Fundamental Chess Endings: A New One-volume Endgame Encyclopaedia for the 21st Century Paperback – Illustrated, 12 Oct. 2001

It really works, because the details of chess endings are presented clearly.The chief help for me, a beginner, is the visual aid in the diagrams. There are stars to mark Key Squares, circles to mark critical squares, numbers to mark corresponding squares, different kind of "lines" drawn on the board to show you the advantageous positions (like the Troitsky line).In the simple mates, King , bishop and knight v. King, the path of the knight is drawn on the board to make for accuracy; the three phases of the mate are explained in great detail, so you can follow its complexity well on your own board, and learn it (I took a day to learn to master this difficult mate).It is a stimulating book, expounding master's knowledge in a clear way - I did not say "simple", because you will have to work at the examples; the examples are well explained.There are plenty of exercises, with annotated extensive solutions, to challenge your acquired knowledge A good bibliography refers to classics like Averbakh's series of study on the endgame in five volumes in Russian and in six volumes in German!!It even touches, although only fleetingly, on the theory of corresponding squares.More could have been written on this interesting visual approach, but space is limited.The book is compiled with the aid of computer technology for accuracy, BUT, and it is a big but, this is a human book, not a dry manual. It is a fascinating study (albeit a study, and this implies work, the result of which you should see fairly quickly). Already from the few pages I have begun to study, I have seen myself thinking in a more combinational way.Buy this book if you are a chess lover, it will help you. This is directed to beginners and intermediate players.You will not find it boring.(Were you not to like such a comprehensive text, they mention another good reference. although more simplified, it is : "Essential Chess endings" by James Howell. B.T.Batsford, 1997 - the latter could serve as a summary of the book reviewed)Get It! And become strong! It is worth the price!(Algebraic notation, of course)

The headline says it all. This is a great book. It has really paid itself back in the form of many won endgames in tournaments. I am 1950 ELO and there is so much valuable material in this book for me, but I would say it would suit all levels of players.The book is very clear and concise. There is a very good table of contents in the beginning of the book which is systematic and makes it easy to fint the relevant information you are looking for.I particularly like the fact that the amount of page material on the different types of endgames relates directly to the probability of those endgames occuring. I.e. the biggest chapter is on rook endgames since they occur very frequently in practical play and so on with the other type of games.What it all comes down to: This is the best modern 1-volume endgame book currently out there in my mind.

Whether you are starting your study of endgame or an experienced player wishing to add to your knowledge, this is a good book to read.

Although I know that it is all about the content and the quality of the chess instruction contained in this book, it does disappoint when so little effort is put into the quality of the materials for the actual book.The fact that the cover is bent and warped from the moment of taking it out of the packaging is a sign that this book is not going to last.I have purchased other books of similar or less cost and they have a far more robust construction. It seems that to save a few pennies on production the choice was made to go with the cheapest option on materials.This is a book which I intend consulting several times per week and I would like to think that it would be designed to endure that kind of handling and use.

This is an encyclopaedia of endgames and so has an enormous amount of endgame references, annotations and advice, with endgame exercises at the end of each chapter. There are 10 chapters on the different variations or endings, a chapter on endgame strategy and the last for further exercises. Diagrams for routes and calculations using common and key squares help to build strategies for play. Exercises are ranked 1 - 3 stars, giving you plenty to think about, with varying difficulty and there are half a life-time of examples to work through. Endgame examples range from the straightforward to the highly complex, each one a problem to understand and absorb, with helpful explanations to describe play and how to avoid pitfalls. Recommended.

This book is generally highly regarded, and it does not disappoint. If you are a complete beginner starting out with endgame studies, or someone who is not so serious about chess, then there might be better books available for your needs, but if you want to build a rock solid foundation for your endgames, then you will find this book very valuable.

Clear basics and far more!

Thank you. Very fast delivery.