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Practical Chess Endings
An essential and practical book for all chess players, from one of the world's greatest grandmasters.
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of good endgame play—and rather than trying to cover every theoretical possibility, grand master Paul Keres looks in close detail at fewer, but carefully chosen, examples. He explains the fundamental principles and main ideas, giving players—even the great ones—the practical help they need to figure out the best moves for themselves. Keres concentrates on frequently occurring basic positions, going through elementary endings, like king and queen against king, as well as a wide range of pawn, queen, rook, bishop, and knight endings. Back in paperback, this classic chess study features new algebraic notation.
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of good endgame play—and rather than trying to cover every theoretical possibility, grand master Paul Keres looks in close detail at fewer, but carefully chosen, examples. He explains the fundamental principles and main ideas, giving players—even the great ones—the practical help they need to figure out the best moves for themselves. Keres concentrates on frequently occurring basic positions, going through elementary endings, like king and queen against king, as well as a wide range of pawn, queen, rook, bishop, and knight endings. Back in paperback, this classic chess study features new algebraic notation.
- GenresChess
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 4, 2010
A book for the serious player only. Paul Keres was one of the stronger players that never won the world championship. He defeated about 8 or 10 world champs in his day, however.
This is a book that ostensibly reaches out to beginning chess players by including instructions on basic endgame mates. (However, I wish he could've devoted more time to the bishop and knight mate. That one is very hard!)
I picked this book up toward the end of my serious chess studies. Full disclosure requires me to admit that I did not finish it. However, this content is a must for anyone wanting to take their game to the next level. There are tons of book out there that discuss how to open a chess game but what do you 50 moves later when most of the pieces are gone? This book gives a detailed examination of likely endgame scenarios. The analysis is very detailed. It will probably take you a long time to complete this book. Once you do, you should have an advantage over many of the players out there (provided you continue refining your endgame prowess). A good knowledge of the endgame will also help you formulate your strategy (mid-game). This book is an excellent vehicle toward that end.
This is a book that ostensibly reaches out to beginning chess players by including instructions on basic endgame mates. (However, I wish he could've devoted more time to the bishop and knight mate. That one is very hard!)
I picked this book up toward the end of my serious chess studies. Full disclosure requires me to admit that I did not finish it. However, this content is a must for anyone wanting to take their game to the next level. There are tons of book out there that discuss how to open a chess game but what do you 50 moves later when most of the pieces are gone? This book gives a detailed examination of likely endgame scenarios. The analysis is very detailed. It will probably take you a long time to complete this book. Once you do, you should have an advantage over many of the players out there (provided you continue refining your endgame prowess). A good knowledge of the endgame will also help you formulate your strategy (mid-game). This book is an excellent vehicle toward that end.
July 27, 2020
22 years ago I bought this book, and finally I finished it!
Enjoyed every moment of it, Paul Keres was a great writer and chess enthusiast.
Enjoyed every moment of it, Paul Keres was a great writer and chess enthusiast.
February 8, 2023
Babalik-balikan, lalo na’t nahirapan akong intindihin bunga ng sinaunang notasyon. Gayunpaman, magandang simulain ang libro ni Keres para sa mga tulad kong nangangamote sa endgame, haha. Pasasalamat sa kaibigang nagbigay nito sa akin na mula pa sa kanyang tatay na kilalang chess hustler sa Tundo.
October 31, 2017
nice book
December 2, 2020
Seven word review = Keres' endgame tome is finer than Fine's.
April 5, 2021
A great, great endgame classic. Very readable. Everything by Paul Keres has always been top quality.
September 8, 2014
Great book for brushing up on the practical side of endgames that everyone should know this is an early 1970's edition of Paul Keres book in descriptive notation there was a later edition released in algebraic notation that came out in 1984 it has a different cover.
I was thinking of buying Keres book from used book dealers but I didn't want to take the risk getting someone else's used copy that might have crayon and pen marks in it, torn corners, coffee stains in it and other surprises when I saw the reprint edition on Amazon I bought it instead.
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August 23, 2008isbn,original
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews