Introduction

  • Introduction to opposition – elementary end games
  • Beginner
  • 20-25 minutes

Learning Objectives

Students will be introduced to the concept of opposition

Students will practice using opposition in a King vs. King & Pawn end game

Materials

Demo board

Chess boards for students

Resources

About: Elementary End Games (part 5)
http://chess.about.com/library/weekly/aa03f07.htm

Chess Dryad (opposition) audio/video online lessons
http://www.chessdryad.com/education/magictheater/index.htm

Chessville – Instruction
http://www.chessville.com/instruction/instr_begin_basic_end_kandp_kpvk_opp.htm

Logical Chess: (Lesson 7)
http://www.logicalchess.com/resources/lessons/endgame/k&p/index.html

Rockford Chess Instructional Materials
http://www.rockfordchess.org/instruction/

Teaching and Learning Sequence

  • Introduction:

Place the White King on f4, White pawn on e4, and Black King on e7. Ask the students questions to determine initial understanding:

            What is the best possible outcome for White? For Black?

            What is the closest position two Kings can be from each other? Why?

  • Lesson Development:

1.       Define opposition: The ability to push the opposing King out of the way.

2.       There are many different kinds of opposition: direct, indirect, horizontal, vertical, etc… (See Chessville reference.) All opposition may be simplified by mentally labeling squares on odd numbered ranks alternately A and B moving left to right and then labeling those squares on even numbered ranks alternately C and D again moving left to right. Opposition may be gained by moving your King to the same lettered square as your opponent’s King. Place only the two Kings on the board and demonstrate how one King can gain opposition by moving to the same lettered square and then ultimately use the opposition to push the other King.

3.       Demonstrate the use of opposition in a K+P vs. K end game. Place the White King on f4, White pawn on e4, and Black king on e7. (See Chess Dryad for online Flash video and audio explanation of concept.)

  • Closure:

Have students practice the K + P vs. K end game by using the board set up at Chessville. Students should alternate playing Black or White and also alternate who moves first.

Study Sheets / Future Review:

Free, printable handouts for K+P vs. P endings are found at the Rockford Chess site.

Review with online lessons at http://www.chessdryad.com/education/magictheater/index.htm