M Winther wrote on Thu, Apr 27, 2006 04:25 PM UTC:
It's not only a matter of technique to study theoretical endgames. Although considerations
of theoretical endgames are of tactical nature they are important also from a strategical
perspective because the capabilities of the pieces create certain motives that are quite
important, and sometimes surface already in opening and middlegame. An obvious example
is the sacrifice of the light piece on the opponent's remaining pawn(s). Although the
opponent has a Bishop or Knight against a lonely King, this is not enough for win. Such
factors affect the whole game, from the beginning. The fact that the Rook cannot win
against light piece in the ending, is underlying the common motif of the positional sacrifice
of a Rook against Knight or Bishop in the middlegame. Tigran Petrosian
often used this idea. These sacrifices bring no tactical advantage, but are strictly
positional.
(I have now improved the opening play in my Mastodon Chess (8x10))