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Why studying an endgame is so tough?

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GMParanoid

I mean studying an endgame is not tough but it's so boring that I can't focus and when I am studying openings most prolly I'll be more excited cz it's fun

AadarshaGautam97

I have dm you some theoretical and practical endgames ideas . If anyone else also needs it you can dm me

ppandachess

Hi

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GMParanoid
ppandachess wrote:

Hi

I am rated over 2400 online (https://www.chess.com/member/ppandachess). I created a free course that will teach you a training plan to improve. Feel free to check it out: https://www.panda-chess.com/daily-improvement-plan

seysolana08

It's understandable that endgames can be less exciting than openings. Try breaking down endgames into smaller, manageable chunks and reward yourself for completing each section. You could also find a study buddy to make it more engaging.


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The-Knight7

Studying is always boring. The important thing is that you know how to implement such tactics in live games

Toldsted

If you feel bored remember it is just resistance. It is hard to learn new stuff, so you brain is trying not to.

Mazetoskylo

"studying an endgame is not tough" --------> yes, it is tough.

Endgames require concrete calculation, so people who are just fond of memorizing stuff without actual thinking dismiss them as "boring".

mikewier

You do not say the skill level at which you are studying. That makes it difficult to give advice.

An absolute beginner should learn how to checkmate with a lone queen or rook.

then one needs to learn about king and pawn endings—the principle of the opposition and the power of an outside passed pawn.

Then, one needs to learn the strength of a protected passed pawn and how passed pawns influence play in the middlegame.

At this point, you should find actual games that illustrate: active rooks, rooks on the seventh rank, good versus bad bishops, knights versus bishops. Chernev’s The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played has several games to illustrate these. Also, there are books of Casablanca’s endings that show these.

At this point, you learn rook and pawn versus rook endings. This indeed is dry and boring, but it is crucial if you want to advance.

Endings are the heart and soul of chess. At the higher levels, it is common for endgame matters to dictate play in the middlegame.

mikewier

Here is something I have suggested to students.

After you have castled and connected your rooks, you have transitioned from the opening to the middlegame. Ask yourself, who has the better endgame if various pairs of pieces are exchanged?

This will get you thinking about pawn structures, passed pawns, good versus bad bishops, outside passed pawns, etc.

This will then help you form middlegame plans. What pieces should I Exchange? How can I improve my pawn structure? How can I weaken my opponent’s pawn structure? Etc.

This is the kind of thinking that takes you from the club level to the expert/master level. 

Laskersnephew
Studying technical endings can be kind of dry. But you know what if fun? Winning all your won endings, winning a lot of drawn endings, and drawing lost endings. All those extra half-points are fun
borovicka75
Be patient, after you eventually start winnig endgames you will consider them more exciting.
mikewier

As I said before, I think that endings are related to middlegame play. There are many situations that are important for both:

Rook and pawn versus two minor pieces

Rook versus minor piece and pawn(s)

bishop versus knight

bishops of same or opposite colors

Queen versus two rooks

Queen versus rook and a minor piece

Understanding how to play such combinations in the ending or middlegame will make you a much better player.