Direct Opposition
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
| 8 | 8 | ||||||||
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| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h |
Direct opposition is when the two kings face each other along a rank or file with only one square in between. When the term opposition is used, it normally refers to direct opposition.
In this diagram, the player whose turn it is not to move has the opposition. If it is Black's turn to move, White has the opposition and wins (Flear 2004:23). (See King and pawn versus king endgame.) If it were White's turn to move, Black would have the opposition and the position would be a draw.
Read more about this topic: Opposition (chess)
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