OPPOSITION IN CHESS (chess basics)
HELLO GUYS
TODAY WE WILL LEARN
OPPOSITION IN CHESS
What is opposition ?
In chess, opposition (or direct opposition) is the position in which two kings face each other on a rank or file , with only one square between them. ... Taking the opposition is a means to an end (normally forcing the opponent's king to move to a weaker position) and is not always the best thing to do.
NOW WE WILL LEARN TYPES OF OPPOSITION
1) DIRECT OPPOSITION
Direct opposition is a position in which the kings are on the same rank or file and they are separated by one square. When the term opposition is used, it normally refers to direct opposition.
In this diagram, the player whose turn it is not to move has the opposition. If it is Black's turn to move, White has the opposition and wins
If it were White's turn to move, Black would have the opposition and the position would be a draw.
In order to ensure correct play in situations like in the diagram, it may be helpful to remember that each time the pawn steps forward, it must be without giving check. If the pawn checks the opponent's king, the opposition will be lost and the game drawn.
EXAMPLE
This is accomplished by not allowing White to get the opposition, and seizing the opposition if the white king advances.
57 ..... Kc4
57... Kb8!
58. Kc5 Kc7
59. Kb5 Kb7
60. Ka5 Ka7
NEXT TYPE OF OPPOSITION
2) Diagonal opposition
Opposition along a diagonal is called diagonal opposition. Sometimes diagonal opposition is used to achieve direct opposition. An example is the position in the first diagram, with Black to move. White has the direct opposition in this position, but it does him no good because his king cannot attack the black pawn after the black king moves away. White needs to achieve direct opposition closer to the pawn.
3) Distant opposition
Distant opposition is a position in which the kings are on the same rank or file but are separated by more than one square. If there are an odd number of squares between the kings, the player not having the move has the (distant) opposition. As with diagonal opposition, it is often converted to direct opposition, as in the diagram
1. Ke2
White takes the distant opposition.
1... Ke7 2. Ke3 Ke6 3. Ke4
Taking the direct opposition; and now Black must step aside.
3... Kd6
If 3...Kf6 then White plays the corresponding 4.Kf4!
4. Kd4!
4.Kf5 would lead to both pawns queening.
4... Kc6
4...Ke6 5.Kc5 and White is way ahead in the queening race.
5. Ke5
and White has a choice of which pawn he wins, using the created passed pawn as an outside passed pawn unless he can promote it directly.
Black can be tricky and try:
1... Kf8
The point is if 2.Ke3 then 2...Ke7 and now Black has the distant opposition and draws. Similarly, if 2.Kf3 then 2...Kf7. White must remember that the aim of the opposition is to penetrate, so to step sideways and forward with ...
2. Kd3! Ke7
Otherwise White will be able to penetrate with Kc5, and will win the race to queen.
3. Ke3!
White again has the distant opposition, transposing into the main line.
THANKS FOR READING
BEST OF LUCK
@KasiDChess
