Endgame maintenance
In short
Endgame knowledge fades without practice. Revisit the theoretical positions regularly (Lucena, Philidor, Vančura, queen vs rook, B+N mate) and play practical endings against strong engines.
By the end you can
- Keep theoretical endings fresh
- Train endgame technique regularly
The lesson
Endgame knowledge fades without practice. Revisit the theoretical positions regularly (Lucena, Philidor, Vančura, queen vs rook, B+N mate) and play practical endings against strong engines.
Use annotated endings to keep technique sharp, and check your own endgames with tablebases where possible.
Key points to remember
- Revise theory regularly
- Play endings vs engines
- Check with tablebases
Examples
Show the solution
42... Rxe3+ 43. Kxe3 Kg5 44. Kf3 Kh4
Homework
Monthly endgame revision session of two hours.
More endgames lessons
- Mini-games: pawn wars and queen vs pawns (Foundation)
- Can the king catch the pawn? The rule of the square (Novice)
- King and pawn vs king: opposition (Class F)
- Passed pawns and promotion races (Class F)
- The Lucena position: building a bridge (Class E)
- The Philidor defence: holding rook endings (Class E)