Artistic Endgames in Training

Artistic endgames, also known as compositions or studies, could be a more than useful resource for our progress in chess. Let's not think that because they are created positions and not part of international practice, this means that they serve only to delight the eye. These problems develop creativity, resourcefulness in uncommon situations, tactics, and, above all, the calculation of variations since they force us to look for various possibilities to reach the solution. It is worth remembering that many World Champions have commented on the use of these studies in their training and have even been the authors of many of them.

To better understand the importance of these studies, it is essential to know some of the most famous composers who have contributed significantly to this field. Among the most notable are Alexei Troitsky, Richard Réti, Vasily Smyslov, Genrikh Kasparyan, and Leonid Kubbel. Their work has influenced generations of chess players and composers, and their studies often demonstrate deep strategic and tactical ideas that can be applied to real games.

Among the most notable experiences, we have GM Miguel Illescas, who recounted that thanks to his friendship with elite players like Boris Gelfand and Vladimir Kramnik, he came to include this resource in his training with magnificent results. From there, we can understand why his Peón de Rey magazines include many articles on the subject.

A historic Champion who spoke on the subject was Garry Kasparov, who stated: "For me, chess is art. I am fond of solving chess problems and, in particular, chess studies. They are full of paradoxes and original ideas."

In conclusion, endgame studies can be useful for several reasons:

1. Development of calculation skills: Solving endgame studies requires precise calculation skills, as the problems usually have unique and accurate solutions. Practicing with artistic endgames can help improve a player's calculation ability and make more precise decisions in critical situations.

2. Creativity and tactical vision: Endgame studies often involve surprising ideas, sacrifices, and unexpected moves. Analyzing and solving these problems can enhance a player's creativity and tactical vision, which can be useful in real games.

3. Training intuition: As players work on endgame studies, they can begin to develop an intuition for the final positions and the key ideas that work in them. This intuition can be helpful in time-limited situations where players need to make quick decisions.

4. Fun and motivation: For many players, artistic endgames are an entertaining and challenging way to improve their chess skills. Solving these problems can be rewarding and help maintain motivation to continue learning and improving.

By studying the works of great composers and learning from the experiences of top players who have incorporated endgame studies into their training, players can undoubtedly enhance their understanding and improve their performance in real games. So, what are you waiting for to include this resource in your chess training?

Next, we share a beautiful study and present it as a problem: White to play and win: