Syzygy tablebases

Syzygy is the name of a popular format of endgame tablebases, created by Ronald de Man. They tell an engine whether a position with few pieces is a win, a draw or a loss, and which moves keep that result. They cover positions of up to seven pieces in total, including the kings.

What makes Syzygy practical is its compactness. Earlier tablebase formats needed enormous amounts of storage, while Syzygy stores the information in a way that is much smaller and quick to read, so the smaller sets suit ordinary computers. The six-piece files fit on a large drive, while the seven-piece set runs to many terabytes. Stockfish and many other engines can use the files if you place them in a folder and point the engine to it. The files are split into two kinds, one that tells the result and one that helps measure progress toward making a capture or a pawn move.

For most students, the practical point is simple: many analysis tools use Syzygy without you doing anything, and endgame verdicts they show are exact. Treat them as a way to verify what you learn. The underlying skill, understanding why a position is won or drawn, still comes from studying typical endgames and practicing technique.

Computer terms such as "Syzygy tablebases" are most useful next to a coach who reads your games with you, which is how a first lesson with George Li works.

Related terms

• Endgame tablebase

  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.

• Chess engine

  A chess engine is a computer program that searches positions and evaluates moves, usually playing and analyzing far stronger than any human, and it is used for analysis, preparation and play against a machine.

• Stockfish

  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.

• Endgame

  The endgame is the stage that follows heavy trading, when too little material remains for mating attacks to dominate, so the kings join the fight and the struggle turns on promoting pawns and exact technique.

• Engine analysis

  Engine analysis is the use of a chess program to search a position and report which moves are strongest, along with a numeric evaluation and the lines it expects both sides to follow.

• King and pawn endgame

  A king and pawn endgame is an ending in which only kings and pawns remain, so the result depends on promotion races, king placement, opposition, and exact counting of moves.

Guides that go further

• How to choose a chess coach

  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?

  Published rates for private, group and subscription chess coaching, with the source and the date of each.

• The first lesson

  A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li.