One of the most significant advantages engines possess is access to endgame tablebases—precomputed databases containing perfect play for all positions with a limited number of pieces. Understanding how these work is crucial for realistic expectations when playing engines.
Tablebase Coverage
Perfect endgame knowledge for all positions with:
Tablebases exist for all positions with up to 7 pieces (including kings). This means once your game reaches 7 or fewer pieces total, engines like Stockfish know exactly whether the position is won, drawn, or lost and the precise number of moves to achieve the result with perfect play.
Real-World Example
In a King and Rook versus King and Bishop endgame, you might believe you're defending well. However, if the engine has tablebase access, it knows the position is won in 35 moves and will execute that win flawlessly—even if the winning path seems counterintuitive to human players.
What NOT to Do
- ✗ Assume you can draw "close" endgames
- ✗ Simplify without being certain of a draw
- ✗ Ignore piece count approaching 7 or less
What TO Do
- ✓ Focus on middlegame complexity
- ✓ Study theoretical endgame draws
- ✓ Keep pieces on board when slightly worse
Strategic Principle
Do not simplify positions against engines unless you have a clear advantage. Every piece exchange brings you closer to tablebase territory where engine advantage becomes absolute. If you're slightly worse in a complex middlegame, maintaining pieces on the board keeps practical chances alive.
Consider a position where you're down a pawn in a Rook and three Pawns versus Rook and four Pawns endgame. Without tablebases, this might be drawable through active defense. With tablebases, the engine knows if this specific pawn structure is theoretically won and will convert it regardless of your defensive efforts.
Study Recommendation
The solution is improving your endgame knowledge to match theoretical results. Study Silman's Complete Endgame Course or Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual to understand which endgames are theoretically drawn. This knowledge lets you simplify with confidence when appropriate and avoid simplification when it leads to lost positions.