Bishop Endgame Lessons

The bishop is more useful than a knight in the endgame because of its greater mobility. A bishop can often stop two widely-separated enemy pawns as they dash for promotion. A well place bishop and king can often stop the advance of two or three pawns. The secrets of endgame bishop play are important knowledge for tournament chess players.

Like the knight, a king and lone bishop cannot checkmate an enemy king by themselves. Therefore, a bishop in an endgame is most often used to support or hinder the promotion of one or more pawns. A bishop is fully justified in sacrificing itself in the discharge of that duty.

You must be familiar with algebraic notation to benefit from these lessons.

Select a Lesson

• Right Colored Bishop

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • The Color of a Bishop is Often Very Important
    The color of a bishop refers to the color of the square it sits on.
  • Right Colored Bishop
    A bishop has the right color if it sits on the same colored square as a rook pawn's promotion square. A right colored bishop can force a king from a rook pawn's promotion square; insuring promotion.

• Wrong Colored Bishop

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • The Color of a Bishop is Often Very Important
    The color of a bishop refers to the color of the square it sits on.
  • A Wrong Colored Bishop
    A wrong colored bishop sits on the opposite colored square as a rook pawn's promotion square. A lone king can effectively occupy the promotion square or an adjacent square; resulting in a stalemate draw.

• Checkmate with the Bishop Pair

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • A Pair of Bishops Can Force Checkmate
    Unlike a pair of knights, a pair of bishops can force checkmate.

• Opposite Colored Bishops Draw Two Pawns Down

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • Opposite Colored Bishops Can Stop Two Separated Pawns
    Opposite colored bishops cannot influence each other. It is often easy to set up a fortress blockade of two pawns.

• Opposite Colored Bishops Stop Two Connected Pawns

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • Opposite Colored Bishops Can Stop Two Connected Pawns
    Opposite colored bishops cannot influence each other. It is often easy to set up a fortress blockade of two pawns.

• Bishops of the Same Color Can Often Help Advance a Pawn

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • Bishops of the Same Color Offer Better Winning Chances
    If the defending king is away for the action, then a bishop of the same color can often help a pawn advance.

• Bishops of the Same Color When Defending King is Active

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • Bishops of the Same Color Against an Active Defending King
    A draw often results if the defending king is active even against bishops of the same color.

• The Special Case of Bishop and Knight Pawns

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • Bishop and Knight Pawns are Unstoppable
    Even with an active defending king, bishops of the same color can advance a bishop or knight pawn.