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Face to Face

Part of the The King and the Pawn section of Coddy's Endgames journey. Lesson 9 of 26.

Kings may never touch, so two kings on one line with a single square between them are locked: whoever must move gives ground. That standoff is the opposition, and the player who does not have to move holds it. Take it when you attack; take it when you defend. Then wait.

Try it yourselfMedium
Position 1 of 7
WatchKings face to face, Black to move. Watch what the opposition is worth.
8a7b6c5d4e3f2g1h
The starting position.
0 / 4
All 7 positions

All lessons in The King and the Pawn

1What Can Mate

Not EnoughQueen Beats a PiecePuzzles: What Can MateRecap: What Can Mate

4The Rule of the Square

Draw the SquareCatch ItRunRecap: The Square

2The King Steps Up

Wake the KingThe King EatsThe EscortRecap: The King Steps Up

5Key Squares

The Key SquaresKing in FrontPuzzles: Key SquaresRecap: Key Squares

3Opposition

Face to FaceAround the SideThe Spare TempoHold the LinePuzzles: OppositionRecap: Opposition

6Rook Pawns Draw

The CornerLocked InPuzzles: Rook PawnsRecap: The King and the Pawn