Chess Endgame Fundamentals: King + Pawn vs. King

Learn how to properly evaluate and play one of the most common chess endgames: king + pawn versus king!

Opposition is present when:
- Kings on same color square (along the file)
- Odd number of squares in between the kings
- Opponent's turn to move

[jmiquelmb]

2019: Have you seen endgame
Me: Of course I have

[JohnBartholomewChess]

Hey guys - hope you enjoyed the video! A couple housekeeping items: 1) I recorded this at night so there wasn't any natural light; hence it's kinda dark - I'm tweaking this in YouTube right now, 2) Right now the video is only available in 360p, but it should be 1080p HD soon. Thanks for watching!

[marfeddewrwz]

I don't know why, but every time you use a real chess board it gives me a warm feeling. Also, great explanation. Now my king will be wiser and less stupid when aiding his pawn mate. Forgot to say thank you, so here it is: Thank you!!!

[onebignonfish]

I can't tell you the amount of endgames I have lost because I didn't understand this concept. Thanks so much man.

[WilliamBarksdale]

If the kings are on the same color, there will always be an odd number of squares between them

[KingCruncherec]

It's hard to grasp opposition by reading it in books. But your example on a real board moving the pieces and explaining is fantastic. Thank you.

[sputnik]

Hope this endgame video is the start of a series. Instructive video, thanks :)

[ddubya]

I really like having this video over the board opposed to a 2d chess screen....lookin good....thx john

[LexZodiac]

I thought I had an ok understanding on king and pawn vs king... Apperently at my rating people just doesnt know any better, because this was a wakeupcall in how little I actually understood in this endgame. Thank you for a wonderful video! :)

[fisher]

As much as I'm aware of that, it never hurts to review the basics. Even some really skilled players make odd mistakes in basic endings sometimes. Nice and clear explenation, John. I especially liked that you used a real board, it seemed more personal somehow.

[TrondArneAusdal]

Excellent! Read about this a lot, but never really understood it, ... until now! Perfectly explained in easy manner.

[Otterysteve]

Excellent! Really good, clear explanation, just what I need! I've seen "the opposition" mentioned before and had absolutely no idea what it was about. Now I know! Thanks for posting this John. :-)

[jenoyestewart]

Man, I am glad I found you. I had to subscribe. Clear and easy to understand instructions.

[jrgranger]

Thanks for this, John. I have a question, though: aren't the first two of your criteria really saying the same thing? If the Kings are on the same color squares on the same file, don't they necessarily have an odd number of squares between them?

[striveevolve]

This is by far the best explanation on king vs king&pawn endgames! Love these kind of videos, thanks John!

[tanujb]

This, sir, is the one of the best explanations of the end game. Thank you very much for training us mortals.

[agamdeepsingh]

If they are on the same coloured squares - They will always have an odd number of squares between the kings.

[insteadofbriers]

John,   You are an excellent educator- everything was perfectly clear to a newbie like me.  Very well done & thank you.God Bless.

[guilhermecarvalhotrindade]

This is some excellent work. Clear instructions, tons of examples, plenty of opportunities to pause and think...
I love it. Thank you so much.

[benH]

Best explanation of Opposition I've found. Fantastic video!