“In order to improve your game, you must study the endgame before everything else, for whereas the endings can be studied and mastered by themselves, the middle game and the opening must be studied in relation to the endgame.” – José Raúl Capablanca
Philidor Position Philidor position along sixth rank is also one of the most important positions in rook endgames. Every chess player should know this defending procedure by heart! When Black is to move, he should know from the beginning that the game is always drawn except when the rook is in a very awkward […]
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c ) Pawn on the fifth rank When the pawn is on the fifth rank, prospects to win are even weaker, especially when the black king is in front of the pawn. The most important rules will be explained in the following instructional example. Evaluation of the position depends on who is to move. […]
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Nothing is substantially changed when Black is to move since checks from the side can only slow him down, but not prevent the advance of the pawn. ← Basic EndingsBasic Endings →
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Much more complicated are endgames with the white king in front of the pawn, having a great practical value. Two basic position types are distinguished with regards to the position of the black king and his position towards the pawn. The position is not favourable with the king on the longer side, when the […]
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c ) Endings with Split Pawns In endings with split pawns prospects of winning are better and increase proportionally with the distance between the pawns. Generally, the weaker side draws only when pawns are separated by one file since then the king can simultaneously prevent the advance of both pawns. A typical position, analyzed […]
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← Basic EndingsBasic Endings →
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The weaker side will draw easily if it can place in a similar position its bishop on the defensive diagonal in time. ← Basic EndingsBasic Endings →
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When connected pawns are not blocked, of crucial importance will be how far they have advanced, on which files they are located, as well as the relative position of bishop with respect to pawns. The fundamental strategic rules that must be observed by both the stronger and weaker side will be explained in the […]
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