Chess Endgames | Putting it All Together (1200-1399)

Summing up:

Beyond Basic Opposition

- If the Kings are connected on a file, rank, or diagonal, then you can easily ascertain whether or not you possess the Distant Opposition – it’s as simple as counting from one to six.
- The formula for Distant Opposition: You want an odd number of squares between the Kings with the Kings with the other guy to move! (Conversely, if there is an even number of squares between the Kings, then you want to have the move.)
- To create Indirect Opposition, you want to create a square or rectangle connecting the Kings with every corner being the same color.

King and Pawn Endgames

- Rook-pawns often pose exceptions to all the normal endgame rules.
- In a King and pawn (any pawn but a rook-pawn!) vs. King endgame, if the stronger side’s King is one square in front of its pawn, the win depends on whether or not he has the Opposition.
- In a King and pawn (any pawn but a rook-pawn!) vs. King endgame, if the stronger side’s is two squares in front of the pawn (which, of course, should be safe from capture!), he always wins.

Fox in the Chicken Coup

- Fox in the Chicken Coup is the way to win multi-pawn King endgames where one side possesses an outside passed pawn.
- Fox in the Chicken Coup technique is: At the right moment, let the opponent win the passed pawn. While he’s doing that, your King should be rushing towards the unprotected mass of enemy pawns, where it can eat them at will.

Minor Piece vs. a Lone Pawn

- A minor piece (Bishop or Knight) vs. a lone pawn is usually drawn, since the piece will sacrifice itself for the pawn and create a King vs. King draw.

LINK: https://youtu.be/nZolQSz4Fwc