Chess endgame guides
The theory that decides games: every essential checkmate, the exact rook endgame positions, and the concepts underneath them all: opposition, zugzwang, the square of the pawn. Each guide ends where it should: with the position on the board, playable against an opponent that never gives up.
Checkmates
8 guidesHow to Checkmate in Chess
The five endings every chess player must be able to finish
King & Rook Checkmate
The mate that teaches you what the opposition is for
Two Rooks Checkmate (Ladder Mate)
The lawnmower: rank by rank, no king required
How to Checkmate With Bishop and Knight
The technique that separates real endgame players
Rook endgames
4 guidesKing & pawn endgames
4 guidesQueen & minor piece endgames
3 guidesRules & concepts
11 guidesZugzwang
When the right to move becomes the obligation to lose
Stalemate in Chess vs Checkmate
One wins the game. The other throws the win away.
Do Not Hurry
Improve everything you can before you change anything you can't
The Principle of Two Weaknesses
One target can be defended. Two, on opposite wings, cannot.
Schematic Thinking
Decide where the pieces belong. The move order comes after.
Domination
A piece with no squares is a piece you have already won
King Activity
The piece you spent the whole game hiding is now the strongest one you have
Prefer to study on paper first? The classic endgame books, compared by level says which one to read at your rating, and which parts of it these guides let you play out.
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