Assuming no specialized endgame knowledge, John Nunn presents 100 key endgame concepts, and explains how they are used to win games or save difficult positions. He covers all the main types of endgames and typical thinking methods, and so equips readers with all the skills needed to excel in this vital phase of the game up to good club level and beyond.
The endgame is the stage of the game where precision is most important, and where errors are punished most drastically. It is also deceptive: many endgame positions look too simple to require prior knowledge, but yet contain fiendish concealed pitfalls that can reverse the result of the game on the spot. Some key positions simply have to be memorized, as they can hardly be worked out at the board, especially when playing with today's faster time-controls.
In such perilous terrain, an expert guide is necessary. John Nunn could not be better qualified: he is a battle-hardened grandmaster of top-level over-the-board chess and a solving world champion. From his wealth of endgame expertise, he has distilled a course of fundamental knowledge that is highly targeted on practical success for all levels of players.
007 Introduction
009 King and Pawn Endings
046 Knight Endings
060 Same-Coloured Bishop Endings
074 Opposite-Coloured Bishop Endings
082 Bishop vs Knight Endings
096 Rook Endings
152 Rook vs Minor Piece Endings
172 Queen Endings
192 other Material Combinations
216 Tactical Ideas
228 Index of Players
231 Index of Composers and Analysts