Which of these books should I buy? Both are currently on sale in the Chessable format. I have a modest knowledge of basic endgame positions.
Depends on your rating and goals. It may be that neither is the best option for you.
I haven't read Van Perlo's book.
I read many of them including Dvoretzky and Müller. Unfortunately not van Perl‘s work.
But „100 Endgames you must know“ is just fine. It is much more than the average club players knows. My team mates fail miserably performing the entry test. ;)
Deciding and buying is easy though. The proof of the book is in the reading. :)
But „100 Endgames you must know“ is just fine. It is much more than the average club players knows. My team mates fail miserably performing the entry test. ;)
Deciding and buying is easy though. The proof of the book is in the reading. :)
I have "100 engames" in paper book format, and I work with it regulary. It is excellent, the explanations are very logical and easy to understand, the lessons are structured and lessons come in logical sequence.
I am not a fan of doing chess on the computer, so I don't know how good chessable adaptation is though. I find it much more enjoyable and less tiring doing it on a real board then on the screen. It also serves better in preparation for OTB games.
I am not a fan of doing chess on the computer, so I don't know how good chessable adaptation is though. I find it much more enjoyable and less tiring doing it on a real board then on the screen. It also serves better in preparation for OTB games.
I did not read both of the books
@yoqueseklug
I have studied de la Villa's book extensively on Chessable (8 M points?) and am certain it is worth the full purchase price, even as a simple reference book, to anyone serious about studying chess in general and endgames in particular.
Having said that, I had previously studied Theoryhack's free "Basic Endgames" extensively (15 M points) and was so sick of endgame study by the time I reached 50% of 100EYMK that I must confess the last 25% of that book is probably lost to me, as I just ploughed through it to complete it.
For lower-ranked guys like us, I really feel that Theoryhack's book is unbeatable value: I absolutely loved that book.
You will be miles ahead of most everyone around you, up to many hundred points rating, as most people are unduly obscessed with opening theory and pay very little heed to endgame study. I mean, blunders are so ubiquitous under 1800, whatever advantage one accrues from learning openings is completely overshadowed, on average, by losses due to egregious mistakes and game-changing blunders. (It does, however, have undeniable use in bullet and blitz time controls)
You may want to stick with the simple and immediately relevant stuff, whether you get BE or 100EYMK, or both.
I mean, it's nice to know the lucena, vancura, centurini, etc. positions but the philidor is probably more handy.
Same with Rook, Queen and K+P endings than, say, N+B endings.
Don't get me wrong, knowing how to mate with N+B will certainly teach you how those pieces can work in harmony but that particular ending is comparatively rare. Even though I can do it in my sleep from any random position, I doubt I'll ever see the situation come up OTB.
I have studied de la Villa's book extensively on Chessable (8 M points?) and am certain it is worth the full purchase price, even as a simple reference book, to anyone serious about studying chess in general and endgames in particular.
Having said that, I had previously studied Theoryhack's free "Basic Endgames" extensively (15 M points) and was so sick of endgame study by the time I reached 50% of 100EYMK that I must confess the last 25% of that book is probably lost to me, as I just ploughed through it to complete it.
For lower-ranked guys like us, I really feel that Theoryhack's book is unbeatable value: I absolutely loved that book.
You will be miles ahead of most everyone around you, up to many hundred points rating, as most people are unduly obscessed with opening theory and pay very little heed to endgame study. I mean, blunders are so ubiquitous under 1800, whatever advantage one accrues from learning openings is completely overshadowed, on average, by losses due to egregious mistakes and game-changing blunders. (It does, however, have undeniable use in bullet and blitz time controls)
You may want to stick with the simple and immediately relevant stuff, whether you get BE or 100EYMK, or both.
I mean, it's nice to know the lucena, vancura, centurini, etc. positions but the philidor is probably more handy.
Same with Rook, Queen and K+P endings than, say, N+B endings.
Don't get me wrong, knowing how to mate with N+B will certainly teach you how those pieces can work in harmony but that particular ending is comparatively rare. Even though I can do it in my sleep from any random position, I doubt I'll ever see the situation come up OTB.
I have bougjt both but only „100 endgames you must know“ completed.
Van Perlos Book is a book of tactic puzzles at endgames.
100 endgames you must know is a good introduction if you have no much idea of endgames.
Depends really in your skill level and your goals what to get.
Van Perlos Book is a book of tactic puzzles at endgames.
100 endgames you must know is a good introduction if you have no much idea of endgames.
Depends really in your skill level and your goals what to get.
wow it is for my skill
Thanks for the responses. I have studied Theoryhack's free "Basic Endgames" and also Essential R+P vs. R Ending by John Bartholomew. My goal is to expand my knowledge and ability in the endgame for casual over the board chess. I don't play in tournaments. Like may (most?) folks, my losses come primarily from blunders.
This topic has been archived and can no longer be replied to.