Opposite Bishops: How Separated Passers Actually Win
White to play and win
PlayOpposite-colored bishops often draw, but not when both enemy pieces are already tied down. Black's king is stuck to the c-pawn, and his bishop is stuck to the f-pawn. Your king wins the game by walking straight at that bishop.
Updated
New to this ending? Learn the method first: The Fortress
No signup needed. The opponent never gives up, and every mistake gets explained.
March at the Piece That Holds the Pawn
White to play and win · Win against perfect defense
Waking the engine…
The theory
Opposite-colored bishops draw most endings, and two extra passed pawns are no guarantee of anything. What wins is not the distance between the pawns but the state of the defenders.
Check who holds what. White's bishop is light-squared and c8 is a light square, so the c-pawn's queening square is permanently covered. That chains the black king to the front of the c-pawn. The other passer is held only by the black bishop, from a distance.
The winning plan. March your king at the pawn the bishop is holding back. Kd5-e6 attacks the bishop on e7, and once it moves, f5-f6 and f6-f7 come with the king escorting: Kf6-g6-g7. The bishop has to be given up for the f-pawn, and the c-pawn does the rest.
The move order matters. Pushing f5-f6 before the bishop is dislodged simply drops the pawn to Bxf6 and the game is drawn. Improve the king first.
In this drill you convert against a defence that never cracks. Attack the restraining piece, not the blockade.
Keep going
Same Pawns, Swapped Defenders, No Win
White to play and draw
The Knight's Pawn Saves the Draw
White to play and draw
The Opposite-Colored Bishops Fortress
Black to play and draw
All 19 opposite bishops positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)