Endgame resources

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Avatar of Puchiko

Hi everyone :)

My greatest problem is endgames. In fact, it's the most common reason for my OTB losses. I have little knowledge beyond the common mates. I guess I'd like to learn rook and pawn endings first, as they're so common, then some bishop ones perhaps. I have a chesstempo premium membership, so I can train any endgames I like (for example: K+N vs. K+2P) but they don't explain how I should play the position: they only test me on me knowing it.

I'm looking for an on-line free resource that would explain the principles of pawn and rook and pawn endgames, with a lot of text (or video commentary), not just variations. I like the chess.com endgame column, but it's still way too variation based for me. I need the moves explained. I wouldn't know at all the technique to draw a R+K vs. K+R+1P for the weaker side, I wouldn't have a plan. I need to learn the basics.

How do you train endgames? Is there a resource you could suggest? I'd be extremely thankful.

Avatar of philidorposition

Googling for lucena position and well, philidor position might bring some results. Chesscafe has some serious material on endgames, but I think they are pretty advanced.

And as a humble suggestion, don't walk away from variations. In most cases, it's about precise variations, not verbal explanations.

Avatar of Puchiko

Thank you so much! I found out I know how to win the Lucena (it does come up often), just didn't know the name. The Philidor is new to me. Searching for both revealed some great stuff:

I looked at chesscafe, but it's more like practice, no explanation for those new to endgame study. I understand variantions are neccessary, but I often have trouble understanding the principle from them. Both is best.

I'll be using this as my reading list now. Again, thanks for your help philidor_position :)