7 Reasons You’re Failing in Endgames (And How to Fix Them)
Dr. Can's Chess Clinic
10,154 views
Endgame Playlist: Endgame
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00:00 Position 1
07:06 Position 2
09:59 Position 3
12:08 Position 4
15:07 Position 5
19:06 Position 6
21:24 Position 7
In this video, I break down the seven key reasons why you’re losing drawn or winning endgames in chess. Drawing from years of chess coaching, I’ve compiled the most common mistakes players make during this crucial phase of the game. Throughout the video, I’ll walk you through each of these seven reasons, demonstrating not only where things go wrong but also how to think logically and execute the correct moves. Stick with me until the end, and I’ll also introduce a classic chess example to tie everything together.
We’ll begin by exploring the frequent errors in theoretically drawn positions, such as king and pawn endgames, where many players fumble despite knowing the position should be drawn. You’ll learn key concepts like opposition and how to use it to defend perfectly. Along the way, I’ll ask you to pause at critical moments and find the best defensive moves, helping you develop the right thought process.
Finally, I’ll cover more advanced topics, such as the rule of the square, outside passed pawns, and the importance of maintaining tension in pawn structures. Each segment is packed with examples designed to improve your endgame decision-making and help you avoid the typical blunders that can turn a drawn position into a loss. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the theoretical knowledge and practical tips to handle endgames with confidence and precision.
20 Comments
(honestly, "avoid disaster and draw is a new concept for me") 🤷🏼♂️😬👌
(my personal style is more intuitive proactive)
- 1. (0:42) How to draw K vs KP:
Stand in front of the pawn so you can take opposition if enemy king tries to pass it.
- 2. (7:06) The Philidor position:
Draw KR vs KRP by placing your R on 6th rank until P moves forward,
then drop R to the 1st rank and check the K until the cows come home.
- 3. (10:00) Use the rule of the square to decide if a pawn can be stopped by your K.
Do not allow the creation of passed pawns that are outside the square!
- 4. (12:10) The importance of the pawn breakthrough:
Sacrifice one pawn to allow a nearby pawn to become a passed pawn!
- 5. (15:07) The importance of the outside passed pawn:
Use it as a decoy to draw away the enemy K so your K can feast on their pawns on the other side of the board.
- 6. (19:07) Do not let your Rooks become passive in endgames! Do not defend a pawn from the 1st rank if there is any other option which allows a more active R. E.g. Defend from an open file, or use R to counterattack one of their pawns.
- 7. (21:24) Do not break the tension between pawns without good reason! Often, by capturing you help to activate enemy pieces. Especially the K. And, in endgames K activity is essential! Improving K activity can be more important than immediately capturing a loose pawn! Make your King the hero of the endgame!
7 Reasons You’re Failing in Endgames (And How to Fix Them)
Dr. Can's Chess Clinic
10,154 views
Endgame Playlist: Endgame
🔵 My Chessable Courses: https://chessable.com/drcan
🟢 My chesscom Courses: https://www.chess.com/courses/all?sea...
♟️ Find me on Chess.com: DrCanChess
♟️ Find me on Lichess: cantosh
🏆 2022 Chessable Community Author of the Year! https://www.chessable.com/blog/announ...
🏆 2023 Chessable Best Tactics Course of the Year! https://www.chessable.com/fundamental...
🏆 2024 Chessable Author of the Year! https://www.chessable.com/blog/annouc...
🏆 2025 Chessable Awards – 4x Winner
• Course of the Year – Preventing Blunders in Chess
• Best Presenter – Can Kabadayi
• Best Strategy Course – The Art of Chess: A Practical Workbook
• Best Tactics/Calculation Course – Preventing Blunders in Chess
https://www.chessable.com/blog/the-20...
Go Chessable Pro using this link to support the channel: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?ref_id...
00:00 Position 1
07:06 Position 2
09:59 Position 3
12:08 Position 4
15:07 Position 5
19:06 Position 6
21:24 Position 7
In this video, I break down the seven key reasons why you’re losing drawn or winning endgames in chess. Drawing from years of chess coaching, I’ve compiled the most common mistakes players make during this crucial phase of the game. Throughout the video, I’ll walk you through each of these seven reasons, demonstrating not only where things go wrong but also how to think logically and execute the correct moves. Stick with me until the end, and I’ll also introduce a classic chess example to tie everything together.
We’ll begin by exploring the frequent errors in theoretically drawn positions, such as king and pawn endgames, where many players fumble despite knowing the position should be drawn. You’ll learn key concepts like opposition and how to use it to defend perfectly. Along the way, I’ll ask you to pause at critical moments and find the best defensive moves, helping you develop the right thought process.
Finally, I’ll cover more advanced topics, such as the rule of the square, outside passed pawns, and the importance of maintaining tension in pawn structures. Each segment is packed with examples designed to improve your endgame decision-making and help you avoid the typical blunders that can turn a drawn position into a loss. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the theoretical knowledge and practical tips to handle endgames with confidence and precision.
Thank you for this great summary of basic endgame principles. Here is a point-by-point:
- 1. (0:42) How to draw K vs KP:
Stand in front of the pawn so you can take opposition if enemy king tries to pass it.
- 2. (7:06) The Philidor position:
Draw KR vs KRP by placing your R on 6th rank until P moves forward,
then drop R to the 1st rank and check the K until the cows come home.
- 3. (10:00) Use the rule of the square to decide if a pawn can be stopped by your K.
Do not allow the creation of passed pawns that are outside the square!
- 4. (12:10) The importance of the pawn breakthrough:
Sacrifice one pawn to allow a nearby pawn to become a passed pawn!
- 5. (15:07) The importance of the outside passed pawn:
Use it as a decoy to draw away the enemy K so your K can feast on their pawns on the other side of the board.
- 6. (19:07) Do not let your Rooks become passive in endgames! Do not defend a pawn from the 1st rank if there is any other option which allows a more active R. E.g. Defend from an open file, or use R to counterattack one of their pawns.
- 7. (21:24) Do not break the tension between pawns without good reason! Often, by capturing you help to activate enemy pieces. Especially the K. And, in endgames K activity is essential! Improving K activity can be more important than immediately capturing a loose pawn! Make your King the hero of the endgame!