The modern chess calendar is denser than ever, featuring online events alongside in-person tournaments, thus creating a constant flow of sharp opening ideas and tactical middlegames. Yet alongside this abundance of attacking play, high-quality endgames continue to offer some of the most instructive moments of the year.
For this article, the selection of standout endgames was made by Karsten Müller, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading endgame authorities. From his base in Hamburg, Müller has followed elite and lesser-known events alike, identifying positions that reward careful study rather than quick spectacle.
Historically, the endgame once stood at the very centre of chess training and appreciation. Early tournament play produced specialists such as Akiba Rubinstein and Raúl Capablanca, whose technical mastery set enduring standards. Over time, opening preparation and middlegame theory claimed a larger share of attention, often pushing the final phase of the game into the background. That balance has shifted again in the past decade, as top players have rediscovered the practical and strategic value of endgame skill.
A key figure in this renewed emphasis is Magnus Carlsen, whose career has been marked by repeated demonstrations of endgame resilience and precision. Carlsen has often credited his intensive study of Fundamental Chess Endings, co-authored by Müller and Frank Lamprecht.
In Müller's personal selection of ten endgames from 2025, Carlsen appears three times, though not always on the winning side!
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