me in our last lesson, you can come to the conclusion that the result depended on,
who had the move or on who had the opposition.
Look at this position 2:
White: Ke6, d6 Black: Ke8
 In this position, if it is Black’s turn to move, it means that White probably, in his last move had played Ke6 and had taken “Opposition”.. The player who takes opposition is having the advantage.
Black to play: 1 … Kd8 2. d7 Kc7 3. Ke7 and the Pawn Queens.
In the same position, let us assume that it is White’s turn to move. It means that Black in his last move had played Ke8 and had taken Opposition. White is at a
disadvantage, if white is to make the next move then..
1. d7 + Kd8 2. Kd6 Stalemate. .
Let us look again at position No.3, discussed by us in our last lesson :
Position 3: White: Ke5,
e4 Black: Ke7
 In this position too, the result depends upon who has the opposition. If it is Black’s turn, it means that White has the opposition. Black has to give away. White is able to win mainly because of Opposition.
1… Kd7
2. Kf6 (if
1... Kf7 then 2 Kd6 winning) Whenever possible, take your King as forward as possible- But, beware to be in the vicinity of the Pawn !)
Ke8 3. e5 Kf8
Black takes Opposition, but White has a reserve Pawn Move.
4. e6 Ke8 5. e7 and the Pawn Queens.
There are some positions, in which it hardly matters as to who has the opposition. One such is the following:
Position 4: White: Ke6 , e5
Black: Ke8
 When the King is in front of the Pawn on the sixth rank, the side with the Pawn always wins.
Black to play, White wins by:
1 … Kd8 2. Kf7 and the White Monarch helps his Pawn to become a Queen.
On 1 …Kf8 2. Kd7 and wins.
White to play, White wins by
1. Kf6 Kf8 2.e6 Ke8 3.
e7 and wins
(or) 1. Kd6 Kd8 2. e6 Ke8 3. e7 and wins. From the examples shown so far, it is clear that it is always advantageous to keep the King in front of the Pawn.
The Rook Pawn (the Pawn on the Rook’s File) provides an exception to all the principles we had studied so far. If the defending side keeps his King in the corner, he can escape with a draw.
The tricks of Opposition does not work in the case of Rook Pawn.
Look at this position Position
5: White: Ka6, a5
Black: Ka8
 1. Kb6 Kb8
2. a6 Ka8 (2 … Kc8?? would be a gross blunder, as it would allow
3. a7 to Queen)
3. a7 Stalemate.
It it is Black to
play then :
1 … Kb8 2. Kb6 Ka8 3. a6 Kb8 4. a7+ Ka8 5. Ka6 Stalemate. The following position also leads to a draw.
Position 6: White: Ka6 a5
Black: Kc7
 1. Ka7 Kc8 2. a6 Kc7 3. Ka8 Kb6 !
4. a7 Kc7 Stalemate.
If White has a “a” Pawn, Black has to keep himself in any of the following four squares to safely secure a draw: c7, c8, b8 or a8.
If White has a “h” Pawn , Black has to run to
f7, f8, g8 or h8.
The same rule applies to White too. If Black has a Pawn on “a” File, White has to go to c1, c2, b1 or a1. If Black has a “h” Pawn, White has to proceed to f1. f2. g1 or h1.
All these examples are simple, yet elegant, aren’t they ?
To be continued...
K. Murali Mohan
International Arbiter |
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