In
chess,
opposition (or
direct opposition) is the situation occurring when two
kings face each other on a
rank or
file, with only one square in-between them. In such a situation, the player not having to move is said to "have the opposition" . It is a special type of
zugzwang and most often occurs in
endgames with only kings and
pawns . The side with the move may have to move the king away, potentially allowing the opposing king access to important squares. Taking the opposition is a means to an end (normally forcing the opponent's king to move to a weaker position) and is not always the best thing to do.