Opposition (chess) - Distant Opposition

Distant Opposition

from Capablanca

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

White takes the distant opposition after 1. Ke2

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 the diagram on the right (Capablanca & de Firmian 2006:41):

1. Ke2 (White takes the distant opposition) ... Ke7
2. Ke3 Ke6
3. Ke4 (takes the direct opposition, and now Black must step aside) Kd6 (... Kf6 allows the corresponding Kf4!)
4. Kd4! (Kf5 would lead to both pawns queening) Kc6 (... Ke6 5. Kc5 and is way ahead in the queening race)
5. Ke5 (and White has a choice of which pawn he wins, and then use this as the outside passed pawn unless he can promote it directly)

Black can be tricky and try

1. ... Kf8 and if
2. Ke3 then Ke7 and now Black has the distant opposition and draws. Similarly 2. Kf3 Kf7.

White instead should remember that the aim of the opposition is to penetrate, so step sideways and forward with

1. ... Kf8
2. Kd3! Ke7 (otherwise White penetrates with Kc5, and will win a queening race)
3. Ke3! (White again has the distant opposition and transposes into the main line)