The endgames every improver should know

Openings vary endlessly, but endgames repeat. The same king-and-pawn and basic-mate positions appear in game after game, and because there's so little on the board, knowing the technique is often the whole difference between a win and a draw.

King and pawn versus king

The most important ending in chess. The key idea is the opposition: when the kings face each other with one square between them, the player who does not have to move controls the other king. Get your king in front of your pawn with the opposition and the pawn promotes; fail to, and it's a draw.

The basic checkmates

King and queen, king and rook, and two rooks against a lone king should be automatic. The method is always the same — use one piece to build a wall and the king to shrink the box — and the one trap to avoid is stalemate: never take away the enemy king's last square unless you're giving check.

Rook endings and activity

Rook endgames are the most common of all. The recurring lesson is activity: a rook behind a passed pawn, and an active king, are worth more than a pawn or two of material. A passive rook tied to defence usually loses even when it's ahead.

Passed pawns

A passed pawn — one with no enemy pawn able to stop it — is a promotion waiting to happen. "Passed pawns must be pushed." Escort it with your king and it either queens or ties down enemy pieces that would rather be elsewhere.

Drill these against the engine in the Endgames trainer until the technique is muscle memory. That's where studied knowledge quietly converts into rating.