Opposite Bishops: Two Passers That Do Not Win
White to play and draw
PlayYou have two extra passed pawns, two files apart, and the same light-squared bishop covering c8. Still, it is only a draw. The key difference is which black piece is holding which pawn.
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Same Pawns, Swapped Defenders, No Win
White to play and draw · Hold the draw against perfect play
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The theory
Two extra passed pawns with opposite-colored bishops sound decisive. They are not. The verdict does not turn on how far apart the pawns stand: it turns on the jobs the defender's pieces are doing.
The defensive setup. Black's bishop blockades the c-pawn from c7, standing right in front of it, and the same diagonal covers f4, the f-pawn's advance square. His king supports from g5. Both pawns are dead.
Why the winning method fails. The way to beat this material is to attack the piece that restrains a pawn from a distance, driving it off with your king. A bishop that blockades from directly in front cannot be handled that way, and while your king spends moves trying, the f-pawn on f3 sits with no escort. One king, two jobs, no win.
The contrast worth remembering. Swap the black defenders around, with the king in front of the c-pawn and the bishop restraining the f-pawn from a distance, and White wins. Same material, same pawns, different assignment.
In this drill the goal is a clean half point. Recognize the fortress instead of pressing into it.
Keep going
The Knight's Pawn Saves the Draw
White to play and draw
The Opposite-Colored Bishops Fortress
Black to play and draw
Opposite Bishops: Two Pawns Win
White to play and win
All 19 opposite bishops positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)