Learn
Endgame essentials
The king wakes up; pawns become queens.
Once most pieces are gone the king is no longer a target to hide — it becomes a fighting piece that should march to the centre to escort pawns and attack weaknesses. The other key tool is the opposition: when kings stand directly opposed with one square between them, the side NOT to move wins the squares, because the other must give way.
Use these together to shepherd a pawn to promotion: put your king in front of the pawn and let the opposition clear the path.
- Activate your king — centralize it in the endgame.
- The opposition: whoever doesn't have to move holds the squares.
- Lead the pawn with your king to promote it.
- Know the queening square and the rule of the square for passed pawns.