|
The opposition — when two kings face each other on a rank or file, with only one square in between, the side with the move may have to move the king away. This allows the opposing king access to important squares. In such a situation, the player not having to move is said to "have the opposition" . It is a special type of Zugzwang and most often occurs in endgames with only kings and pawns . There are extensions of the opposition such as diagonal opposition and distant opposition (below), that will reach this simple opposition.
Purpose However, Yuri Averbakh pointed out that the opposition is a means to an end; the end is penetration to a key square. This can be a square in front of a pawn, so the king can lead it to the queening square, or into a critical zone to win an enemy blocked pawn. If you can penetrate without the opposition, then do so. In diagram 2, White should play 1. Kc5 (see algebraic chess notation); taking the opposition by 1. Ke4 draws. Direct opposition In diagram 1, it is Black's turn to move and White wins because he has the opposition . (See King and pawn versus king). If it was White's turn to move, Black would have the opposition and the game would be a draw. Direct opposition is when the two kings face each other along a rank or file with only one square in between. When the term opposition is used, it normally refers to direct opposition. There are two other types of opposition: diagonal opposition and distant opposition. Diagonal opposition Opposition along a diagonal (instead of a rank or file) is called diagonal opposition. Sometimes diagonal opposition is used to achieve direct opposition. An example is the position in diagram 3, with Black to move (see algebraic chess notation). White has the direct opposition in this position, but it does him no good because his king can not attack the black pawn after the black king moves away. White needs to achieve direct opposition closer to the pawn. Distant opposition Distant opposition is when the kings face off over a longer distance. 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 diagram 5 : Black can be tricky and try White instead should remember that the aim of the opposition is to penetrate, so step sideways and forward with Diagram 6 is isomorphic to Diagram 5. The main line is: Again, if Black is tricky, he can try See also | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||
 |
|
| |