Standard endgame chess positions which are helpful to learn

Question

Is there a list of standard endgame chess positions which a player can benefit from learning? By this I mean that any player should know how to play KQ vs K, KR vs B, KP vs K (win if it winnable and draw when it is not).

Then it goes KBB vs K, KRP vs KR and then on higher level KQ vs KR, KR vs KN, KBN vs K. These are just some of the end-game positions which might be helpful to learn.

Do you have other positions which could be helpful (and may be approximate level when it makes sense to learn them)?

It probably depends on your level, but I'd say that mastering a variety of KPP vs. KP is vastly, vastly more important than, e.g., KBB vs. K. It would be nice to see an answer backed up with data on how frequently given endgames arise at different levels. — Cam McLeman, Aug 04 '14 at 18:11
There's axtually a pretty good book based on this theme called "Silman's complete endgame course", which orders the endgames according to "difficulty level" instead of piece configurations. Other than that, there are some standard endgame positions players should know about, like the Lucena and Philidor positions in rook endgames. — Scounged, Oct 23 '15 at 06:06
Does this answer your question? (practical) Endgame resources: What's next after josh waitzkin's series in chessmaster? — BCLC, Nov 21 '21 at 09:02

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 02 '14 at 23:00

For sure KP mixes like KP vs KP, KPP vs KP etc: learn to count moves to promotion, study opposition and zugzwang.

Later KRP+ mixes: like KRP vs KR till KR4P vs KR3P are all quite common, far more relevant than say KBN vs K, not easy though, especially 4 vs 3 pawns.

A bit less common KNP+ and KNB+. still relevant.

Finally endgames where one side has a piece and the other only pawns: this are quite common at lower levels.

Standard endgame chess positions which are helpful to learn

1 Answers1