Karsten Müller

Karsten Müller, born 1970, has a world-wide reputation as one of the greatest endgame experts. He has, together with Frank Lamprecht written a book on the subject: “Fundamental Chess Endgames” in addition to other contributions such as his column on the website ChessCafe as well as in ChessBase Magazine. Müller's ChessBase-DVDs about endgames in Fritztrainer-Format are bestsellers. The PhD in mathematics lives in Hamburg, where he has also been hunting down points for the HSK in the Bundesliga for many years.

Recent news

Duel of the knight pawns

4/7/2020 – Bishop endings have drawish tendencies, even if the bishops move on squares of the same colour. Therefore, precision is required to win a better position.

A kingdom for my horse

3/31/2020 – With only a few pawns remaining it is often surprisingly difficult to win an endgame with a knight up.

Running for cover

3/24/2020 – Rook endings have drawish tendencies. However, precision is required.

The Royal Path

3/17/2020 – Pawn endings require precise calculation. White to play and win.

Undermining the defenses

3/10/2020 – In the endgame the pair of bishops is often a powerful weapon, as you can see in the example below.

Unexpected

3/3/2020 – Mating attacks also occur in the endgame. Here's an example with king and queen cooperating well.

Bonus Endgame Magic with Nihal Sarin and Srinath Naranyan

2/25/2020 – Über-talent Nihal Sarin (and his coach) trains with GM Karsten Mueller in Hamburg, and you can too! On-demand for ChessBase account holders (but free this week!). Don't have an account yet? You can register a free 90-day account to watch!

A powerful king

2/25/2020 – Usually, the rook endgame with f- and h-pawn is a draw but the side with the pawns has good chances to win when the defending king is cut off on its back rank.

Endgame Magic with Jan Werle

2/25/2020 – Dutch grandmaster Jan Werle returns to Hamburg, and joins Karsten in the ChessBase Studio. Live at 14:00 UTC (15:00 CET; 9:00 AM EST) and on-demand for ChessBase account holders. Don't have an account yet? You can register a free 90-day account to watch!

The right step ahead

2/18/2020 – In chess a "candidate" is a pawn that is part of a majority and that is not obstructed by an enemy pawn on its file. When mobilising your pawn majority, Nimzowitsch's rule "candidate ahead" is usually good and right. But not always!

Endgame Magic with Andrew Martin

2/18/2020 – International Master and prolific ChessBase author Andrew Martin returns to join Karsten in the ChessBase Studio. Live at 14:00 UTC (15:00 CET; 9:00 AM EST) and on-demand for ChessBase account holders. Don't have an account yet? You can register a free 90-day account to watch!

Endgame Magic with Anna Muzychuk

2/12/2020 – Joining Karsten for a live endgame training session is Ukrainian GM Anna Muzychuk. Live at 14:00 UTC (15:00 CET; 9:00 AM EST) and on-demand for ChessBase account holders. Don't have an account yet? You can register a free 90-day account to watch!

Strong, but not strong enough

2/11/2020 – Knights are tricky but sometimes that is not enough. In the diagram position, Black is able to win with the exchange and best play. Are you up to the task?

A really bad bishop

2/4/2020 – Endings with opposite-coloured bishops are often a draw. But in the diagram position Black has a really bad bishop and that allows White to win.

The magic of 7-piece endgame tablebases

2/3/2020 – The latest 7-piece tablebases are now available in the ChessBase web app "Let's Check". Our endgame expert, Grandmaster Karsten Mueller recently took a look at the latest development in endgame theory by comparing his pre-7-piece-tablebase analysis of several games with the latest computer-aided definitive conclusion, including an "analysis duel" with GM Mihail Marin. Video and analysis...

Endgame Magic with Arne Bracker

1/29/2020 – Karsten welcomes back repeat Endgame Magic guest from the ChessBase office, Arne Bracker. Live at 14:00 UTC (15:00 CET; 9:00 AM EST) and on-demand for ChessBase account holders. Don't have an account yet? You can register a free 90-day account to watch!

Strong pawn, helpless queen

1/28/2020 – Queens are powerful, but passed pawns can be too. Here's an example of a material imbalance you don't see every day!

Finding a way

1/21/2020 – Apparently simple pawn endings are often, in fact, surprisingly tricky. Is there a way for White to convert her extra-pawn in the diagrammed position?
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