Opposite Bishops: Central and Rook Pawn Draw
Black to play and draw
PlayAn a-pawn and a d-pawn against your bishop, and you draw. White's king wants b7, next to its rook pawn, and there is only one road there: around your king. The rule: keep your bishop on the a7-b8 diagonal and put your king in his way, checking him back when he gets close.
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Central and Rook Pawn: Deny b7
Black to play and draw · Hold the draw against perfect play
Waking the engine…
The theory
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Map his routes. There is no way round on the left, and the gap between the pawns is too narrow, so his king has to go around your king. Do not let it reach e8.
When separated passed pawns are an a-pawn and a d-pawn, two files apart, the defender needs only a little care to draw. The bishop sits in front of the rook pawn on a7, where it can never be driven off, and the defense turns on a single square.
One door only. The attacking king cannot come around the queenside, and the corridor between the pawns is too narrow to pass. Its one route runs around the defender's king toward b7, and that is the square to deny.
Shadow and check. Meet the king's advance by keeping your king in front of it, for example Kf5 met by Ke7, and refuse it the e8 square. When it tries to squeeze past, checks from a7 and b8 send it back. The bishop stays anchored on the a7-b8 corner throughout.
In this drill White will maneuver the king toward b7. Keep your king opposite his, guard b7, and the win never materializes.
Keep going
The Overextended Knight Pawn
Black to play and draw
Knight Pawn Kept Back: Two Threats at Once
White to play and win
Outflanking with a- and e-Pawns
White to play and win
All 19 opposite bishops positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)