Given Anakin is the Most Force Sensitive, How Did Obi-Wan MATCH Anakin’s Force Push

I just randomly came across a YouTube video talking about that iconic moment in Revenge of the Sith — the Force push clash between Obi-Wan and Anakin during their duel on Mustafar. You know the one: both of them blast the Force at each other and get thrown backward at the same time.

It got me thinking… how did Obi-Wan even manage that? Anakin’s supposed to be the Chosen One, the most Force-sensitive being alive. Shouldn’t he have completely overpowered Obi-Wan in a direct contest of strength?

I thought it was interesting enough to dive into for today’s article. Let’s talk about how Obi-Wan pulled it off

Basically, Obi-Wan Didn’t Match Anakin’s Force Push

The scene is already so famous, every one of us knows how it starts and how it ends, right? But what I want to point out here is that Obi-Wan had no real chance of matching Anakin’s Force push during their duel on Mustafar.

If you look back at the moment, right after they both spin their lightsabers in sync, they pause—and then, almost at the same time, they unleash a Force push. At first glance, it looks even. Both get launched backward, both hit the wall. But that doesn’t mean their power levels are actually equal.

Look closely at their hands. Anakin is clearly overwhelming Obi-Wan. You can see Obi-Wan’s arm starting to bend, his hand sliding back slightly, like he’s being pushed harder than he’s pushing. Anakin’s push dominates for a moment—but Obi-Wan holds on, just enough to deflect the worst of it.

And we don’t even need to stop at Mustafar.

Let’s rewind to Attack of the Clones, during the duel with Count Dooku. Yes, Anakin blindly charged in and got blasted with Force lightning. But I want to focus on the moment when Obi-Wan was knocked to the ground. Anakin instantly Force-jumped in to defend him—without hesitation, right on time.

Now compare that to The Phantom Menace. When Qui-Gon was meditating during the energy gate standoff with Maul, he was clearly preparing for the next phase of the duel—centering himself, gaining a moment of peace. If Obi-Wan had done the same—taken a breath, used the Force to regain composure—he might have been able to save his master. Instead, he rushed in with emotion and lost the high ground. He wasn’t able to use the Force decisively in the way Anakin would later show in a similar situation.

What I want to point out here is simple: Anakin is the Chosen One. Whenever we’re talking about who can draw on the Force more powerfully, there’s no way Anakin is losing—not even to his own Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The Revenge of the Sith Novelization Also Confirms Anakin’s Force Push Was Stronger Than Obi-Wan’s

Alright, so everything above has been more of an observation and interpretation—but thankfully, we actually have another Star Wars source that confirms this point directly. In Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover, the novelization dives deep into the Mustafar duel and makes it very clear: Anakin was stronger in the Force, especially during the Force push moment.

The book says it outright:

“Anakin roared and flew at him, using both the Force and his body to crash Obi-Wan back into the wall once more. His hands seized Obi-Wan’s wrists with impossible strength, forcing his arms wide.”

This moment isn’t just about physical aggression—it’s the Force behind Anakin’s movements that gives him the upper hand. The way Stover writes it, it’s obvious that Obi-Wan is being overwhelmed by power he can’t match. Even though Obi-Wan ends up winning the duel through experience and positioning, the novel doesn’t pretend the two were equals in raw strength. Anakin was simply the stronger Force user.