Contents: 006 Symbols 007 Introduction 008 1 Pawnless Endgames 008 Mating with Bishop and Knight 009 Queen vs Rook 011 Rook and Bishop vs Rook 013 Rook vs Bishop 014 Rook vs Knight 017 2 King and Pawn Endgames 017 The Opposition - Basic Theory 018 The Opposition - Triangulation 019 The Opposition - Tempo Moves 019 Key Squares 020 Promotion Tricks 021 Entering the Square 022 The Shoulder Charge 023 The Queening Square 023 Key Features 025 Practical Examples 029 3 Rook vs Pawn(s) Endgames 029 The Shoulder Charge Reprised 030 The Rook Cut-Off 031 Standard Winning Technique 031 Forcing Underpromotion 032 The Strange Case of the Rook's Pawn 032 The Strength of the King 033 Rook vs Two Connected Pawns 035 4 Rook and Pawn Endgames 035 Basic Technique of Rook Deployment 035 Lucena Position 036 Third-Rank Defence (Philidor Position) 038 Forcing the King in Front of the Pawn 038 The Frontal Defence 040 Short-Side Defence 040 The Rook's Pawn and the VanCura Position 043 The Swinging Rook 043 Rook and Two Pawns vs Rook 045 Rook and Two Pawns vs Rook and Pawn 048 Rook and Four/Three Pawns vs Rook and Three/Two Pawns (No Passed Pawns) 050 Practical Examples 053 5 Knight Endings 053 Stopping a Pawn without the King's Support 054 Knight vs Two or Three Pawns 055 Mating-Nets 059 Knight vs Knight Endings 061 Practical Examples 064 6 Bishop Endings 064 Wrong-Coloured Bishop and Rook's Pawn 066 Frustrating Draws 066 Bishop vs Two or Three Pawns - Establishing a Blockade 067 Same-Coloured Bishops and Pawn(s) 073 Opposite-Coloured Bishops and Pawn(s) 075 Practical Examples 079 7 Bishop vs Knight Endings 079 Bishop and Pawn vs Knight 081 Knight and Pawn vs Bishop 081 Practical Examples 086 8 Queen Endings 086 Queen vs Pawn 089 Queen and Pawn vs Queen 090 The Power of the More Advanced Passed Pawn 091 Queen vs Rook and Pawn 092 9 Exercises 118 10 Answers 142 Index of Players

Catalogue text: Most chess-players are all too painfully aware of how many half-points and even full points they squander due to poor endgame play. However, they tend to imagine that improving their endgame play involves a massive amount of study of dry technical positions, and prefer to spend their time on other aspects of the game, perhaps in the unrealistic hope of avoiding endgames entirely. In this book, Ian Snape helps them to tackle endgames with more confidence, so that they look forward to playing them, and are more willing to simplify when this is the best course of action. The first half of the book discusses the areas of endgame theory that are most relevant to practical success. The second half features 100 exercises for the reader to solve, together with full solutions. All the exercises are taken from real games. Review(s): This book is: Targeted at those who would like to make a significant improvement in their endgame play and are willing to put in some time to do so. Based on learning patterns, concepts and plans rather than memorizing or calculating. Focused on those areas where the scope for improvement is likely to be greatest. Personally, I find it much easier to base my moves on an understanding of the plans and concepts associated with a particular position rather than the calculation of variations. Inevitably, however, some calculation is required. The rewards for improved endgame technique are significant. First, it is surprising how low the standard of play is in this area, often from otherwise strong players. Secondly, confidence is important in chess. A lack of confidence when approaching the endgame can result in an excess of draw offers in superior positions, especially against higher rated opponents. Conversely, if you approach the endgame with confidence not only will you play on many more positions to your advantage, but the mindset brought to the game by this confidence is likely to improve your results. The book is split into two parts. The first part deals with theory. The second part contains 100 exercises for the reader to solve, together with the related answers. All of the exercises are taken from real games - there are no compositions.