Trainings
95 trainings graded 1–10. Log in to track what you complete.
Endgames 11
King and queen vs king
The first mate every player must know. Box the king in with the queen, bring up your king, and finish on the edge without stalemating.
King and rook vs king
Drive the king to the edge with rook and king working together, then mate with the rook when the kings stand in opposition.
King vs king and pawn: hold the draw
You have a lone king against king and pawn. Stay in front of the pawn and keep the opposition to reach the stalemate draw.
Wrong-coloured bishop: hold the draw
A rook pawn and a bishop that does not control the promotion square cannot beat a king in the corner. Prove it.
King and pawn vs king: win with the opposition
Take the opposition, outflank the defending king, and escort your pawn home. The engine defends perfectly.
Philidor position: draw with rook vs rook and pawn
The most important drawing technique in rook endings: the third-rank defence, then checks from behind.
Lucena position: build a bridge
Your king is in front of the pawn on the seventh and the enemy king is cut off. Win with the bridge-building manoeuvre.
Queen vs pawn on the seventh
Stop a pawn about to promote using the queen's zigzag of checks, winning tempi to bring your king over.
Two bishops vs king
Force the lone king into a corner with two bishops standing side by side, and deliver mate without allowing stalemate.
Vancura position: draw against a rook pawn
A rook pawn on the sixth with the rook in front of it looks lost for the defender. The Vancura defence holds against perfect play.
Queen vs rook: the Philidor position
The classic queen versus rook win. Lose a tempo with the queen to reach the same position with Black to move, then the rook must leave its king.