tag: endgames - Page 1

Karsten Müller: Topical Endgames in Meltwater

9/22/2022 – Rapid events are exciting to watch especially with the World Champion in play, controversy aside, and one of the reasons for the excitement is also the larger number of mistakes leading to more decisive games. But another way of looking at it is that there are more opportunities for a good lesson as Karsten Mueller shows. Don't miss Keymer's knight underpromotion to beat Saric!

Karsten Müller: Topical Endgames in St Louis

9/17/2022 – You might think that an event such as the Chess960 event in St Louis would somehow be devoid of endgame articles, but as the good doctor explained, "for endgames Chess 960 does not make a difference". Of course world class players will lead to world class endgame tussles such as Svidler's masterclass. Enjoy this latest entry and commentary.

Karsten Müller: Topical Endgames Week 37

9/12/2022 – Some endgames crop up more often than others as will be seen in this article. In this excellent taster, you will see classics such as Vancura's Draw, as well as a Knight Hunt set forth by Wojtaszek against his opponent. Finally there is a powerful 1-2 punch that breaks down the final barrier to victory.

Karsten Müller: Topical Endgames

9/7/2022 – Our ineffable Karsten Mueller brings this lovely set of endgames for both your entertainment and enjoyment as well as one more learning lesson. Be sure to check out how to beat a 2800 in a rook endgame, not to mention scary positions you should not be afraid of, and when sending a knight to a corner can be a saving maneuver. The last position has some aesthetic ideas that serve as the cherry on top.

Conceptualizing in calculation

8/29/2022 – In chess we are taught there are two main ways of thinking about a position: conceptualization for broader overviews of the situation at hand, and calculation/tactics that are the cogs behind every move. These are often taught as choosing one method or the other, yet sometimes this dogmatism must be cast aside and flexibility is required.
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When studying endgames becomes fun

8/23/2022 – Studying endgame theory can seem like one of those necessary evils, and about as fun as watching paint dry, but sometimes it is all about the teacher. Teachers such as GM Karsten Mueller or Mark Dvoretsky make all the difference, bringing magic and wonder into the lessons. Enjoy this shared moment of discovery.
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Notable endgames: Biel, Dortmund, Zagreb

7/24/2022 – Plenty of action was seen in the world of elite chess last week, with top tournaments in Biel, Dortmund and Zagreb. GM Karsten Müller has been paying close attention to the games, and has shared with us a number of instructive endgame positions. Unmissable! | Photo: Lennart Ootes
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A queen endgame: Aronian’s invasion

7/15/2022 – Queen endgames often need extreme precision. In numerous instances, passed pawns play a large role, but mating attacks should also be considered. Game 4 of the quarterfinal match between Levon Aronian and Arjun Erigaisi saw the former outplaying his opponent in an ending with queens and four pawns per side.
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Study of the Month: Endgame Studies, Endgame Theory

1/29/2022 – Endgame studies sometimes go to extremes, e.g. by demonstrating a win in 584(!) moves in a study, in which King, Rook, two Bishops (standing on the same colour), and pawn fight against King, Queen and Pawn. But are these and similar studies relevant for the theory of the endgame or practical games? It depends. Siegfried Hornecker takes a closer look.
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