Opening Tactics

Defense Opening Tactics:

Sharpen Your Chess From the First Move

Articles

Opening Tactics - (Chess.com Blog Post): This article dives into the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, a dynamic opening that can lead to sharp tactical positions.

25 Best Opening Chess Traps and Tricks -  (Chess.com Blog): Looking for some sneaky tricks to surprise your opponent? This list is a great resource.

Opening Failures And How to Avoid Them - IM Jeremy Silman - To improve, one must study simple openings, understand the ideas, plans, and typical patterns associated with them.

How to Stop Blunders: The Ultimate Grandmaster Guide - ChessMood - Uncover the reasons why blunders happen and learn practical strategies to reduce them.

LiChess Studies

Opening Tactics - 30 Chapter Interactive Study - Common opening tactics and Themes from different Openings all done in an interactive style.

Opening Puzzles 

LiChess Opening Puzzles Page - Every Opening under the Sun.  Millions of Puzzles. You Can Set level of Difficiulty. 

WTHarvey (30,000 Puzzles) - Go to the opening Section and Pick your opening to practice tactics.

Video Lessons

Basic Opening Traps  - 66 Video Playlist - Chessbase India - IM Sagar Shah - Master the art of exploiting common opening traps with this comprehensive video playlist by IM Sagar Shah.

4 Clever Ways To Win Pieces In The Opening - Chess Tactics, Tricks, Strategies - NM Nelson Lopez - This video goes beyond traps and showcases practical tactics and ideas you can use in various opening positions.
 
Beginners' Openings and Tactics - GM Varuzhan Akobian - 56 Min - St.Louis CC - Learn sound opening principles and essential tactics for beginners with Grandmaster Varuzhan Akobian

Top 3 Opening Tactics for Beginners | ChessKid - 4 Min - FunMasterMike will show you how to survive some of the most common opening tricks with three easy tactics.

Stunning Chess Opening Tricks & Traps | Amazing Moves, Tactics & Ideas - 9 Min - some of the best traps & gambits from which I will show you some brilliant chess opening tactics & ideas for both the white & black pieces.

Laying the Foundation:
Essential Chess Opening Principles

Before diving into the world of opening traps and tactics, let's solidify your understanding of fundamental chess opening principles. These principles will serve as your guiding light, helping you develop strong opening strategies that pave the way for a successful middlegame and endgame.

This section will explore key principles like:

• Controlling the Center: Learn why the center of the board is crucial and how to effectively claim your share of the territory.
• Developing Your Pieces: Discover how to activate your pieces quickly and efficiently, ensuring they're ready to contribute to the battle.
• Castling for Safety: Understand the importance of castling and the different castling options available.
• King Safety is Paramount: Learn strategies to keep your king safe throughout the game, especially in the opening phase.

By mastering these core principles, you'll gain a solid foundation for building strong opening repertoires and taking control of the game from the very first move.

Pawn Structure

Pawn Structure Chess Resources:
 A Comprehensive Guide

 Pawn structures are the foundation of chess strategy.

Understanding how to manipulate and exploit pawn formations is crucial for developing strong positional play.

This guide compiles a wealth of resources to help you master pawn structures in chess.

Wikipedia:
Provides a starting point with an overview of the 20 major pawn formations

1 Caro formation     
2 Slav formation
 3 Sicilian – Scheveningen

4 Sicilian – Dragon         
5 Boleslavsky hole
 6 Maróczy Bind     
7 Hedgehog 
8 Rauzer formation
 9 Boleslavsky Wall
 10 d5 chain          11 e5 chain

12 Modern Benoni formation
 13 Giuoco Piano – Isolani formation

14 Queen's Gambit – Isolani formation
 15 Hanging pawns

16 Carlsbad formation 17 Panov formation
 18 Stonewall formation

19 Botvinnik system   20 Closed Sicilian formation

Jeremy Silman Chess.com  Article Archive
  Pawn Structure Articles
(20 Articles Here)

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Pawn Structure Books (Free)

Internet Archive

• Chess Structures a Grandmasters Guide - 464 page PDF - This book offers a comprehensive exploration of pawn structures
  
  
• Chess blueprints : planning in the middlegame by Yakovlev, Nikolay - 282 Page PDF
  
  
• Improve your chess now by Tisdall, Jon - 226 page PDF
  
  
• What it takes to become a chess master by Soltis, Andy - 209 Page PDF

Additional Resources:

• Typical positions with the Karlsbad Pawn Structure. - 17 Page PDF
• Pawn Center Types - 6 Page PDF

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Pawn Structure Chess Articles

Understanding Pawn Structures:

• Chess Pawn Moves and Structures - Chessable Blog Guide  (Real Nice) - Unveiling the importance of pawn structure in chess strategy. This Chessable Blog guide explores pawn movement basics and how pawn formations influence your game.
  
  
• The Complete Guide To Pawn Structures - Chess Simplified Guide
   (Pages and Pages on all the Different Types of pawn Structures)Demystify pawn structures, the backbone of chess strategy! This in-depth guide from Simplify Chess explores various pawn formations, equipping you with the knowledge to dominate the middlegame.
  
  
• Pawn-structures: Why pawns are the soul of chess - Chessfox dives into the concept of pawn structures, explaining why they are considered the foundation of successful chess strategy. Learn how pawn formations influence piece mobility and overall game plans.
  
  
•  Pawn Types - General Info at Wikibooks on The different pawn types Doubled, Hanging, Passed etc. (Beginners)
  
  
• Introduction To Chess: Pawns - Don't underestimate the pawn! Mark Lowery unveils the power hidden within these unassuming chess pieces. Explore pawn moves, captures, promotion, and their strategic significance.

Playing with Specific Pawn Structures:

• Carlsbad Pawn Structure - Unpack the strategic ideas behind the Carlsbad pawn structure, a common middlegame formation in chess. This Chess.com guide explores plans for both White and Black.
  
  
• INTRODUCTION TO THE ISOLATED QUEEN’S PAWN POSITIONS - Friend or foe? Understand the complexities of the isolated queen's pawn, a common chess structure with both strengths and weaknesses. Learn how to handle it effectively on Pawnbreak.
  
  
• Best Chess Formations to Win Games Consistently - Big Article on Chessable Blog - Beyond the pawns themselves - formations hold the key! Explore the fascinating world of chess formations in this Chessable blog post. Discover how pawn structures like the Carlsbad and the Slav influence your strategic thinking.

Bishop's Bounty Doubled Pawns Page
Articles,LiChess Studies,Video lessons

 Advanced Strategy:

• FM David Levin 
  Level up your middlegame decision-making! FM David Levin unveils a powerful technique: using pawn structures to guide your chess strategy. 
  To Plan for the Middlegame, Read the Pawn Structure (Part 1)
  To Plan for the Middlegame, Read the Pawn Structure (Part 2) 

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Pawn Structure LiChess Studies

Deepen your understanding of pawn structures with these in-depth Lichess studies:

• Pawn Structure -  22 Chapter Study covering 22 Pawn structures
  
  
• Pawn Structure  - 63 Chapter Study (Talking about a lot of Different Pawn Formations)
  
  
• Common Chess Structures - Plans/ Ideas - 8 Chapter Study  (400 Hearts)
  
  
• Intermediate: (Soltis) Pawn Structures  - 18 Chapter Study  (130 hearts)
  (Each of the Chapters in this Study has a link at the End to another Study with 4-5 Annotated games on that type of Pawn Structure or Ideas in that Chapter) 
  
  
• Isolated Queen Pawn: Middlegame - 7 Chapter Study
  
  
• Pawn Structure London System  -  8 Chapter Study  (100 hearts)

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.

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 Pawn Structure Video Lessons

General Understanding Pawn Structures

Easy Structure - 7 Video playlist  - GM Sune Berg  ( 2 hr ) e vs c Pawn Structure Series
Pawn Structure Chess.com - 30 Video Playlist -  Short Lessons on the Different Structures

IM Andrew Martin, Pawn Structure: How and Why it Matters - 2 Hr -  New

Understanding Pawn Structure | Chess Middlegames - 25 min

Chess Fundamentals #4: Pawn Play -  85 min John Bartholomew

How To Use Pawns In Chess -35 min GothamChess

Top 5 Pawn Structures You Should Know - 23 Min GothamChess

How To Find A Plan In Chess | Pawn Structures - 35 min

Passed Pawns | Secret Life of Pawns - GM Varuzhan Akobian - 36 Min

Understanding Pawn Structures - GM Dzindzi - 18 min

Outplay your Opponents Using Pawn Structures! - GM Roman Dzindzichashvili - 21 Min

Pawn Structures Explained by GM Yasser Seirawan -42 Min

Chess Lecture with GM Yasser Seirawan | Pawn Structure - 2012.12.18 - 60 Min

The Secret Life of Pawns - GM Yasser Seirawan - 35 Min

Pawn Structure Explained by IM Lilov! - 62 Min

Pawn Structures I - 45 Min 

Symmetrical Pawn Structures, with NM Spencer Finegold - 56 Min

Wednesday: Spencer teaches John Nunn's "Pawn Chains" from Understanding Chess Middlegames - 2.5 Hr NM Spencer Finegold  (20 other Videos here from book)

Central Pawn Structure Mastery - GM Kuljasevic - 31 Min
Pawn Structure Trends: Then & Now | Secret Life of Pawns - GM Atanas Kolev - 55 Min
A masterclass on Pawn Structures by a Top Dutch trainer ft. Herman Grooten - 1.5 hr

Chess Openings: Introduction to Opening Pawn Structures - 27 Min - NM Dan Heisman
A Positional Discussion about Pawn Structures and Dynamism - 20 Min - IM Andreas Toth

Pawn Structure Principles - Full Guide With Timestamps - 38 Min NM Nelson Lopez

Pawn Structure Deep-Dive Video Lessons

1 -2 - Caro / Slav  Pawn Structure Lessons

Caro Pawn structure - Lasker v Capablanca - 15 Min
Planning in the French and Caro-Kann Structures | Road to 2000 - 55 Min
Caro Kann Pawn Structure Ideas - In 12 Minutes - 12 min
Understanding the structure from the Caro-Kann Defense and the Scandinavian Opening - 12 Min GM Hansen
Chess Pawn Structure : Pawn structures in depth - The Caro Formation - 9 Min - Kingscrusher

Chess.com Caro - Slav Pawn Structure Series -  Intro #1 , Video 2, Video 3,  Video 4 , Video 5 , Video 6 ,Final Video

3 - Sicilian – Scheveningen

Chess Pawn structures in depth: The Scheveningen Structure - 6 Min
Pawn Structure 101 Scheveningen 6 e4 Central Pressure  - 34 Min IM Rensch
Pawn Structure 101 Scheveningen 8 Tactical Finale Chess - 29 Min IM Rensch
Pawn Structure 101 Scheveningen 7 White s Slow Play Chess - 32 Min IM Rensch
Pawn Structure 101 Scheveningen 8 Tactical Finale Chess - 29 Min IM Rensch

4 - Sicilian – Dragon 

Chess Pawn structures in depth: The Dragon Formation - 5 Min
#1 Guide To Sicilian Dragon Pawn Structures - 17 Min
Sicilian Dragon Variation Plans and Pawn Structure, Yugoslav Attack  - 17 Min
Sicilian Pawn Structures with IM Mat Kolosowski - 62 Min

 5 - Boleslavsky hole  

Boleslvasky Hole Chess Pawn Structure: Natalia Pogonina Instructive Game - 8 Min
Boleslavsky Pawn Structure - Introduction | Chess Course - 6 Min
Learn Chess Strategies that Grandmasters Use - 21 Min

6 - Maróczy Bind 

GM Neiksans Boot Camp #5 - Maroczy Bind - 3 hr
Pawn Structure #1: Maróczy Bind | Strategy Session with Jonathan Schrantz - 48 Min
Maroczy Bind Pawn Structure in Chess (Middlegames) - 18 Min
The Maroczy Bind from "Pawn Structure Chess" by Soltis [advanced chess lesson] - 68 Min
Maroczy Bind Secrets with GM Liem Le Quang FIDE 2720 - 57 Min
How To Play the Maroczy Bind | Dojo Lessons feat KirkD (1700) - 17 Min IM 
 Recognition of pawn structures- Maroczy bind-The Maroczy Hop - 20 min
 Recognition of pawn structures- Maroczy bind- Nc2 idea by white - 12 Min
 Recognition of pawn structures- Maroczy bind-c5-e5 break through - 11 Min
Destroy The Maroczy Bind with Black! - GM Dzindzichashvili - 30 Min
Live Stream: Dealing with the Maroczy Bind in the Dragon - GM Ron Henley - 48 Min
Top Ten Middlegame Ideas #6: Maroczy Bind - Introduction - 24 Min
Learn to Develop a Long-Term Chess Strategy With the Maroczy Bind - GM Damian Lemos - 25 Min
Chess Gym : Maroczy Bind - 36 Min 
Crushing the Sicilian 💪 with the Maroczy Bind - IM Valeri Lilov - 31 Min

7 - Hedgehog Pawn Structure

Hedgehog Pawn Structure In Chess (Middlegames) - 15 Min
Exploring the Hedgehog - GM Yasser Seirawan - 41 Min
Poke Holes in the Hedgehog! | Secret Life of Pawns - GM Mauricio Flores - 51 Min
Introduction to the Hedgehog - 2hr IM John Batholomew

Why the Knight Goes to d7 in the Hedgehog | Dojo Lessons - 15 Min IM Kavutskiy
The Hedgehog - GM Ben Finegold - 49 Min
GM Neiksans Boot Camp #38: The Hedgehog - 2 Hrs

9 - Boleslavsky Wall

Chess middlegame planning - Boleslavsky wall for black - d5 pawn breakthrough - 10 Min
Chess middlegame planning - Boleslavsky wall for black - 10 Min
Chess middlegame planning -Boleslavsky wall - Minority attack - 11 Min
Chess middlegame planning - Boleslavsky wall - Exploiting weaknesses - 11 Min
Chess middlegame planning - Boleslavsky wall - Kingside attack - 11 Min

10  -  d5 chain 

Chess Strategy: Chess Pawn structure series: The d5 vs. e5 pawn chains - 17 Min
Understanding Pawn Chains ♙♙ IM Valeri Lilov - 21 Min

11   e5 chain

13 -14 - Isolated Queen Pawn Formations

Bishops Bounty Isolated Queen Pawn Structure Page - Articles, Lichess Studies, Games Databases and Video lessons

15 Hanging Pawns

Introduction to Hanging Pawns | Pawn Structures | IM Alex Astaneh - 7 Min
Winning with Hanging Pawns | Pawn Structures | IM Alex Astaneh - 20 Min
How to play against Hanging Pawns | Pawn Structures  | IM Alex Astaneh - 29 Min
How to play with Hanging Pawns| Advanced | GM Alex Lenderman - 16 Min
How to play against Hanging Pawns | Part 1 | Advanced Level | GM Alex Lenderman - 18 Min
How to play against Hanging Pawns | Part 2  | Advanced Level | GM Alex Lenderman - 16 Min
Hanging Pawns | Chess Middlegames - 35 Min

16 - Carlsbad Pawn Structure Lessons

Carlsbad Pawn Structure and Minority Attack - 24 Video Playlist  - Assorted Video's From YouTube
Carlsbad Structure- 17 Video Playlist   - FULL PLAYLIST (Videos Below Are in it)
Advanced - 6.Unit: Carlsbad Structure - 6 Video Playlist - GM Alex Lenderman
GM Neiksans Boot Camp #32 - Carlsbad Structure - 2 hr
Master the Carlsbad Pawn Structure - The Full Course with GM Sune Berg Hansen - 3 hr 

Bishops Bounty Carlsbad Page  -   Post of Articles, Games, Lichess Studies and Video Lessons  (Most of the best Video Lessons I left above)

17 - Panov Formation

Chess.com - Pawn Structure 101: Panov-Botvinnik - 4 Min IM Daniel Rensch
Learn the "Advance Panov" Pawn Structure! - 13 Min
The Panov attack - The opponent's counterattack ideas - Middlegame strategy in chess - 22 Min

18 - Stonewall Formation

Bishops Bounty Stonewall Pawn Structure Page - Articles Games, LiChess Studies and Video lessons

19 - Botvinnik system 

The Botvinnik Formation | Chess Quick Study | #1 - 6 Min

20 -Closed Sicilian formation

Sicilian Pawn Structures with IM Mat Kolosowski - 62 Min
Mastering the Closed Sicilian | Grandmaster Ideas - 19 Min GM Molton
Pawn Storms in the Sicilian Defense | Pawn Structures | Advanced Level | GM Alex  Lenderman - 23 Min

Ruy Lopez (Spanish) (C60-99) - Opening Theory

Ruy Lopez (Spanish) Resources

Wikipedia page

For a general overview of the opening and its variations.
List of Variations under Ruy Lopez Opening. (180 of Them)

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BOOKS (FREE)

The Modenized Ruy Lopez Vol 1 A Complete Repertoire for White - 18 Page (Chap. 2 Birds) PDF
500 Ruy Lopez Miniatures By Bill Wall - 122 Page PDF
Easy Guide to Ruy Lopez by John Emms - 74 Page PDF

FREE Chessable Courses

Ruy Lopez: Masterclass Edition - 67 Trainable Lines
Ruy Lopez common lines - 111 Trainable Lines
Short & Sweet: Grandelius's Ruy Lopez - 20 Trainable Lines w/ 77 min Video - GM Nils Grandelius
Short & Sweet: Werle's Ruy Lopez - 30 Trainable Lines w/ Over 4hrs Video instruction - GM Jan Werle
Short & Sweet: 3...g6 Ruy Lopez - 12 Trainable Lines w/ 44 min Video - IM Irena Bulmaga

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Ruy Lopez (Spanish) Chess Articles

An Introduction to the Ruy Lopez - 6 Pages taken from (Fines- Idea's Behind the Chess openings)
The Ruy Exchange - Article on Chess.com by GM Megesh and GM Arun
The Ruy Lopez - Simplify Chess - Why To Play it, Every Move Explained and Variations.
The Ruy Lopez Opening: How to Play It as White and Black - Chessable Blog
Ruy Lopez Explained - Article w/ Embedded Video - Remote Chess Academy

Ruy Lopez Opening: How To Play The Ruy Lopez in Chess - Guide by the Chess Journal

Dominate with the Ruy Lopez – How to Play the Spanish Opening - Lareg Article embedded with Videos

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Ruy Lopez LiChess Studies

The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of player - 16 Chapter Study (1450 hearts) Top of Page
Ruy Lopez - 14 Chapter Interactive Study (8850+ Hearts)

Ruy Lopez Complete Study Guide - 18 Chapter Study
THE RUY LOPEZ Opening - 11 Chapter Study (800 Hearts)

Ruy Lopez - main variations - 13 Chapter Study
Ruy Lopez Interactive Puzzles - 6 Chapter Interactive Study (360 hearts)

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Games Databases

365Chess.com

Ruy Lopez Variations - Page with Links to all 39 variations.
Ruy Lopez Closed C84 -C99  - Page with Link to games From theses Variations
Ruy Lopez Open C80- C83 - " "
Ruy Lopez Exchange C86,C69,C85 - " "

Chessgames.com

Ruy Lopez (C60-C99) - 243 Annotated games

Annotated Ruy Lopez Games

Shirov vs Grischuk (C65) - Berlin Defence
Kasparov vs Kramnik (C67) - Berlin Defence
Luter vs Graf (C78) - Moeller Defence
Anand vs Shirov C78 - Moeller Defence
Ivanchuk vs Adams (C88) -Closed
Kramnik vs Lenko (C89) - Marshall Counter Attack

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Ruy Lopez Video Lessons

Lessons
Ruy Lopez - Opening Theory - 11 Video playlist  - (2.5 hrs) IM Andrey Ostrovskiy
Ruy Lopez Opening Theory - 7 Video playlist - (Over 2 Hours) - Hanging Pawns

Ruy Lopez - 12 Video playlist - GM Sune Berg hansen (Assorted Stuff)

The Ruy Lopez explained by GM Nils Grandelius - 77 Min (Great Free Video from Chessable)

The Ruy Lopez - Beginner Breakdown - 38 Min

Chess Openings: Ruy Lopez | Ideas, Theory, and Attacking Plans - 24 Min - GM Igor Smirnov
Learning Chess Openings - Example: The Closed Ruy Lopez - 26 Min - NM Dan Heisman

Ichess.net

Dominate with the Ruy Lopez! IM Valeri Lilov - 61 Min IM Valeri Lilov
Bobby Fischer's Deadly Weapon with the Ruy Lopez! IM Valeri Lilov - 42 Min IM Valeri Lilov
The Ruy Lopez - Chess Openings with GM Damian Lemos - 33 Min
Ruy Lopez, Chigorin Defense Gambits GM Leonid Kritz - 17 Min
Winning with the Ruy Lopez, Delayed Exchange Variation - 18 Min - IM Andrew Martin
ROCK the Ruy Lopez - GM Leonid Kritz - 16 Min
Peter Svidler's Awesome Ruy Lopez Archangel Repertoire! - 22 Min
Svidler's Weapon ⚔ in the Ruy Lopez with GM Peter Svidler - 24 Min
Beat the Ruy Lopez with the Berlin Variation - GM Leonid Kritz - 15 Min

Chessbase India

Ruy Lopez - 52 Video Playlist - (Some of the Lesson Videos Below)
Understanding the Spanish (Ruy Lopez) from both colours | ft. GM Prithu Gupta - 1.5 hr
Day 16: Improve your openings with IM Sagar Shah | Revising the Breyer - 1.5 Hr
INSTRUCTIONAL OPENINGS: Ruy Lopez/Spanish - 44 Min

St Louis Chess Club

Karpov and his Ruy Lopez | Mastering the Middlegame - GM Ben Finegold -49 Min
Ruy Lopez Middlegames - FM Aviv Friedman -47 Min
Opening Principles in the Ruy Lopez | Chess Openings Explained - 61 Min
The Ruy Lopez, Breyer Variation - Chess Openings Explained - 48 Min
The Ruy Lopez, Chigorin Variation | Chess Openings Explained - 40 Min
The Ruy Lopez, Chigorin Variation #2 | Chess Openings Explained - 54 Min
Maul 'em with the Marshall Attack | Chess Openings Explained - 45 Min

Ruy Lopez Chess Traps

5 Best Chess Opening Traps in the Ruy Lopez - 9 Min
Tricks & Traps Everyone Should Know in the Ruy Lopez - 70 Min

Ruy Lopez Game Videos (w/Analysis)

Ruy Lopez / Spanish Game - 266 Video Playlist - agadmantor (Famous games)
The Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game) Collection - 290 Video playlist  - kingscrusher (Famous games)
Spanish Opening - 179 Video playlist - Chess School (Famous games and Lesssons)
Ruy Lopez Theory - 36 Video playlist  - jozarov's Chess Channel (Famous games)

Ruy Lopez Miniatures - Masterclass - 2.5 Hr - IM Andreas Toth - Livestream where he analyzes Top level Games.  (New 7/3/2024)

GM Daniel Naroditsky

Master Class | Ruy Lopez | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 21 Min
Ruy Lopez | The Sensei Speedrun | GM Naroditsky - 50 Min
Master Class | Ruy Lopez, Bishop Sac Variation | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 46 min

Rook and Pawn Endgames - (Endgame Theory)

 

Rook and Pawn Endgame Resources

Since the most common Endgames are Rook and Pawn here are the links I have found to help one learn them.

Tarrasch Rule Wikipedia page - explaining the "rule" that rooks should be placed behind passed pawns with reasons, illustrations and exceptions.

Books (Free)

Internet Archive
Comprehensive Chess Endings - Volume 5: Rook Endings - 333 Pages PDF/Kindle

Basic Endgames - FREE Chessable Course  - Nice Section on Rook Endgames Here. (A Free 181 endgames in total)

Rook & Pawn Endgame ARTICLES

Rook vs Pawn Endgames: 8 Must-Know Concepts - GM Gabuzyan on Lichess Blog - discusses essential concepts for mastering Rook vs Pawn endgames in chess. These endgames are crucial due to their complexity and frequency in games. The article covers eight key concepts

Rook and Pawn Endgame Video Lessons

Rook Endgames - 6 Video Playlist -  80 Min - GM Sune Berg Hansen - Endgame Masterclass

 a) Fundamental Rook Endgames

•         Rook Endgames Crash Course - Rook & Pawn Endings - 24 Min NM Lopez - The video covers fundamental concepts, key positions, practical tips, and common mistakes to avoid. It's a must-watch for both beginners and intermediate players looking to improve their endgame skills.
  
  
•         Top Four Instructive Rook Endgames Everyone Should Know - 30 Min IM - Kavutskiy Chess Dojo - shares four essential rook endgames that every chess player should master. The video provides clear and instructive commentary on key positions and strategies, making complex concepts accessible to players of all levels. It's a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their endgame skills in chess
  
  
•          GM Sam Shankland: Rook Endgames | U.S. Chess School 05.09.2022 - 49 Min -  in-depth lesson on rook endgames, focusing on key strategies and techniques. The video is part of the U.S. Chess School's training program for America's most promising junior players. Shankland's engaging teaching style and emphasis on the importance of thinking order make this video a valuable resource for improving endgame skills.
  
  
•   Rook and Pawn Endgames with GM Ben Finegold - 55 Min - St.Louis CC - discusses five different games related to rook and pawn endgames.
  
  
• Theoretical Rook Endings: Understanding 'Long Side' vs 'Short Side' - 10 Min - Im Andras Toth  -       In this video, we'll demystify the 'Long Side' vs 'Short Side' theory, equipping you with essential knowledge to conquer rook endgames like a seasoned master.

(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 - explains key principles for activating the king in rook endgames. The video emphasizes the importance of the king's role in endgames and provides practical examples to illustrate these concepts.
  
  
•          Bring your Rook behind the passed Pawn - 7 Min

   Robert Plunkets Lab    

•           How to win 90% of rook and pawn endgames - 12 Min -Robert Plunketts lab - explains practical strategies and techniques to master rook and pawn endgames. The video provides clear examples and tips to help viewers improve their endgame skills and avoid common mistakes. I
  
  
•          How to go active with your rook in rook and pawn endgames - 10 Min - Robert Plunketts lab - strategies for activating your rook in rook and pawn endgames. The video provides practical examples and tips to help viewers improve their endgame skills.
  
  
•           When to put your rook behind passed pawns - 10 Min - Robert Plunketts lab - explains the strategic importance of placing your rook behind passed pawns in chess endgames. He provides practical examples and insights to help viewers understand when and why this technique is effective.

        

 b) Other Rook Endgames 

• Capablanca’s Endgame Rule | Chess Endings - 22 Min NM Ramirez - explains Capablanca's endgame rule and its application in chess endings. The video provides practical examples and strategies to help players improve their endgame skills. 
  
  
• Rooks: Don't be a Tempo Behind - 58 Min GM Moridiabadi - St.Louis CC - complex rook endgames derived from real games. The video provides valuable insights and strategies for navigating these difficult positions.
  
  
• Akiba Rubinstein's Rook Endgames | Insane in the Endgame - 65 Min GM Dariusz - showcases notable rook endgames by Akiba Rubinstein. Rubinstein innovated several endgame concepts that have been endorsed by chess engines a century later.
  
  
• Rook Endgames - GM Josh Friedel 48 Min - St. Louis CC- He explains key concepts, such as "Building a Bridge," to help players understand and master rook endgames. The video is highly recommended for its clear explanations and valuable insights.
  
  
• Rook & Passed Pawn Endgames - 24 Min - St.Louis CC - explains how to effectively use your rook to support a passed pawn. The lecture covers key strategies and techniques to ensure your rook is optimally placed and not rendered ineffective. 
  
  
• Level Up Your Chess #5: Rook Endgames with GM Arturs Neiksans - 71 Min - GM Arturs Neiksans shares his insights on mastering rook endgames. The video covers essential strategies and techniques to improve your endgame skills. 
  
  
• Important Rook Endgames that No One Understands | Endgame Class - NM Caleb Denby - 57 min - St.Louis CC - inspired by Mark Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual, explains complex rook endgame concepts for intermediate players.
  
  
• More Important Rook Endgames that No One Understands | Endgame Class - NM Caleb Denby - 56 Min - St.Louis CC - continues his exploration of complex rook endgames. He delves into scenarios where the passed pawn is behind its own rook, providing valuable insights and strategies.
  
  
• Endgames: Rook themes - 63 Min - a lesson on various rook endgame themes for participants of the World Online School Chess Tournament. The video covers essential concepts and strategies to help players improve their understanding and execution of rook endgames.

Endgame Study: Saavedra Position - 4 min Video
Endgame Study: Philidor Position - 8 min Video

Checking Distance in Rook Endings - 11 min Video -  illustrates the concept of "Checking Distance" in rook endgames. The video also touches on the Lucena Position, providing valuable insights for mastering these endgames
2nd Rank Stalemate Trap in Rook Endings - 10 min Video -  elaborates on a specific, rare tactical theme that allows Black to draw a seemingly lost position. The video provides a detailed explanation of the 2nd rank stalemate trap in rook endgames.
Gregoriev's Combined Method - 11 Min Video (This method is applicable for c,d,e,f pawns that have not yet reached the 5th rank, where the defender's king is cut off at least 2 files and the defender's rook is defending via frontal attack. )

The Five Minute Rook Endgame Test - 12 Min  (His 5 Min at end explanations are worth the watch alone)

Understanding Rook Endgames 1) Piece Activity - 10 Min Video - explains the importance of piece activity in rook endgames.
Understanding Rook Endgames 2) Creating Weakness - 6 Min Video - explains how to create weaknesses in rook endgames. The video provides practical examples and strategies to help players improve their endgame skills.