Endgame Essentials with Surya Ganguly: Two appetisers

by ChessBase
3/18/2024 – Endgame training on the computer is much easier and more efficient than it used to be. The quickest way to learn is with a good coach. Surya Ganguly was Anand’s second for a long time, but he is also great at teaching the basics, as he does with his course “Endgame Essentials”. Unmissable!
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No longer tedious

Older players will remember that learning endgame theory from books used to be a bit tedious: building up the position, replaying the pattern variation, rebuilding, replaying the first minor variation, rebuilding, replaying the sub-variation of the minor variation, rebuilding, replaying the second minor variation, etc. This has changed fundamentally with the computer. How nice! It’s even nicer when you’re also provided with explanations of the meaning of the individual moves - in a video lesson, for example.

Indian grandmaster Surya Ganguly has provided such lessons in his new and already highly acclaimed two-volume course “Endgame Essentials”.

Ganguly was Anand’s second in several World Championship bouts and surely analysed more complex problems for the world champion. However, in this video course, he proves that he is also good at teaching the basics.

The course is particularly useful for less experienced players, but the level then rises quickly. The course is also suitable as a refresher for experienced club and tournament players. You’ll be amazed at what you don’t know but should know (maybe you’ve forgotten?)

Here are two examples of how Ganguly explains this, intended as a little appetiser for all those who actually need to do a bit more to improve their endgame knowledge. Sitting next to him for support is IM Sagar Shah, who asks the right questions. And both have a lot of fun with the examples shown, which is quickly transferred to the student and spectator.

Also available separately.

Lucena Position

From Surya Ganguly - Endgame Essentials you need to know Vol.1

Or are you already quite strong in the endgame? Then the following test (from volume 2) will be easy for you. Even grandmasters can fail, as you will note!

From Surya Ganguly - Endgame Essentials you need to know Vol.1: Test Position

Here are the two examples again, on replayable boards.

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MoveNResultEloPlayers
1.Rc1+()+----
1.Rb1()+----
1.Ra1()+----
1.Re1()+----
1.Rg1()+----
1.Rh1()+----
1.Rd3()+----
1.Rd4()+----
1.Rd5()+----
1.Rd7+()+----
1.Rd8()+----
1.Rf1()0.00---
1.Rd6()0.00---
1.Rd2()-+---
1.Rc1+ Kb7 1...Kd6 2.Kd8+- 1...Kb6 2.Rc4 Kb5 3.Re4 Kc6 4.Kd8+- 2.Rc4! The key Lucena move. Sometimes called the "bridge building," with this White prepares to block Black's check on the fourth rank and thus bring out their king. 2.Kd7 Rd2+ 3.Ke6 Re2+ 4.Kf7 Rf2+ The problem with bringing the king out right away is that Black can then keep giving checks, and White is unable to make any progress. 2...Rf1 3.Kd7 Rd1+ 4.Ke6 Re1+ 5.Kd6 Rd1+ 6.Ke5 Re1+ 7.Re4+- And White blocks the check. There's no way for Black anymore to stop the queening of the pawn. 1–0
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
01 Lucena Basic Technique--1–0

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Replay and check the LiveBook here
98.Rb7       Re8 98...Kg8! draws. 98...Kg7! draws... and this is better technique. 99.Rb1 and next White will go Rf1+, cut off the black king and get into a standard winning position. 1–0
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Test 01 Sokolov,I2641Banikas,H25901–0 Olympiad-394.1

In this video course, GM Surya Ganguly joins IM Sagar Shah and drawing from his colossal experience, shares some uncommon endgame wisdom. The material mostly features positions with rook against rook and a pawn, and starts by covering the fundamentals.

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