Endings

As mentioned earlier, I've never been a fan of endgame study.  I've always been of the opinion that investment in opening study yielded far greater rewards, mostly coming from quick wins when someone stepped into an opening trap.

I've never given much (intentional) thought to openings from a strategic perspective.  What are the main ideas in a given position, what should my side be looking to accomplish?  What should I be looking to avoid?  Not appreciating the nuance of positional assessments, I have historically looked to validate an opening through analysis rather than judgement.

Not that I'm critical of myself in this regard.  Sharp openings are sharp because they typically require specific knowledge of the analysis.  There is no such thing as almost knowing the line.  You either know it or you don't and whoever remembers the particulars better will win.  A typical example of this is the Yugoslav attack in the Sicilian Dragon.

 In positions like this, you either know what you're doing or you're cooked.  Judgement simply does not come into play.

So now, wanting to improve my technique (and my results) opening selection will be a big part.  And since I will find myself, consequently, in more endings, developing some sense of what's going on in the endings will also, I believe, pay huge dividends.

With that in mind, I purchased Jeremy Silman's "Complete Endgame Course".  Tonight I will crack it open for the first time.  Check this blog periodically for the review...to the degree I'm competent to render one.

I will also, in future blogs, put up the list of other books I (hopefully) find helpful, and I will articulate exactly why I found them so.  Perhaps if they play a role in rehabilitating an older attacking-maniac, they might help you develop a more mature style as well.