I do not know where people are claiming that BCE is error-ridden. Quite a charge to make. Are there mistakes in it? Sure. But ECO has many errors in it. One master even published a book Busts in ECo. Do grandmasters stop using it? Certainly not. Usually when BCE is criticized, it is in Fine's footnote examples, which have been refuted by analysis, which analysis itself was refuted. But the principles he teaches are solid and true.
Book Recommendation for Endgame
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I always liked Analysing the endgame by Speelman. Sadly this book is out of print, but you might get your hands on an old copy via Amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ANALYSING-ENDGAME-Tournament-Players-Collection/dp/0713460644
tlay80 wrote:
ghost_of_pushwood wrote:
BCE is ancient and legendarily riddled with holes.
Is the (apparently out-of-print) edition that was revised by Benko still error-ridden?
"... the book is now in algebraic notation and the layout has in some ways been improved. ... Perhaps the greatest disappointment ... lay in the failure to correct many of the errors in Fine's book. ... I don't think it is acceptable in the 21st century to produce an endgame book without computer- and database-checking. ..." - GM John Nunn (2006)
Nwap111 wrote:
... Are there mistakes in [Basic Chess Endings]? Sure. But ECO has many errors in it. One master even published a book Busts in ECo. Do grandmasters stop using it? Certainly not. Usually when BCE is criticized, it is in Fine's footnote examples, which have been refuted by analysis, which analysis itself was refuted. ...
Apparently, GM Nunn's view was that there were a noteworthy number of errors in the revised Fine ending book. As I remember it, there was a regular effort to revise ECO. Are grandmasters still using it? When was the last time that a hard copy was published?
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627063241/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen145.pdf
What I do know is that GM Nunns opinion was not quoted in full, The beginning of the quote says that Nunn suggests the book for its instructional value. This is all I was saying to the poster who asked for suggestions of endgame books which are about the instructional side of the endgame. In other words, He wanted a book that explains endgame principles. Fine's book does that. Google the book, and you will find where people give it a rating, a very high rating by those who have read it. That I know.
kindaspongey wrote:
fgermuth wrote:
… I also tried "Endgame Strategy" by Shereshevsky, but it doesnt explain well enough IMO, maybe i am just too weak for it^^
"... one will not learn the basics from [Shereshevsky's 'Endgame Strategy'] at all; ... I like this book a lot, but it has more to do with transitions from the middlegame than with endings themselves." - IM John Watson (2000)
https://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/endings-endings-endings
If that is IM John Watson's view of Shereshevsky's book, I would like to know what he thinks a book on endgame strategy should contain. Basically, Shereshevsky has been copied by numerous authors since. In my view, Shereshevsky three books on the strategy in the endgame ('Endgame Strategy' and 'Mastering the Endgame' vol I & II) are some of the best endgame books to be had for money, and likely to improve your playing strength considerably.
Jun 27, 2019
0
#28
BonTheCat wrote:
kindaspongey wrote:
fgermuth wrote:
… I also tried "Endgame Strategy" by Shereshevsky, but it doesnt explain well enough IMO, maybe i am just too weak for it^^
"... one will not learn the basics from [Shereshevsky's 'Endgame Strategy'] at all; ... I like this book a lot, but it has more to do with transitions from the middlegame than with endings themselves." - IM John Watson (2000)
https://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/endings-endings-endings
If that is IM John Watson's view of Shereshevsky's book, I would like to know what he thinks a book on endgame strategy should contain. Basically, Shereshevsky has been copied by numerous authors since. In my view, Shereshevsky three books on the strategy in the endgame ('Endgame Strategy' and 'Mastering the Endgame' vol I & II) are some of the best endgame books to be had for money, and likely to improve your playing strength considerably.
What it is is one persons opinion. It carries as much weight as someone allows it.
If i had had refused to see a movie based on a review, I would have missed out on a lot of good movies.
BonTheCat wrote:
kindaspongey wrote:
fgermuth wrote:
… I also tried "Endgame Strategy" by Shereshevsky, but it doesnt explain well enough IMO, maybe i am just too weak for it^^
"... one will not learn the basics from [Shereshevsky's 'Endgame Strategy'] at all; ... I like this book a lot, but it has more to do with transitions from the middlegame than with endings themselves." - IM John Watson (2000)
https://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/endings-endings-endings
If that is IM John Watson's view of Shereshevsky's book, I would like to know what he thinks a book on endgame strategy should contain. Basically, Shereshevsky has been copied by numerous authors since. In my view, Shereshevsky three books on the strategy in the endgame ('Endgame Strategy' and 'Mastering the Endgame' vol I & II) are some of the best endgame books to be had for money, and likely to improve your playing strength considerably.
It has been a while since I looked at the original, so maybe there is something that I have forgotten, but my assumption has been that Watson was being positive about the book and just trying to make sure that nobody bought the book with the expectation of learning the usual basic endgame material. Here is a review:
https://www.chess.com/article/view/quotendgame-strategyquot-by-mikhail-shereshevsky
"... The second part of [The Shereshevsky Method] is a concentrated version of Endgame Strategy, ..."
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9056.pdf
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/mikhail-shereshevsky/
Not entirely endgame, but might be helpful as well
https://www.chessable.com/chess-structures-a-grandmaster-guide/course/14540/
"... Chess structures: A Grandmaster Guide is not a primer of positional play; for that, try Michael Stean's Simple Chess, Herman Grooten's Chess Strategy for Club Players, or Silman's ... How to Reassess Your Chess. Instead, you might think of Chess Structures as positional chess 'finishing school.' ..." - John Hartmann
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/chess-structures-a-grandmaster-guide/
https://www.qualitychess.co.uk/ebooks/Flores_Rios_Chess_Structures-excerpt.pdf
IMBacon: Hehe, very true!
Jun 28, 2019
0
#33
Essential Chess Endings by James Howell is one that I quite like for its explanations of simple endings.
Jun 28, 2019
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#34
- Van Perlo's endgame tactics
- 100 Endgames you must know
Both are available on Chessable.
Survival Guide to Rook Endings
https://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/endings-endings-endings
Van Perlo's Endgame Tactics
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708234128/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review555.pdf
http://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/theres-an-end-to-it-all
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/996.pdf
"... the 2000+ player for which 100 Endgames You Must Know is really intended ..."
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708105702/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review645.pdf
"... Players from 2000 up to International Master will find 100 ENDGAMES YOU MUST KNOW quite useful." - IM John Donaldson
http://www.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/100-Endgames-You-Must-Know-78p3863.htm
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9026.pdf
Jul 9, 2019
0
#36
I may have all of the endgame books mentioned. The one I would recommend to the OP is Averbakh, Chess Endings: Essential Knowledge. That book gets to the heart of the issues with clear explanations and is a short book. When you’ve devoured that book and find yourself wanting more, browse a good bookstore or read Kindle samples to find the next.
The book I reference most often in my own study is Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual.
Currently, however, I am enjoying Van Perlo’s Endgame Tactics, which is a joy to read.
"... before discussing the specifics of Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual [henceforth 'DEM'], a word of warning is in order. I must emphasize that this is a terribly advanced work that I don't think is a very good way for the average player to study the endgame. The majority of the examples are complex and position-specific, and neither the average student nor even strong masters will follow or play over most of the hundreds of positions that are given extensive analysis, not to mention the subvariations derived from those positions. Even when introducing 'the basics', Dvoretsky's approach is often more complex than is necessary for an average student, and in any case such a thick book will seldom be used for the sake of elementary instruction. The majority of the other material is frankly very difficult. So take note: I don't want to be blamed, in praising this book, for your purchasing something that you find intimidating, relatively dull, or otherwise unsatisfying. That said, if you are up to a real challenge and have a great deal of time to devote to reading and playing over examples you will inevitably derive great value from this work. ..." - IM John Watson (2005)
http://www.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Dvoretskys-Endgame-Manual-3rd-Edition-78p3502.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708233815/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review399.pdf
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/2703.pdf
Jul 10, 2019
0
#38
"Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others;..."
Francis Bacon, "Of Studies" (1625)
BCE is ancient and legendarily riddled with holes.
Is the (apparently out-of-print) edition that was revised by Benko still error-ridden?