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Worksheet: Basic Opposition

Topic: endgame | Level: 3 | Week 10

When kings face each other with one square between them, the side not to move often has the stronger seat.

Why This Matters

  • Opposition is a king-versus-king idea: the kings face each other with one square between them.
  • Whoever must move may lose ground, because kings cannot step next to each other.
  • This simple idea is the heart of many pawn endings and also helps rook mates work.

Objectives

  • Recognize direct opposition on a file or rank, and know that diagonal opposition is a related but distinct idea.
  • Use a king move to take opposition when the kings are close.
  • Explain why the side to move can be the side that has to give way.

Practice Tasks

  1. Draw two kings in direct opposition and label the square between them.
  2. Why can the side to move be the side with the problem in king endings?
  3. Solve the practice positions and write where the kings stand at the end of each line.

Board Walkthrough

Follow the lesson one board at a time. The teacher answer key includes the move list.

Board 1
Board 2
Board 3
Board 4
Board 5
Board 6
Board 7
Board 8

Practice Positions

Solve each position on paper first. Answers live only in the separate teacher/parent key.

Practice 1

Take opposition on the same file and keep it after Black moves.

Practice 2

Use the same idea when the kings are more sideways than straight on.

Practice 3

Play three king moves and finish with direct opposition again.

Mini-Game

Play king versus king. On every move, say whether you are taking opposition, keeping opposition, or giving it away.

Answer Key

Basic Opposition

Teacher/parent key for Worksheet: Basic Opposition.

Worksheet Answers

  1. Prompt: Draw two kings in direct opposition and label the square between them.

    The kings should face each other with exactly one square between them.

  2. Prompt: Why can the side to move be the side with the problem in king endings?

    Because the side to move may have to step aside first and allow the other king to enter.

  3. Prompt: Solve the practice positions and write where the kings stand at the end of each line.

    Each practice line ends with direct opposition on the e-file.

Model Line

  1. Kd3
  2. Ke5
  3. Ke3
  4. Kd5
  5. Kd3
  6. Ke5
  7. Ke3

Practice Position Solutions

Basic Opposition — Practice 1

Take opposition on the same file and keep it after Black moves.

Solution: Kd3 Ke5 Ke3

White steps in front, Black slides, and White slides too. The kings finish with one square between them on the e-file.

Basic Opposition — Practice 2

Use the same idea when the kings are more sideways than straight on.

Solution: Kd2 Ke4 Ke2

White walks into the right line, Black replies, and White keeps the direct opposition on the e-file.

Basic Opposition — Practice 3

Play three king moves and finish with direct opposition again.

Solution: Kd4 Ke6 Ke4

White moves into line with the black king and ends with one square between the kings on the e-file.