Ok, we should study endgames first. What's the roadmap?

I've finally admitted that the most productive way for me to study chess would be getting better at the endgame. This is where a lot of my games are lost even with material advantage.

I would like to ask for sources on endgames for my level (sub 1000) onwards.

I have diamond sub on chess.com, so I definitely know basic checkmates and I'm able to use them in my games.

The difficulties arise when I enter into positions with non-obvious winning plans. One example would be R + K vs N + K or K + B vs K + N + pawn games. I'm looking for instrument to efficiently grind those sorts of endgames and gain meaningful experience.

I would go through Silman's endgame manual, he covers a lot of endgames from complete nothing to 2000+

The most important endgames to study are

1. (King + Pawns) vs (King + Pawns), and

2. (King + Rook + Pawns) vs (King + Rook + Pawns).

Typically, those two will account for about three-quarters of the end-games you face.

absolutely rook endgames tend to be the most common since they are often are not captured (except for trading with other rooks). and pawn endgames are critical since you always have to consider trades and whether the resulting pawn endgame is winning

yes I have this book it's great

use the more simple drills on this platform and also the endgame lessons. The ones under "guide" are useful

I have 100 End Game You Must Know on Chessable. I've a feeling it's above my pay grade at the moment. I also bought Mark Dvoretsky Endgame book on the recommendation of a coach at the time. That is above pay grade too.

I was considering the Silman course on Chessable. I gather the material is set out in order of rating. With the 100 book I've a feeling that I'm not going to get much milage from learning to checkmate with horsie and bishop. I do like the endgame fundamentals on here. Just saw them a couple of days ago.

I understand Josh Waitzkin recommends beginning with the endgame.

Yes that is a good point. Silman leaves out horse and bishop mate cos it's ridiculously rare and a waste of study time. He's practical

To use a golf analogy

" drive for show, putt for dough!"

Openings are fun, but the money is in the endgame.

Study rook and pawn endgames. Roughly half of all chess games regardless of Opening played ends in a rook and pawn endgame.

I tend to win endgames. I'm not sure why I haven't been sharp enough to play for them more.

My sense too is that endgame study teaches you principles that are useful in the other areas of the game too.

I once learned that sequence in the Capablaca book I think, that was horsie and bishop as I recall , it's aobut 60 moves just for the endgame. Very, very clever. The essence of the problem was to chase the king from his refuge after heading for the wrong coloured bishop territory. Probably not the best use of time, you live and learn.

I tend to fiind endgames rewarding, exciting even. I hope the OP feels inspired to become and endgame expert, if they so desire.

Definitely not the most common at sub 1000s

I also have this book, but when I'm reading it I have a feeling I don't get many of these very often. What I really need to improve now are the scenarios where I need too promote a passed pawn. I had an impression it covers pawnless endings

The selling point for me was the conclusion that most of the endgames are lost/won in the middlegame, and yet - I don't have a good intuition on which endgames are winning. I'm also having a hard time understanding what my opponent is trying to do too, because at this elo level moves get pretty random.

The worst part of it is that I get so overfixated on the endgamish mindset, that I often miss pretty dumb tactics, because it's a bit intimidating to take care of the whole board.

I just really think that it sounds pretty universal with regard to the whole game of chess in my case, so I figured endgames are the way to go for me.

Learning endgames will give your middle-game play more DIRECTION, instead of just thrashing around in a fog.

I enjoyed this: https://youtu.be/JMZJ9P2Hnq0?si=Nxp_tRpPx1xry9QH

Start with 3 men, then 4 men, then 5 men.

https://www.chess.com/endgames

Also search 'endgame' or 'endings' here...

Improving Your Chess - Resources for Beginners and Beyond.....

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/improving-your-chess-resources-for-beginners-and-beyond

Play a medium to hard CPU with takebacks. 🙂♟️

A look at your games suggests that you should study checkmates a with a bit more care. One or all of these books should set you on the correct course.

I see that the Silman Endgame course is on sale on Chessable. I nearly bought it at full price too. Not sure whether I'll buy it though as I'm working through 100 Endgames on the basis of the advice here and it's making more sense now. Thanks.

Thanks, will do