Mastering Corresponding Squares - Dominate King & Pawn Endgames (Free Resources)

 

Unleash the Endgame Advantage:
 Mastering Corresponding Squares in Chess

Struggling to convert winning pawn endgames?
 Corresponding squares are your secret weapon! This guide unlocks everything you need to master this powerful endgame concept, transforming you from a passive defender to a ruthless endgame king.

What are corresponding squares?
 Imagine two squares on the chessboard with a magical connection. When your king occupies one, your opponent's king is forced to occupy the other! This strategic dance creates winning opportunities you won't want to miss.

Wikipedia Page

Bishop's Bounty - King & Pawn Endgame Page

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BOOKS (Free) - Mastering Endgames

Unlock the secrets of pawn endings and explore crucial endgame concepts with these comprehensive and insightful free books.

Internet Archive
Your gateway to a vast digital library, offering free access to millions of books, movies, music, websites, and more.
Secrets Of Pawn Endings by Karsten Muller, Frank Lamprecht  - 288 page PDF - This book delves into the intricacies of pawn endgames, exploring various pawn structures, theoretical positions, and winning techniques.
Comprehensive Chess Endings - Volume 4: Pawn Endings - by Yuri Averbakh, Nikolai Kopayev - 328 Page PDF -As part of the "Comprehensive Chess Endings" series, this volume focuses specifically on pawn endings. In-depth analysis of pawn-related endgames, including theoretical positions and strategic considerations.  (Chapter 10 Theory of Corresponding Square System)

Endgame Magic - by John Beasley; Timothy Whitworth -196 Page PDF - This book explores various endgame themes and techniques.  (Chapter 13 Corresponding Squares)

Dvoretsky S Endgame Manual 3rd Edition - 408 Page PDF  - this manual is considered one of the most authoritative works on endgames. (Chapter 1 Corresponding Squares)

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Corresponding Squares Chess Articles - Unlock Endgame Secrets

Master the art of endgame maneuvering:

Corresponding Squares - Simplify Chess Article (Step by Step Guide)

Endgame Strategy: Corresponding Squares - Nice Article from Charlotte Chess Center w/ exercises - Delve into the intricacies of endgame strategy with a focus on corresponding squares, a crucial concept often determining victory or draw in king and pawn endgames, explained through practical examples and insightful analysis.

Theory of corresponding squares - Chessbase Article - This article explores the concept of corresponding squares, essential in endgame theory, shedding light on its application and significance through illustrative examples and practical analysis Lasker and Reichhelm. The Ultimate Example of corresponding squares! - Chess.com Blog Post of Example in a game.

Learn the magic of conjugate squares in endgames - Nice Article and Explanation (In Spanish) Google translate is your friend .

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Corresponding Squares LiChess Studies

Sharpen Your Endgame Technique

Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual - 9 Chapter Study - Master corresponding squares with this structured study based on the Chapter in Dvoretsky manual.

King & Pawn Warfare 3/20 - 10 Chapter Study - Sharpen your king and pawn endgame skills with targeted practice on corresponding squares.

Corresponding Squares and Triangulation - 17 Chapter Study

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Corresponding Squares Video Lessons

Master endgame strategies with insightful video lessons on corresponding squares by top chess experts.

Corresponding Squares | National Master's Choice - NM Caleb Denby - 64 Min - teaches the concept of corresponding squares. Understanding the analogous spaces to each square is important while navigating the endgame.

The Beautiful Geometry of Corresponding Squares | Endgame Class - NM Caleb Denby - 58 Min -  follows up to his class on "Corresponding Squares" with a session on the different systems to determine corresponding squares. Don't be afraid to watch this advanced class twice.

Corresponding Squares 3 | Endgame Class - NM Caleb Denby - 58 Min - National Master Caleb Denby caps off a trilogy of advanced classes on corresponding squares.

Private Coaching with FM Alessandro Manzone #19: Key Squares and Corresponding Squares - 1.5 hr - In this lesson, we go over some basic chess endgame principals, since I've been butchering a lot of endgames lately. Specifically, we cover opposition, key squares, and corresponding squares.

Study Chess with me - Mastering Mined Squares (endgame strategy) - 18 Min - in this video, we move to the section on mined squares, and important theme of pawn endgames, with some instructive examples and a fantastic trap at the end..

Pawn endings - Corresponding squares -5 - 18 Min - Very important and interesting thing in practical pawn endgames. You will enjoy corresponding squares from the example taken out from Dvoretsky endgame manual. 

GM Oliksiyenko Videos

• Getting to the bottom of corresponding squares! - 15 Min 
  
  
• Another example of corresponding squares - 11  Min 
  
  
• Corresponding squares | Oleksiyenko - 8 Min 

King - Pawn Endings - (Endgame Theory)

 

 

 King and Pawn Endgames:
 The Key to Chess Victory

King and Pawn Endgames are the final act of a chess game, where the forces on the board have dwindled, and the focus intensifies. Here, a single pawn, the underdog of the chess world, takes center stage. Its successful promotion to a powerful queen can spell victory, while its capture can lead to a frustrating draw. Understanding these critical positions is essential for any chess player who wants to:

• Convert Winning Advantages: Many winning positions boil down to a King and Pawn Endgame. Knowing how to maneuver your king and escort your pawn to promotion ensures you capitalize on your hard-earned edge.
  
  
• Salvage Stalemates: Sometimes, complex middlegame positions can simplify into King and Pawn Endgames. If you grasp these endgames, you might be able to salvage a draw from a seemingly lost position.
  
  
• Avoid Blunders: King and Pawn Endgames can be deceptively tricky. A seemingly simple misstep can cost you the game. Mastering these endgames equips you with the knowledge to navigate them confidently and avoid throwing away precious points.

This guide curates the best free resources to equip you with the knowledge and skills to conquer King and Pawn Endgames. With the help of ebooks, interactive studies, puzzles, and video lessons from top chess instructors, you'll be well on your way to mastering this crucial endgame skillset.

Bishops Bounty Corresponding Squares Page

Bishop's Bounty Triangulation Page

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Books & Courses (Free)

Chess Endings - UK School 89 Page PDF  (Nice Study Guide with worksheets)
Pawn Endings (Part 1) - 4 page PDF (Handout)

Internet Archive

• A Guide To Chess Endings by Max Euwe, David Hooper - 252 Page PDF
• Begin Chess by Manuel Aaron - 262 Page PDF

Chessable

• Basic Endgames - FREE Chessable Course - 191 Endgames (First 45 are K+P)   Practice all of them with the Movetrainer

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King & Pawn Chess Articles

Theoretical Pawn Endgames - All You Need to Know U2000 Level - ChessMood - What are the most important King and pawn endgame positions that you must know? GM Gabuzyan shares them in this article. (Really Nice Page)

How to Win a King and Pawn vs King Endgame - Very nice article and in depth
- Understanding the Square
- How to Promote a Pawn vs a Lone King
- Rook Pawns are Usually Drawn
- How to Draw with a Lone King vs a Pawn and King
- Positions to Test Yourself

Ultimate Guide to Pawn Endgames -  Pretty Amazing Page With Lessons on Many of the Basic Pawn Endgame Need to Know Topics.

Pawn Endgame: How To Win Pawn Endgames -  The Chess Journal -Covers Most of the Basics w/ puzzles at end

The Floating Square | Split Pawns vs Connected Pawns in the Endgame - Nice Well Done Lesson

The Chess World

• 3 Must-Know Ideas in Pawn Endgames - WGM Raluca Sgircea, IM Renier Castellanos
  
  
• 5 King and Pawn Endgame Tricks Every Chess Player Must Know - Yury Markushin

Chess.com Articles

• Pawn Endgames: A Practical Guide - Gm Daniel Naroditsky  - a brief (but hopefully rewarding) introduction to pawn endgames. Opposition, Pawn races & Pawn Breakthroughs
• Pawn Endgames - Easy to Hard (with puzzles and analysis) - seven different pawn endgames from my own games. They start easier, but get harder as they go.
• Pawn endgames - WGM Tijana Mandura -Direct, Distant and Diagonal Opposition Article
• Pawn Endgames - Easy, Yet Difficult - GM Alexander Ipotov - annotated two of my games, including the one against Tarjan, and found few more games played by world-class players who misplayed their respective pawn endgames!
• Pawn Endgames: Beauty and the Beast - WIM Irena Zenyuk - The article emphasizes the importance of creating passed pawns and the intricate plans required for both offense and defense in pawn endgames.

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King & Pawn LiChess Studies

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

King and Pawn Endgames 1 - 60 Chapter Study (One at the top of the Page)

King and Pawn Endgames 2 -  5 Chapter interactive Study

Beginner Opposition -  6 Chapter Study

Interactive Studies

• Pawn Endgames - 8 Chapter Interactive Study - All lessons
• Pawn Endgames 🧩 - 12 Chapter Interactive Study - A bunch of Learning Puzzles
• King and Pawn ENDGAMES - 10 Chapter Interactive Study - Active King and Passed Pawns

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Games Database - K & P Endings

Chessgames.com (Collections)

• K&P Endgames  - 26 Games
  
  
• King and Pawn Endgames - 32 Games

By studying both collections, you'll gain valuable insights into the nuances of King and Pawn Endgames and how they arise from various middlegame situations.

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King & Pawn Endgame Video Lessons

1) King and Pawn Endgames

 
a) Foundational King and Pawn Endgame Positions

• EASY CHESS ENDGAMES: King & Pawns  -21 min - IM Rozman
  
  
• King & Pawn Endgames Crash Course 20 Min NM Nelson Lopez
  
  
• Key Squares in King and Pawn Endgames-part1 15 min IM Astraneh
  
• Key Squares in King and Pawn Endgames | Part 2 13 Min IM Astraneh
• Key Squares in King and Pawn Endgames | Part 3 22 Min IM Astraneh
  
  
• Pawn Endgames you Must Know | Kids' Class - GM Cristian Chirila - 33 Min
  
  
• Introduction to Pawn Endgames | GM Naroditsky - 30 Min
  
  
• Opposition and Outflanking | Beginner Breakdown - 60 Min - ST.Louis CC - a beginner chess class on opposition and outflanking your opponent.
  

 b) Intermediate Pawn Endgame Ideas

• The 3 most important Endgame Principles in King and Pawn Endgames 14 Min IM Astraneh - Outside Passed Pawn, Pawn breakthrough, Rule of the Square
  
  
• Chess Endgames: Converting the Extra Pawn - 7 Min - FM Kostya Kavutskiy discusses the general strategy on how to win a king and pawn endgame with a single pawn extra
  
  
• Chess Endgames: The Reti Idea 7 Min IM Cruze
  
  
• King and Pawn Endgames - 47Min GM Ben Finegold - the importance of understanding opposition, triangulation, and zugzwang in endgame play, as well as the role of pawn structure in achieving victory.
  
  
• Pawn Majority - winning practical endgames - 17 Min - IM Asaf Givon achieved a kingside pawn majority very early in the opening and, after that, his practical endgame knowledge simply assured him the win.
  
  
• These are very hard pawns to queen!! How to Use Sixth rank rule! - 10 Min - Robert Plunkets Chess Lab - Connected passed pawns and getting a Queen (New 5/29/24)

 c) More Complicated Pawn Endings

• Difficult King & Pawn Endings | Endgame Exclam!! - 45 Min GM Ben Finegold - shows king and pawn positions from and inspired by real grandmaster games. Opposition and other themes are explored, and these positions are difficult to calculate.
  
  
• INSANELY Instructive Pawn Endgame | Distant Opposition - 8 Min - use concepts like Distant or Diagonal Opposition to realize a very original winning plan.
  
  
• Unbelievable and illogical pawn endgame! - 20 Min -GM Mykhaylo Oleksiyenko - Simple looking Endgame that is Incredibly difficult to figure out even for a GM.
  
  
• Advanced Pawn Endgame Concepts | GM Naroditsky - 68 Min - We examine the 9 most important king use techniques, and then put them into practice by carefully analyzing a wealth of real-life examples.

 

d) Pawn Breakthroughs

• Pawn Breakthroughs | Chess Middlegames - 21 Min - First Half has pawn and King endgane Breakthroughs
  
  
• How to Endgame #2 | Pawn Breakthroughs - 17 Min - IM Andreas Toth - in-depth tutorial on pawn breakthroughs in chess endgames, emphasizing the importance of calculation and visualization skills.
  
  
• 6 INSTRUCTIVE & TRICKY PAWN BREAKTHROUGHS - 13 Min - Chess Geek - goes over 6 tricky and instructive pawn breakthroughs that will solidity your understanding of pawn breakthroughs and show you how to use the idea of pawn breakthroughs to win seemingly unwinnable positions
  
  
• Pawn Breakthroughs | Principles of Chess Endgames | GM Naroditsky - 47 Min - We examine the 10 most common type of breakthroughs in abstraction, and then put them into practice by analyzing several real-life examples.

 

Chess Endgame Videos

CHESS ENDGAME VIDEO RESOURCES

How To Study Chess Endgames 
-  17 Min GM Max Dlugy Video at bottom of page.
Every Endgame Book You Need to Master Chess - 12 Min

CHESSABLE FREE ENDGAME COURSES

Chessable - Free Endgame Courses - You really cant beat these for Free. With the Move trainer built in  You can practice each and every one.  
16 FREE Courses Here.

CHESS ENDGAME VIDEO PLAYLISTS

Endgame Course - 17 Video Playlist  (From Chess Vibes)
Chess Endgames - 38 Video Playlist (From Hanging Pawns)
Complete Chess Endgame Course - 30 Video Playlist (ChessDiagnostic)
Online endgame chess course - 101 Video Playlist (Chess School)
End Game Principals  - 11 Video Playlist (GM Naroditsky)
Chess Endgames  - 19 Video Playlist - (Chess.com)
Online endgame chess course - 101 Video Playlist (Chess School)
End Game Principals  - 11 Video Playlist (GM Naroditsky)
Chess Endgames  - 19 Video Playlist - (Chess.com)
Improve your endgame with IM Sagar Shah - 15 Video Playlist  (Each video 1.5hr Long)
Chess Endgames  - 8 Video Playlist  - IM John Bartholomew
Chess Endgames - The Easy Way  - 20 Video Playlist  - NM Robert Ramirez
Chess Endgames  - 39 Video Playlist - GM Igor Smirnov
Silman's Endgame Recognition  - 17 Video Playlist  - Palm Beach Chess

Silman's Complete Endgame Course  -  27 Video Playlist  - Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Atlanta  ( 50+ Hours of Video here)

100 Endgames You Must Know | GM Giri | Chessable - 45 Min
100 Endgames You Must Know | GM Ian Nepomniachtchi | Chessable - 80 Min
100 Endgames You Must Know | GM Harikrishna | Chessable - 98 Min
100 Endgames You Must Know | GM Ding Liren | Chessable - 90 Min
100 Endgames You Must Know | GM Liem Quang Le | Chessable - 96 Min

100 Endgames You Must Know | GM Sam Shankland | Chessable - 58 Min

Here is another page of recent games from top players and the different Endgames that resulted. Endgame Lessons  

1) King and Pawn Endgames

   a) Foundational King and Pawn Endgame Positions

• EASY CHESS ENDGAMES: King & Pawns 21 min IM Rozman
  
  
• Basic Endgames for Everyone Under 2000 - NM Julian Proleiko - 54 Min -  teaches king & pawn endgames
• King & Pawn Endgames Crash Course 20 Min NM Nelson Lopez

      Key Squares in King and Pawn Endgames-part1  15 min IM Astraneh

      Key Squares in King and Pawn Endgames | Part 2 13 Min IM Astraneh

      Key Squares in King and Pawn Endgames | Part 3  22 Min IM Astraneh

      Introduction to Pawn Endgames | Principles of Chess Endgames | GM Naroditsky - 30 Min

      

     b) Intermediate Pawn Endgame Ideas

        The 3 most important Endgame Principles in King and Pawn Endgames 14 Min IM Astraneh
        Chess Endgames: Converting the Extra Pawn - 7 Min GM Naroditski
        Chess Endgames: The Reti Idea  7 Min  IM Cruze
        King and Pawn Endgames - 47Min GM Ben Finegold
        Pawn Majority - winning practical endgames  - 17 Min

     c) More Complicated Pawn Endings

        Difficult King & Pawn Endings | Endgame Exclam!!  - 45 Min GM Ben Finegold
        INSANELY Instructive Pawn Endgame | Distant Opposition  - 8 Min
        Unbelievable and illogical pawn endgame!  - 20 Min

     d) Pawn Breakthroughs

        Pawn Breakthroughs | Chess Middlegames  - 21 Min
        How to Endgame #2 | Pawn Breakthroughs - 17 Min
        6 INSTRUCTIVE & TRICKY PAWN BREAKTHROUGHS - 13 Min

2) Rook and Pawn Endgames    

 a) Fundamental Rook Endgames

         Rook Endgames Crash Course - Rook & Pawn Endings - 24 Min NM Lopez

         Top Four Instructive Rook Endgames Everyone Should Know - 30 Min IM Kavutskiy

         GM Alex Ipatov   Rook Endgame Lessons

•          Learn the Philidor Position | Fundamental Rook Endgames - 8 Min 
•          Learn the Lucena Position | Fundamental Rook Endgames - 5 Min
•          The Long Side/Short Side Principle in Rook Endgames - 12 Min 
•          Don't miss this important Rook Endgame Technique - 7 Min 
•          How the Skewer can decide your Rook Endgame - 8 Min 
•          Know your Rook Endgame Technique | Basic Rook Endings - 9 Min 
•          Improve your Endgame Play with this instructive Mastergame - 9 Min 
•          How to play the Rook Endgame with Doubled Pawns - 9 Min 
•          Forcing your Opponent to a draw with the Vancura Position 7 Min 
•          Remember the Cheron Position in Rook and Pawn Endgames 10 Min 
•          Important Cheron Positions in Rook and Pawn Endgames | - 13 Min
•          Attack both Flanks at the same Time! | Important Rook Endgame Principles - 11 Min
•          Activate your King to win the Endgame - 4 Min
•          Bring your Rook behind the passed Pawn - 7 Min

             

     b) Other Rook Endgames

         Capablanca’s Endgame Rule | Chess  Endings - 22 Min - NM Ramirez

         Rooks: Don't be a Tempo Behind  - 58 Min  - GM Moridiabadi

         Akiba Rubinstein's Rook Endgames | Insane in the Endgame - 65 Min - GM Dariusz

         Rook Endgames - GM Josh Friedel 48 Min

         Rook & Passed Pawn Endgames - 24 Min

3) Minor Piece Chess Endgames

         Minor Piece Endgames, with GM Ben Finegold - 46 Min
         Rules of Knight Endgames and Bishop Endgames  -  58 Min GM Moridiabadi
    

   a) Bishop Endings  

         Bishop Endgames - GM Varuzhan Akobian  - 54 Min

         Force that Bishop to the Short Diagonal! - 24 Min GM Akobian

        The Bishops Bounty: Bishop Endings:A Comprehensive Guide for Chess Players
        (Dedicated page with Articles, LiChess Studies and Organized Videos)

   b) Opposite Color Bishop Endings

         The Opposite Color Bishops | Endgame Class - 58 Min NM Caleb Denby

         Opposite Color Bishops: Know the Rules - - 60 Min GM Josh Friedel

        The Bishops Bounty: Bishop Endings:A Comprehensive Guide for Chess Players
       (Dedicated page with Articles, LiChess Studies and Organized Videos)

   c) Knight Endings

            Knight Endgames Explained | Endgame Class - 54 Min NM Denby

   

   d) Mixed Piece Endings

            Rook & Bishop vs. Rook & Knight | Endgame Exclam! - 55 Min GM  Chirila

            How Bishops & Knights fight each other - 50 Min NM Caleb Denby

4) Queen Endgames

            Queen and Pawn vs. Queen Endgame - GM Yasser Seirawan - 53 Min

            Queen Endgames Crash Course - Tips On How To Use Queens In The Endgame - 13 Min
        

         a) Queen and King  vs  Rook and King

             Queen vs Rook Endgame – How to win and how to fight for a draw. -  19 Min

             Chess Endgame: Queen + King vs Rook + King (Philidor) - 12 Min
       

         b) More Complicated Queen Endings             

             Advanced Chess Endgame - 2 (Queen Endgame Drawing Zone) - 10 Min

5) Other Endgames with material imbalance

         Chess Endings: Rook vs Minor Pieces - 60 Min

         Rook and Minor Piece Endgames, with NM Spencer Finegold - 55 Min

      a) Rook vs Bishop

          Rook vs. Bishop Chess Endgames | Endgame Class - 59 Min NM Denby
          How to Defend Bishop vs. Rook  - 8 Min GM Huschenbeth
          Rook vs Bishop Endgame: learn and practice it the right way  27 Min NM Lopez

      b Rook vs  Knight       

          Chess Endgame: King + Rook vs King + Knight - 8 Min NM Lopez
          How to Defend Knight vs. Rook | Chess Endgame Basics - 11 Min GM Huschenbeth

          

6) General Endgame Topics

        

         GM Neiksans Boot Camp #30 - Essential Endgames - 3.5 Hrs

       

        The BEST KEPT Secrets Of Endgame Strategy!  - 18 Min GM Max Dlugy
        How to THINK in the Endgame - 59 Min GM Hungaski
       THINK in the Endgame 2: Now It's Personal - 64 Min GM Hungaski
        Principles of Chess Endgames | King Activity - 30 Min GM Naroditski
        The Most Common Chess Mistakes: Missing Endgame Tactics - 12 Min GM Naroditski
        Important Endgames that People Mess Up | Endgame Exclam!! - 51 Min IM Rosen
        Practical Endgame Advice - FM Kostya Kavutskiy - 44 Min
        Complex Endgames with MANY Pieces! (Part 1)  - 58 Min GM Swiercz
        Complex Endgames with MANY Pieces! (Part 2)  - 58 Min GM Swiercz
        The Beautiful Geometry of Corresponding Squares | Endgame Class - 58 Min NM Denby
        Corresponding Squares 3 | Endgame Class - 59 Min NM Denby
        GM Johan Hellsten: Endgame Lessons | U.S. Chess School -  68 Min
        

7) Chess Endgame Studies 

     Bishops Bounty Endgame Study Page  
       Dedicated Page to Websites, Lichess Studies, and Videos on Endgame Studies

       Endgame Studies for Beginners 52 Min GM Akobian
       Vladimir Kramnik: Chess endgame studies give joy and happiness - 30 Min GM Polgar
       IM Kostya Kavutskiy: Endgame Studies | U.S. Chess School  - 35 Min
       Lecture with GM Varuzhan Akobian (Endgame Studies) - 55 Min