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Being an Endgame Technician

TheStrategyTimes

Updated: Apr 3, 2026, 11:03 AM | 2

Whether it is the start, the middle, the end, every chess game is a maze where at least one person will find the exit. And even though endgames look super easy, it is actually very time-costly, and in fact, based on the 20/40/40 rule, 40 percent of your time is used in thinking in the endgame, despite there being little numbers of pieces, as less pieces means more squares to go to.

There are many tactics in the endgame, and this article, I will be summarizing the top five tricks used in endgames, the last one is super mind-boggling and if you can't understand, it's okay. Stay tuned until the end to see the interesting trick I have found for you!

So, let's get started with...

ZUGZWANG

Imagine you're in a chess position where you wished it was your opponent's turn but it is yours, and every move in your position would make you worse. Being in such a situation is called being in ZUGZWANG. The following position demonstrates that zugzwang can be used to win a pawn.

WRONG COLORED BISHOP

A bishop and a rook-filed pawn may fail to win if the bishop does not match the color of the promotion square. Black is down two pawns in this position, but finds an absurd move that tricks the dumb brain. And his opponent, a master strength player? His opponent fumbles and takes the bait and gives away half the point.

DOUBLE DOWN ROOKS

It seems like White is dead lost, but the f-pawn turns the tables. Note that the quiet move is what catches people off guard.

BREAKTHROUGHS

Sometimes a few pawns act like the Cavalry at Hastings. However, the smart sacrifice of the frontal armies leads to the total collapse of the great wall.

STALEMATE

If I cannot move but am not in check, I somehow get half the point. Such tricks have been heavily abused to salvage a draw in the ruins of defeat. It seems like White is dead lost here, but AN UNDERPROMOTION SAVES THE GAME, WHICH IS WHEN A PIECE PROMOTES TO SOMETHING OTHER THAN A QUEEN AND IS BETTER THAN A QUEEN.

If you were shocked by the number of lines, it's okay. It took me a long time to understand the position, and a many tricks were used for White to save the draw.

And there you have it! Five top-level endgame techniques that will make your draw a win or a loss a draw. Until next time... Peace.

Being an Endgame Technician

The Strategy Times