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Let’s take a look at the second possibility, II) 2...h3

3.Ke7!

White can’t catch the h-pawn, but he helps his own passed pawn instead.

3...Kb6 4.Kd7 h2 5.c7 h1=Q 6.c8=Q, Draw.

THE OPPOSITION RULE

Perhaps the second most important rule of pawn endings is the so-called “opposition”.  The opposition is the situation when one King stands in front of the opponent’s King, thus preventing the second King from advancing and, in turn forcing the second player to surrender space. There is direct opposition, distant opposition, and diagonal opposition.

Let’s take a look at the following situation:

One must keep in mind that if White's King gets to the 6th rank, game is lost for Black. Black has to stop that.

1...Ke7

Any other move loses, for instance 1...Kd7 2.Kf6 Ke8 3.e5 Kf8 4.e6 Ke8 5.e7, and wins. The text move prevents White's King from controlling the 6th rank. Now a draw is forced:

2.Kd5 Kd7!

Black keeps the opposition. This forces White to advance the pawn, thus assuring a drawn result.

3.e5 Ke7 4.e6 Ke8!

This is another important moment. The King must take a stand directly in front of the passed pawn. Instead, 4...Kd8 would lose to 5.Kd6 Ke8 6.e7 Kf7 7.Kd7, and White wins.

5.Kd6 Kd8 6.e7+ Ke8 7.Ke6, stalemate.

This was an example of so-called direct opposition. Also common are extended  (also called “long” or “distant” opposition) and diagonal opposition, both of which will be lightly addressed in the following position.

Let’s take a look at the diagram below:

Black must prevent a loss of the e6-pawn. The key is to keep White’s King from the f6- and h6-squares. If Black plays 1...Kg7?, then after 2.Kg5! he would have to give up the opposition, leading to a loss. Also losing is 1...Kf7, then 2.Kh5! (White takes diagonal opposition, instead 2.Kg5? leads only to a draw after 2...Kg7! [Black takes the direct opposition!] 3.Kh5 Kh7 and Black holds the opposition) 2…Kg7 3.Kg5! Kf7 4.Kh6 Kf8 5.Kg6 Ke7 6.Kg7 Ke8 7.Kf6 Kd7 8.Kf7, and White wins.

1...Kg8!

Black takes the long opposition (three squares between Kings). Now White can’t obtain control of the f6- or h6-squares and Black saves the game.

2.Kh5 Kh7! 3.Kg5 Kg7!

This is a situation where the role of opposition is crystal-clear. Black's King holds its adversary at bay therefore the game is drawn.

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