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Basic Endgame Strategy

King & Pawn Endings - King & Pawn v. King (Opposition and Outflanking)

Examine the board below:

Can White promote the pawn? It depends on who has the move. Look at the relative positions of the Kings. They are directly opposite from each other, one square apart. In this type of position, the Kings are said to be in “opposition.”

[Technically, they are in what is called “direct vertical opposition.” There are other kinds of opposition, including indirect / distant opposition, as well as horizontal and diagonal opposition, but these aren’t important to us now: we’ll revisit opposition again in a more advanced lesson.]

Whichever side whose turn it is NOT is said to “have the opposition.” Whichever side whose turn it IS will have to move their King, thus “giving up” or “breaking” opposition.

If Black has to break opposition, White will be able to gain ground and promote the pawn. This is done by alternately taking and giving up opposition, alternated with a maneuver called “outflanking.” This is best understood by seeing it in action: click here for a demonstration, with commentary.

If White has to break the opposition, Black will be able to prevent the pawn from promoting. If White merely shuffles his King from side to side, Black merely copies him, regaining the opposition each time. If White tries to march his pawn forward, Black can still draw with the following technique: first, if possible, Black should place his King directly in front of the White pawn; otherwise, if possible, Black should take the direct vertical opposition; otherwise, Black should step back one square onto the pawn’s file. (And of course, if at any time White leaves the pawn vulnerable, Black should simply capture it!) Click here for a demonstration, with commentary.

A few other exceptions and caveats:

Examine the board below:

With White to move, Black has the opposition, and can draw, correct? Wrong! White can simply move his pawn, thus “losing a move,” and forcing Black to break opposition.

Examine the board below:

With White to move, Black has the opposition, and can draw, correct? Wrong! White can simply move his Knight, thus “losing a move,” and forcing Black to break opposition.

Examine the board below:

With Black to move, White has the opposition, and can win, correct? Wrong again! As is often the case in the endgame, the Rook-pawn is an exception to the usual rules. Since the Black King cannot be forced out of the corner, the game will end in a draw, either by stalemate or insufficient mating material. Click here for a demonstration.

Next: King & pawn Endings - King & 2 pawns v. King & pawn (Deflection)