What Is the Endgame in Chess?
The endgame doesn't necessarily have a fixed starting point. But rather, the endgame tends to begin when there has been enough pieces exchanged. Perhaps the queens are gone as well as several minor pieces and the immediate threats are limited.
That changes how you play.
The king is probably the biggest example. In the opening, you generally want to keep your king safe. In the endgame, hiding it away can actually be a mistake. With fewer pieces around, the king can become an active part of your plan.
For example, a simple position with just kings and pawns. You may be able to position your king in front of the pawns and move across the board to promote it to a queen. This is why the endgame can be one of the most surprisingly tense.
Key Features of the Chess Endgame
One of the key characteristics of the end game is that every move is highly valuable.
Take passed pawns. If there is no opposing pawn in front of it, it can be very problematic. Several moves may be made by your opponent to stop its progression, allowing your king or other pieces to focus on another tactic.
Then there is opposition, one of the basic ideas in king-and-pawn endings. Put simply, the position of the two kings can determine who has to give way. It sounds straightforward until you are sitting at the board trying to work out whether moving your king forward actually wins the position or throws it away.
Piece endgames have their own ideas too. Rooks become extremely active, bishops can be powerful from a distance, and knights can suddenly struggle if the position gives them no useful squares.
The board may be emptier, but there is still plenty going on.
Essential Chess Endgame Skills
Memorization of every possible endgame is not necessary. But rather its better to start with learning the positions that come up the most.
Learn to use your king. In many endings, the king should be heading toward the center or toward the pawns. Leaving it sitting safely in the corner rarely helps.
Understand passed pawns. Know when to push one, when to protect it and when it is better to use it as a distraction.
Study opposition. The basic king / pawn positions are the most important to learn as they teach you how to understand the moves rather than just learning off moves or reacting to your opponent’ moves.
Know the value of activity. An active rook or king can sometimes be more useful than an extra pawn. In simplified positions, where there are fewer pieces to cover mistakes, this becomes especially obvious.
One of the best ways to improve is to actually play through basic endgame positions on a board. Don't just read the solution. Try to find the winning move yourself first.
Conclusion
The chess endgame is often where a game that looks simple becomes difficult.
There are fewer pieces, but that doesn't necessarily make the position easier. Kings become active, pawns can become more dangerous, and a single move can determine the result.
It is fair better to learn the basic ideas behind chess endgames as that is more useful than memorizing a collection of moves. This will then allow you to judge the positions more accurately, gaining you those small advantages to give you the winning edge.
And once you start noticing those things, the end of the game becomes a lot more interesting.