endgame

The final stage of a long process, when a plan is close to achieving its goal.

• The negotiations have reached their endgame.
• Both sides made concessions as the endgame approached.
• What is the endgame of this political campaign?

Similar words: final stage, last phase

Common phrases: political endgame, negotiating endgame, enter the endgame

The last part of a chess game, when only a few pieces remain.

• We reached the endgame with only six pieces left.
• She won the rook endgame by advancing her king.
• Do you enjoy studying chess endgames?

Opposites: opening

Common phrases: rook endgame, pawn endgame, chess endgame

The last part of a game, when players work toward the final result.

• The card game entered its endgame.
• Saving your best tiles can help in the endgame.
• Their strategy works well in the endgames of long board games.

Similar words: final stage

Common phrases: the endgame begins, reach the endgame, endgame strategy

An extra task linked to a crossword's theme, usually completed after filling in all the answers.

• The crossword's endgame revealed a hidden name.
• After filling the grid, we started the endgame.
• These puzzles have endgames that require solvers to rearrange letters.

Common phrases: crossword endgame, solve the endgame, thematic endgame

Shown or expected to be officially true by the end of a fictional story, especially about a couple.

• Fans think these two are endgame.
• The finale confirmed that their relationship was endgame.
• Which couple do you believe will be endgame?

Common phrases: be endgame, endgame couple, endgame relationship