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

1 game

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.

Opposite-Side Castling
Pawn Break
Hanging Pawns
Doubled Pawns

NYSCA ch26 Feb 19101-0