Ep. 136: The Truth About Rook and Pawn Endings

The Chess Angle

VIDEO VERSION is available on our YouTube Channel.

First, Neal engages with listener feedback, discussing their chess improvement journeys and suggestions for future episodes. The conversation then transitions into an exploration of rook and pawn endings, emphasizing their complexity and the mental challenges players face. Neal also shares resources for improving endgame skills, highlighting the importance of foundational knowledge in chess. Chapters include:

• Introduction and Listener Mailbag
• Declining Draw Offers
• Is Endgame Knowledge Really That Important?
• Realities of Rook and Pawn Endings
• Trading Rooks - yes or no?
• A Warning About Doubled Rooks
• Active vs. Passive Rook
• The Reality of the Lucena & Philidor Positions
• Recommended Endgame Resources
• Outro

Books Referenced:

• Silman's Complete Endgame Course (Amazon)
• Pandolfini’s Endgame Course (Amazon)

Chess.com Lessons Referenced:

• Pawn Endings: Beginner to Expert (King and pawn endings only, providing a solid foundation)
• Rook and Other Endgames (by IM Jeremy Silman)
• Build Your Technique (Endgames are included, but there’s also some openings, middlegames, and tactics).

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