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End Game Blues

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...where am I supposed to put my good-for-nothing king???

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Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
...where am I supposed to put my good-for-nothing king???
Thats just asking for a "where the sun don't shine!"

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Originally posted by Chakan
Thats just asking for a "where the sun don't shine!"
Thanks for pre-empting.

Often I'm doing quite well in a game, then in the end-game my king is sitting on his arse & has to march all over the board to get where it seems he should be. Are there any basic principles to follow?

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Here are some 'slogans': http://www.chessville.com/instruction/instr_gen_collection_wisdom_endgame.htm

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Originally posted by Mephisto2
Here are some 'slogans': http://www.chessville.com/instruction/instr_gen_collection_wisdom_endgame.htm
Could you expand a bit on this point, please?
"When mobilizing a pawn majority, push the unopposed pawn first."

D

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Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
...where am I supposed to put my good-for-nothing king???
Abolish the monarchy. Alternatively, encourage your cowardly good-for-nothing king to take an active part in the endgame. And work through an endgame tutorial. Chessmaster 10 has a good one, and there are a lot of endgame books, but I am sure you can also find something for free on the internet.

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Originally posted by Nordlys
Chessmaster 10 has a good one.
What is Chessmaster 10?

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Originally posted by Mephisto2
Here are some 'slogans': http://www.chessville.com/instruction/instr_gen_collection_wisdom_endgame.htm
Another one:

"In rook endings, if your king must bail out, flee to the short side of the enemy pawn. Keep the long side for your rook."

What is it mean by short side and long side?

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Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
What is Chessmaster 10?
A chess program. It includes a Chess Academy which has helped me greatly to improve my game.

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Originally posted by Nordlys
A chess program. It includes a Chess Academy which has helped me greatly to improve my game.
How'd you get your hands on it?

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Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
How'd you get your hands on it?
I bought it at Amazon.

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Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
How'd you get your hands on it?
The good ol south african way, steal it.

i'hijack this chessmaster!

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Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
Thanks for pre-empting.

Often I'm doing quite well in a game, then in the end-game my king is sitting on his arse & has to march all over the board to get where it seems he should be. Are there any basic principles to follow?
General principle: Centralise and mobilise your King in the endgame.
He's immensely powerful at close quarters, so if he's needed at the other end of the board, get him there. Safely, of course.

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Originally posted by Ragnorak
Could you expand a bit on this point, please?
"When mobilizing a pawn majority, push the unopposed pawn first."

D
The idea behind this rule is that the unopposed pawn push is more likely to create a freepawn. Which is a good thing, assuming that the freepawn can run or be supported.

Don't take these rules too literally, you might become disappointed.



White to move can win by playing b4, but playing c4 (the unopposed pawn) leads to draw.

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Originally posted by lausey
"In rook endings, if your king must bail out, flee to the short side of the enemy pawn. Keep the long side for your rook."

What is it mean by short side and long side?
If your opponent's pawn is on the d file, say, you're in general better off moving your king to the queenside (less files between pawn and edge of the board, hence 'short' side). If the pawn is on the e file, then move your king to the kingside.