Opposition: the duel of the kings

In short

Put two kings on the same file with exactly one square between them. Neither may step onto this square, because kings may never stand next to each other. The side that must move its king has to go sideways or back; an available pawn move may delay this. This position is called opposition; the side that is not to move has the opposition.

In pawn endgames this often decides between a win and a draw. If the defending king has to give way, the attacking king goes past it and escorts its pawn. So behind the opposition there is a zugzwang.

The term existed before Nimzowitsch. But in “My System” he declares it abolished. In essence, he writes that the opposition judges only by outward features. He compares this to a centre that you judge only by the number of its pawns.

Instead, he describes a manoeuvre in three parts. First the king places itself directly in front of its target. Then the enemy king has to step aside, a result of zugzwang. Finally your own king goes past at the side; for Nimzowitsch this outflanking is the strongest form of attack.

Start with lesson 23. There you bring your king forward early in the endgame and take space away from the enemy king. That is the basis for every duel of the kings.

Summarised by the editors in their own words. This is not a quotation.

The king leads the way

For Nimzowitsch, the attacking king fights for the lead. It should walk in front of its pawn, like a pacemaker in a cycle race. If it stays behind the pawn, the defender can often hold a draw.

The defender and the reserve square

The defender also gets a clear rule from him. The defending king is best placed directly in front of the pawn, on the blockading square. If it has to give way, the square right behind is the safest. Nimzowitsch calls it the reserve blockading square.

If the king retreats further, it leaves the opponent too much space. Then the attacking king takes the lead, and the draw is in danger.

Today’s view

The word opposition has survived despite Nimzowitsch’s criticism. Today most chess players learn it as one of the first endgame terms, often together with key squares. In Nimzowitsch’s examples, both ways of thinking lead to the same moves.

His picture of the leading king can still help you. It explains why the opposition works: whoever has to give way loses the square both kings are fighting for.

Where to find it in Nimzowitsch

• My System: I. Teil, 4.5 Königlicher Frontalangriff gegen einen isolierten Bauern als königliches Ideal original text not yet published

  Nimzowitsch declares the opposition abolished and replaces it with frontal attack, stepping aside and outflanking; plus the defender’s reserve blockading square.

• My System: I. Teil, Schema zum Freibauern original text not yet published

  In the question-and-answer game on the passed pawn, he explains why he considers the opposition an outdated term.

In the course

• The king becomes active