how to play chess endgames book

18 Rules of Thumb
The most implacable rules in chess are- the exceptions.
SAVIELLY TARTAKOWER
In this book we have repeatedly emphasized
important principles and rules for your general
guidance. For a better assimilation and as a motivating
summary of what you have learnt from
studying this book, we would now like to bring
all these separate rules of thumb together here.
If you are familiar with all these rules, and
know where and how to apply them, then we
congratulate you on already being a pretty
strong player. If you are uncertain about any of
these rules, however, then please refer once
more to the appropriate chapter and study the
relevant examples.
There is a saying that every rule has its exception
and obviously this also applies to chess.
We advise you therefore that these rules should
be treated only as broad guidelines, which are
admittedly helpful in the vast majority of cases,
but please bear in mind that even the best rule is
worthless without a corresponding calculation
of the variations.
A) 20 Golden Rules of the
Endgame
1) An endgame is not a middlegame,
2) Activate your king.
3) Fight to the death.
4) Do not rush (unless you're in a race).
5) Normally each exchange benefits just
one of the players.
6) If you are material up you should exchange
pieces; if you are material down exchange
pawns.
7) If you have the advantage, you should
retain pawns on both wings.
8) Passed pawns must be pushed.
9) Passed pawns should be blockaded by
the king or by a knight.
IO) The rook is very strong on the counterattack.
However, it is not a good blockader of
enemy passed pawns.
11) Rooks belong behind passed pawns,
your own or the enemy's.
12) Pure opposite-coloured bishop endings
have an extremely strong drawing tendency.
13) Rook endings also have a considerable
drawing tendency. If you are in a worse position
therefore think very carefully before you exchange
the last rook.
14) Isolated and doubled pawns are weak
and should generally be avoided.
15) The bishop-pair is a powerful weapon.
16) In the endgame each mistake can be the
last; therefore the value of each move is very
high.
17) If you have no pawns left, you generally
need to be at least a rook up to be able to win.
18) Wing pawns are often more valuable than
centre pawns, since they can divert the opponent
more. Rook's pawns are often especially
dangerous against a knight; in other endgames
they are usually less valuable.
19) Memorize the draw with bishop and
wrong rook's pawn.
20) Study your opponent's moves carefully.
Ask yourself what he is threatening or planning,
and think prophylactically,
B) Rules of Thumb
I) Always improve the position of your
worst-placed piece.
2) Always try to limit the activity of the enemy
pieces.
3) Improve especially the position of your
strongest piece (in the following order of priority:
queen> rook> king> minor piece).