Chess Endgame

Previously, we have discussed two portions of any chess game: the Opening and the Middle Game. These two parts of a chess game can be extremely exciting and often give us the most amount of action. There are many tactical ideas and tricks that one can employ while going through those portions of the game. But, we have neglected to talk about the last, and one of the most important, parts of the game: the End Game. So, what exactly constitutes an End Game in chess? Well, that can honestly be an extremely hard questions. The line between the Middle Game and the End Game can often be hard to draw as the End Game shows itself in many ways. However, if you are wondering whether or not you’re in the End Game, here are some things to look out for.

1. Many of the Minor/Major Pieces have been exchanged.
2. Pawns become primary attackers.

When these two things happen, you are most likely in the End Game. Here are a few pictures of End Game examples.

Now, this stage of the game requires different strategical ideas than during the first two parts. For one, the King will now become a primary attacker. Throughout the game, we have stressed protecting the King at all costs; however, when most pieces have been taken off the board, it becomes safer for the King to venture out into the middle of the board. It can become a very strong piece to use. Additionally, when in the End Game, a player focuses more on the promotion of one of their Pawns to a Queen (usually). Each player does their best to promote one of their Pawns in order to gain a large advantage.

The End Game of All End Games

How might one become a better End Game player? Well, there are a lot of things to think about in the End Game, so it can be challenging for players to grasp all the concepts in this stage of the game. But, there is a specific End Game that can do a good job in helping beginners better understand the strategical ideas of the End Game: King and Pawn vs. King. This End Game is actually what is shown in the first picture above.

We will begin in a position when White has a King on e2 and a Pawn on d2 while Black only has a King on d5.

Most inexperienced players in this position would just throw their pawn out into the center playing something like d3. However, as soon as this move is played, it is a draw (when played correctly by Black). It happens like this:

1. d3 Kd4
2. Kd2 Kd5
3. Kc3 Kc5
4. d4+ Kd5
5. Kd3 Kd6
6. Ke4 Ke6
7. d5+ Kd6
8. Kd4 Kd7
9. Kc5 Kc7
10. d6+ Kd7
11. Kd5 Kd8
12. Ke6 Ke8
13. d7+ Kd8

Whatever move white makes in this position will lead to a draw for black. So, if not d3 to start this End Game, what should white play to gain the advantage they obviously have. Well, this will get us into a concept in the End Game, known as opposition. In this circumstance, when one of the players has “the opposition” then they have the advantage. If White gains the opposition then they will win, but if black gains it then the game can be drawn. There are three things that must be true for a player to have the opposition:

1. Both players’ Kings must be on the same colored squares on the same file.
2. There must be an odd number of squares in between the Kings.
3. It must be the other player’s turn to have the opposition.

So, in our beginning case, how might White gain the opposition? By instead playing King to d3!

Once white has done this, they have essentially blocked black from moving onto the 4th rank. As soon as this move is played, white will win (if played correctly). The opposition from White’s King creates room for White’s pawn to move forward eventually. However, be careful not to move out the pawn too quickly or else the game might reach an ending like the one shown previously. A fair rule to remember is not to move your pawn until your King has reached the sixth rank. Then your pawn can start marching forward. A game in this position might go on like this:

1. Kd3 Kc5
2. Ke4 (flanking the Black King) Kd6
3. Kd4 Ke6
4. Kc5 (flank) Kd7
5. Kd5 Kc7
6. Ke6 Kc6

Now that White has their King on the sixth rank, it is safe to move the pawn up.

1. d4 Kc7
2. d5 Kd8

Moving the pawn up again would lead to an end like the draw shown in the beginning. So, make sure to use opposition again so that white can gain the advantage.

1. Kd6 Kc8
2. Ke7 Kc7

And finally we have reached a position in which Black cannot stop White from Queening their pawn and white will eventually carry out a checkmate. White can just move their pawn up to the 8th rank with no hesitation.

An End Game like this can help players better understand principles of this portion of chess. Studying this can also show the power that each piece has no matter how small.