Chess Endgame Fundamentals: King + Pawn vs. King 

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

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 RU-vid right now, 2) Right now the video is only available in 360p, but it should be 1080p HD soon. Thanks for watching!

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!!!

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

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

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

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.

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

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! :)

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.

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

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

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

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. :-)

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

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

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

Opposition is such a critical concept. It is simple yet complicated at the same time and I haven't disciplined myself enough to study it where it becomes part of my game.

Black King: We are in endgame now.

Firstly, this was super helpful. I'm working my way through your endgame series and it's been excellent. However, one thing I can't help but point out from this one: rules 1 and 2 are redundant. If the kings are on the same colour square / on the same file, there will always be an odd number of squares between them.

I love how english speakers try to pronounce Zugzwang

A very perplexing topic explained so that those who are not advanced or master rated players can pick up a few wins or stave off a few losses they otherwise would not have been able to do. Well done.

4:25 1 - Same file and color square 2 - Odd number of squares between 3 - Black's turn 5:21 The 3 squares 7:17 + 7:28 + 8:04 + 8:30 Find the best move (White) 11:31 If you have to retreat with your king, you should always go directly backwards. 10:54 + 11:49 Find the best move (Black) 13:37 Evaluate the position (White) 14:56 Evaluate the position (Black) (16:10 = correct move) 17:43 Exception! If white has a an available pawn move after black gets the opposition. (reserve tempo in distant opposition) 19:15 More on exceptions, like key squares and edge pawns, like rook pawns in particular. There's some cases where the opposition does not apply. Key squares = A knight pawn on its sixth rank, the defending king in the corner, and the defender to move. White king is on c7 or c8 = stalemate The defending side prefers symmetry with the kings. They like the kings on the same file, because that stops the stronger side's king from coming up. It doesn't want the king to get in front of the pawn. The side that's trying to win prefers assymetry. Remember that outflanking idea. The side that's trying to win wants the king to be able to pass the other king and work it's way up the board.

A good video. Anyway, there is one exception that I'd like to add. White: Ke6, pawn e5; Black: Ke8 If it's black to move, white wins as described in the video. If it's white to move, black has the opposition, but white still wins. I was already rated 1900 when a friend of mine pointed this hole inmy endgame knowledge.

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

Ive watched several videos on this same technique but this video has finally made it clear to me. Thanks man

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

Came to this video after messing up what should have been a winning ending with the realisation that despite its basic nature and having played chess for many years I actually didn't understand the king and pawn ending as well as I imagined I did and I'd exchanged into a drawn position when I didn't need to. Shameful admission. I really liked the lucid explanation here and I have no excuse for making the same mistake next time I see this kind of position lies ahead.

Just watched this yesterday and came back to say it saved my game today.

Hello, you haven't made any videos of late, however, I have used this lesson to win a game several times since I learnt it from here, additionally I have won another game using a lesson you gave on endgame with queen and king against king. Greatly appreciated

GREAT PLAYLIST! Thank you!

Great video! Very clear explanation and it is nice to see it over the board as well. Looking forward to seeing more endgame videos in the future :)

More "hard copy" board videos. This format is 100% what works for me. My eyes glaze over most study videos and books. I just can't make it stick. This however, for whatever reason works like a charm. Please make a natural board end game study playlist and I'll mail you some face melting Canadian beer. (Seriously, I'll do it. Least I could do)

I have watched lot of a king pawn end game videos but this one is the best of them

I expected to see a lesson on stuff I already know, but I was not familiar with distant opposition. That's a good pro-tip. Thanks for rounding out my knowledge there. Can't wait for the endgame lesson on triangulation. :-P

You teach very well

Einfach klasse, diese ruhige Art des Erklärens: ganz herzlichen Dank dafür! SUPER.

Hey John! I haven't left you a comment in a while, but I've been watching your channel almost religiously for the past months, haha. I'd just like to thank you for all the great videos! I will make a small donation towards your channel once my PayPal starts working again, feels almost criminal to get your channel for free :). The way you eloquently express your ideas make it fun to watch and easy to follow even for a lower rated player like me who started his chess journey as an adult. You have definitely helped me improve my game and I strive to be more like you in chess and in character (I lose my temper all the time and can't remain cool like you haha). The variety in your channel is just awesome and I love the way you've been mixing things up lately and even uploading from London. This video is great too, opposition is a very important concept and you presented it well. I hope you do some more end games too, I could really use the lessons!

Explained simply and beautifully. Very instructive! Thank you.

Thank you very much for teaching us. God bless you

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?

This is the best explanation I have found on this endgame, after viewing about 8 other videos. Excellent!! Subscribed. Thank you!!

Im 2200 blitz and still lose drawn positions, so back to the drawing boards I guess. Im glad these videos are here to help because I really should know this by now.

Awesome video, thanks! Also, every same color square in a file has an odd number of squares between its fellows...

This is why I always offer to help others because someone like you (John) always comes along and provides me with help. I've read about it and have heard others explain it but never have I clearly understood it like I do now. I really appreciate this John. I wish you much success.

Next video: how to beat thanos without the infinity gauntlet *endgame*

Thank u very much John, no one has been able to explain so clearly as yours.

Thanks for all these informative videos. Just started my chess journey at 30, downloaded all your videos so they are pretty much my chess course.

This was terrifically explained! Your instructional aptitude is really inspiring. To understand the game is one thing, but to help others understand is a valuable gift, imo. I, for one, tremendously appreciate you sharing this instruction FOR FREE!

i LOVE this OTB instructional type video! thumbs way up John thank you!

The second criteria seems to be superfluous. If the kings are on same color and same file, then there is necessarily an odd number of squares in between the kings.

Most beautiful chess video i have ever seen. Awesome Chessboard.Keep your work "The Great John" :)

Great job! Very well explained and demonstrated. Thank you 😊

Just saved myself from losing by remembering this video (my opponent had the pawn). I'm still a humble 900 on Chess.com, but these little achievements keep me motivated to learn more.

Yes John Yes! Youre channel is now the one stop shop for all our chess needs. Itd be cool to get knowledge that comes so naturally to you too, like how to get good at the coordinate system and quick material count. Happy holidays!

Very clear and understandable explanation.Thank you John!

Oh dear I have definately lost this way. Great video thanks John!

Thank you for imparting us your knowledge in such a lovely way.

Nice video, but seriously if it's opponent's turn and they can't move without losing that should be considered a loss

Very instructive video! Thanks John!

best instructive endgame video I've watched.thanks for the video

best explanations on opposition ever. Thanks

This gentleman is a gifted teacher.

Excellent explanation of basic theory here. Thanks for the videos John

If you guys/girls ever played a 3d chess game you can see the similarities on how those pieces move. Mr.Bartholomew moves the pieces so smoothly! Ty for the lessons!(: 🐐

The pawnless king steps 1. in front of pawn, 2. direct opposition or 3. straight back...in that order.

Watching this in 2021. Golden.

Very well explained John. Thank you

Just what I was looking for, its nice to brush up the fundamentals. Thank you John. :)

great video, just came from a game that looked exactly like your example of what not to do at the start XD i'll see if i can remember it next time it comes up

Holyyyyyyyyy thank you very much....me and friend would most of the time play handicap without queen and most of the time this situation arose.....now I can win over him.....yesssss

John, I love your videos. Thanks for uploading this!

Thanks! This explains a lot!

Nicely done John. Thanks for this.

An EXTREMELY instructive video. Thanks so much. Subscribed. Great teaching style, great explanations.

Thanks a lot, John! This video was very instructive, and I also really like that you teach the concept using a real board. :) Keep up the good work!

Do you have a playlist for endgame fundamentals?

John, this video/these videos (hopefully) are fantastic!!! You have a certain way of explaining things let me tell you. A true talent. Thank you for all your help!

John: with White K on d6, White pawn on d5, and Black King on d8. You said "Black would like to pass on this move" If Black passes White can side step and just push the pawn and it queens. This is at 10 / 10:20 on the video

This is really good; so clearly explained. Just one bit of constructive criticism regarding the definition of the opposition: the first two criteria that you give (kings on same colour squares, and odd number of squares between them) imply one another; that is, if the kings are on the same colour squares, then there will automatically be an odd number of intervening squares, and conversely. Hence my suggestion would be to leave one of these criteria out in the definition (as it is redundant) to keep things as simple as possible. Otherwise, fantastic video; much appreciated.

2nd rule is unnecessary. There is always odd number of squares between same colored squares on any file (or row).

Very instructive, thank you. I hope there will be more like this because chess endgame is really another game totally ignored by weak players like me.

Love I RU-vid algorithm recommending this when this is only chest video I’ve seen

Needed this!!! Please more endgames tutorials!

Very very instructive. Especially play with real pieces gives this tutorial a natural feel. Thanks a lot, I think opposition is now part of my chesstoolkit1

It is not necessary to define both kings on same color and odd number of squares in between. That is an if and only if relationship.

Hi, John! I love these instructional videos of you working over a board. Have you considered doing a King+Queen vs. King+Knight endgame video? I think a lot of your audience are at the rating range to benefit from such a video.

Wonderful!!!! Thank you so much for this..saved me a bunch of time running statistical analysis on a chess database..currently writing a chess AI for endgame situations.. thanks again!

Awesome video, John! A+++ Especially nice having a real chess set.

I remember how difficult thise things seemed when i started chess :D Silmans complete endgame course improved my endgame knowledge greatly, i can only recommend the book for everyone.

Exellent little tutorial ! TY Sir,, I lost so many games in this situation !!! And it the worste way to lose after a long battle !!!! Lol !!! Never give up !

Valuable for us beginners; thanks John!

If kings are on the same color square there necessarily will be an odd number of squares between them, so no need to check both criteria. Or have I gone crazy?

The second criterion (odd number of fields between kings) is kinda redundant. If the kings are on the same file and same color fields, there'll always be an odd number of fields between them, right? :-) Great tutorial anyway!

I feel love this I suck at end games I'm great at middle games but suck at end games please make more videos like this

I'm a big fan, but if the kings are on the same file & on the same color there will automatically be an uneven amount of squares inbetween them.

if both kings are on the same color on a single file, the number of squares between them is always odd

Thank you so much, your videos are amazing.

if it's a king and pawn vrs king endgame and the last pawn is on the h or file. it's a forced draw 100% unless the enemy king is infront of the pawn their pushing like this.

Thanks John! Extremely useful.