Common Balanced Chess Endgames (part 1)

We've put together an introduction to some of the simple balanced endgames that occur frequently in actual play. Balanced endgames are those in which neither side has a decisive material advantage.

This article does not attempt to teach the correct play in these various situations. The intention is only to introduce some basic endgames and serve as a spring board for future study.

King and Pawn Endgames

When there are only Kings and Pawns left on the board, it is a King and Pawn Endgame (K&P endgame). The theme of K&P endgames is passed Pawns. A passed pawn has no opposing Pawn ahead of it on it's file or either of the two adjacent files. Passed Pawns are particularly valuable because they can't be blocked or captured by an enemy Pawn.

The objective in the K&P endgame is to get a passed Pawn, and escort it to promotion. It is sometimes even worth it to sacrifice other Pawns to create a passed one. The King is a particularly valuable attacker in the K&P endgame (this is a common theme in all endgames!). The King should be activated (brought into the action) as soon as possible.

Queen and Pawn Endgames

With only Pawns and two Queens left, it is a Queen and Pawn Endgame (Q&P Endgame). Advanced passed Pawns are extremely important. Often, a player with less Pawns can secure a win if he has a more advanced Pawn than his opponent. The player at a disadvantage must try to perpetually check the opposing King. Q&P endgames can be brutally long and complicated.

Rook and Pawn Endgames

The Rook and Pawn Endgame (R&P Endgame) is one of the most common in chess. In a balanced position, the result is usually a draw. There are several ideas that can serve as guides in this ending:

• When attacking, Rooks can devastate enemy Pawns if they can infiltrate to the seventh rank.
• When defending, Rooks are ideally placed behind enemy passed Pawns.
• Rooks should be placed behind your own passed Pawns to support their advance.