Originally posted by schakuhrSeconded. I have them both but I can see that most of Dvoretsky will be lost on me until I'm done with Silman.
Silman's complete endgame course is excellent; it divides endgames into rating groups (extremely user-friendly), gives very detailed explanation and gives only the most useful endgames (great quality).
Originally posted by schakuhrThirded.
Silman's complete endgame course is excellent; it divides endgames into rating groups (extremely user-friendly), gives very detailed explanation and gives only the most useful endgames (great quality).
[EDIT] I haven't read Seirawan's "Winning chess endings", but given my experience with the other "Winning chess" books, it could be a good primer, although Silman's book covers the most basic of endgames.
D
Originally posted by BudoCanuckHehehe - well said BudoCanuck!
http://www.streetfightingchess.com/
For those who haven't read my book, I am a little disparaging about all those who say the key to average players improving is by studying endings.
At the Glasgow Congress last weekend I saw a player (graded just over 1600) buying a book on endings from the bookstall. When I took a peek at his game that afternoon, he had left a piece en prise - later I noticed he had got back into the game, then he walked into a mate in one!
Endgames? Pah!
Originally posted by streetfighter100% totally agree.
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Endgames? Pah![/b]
The basics knowledge is all you need. How to mate with a Rook etc.
(never had to do it with two Bishops or any of the other wierd
mating pairings)😉
Games are won/lost in the Middle Game. This is the phase of the
game where the real chess player takes over.
Endgame Books are a con. You can work these things out for
yourself OTB. All you need to do is count up to 6 and remember
the King is a fighting piece.
All pawn take at the most 6 moves to to Queen. Endings are all
about Queening pawns...six moves...most of you could do it standing
on your head if only you had the faith in your inert ability.
Endgames? Pah!
-Removed-If you really are learning by your mistakes then you have
the makings of becoming a good player. I mean that.
A lot of players brush their losses and blunders under a carpet
self preserving their ego - they cannot face the fact the made
a mistake or that someone played chess than them.
Regarding books - and a good chess book, unlike books on other
sports, can really help you improve.
I always suggest what worked for me
Loginal Chess by Chernev.
The Most Instructive Games by Chernev.
Chess for Dummies, which I have not read, is often suggested
by players on here whose opinion I respect. Give that a try.
My favourite books are also game collections.
The good ones are from players who have all but retired and give
away everything. Taimanov, Smyslov, Gufeld and Bronstein. etc.
Fischer's 60, Larsen and Alekhines are exceptions - they were still on
top of their game when they produced their best or memorable games.
Top two for me is Tartakowers Best Games.
Brilliant games by an excellent and entertaining writer.
and
Tarrasch's Best games by Reinfeld (and Tarrasch).
If you read and study that book and don't improve by 100% then
give up. Chess is not for you.
of the two of them... Silman's not only is it a solid starting book, but it will take you a long way. Dvoretsky's is for the hard core endgame fan/2000+ players; it is a ton of work while Silman provides better English explanations rather than variations.
Another option is Pandolfini's Endgame Course which is laid out in a natural progression of lessons, and if you can visualize decently you don't need a board to study it (it's my bathroom reader)!