In short: When the kings stand facing each other with one square between them. The player who is not to move has the opposition.
Two kings may never stand next to each other. So when they stand facing each other with a single square between them, they block each other: neither can move forward. The one who has to move must step aside, and then the other king can get past. The player who doesn't have to move is said to have the opposition.
Why the opposition decides pawn endgames
In the endgame of king and pawn against king, it is all about getting the king in front of the pawn. The defending king tries to stand in the way. Look at the same position with different players to move:
Nothing on the board separates the two positions, only who has to move. That is why the opposition and zugzwang go together: the player with the opposition puts the opponent in zugzwang.
Take the opposition
The distant opposition
The kings can also stand further apart, on the same file or rank. If the number of squares between them is odd (three or five), the player who is not to move has the distant opposition. As the kings approach each other, it can be turned into the ordinary opposition.
Read more about how the pawn becomes a queen on the page about promotion.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the opposition?
The player who is not to move. The other has to move the king and let the opponent's king through.
What is the distant opposition?
When the kings stand on the same file or rank with more than one square between them. If the number of squares between them is odd, the player not to move has the distant opposition, and it can often be turned into the ordinary opposition.
Is it always best to take the opposition?
No. The opposition is a means, not an end. What counts is getting the king to the right squares in front of the pawn.
Updated October 31, 2026