Thoughts on endgame improvement and some books • page 1/1 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

There are two things you will consider if you want to excel at chess endgames: 1) you should understand the main principles that constitute the effective endgame practice, and 2) you should memorize the moves in a limited number of positions that occur frequently. Bluntly: Understand & Memorize. These are not mutually excluded. We are going to talk about calculation in chess endgames as a separate topic in the end.

You understand endgames by studying lots of annotated games of the greatest endgame masters of the past century. For the initial literature, you will go for Shereshevsky’s Endgame Strategy. There cannot be any other option. The book is classic, I have read it at least twice, and I still have fun skimming through the pages of it. By the end of the book, you will hopefully understand the essential endgame principles (creating the second weakness, not rushing, centralizing the king, playing with two bishop advantage, etc.).

Studying chess classics is essential. Nowadays, the difference between top-tier chess players is not that obvious (except for Carlsen usually being a little better than everyone else). Because of this indifference, we cannot clearly see all the ideas and plans while studying the modern chess games: one player plans doing something, and immediately, the other player understands it and does some prophylaxis against it. As a result, the quality of the games is extremely high, but most of the instructive ideas remain behind the curtains.

The scene was different in the past century. On one side we had World Chess Champions and a handful of other legendary chess players like Rubinstein or Nimzowitsch, and on the other side, we had lots of second-tier chess players. The difference between the strengths of the elite and every one coming after them was huge.

For example, Rubinstein would figure out some plan for the next ten or twenty moves or so. And then actually realize it (which is ridiculous in modern terms). You know why? Because Rubinstein’s opponents had never had the privilege of studying chess classics (duh). As a result, we have highly instructive games of the past century, where a superior chess player illustrates how to convert a minimal advantage into a full point in the simplest and clearest way.

We have talked about "understanding", and now we need to know what to memorize. Although there are a couple of other options, you should go for Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual. I am sure that this book has been the Endgame Bible for many players (including me). For further instructions on how to actually study the book, you can find the excerpt from Mark Dvoretsky’s interview in the link below. I highly recommend going through the link and reading the rules. It's not my blog, so nothing serious.

https://www.habitsofchesssuccess.com/top-50-tips-of-2700-players-on-chess-improvement-part-2/

Worth to mention that, Dvoretsky’s lectures in the 1970s on Endgame Principles became a basis for the Shereshevky’s book.

Now calculation. My problems with chess endgames usually came down to the following issue: I’d push an equal endgame until I got some huge advantage (thanks to my technique). But when the opportunity kicked in, it usually demanded some deep calculation. And I’d screw everything up there, and miss my opportunity. The importance of fast and precise calculation increases drastically in zeitnot, and you get into zeitnot (usually) in the last stage of the game.

So I realized long ago that calculation is essential for chess endgames, and as the scope of this essay cannot cover everything in every area of the endgame, I am going to recommend one last book. We are going to have three books for three sections, according to the formula understand + memorize + calculate. Though I consider calculation being a bonus section, as it can be improved without specifically solving endgame problems. But one really good book that trains both endgame skills and calculation is Jacob Aagaard’s Endgame Play.

One last point on how to practice chess endgames. Have a sparring partner, take a position described in one of the mentioned books, give yourself a time control of 20 minutes or so (for each), and play the position as both stronger and weaker sides. And then analyze it with your opponent or coach and note down your mistakes. Analyze with an engine only after that. And if you want to be extremely effective, while practicing and reading the mentioned books, get the help of a good chess coach.

Conclusion

I recommended three best books: Shereshevky’s, Dvoretsky’s, and Aagaard’s. I have said that in chess endgames there are things you should either understand or memorize, and calculation is a major skill you should develop if you want to become good at chess endgames.

And finally, if you haven’t read the previous sections of this essay (or just skimmed through them), and came here to read the conclusion for TLDR, then shame on you. Take care. Go read my blog at flements.wordpress.com

https://imgur.com/Arijdkw There are two things you will consider if you want to excel at chess endgames: 1) you should understand the main principles that constitute the effective endgame practice, and 2) you should memorize the moves in a limited number of positions that occur frequently. Bluntly: Understand & Memorize. These are not mutually excluded. We are going to talk about calculation in chess endgames as a separate topic in the end. You understand endgames by studying lots of annotated games of the greatest endgame masters of the past century. For the initial literature, you will go for Shereshevsky’s Endgame Strategy. There cannot be any other option. The book is classic, I have read it at least twice, and I still have fun skimming through the pages of it. By the end of the book, you will hopefully understand the essential endgame principles (creating the second weakness, not rushing, centralizing the king, playing with two bishop advantage, etc.). Studying chess classics is essential. Nowadays, the difference between top-tier chess players is not that obvious (except for Carlsen usually being a little better than everyone else). Because of this indifference, we cannot clearly see all the ideas and plans while studying the modern chess games: one player plans doing something, and immediately, the other player understands it and does some prophylaxis against it. As a result, the quality of the games is extremely high, but most of the instructive ideas remain behind the curtains. The scene was different in the past century. On one side we had World Chess Champions and a handful of other legendary chess players like Rubinstein or Nimzowitsch, and on the other side, we had lots of second-tier chess players. The difference between the strengths of the elite and every one coming after them was huge. For example, Rubinstein would figure out some plan for the next ten or twenty moves or so. And then actually realize it (which is ridiculous in modern terms). You know why? Because Rubinstein’s opponents had never had the privilege of studying chess classics (duh). As a result, we have highly instructive games of the past century, where a superior chess player illustrates how to convert a minimal advantage into a full point in the simplest and clearest way. We have talked about "understanding", and now we need to know what to memorize. Although there are a couple of other options, you should go for Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual. I am sure that this book has been the Endgame Bible for many players (including me). For further instructions on how to actually study the book, you can find the excerpt from Mark Dvoretsky’s interview in the link below. I highly recommend going through the link and reading the rules. It's not my blog, so nothing serious. https://www.habitsofchesssuccess.com/top-50-tips-of-2700-players-on-chess-improvement-part-2/ Worth to mention that, Dvoretsky’s lectures in the 1970s on Endgame Principles became a basis for the Shereshevky’s book. Now calculation. My problems with chess endgames usually came down to the following issue: I’d push an equal endgame until I got some huge advantage (thanks to my technique). But when the opportunity kicked in, it usually demanded some deep calculation. And I’d screw everything up there, and miss my opportunity. The importance of fast and precise calculation increases drastically in zeitnot, and you get into zeitnot (usually) in the last stage of the game. So I realized long ago that calculation is essential for chess endgames, and as the scope of this essay cannot cover everything in every area of the endgame, I am going to recommend one last book. We are going to have three books for three sections, according to the formula understand + memorize + calculate. Though I consider calculation being a bonus section, as it can be improved without specifically solving endgame problems. But one really good book that trains both endgame skills and calculation is Jacob Aagaard’s Endgame Play. One last point on how to practice chess endgames. Have a sparring partner, take a position described in one of the mentioned books, give yourself a time control of 20 minutes or so (for each), and play the position as both stronger and weaker sides. And then analyze it with your opponent or coach and note down your mistakes. Analyze with an engine only after that. And if you want to be extremely effective, while practicing and reading the mentioned books, get the help of a good chess coach. *Conclusion* I recommended three best books: Shereshevky’s, Dvoretsky’s, and Aagaard’s. I have said that in chess endgames there are things you should either understand or memorize, and calculation is a major skill you should develop if you want to become good at chess endgames. And finally, if you haven’t read the previous sections of this essay (or just skimmed through them), and came here to read the conclusion for TLDR, then shame on you. Take care. Go read my blog at flements.wordpress.com

CM Sarg0n

edited

Dvoretzky took me 16 months of hard work, just sayin‘.

FCE by Mueller/Lamprecht is equally good. I have read approx. 5/6, took me 1.5-2 years.

Practical advice: „100 Endgames you must know“ is perfectly fine. It is sufficient unless you want to become a pro.

Dvoretzky took me 16 months of hard work, just sayin‘. FCE by Mueller/Lamprecht is equally good. I have read approx. 5/6, took me 1.5-2 years. Practical advice: „100 Endgames you must know“ is perfectly fine. It is sufficient unless you want to become a pro.

IM jackwemedge

@Sarg0n Yeah, Dvoretsky's book is something mad. Mueller & Lamprecht, I know as an alternative but didn't like reading it after Dvoretsky. The other two books are easier to digest. Haven't read 100 Endgames, but I guess it must be alright for basic understanding.

NM MrPushwood

"For example, Rubinstein would figure out some plan for the next ten or twenty moves or so. And then actually realize it (which is ridiculous in modern terms). You know why? Because Rubinstein’s opponents had never had the privilege of studying chess classics (duh). As a result, we have highly instructive games of the past century, where a superior chess player illustrates how to convert a minimal advantage into a full point in the simplest and clearest way."

All sounds a bit specious to me...