3 King and Pawn Endgames: Thinking Outside The Box
In today’s article WGM Meenakshi Subbaraman will explore 3 very important positions in king and pawn endgames. In order to win or draw these positions you need to have a high level of chess creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. You will learn that often in pawn endgames the most logical move is, in fact, a losing one.
A chess game usually consists of three phases : opening, middlegame and endgame. In the opening phase, all pieces are developed, king is castled, queen developed and rooks brought to open files. In the middle game lots of chess ideas evolve, pieces maneuvered, strategies are implemented to gain advantage, attacks are launched and strong defenses are set-up. The endgame are the most original form of chess as every player has to evolve plans to convert their advantages into a win and the defensive side has to reduce the advantage and try to hold a draw.
Why is endgame so important:
- Endgame is very critical because all the advantage gained throughout the game is converted into win in the endgame.
- A mistake in the endgame can be decisive and perfect execution of winning plan is needed.
- Endgame techniques should be learned for a club player to become a professional player.
Pawn endings are relatively simple form of endgame, but are they are complex in its own way. Pawn endings have the unique character of arising from other positions.
Pawn Endings have techniques of its own. Three endings below are chosen carefully to illustrate the importance of king movement in such positions.
Pawn ending’s outcome depends pure on calculation ability of a player and learning pawn endings helps one to improve this very skill. In pawn endings one of the main points to remember is the King Opposition technique. Now let us enjoy the beauty of the pawn endings.
Position 1
Position 2
Position 3
Note: If you want to improve your general chess level simply studying openings is not enough. If you aim for a dramatic improvement at chess you need to work on all of the elements of the game in a systematic way:
- tactics
- positional play
- attacking skills
- endgame technique
- classical games analysis
- psychological preparation
- and much more
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