user33399: I have a very strong opening and middle game but somehow when it comes to checkmate I always make blunders and end up being the one who loses. Someone told me that my weakness is I am too focused on my pawns only. I guess that's right because I always try to defend my pawns no matter how small the exchange was. Is there a way to change my playing type from defense to offense/aggressive?

user4418: If you are failing to win won endgame positions then the first thing you need to do is to learn the simple checkmates - K+Q vs K, K+R+R vs K, K+R vs K, K+B+B vs K. If you don't know how to checkmate then you can't win unless your opponent does you a favour and resigns.
The second thing you need to learn is how to play king and pawn endgames. The first of these is K+P vs K. Whether this is a draw or a win depends on the positions of the three pieces plus whose turn it is. You just need to learn these otherwise you won't what is a winning position and which isn't and you won't know which positions to aim for.
The third thing you need to learn is the importance of playing with the king. When the "safe" part of the endgame starts most of the time the critical thing to do is centralise the king. The king is a powerful piece in the endgame and if your opponent succeeds in centralising their king and you fail then you are probably going to lose.
The fourth thing you need to learn is the importance, when you are a pawn up in a what looks like a drawish position, of a timely pawn sacrifice. Sacrificing an extra pawn can often divert the enemy king away from the action and let your king into the position to attack your opponent's other pawns. If you are fixated on defending all your material this can be a particularly hard habit to break.

33399: <p>I have a very strong opening and middle game but somehow when it comes to checkmate I always make blunders and end up being the one who loses. Someone told me that my weakness is I am too focused on my pawns only. I guess that's right because I always try to defend my pawns no matter how small the exchange was. Is there a way to change my playing type from defense to offense/aggressive?</p>
 4418: <p>If you are failing to win won endgame positions then the first thing you need to do is to learn the simple checkmates - K+Q vs K, K+R+R vs K, K+R vs K, K+B+B vs K. If you don't know how to checkmate then you can't win unless your opponent does you a favour and resigns.</p>
<p>The second thing you need to learn is how to play king and pawn endgames. The first of these is K+P vs K. Whether this is a draw or a win depends on the positions of the three pieces plus whose turn it is. You just need to learn these otherwise you won't what is a winning position and which isn't and you won't know which positions to aim for.</p>
<p>The third thing you need to learn is the importance of playing with the king. When the &quot;safe&quot; part of the endgame starts most of the time the critical thing to do is centralise the king. The king is a powerful piece in the endgame and if your opponent succeeds in centralising their king and you fail then you are probably going to lose.</p>
<p>The fourth thing you need to learn is the importance, when you are a pawn up in a what looks like a drawish position, of a timely pawn sacrifice. Sacrificing an extra pawn can often divert the enemy king away from the action and let your king into the position to attack your opponent's other pawns. If you are fixated on defending all your material this can be a particularly hard habit to break.</p>
