The opposite-colored bishops endgame is a chess endgame in which each side has a single bishop and the bishops reside on opposite-colored squares. Without other besides pawns, these endings are widely known for their tendency to result in a draw. These are the most difficult endings in which to convert a small advantage to a win. With additional pieces, the stronger side has more chances to win, but not as many as when bishops are on the same color. Many players in a poor position have escaped a loss by trading down to such an endgame. These endgames are sometimes drawn when one side has an advantage of two or even three pawns, since the weaker side can create a blockade on the squares on which their bishop operates. General principles Edmar Mednis gives two principles for endgames with bishops on opposite colors: If a player is down he should look for drawing chances in an endgame with only the bishops and pawns. With (queen or rook) on the board, having bishops on opposite colors favors the side with an attack. Ian Rogers gives three principles when there are only the bishops and pawns: Two connected pawns are not sufficient to win unless they reach their sixth If the attacker has two widely separated passed pawns that cannot be controlled by the opposing bishop on a single diagonal, they usually win When the attacker has an outside passed pawn, it should be stopped by the bishop only when the king can block the opposing king. Drawing tendency In endings with opposite-colored bishops, a advantage is less important than in most endgames and position is more important. Positions when one side has an extra pawn are usually drawn and even two extra pawns (and occasionally more) may not be enough to win. About half of the endings with a bishop and two pawns versus a bishop on the opposite color are drawn. (By contrast, over 90% are won if the bishops are on the same color.) Zugzwang is a tool that often helps the superior side win an endgame. It is a fairly common occurrence in endings with bishops on the same color but is much less common in endgames with opposite-colored bishops. The weaker side should often try to make his bishop by placing his pawns on the same color of his bishop in order to defend his remaining pawns,