Fundamental Chess Endings

by Karsten Müller, Frank Lamprecht, John Nunn (Foreword by)

In a major event in chess publishing, two German endgame experts have produced a masterly one-volume encyclopaedia that covers all major endgames.

This is the first truly modern one-volume endgame encyclopaedia. It makes full use of endgame tablebases and analytical engines that access these tablebases; where previous authors could only make educated guesses, Müller and Lamprecht have often been able to state the definitive truth, or get much closer to it.

New time-controls involve competitive games being played to a finish in one session, so it is especially important that chess-players understand the key endgame principles. This book provides comprehensive assistance for any players wishing to study the endgame. In addition to a feast of detailed analysis, the authors emphasize the practical side of endgame play, describing rules of thumb, principles, and thinking methods.

Fundamental Chess Endings is both the ideal endgame reference work, and a book that can profitably and enjoyably be read from start to finish.

Genres: Chess, Games, Reference

416 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2001

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

FCE is a reference work that can be read as an instructional book. It is clear, concise, and contains exercises for a range of ability levels. So far I've found it both enjoyable and very helpful. It's amazing how much there is to be learned even about relatively simple positions!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you should read one book about the endgame, this must be it for sure. It has lots of puzzles about the topics described in the chapters which makes it a very instructive read. You might never finish reading this book but still you will learn lots of stuff.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential! Both encyclopaedia and instruction manual. Packed with exercises.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is useful in both cases: if you have never read such an endgame book, it will be a great help. On the other hand, if you have already done your homework by reading Dvoretsky or Nunn, this one could be useful as a repetition through fresh examples.
In both cases - it's highly recommended.
I almost forgot to mention, this was the Book of the Year 2002 by British Chess Federation.

[Stephen Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough endgame reference for serious players.