Endgames from Vrnjacka Banja (2)

Tough decisions

After a long game, the result of the struggle often comes down to a single decision in a difficult ending, the all-important third stage of the game.

Here David Paravyan (Black) has a far-advanced passer on the f-file. Should he force a trade of queens with 39...Qe6+ or try to find a hiding spot for his king?

Does Vahap Sanal (Black) have enough of an advantage to score a win from this position? If so, where should he place his knight on the next move? Knights are often misplaced on the side of the board in the opening, but specific calculations — and not only general principles — are needed in technical positions.

Manuel Petrosyan (White) has just given up a rook on h2. What did he have in mind when he sacrificed it? His next move drew the game by force.

These are only three of the seven instructive endgame positions which you can study and enjoy in our dynamic replayer below!

Endgames of the World Champions from Fischer to Carlsen

Let endgame expert Dr Karsten Müller show and explain the finesses of the world champions. Although they had different styles each and every one of them played the endgame exceptionally well, so take the opportunity to enjoy and learn from some of the best endgames in the history of chess.

Links

• Endgames from Düsseldorf: 1 | 2
• Endgames from Wijk aan Zee: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
• Endgames from Miami: 1 | 2 | 3
• Endgames from Chennai: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
• Endgames from Madrid: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
• Notable endgames: Biel, Dortmund, Zagreb