Understanding pawn structures is one of the key aspects in chess. The pawn structure is very revealing, as it not only tells you on which flank you must play, but sometimes (and very often I may add) it reveals the character of play.
Endgame is a very special phase of the game, where every little tiny advantage counts and can lead to a victory. Positioning of the kings, pawns majority on one side of the board, and pawn islands are just a few examples. Being able to obtain winning endgame positions is very important for a chess player of any level. Another important ability is to convert endgames with just a slight edge into clear wins. In today’s article we will review some of the best endgames played by Grandmasters.
In order to become a complete player, one must learn how to play the endgames at a reasonable level. Learning endgames is not easy for everybody. Many consider it to be boring, compared to the world of tactics and plans found in the middle game or the analytical work in the openings.
Endgames play an important role in chess and, as any other part of the game, should be studied thoroughly. It has been for a long time said that one should start studying chess with the endgame and, even though this is of course debatable, it does indicate that we should dedicate this phase of the game at least the same amount of time we dedicate the others.
It is well known that having good endgame knowledge is one of the keys to a player’s success. Capablanca, one of the best endgame players of all times, always defended the idea that one should start learning how to play endgames first, as a way of self improvement. Robert Fischer, who was famous for his opening developments and his energetic style in the middlegame, was in fact an endgame virtuoso as well.
King and pawn endgame is one of the most important and fundamental types of endings that any chess player must know. It is very important to be able to quickly identify if this position is a draw, win or a loss. It is also very important to be familiar with a technique of playing one or another king and pawn position, so that it can be played in minimum amount of time. Today we will take a look at some of the best examples of correctly played endgames by some of the greatest chess players.
Improving your technique is a day by day work. Technique has to do with knowing how to do “things”, for example winning positions or knowing how to convert a clear advantage. For certain players, no matter their strength, this ability come natural.
Many chess players think of endgames as of something unpleasant, boring and unfavorable to start with. That’s why oftentimes, even if they have a won ending they shy away from it prefer settling things down in the Middlegame. That happens because chess players nowadays don’t have in depth understanding of the endgames which leads to drawing or even losing an otherwise equal position. The goal of today’s article is to change that. Here are the 7 ways to improve your endgame play.
The Catalan has slowly gained popularity at top level. It gives white a solid position that he can keep improving and try to play for the win.
The bishop on g2 is one of the key pieces in this opening, as it supports white’s main plans: the central break with e4 and the attack on the queenside.
It is well known that endgames are a key element for chess improvement in general. However, there are several reasons why we don’t give it the attention they deserve. The main one is that most players spend their time and effort working on opening preparation in order to obtain a good position in the opening/middlegame.
