π Multipurpose Moves in the Endgame β Improving King, Pawns & Pieces Together
In the endgame, every tempo and square matters. Multipurpose moves create two results with one step:
your king advances while restricting the enemy, your rook cuts off the king and attacks a pawn, or a pawn move both fixes a weakness and clears a path.
π€΄ King Activity with Jobs
- King infiltration: step toward a target pawn while taking away the opponent kingβs entry squares.
- Opposition maneuvers: one move can both keep opposition and force a zugzwang later.
- Shouldering: king advances to block the enemy while escorting your own passer.
ποΈ Rooks that Do Two Things
- Cutoff + attack: place the rook to both restrict the enemy king and pressure a pawn.
- Checking from behind: checks that also shepherd your passer forward.
- Lateral switches: guard rank files and pivot to the other wing in one move.
π Purposeful Pawn Advances
- Fix + advance: a pawn move that fixes enemy pawns on the color of your bishop and gains space.
- Create a passer: exchange that both opens a file and leaves your majority mobile.
- Reserve tempo: quiet pawn moves that keep triangulation options.
π§© Endgame Checklist
- Does this improve my king while restricting theirs?
- Can my rook/piece attack and cut off simultaneously?
- Does this pawn move fix weaknesses and prepare a passer?
π Related Study Pages
π Return to Multipurpose Moves Index