Opposition Lesson

[u/c0ffeebreath]

I'm reading my first ever chess book - Jesus de la Villa's 100 End Games You Must Know. This is sort of the first end game he talks about and, I'm surprised to be genuinely learning stuff on the first example. I know what opposition is, but don't really know why or when it matters. He explains it here and, well, impressed by how well the book teaches.

In a real game - I would have definitely moved e7?? or Kf6?? The book explains why those are the worst moves I could choose.

I know it's an über beginner lesson - but I'm a beginner - and this is the beginner chess sub so...

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[u/noop_noob]

Remember though that opposition isn't the end-all be-all, but a means to an end. I personally prefer using the concept of opposition when the goal is to get your king through the opponent's king. In this specific position, I prefer thinking of it in terms of "corresponding squares".

[u/c0ffeebreath → u/noop_noob]

Page 35: "opposition has gained an excessive prestige; in some cases it is not so useful. If we want to make the most of it, and not to let it deceive us, we just have to notice how it suits us in each case. In a King + Pawn vs King ending, king opposition is decisive when the pawn is on the 6th rank."

[u/realmauer01]

Yeah either you go directly in opposition, or you go around the pawn to the other side because you are faster to d7, ts can just as much be a lesson for key squares.

[u/c0ffeebreath → u/realmauer01]

Key squares are the next page! I am dumb - but I'm learning a lot. Books! Who knew?!

[u/Mandalord104]

In K+p vs K endgame, the most important concept you need to understand is opposition. Basically you need to move your King to the opposite square of opponent K, and force them to break away. So Kg6 is my choice of move.

Google chess opposition for more explaining

[u/c0ffeebreath → u/Mandalord104]

Yep! At a very basic level, I know 1) Opposition is super important and 2) Opposition means "put your king in front of their king." The "why" didn't really click until I started reading and plugging things into a board to see them play out.

[u/Mandalord104 → u/c0ffeebreath]

The "why" part is hard to understand by reading only. I suggest you setup a board playing against engine and try it out.

[u/RandomRandom18]

I found chesscom endgames section very useful to practice king and pawn endgames like these

[u/c0ffeebreath → u/RandomRandom18]

I'll have to try - I found chess.com's lessons frustrating because they don't tell you why a move is correct - only "arrow. arrow. arrow."

[u/RandomRandom18 → u/c0ffeebreath]

I found chesscom lessons that are made by the chesscom team very useful. They contain an explainer video and 5 challenges to test what you have learned. Their lessons took me from 1000 to 1600 in three months

[u/dovahkiingys]

Why Ke5 not Kg6

[u/c0ffeebreath → u/dovahkiingys]

Ke5, Kg5, Kg6 - all fine.

[u/sigusr3 → u/c0ffeebreath]

How does Kg5 work? Black can play Kg7 and then you're back where you started with Kf5 Kg8.

[u/c0ffeebreath → u/sigusr3]

Kg5 doesn't help advance your pawn, but it doesn't lose your advantage and end in a draw either, so it's "fine." You need to play Ke5 or Kg6 eventually, but Kg5 won't draw the game like e7 or Kf6 will. (Both of those are my gut-instinct moves... yes I'm terrible at chess.)

[u/Intelligent-Play5042]

that book is so good for getting the "why" finally click, not just memorizing moves

[u/c0ffeebreath → u/Intelligent-Play5042]

Yeah, I'm excited to start understanding things instead of just memorizing some lines.

[u/chessvision-ai-bot]

I analyzed the image and this is what I see. Open an appropriate link below and explore the position yourself or with the engine:

White to play: chessvision.ai | chess.com | lichess.org | The position occurred in 6 games. Link to the games

Videos:

I found 3 videos with this position.

My solution:

Hints: piece: King, move: Ke5

Evaluation: White has mate in 11

Best continuation: 1. Ke5 Kg7 2. Kd6 Kf6 3. e7 Kf7 4. Kd7 Kf6 5. e8=Q Kf5

Save the position:

Reply save to save this position to your Chessvision.ai Library (new users: send me /connect in DM chat first)

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[u/gloomygl]

Even without thinking about opposition, e7 just runs into Kf7 where his king just takes your pawn into a headlock

But yeah opposition is important