Fundamental Chess Endings

[Javier]

ISBN : 1 901983 53 6

edited 2001 by Gambit Publications Ltd

pages : 416

editor price : $ 29.95

 

The authors of this thick endgame book also wrote the very interesting "Secrets of pawn Endings" published a few months before. Here a general overview of endgame theory is presented, but the nice characterics of the former book (paedagogic approach with developped text comments, clarity of expression, numerous exercices) remain.

 

The authors made a specific effort to illustrate their work with positions from recent games, even if classics and studies are also well represented.

 

They intended to provide the reader not only with a reference book, to be consulted about specific positions you meet in your games - just a polite way so speak about all these silly endgames you lost - but also with a REAL TEXTBOOK. In my opinion, in spite of the book's size (more than 400 pages), they succeeded completely, and, unlike many other complete endgame treatises, "Fundamental Chess Endings" can be used for a systematic work on endings. The basics ideas are clearly explained, and each chapter ends with :

- a conclusion highlighting the main points and typical positions the practical player has to keep in mind,

- and some exercises.

 

I only regret the authors didn't employ again the nice idea used in "Secret of pawn endings", i.e. a "Crash Course" summary selecting about 20% of the complete book as the minimal vital knowledge for the tournament player. But, as already said, a lot of useful information in this respect is contained in the "Rules and Principles" part, to be found at the end of each chapter.

 

I consider this book really fills a gap, and should be an excellent, complete but still handy study/reference work for intermediate or advanced players. Of course, the matter remains rather technical and detailed, so that i would not recommend it as a FIRST endgame book for beginners or unexperienced players.

 

My vote : a solid 8.

 

(Originally edited by Jean Saulnier)