Purpose

    Atomic endgame studies are an excellent way to learn the concepts of making good atomic moves that lead you to an atomic-mate or explosion or a won endgame.  I think that one of the best ways to learn how to make better atomic moves is to examine atomic studies and solve them (also a few atomic puzzles).  Then you can utilize the concepts from the atomic studies in your future games.  Atomic is a game of concepts (and yes, some memorization of openings but mostly, concepts).  As long as you survive the opening, you should be solid if you understand the concepts behind good atomic moves.

White explodes in 2	Game Drawn 1/2 - 1/2
Game Drawn 1/2 - 1/2	White wins
White explodes in 2	White atomic-mates in 7
White atomic-mates in 5	White atomic-mates in 5
Caging Black in is better than trying to mate.	White atomic-mates in 2. *

* - As of March 22, 2005 -- FICS recognizes this position as a draw due to neither side having explosive material... which is the most idiotic and asinine thing I've ever seen on FICS in all my years.

UPDATE: April 6, 2005 -- FICS has fixed the above problem.

[First Edition : 25 July 2002 -- Nick Long]
[Second Edition : 22 March 2005 -- Nick Long]
[Last Modified : 06 April 2005 -- Nick Long]
© 2005 Nick Long