An endgame puzzle with a long solution is usually called a study.
Here’s the most famous of them all. White can’t catch the h-pawn nor force through their own passed pawn. But it’s White to play and draw:
Here’s a really neat one with the same limited material. White to play and win, but I warn you now, distrust your first idea!
Solutions:
“Pawns … are the soul of chess.” — Francois Danican PHILIDOR “The most important feature of the chess position is the activity of the pieces. This is absolutely fundamental in all phases of the game (opening, middlegame and especially endgame). The primary constraint on a piece’s activity is the Pawn structure.” — Michael STEAN The…
“I detest the endgame. A well-played game should be practically decided in the middlegame.” ~ Dawid JANOWSKI “In order to improve your game you must study the endgame before everything else; for, whereas the endings can be studied and mastered by themselves, the middlegame and the opening must be studied in relation to the endgame.” ~ CAPABLANCA…
The Devon U14 Team does battle each year against other teams from the West of England and South Wales. I have been providing a bit of feedback on their games over the while, and the collected comments are below. They’re a sort of battle manual for junior chess, and I hope everyone will find something…
A Pawn which cannot be blocked or captured by an enemy pawn on its way to the promotion square Usually very dangerous! (Fischer-Berliner) But can be blockaded (XX) or played around (Tartakower-Denker) Click […] to see list of games
