Endgame Magic

by John D. Beasley

"Sets out to entrance the reader, and succeeds." — British Chess Magazine
"My recommendation is when you do not possess the first edition, you should immediately buy this book." — Harold van der Heijden
Most strong players appreciate the depth of ideas that come from chess endgame studies, and this updated and revised introduction offers players a series of fascinating scenarios. The endgame study affords both beauty and entertainment, providing the equivalent of a short story in the world of chess.
Authors John Beasley and Timothy Whitworth are internationally acknowledged experts in the field. Rather than employing situations that have arisen in actual play, they have selected these challenging studies specifically for this volume in order to offer combinations far more subtle and spectacular than those produced over a board. The text is clearly worded and free from jargon. Three diagrams accompany each study, precluding the need for a chess set and making the book an ideal travel companion.

Genres: Chess

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1996

Reviews

[Lewis Manalo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I am such a nerd that I play chess by myself.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

While working on improving my endgame skills, I came across this book and thought I would give it a go. It promised to provide more context and text rather than simply repeating examples. In that sense the book succeeded, though it was not what I initially expected. This book is one of chess studies, hypothetical structures constructed by experts as puzzles, queries, or just fun thought experiments. It was enjoyable to see how much others enjoy the game of chess, so much so that they are willing to develop these intricate plots. I did not always appreciate the beauty or subtleties of the studies as much as the authors, and rarely were the solutions apparent to me. But sometimes it is just fun to appreciate the passion of others. This is that sort of book.

[Tomi Pakei · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gem for enthusiasts
Let's clear up about one thing: if you are looking for a book that will help you become an expert in [chess] endgame play, then just forget about 'Endgame Magic'(!).

But if you find that reading chess book(s) is some kind of recreational activity and you like endgame study, then this book will give you hours of fun. Satisfaction [and headaches] guaranteed.

Notation: figurine
Level: Intermediate-advanced