Lesson 5 of 8

Endgame I: Queen Checkmate, Two-Rook Ladder Mate, and Pawn Basics

Finish wins with king-and-queen checkmate and two-rook ladder mate, activate the king in endgames, and spot passed pawns and pawn races.

Practice puzzles

Lesson 5 — Endgame I: Finishing Wins and King Activity

An endgame starts when most pieces are traded off and the kings come out to fight. This week you learn skills that win games you already deserve to win.

By the end of class, you should be able to:

  • Deliver checkmate with king and queen vs king
  • Use ladder mate with two rooks to push the king to the edge
  • Avoid the stalemate trap when you are winning
  • Activate your king as a fighting piece
  • Spot passed pawns and simple pawn races
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