Endgames

Endgames have a different set of positions, mostly when your queen is gone, or you are left with limited pieces and a slight equal material on the board. At this stage, each piece on the board will play a significant role that even a single unplanned pawn move can restrict you from winning and stalemate consequently. You can easily be deceived by minor material differences, and therefore learning endgames is crucial for intermediate chess players. Research shows that over 70% of games of high-rated players go into endgames, and players with the best strategies win. 

In this article, the four most important chess endgame positions will be discussed, which the beginners and intermediate players will most likely end up collectively. 

1.    Pawn and Queen Endgame – When you are left with some pawns and a queen, both the players have a lot of space on the board, and it becomes extremely easy for a queen to escort a passed pawn to promote without any difficulties. Here, you should keep an eye on the opponent's pawns while also progressing with your pawns and getting into a position that helps you win. If you have more material or your pawns are faster-be careful about perpetual checks.

2.    Rook Endgames – Also known as a rook-pawn endgame is the most popular endgame. It is easy to checkmate when you are left with a pair of two rooks but with one rook, for beginners it becomes difficult as it takes more moves to get into the position where you can checkmate your opponent’s king with the help of king and rook correspondence. Here, a slight miscalculated move can lead to stalemate, therefore you always have to pre-plan your next moves. 

3.    Bishop and Pawn Endgame – Bishops' endgames are exciting if you have a pair of them, however, like a rook, you cannot checkmate your opponent with a single bishop/knight. Here, it is hard for you to calculate the winning tactics, but you can draw/stalemate with less effort. 

4.    End-games with minor pieces against major – Minor pieces can maneuver your opponent's big pieces easily if you both have equal material left on the board such as a rook against a bishop and knight or two minor pieces with a rook against a queen.

Website: Chess-boost

Course: Everyone's First Strategy Kit