King and Pawn Endgames: 3 of Them. Thinking Outside The Box

King and pawn endgames and their 3 very important positions will be explored in today’s article by WGM Meenakshi Subbaraman.

In order to win or draw these positions you need to have a high level of chess creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.

You will learn that often in pawn endgames the most logical move is, in fact, a losing one.

A chess game usually consists of three phases: opening, middlegame, and endgame. In the opening phase, all pieces are developed, the king is castled, the queen is developed and rooks are brought to open files. In the middle game lots of chess ideas evolve, pieces are maneuvered, strategies are implemented to gain an advantage, attacks are launched and strong defenses are set up. The endgame is the most original form of chess as every player has to evolve plans to convert their advantages into a win and the defensive side has to reduce the advantage and try to hold a draw.

Why is endgame so important?

• Endgame is very critical because all the advantage gained throughout the game is converted into a win in the endgame.
• A mistake in the endgame can be decisive and perfect execution of the winning plan is needed.
• Endgame techniques should be learned for a club player to become a professional player.

Pawn endings are a relatively simple form of endgame but are they are complex in their own way. Pawn endings have the unique character of arising from other positions.

These Endings have techniques of their own. Three endings below are chosen carefully to illustrate the importance of king movement in such positions.

Pawn ending’s outcome depends pure on calculation ability of a player and learning pawn endings helps one to improve this very skill. In pawn endings one of the main points to remember is the King Opposition technique. Now let us enjoy the beauty of the pawn endings.

King and pawn endgames: Position 1

Position 2

King and pawn endgames: Position 3

Note: If you want to improve your general chess level simply studying openings is not enough. If you aim for a dramatic improvement at chess you need to work on all of the elements of the game in a systematic way:

• tactics
• positional play
• attacking skills
• endgame technique
• classical games analysis
• psychological preparation
• and much more

That seems to be like a lot of things, and that is. But no worries, we have made it easy for you. Our comprehensive training course covers it all and much more. Sign up for 21 Day Training right now!