The opposition
In king-and-pawn endings, the side that does not have to move often wins. Learn to take the opposition.
Kings facing off
The kings stand on the same file with one square between them. Neither may step onto e5, so whoever has to move must give way. The side that is NOT to move has the opposition. Here it is Black to move, so White has it, and Black's king will have to let White's through.
Take the opposition
Your turn
Only one move wins. Take the opposition.
Show the answer
Ke4. Now Black has to move and give ground. Every other move lets Black's king take the opposition instead, and the game is a draw.
Once more
Your turn
Again, only one move wins.
Show the answer
Ke3 takes the opposition. Notice the king leads and the pawn waits: pushing e2-e4 too early would throw the win away.
How the win goes
Step through the demo. When Black's king steps aside, White's king walks past it (outflanking) instead of pushing the pawn. Only once the king controls the squares in front of the pawn does the pawn advance, and it promotes.
Check yourself
Question
White's king is on e4, Black's on e6, and it is White to move. Who has the opposition?
Show the answer
Black
The side that does not have to move has the opposition. White must now give way.
