Patience is the most valuable trait of the endgame player. In the endgame, the most common errors, besides those resulting from ignorance of theory, are caused by either impatience, complacency, exhaustion, or all of the above.

In the Soviets' view, chess was not merely an art or a science or even a sport; it was what it had been invented to simulate: war.

There is no doubt that Bronstein's shrewd understanding of chess psychology was crucial to his success. Without it, his impetuous style and technical flaws might have relegated him to a minor career.

The business of the endgame is maneuvring to control critical squares, advancing or blockading passed pawns, preparing a breakthrough by the king, or exploiting the subtle superiority of one piece over another.

Typically, in the last round of open tournaments the level of play is markedly lower, the number of blunders higher.

There is nothing wrong with trying to exploit the natural human tendency to become impatient when forced to play a boring position.

According to such great attacking players as Bronstein and Tal, most combinations are inspired by the player's memories of earlier games.