Don't buy more books. Once I read the advice: It's better to read one book twenty times than twenty books. Iirc it was D. King in his blog. This is important because it's true. Search "overlearning" if you like scientific data why.

You're strong enough to decide what you need and old enough to decide what you like out of your list. 

The problem will be - you really need practice otb to become better. So what you're doing is more about fun than about serious training. That's all right.

I am currently reading and going through Endgame Strategy by Shereshevsky. I think it's a really good book (which seems to be everyone's view). Personally I think it gets the basic messages across really well.

I know you're not looking to get more books but books such as Endgame Virtuoso Anatoly Karpov and Capablanca's Best Chess Endings make excellent light reading IMO.
It can be instructive - after reading for example Endgame Strategy or How to Play Chess Endgames - to go through some endings in the Karpov or Capablanca books and find out for one self which principles from the instruction manuals are being applied. Without being told by someone else!

chk wrote on 01/17/13 at 11:03:57:


Not sure I want to buy more. But Rosen looks like it is worth a look since I am convinced more than ever of the value of the problem solving approach.

I don't think I need Nunn since I already have Fundamental Chess Endings by Muller & Lamprecht

chk wrote on 01/17/13 at 11:03:57:


Some of the sellers of used copies of this book on amazon.com do ship internationally - but it can be expensive of course.

Well, I can give you my opinions on some of the books you have:

1. Grandmaster Secrets: Endings. Kind of breezy, but it's nice to have a chatty description of how strong players really think about endings. It can give you a good idea of what is best to concentrate on.

2. Essential Chess Endings. I love this book! It really is the most important 150 pages worth of endgame material you should learn.

5. Rate Your Endgame. One of my favorites. You have to do most of the work, which is what makes it so valuable.

7. Learn from the Legends. Marin is so great. No one makes it a pleasure to read through every variation like him. I don't know how much I actually retained from this though.

8. Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual. A really good reference. (Mueller's is good too, but you really only need one.) Surprisingly readable too.

I recommend getting a Chess Tempo account and doing endgame problems there; it's really good for mastering theory.

Try: chess.com to see if it is what you want.

My already intermittent chess playing career is about to go through another lengthy hiatus since I am embarking on some part time professional  study over the next two years. So being a student, combined, with a full time job, doing  part time lecturing and parenting  duties, I just won't have time time to play in tournaments for a while. 

My peak FIDE rating was 2150 when i was most active. Yet,  I have never completed a single endgame book in entirety, so in spite of having a positional style, endgame  is clearly not an area of strength. 

So inspired by Jonathan Hawkins and unshackled from the demands of tournament break, I have decided to focus my chess study time solely on endgames over the next two years. I will worry about opening study and other stuff when I resume competitive play. I estimate four months to thoroughly study one book, the maximum I can get done in that time six books. 

I am trying to put together a list that allows me  to over learn, but with a balance that includes technical theory, endgame strategy, endgame tactics, complete games and real serious stuff. I welcome any  suggestions and thoughts on my shortlist:

1.Grandmaster Secrets Endings by 
Andy Soltis and Rob Long (Apetizer)
2. Essential Chess Endings: The Tournament Player's Guide by James Howell (For Technical Theory)
3.   Amateur to IM - Jonathan Hawkins (For study methods)
4. EITHER Endgame Strategy  Books) by M. I. Shereshevsky OR How to Play Chess Endgames by Karsten Muller & Wolfgang Pajeken (For strategic endgames)
5. Rate Your Endgame by Edmar Mednis and  Colin Crouch (I bought this on Eric the Red's ringing endorsement and like the testing approach)
6. The Greatest Ever Chess Endgames [
Steve Giddins. (for collection of master endgames
7. Learn from the Legends 2nd edition by Mihail Marin (Marin is a joy to read)
8. Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual by Mark Dvoretsky (For real meat)
9. Endgame Analysis by Mark Dvoretsky  (For more meat
10.Tactical Chess Endings: Improve Your Chess by Unlocking the Secrets of the Endgame by John Nunn (For Endgame Tactics)

Believe it or not, all these books I currently already own.