1. What Is the Endgame?
The endgame begins when:
- Queens (and often many pieces) are off the board,
- Both kings become active,
- Pawns often decide the result (promotion!).
Your goals:
- Promote a pawn to a queen.
- Checkmate the enemy king.
- Use your king actively.
2. Activate Your King
In the endgame, your king becomes a strong attacker!
- Bring your king toward the center and pawns.
- The king can’t hide forever — now it fights.
✅ Good rule: In the endgame, the king is a fighting piece.
Example:
- In a pawn ending, whoever’s king reaches the center first usually wins.
3. Learn the Key Checkmates
You must know how to checkmate with basic pieces — these come up often!
King + Queen vs King
- Bring your queen to cut off the enemy king’s movement.
- Bring your king closer.
- Deliver checkmate when your opponent’s king is trapped on the edge.
King + Rook vs King
- Use the box method: trap the king in a smaller and smaller area with your rook.
- When the opposing king is on the edge, deliver checkmate with your king’s help.
King + Two Rooks vs King
- Very easy — the rooks push the enemy king to the edge, then checkmate.
If you can do these three, you can handle most practical endings!
4. Know “Opposition” (King and Pawn Endings)
Opposition means:
When two kings face each other with one square between them —
➡️ The player not to move has the advantage.
Why?
Because the other king must move away, allowing your king to advance.
Example:
♔ e4 ♚ e6
If it’s Black’s move, White has the opposition and can step forward to win space.
Understanding opposition helps you win pawn races and promote.
5. Push Passed Pawns
A passed pawn has no opposing pawns blocking it on its file or neighboring files.
✅ Passed pawns are potential queens.
Rule:
“Passed pawns must be pushed!”
But — make sure your king or pieces can support the pawn’s promotion safely.
6. Rook Endgame Basics
Rook endgames are the most common type, even in master games.
- Rooks belong behind passed pawns (either your own or your opponent’s).
→ “Put the rook behind the pawn!” - Keep your rook active — activity is often more important than material.
- Cut off the enemy king if possible.
7. Simplify When Ahead
If you have a material advantage, trade pieces (not pawns) to make winning easier.
Example:
- If you’re up a rook, exchange rooks and go into a simple pawn ending.
- Don’t trade pawns unless it helps you create a passed pawn.
Conversely:
If you’re behind, try to keep more pieces on the board to create counterplay.
8. Know the Basic Draws
Sometimes you can’t win, but you can save a draw if you know the rules.
- King + pawn vs King = draw if the defending king can reach the pawn’s promotion square.
- Rook + pawn vs rook = many are drawn if the weaker side’s king stays in front of the pawn.
- Stalemate: Don’t give your opponent no moves unless you’re delivering checkmate!
9. Think: King, Pawns, and Activity
In the endgame, the three keys are:
- King activity
- Passed pawns
- Piece activity (especially rooks and bishops)
Beginner Endgame Checklist
- My king is active and near the center
- I know how to checkmate with basic pieces
- I push passed pawns (with support)
- My rooks are active and behind pawns
- I simplify when ahead, complicate when behind