The sharpest endgame weapon

by Karsten Müller
5/18/2021 – The German word "Zugzwang" describes the phenomenom that the rules of chess force you to make a move when it's your turn even if it would be better to do nothing. In chess, you simply cannot pass. "Zugzwang" is a typical endgame phenomenon that often decides the game. In the diagram position White can use "zugzwang" to force the opponent to self-destruct. How?
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.
 
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1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.0-0 Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Nc3 Ke8 10.h3 h5 11.Bf4 Be7 12.Rad1 Nh4 13.Nxh4 Bxh4 14.Ne2 Be7 15.Nd4 g5 16.Bh2 Rh6 17.Rfe1 Bd8 18.f4 gxf4 19.Bxf4 Rg6 20.e6 Bxe6 21.Nxe6 Rxe6 22.Rxe6+ fxe6 23.Kf2 Bf6 24.b3 Rc8 25.g4 hxg4 26.hxg4 Ke7 27.Rh1 Rh8 28.Rxh8 Bxh8 29.Bxc7 Bf6 30.Kf3 Kf7 31.Ke4 a6 32.Be5 Be7 33.Kd4 Kg6 34.Bc7 Kf6 35.Bg3 Ba3 36.Bh4+ Kf7 37.Ke5 Bb4 38.c4 a5 39.g5 Bc3+ 40.Kd6 e5 41.Kc7 e4 42.Kxb7 e3 43.Kxc6 Kg6 44.Kd5 Kh5 45.Bg3 Kxg5 46.Ke4 e2 47.c5 Kf6 48.Kd5 Ke7 49.Kc6 Bb4 50.Bh4+ Ke8 The sharpest endgame weapon The German word "Zugzwang" describes the phenomenom that the rules of chess force you to make a move when it's your turn even if it would be better to do nothing. In chess, you simply cannot pass. "Zugzwang" is a typical endgame phenomenon that often decides the game. In the diagram position White can use "zugzwang" to force the opponent to self-destruct. How?
White to move and win
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Nepomniachtchi,I2778Nakamura,H2829½–½2021C67Magnus Carlsen Invitational | Knockout4.2

Endgame theory constitutes the foundation of chess. You realize this in striking clarity once you obtain a won endgame but in the end have to be content with a draw in the end because of a lack of necessary know-how. Such accidents can only be prevented by building up a solid endgame technique. This is Karsten Müller‘s fi rst DVD and the grandmaster from Hamburg and endgame expert, here lays the foundation for acquiring such a technique. The fi rst part of his training series can be started without any endgame knowledge, only a knowledge of the rules of chess is assumed.

Karsten Mueller in ChessBase Magazine

Do you like these lessons? There are plenty more by internationally renowned endgame expert Dr Karsten Müller in ChessBase Magazine, where you will also find openings articles and surveys, tactics, and of course annotations by the world's top grandmasters.

ChessBase Magazine #200

 

ChessBase Magazine Extra #199

 

Apart from his regular columns and video lectures in ChessBase Magazine there is a whole series of training DVDs by Karsten Mueller, which are bestsellers in the ChessBase Shop.

Karsten Mueller

Karsten Mueller regularly presents endgame lessons in the ChessBase Video Portal

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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.

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