Karsten Müller

Karsten Müller is considered to be one of the greatest endgame experts in the world. His books on the endgame - among them "Fundamentals of Chess Endings", co-authored with Frank Lamprecht, that helped to improve Magnus Carlsen's endgame knowledge - and his endgame columns for the ChessCafe website and the ChessBase Magazine helped to establish and to confirm this reputation. Karsten's Fritztrainer DVDs on the endgame are bestsellers. The mathematician with a PhD lives in Hamburg, and for more than 25 years he has been scoring points for the Hamburger Schachklub (HSK) in the Bundesliga.

Recent news

Endgame Magic #242: Endgame Highlights from the Dubai Open

6/5/2023 – In this week's show, Karsten Müller looks at endgame highlights from the Dubai Open. Two queen endings were especially interesting. | You can watch the Endgame Magic Show on-demand with a ChessBase Premium account.

The fortress breaker

5/30/2023 – Endings with opposite colored bishops endings often end in a draw. But in the diagram position Black found a way to break through and win the game. What did he do?

The right way

5/23/2023 – Rook endings have drawish tendencies, but pawn races can spice things up. In the diagram position it is Black to move. Do you see the way to win?

Endgame Magic #241: Highlights from the Satty Zhuldyz Rapid and Blitz Tournament

5/23/2023 – In this week's show, Karsten Müller looks at endgame highlights from the Satty Zhuldyz Rapid and Blitz Tournament that was played in Kazakhstan as a side event of the World Championship Match between Ding Liren and Ian Nepomniachtchi. | You can watch the Endgame Magic Show on-demand with a ChessBase Premium account.

Endgames from Havana

5/18/2023 – The 56th edition of the Capablanca Memorial took place in Havana, Cuba on May 3-11. Danish grandmaster Jonas Buhl Bjerre, aged 18, won the tournament with a remarkable 7/9 score, following in the footsteps of Danish legend Bent Larsen, who won the event back in 1967. As ever, our in-house expert Karsten Müller followed the action closely, looking for endgame highlights. Find here six instructive positions from the traditional competition! | Photo: Thomas Vestergård
More...
 3

Beware of reciprocal Zugzwang

5/16/2023 – Zugzwang is a typical endgame motif. Often it is a weapon of the attacker. But when both sides are in Zugzwang in a critical position, great care must be taken. The diagram position, in which it is White to move, shows a case of mutual Zugzwang. What should White do to save the draw?

Endgame Magic #240: Highlights from the "Bundesliga"

5/15/2023 – In this week's show, Karsten Müller looks at endgame highlights from the German "Bundesliga". | You can watch the Endgame Magic Show on-demand with a ChessBase Premium account.

A light initiative weighs heavily

5/9/2023 – This is the main guideline in endgames with rook and knight against rook and knight. In the diagram position Black wins thanks to the strong passed e-pawn. But how?

Endgame Magic #239: Highlights from the Chessable Masters (II)

5/8/2023 – In this week's show, Karsten Müller continues to look at endgame highlights from the Chessable Masters. | You can watch the Endgame Magic Show on-demand with a ChessBase Premium account.

Endgames from Kazakhstan (3)

5/6/2023 – The Satty Zhuldyz rapid and blitz tournament took place in Astana as a side event of the World Championship match. A number of international chess stars participated. Karsten Müller followed the games, looking for endgame highlights. Find here four instructive positions, with on-point analysis by our in-house endgame expert. | Pictured: Alexander Grischuk | Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

Computer Challenge 01 – analysis

5/2/2023 – Last week we presented a Computer Challenge. It's a position in which even the best chess engines will not find the solution — even if you run them for a very long time. Our readers were asked to come up with the logic and strategy of the solution themselves, and then confirm everything with the help of the computer. The result: success? Here is the full truth on the historical endgame puzzle.

Endgame Magic #238: Highlights from the Chessable Masters (I)

5/1/2023 – In this week's show, Karsten Müller looks at endgame highlights from the Chessable Masters. | You can watch the Endgame Magic Show on-demand with a ChessBase Premium account.

Finding a safe place

5/1/2023 – In endgames, it is usually a good idea to activate the king. However, the king also needs to be safe. In the diagram position it is Black to move. What should he do to make his king safe and to win the game?

Endgames from Kazakhstan (2)

4/29/2023 – The Satty Zhuldyz rapid and blitz tournament took place in Astana as a side event of the World Championship match. A number of international chess stars participated. Karsten Müller followed the games, looking for endgame highlights. Find here five instructive positions, with on-point analysis by our in-house endgame expert. | Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

The cut off

4/25/2023 – This is an important technique in rook endings and can be used by attacker and defender. How does White win in the diagram position?

Endgame Magic #237: Highlights from the German Bundesliga

4/24/2023 – In this week's show, Karsten Müller looks at some recent endgame highlights from the German Bundesliga. | You can watch the Endgame Magic Show on-demand with a ChessBase Premium account.

Endgames from Kazakhstan

4/24/2023 – The Satty Zhuldyz rapid and blitz tournament is taking place in Astana as a side event of the World Championship match. A number of international chess stars are participating. Karsten Müller has been following the games, looking for endgame highlights. Find here four instructive positions, with on-point analysis by our in-house endgame expert. | Pictured: Hou Yifan | Photo: Anna Shtourman

Endgame Magic #236: With Indian star Praggnanandhaa!

4/16/2023 – In this week's show, Karsten Müller and his guest, 17-year old Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa look at endgame highlights from Pragg's career. | You can watch the Endgame Magic Show on-demand with a ChessBase Premium account.
Scroll down to reload more