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Silman's Complete Endgame Course

@KMcGeoch said ^

Man, I don't know. People online literally say it's master level and even my coach said so. Dvoretsky's book is easily the BEST endgames book but it's also one of the most difficult. Its exercise are atleast master level.

Well you can check out https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/89025.pdf and look at the variations. If you work through it slowly it's not too hard to understand.

For example taking Peters - Browne example on page 17pdf/208 book the move 1.Rc8+ looks quite mysterious. However if you work through the position and read it carefully you'll see that point is that you get one of 3 outcomes

  1. Perpetual check i.e. a draw
  2. Black King goes to b1 so loses a tempi as it later needs to make way to allow pawn to promote.
  3. Black King goes to c1 and blocks Rd1 idea

The the Tarrasch - Blumich position is even simpler as it's a 4 move variation. The line not included that novices may assume is correct is 1.h6 Rb6 2.h7 Rh6+ picking up the pawn.

It's not an easy book to work through and you do need to work hard while going through it so it's not like a Silman book where you can casually skim through it. However if willing to put work in and if necessary check lines on a board and/or engine I don't think it's out of reach of any player who is 1200-1400+. If you are willing to put work in then it's worth it.

Most of the exercises are study-like positions. People here say that exercises can last hours: https://chess.stackexchange.com/questions/19901/endgame-study-how-much-time-per-exercise

@KMcGeoch said [^](/forum/redirect/post/VZqcqh7J) > > Man, I don't know. People online literally say it's master level and even my coach said so. Dvoretsky's book is easily the BEST endgames book but it's also one of the most difficult. Its exercise are atleast master level. > > Well you can check out https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/89025.pdf and look at the variations. If you work through it slowly it's not too hard to understand. > > For example taking Peters - Browne example on page 17pdf/208 book the move 1.Rc8+ looks quite mysterious. However if you work through the position and read it carefully you'll see that point is that you get one of 3 outcomes > > 1. Perpetual check i.e. a draw > 2. Black King goes to b1 so loses a tempi as it later needs to make way to allow pawn to promote. > 3. Black King goes to c1 and blocks Rd1 idea > > The the Tarrasch - Blumich position is even simpler as it's a 4 move variation. The line not included that novices may assume is correct is 1.h6 Rb6 2.h7 Rh6+ picking up the pawn. > > It's not an easy book to work through and you do need to work hard while going through it so it's not like a Silman book where you can casually skim through it. However if willing to put work in and if necessary check lines on a board and/or engine I don't think it's out of reach of any player who is 1200-1400+. If you are willing to put work in then it's worth it. Most of the exercises are study-like positions. People here say that exercises can last hours: https://chess.stackexchange.com/questions/19901/endgame-study-how-much-time-per-exercise

If you're spending hours on the position then you've probably not read chapter beforehand clearly and need to reread it. I don't take more than 10min on a position.

If you've not seen the solution then you didn't understand the position and what it sought from the reader.

If you saw the move but didn't calculate it correctly then it's working on how you calculate lines and see candidate moves.

In general solutions are relatively well annotated so if you got it wrong you should go through it and understand exactly why solution was as described and if still unsure reread the chapter

For example https://lichess.org/analysis/2k5/8/8/7p/8/8/6P1/5K2_w_-_-_0_1?color=white is a study and you may find it hard to understand. However if you then go back to chapter it explains how control of key squares in front of the pawn is crucial and as pawn advances key squares move forward so with pawn on g3 king can get to f5/g5/h5 but with pawn on g4 king is too slow to get to f6/g6/h6 so it's a draw. So important thing to consider isn't that it's the study but the concept being illustrated.

If you're spending hours on the position then you've probably not read chapter beforehand clearly and need to reread it. I don't take more than 10min on a position. If you've not seen the solution then you didn't understand the position and what it sought from the reader. If you saw the move but didn't calculate it correctly then it's working on how you calculate lines and see candidate moves. In general solutions are relatively well annotated so if you got it wrong you should go through it and understand exactly why solution was as described and if still unsure reread the chapter For example https://lichess.org/analysis/2k5/8/8/7p/8/8/6P1/5K2_w_-_-_0_1?color=white is a study and you may find it hard to understand. However if you then go back to chapter it explains how control of key squares in front of the pawn is crucial and as pawn advances key squares move forward so with pawn on g3 king can get to f5/g5/h5 but with pawn on g4 king is too slow to get to f6/g6/h6 so it's a draw. So important thing to consider isn't that it's the study but the concept being illustrated.

"... before discussing the specifics of Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual ..., a word of warning is in order. I must emphasize that this is a terribly advanced work that I don't think is a very good way for the average player to study the endgame. The majority of the examples are complex and position-specific, and neither the average student nor even strong masters will follow or play over most of the hundreds of positions that are given extensive analysis, not to mention the subvariations derived from those positions. Even when introducing 'the basics', Dvoretsky's approach is often more complex than is necessary for an average student, and in any case such a thick book will seldom be used for the sake of elementary instruction. The majority of the other material is frankly very difficult. So take note: I don't want to be blamed, in praising this book, for your purchasing something that you find intimidating, relatively dull, or otherwise unsatisfying. That said, if you are up to a real challenge and have a great deal of time to devote to reading and playing over examples you will inevitably derive great value from this work. ..." - IM John Watson (2005)
http://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/the-end-game-comes-before-we-know-it
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/3746.pdf

"... I believe that Jeremy Silman's Silman’s Complete Endgame Course (subtitled From Beginner to Master) deserved strong consideration for the 2007 ECF Book of the Year award; see the two books above. With the possible exception of the near-universally praised San Luis tournament book, which I have yet to see, I am positive that I would have voted it for first place (excluding my own books from consideration, of course!). ..." - IM John Watson (2007)
https://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/theres-an-end-to-it-all

“... I consider the approach towards the study of the endgame must be multi-staged and always keep the same pace as the player’s overall playing level. ...
In the first stage, it is enough to master the basic checkmates, King + Pawn vs. King endings, and to know which main material relations are winning or not; in addition a few exceptional and frequent situations, such as the Bishop + Wrong Rook’s Pawn ending, etc.
A second step in this first stage would involve the Philidor and Lucena Positions in Rook + Pawn vs. Rook endings, as well as some more ideas in pawn endings and opposite-coloured bishop endings. In this book, this would amount to Chapter 1 and Endings 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 65, 79, 80, 82, 86, 89, 90, 91 and 92.
... and actually that is enough until the moment one reaches, say, a FIDE rating of around 1900-2000. ...” - 100 Endgames You Must Know (2008) by GM Jesús de la Villa
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9026.pdf

"Chess Endings Made Simple by Ian Snape, ... 50 pages are devoted to exercises and answers aimed at reinforcing the theory section, ... I believe this book is suitable for players of all standards as it can be used either to learn the basics or to reinforce knowledge a reader already has (or a bit of both). ..." - Ted McHugh (2004)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708103438/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review430.pdf
http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Chess_Endings_Made_Simple.pdf

"... before discussing the specifics of Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual ..., a word of warning is in order. I must emphasize that this is a terribly advanced work that I don't think is a very good way for the average player to study the endgame. The majority of the examples are complex and position-specific, and neither the average student nor even strong masters will follow or play over most of the hundreds of positions that are given extensive analysis, not to mention the subvariations derived from those positions. Even when introducing 'the basics', Dvoretsky's approach is often more complex than is necessary for an average student, and in any case such a thick book will seldom be used for the sake of elementary instruction. The majority of the other material is frankly very difficult. So take note: I don't want to be blamed, in praising this book, for your purchasing something that you find intimidating, relatively dull, or otherwise unsatisfying. That said, if you are up to a real challenge and have a great deal of time to devote to reading and playing over examples you will inevitably derive great value from this work. ..." - IM John Watson (2005) http://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/the-end-game-comes-before-we-know-it https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/3746.pdf "... I believe that Jeremy Silman's Silman’s Complete Endgame Course (subtitled From Beginner to Master) deserved strong consideration for the 2007 ECF Book of the Year award; see the two books above. With the possible exception of the near-universally praised San Luis tournament book, which I have yet to see, I am positive that I would have voted it for first place (excluding my own books from consideration, of course!). ..." - IM John Watson (2007) https://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/theres-an-end-to-it-all “... I consider the approach towards the study of the endgame must be multi-staged and always keep the same pace as the player’s overall playing level. ... In the first stage, it is enough to master the basic checkmates, King + Pawn vs. King endings, and to know which main material relations are winning or not; in addition a few exceptional and frequent situations, such as the Bishop + Wrong Rook’s Pawn ending, etc. A second step in this first stage would involve the Philidor and Lucena Positions in Rook + Pawn vs. Rook endings, as well as some more ideas in pawn endings and opposite-coloured bishop endings. In this book, this would amount to Chapter 1 and Endings 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 65, 79, 80, 82, 86, 89, 90, 91 and 92. ... and actually that is enough until the moment one reaches, say, a FIDE rating of around 1900-2000. ...” - 100 Endgames You Must Know (2008) by GM Jesús de la Villa https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9026.pdf "Chess Endings Made Simple by Ian Snape, ... 50 pages are devoted to exercises and answers aimed at reinforcing the theory section, ... I believe this book is suitable for players of all standards as it can be used either to learn the basics or to reinforce knowledge a reader already has (or a bit of both). ..." - Ted McHugh (2004) https://web.archive.org/web/20140708103438/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review430.pdf http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Chess_Endings_Made_Simple.pdf

Never trust a chess book with complete in the title.

Dr John Nunn wrote a book on R+P v R endings by consulting an exhaustive tablebase. It was as complete as you can get but you won't see that word in the good doctor's title Secrets of Rook Endings. It's a good read, by the way, if you have trouble sleeping.

Never trust a chess book with complete in the title. Dr John Nunn wrote a book on R+P v R endings by consulting an exhaustive tablebase. It was as complete as you can get but you won't see that word in the good doctor's title Secrets of Rook Endings. It's a good read, by the way, if you have trouble sleeping.

@MatthewLikesChess said ^

Focus on the endgames part of it. Like i have the book to. im 1700. put the peices on the board. and practice the exact ENDGAMES. needed. for this. and you'll more remember then.

I already study the theory on a physical board. How should I practice? Against my self?

Well one simple method is to use LiChess' puzzles with the theme of Endgames selected.
As you go through the puzzles you can use Silman's book to work out why you failed a given the puzzle.
Also as it's rated you should be able to monitor your progress as well as be presented with endgames you're most likely to met online.

If I remember correctly, Silman recommends you play lots of games after each section - to incorporate the learning into your gameplay. Doing endgame puzzles should be just as efficient. Note, with the endgame it's important to do puzzles that present the complete sequence of moves rather than just the first move of an endgame position as endgames are likely to be 1 or 0.

As an aside, the Chess King website do lots of Endgame courses (effectively interactive books) where theory and practice-against-computer are combined - individual courses are usually cheaper than most endgame books and very good value, imo.

@MatthewLikesChess said [^](/forum/redirect/post/sNC6nWfO) > > Focus on the endgames part of it. Like i have the book to. im 1700. put the peices on the board. and practice the exact ENDGAMES. needed. for this. and you'll more remember then. > > I already study the theory on a physical board. How should I practice? Against my self? Well one simple method is to use LiChess' puzzles with the theme of Endgames selected. As you go through the puzzles you can use Silman's book to work out why you failed a given the puzzle. Also as it's rated you should be able to monitor your progress as well as be presented with endgames you're most likely to met online. If I remember correctly, Silman recommends you play lots of games after each section - to incorporate the learning into your gameplay. Doing endgame puzzles should be just as efficient. Note, with the endgame it's important to do puzzles that present the complete sequence of moves rather than just the first move of an endgame position as endgames are likely to be 1 or 0. As an aside, the Chess King website do lots of Endgame courses (effectively interactive books) where theory and practice-against-computer are combined - individual courses are usually cheaper than most endgame books and very good value, imo.

@lizani said in #25:

Never trust a chess book with complete in the title.
Dr John Nunn wrote a book on ...

Speaking of Dr John Nunn:
"... Some recent books that I enjoyed and can recommend include: ... Silman's Complete Endgame Course ..." - GM John Nunn (2010)
A previous discussion:
https://lichess.org/forum/general-chess-discussion/is-the-book-comprehensive-chess-endings-worth-it--and-the-silman-complete-endgame-course-

@lizani said in #25: > Never trust a chess book with complete in the title. > Dr John Nunn wrote a book on ... Speaking of Dr John Nunn: "... Some recent books that I enjoyed and can recommend include: ... Silman's Complete Endgame Course ..." - GM John Nunn (2010) A previous discussion: https://lichess.org/forum/general-chess-discussion/is-the-book-comprehensive-chess-endings-worth-it--and-the-silman-complete-endgame-course-

Personally, I gauge a book by how often I actuaslly use it. I haver used:

Dvoretsky's sparingly for serious study. Pure theory
100 Endgame that you must know by de Villa often
Fundamental Chess Endings enough
A Guide to Chess Endings by Euwe and Hooper
and a few others sparingly.

My winner is de Villa's book for learning PRACTICAL information (a sort pf pre-tourney smash to refresh your memory); FCE or DEM by Dvoretsky would tie for second and third. That is a practiccal assessment.

As for Endgame Puzzles, having a copy of Kasparyan's DOMINATION in 2,545 Endgame Studies is not a bad take. GHreat, thematic puzzles for you to solve.
+1 for chess king - good content and not overprcied, IHO.

Personally, I gauge a book by how often I actuaslly use it. I haver used: Dvoretsky's sparingly for serious study. Pure theory 100 Endgame that you must know by de Villa often Fundamental Chess Endings enough A Guide to Chess Endings by Euwe and Hooper and a few others sparingly. My winner is de Villa's book for learning PRACTICAL information (a sort pf pre-tourney smash to refresh your memory); FCE or DEM by Dvoretsky would tie for second and third. That is a practiccal assessment. As for Endgame Puzzles, having a copy of Kasparyan's DOMINATION in 2,545 Endgame Studies is not a bad take. GHreat, thematic puzzles for you to solve. +1 for chess king - good content and not overprcied, IHO.

@MatthewLikesChess said ^

Study the productions of endgame masters. There is plenty of excellent material with a 'Made in Norway' stamp.

So to consolidate knowledge of the endgame I should analyze games of endgame specialists?

Ha. 'Made in Norway' sounds like he is shucking for Magnus.

@MatthewLikesChess said [^](/forum/redirect/post/I8hGlQSr) > > Study the productions of endgame masters. There is plenty of excellent material with a 'Made in Norway' stamp. > > So to consolidate knowledge of the endgame I should analyze games of endgame specialists? Ha. 'Made in Norway' sounds like he is shucking for Magnus.

@ChessPriyome said in #28:

Personally, I gauge a book by how often I actuaslly use it. ...

[Event "rated classical game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/KFwiqEWH"] [Date "2022.03.19"] [Black "ChessPriyome"] [BlackElo "2070"]

"... everyone is different, so what works for one person may likely fail with another ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2002)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627084053/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman19.pdf

@ChessPriyome said in #28: > Personally, I gauge a book by how often I actuaslly use it. ... [Event "rated classical game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/KFwiqEWH"] [Date "2022.03.19"] [Black "ChessPriyome"] [BlackElo "2070"] "... everyone is different, so what works for one person may likely fail with another ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2002) https://web.archive.org/web/20140627084053/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman19.pdf