Part 6 (1/2)

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which can be called actual or close lateral opposition.

In practice they are all one and the same. The Kings are always on squares of the same colour, there is only one intervening square between the Kings, and the player who has moved last ”_has the opposition_.” {45}

Now, if the student will take the trouble of moving each King backwards as in a game in the same frontal, diagonal or lateral line respectively shown in the diagrams, we shall have what may be called _distant_ frontal, diagonal and lateral opposition respectively.

The matter of the opposition is highly important, and takes at times somewhat complicated forms, all of which can be solved mathematically; but, for the present, the student should only consider the most simple forms.

(An examination of some of the examples of King and p.a.w.ns endings already given will show several cases of close opposition.)

In all simple forms of opposition,

_when the Kings are on the same line and the number of intervening squares between them is even, the player who has the move has the opposition_.

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EXAMPLE 27.--The above position shows to advantage the enormous value of the opposition. The {46} position is very simple. Very little is left on the board, and the position, to a beginner, probably looks absolutely even.

It is not the case, however. _Whoever has the move wins._ Notice that the Kings are directly in front of one another, and that the number of intervening squares is _even_.

Now as to the procedure to win such a position. The proper way to begin is to move straight up. Thus:

1. K - K 2 K - K 2 2. K - K 3 K - K 3 3. K - K 4 K - B 3

Now White can exercise the option of either playing K - Q 5 and thus pa.s.sing with his King, or of playing K - B 4 and prevent the Black King from pa.s.sing, thereby keeping the opposition. Mere counting will show that the former course will only lead to a draw, therefore White takes the latter course and plays:

4. K - B 4 K - Kt 3

If 4...K - K 3; 5 K - Kt 5 will win.

5. K - K 5 K - Kt 2

Now by counting it will be seen that White wins by capturing Black's Knight p.a.w.n.

The process has been comparatively simple in the variation given above, but Black has other lines of {47} defence more difficult to overcome. Let us begin anew.

1. K - K 2 K - Q 1

Now if 2 K - Q 3, K - Q 2, or if 2 K - K 3, K - K 2, and Black obtains the opposition in both cases. (When the Kings are directly in front of one another, and the number of intervening squares between the Kings is _odd_, the player who has moved last has the opposition.)

Now in order to win, the White King must advance. There is only one other square where he can go, B 3, and that is the right place. Therefore it is seen that in such cases when the opponent makes a so-called waiting move, you must advance, leaving a rank or file free between the Kings. Therefore we have--

2. K - B 3 K - K 2

Now, it would be bad to advance, because then Black, by bringing up his King in front of your King, would obtain the opposition. It is White's turn to play a similar move to Black's first move, viz.:

3. K - K 3

which brings the position back to the first variation shown. The student would do well to familiarise himself with the handling of the King in all examples of opposition. It often means the winning or losing of a game.