Hi,
None of these two endgames were easy to play, to say the least !
In the first one, you probably want to avoid counterplay because your only chance to win would be to get a passer on the queenside (and even then...). So maybe something like Qc3 (preventing Rb2) and trying to tie black rooks to defence.
In the 2nd one, you may have better chances by using your connected passers rather than only your rook (so push both a and b pawn and use your rook to control the enemy's pawns). But even here, it's certainly not an obvious win
These two examples are rather advanced material : usually, you'd want to start studying the endgame with the basics :
- endgame strategy (getting a passer, activating the king...)
- pawn endgames
- simple rook endgames (Philidor, Lucena...)
Surprisingly, there's not a lot of structured material on practical endgames, but I will send you some recommendations by PM.
A good way to practice these endgames is to try and play them against an engine at full strength, with engine thinking display off and reasonable time-control (for example 15'+30" for you and 15' for the engine). First you play your side, then you switch, and swith sides again. This way, you'll see a lot of attack/defensive stratagems at work.
Another way is to play them against a partner in live chess ; you can also combine both.
This happened for too many times and I'm sick of it. I enter in the endgame with a good material advantage/position and I loose/draw vs higher rated opponents. This is very frustrating and I want to stop it.
I know that I make mistakes in the other areas of the game (transition from opening to middle game) but the endgame is by far my weakest point. Below are 2 recent examples:
1) vs 1840 guy (starting move 27, I know I have other mistakes before that move but I want to discuss mainly after 27)
2) ~1400 guy (starting move 42). He was ahead with a knight, he blundered his advantage and I manage to enter the endgame with a better position but I've just managed to get a draw. I've checked with an engine and the position after 42 is winning for white
Please let me know how you approached the endgame when you were at my level. Highly appreciate some recomandations regarding books/DVD;s
Thanks