From Tactical to Technical
Looks like several of the Knights and at least one friend of the Knights will be beginning endgame study soon. It started with Vic, and now I, Jens, Tempo, and possibly Nezha have indicated that this will be our next endeavor. To tell you the truth, I quite enjoy endgames. I can't wait to compare notes with everyone on our progress. With the exception of Jens, this could be the key to taking us to the ranks of the Expert (Jens is already an Expert, so I imagine he would become a Master).
posted by CelticDeath at 9:02 AM
5 Comments:
Hey CD,
I love your previous post. I've always been intrigued with military strategies and tactics of the historical conquerers.
My coworker and I used to talk for hours about the strategies and tactics of the Mongolians and Romans. He was quite the war history buff.
PS
CD, what would you say is the main difference between studying tactics and studing endgame? For instance, what is the difference between endgame study and the study of using tactics to checkmate?
PS, I live for that stuff!!
Blue Devil, if I had to put it simply, I would say the difference is this (in general):
Tactics: more pieces, less move choices, one best move, "point" follows a combination in the range of 1 - 10 moves and can be calculated.
Endgames: less pieces, more move choices, one best move, "point" may not be apparent and can be difficult to calculate.
True, in some cases for both tactics and endgames there are variations where there is more than one best move, but that is generally not so.
I think one would have to say that endgames also involve an element of strategy which is absent from tactical combos (e.g., the opposition, triangulation, creating a rook bridge, etc.).
I just ordered Seirewan's endgame book. Based on your recent posts, I am seriously considering making endgame my first post-circle task (before opening/strategy). It sounds like it dovetails naturally with tactics.
Yes. Endgames are the closest to mathmatical calculation in chess. I too have Seirawan's book. Great stuff. Out of his books his Tactics and Endgames books are my favorites.
PS
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