The following example demonstrates the chess player's thinking process in the endgame :

WHITE : Kg2, Rd5, Be3, Pa6, Pb5, Pc4, Pg3, Ph2

BLACK : Kg8, Ra8, Bg7, Pa7, Pb6, Pc5, Pg6, Ph7

White to move

WHITE is searching for tactical possibilities and is unable to find any. He revises the position focusing on strategic factors. The material is equal and one might expect this endgame to be drawn. However, WHITE is able to win. The rook on d5 is active, while Ra8 is passively placed.

In addition the Be3 is good, because the blocked black pawns are potential targets for him, while Bg7 is bad, only able to defend his own pawns. The kingside pawns are not taken into account in this stage, since they are not blocked and can be "whitened" (moved to white squares) if needed.

If WHITE was able to simplify this position by exchanging rooks, his task would be much easier. BLACK would then have no rook counterplay and he would be doomed. So WHITE's plans is to exchange the rooks, then attack the black pawns.

1. Bg5

Preparing to play 2.Rd8+ and thus exchange the rooks. Note that the badly placed Ra8 is unable to prevent this exchange.

1. Rf8

BLACK has to keep an eye on his a7-pawn, since if WHITE could capture it, promotion of the a6-pawn would be a decisive threat. He plans to meet 2.Rd7 by 2…Rf7.

2. Rd8 Bc3

Only later will be seen why 2…Bc3 is necessary here.

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