--- title: "Corresponding squares in chess" url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/corresponding-squares.md" canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/corresponding-squares" last_updated: "2026-11-07" type: "reference" summary: "Corresponding squares form a map for blocked pawn endings. The opposition is a ready-made answer for kings facing each other across one square." related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opposition.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/distant-opposition.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/zugzwang.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mutual-zugzwang.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/key-squares.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/triangulation.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/endgames.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"] --- # Corresponding squares in chess > **For AI agents:** the complete index of GeorgeLiChess pages is [llms.txt](https://georgelichess.com/llms.txt). Every page is also served as markdown at its URL plus .md. Corresponding squares form a map for blocked pawn endings. The opposition is a ready-made answer for kings facing each other across one square. Corresponding squares form a map for blocked pawn endings: each square the attacking king might use is paired with the square the defending king must occupy in reply, and missing a pair lets the attacker break through. The [opposition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opposition.md) is a ready-made answer for kings facing each other across one [square](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/square.md). Positions with many fixed pawns need something more detailed, because the kings can approach several targets by different routes and the right reply depends on exactly where the other king stands. The map is built from the end. First mark the positions where a king is in [zugzwang](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/zugzwang.md): the defender, on move, would have to let the attacker in. Those give the first pairs. Then step backward: if the attacker can reach a square from which two entry pairs are threatened, the defender needs a square from which both partners are one move away. Repeat until the pairs cover the area where the kings walk. In play, the map turns [calculation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/calculation.md) into lookup. The defender only asks whether the king can reach the partner of the attacker's square. The attacker looks for a square whose partner the defender cannot reach in time, often by taking a longer route or a triangle so that the [pairing](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pairing.md) comes out with the defender on move. The Lasker and Reichhelm study below is the classic test, because direct opposition does not help there at all. Work out the pairs once for a structure and the rest of the play becomes almost mechanical. ## Example position Lasker and Reichhelm, 1901. Every pawn is fixed, so only the kings move. White's king hunts for a way into Black's camp, and Black's king must meet each white step on the matching square. Working out the pairs shows that only 1.Kb1 wins; after 1.Ka2 or 1.Kb2 Black keeps in step and draws. Position (FEN): `8/k7/3p4/p2P1p2/P2P1P2/8/8/K7 w - - 0 1` It sits close to [Distant opposition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/distant-opposition.md). Distant opposition is the long-range form of the kings' standoff: the kings share a line with an odd number of empty squares between them, and the side not on move can keep that count odd until the kings meet. If "Corresponding squares" has cost you half a point, a [first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md) is a good place to find the pattern behind it: George Li goes through your games and builds a plan. ## Related terms - [Opposition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opposition.md) - [Distant opposition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/distant-opposition.md) - [Zugzwang](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/zugzwang.md) - [Mutual zugzwang](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mutual-zugzwang.md) - [Key squares](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/key-squares.md) - [Triangulation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/triangulation.md) ## Guides that go further - [How to choose a chess coach](https://georgelichess.com/how-to-choose-a-chess-coach.md): What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid. - [How much does chess coaching cost?](https://georgelichess.com/chess-coaching-cost.md): Published rates for private, group and subscription chess coaching, with the source and the date of each. - [The first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md): A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li. [Book your first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book.md) and George Li reviews your games and builds a study plan around them. Questions about lessons: write to hello@georgelichess.com. ## Related - [Opposition in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opposition.md) - [Distant opposition in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/distant-opposition.md) - [Zugzwang in Chess: Definition and Examples](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/zugzwang.md) - [Mutual zugzwang in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mutual-zugzwang.md) - [Key squares in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/key-squares.md) - [Triangulation in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/triangulation.md) - [Chess terms: Endgames](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/endgames.md) - [Chess terms glossary: plain definitions](https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md)