Endgame Principles

The endgame is the final stage of a chess game. There are rules and principles for each stage, but the focus of this article is to improve your endgame skills. 

Master the Basic Checkmates 

There isn't really much to say here. Your ability to win a chess game is based on whether or not you can checkmate the enemy King. But more importantly, and as will be reviewed in Rule #5, you can't truly make accurate decisions in the more complex situations of a game unless you are confident in your ability to deliver a full point when it matters most. The basic checkmates that must be mastered are:

- King and Queen vs King 

- Two Rooks (or the Rook Roller) vs King

- King and Rook vs King

- King and Two Bishops vs King- And only once you've reach a higher level (I would say 1800 Rated) -- King and Knight & Bishop vs King

Win When Winning -- Master the Basics of Technique 

This is not just another way to remind you to checkmate when you are ahead large amounts of material. It is more of a "state of mind" or general approach than it is a specific pattern. Basically, the principles of winning won positions can be broken down into a system:

- Keep It "Simple"/Simplify -- Basically, if either side possess more than a full piece (minor) advantage (and in some cases, a clear two pawn advantage is good enough) they should be looking for every opportunity to trade piece. Simplify the position down to its "purest" form (kind of like doing "fractions" in math). This is a principle of technique that applies in both Middlegames and Endgames, but you would be surprised how often amateur games get "blown" simply because whomever was winning dismissed their opportunities to trade pieces. 

- Keep an Eye Out -- If/when you've achieved a significant advantage, your opponent's threats just became more important than your own brilliant plans! I know that's hard to take in, but the point is that "tricks" are all your opponent has left. The bad news is that that means chess at the highest level isn't as fun as it looks, and that there isn't nearly as much creative thinking required to become a great chess player as you think there is... The good news is that, technically, if you have a clear advantage and play perfectly from then on out, it wouldn't matter if your opponent got up and Garry Kasparov sat down -- if your position is winning, you should win it! It's that simple. So, if you can have a "defensive" eye and not get careless about your opponent's tricks, you will convert all your endgame advantages into a full point!

- Keep Playing Chess -- The game isn't over, despite your advantage. So, pay attention to all the other principles in this article and remember that if there isn't a clear "path to victory" by trading pieces, you have to keep playing good moves!

Passed Pawns Must be Pushed 

Push your passed pawns if you have them. Recognize a passed pawn, and push it! Whether it be a basic Endgame simply begging for one side to march their pawn up the board and promote, or even a more complex position with plenty to think about besides the pawns -- you must push your passed pawns! Here is a cool position where the "passer" was the key to victory:

Activate Your King 

One thing that really separates the final stage of chess from the rest of the game is King play! Every great endgame player in history not only understood the importance King activation, but they anticipated precisely when the middlegame was ending, and that it was time to activate the king. 

Generally, as soon as the Queen's have been traded you should consider the possibility of bringing out your King. In cases where there still exists lots of enemy forces (particularly the two Rooks and at least two minor pieces) -- you might want to put the reigns on your leader, but don't lose a game because you brought your King into the battle too late! Here is a great example. Though it's complex, try to anticipate how the King might find his way to help the Rook on h8 promote the h7-pawn:

Here is a simpler example:

Beware of Zugzwang and Zwischenzug 

If you don't know what Zugzwang and Zwischenzug are, check this out. I included both "famous-German-chess" words here because, well, I can -- but really, Zugzwang is the "beast of the endgame". Do you realize how many endgames would otherwise be a draw if it weren't for Zugzwang? If you (or your opponent) didn't have to move unless they "felt like it" the chess world would be a much more peaceful place. Dozens, if not hundreds, of King and Pawn endings rely on Zugzwang to be successful, several critical Rook Endings, and countless other positions. Here is a few (including our 2nd example from the last rule) common ones:

If black had the ability to "pass" the turn, this famous winning position of "King on the 6th, Pawn on the 5th" would not be a win, instead it would be a draw.

As the description of the position above explains, even this simple basic checkmate is based on Zugzwang.

And we see yet another example of a winning position with Zugzwang that ends in a draw if black can pass the turn. Finally, you should realize that the complex idea black executes in Rule #5 (2nd diagram) above is designed to put white in Zugzwang. But if white could "say pass" with the Bishop on c2, the Triple-Step Winning Method (a little too advanced for this article here, but something mentioned in IM Daniel Rensch's Principle of Two Weaknesses Video Series) wouldn't be winning without Zugzwang.

So anyway, why is our new found appreciation for the German language worthy of a principle in this article? Simply because so many positions reach that critical moment that if you aren't aware of this looming idea then your approach in many endgame positions will remain an amateur one.

Find a Pawn Majority And Use It 

A pawn majority is an advantage of pawns on the kingside or queenside (e.g. 4 kingside pawns for white against 3 kingside pawns for black is a pawn majority). Example:

Another example:

Principle of Two Weaknesses 

This rule is more of a concept or idea that has become a staple part of every good coach's "endgame teaching repertoire". Basically, teaching their students that against tough defense -- even a clear advantage like an extra pawn may not be enough. Many Rook endings are drawn after all, and minor piece endings always have the potential that a player might sacrifice and leave you with an extra piece but no winning chances.

So, rather than beating your head against the "proverbial wall" with one advantage, let your advantage serve as a clamp on your opponent's ability to defend a different target. By creating a second weakness you often increase the strength of your first advantage.

Be Concrete and Calculate 

Unlike any other phase to chess, the endgame requires more knowledge of specific positions and patterns. What if you realized that in the majority of the endgames you play, the result is likely already decided or forced if the best moves are played by both sides? That's kind of scary when you think about it, right? It means that being general and/or trying to evaluate things intuitively is very risky.

As a beginner, you can't expect yourself to have the knowledge of technical positions that a master level (let alone a GM) player would have. BUT what you can do is take my piece of advice as something similar to the "never turn your back on the ocean" saying, i.e. -- approach the endgame like every move could be your last! Be concrete, calculate, "don't move until you see it", etc... If you play chess with a healthy fear of endings and that they are actually the hardest stage of the game where there is the most to calculate, then you will be on the right track already.

Less Pieces = Less Room for Mistakes 

This principle is in place to remind you of the scary fact that endgames require the most precision of any stage of the game. Unless you are simply lost and only postponing things to avoid going home, or totally winning and enjoying the torture of your helpless opponent -- then you are by definition involved in a relatively equal ending that requires, here it comes, your complete focus and hard work!