Yes, I think like in chess, the two more important skills to improve and be a better player is pattern recognition and overall, the thought process. So studying the endgame can be very beneficial but theoretical endgames are mostly boring and even if they are present in one of your games, maybe you won't recognize it since the pieces mostly will be in different positions than the diagrams of 100EYMK or whatever. So I think the endgame must be studied like other parts of the game. Analyze many endgames and you will improve your understanding as it happens with middlegames. Two books I would recommend to go from cover to cover are Silmans Endgame book and The Greatest Ever Chess Endgames, this one is by Steve Giddings. If you want to back up your practical study with the theory behind it, I think the best book is not De la Villa 100EYMK, or Dvoretskys Endgame Manual but Muller and Lamprecht, Fundamental Chess Endings (FCE).
I think one consideration for the second question is that online blitz opens the game up to so many more people. With two kids under 12 then right now if I didn't play blitz chess I wouldn't play any chess at all!
There is a 'traditional' viewpoint that chess is a game that should be played slowly over a board, but in reality it's just a set of rules and I think we're in the early phase of a fundamental shift towards a more open view of the game.
I think that a good working knowledge of endgames is vital in becoming a high expert or master.
From the crippled majority in the Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation to the need for activity in Rook endgames, this awareness gives the player the confidence to know when to trade into a true endgame, and when to keep pieces on the board to give yourself a chance to stay alive. The endgame is where you can outplay weaker players, and get the points you have earned against better players. Even the endgames that you may never encounter demonstrate the beauty, and resources, of the chess pieces. Good article—Ben Nethercot, Life Master.
Yes, I have, but many years ago, as I have played the Scotch Game forever! I have won a game of R + B vs. R + 3 Ps in 120 moves, and have successfully defended
R vs. N and R vs. B in tournament games. And finished 3rd in the American Open one year, beating William Batchelder (2335) in the last round with R + B + N vs. Q
in 77 moves. Interesting how Ding Liren in Game#6 decided that the ending would be harder to win, and decided to stay with the attack on the King!
Dude all of these topics are in my book, please don't sue me when it comes out! (You will be quoted a couple of times too, of course!)
Yes, I think like in chess, the two more important skills to improve and be a better player is pattern recognition and overall, the thought process. So studying the endgame can be very beneficial but theoretical endgames are mostly boring and even if they are present in one of your games, maybe you won't recognize it since the pieces mostly will be in different positions than the diagrams of 100EYMK or whatever. So I think the endgame must be studied like other parts of the game. Analyze many endgames and you will improve your understanding as it happens with middlegames. Two books I would recommend to go from cover to cover are Silmans Endgame book and The Greatest Ever Chess Endgames, this one is by Steve Giddings. If you want to back up your practical study with the theory behind it, I think the best book is not De la Villa 100EYMK, or Dvoretskys Endgame Manual but Muller and Lamprecht, Fundamental Chess Endings (FCE).
Thanks for the article.
Reducing the time to play an endgame from 1 hour to 10 minutes only reduces the overall playing strength with 22 rating points see http://schaken-brabo.blogspot.com/2023/03/extra-tijd-deel-2.html
In less than 1 out of 100 games I reached a theoretical endgame in classical games see http://schaken-brabo.blogspot.com/2022/12/theoretische-eindspelen.html
Books don't give advice on how to play most practical endgames as they are unique see http://schaken-brabo.blogspot.com/2014/07/praktische-eindspelen.html
There exist endgame-gurus having exceptional knowledge about endgames (but not having any title) see http://schaken-brabo.blogspot.com/2022/03/de-eindspelgoeroe.html
Rules for endgames can be useful but there are many exceptions see schaken-brabo.blogspot.com/2023/02/the-chess-bible.html
There is much much more to read on my blog about endgames but I think those articles which I mentioned are the most relevant ones.
I think one consideration for the second question is that online blitz opens the game up to so many more people. With two kids under 12 then right now if I didn't play blitz chess I wouldn't play any chess at all!
There is a 'traditional' viewpoint that chess is a game that should be played slowly over a board, but in reality it's just a set of rules and I think we're in the early phase of a fundamental shift towards a more open view of the game.
I think that a good working knowledge of endgames is vital in becoming a high expert or master.
From the crippled majority in the Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation to the need for activity in Rook endgames, this awareness gives the player the confidence to know when to trade into a true endgame, and when to keep pieces on the board to give yourself a chance to stay alive. The endgame is where you can outplay weaker players, and get the points you have earned against better players. Even the endgames that you may never encounter demonstrate the beauty, and resources, of the chess pieces. Good article—Ben Nethercot, Life Master.
Good points Ben, but be honest... Have you ever used that kingside majority in the Ruy Lopez Exchange to promote a pawn in a real game?
Yes, I have, but many years ago, as I have played the Scotch Game forever! I have won a game of R + B vs. R + 3 Ps in 120 moves, and have successfully defended
R vs. N and R vs. B in tournament games. And finished 3rd in the American Open one year, beating William Batchelder (2335) in the last round with R + B + N vs. Q
in 77 moves. Interesting how Ding Liren in Game#6 decided that the ending would be harder to win, and decided to stay with the attack on the King!