Published by ChessLens Team
Many players spend all their time studying openings, but most games are decided in the endgame. If you can't convert a winning endgame, all your brilliant opening prep is wasted. Here are the core concepts you need to master.
Can your king catch the opponent's passed pawn? Draw a mental square from the pawn to its promotion square. If the king can step into the square, it catches the pawn. This simple rule saves you from losing countless endgames.
The most important concept in pawn endgames is the "key squares." If you can get your king to a key square, you are guaranteed to promote your pawn. Practice these with an engine until you can see them instantly.
In the endgame, the king is a fighting piece. Don't hide it in the corner. Activate your king, march it into the center of the board, and use it to support your pawns. A passive king almost always loses the endgame.