Definition of endgame

The term "endgame" originated in the context of chess, where it refers to the final part of a game, typically involving a small number of pieces on the board. The endgame is the critical phase of the game where the focus is on converting any advantages or drawing the game to a stalemate. The word "endgame" was first used in chess literature in the 17th century. It was popularized by the German chess player and writer, Paul Rudolf von Bilguer, in his book "Handbuch des Schachspiels" (Handbook of Chess) in 1823. The term was later adopted in other fields, such as psychology, philosophy, and business, to describe the final stages of a process or the culmination of a long-term strategy. In recent years, the term "endgame" has also been popularized in popular culture, particularly in the context of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where it refers to the final battle between the Avengers and Thanos in the movie Avengers: Endgame.