Le Trébuchet

 Let's have a closer look at what is happening with the conquering of the black pawn.

Diagram 1.White to move

8/5k2/3p4/3P1K2/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1

The battleground revolves around the key squares (red circles). The red arrows indicate the axis of outflanking. On the left side is a mirrored situation.

If white decides to walk to the left, black must make sure that he can occupy the left axis of outflanking at the same time that white does. No matter whether he walks over the 7th rank, the 8th rank or a zigzag. When black reaches the c-file, be it on c7 or c8, he can always decide on which square to step on the axis, once white has showed his hand.

But there is more going on.

Diagram 2. White to move

The distant opposition gets another meaning here. The kings are in a distant opposition, relative to the key squares. If you consider the red circles (not drawn here to prevent cluttering), white to move means that the white king steps out of the opposition. But relative to the blue circles, he steps into the opposition.

But wait, there is more. . .

Diagram 3. BLACK to move

When the kings are on adjacent files AND black is to move, white can never get to the same file as black at the same time. This means that when black eats e5, white can never be in time to occupy d3

But wait, there is more ...

Diagram 4. White to move

The key squares c5 and e6 are mined. The king who steps on it first, loses his pawn. And the king who is to move, can force the other king to step on it. So I guess, you can call the squares where the kings are now (b6 and f5) corresponding squares. Yet that doesn't seem very useful in this particular position.

But wait, there is more ...

Diagram 5. No matter who is to move

If to translate the position one rank, it is a draw anyhow. No matter who is to move, who steps on a mined square or conquers a pawn first. As long as the king who loses his pawn steps on the right square the moment his pawn is taken, it is a draw. The battle is about a different set of key squares now.

But wait ...

Apparently opposition, triangulation and corresponding squares are no snake oil. You have to have a clear picture of the different types of key squares and the battles around them. It is better to work from the specific tasks you identify:

• get the key squares
• get the pawn
• outflank
• shoulder away
• promote the darn thing

Don't be surprised or frustrated when your opponents play the right moves for the wrong reason by accident. Just enjoy the learning process!