Endgame Strategy

by Mikhail Shereshevsky

In this widely acclaimed chess classic, Russian trainer Mikhail Shereshevsky explains how to master the most important endgame principles. Where other endgame manuals focus on the basics and theoretical endgames, this book teaches the ‘big ideas’ that will help you find the most promising and most practical moves in any endgame. Even in endgames, it helps to think schematically instead of trying to calculate every move. To maximize your winning chances, this invaluable manual will teach you lessons such as ‘do not hurry’ and ‘centralize your king’ or ‘fight for the initiative’. Endgame Strategy is considered to be one of the most important endgame manuals. In comparison with the 1981 publication, this new edition has been thoroughly revised and the author has added dozens of new and inspiring positions. The book is highly recommended by club players, coaches, and grandmasters alike. ‘I especially read the chapter “Do not hurry!” with pleasure; not just because I agree with what he says, but more importantly because it defines the playing style of Magnus Carlsen,’ said Grandmaster Simen Agdestein, long-time trainer of the Norwegian World Champion.

Genres: Chess, Games, Reference

480 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

To provide to soviet masters a good reference book about all the endgames, GM Yuri Averbakh (together with a couple of associates) was assigned to create five books (year-by-year), famously known as "the yellow books", which covered all the theoretically relevant endgames.
Shereshevsky's book was considered as "the missing 6th book", and if I remember well, Kasparov considered this book as one of the most important books in the history of chess.

[Evan Seghers · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first read this book, I hated it. I couldn't really say why, I just didn't think the examples were very instructive, because they weren't 'concrete' enough. It spoke to the endgame in general concepts, rather than the brute knowledge/memorization that I thought was needed.

Then 2 weeks after I read this book, I won a local tournament scoring 4/4, all 4 games conversions from drawn endgames into wins. I'm not really sure what messages really sunk in, but I feel better at endgames now. So I guess I'm an idiot, and this is a really great book.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for how to play late middlegames/early endgames with several sets of pieces of the board. The author does a great job going through some common strategies as highlighted in several games.

[Keith Samuel Lim Zhi Wei · Rating 5 out of 5]

very clear explanation.

[Isha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic book recommended for every chess player.

[Hydra · Rating 5 out of 5]

All-time classic, gives you valuable insight in the endgame.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having always been a fan of endgame play, I was always on the look out for books devoted to the subject. This book by Shereshevsky is one of the better ones. This isn't a beginners tome on the standard postions, but a strategic guide to playing endgames.

[Gabriel Victor]

Nice book...