Bishops of the same colour means each side has one bishop and both move on squares of the same colour. Pawns standing on that colour can be attacked by the enemy bishop.
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Pawns on your bishop's colour block it and can be attacked by the other bishop. Put yours on the other colour, fix the opponent's on the bishops' colour, and a small edge can become a won endgame.
How to do it
- 1Put your pawns on the colour your bishop does not use.
- 2Fix the opponent's pawns on the bishops' colour, where your bishop can attack them.
- 3Once the pawns are fixed, look for zugzwang: the side out of safe moves gives way.
For your level
Your bishop walks on one colour only. Put your pawns on the other colour. Then the enemy bishop cannot attack them.
Common mistakes
- Putting pawns on your bishop's colour because they look defended there.
- Grabbing material when the position is really about zugzwang and safe moves.
Questions
- Are same-coloured bishop endgames drawish?
- Much less than opposite-coloured ones. The bishops fight for the same squares, so an extra pawn and a better pawn structure count for far more.