Lesson 15

Opposition, Technique & Advanced King Play

Part 1: Opposition Explained with Basic King and Pawn Endings Concepts:
Basic King and Pawn play! The goal of every King and Pawn ending: King on the !th" Pawn on the #th ! $hat is opposition% &efensive opposition and other King and Pawn ending drawing 'ethods!

Step 1, The Goal: King on the th, Pa!n on the 5 th" Al!ays #ins the Ga$e cuuuuuuuuC The 'ost i'portant thing a(o)t (eing a good endga'e (wdwdkdwd} player in chess is to always have a goal or a long ter' 7dwd*d*dw} plan * $hen it co'es to King and Pawn endings" King on 6wdwdKdwd} the !th" Pawn on the #th is yo)r ulti$ate goal (eca)se it is 5dwdw)wdw} a winning position regardless of whose t)rn it is to 'ove!

&wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

The goal position: King on the 6th, Pawn on the 5th aways wins the game!

+ si'ple exa'ple has (lac, to 'ove* -ere" (lac, is in opposition which 'eans the King is (eing opposed and ')st 'ove . th)s giving white the winning s/)are for the King: 1***Kd0 allows 1*Kf2! 3ollowed (y 4*e!" 5*e2 and e067)een8 1***Kf0 allows 1*Kd2 and the pawn goes marching on along the e9file once again***

Step 1, The Goal %ontinued: #hite #ins &ven !hen 'lac( has the Opposition cuuuuuuuuC $ith white to play" (lac, controls the opposition* Tho)gh (wdw8k8wd} the position is slightly 'ore co'plex" it is still a win* $hite 7dwdwdwdw} ')st sidestep to either f! or d!" and (lac, will 'ove directly 6wdw8K8wd} in front of white" 'aintaining the opposition8 therefore" 5dwdw)wdw} preventing the white King fro' leading the way*

&wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

White wins, even with black controlling the opposition

:enerally the King sho)ld lead the Pawn ;as will (e explained in 'ore detail later<8 however" that r)le can (e (ro,en in this position: 1*Kf! Kf0 1*e!! Ke0 4*e2 Kd2 ;only 'ove . as (lac, is in !"g#wang< and 5***Kf2 followed (y #*e067)een" winning* The (lac, King was s/)ee=ed o)t of the e09s/)are via >)g=wang* 1*Kd! was also winning via the sa'e pattern of advancing the pawn and finally 5*Kd2*** Page 1 of 14

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Lesson 15
Step ), The Tool: Opposition is the Tool *sed to +each ,ou- *lti$ate Goal cuuuuuuuuC The (est st)dy 'ethod to )se when learning endga'e (wdwdwdwd} patterns is to start with the 'ost (asic exa'ple or goal 7dwdwdwdw} position " and then 'ove (ac,wards in ti'e in order to 6wdwdkdwd} see how that position 'ight act)ally (e reached in a real 5dwdwdwdw} ga'e* -ere we see opposition in action as the tool )sed &wdwd*dwd} to reach o)r goal position in @tep 1!

3dwdwIwdw} 2wdwdPdwd} +fter 1*Ke5" (lac, is in opposition and ')st s)rrender %dwdwdwdw} territory* Blac, is in >)g=wang (eca)se if the King co)ld v,./9EFJMV stay on the e9file forever" white wo)ld have no way to
White plays $ Ke%! taking the opposition an& 'orcing black to lose gro"n&

advance the pawn or 'a,e progress* -owever" after the forced 1***Kd! ;or 1***Kf!< white contin)es 1*Kf# Ke2 4*Ke#!" regaining the opposition* This pattern repeats***

Step ), The Tool %ontinued: The King .ust Lead /is Pa!n, *ntil the +ight Ti$e0 cuuuuuuuuC An ,eeping with o)r )lti'ate goal " the white King contin)es (wdwdwdwd} to 'a,e progress along the e9file* $hite leads with the King 7dwdwdkdw} and needs not )se the pawn )ntil the King has reached its 6wdw8wdwd} goal s/)are on e!* Please see -rawing ./ample 0 for 5dwdwIwdw} details on the conse/)ences of 'oving the pawn too early &wdwdwdwd} . ret)rning the defensive opposition to (lac,*

3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdPdwd} +fter 5*Kd!!" we see the winning pattern in action: %dwdwdwdw} Oppose the ene'y King along the e9file ;the sa'e file as v,./9EFJMV the pawn< and then ta,e whichever s/)are the (lac, King
(lack playe& ) K'*, an& white contin"es % K&6! + ,aining more gro"n&

gives )p* +fter 5*Kd!!" (lac, ')st once again 'ove (ac, to the all i'portant e9file . 5***Ke0 . and white reaches the goal s/)are with #*Ke!***

Step 1, 2inish the 3o4: The Pa!n Goes .a-ching On555 cuuuuuuuuC Once the white King has reached its goal s/)are ;the !th (wdwdkdwd} ran, on the sa'e file as the pawn<" the re'aining 'oves 7dwdwdwdw} are an o(vio)s and easy 'atter of techni/)e! The pawn will 6wdwdKdwd} 'ove fro' e19e#" achieving King on the !th" Pawn on the 5dwdw8wdw} #th . and the ga'e is over*

&wdwd*dwd} 3dwdw8wdw} 2wdwdPdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

White now moves the pawn to e5 1 winning!

The three step approach provided in this lesson . 1< recogni=e yo)r goal position" 1< )se opposition as the tool to achieve yo)r goal" leading the way with the King" 4< and finally" follow with the pawn to the finish line . is a winning techni/)eBpattern that wor,s with every pawn excl)ding the corner or Coo, pawn ;see -rawing ./ample ) for 'ore infor'ation on why the Coo, pawn leads to a draw<* Page 1 of 14

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Lesson 15
6-a!ing &7a$ple 1, The 'asic 6-a!: 8eve- Lead !ith the Pa!n cuuuuuuuuC +s 'entioned in the second diagra' of @tep 1 . the King (wdw8k8wd} sho)ld always lead the pawn in this winning techni/)e* +s 7dwdwdwdw} they 'arch )p the (oard towards the )lti'ate goal of 6wdw8P8wd} pro'otion" the (asic pattern referenced in @tep 1 will not 5dwdwIwdw} wor, if the roles of the King and Pawn are reversed ;i*e* &wdwdwdwd} Pa!n on the th" and King on the 5th<* Exa'ple:

3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} +fter 1***Ke0" white has two atte'pts at progress* Either %dwdwdwdw} choice will (e 'et (y the (lac, King on the corresponding v,./9EFJMV square (Part 2) and the ga'e will end in a forced draw*
(lack2s last move: $ Ke*+e3 1 waiting to gain opposition +fter 1*Kf! Kf0! ;1*Kd! 'et (y 1***Kd0< 4*e2D ;any other white 'ove allows 4***Ke2 and (lac, si'ply repeats the pattern with Ke0 next 'ove< 4*** Ke0 and after 5*Ke! ;any other 'ove losses the pawn< (lac, is stale'ated***

6-a!ing &7a$ple ), 6e9ensive Opposition %ontinued555 cuuuuuuuuC Knowing that a defender can hold a draw (y 'oving (wdwdwdwd} straight (ac, fro' the pawn and !aiting 9o- opposition 7dwdk8wdw} on the co--esponding squa-e 5-rawing ./ample $6 . we 6wdwdwdwd} now see why the white King ')st lead his pawn* Beca)se 5dwdwIwdw} of this" white ')st also prevent defensive opposition that &wdwdPdwd} (loc,s the white King fro' doing so*

3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} This diagra' highlights what wo)ld happen if (lac, were to %dwdwdwdw} gain the opposition ;note that if it were whiteEs t)rn" 1*Kf! v,./9EFJMV wins easily according to the winning 'ethod )sed in @teps
4' black can 'orce white2s pawn to lea&, the black King can hol& a &raw! 1 and 4<* Blac, plays 1***Ke2! +nd after 1*Kf# Kf2! 4*e# ;only 'ove that 'a,es progress< 4***Ke2! 5*e! ;if 5*Ke5 then 5***Ke! holds the opposition< and 5***Ke0! 9 drawing***

6-a!ing &7a$ple 1, The +oo( Pa!n 6-a! : The &ne$y King /olds the %o-necuuuuuuuuC O)r final exa'ple of the (asic King and Pawn ending (wdwdwdw } draws is the st)dy of Coo, Pawns* The )lti'ate goal 7dwdwdwdw} position" King on the !th" Pawn on the #th is ineffective 6wdwdwdwI} when advancing the corner pawn (eca)se the ene'y King 5dwdwdwdP} ;in this case (lac,< is not forced to ;$a(e a choice< as he &wdwdwdwd} nor'ally is when faced with the opposition5

3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} -ere (lac, can si'ply play 1***Kg0" and there is no i file %dwdwdwdw} for white! +fter 1*Kg! Kh0 4*h! Kg0 5*h2D Kh0 . white will v,./9EFJMV stale'ate (lac, with #*Kh! or s)rrender the pawn with any
The King can2t be 'orce& away 'rom the corner!

other King 'ove* An order to win with a Coo, Pawn " white ')st prevent the (lac, King fro' ever reaching the corner! Page 4 of 14

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Lesson 15
***BONUS POSITION*** Sidestepping the Opposition : The ;#al(ing the Pa!n=6og< #inning Technique0 cuuuuuuuuC Fot disc)ssed in the diagra's of @tep 1 is what happens (wdwdwdwd} when the defending King chooses to sidestep the e9file" 7dwdwdwdw} th)s avoiding giving white direct opposition* O)r c)rrent 6wdwdwdwd} position co)ld have occ)rred if (lac, chose 1***Kd# instead 5dwdkdKdw} of 1***Ke2 in the first diagra' of @tep 1* +s long as white &wdwd*dwd} 'aintains to the -ule o9 (eeping the pa!n 4ehind the 3dwdwdwdw} King ;'entioned in -rawing ./ample $ and explained 2wdwdPdwd} f)rther in Part 1< white sho)ld (e a(le to advance the Pawn %dwdwdwdw} alongside the King" )p the e9file" event)ally pro'oting*

v,./9EFJMV
7i&estepping the pawn2s 'ile, in an attempt to avoi& the tool "se& in 7tep 0, &oes not help black2s ca"se to &raw the en&ing White wins by lea&ing an& protecting the pawn as it moves "p the boar&!

The white King leads the pawn 9 wal,ing the pawn li,e a dog 9 toward the pro'otion s/)are e0* +fter 1*e5D! Kd! 1*Kf!! ;not 1*e#D as after 1***Ke2" (lac, is again (loc,ing the e9file and white will (e forced to advance the pawn" event)ally leading to the draw position disc)ssed in -rawing ./ample $< 1***Kd2 4*e#! Kd0 9 if 4***Ke0 then 5*Ke! and we have reached King on the !th" Pawn on the #th. 5*Kf2 Kd2 #*e!D Kd0 !*e2D Kd2 2*e067)een" winning! &id yo) notice how the King )sed his clear path on the f9file to wal, the pawn )p the e9file% This is a ,ey pattern!

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Page 5 of 14

Lesson 15

Opposition, Technique & Advanced King Play

Part 1: &istant Opposition Concepts:
Gore King and Pawn Play! Gore exa'ples of defensive opposition! Ga,ing waiting 'oves in King and Pawn endings! $hat are correspon&ing s8"ares9

6istant Opposition, &7a$ple 1: .aintaining &nough 6istance to /old Opposition cuuuuuuuuC An o)r first exa'ple the res)lt is a draw with (est play" (wdkdwdwd} regardless of whose t)rn it is to 'ove* Tho)gh there exists 7dwdwdwdw} three ran,s ;#th" !th" and 2th< (etween the white and (lac, 6wdwdwdwd} Kings" (lac, is already in control of the Distant 5dwdwdwdw} Opposition

&wdK)wdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

White m"st attempt to make progress with the King 'irst, not the pawn!

Blac,Es 'ove 1***Kd0! 'aintains eno)gh distance" and the King is prepared to 'eet (oth 1*Kc# and 1*Kd# with the opposition ;see next diagra'<* 1*d# wo)ld allow 1***Kd2" and we are now on fa'iliar territory where whiteEs pawn has 'oved in front of the King* +fter: 4*Kc# Kc2 5*d!D Kd2 #*Kd# and #***Kd0 9 where (lac, is ready to 'eet white on either !*Ke! with !***Ke0! or !*Kc! with !***Kc0!" drawing*

6istant Opposition, &7a$ple 1 = Pa-t ): ;.eeting< on the %o--esponding Squa-e cuuuuuuuuC +s 'entioned in the first diagra'" the (lac, King is (wdw wdwd} prepared to 'eet (oth 1*Kc# and 1*Kd# on the correct 7dw8*dwdw} corresponding s/)are * This will prevent white fro' ever 6wdwdwdwd} gaining the opposition on the (lac, King" therefore forcing 5dw8*dwdw} whiteEs pa!n to lead t"e !a#$ inevita(ly ending in a draw!

&wdK)wdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

(lack m"st wait to gain the opposition a'ter white2s King a&vances!

1*Kc# is 'et (y 1***Kc2" if then 4*Kd# Kd2 5*Ke# Ke2" etc* Af 1*Kd# i''ediately" then 1***Kd2 and (lac, is %aintaining t"e opposition with the white King* Af then 4*Ke# Ke2 5*d# ;only other try< Kd2 #*d! Kd0! ;the defending King ')st always retreat st-aight 4ac( 9-o$ the pa!n< and once again" (lac, is ready to 'eet !*Ke! with Ke0 and after 2*d2D Kd0 0*Kd! stale'ates the (lac, King for a draw*** Page # of 14

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Lesson 15
6istant Opposition, &7a$ple ) = Pa-t 1: +ecogni>ing the %o--esponding Squa-e cuuuuuuuuC An this position (lac, is )sing the ,nowledge of (wdwdwdwd} corresponding s/)ares to hisBher advantage in order to 7dw8k8wdw} $aintain the 6istant Opposition * Blac, fo)nd that the 6wdwdwdwd} corresponding s/)are to e4 is e2" and c4 is c2* This means 5dwdwdwdw} that black will only move to one o' these s8"ares, a'ter &wdwdwdwd} white has chosen a path an& move& to the s8"are 'irst

3dw8P8wdw} 2wdwIwdwd} $ith the last 'ove" 1***Kd2! 9 (lac, recogni=es that even at %dwdwdwdw} these far distances" he can !ait and $aintain the v,./9EFJMV opposition! 1*Ke4 is 'et (y 1***Ke2!" while 1*Kc4 is 'et (y
.ven at '"rther &istances, the white Pawn sho"l& :.;.< lea&!

1***Kc2! One exa'ple line is: 1*Ke4 Ke2 4*Ke5 ;if 4*d5 then si'ply 4***Kd! and white has lost winning chances (y advancing the pawn ahead< 4***Ke! 5*Kd5 Kd!! 9 drawing!

6istant Opposition, &7a$ple ) = Pa-t ): 2inding the %o--esponding Squa-e cuuuuuuuuC O)r next position shows the white pawn on d4" yet the (wdwdwdkd} KingEs have changed position* -ere we see that if white 7dwdw8wdw} tries to 'a,e progress along the e9file" the King will 6wdwdwdwd} event)ally (e 'et on e4 (y the ene'y King on the 5dwdwdwdw} corresponding s/)are e2* Af 1*Ke1 Kf0 1*Ke4 Ke2" and &wdwdwdwd} white is once again (eing held (ac, (y &istant Opposition*

3dwdP8wdw} 2wdwdwdwd} Hnless a Passed9Pawn can o)t r)n the ene'y King %dwdwIwdw} ;which the d9pawn o(vio)sly cannot here<" white ')st find v,./9EFJMV a way to i'prove the KingEs position to lead "is pa!n to
pro'otion* $hite ')st find and recogni=e what the =in&ing the correspon&ing s8"are can opponentEs corresponding s/)ares are and avoid the'* $hite will then have avoided &istant Opposition*** help yo" &raw a game!

6istant Opposition, #hite #ins 4y &'oiding the %o--esponding Squa-e cuuuuuuuuC An 'any cases" the defending King will already (e too close (wdwdwdkd} to the pawn for the following idea to (e possi(le ;as in 7dw8wdwdw} Exa'ple 1" Part 1 where the (lac, King was already on the 6wdwdwdwd} d9file" and therefore in the (est position to wait and 5dwdwdwdw} 'aintain the opposition<* -owever in this instance with the &wdwdwdwd} (lac, King is a few files away" and so white has a s'all 3dw8Pdwdw} window to 'a,e the right choice and win the endga'e!

2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwIwdw} 1*Kd1!" headed for the 7)een9side where the ene'y King v,./9EFJMV cannot reach the corresponding s/)are c2* +fter: 1***Kf2
>voi& the Distant Opposition an& win the game!

1*Kc4 Ke! ;or 1***Ke2< 4*Kc5 Kd! 5*Kd5! 9 and the opposition is won for white . 5***Kc! #*Ke# Kd2 !*Kd# Ke2 2*Kc! Ke! 0*d5 Ke2 I*d# Kd0 1J*Kd!!" easily winning* Page ! of 14

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Lesson 15

Opposition, Technique & Advanced King Play

Part 4: Arreg)lar Opposition Concepts:
Gore King and Pawn Play" with f)rther exa'ples of corresponding s/)ares ! $hat is irreg"lar opposition% The fa'o)s King &ance position! Antrod)ction to advanced King and Pawn ending ideas%

?--egula- Opposition: The King .a(es P-og-ess #ithout ;6i-ectly< Opposing cuuuuuuuuC The na'e of this techni/)e is irreg)lar " yet it is arg)a(ly (wdwdwdwd} the 'ost practical ;which 'eans co''only reached< 7dwdwdkdw} 'ethod of opposition in King and Pawn endings* Beca)se 6wdw8wd!d} 'ost endga'es will not reach positions where the KingEs 5dwdwIw)w} line )p directly" ,nowing how to 'a,e progress and o)tplay &wdwdwdwd} the ene'y when their positions are irreg)lar is ,ey!

3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} -ere white starts off with the 'ove 1*Kd!! . and tho)gh the %dwdwdwdw} Kings are not directl# opposing each other on a ran, or v,./9EFJMV file" the (lac, King is still in >)g=wang and ')st 'ove"

The goal position: King giving )p the e! s/)are* The ga'e contin)es: 1***Kf0 ;(est< on the 6th, Pawn on the 5th 1*Ke! Kg2 4*Ke2! Kg0 5*Kf! and 5***Kh2* Beca)se (lac, ')st g)ard the g9pawn" the King is forced toward the edge* can be reache& here!

?--egula- Opposition, &7a$ple 1 6iag-a$ ) cuuuuuuuuC $hite now 'a,es the final o(vio)s 'ove" #*Kf2: (lac, is in (wdwdwdwd} opposition8 forced to 'ove to the h09s/)are8 and the g9 7dwdwd*dk} pawn falls* $hite has achieved King on the !th" Pawn on 6wdwdwI!d} the #th " and is easily winning after #***Kh0 !*Kxg! Kg0 5dwdwdw)w} 2*Kh! Kh0 0*g! Kg0 I*g2 Kf2 1J*Kh2 and 11*g067)een!

&wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

4rreg"lar ?pposition lea&s to &irect opposition + winning the g6+pawn!

$hiteEs a(ility to 'a,e progress" despite never directly opposing the ene'y King" was (ased on the fact that (lac, had to gua-d certain ,ey squares ;li,e e!" f!" and event)ally the pawn on g!<* Beca)se (lac,Es King was tied down to those s/)ares" white was a(le to %o'e around the King" forcing (lac, to lose gro)nd and allow whiteEs King to 'a,e progress towards the precio)s pawn on g!* Page 2 of 14

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Lesson 15
2a$ous ?--egula- Opposition &7a$ple: T"e (ing Dance, 6iag-a$ 1 cuuuuuuuuC This position (rings together all the ideas of (asic" distant (wdwdwdwd} ;with the ,ings (eing 4 files apart<" and irreg)lar opposition* 7dwdwdwdw} Even if this position never occ)rs in yo)r own ga'e" the 6wdwdwdwd} concept is very i'portant and extre'ely )sef)l* -ere the 5dwdwdwdw} s/)ares e4 and g5 are corresponding s/)ares" co''only &wdw w"*d} referred to as ;don@t touch $e 9i-st< s/)ares***

3dwdw8PdK} 2wdwdwdwd} This 'eans that whoever 'oves to the e4 ;(lac,< or g5 %dwdwdwdw} ;white< first will lose after the ene'y i''ediately 'oves to v,./9EFJMV the corresponding s/)are* Exa'ple: 1***Ke4 is 'et (y
Whomever moves 'irst !ins in this 'amo"s King -ance position!

1*Kg5" g)arding the f49pawn and placing the (lac, King in >)g=wang ;the f59pawn falls<* On the other hand" 1*Kg5 (y white is 'et (y 1***Ke4" ret)rning the favor and winning***

2a$ous ?--egula- Opposition &7a$ple: T"e (ing Dance, 6iag-a$ ) cuuuuuuuuC The /)estion then (eco'es: $ho can force their opponent (wdwdwdwd} to the donEt to)ch 'e s/)are first" and how% Both sides 7dwdwdwdw} ')st strive to reach a s/)are that attac,s the ene'y pawn 6wdwdwdwd} ()t isn@t a ;don@t touch $e< squa-e* The 'ost o(vio)s 5dwdwdwdw} s/)ares are g# for white and e1 for (lac,* Typically" the &wdwdw"*I} 'ore active King . so in this case" the King who 'oves first 3dwdwdPdw} . will win the King &ance (y reaching the ,ey s/)are first!

2wdwdkdwd} %dwdwdwdw} +ss)'ing it is (lac, to play" 1***Kd4 is the correct 'ove* v,./9EFJMV $hite is now forced to dance away fro' the g59s/)are
White is 'orce& to g% an& black &elivers the 'inal blow: ) Ke), winning!

;as 1*Kg5 o(vio)sly losses i''ediately to 1***Ke4<* 1*Kh5 is the only 'ove ;1*Kg1 wo)ld allow 1***Ke4 easily winning the f49pawn and the ga'e< and after 1***Ke1! white $ust play 4*Kg5" and (lac, retreats with 4***Ke4" winning***

?--egula- Opposition Still #o-(s : 'ut 2ails 'ecause o9 the +oo( Pa!n A%o-ne-B cuuuuuuuuC +lso i'portant are cases when )sing irreg)lar opposition is (wdwdwdw8} effective in 'a,ing progress and forcing the ene'y King to 7dwdwdw w} lose gro)nd" ()t nonetheless leads to drawn positions d)e 6wdwdKdw"} to other i'portant factors in the position* 3or exa'ple" here 5dwdwdwdP} white has a Coo, Pawn*

&wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV

>'ter obvio"s moves, the above position is &rawn

+fter 1*Ke2" white forces the (lac, King to lose gro)nd" s)rrendering the f! s/)are* +fter 1***Kg0 1*Kf! Kh2 4*Kf2 Kh0 5*Kg! Kg0 #*Kxh! . white has )sed the irreg)lar opposition techni/)e s)ccessf)lly8 however" the endga'e is still a draw after #***Kh0 . as white is left with a Coo, Pawn" and the (lac, King will easily hold the corner* Page 0 of 14

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Lesson 15

Opposition, Technique & Advanced King Play

Anstr)ctorEs :)ide
The i'portance of )nderstanding King and Pawn endings" fro' the 'ost (asic exa'ples of King on the !th" Pawn on the #th 9 to the advanced positions of &istant and Arreg)lar Opposition" sho)ld neve- 4e unde-esti$ated5 Players who s,ip these i'portant steps will find the'selves ill e/)ipped when trying to solve ;and play< 'ore co'plicated endga'es with 'inor pieces and Coo,s* Essentially" a chess playerEs a(ility to 'a,e the right decision in 'any other types of endga'es is (ased on their King and Pawn ending ,nowledge* This is (eca)se all pieces ;(esides the King< can (e lost or exchanged for one another8 therefore" there is always the potential for a King and Pawn ending to occ)r in a ga'e*The only way for a (eginning chess player" especially a child" to 'aster King and Pawn endings is deli(erate and repeated practice of the (asics" as well as experience in solving the 'ore co'plex exa'ples* Beca)se there tr)ly is no easy transition fro' the (asic concepts of opposition to the 'ore advanced" 'a,e s)re yo)r st)dents gen)inely )nderstand all the f)nda'entals of Part 1 (efore 'oving onto the &istant ;Part 1< and event)ally Arreg)lar ;Part 4< exa'ples of opposition and advanced King play* Hse the wor,sheets for practice d)ring this process* P-actical 8otes and Advice : Lesson 15: /ave you- studentAsB p-actice the th-ee=step patte-n e7plained in Pa-t 1 : t-ying the pa!n on di99e-ent 9iles so that the child can -eali>e 9o- hi$Che-sel9 that this technique = cul$inating in King on the th, Pa!n on the 5th = !o-(s !ith eve-y pa!n Ae7cept the +oo( Pa!nB5 Let the$ t-y on thei- o!n, o99e-ing ve-y little 9eed4ac( at 9i-st5 They !ill o9ten $a(e the $ista(e o9 advancing the pa!n too ea-ly : eithe- allo!ing the ene$y King to ta(e de9ensive opposition, o- advancing the pa!n in 9-ont o9 thei- King, thus allo!ing the d-a!ing $ethods e7plained in Pa-ts 1 and ) to occu-5 Let the$ lea-n 9-o$ e7pe-ience that advancing the pa!n ca-elessly, neglecting thei- ulti$ate goal position, doesn@t !o-(5 Then -e$ind the$ o9 the !inning technique, as(ing the$ to t-y and (eep to the -ulesCp-inciples5 The de9endeshould eventually t-y $oving to the side 9ile Asee the ;'onus Position< o9 Pa-t 1B5

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Page I of 14

Lesson 15 Lesson 15: King and Pa!n &ndings

An the following diagra's (lac, is drawing with defensive opposition only if the (lac, King is placed on the right s/)are;s<* &raw a star on the s/)are;s< that wo)ld give a draw to (lac, -ega-dless o9 !hose tu-n it is to $ove5 Af there is no way to draw" circle the white King*

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdwdKdwd} 5dwdw)wdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Are there any drawing squares for the black King regardless of whose turn it is?

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wdw)Kdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Are there any drawing squares for the black King regardless of whose turn it is?

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdwdw} 6Kdwdwdwd} 5)wdwdwdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Are there any drawing squares for the black King regardless of whose turn it is?
? ChessKid*co'

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwIwdwdw} &wdPdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Are there any drawing squares for the black King regardless of whose turn it is?
Page 1J of 14

Lesson 15 Lesson 15: King and Pa!n &ndings

An the following diagra's (lac, is drawing with defensive opposition only if the (lac, King is placed on the right s/)are;s<* &raw a star on the s/)are;s< that wo)ld give a draw to (lac, -ega-dless o9 !hose tu-n it is to $ove5 Af there is no way to draw" circle the white King*

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wdwdwdPI} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Are there any drawing squares for the black King regardless of whose turn it is?

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdwIw} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdwdwdP} &wdwdwdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Are there any drawing squares for the black King regardless of whose turn it is?

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdwdKdw} &wdwdPdwd} 3dwdwdwdw} 2wdwdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Are there any drawing squares for the black King regardless of whose turn it is?
? ChessKid*co'

cuuuuuuuuC (wdwdwdwd} 7dwdwdwdw} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wdwdwdwd} 3dw)wdwdw} 2wdKdwdwd} %dwdwdwdw} v,./9EFJMV
Are there any drawing squares for the black King regardless of whose turn it is?
Page 11 of 14

Lesson 15

Opposition, Technique & Advanced King Play

+nswer Key
$or,sheet Page . King and Pawn Endings :
6iag-a$ D1 : @ircle the white King: $hite has achieved King on the !th" Pawn on the #th and is winning regardless of the position of the (lac, King or whose t)rn it is to 'ove* 6iag-a$ D) : 7tars on a3, b3, c3, c* an& c6 1 'o"r s8"ares total: O(vio)sly a0 and (0 hold the corner " ()t (lac, can also trap the white King to the Coo, file fro' the c9file* 3or exa'ple if the (lac, King was to start on c!: 1*Ka2 Kc2 1*a! Kc0 4*Ka0 ;if 4* K(! then 4***K(0< 4*** Kc2 5*a2 Kc0 stale'ates white in the corner* 6iag-a$ D1 : 7tars on e6, &6, e3 an& &3 1 'o"r s8"ares total: e! an d! o(vio)sly 'aintain a direct opposition on the white King and force the e#9pawn to lead the way" therefore drawing* E0 and d0 hold the distant opposition and prepare to 'eet any advance of the King ;f#" e#" or d#< with direct opposition* NOT)* c2" d2" e2 and f2 wo)ld draw if (lac, were to 'ove" ()t if it were whiteEs t)rn to 'ove the white King can gain the opposition (y co'ing forward to the correct corresponding s/)are* C0 and f0 wo)ld also draw on (lac,Es t)rn (y waiting for the opposition on the correct corresponding s/)are ;either d0 or e0 respectively<* 6iag-a$ DE : @ircle the white King: Tho)gh there are several s/)ares that 'ight draw if it were (lac, to 'ove" and 'ay(e even a few that wo)ld draw on white to 'ove . There are no s/)ares that draw regardless of whose t)rn it is to 'ove* 6iag-a$ D5 : 7tars on g6, h6, g3 an& h3 1 'o"r s8"ares total: g6 an h! o(vio)sly 'aintain a direct opposition on the white King and force the g#9pawn to lead the way" therefore drawing* :0 and h0 hold the distant opposition and prepare to 'eet any advance of the King ;g# or h#< with direct opposition* NOT)* f2" g2 and h2 wo)ld draw if (lac, were to 'ove" ()t if it were whiteEs t)rn to 'ove the white King can gain the opposition (y co'ing forward to the correct corresponding s/)are* 30 wo)ld also draw on (lac,Es t)rn (y waiting for the opposition on g0* 6iag-a$ D : @ircle the white King 6iag-a$ DF : @ircle the white King 6iag-a$ DG : .very sa'e s8"are along the b, c an& & 'iles wo"l& lea& to a 'orce& &raw regar&less o' whose t"rn it is to play: This position is designed to sho! the seve-e
? ChessKid*co'

Page 11 of 14

Lesson 15
disa4ility o9 having the pa!n in 9-ont o9 the King !hen t-ying to !in King and Pa!n &ndings5 Even on d0 and (0 the (lac, King can wait to 'eet (oth 1*Kd4 or 1*K(4 with 1***Kc2! and (lac, is ready to 'eet any advance (y the white King with opposition* There exists a total of 14 forced drawing s/)ares: c5" (#" c#" d#" (!" c!" d!" (2" c2" d2" (0" c0 and d0*

? ChessKid*co'

Page 14 of 14