Distant Opposition: chess endgame

Keep the useful king relationship as the kings approach.

Distant opposition uses an odd number of empty squares between kings on a file or rank. Diagonal opposition is a related way to control the approach. Obstacles, pawn moves and useful entry squares decide whether keeping the opposition helps.

• Count the empty squares and identify whose move it is.
• Recheck the relationship after every king move.
• Choose the route that reaches or prevents the important entry square.