In this week's Chess Questions Answered video I explained why pawn endgames are so vital and gave a top level example from the Olympiad that is currently taking place in Samarkand. The main reason is that all other endgames can transpose into pawn endgames if pieces get exchanged, so you constantly have to be aware of such exchanges and accurately assess the resulting pawn endgame.
How should someone develop their endgame play? It helps a lot just to play more endgames by not being afraid of the exchange of queens, yet this probably requires more confidence before it starts to happen. In such chicken and egg situations I would suggest an iterative process by which players start showing a greater interest in endgames which in turn will increase their willingness to play them.
It's also possible to embark on a special study of endgames which I was doing at the time I got the GM title in 1993. At that time we were heavily reliant on books and I used Mikhail Shereshevsky's Endgame Strategy. A number of Tiger Chess members have also found the Tiger Chess endgame course very useful, especially when they loaded the positions into a program against which they could test their knowledge by playing the position out. This is available to members who have either Standard or Premium membership.
Vimeo Closing Its Video On Demand
Unfortunately Vimeo is closing its Video On Demand service in November, so I'll no longer be offering any titles through them. Those who have purchased one of my videos on this platform will be able get access to the materials at Tiger Chess by the time Vimeo closes this service. Please send me your receipts which are available here when you are logged onto your Vimeo account.
Sam's Youtube Chanel
My son Sam runs a Youtube channel in which he streams his live games on chess.com. This shows considerably more bravery than I'm able to muster, so please check it out and subscribe. I think he's doing a nice job.
Upcoming Events
This is how things look right now, with nothing in particular planned after November. If I'm invited I'll play in Nova Gorica (Slovenia) in January next year and then Maya (Portugal) in August:
September 25-27: Hull 4NCL
The 4NCL Congresses are always well run, so I'm playing in this one which starts in Hull this evening.
October 23-25: Scarborough Congress
I've now entered this one and booked my hotel. Details can be found here.
November 2-13: European Youth Championships, Crete
I've been appointed as one of the coaches for this event, which basically rules out the English Senior Championships because the two events only have a day's break between them.
Tiger Chess Themed Training Tournaments are organized on a weekly basis at Lichess, featuring selected opening variations. You can check out what's coming up here.
Have a good weekend.
Nigel
