Fighting in the Endgame – FIDE Master Alisa Melekhina

Overview

Chess Endgame Strategy: Fighting for a Win in the Endgame

Empire Chess – Vol 46

Fighting in the endgame is a skill that can help players rack up those extra points.

FM Alisa Melekhina analyzes two of her own chess endgames, one in which she drew a pawn down, and another in which she pulled off a win in an equal rook ending.

You’ll be led through three major principles that can be applied in your own chess endgames:

1. Mentally adapt to a change in the position.
2. Resist by preventing your opponent from executing their only winning plan.
3. Take advantage of complacency; force your opponent to make decisions.

About the Author: 

Fide Master Alisa Melekhina is one of the top female chess players in the United States. Her peak rating is 2302 Elo and she is also a frequent contender in the U.S. Women’s Chess Championship.

Her instructional videos include topics on the c3 Sicilian, Advanced French, King’s Indian Defense, Fighting in the Endgame, Power of the Double Rooks, and Defeating Drawish Players. Her most famous video is “How to Win in the c3 Sicilian in 21 Moves or Less,” featuring her win over GM Shabalov.

Some of her Achievements:

• Finished top 10 at the World Youths and World Junior Chess Championships.
• Winner of the gold medal best individual 4th board performance at the Women’s World Championships held in Ningbo, China in 2009 Team.
• Obtained first IM Norm at the Chicago North American Invitational RR series in 2009.
• Third place at the prestigious U.S. Women’s Championships in 2009 at age 18.
• Shared third place in the competitive, high-stakes World Open U2400 section in 2010.
• First Female Pennsylvania State Champion.
• Obtained FIDE Master title in 2011 and also holds the title of Women’s International Master.

How is this going to help me?

Having a solid foundation of chess endgame strategy can make a huge difference – it’s what separates a 2100 Elo player from a 2300 0r 2400 Elo master.

It’s just that IMPORTANT.

For instance, take a look at the following endgame example and you will see why it’s really so important to master the chess endgame strategy.

In this endgame, it’s White’s turn to play and they are one pawn up. However, Black’s king has reached a position in which it can create the perfect circumstance to prevent the opponent from winning.

This endgame is theoretically drawn, however, there are many games lost by Black in this same position because the players just didn’t know the correct endgame strategy to hold the game.

Similarly, a player who has at least some practical chances of winning the endgame should always push and fight in the endgame because the opponent could go wrong, especially considering that many players under 2000 Elo don’t spend nearly enough time studying the endgame.

Even if a position is theoretically drawn, players should not discount the practical chances that they can create, and continue to fight for the win.

Rather than focusing on rote endgame theory, Alisa utilizes the medium of video instruction to exemplify the attitude and resourcefulness that accompanies the fighting spirit.

Includes PGN of the analyzed games!

Enjoy your new course!