The two books Karpov's Strategic Wins by Karolyi also contain a lot of strategic endgames with some really good comments and a fine analysis.

Larsen_fan wrote on 05/19/14 at 11:01:57:


Looking in it now, I would say its more a middle game book, with the swedish end game genius Ulf Anderssons games. Of course there are  endagmes here, but I think the main thing in the book is focusing on themes in the middle game, and how to convert the advantages from these themes in the following endgame. 

I must admit that I have not read it all from from cover to cover yet, but I will get there ( next holiday!). If your style is positional. And if you`re  young (not like me)  and a 2100 FIDE ( like me), I would be surprised if your rating wasn`t to raise by 100-150 elo after reading and study this book properly.

I'm impressed than no one has mentioned "Tragicomedy in the Endgame" by Dvoretsky

The Shereshevsky/Slutsky book sounds like what came out in English (in two volumes) as "Mastering the Endgame."

I'm glad, but not surprised, to hear that. I'm slowly going through his middlegame book now and it's really well done and illuminating.

katar wrote on 09/04/13 at 22:21:47:


I just ordered this book from Hellsten, give me a time to give an opinion. 

Also want to mention this old book by Pantschenko: Endspieltheorie und Praktik. Bought that second hand and it contains a volume of all not so easy examples of every kind of endgame. At the end of every chapter it closes with positions you need to solve yourself, and not so easy ones, some are really challenging, even the ones with pawns only can be tough and I am not a weak player.  The variety of examples with just a few more pieces then the normal little in other endgame books, makes this book quite special for me about a theme that is underestimated, gaining the edge to reach a good endgame.

Benoniac wrote on 09/06/13 at 19:55:43:


Currently available for £5 at Chess & Bridge (based in England but they have an internet shop too)

Just an update on my first post in this thread:

Since then I have actually read Aagaard's Excelling at Technical Chess - I found it useful and informative (maybe needs a bit of editing - but nothing serious).

It does not cover everything, but gives good pointers as to where to look for supplements, e.g. does not cover opposite-coloured Bishops but references Dvoretsky's treatment on the subject (the book mentioned by ErictheRed above) - my note: Dvoretsky has also included most of this analysis in his Endgame Manual -, and Marin's Learn from the Legends.

The latest puzzle book by Müller might fit the bill. http://www.russell-enterprises.com/cpb4.html

I haven't seen it. Do not hurry and the principle of two weaknesses seems to relate to the old Shereshevsky book though. Could be interesting to study this in a puzzle format.

Smyslov_Fan wrote on 09/21/12 at 16:24:04:


If you thought Golombek was hagiographic, then Chernev will truly induce nausea -- but for my part, hero-worship is a secret, guilty pleasure.

Regarding Shereshevsky, it should be said that there are two works: Endgame Strategy, with chapters such as "Do Not Hurry," and "The Two Bishops," and the two-volume set Mastering the Endgame, which is the one that categorizes endgames by opening. Both are great, but I think the original poster may not be aware of the existence of the latter.

I second Stigma's recommendations. In addition, I would recommend:

Practical Endgame Lessons by Mednis or Rate Your Endgame by Mednis and Crouch, which is 80% the same book, but in algebraic notation, with some sections placed in a guess-the-move-for-points format, and with some nice extra material by Crouch. The former book was recommended by none other than Dvoretsky.

The Giants of Strategy by Neil McDonald, in which a little more than half of the examples concern queenless positions. Very good explanations.

Basic Chess Endingsby Reuben Fine. This book is primarily known as a comprehensive technical reference work, now generally thought to be superseded. But if you look through it many of the examples fit the definition of a strategic endgame. It is not generally appreciated that Fine's verbal explanations of the stages of typical plans have never been surpassed. Who cares if his long variations sometimes miss some extremely clever inobvious moves? We need an understanding of the typical procedures so we can play like good humans. Later we can fine-tune, ha ha. Now I am not suggesting that you read this book cover-to-cover, but where Mueller and Pajekin will give you a general principle and an example with variations, Fine will give you the most common case in the form of an explicit five-stage procedure.

Capablanca's Best Games by Golombek, computer-checked by Nunn. Simply go through the games with endgames. Also Capablanca's best Chess Endings by Chernev--not computer-checked or analytically pored-over, as are Dvoretsky and Karolyi, but again that is not so important if you are studying strategy. These books do not contain a massive amount of strategic explanation, but neither are they difficult, and Capablanca's play is not to be missed.

jhbchess wrote on 09/03/12 at 16:58:48:


Yes, but those are not (for the most part) books on strategic endings. They deal with technical endings, which is very different.

The DB books collections are useful though, especially for all those books that are not (yet) published as playable ebooks.

I think "Endgame Strategy" is the chess book that has had the biggest impact on me. Read it carefully and re-read it. 

I'm a big fan of Müller's clear instructions. I haven't read the book with Pajeken, but I'm sure it's good.

The Flear book is an extensive set of positions. Great if you're looking for volume.

Hi guys ...after playing few tournaments and losing to 2200 and 2300 players in the endgame i now realise that 2200> players are very good at strategical endgames and i want to improve in that area so guys please suggest good books that you have read and that you liked on this subject.

here are few

Hansen, Lars Bo (2006), Secrets of Chess Endgame Strategy, Gambit, 

Shereshevsky, Mikhail (1994), Endgame Strategy, Everyman Chess, 

Flear, Glenn (2007), PracticalEndgame Play - beyond the basics: 

Müller, Karsten; Pajeken, Wolfgang (2008), How to Play Chess Endings, 

Turning Advantage into Victory...Soltis