Best ways to study the endgame.

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Cupine

"100 Endgames you must know" has a supplemental "Workbook" with exercises, that helps with understanding pretty well.

ricorat
Cupine wrote:

"100 Endgames you must know" has a supplemental "Workbook" with exercises, that helps with understanding pretty well.

Yes I still need to read that book!

jpaul_lyons
IMBacon wrote:

Use a real board and pieces.

Pen and paper.

Books.

 

And also, I think that is the most enjoyable way.  I don't understand why more people don't enjoy this work.

ricorat
jpaul_lyons wrote:
IMBacon wrote:

Use a real board and pieces.

Pen and paper.

Books.

 

And also, I think that is the most enjoyable way.  I don't understand why more people don't enjoy this work.

I really enjoy studying idk why people don’t like to

RAU4ever

The funny thing is, I never really had to in the beginning. In the Netherlands our clubs use(d) the 'stepmethod.' This method basically consists of working through puzzles in a workbook, while a trainer (or a self-learner) has a manual with the explanations. The method not only teaches you all about tactics, but also consists of some strategic elements and the most important endgames themes to know. For example, king and pawn endgames feature heavily, as there can be a lot of calculations and surprising moves in order to win. 

To answer the question, I think there are 2 kinds of endgame study. The first is the theoretical study of the endgame. For example, how to win K+p vs K, basic rook endgame defenses, etc. The other kind of studying endgames is to look at practical examples. For example, how to plan in the endgame, repeating moves to pile up the pressure, etc. 

In the first category, you'll want to read books. There are plenty of good books out there that will teach you the basics. Sillman's book is one of them and it's very useful in the sense that it'll basically tell you when you should bother with the next section based on your own level of play. But there are plenty of others. Of course, if you're looking for advanced books, nobody can go without Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual. 

For the second category, you might want to look at games or read other books. For example a book with the (end)games of Capablanca could be very useful. Capablanca was an endgame wizard and his play was very logical and good to follow. But there are also specific books on the subject. Dvoretsky must have books on this as well. Carsten Muller's How to Play Chess Endgames is a favorite of mine, as it shows endgame concepts for playing practical endgames. It is, however, an advanced book.

And then there are plenty of in between endgame books that will teach you basic concepts by looking over real endgames. I always find that they focus a lot more on the theoretical side (1st category) than the practical way of playing and thinking during the endgame. That's why I'd treat the two studies as separate studies and get specific books for each.

Of course, the only way of studying these endgames in any meaningful way is to put the pieces on a (digital) board and play through them. Usually best to set up the board and first look at the position for yourself for 10 mins. What would you do, what do you think is important in the position? Only after answering that move on with the text. And look again at a position for a few minutes if it really changes, like after an exchange. 

tygxc

The best way to study endgames is with a table base. Start KQ vs. K, KR vs. K, KP vs. K, KBB vs. K, KBN vs. K, KQ vs. P, KQ vs. R, KR vs. KP, KR vs. KN, KNN vs. KP, KQP vs. KQ, KRP vs. KR etc.

RAU4ever
tygxc wrote:

The best way to study endgames is with a table base. Start KQ vs. K, KR vs. K, KP vs. K, KBB vs. K, KBN vs. K, KQ vs. P, KQ vs. R, KR vs. KP, KR vs. KN, KNN vs. KP, KQP vs. KQ, KRP vs. KR etc.

Unless they've created tablebases that explain each move, it most certainly is not. Trying to figure out why a certain move is the best is not such an easy thing to do.

tygxc

#28
The why of each move becomes apparent soon.
#29
You surely learn something and in a logical order: first 3 men, then 4 men, then 5 men...