- Basic Concepts
- Lone King Endgames
- Pawn Endgames
- Pieces versus Pawns
- Piece Endgames
To play endgames strongly you do not need to know thousands of positions. A good understanding of basic principles, knowledge of some key positions and the ability to calculate well will go a long way.
Introduction
The largest difference in strength between the amateur and master is in the endgame. Its my observation after many years of playing and coaching that average club players typically have major gaps in their basic endgame knowledge.To play endgames strongly you do not need to know thousands of positions. A good understanding of basic principles, knowledge of some key positions and the ability to calculate well will go a long way.
The book draws from many endgame examples that I have used in years of chess coaching.
Some players make an interesting point, why study the ending if I don't get many? Well, there is lots of reasons. The number of endings will increase as general playing strength increases. This is because players increase their ability to survive middlegames. The number of endgames will also increase if playing more evenly matched opponents. If neither player makes tactical mistakes, then an endgame is very likely.
Even if you don't have an ending, endgame study may create ideas useful for the middlegame, especially positional ideas. Because you have so few pieces, placement of the pieces becomes all that more important.
More importantly, you will know what endings to aim for. In many games between good players, one or both players has had option to exchange into ending at some point. If your ending understanding is weak, how will you know when to exchange and when not to?
Playing for an ending, is sometimes the best way to exploit a positional advantage in pawn structure. With fewer pieces on, active piece play is less likely to compensate for weak squares and weak pawns.
Basic Concepts
Book 2 covers basic endgame concepts. For example:Stalemate Combinations
Sometimes the weaker side can stalemate themselves by sacrificing their last piece or pieces. If one side has no possible Pawn moves, beware of stalemate. White sacrifices his last piece.
After 1.Rf3+
It is a draw.
Lone King Endgames
Book 2 covers lone king endgames. Lone King endgames are endgames in which one side only has a King. Some are instant draws. Some are draws with best play while others are a win for the stronger side with best play.King versus King, Knight versus King or Bishop versus King is an instant draw. No checkmate is possible.
Rook versus King or Queen versus King is a win with best play.
Two bishops versus King is a win with best play.
Knight and Bishop versus King is a win with best play.
Two knights versus King is a draw with best play.
One or more pawns versus King is sometimes a draw with best play, sometimes a win.
Minor piece (knight or bishop) plus pawn is sometimes a draw with best play, sometimes a win.
Checkmate a lone King, drive it to the edge, or better still, the corner. Be careful not to stalemate. Your pieces need to work as a team, endless checks will get you nowhere.
When attempting to queen a pawn, use your pieces to help the pawn by controlling the path of the pawn.
Pawn Endgames
Book 3 covers pawn endgames. Note that One or two pawns against a lone King is covered in Book 2 and some key concepts like opposition are covered in Book 1.Pawn endgames are the most common type of endgame. Most endgame positions which have at least one pawn on the board can potentially transform into a pawn endgame. One exception is a bishop of opposite colours endgames as the bishops are unlikely to be exchanged.
Despite there only being Kings and pawns on the board, some pawn endings are quite tricky.
There are some key ideas which may be highly valuable.
Piece Endgames
Book 4 covers pieces versus pawns. Pieces vary greatly in their ability to stop several passed pawns. Sometimes a piece can stop or win one or more passed pawns. Other times one passed pawn can tie down a piece.Piece Endgames
Book 5 covers key positions and principles in different piece and pawn endgames. These include endgames with:- Rooks
- Knight Versus Bishop
- Knights
- Bishops Of Same Colours
- Bishops Of Opposite Colours
- Rook Versus Minor Piece/s
- Queen Endings
- Queen Versus Pieces
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