Twenty Rules for the Endgame
In my preparations for the Chicago Open I have been studying Reuben Fine's 
"Basic Chess Endings" In this book there are some great principles to keep in mind as you prepare to enter the Endgame. I hope the help you too.
- Start thinking about the endgame in the middle game.
- Somebody usually gets the better deal in every exchange.
- The king is a strong piece.
- If you are one or two pawns ahead, exchange pieces but NOT pawns.
- If you are one or two pawns behind, exchange pawns but NOT pieces.
- If you have an advantage, do not leave all the pawns on one side.
- A distant passed pawn is half the victory.
- Passed pawns should be advanced as rapidly as possible.
- Doubled, isolated, and blockaded pawns are weak: Avoid them!
- The easiest endings to win are pure pawn endings.
- Passed pawns should be blockaded by the king, the only piece that is not harmed harmed by watching a pawn is the knight.
- Two bishops vs. bishop and knight constitute a tangible advantage.
- Bishops are better than knights in all except blocked pawn positions.
- Do not place your pawns on the color of your bishop.
- The easiest endings to draw are those with bisops of opposite colors.
- Rooks belong behind passed pawns.
- A rook on the seventh rank is sufficient compensation for a pawn.
- Not all rook endings are drawn.
- Perpetual check looms in all queen endings.
- Every move in the endgame is of the utmost importance because you are close to the moment of truth.
