Endgame puzzles

Pawn endings, rook endings, minor piece and queen endings - all from real games, all with one move that wins or holds.

Endgames are where precision matters most. With few pieces left there is nowhere to hide a mistake, and the right technique often looks surprisingly simple.

How to spot it

• Activate the king - in the endgame it is a strong piece.
• Count tempi in pawn races before you push.
• Rooks belong behind passed pawns.