Fundamental Chess Endings (Paperback)

~ Karsten Muller (Author), Frank Lamprecht (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In a major event in chess publishing, two German endgame experts have produced a masterly one-volume encyclopedia that covers all major endgames. This is the first truly modern one-volume endgame encyclopedia. It makes full use of endgame tablebases; where previous authors could only make educated guesses, Muller 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 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.

About the Author

Karsten Muller is a young grandmaster from Germany, who competes regularly in the Bundesliga and in international events. He finished third in the German Championship in 1996, and was runner-up in 1997. He is a noted authority on both practical and theoretical endgames. Frank Lamprecht is also from Germany, and is an international master. He has been a chess trainer since 1983 and was also co-author (with Karsten Muller) of the highly acclaimed "Secrets of Pawn Endings."

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Gambit Publications (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1901983536
• ISBN-13: 978-1901983531
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #481,917 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for VERY experienced player!, January 24, 2003

By	Igor Khmelnitsky (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews

Content:
This is a very thick (416 pages) and large book that combines all major types of endgames in one single volume. While at the heart of this book is a vast number of endgame positions classified by piece presents annotated in great detail, you will also find a lot of general terminology explained, many brief comments inserted in the analysis that help understand the general principles, thinking approach and other practical issues. After each chapter, you can practice several exercises.

Quality:
I dislike the use of softcover for such a thick and large book, I doubt it will hold up for a long. This is a shame, since, otherwise, this is a perfect edition. Nice clear diagrams, easy indicator whose move it is and what you are expected to do. Also, the text is easy to read and follow. Sometimes, when analysis go for more than 10 moves, having another diagram would really help. On the other hand, you really should use the chess board when studying, so this is not such a big issue. Authors are well known experts in combining endgame analysis on the chess board with the latest computer hardware and software. I have been through several examples and found very detailed analysis, good references to previous publications and timely general comments.

Who will benefit
There are many quality endgames books and software on the market. Whether or not you want to add this not [inexpensive] book to your library is up to you. I believe, that practically everyone above 1800, who is familiar with basic endgame principles and have good calculation skills, will benefit from going through this books. In fact I would suggest the following approach- set up each position on the board (or from the diagram in the book); find out whose move it is; develop plans for both sides; calculate variation as deep as you can; compare your plans and variation with the authors analysis.

Overall
An excellent book for home studying for experienced players who are familiar with basic endgames and have developed good calculation skills. If you still working on developing those, I would suggest - Alburt's "Just the Facts", Averbakh's "Chess Endings Essential Knowledge." For studying on the go, I would suggest Concise Chess Endings by McDonald.

Good luck,
Copyrighted by me

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A massive masterpiece, November 25, 2002

By	Petrosian (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

With quickplay finishes requiring most chess games to be finished in one sitting, having proper knowledge of the endgame is even more important. Adjournments for extensive analysis are thus abolished, requiring the player to have this crucial endgame knowledge at his (or her) fingertips. This book will help you attain that goal.

Please read what Grandmaster Lubosh Kavalek had to say (November 25, 2002 Washington Post chess column)

"An endgame book does not often win a prestigious award, but "Fundamental Chess Endings" by Karsten Muller and Frank Lamprecht and issued by Gambit Publications in London, could not have been overlooked by the judges of the British Chess Federation's 2002 Book of the Year Award. The clearly written volume honored by the BCF was conceived as a textbook, divided into 12 chapters with exercises. It has been meticulously checked by computer programs, correcting mistakes and some myths of the past. I wish the book had been around in the '60s, '70s or '80s when players could have learned endgames by adjourning them and consulting such a manual."

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Monumental Achievement, December 26, 2001

By A Customer

I believe we are living in the Golden Age of chess. Many, if not most, of the greatest players of all time are young and active today. While I admit that the above statement is debatable, I am far more certain that we are living in the Golden Age of chess writing. Of course, there's plenty of garbage out there; but if you're looking for good stuff, it's almost as easy to find, thanks in large part to Gambit, the British company that publishes chess books and nothing but chess books.
There are at least four large one-volume encyclopedic works on the endgame: Fine's BASIC CHESS ENDINGS, Keres's PRACTICAL CHESS ENDINGS; Wade, Speelman and Tisdall's BATSFORD CHESS ENDINGS; and now this one. Its three predecessors are excellent works in themselves, but this has a good shot at being generally regarded as the best of them all. Why? Well, it's as well written as the others; it's designed to be read cover-to-cover as a series of lessons or as a reference work, and it's all computer-checked for accuracy. There are sure to be some errors--I hope mostly typographical rather than analytical--but as long as there aren't very many of them, the book should be a great help to anyone wishing to improve his practical results by knowing more about the endgame than his peers. I haven't read the whole book yet, but so far my opinion is that big books on endings don't get any better than this.