--- title: "Endgame tablebase in chess" url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame-tablebase.md" canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame-tablebase" last_updated: "2026-11-07" type: "reference" summary: "An endgame tablebase is a precomputed database that gives the exact result and best moves for every position with a small number of pieces." related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/syzygy-tablebases.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-engine.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/stockfish.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-and-pawn-endgame.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame-study.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/computer-chess.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"] --- # Endgame tablebase in chess > **For AI agents:** the complete index of GeorgeLiChess pages is [llms.txt](https://georgelichess.com/llms.txt). Every page is also served as markdown at its URL plus .md. An endgame tablebase is a precomputed database that gives the exact result and best moves for every position with a small number of pieces. An endgame tablebase is a precomputed database that gives the exact result and best moves for every position with a small number of pieces, so engines can play those endgames perfectly. An [endgame](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame.md) tablebase is a [database](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/database.md) built by working out, for every legal position with a limited number of pieces, whether it is a win, a draw or a loss and how many moves it takes. Once the table exists, a program can look up any position and play it with perfect [accuracy](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/accuracy.md), with no need to search. Tablebases have settled many endgame questions. They confirmed which positions are won and revealed some surprisingly long forced wins that no human would find unaided. They also show which seemingly won positions are really draws, which is useful when you analyze a difficult ending. Analysis boards often consult a tablebase automatically once the piece count is low enough, and show the verdict next to the position. When you study endgames, you can use this to check your conclusions after you have worked them out yourself. Do not try to memorize the tables. They hold far too much information, and the aim is to learn the general principles, such as the [opposition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opposition.md), the role of the [active king](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-activity.md) and the standard plans, that let you play endings well without them. Also called: tablebase. A neighboring idea is [Syzygy tablebases](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/syzygy-tablebases.md). Syzygy tablebases are a compact set of endgame tablebases created by Ronald de Man that cover endgames up to seven pieces and are widely used by modern chess engines. It sits close to [Endgame study](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame-study.md). Endgame study is the focused practice of reduced-material positions, learning the basic checkmates, pawn endings and rook endings that decide many games and sharpen your sense of what each piece is worth. Compare it with [Stockfish](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/stockfish.md). Stockfish is a free, open-source chess engine developed by a worldwide community, widely regarded as one of the strongest engines available and used by many analysis websites and apps. An engine can tell you what "Endgame tablebase" means for a position, but not which mistakes you keep making; a [first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md) with George Li reviews your games and finds those. ## Related terms - [Syzygy tablebases](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/syzygy-tablebases.md) - [Endgame](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame.md) - [Chess engine](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-engine.md) - [Stockfish](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/stockfish.md) - [King and pawn endgame](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-and-pawn-endgame.md) - [Endgame study](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame-study.md) ## Guides that go further - [How to choose a chess coach](https://georgelichess.com/how-to-choose-a-chess-coach.md): What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid. - [How much does chess coaching cost?](https://georgelichess.com/chess-coaching-cost.md): Published rates for private, group and subscription chess coaching, with the source and the date of each. - [The first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md): A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li. [Book your first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book.md) and George Li reviews your games and builds a study plan around them. Questions about lessons: write to hello@georgelichess.com. ## Related - [Syzygy tablebases in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/syzygy-tablebases.md) - [Endgame in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame.md) - [Chess engine](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-engine.md) - [Stockfish in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/stockfish.md) - [King and pawn endgame in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-and-pawn-endgame.md) - [Endgame study in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame-study.md) - [Chess terms: Computer chess and analysis](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/computer-chess.md) - [Chess terms glossary: plain definitions](https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md)