Endgame Strategy (Cadogan Chess Books) Paperback – April 1, 1994

This is one of the great classics of endgame instructional literature. As the title indicates, it is on strategic endgames, so this is different from a manual like Dvoretsky or Mueller, which are mainly about theoretical endgames, that is, endgames with few pieces that can be analyzed exactly to their end result. So start with the theoretical material, then move on to this volume after you have mastered basic endgame theory. In this volume you will learn vital concepts of endgame play like centralizing the king, the principle of the two weaknesses, "do not hurry", struggling for the initiative, how to exchange, suppressing counterplay, and schematic thinking. So obviously this is more advanced material. How advanced? Well, there is Capablanca-Alekhine, NY 1924, where even the great Capa went wrong and missed a likely win. The volume was published initially in 1985, and includes many classic examples such as the above, Janowski-Capablanca, NY 1916, Saidy-Fischer, US, 1964, and many, many others. Just about every piece combination is looked at, and there are copious verbal explanations of the play. American IM Jeremy Silman has this on his short list of 3 books that you need to master to bring your endgame play up to 2300 level, which is a very high recommendation indeed. (His other 2 are Howell's Essential Chess Endings, and Soltis' GM Secrets volume.) Whichever basic theoretical text you first master, this should be your next step. The only alternative that I would consider to this volume is Mueller's great 'How to Play Chess Endgames', a more recent volume that is even more detailed than this one, and covers similar material. Highly recommended.

I bought and studied this book years ago when a younger man and recently re-purchased it because of the book's format and simple layout. So many chess books confront the reader with endless, complicated variations. Shereshevsky's Endgame Strategy focuses on formulating the correct plan and only then turns to concrete analysis in order to achieve this plan. The examples are taken from actual games so they are practical demonstrations on how to mastervarious endings and not theoretical studies which a player may never meet in over the board play. Every chess player needs a sprinkling of books like this in their library...something which provides a generalized over view yet is relatively easy to get through while at the same time not superficial. A study of this book won't make you a Bobby Fischer or a Gary Kasparov but it should improve the endgame technique of any player rated under 2200.

This is a great book, only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is the lack of board printouts when they go into 5-10 move variations from the "current position". Best way to explain this is the book goes 6-7 moves deep then gives alternate lines that go another 5-10 moves deep without printing the current position. When reading this book I find it hard to follow multiple variations 10-20 moves deep then go back the the 5-10th move to go into a different variation. I'd recommend a physical board to follow along on most of the examples that are given in this book. That being said, the examples are worth studying with the physical board.

I know several strong chess masters who the recomendation for a good endgame understanding is nothing more than this book.I myself got it, with no regrets.Shereshevsky explains, with a very clear didatic, how we can work out the main themes presented in a endgame.The capter about schematic thinking is very elucidatory: it reminds the explanations from Roberto Grau at his 4th tome (superior strategy), but shereshevsky's exemple are more faceted.It treats about other strategy crucial themes, like how to get the iniciative, how important is the acuracy in chosing the piece to exchange, and how we can explore a d5 isolated pawn (a very important, and also classic, strategy theme).As a 2200 rated player, i can garantee: with the basic endgames studies from Y. Averbach,V. Smyslov and I. Maizelis added of this one, you will not worry about anything more!

More of a how to than puzzles, endgame, themes, winning policies and endgame strategy ideas are discussed and well covered. Get this one no the older one.

Legendary book!

Excellent for showing how to play quiet late middle game positions. Probably better for players who have already read a first book on endgames.

A classic of endgame strategy, Explaining how to conduct the endgame beyond learning theoretical positions. if you're 1600-2200 and you havent read it....read it!

Um dos melhotes livros de xadrez disponível. Um tratado sobre pensar xadrez. Se voce tiver que escolher 5 livros de xadrez para estudar, este certamente é um deles

Excelente libro de finales

Endgame strategy contains some very helpful games showing how to exploit the smallest of advantages. Although you have to think for yourself it provides valuable tips on how to improve your game.

Excellent book

Ein tolles Buch, das anhand ausgewählter Partien wichtige Grundprinzipien des Endspiels vermittelt.Die Raum greifende Notation ermöglicht es dem Leser, individuelle Notizen einzutragen. Praktisch ein Muss für ambitionierte Schachspieler.