A useful way to approach endgame study is to pay special attention to those that arise most often from the openings that you play and try to master them.

Secrets of Practical Chess by John Nunn had an excellent section on the endgame where he focused primarily on a need to know approach. This book would make a wonderful addition to any chess library, and if you absorb the condensed contents fully you will master the two drawing techniques involved in Rook and Bishop vs Bishop endings as well as how to go about trying to win this ending, particularly against inferior defence or a clueless opponent.

Toppy

IMJohnCox wrote on 11/13/06 at 17:38:50:

After Ra7+ Ke8 black cant avoid a Lucena or whatever the position is called. R goes to the c-line via d8 or you set up the bridge position.
After Rb8 white just goes Rd1 and you dont have enough checks as black.

This position came up in Neil Berry-Andrew Martin, 4NCL a while ago. I was watching my team mate NB, who held comfortably as Black (in fact he was White, but anyway) with two minutes left on his clock for the rest of the game. I was impressed at the time, but I didn't realise Neil ought to be at this level on this form.

I was watching with Richard Webb. I had no idea what Black should play, although I had the idea Richard was probably a bit better educated than me. I too remembered Rd6 as being cunning but no more than that. You can see why ...Kg6 is counterintuitive, can't you? I suppose that's the only function of the rook on the sixth, to make ....Kg6 seem dangerous?

(I assume after ....Ra7 it's not Rd7 that wins but Ke8; is that right? Otherwise I can't see what Black would do if the rook were not on d6 but d1.)

Klick wrote on 11/12/06 at 17:15:24:

Are you serious?
Seems like the spoiled little brat should get some endgame lessons
This position is in most endgame books I know of. I think even including Flear's improve your endgame which is aimed at about 1600-1700 elo.

Yes this is a chess classic - Speelman's ending book calls it 'white's most cunning move'.

This is ending is actually quite tough to defend in practice. I am surprised that Carlsen didn't seem to know it !

Finally it would be good to have an endgame section and maybe also one for combinations !! Here's hoping and Tony K are you watching?

All the best 

Andrew

Black blundered and lost after Rb8?? Kg6 was the only correct move. I remember looking at this a few years ago and that Rd6 was a tricky move that Black had to show great care against.

Is it true? Is it really almost a whole year since anyone posted anything here?! What a scandal!   

Let me revive this thread gently by challenging you all in a QUIZ : http://www.arrakis.es/~lago/tests/basrook/basrook1b.htm