Endgames

When few pieces are left, one idea often decides the game. These guides teach the endgame positions every player should know, each with a board you can play on the page.

1. 1The rule of the square: can the king catch the pawn?Draw a square from the pawn to the end of its file. If the defending king can step inside that square, it catches the pawn.
2. 2Opposition and key squares in king and pawn endingsThe kings face each other with one square between them. The player who does not have to move gains, and that usually decides the game.
3. 3Réti's study: the king chases two goalsA king that looks far too slow catches a running pawn. The trick is that a diagonal walk comes closer to two targets at the same time.
4. 4Queen against a pawn one step from promotingA queen usually beats a pawn about to promote. Against an a, c, f or h pawn it is a draw when the attacking king is still far away.
5. 5The wrong-coloured bishop: when a bishop and pawn drawA bishop and a rook's pawn cannot win if the bishop never touches the promotion corner and the defending king gets there first.
6. 6The Lucena position: how to build a bridgeThe rook ending every player should know. Check the king away, put your rook on the fourth rank, and walk your pawn in to queen.
7. 7The Philidor position: the third-rank defenceDraw a rook ending a pawn down. Keep your king in front of the pawn and your rook on the third rank, then check from behind.
8. 8Put the rook behind the passed pawnTarrasch's rule in one page: a rook belongs behind a passed pawn, yours or your opponent's, and here is the position that proves it.
9. 9The Vancura position: a rook endgame drawHold a draw against a rook's pawn on the sixth rank. Attack the pawn from the side and check the enemy king from a distance.
10. 10The Saavedra position: promote to a rookThe most famous underpromotion in chess. A new queen only draws by stalemate, and a new rook wins on the spot. Play it move by move.