Skip to content
TheChessWorld.com
TheChessWorld Facebook TheChessWorld Twitter TheChessWorld Pinterest TheChessWorld YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Play
  • Learn
    • Training Techniques
    • Openings
    • Middlegame
    • Endgames
    • General Information
  • Tournaments
  • Academy
  • 21-Day Course
  • Store
    • TheChessWorld
    • TCW Academy
    • iChess
    • Chess-Teacher
    • Modern Chess
    • Roman Chess Lab
    • Foxy Chess
    • Grandmaster Magazine
    • ChessLecture
    • ICC
    • Rules Chess Strategies
    • Improve My Chess
    • Others
  • Contact
TheChessWorld.com
Close

5 Lessons to Learn From Magnus Carlsen’s Endgames

Yury Markushin
Yury Markushin
11.07.2014
Category: Endgame
Tags: carlsen endgames, chess,
5 Lessons to Learn From Magnus Carlsen’s Endgames

Magnus Carlsen is not only successful because of his tremendous tactics calculating ability, middlegame understanding, and photographic memory.

A big part of his success is due to his superior understanding of endgame positions, something not very common to the younger generation of chess players.

Often, even in dead equal positions, Carlsen is able to squeeze out the win. How does he do it?

 

Let’s take a look at these 3 examples:

Example 1. Viswanathan Anand – Magnus Carlsen, World Blitz Championship 2009

What can we learn from this endgame:

  • The queen is much stronger than a pair of rooks on the open board, especially if the opponent’s king is exposed
  • The queen can check the opponent’s king and win material (pawns, etc.)
  • Opponent’s pawns can be used to block the semi-open file and cover your own king from the checks
  • Pushing pawns in the endgame does not only get them closer to the promotion square, but also reduces mobility of opponent’s pieces and creates additional threats

Example 2. Magnus Carlsen – Viswanathan Anand, Linares 2008

What can we learn from this endgame:

  • In the Rook + Pawn vs. Bishop + Pawn endgame the attacking side needs to exchange the rook for a bishop and pawn, while the defensive side needs to prevent that from happening
  • The opponent’s King needs to be driven away from the pawn in order to attack it with both the king and rook
  • Combination of mating and forking/pinning threats can be used for that purpose

Example 3. Viswanathan Anand – Magnus Carlsen, World Chess Championship 2013, Round 6

What can we learn from this endgame:

  • If you’re a pawn up or down in the rook ending it does not mean that you’re losing or winning, you need to play very carefully to be able to convert an advantage or to save the game
  • If you have a pawn majority on one side of the board, you should actively play on that side of the board
  • Do not capture opponent’s pawns in rook endgames automatically, first think if they possess a real threat or can be used to cover your king from rook checks

To learn more about elementary chess endgames, I suggest you to check out our complete training course where we focus on learning how to play most common, practical endgame among many other things.

Let’s summarize the 5 lessons that we have learned from these endgames:

1. Always think twice when choosing between having a queen or the two rooks in the endgame. Queen is much stronger in open positions, when it can check the opponent’s king and win material in the process. Rooks are stronger when the king is covered and they can work together to support pawn promotion or attack the pawns which cannot be protected by just the queen.

2. Pushing pawns in the endgames towards the promotion square should be your main priority in many of the endings. You should always think about this powerful possibility. Not only it will require your opponent to alter his own plans to stop this serious threat but also, it will take up space from your opponent’s pieces to limit their mobility.

3. In the Rook + Pawn vs. Bishop + Pawn endgame the attacking side needs to exchange the rook for a bishop and a pawn, while the defensive side needs to prevent that from happening.

4. In the rook endgames you should be aware of rook checks. This is something that can cause a draw by ‘perpetual check’. Keeping some of the opponent’s pawns on the board maybe a good idea to cover up you own king from these checks.

5. If you have a pawn majority on one of the sides of the board, you should create a passed pawn and either promote it or give it up to capture all other pawns on other side of the board.

Ready to start winning games? Check out our store and articles:

  • Magnus Carlsen – The Journey of a World Champion
  • 8 Chess Openings Played by Magnus Carlsen
  • 33 Images of Magnus Carlsen’s Path to Success
Find this post useful? Share it?
Become a Chess Player You've Meant to Be!
TCW Academy is the fast, fun & convenient way to become a MUCH better chess player.
Join Academy Today!

Related Posts

  • We’re Hiring!We’re Hiring!
  • Happy 2023!Happy 2023!
  • 10 Reasons to Train with Chess Coach10 Reasons to Train with Chess Coach
Related Products
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Login
3 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Luke
04.15.2020 14:18

The examples don’t seem to load… 🙁

0
Reply
Miklós Nórbert
02.19.2015 15:05

In Example 2, move 69 for blakc Kg7 would end the game faster.

0
Reply
hector fabio narvaez
11.09.2014 20:00

EXCELENTE, MUCHAS GRACIA POR ESTOS EJERCICIOS MAGISTRALES

0
Reply
Join the FREE Road to 2200 Masterclass (and learn how to Attack Like a Chess Master)
We value your privacy
Supercharge Your Chess in 21 Days!
Join Academy Today!
TheChessWorld.com
http://pogonina.com/
Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • F.A.Q.
  • Partnership
  • Blog
  • Grandmasters
  • Jobs
Chess Resources
  • TCW Academy
  • The Store
  • 21 Day Course
Top Resources
  • Opening Lab
  • Mastermind
  • Chess Mastery Series
  • Academy
100% Secure Purchase
Customer Support +1 (410) 656-9104
Email Us [email protected]
Contact Us
Facebook Twitter Mail Pinterest Youtube
Copyright 2007-2023 • TheChessWorld.com • All Rights Reserved
Cookie Policy | Acceptable Use Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of all the cookies.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz
wpDiscuz