Concepts · Endgames

Active King

In the endgame the king is a fighting piece: it should come to the centre, support the pawns and attack the opponent’s. The side whose king arrives first usually wins.

Key ideas

Bring the king out as soon as it is safe
The king supports the passed pawn
Activity matters more than material in many endings

Watch

Games that teach active king

3 games

UnclassifiedD3723:24

The Knight That Went to the Corner | Riazantsev vs Carlsen, 2016

Alexander Riazantsev vs Magnus Carlsen

Riazantsev vs Carlsen turns on one decisive knight retreat. See how Carlsen converts the endgame through king activity, pawn creation, and precise piece coordination.

World Rapid Championship28 Dec 20160-1

UnclassifiedD0214:49

How Kamsky Beat Dlugy with the Queen's Pawn Opening | Endgame, Strategy & Piece Activity

Kamsky, Gata vs Dlugy, Maxim

Endgame, Strategy & Piece Activity: what Kamsky vs Dlugy (Queen's Pawn Opening) teaches. The principles that decide rook endgames: rook activity, the rook behind the passed pawn, and cutting the king off.

New York exh1 Jan 19891-0

London SystemD0218:04

How Capablanca Beat Kreymborg with the London System | Attack, Strategy & Pawn Structure

Jose Raul Capablanca vs Alfred Kreymborg

Attack, Strategy & Pawn Structure: what Capablanca vs Kreymborg (London System) teaches. Both sides attack the other’s king with pawns and pieces — who is faster, and why every tempo counts.

NYSCA ch26 Feb 19101-0