While openings and middlegames are exciting, it’s often the endgame that decides the result. Many games reach a simplified position where precise calculation and technique matter most.
Understanding basic endgame principles like opposition, king activity, and pawn structure is crucial. Practice key patterns:
- King and pawn vs king
- Lucena and Philidor positions
- Basic rook endgames
Instead of just memorizing moves, focus on learning ideas. In the endgame, every tempo counts. Make your king active, push passed pawns, and cut off the enemy king. Investing time in endgame studies can turn drawn games into wins and losing games into saves.