tag: Pawn endgame - Page 1

Too much distance

10/27/2020 – Sometimes keeping distance is a good idea but in chess isolated pawns are usually weaker and more vulnerable than connected pawns. The diagram position is a good example. What did Black play?

Tricky pawn endgame

9/1/2020 – Usually passed pawns should be pushed, but there is no rule without exception! What is Black’s best move in the diagram? Endgame specialist Karsten Müller demonstrates why one should always calculate carefully not to spoil a winning position in the final stages of the game.

The key winning king move

7/28/2020 – Pawn endgames always must be calculated carefully. | 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.

No road to Rome

6/30/2020 – Pawn endgames are the foundation of endgame theory. Knowing the importance of "opposition" and "key squares" is the key to master pawn endgames - and it helps to save a lot of points.

Powerful passed pawns

4/21/2020 – Pawn endgames might seem relatively simple – after all there are no pieces on the board – but they can be very tricky. And they require precise calculation.

The Royal Path

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

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!

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?

The many faces of opposition

12/10/2019 – In chess, opposition means that the square around the kings has corners of the same colour. However, all four (or two) corners must have the same colour. Then the side which is not to move has the opposition.

Bodycheck

11/26/2019 – In pawn endings it is often crucial to stop the enemy king from getting to good squares. Here, the "bodycheck" is an important device that is good to know and to remember.

Breakthrough

10/22/2019 – Pawn endings require precise calculation. See if you're up to the task with the latest explanation from Dr. Karsten Mueller.

Triangulation

9/24/2019 – Even apparently simple pawn endings can be tricky.

Dancing with pawns

7/16/2019 – Even apparently simple pawn endings can be surprisingly tricky. Black to play and draw!

No-go squares

1/15/2019 – Pawn endings, more so than other endgames, lead to a decisive result. They require precise play and good theoretical knowledge.

No way out

10/23/2018 – Bishops are fast and can quickly run across the whole board. But sometimes this is not enough to escape a powerful rook.

Fateful pawn moves

7/17/2018 – Pawn endings are tricky. Theoretically, you can often calculate them to the very end - if you can calculate them to the very end!

Not all detours lead to Rome

12/19/2017 – "Do not rush!" is a well-known rule of thumb in the endgame. Indeed, in many endgames the direct way often is often a dead end. To know which way to go usually requires precise calculation.

The imprisoned king

11/29/2017 – Pawns are not particularly mobile: on the first move they can take two steps, after that only one. They know only one direction unless they capture enemy pawns or pieces. But sometimes the pawns are invisibly — and powerfully — connected.

The long march

7/18/2017 – In pawn endings when there are no more pieces on the board the kings can often roam freely. However, they should know where they are going.

Chasing the bishop

1/31/2017 – The pawnless endgame rook against bishop is usually a draw if the defending king manages to reach the safe corner - that is, a corner which the bishop cannot reach. If the rook succeeds, play often follows the scenario seen in this game. If you want to learn more, follow Karsten Müller's Endgame Blog

Bodychecks

1/24/2017 – Every week ChessBase magazine author and renowned endgame expert Karsten Müller presents a remarkable or particularly instructive endgame in his blog. A click on the diagram opens a larger board. Test your endgame skills, improve and have fun!

Fairy-tale mate

7/5/2016 – Every week ChessBase Magazine author and renowned endgame expert Karsten Müller presents a remarkable or particularly instructive endgame in his blog. A click on the diagram opens a larger board. Test your endgame skills, improve and have fun!

Breakthroughs

6/21/2016 – Every week ChessBase Magazine author and renowned endgame expert Karsten Müller presents a remarkable or particularly instructive endgame in his blog. A click on the diagram opens a larger board. Today on the playchess server, 4 pm: Endgame Magic

Taking the shorter route

5/17/2016 – Every week ChessBase magazine author and renowned endgame expert Karsten Müller presents a remarkable or particularly instructive endgame in his blog. A click on the diagram opens a larger board. Test your endgame skills, improve and have fun!
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