Have you tried Silman?
Endgame Book for 2000+
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Oct 3, 2012
0
#3
BTW, I am a USCF 1625, always looking for ways to improve, what helped you the most when you were at my rating?
I looked through Silman, it is a little too basic for me.
And I didn't intensely study endgames at your rating actually (but it is still a good idea to study them is a good idea). I play good endgames because of playing with my dad, who is really good at endgames. So I can't give specific advice there, sorry.
Hehe, you want a 2000+ book with a rating of 1970 and complain Dvoretsky is over your head.
Well any 2000+ book will feel that way right? IMO just skip the parts where he gets heavy into theory, like some places in the rook chapter.
Haha so I guess I should be more modest with 2000 instead of 2000+. I want something I can really learn from without it being way over my head. But I have learned some useful things from Dvorestky, maybe if I focus a little more Ill get more out of it.
Yeah, sorry I couldn't be more helpful, if I knew a good book that fit the description better I'd tell you.
I slogged my way through Dvoretsky's book as a class B player. Certainly didn't absorb even half of it, but afterwards I was much better in endgames at least 
No you were helpful, Thanks!
I actually recently started Fundamental chess endings! So far its a good mix of review and more advanced techniques. I'll definitely look into 100 endings as well. Thanks!
I am a USCF 1970 rated player, and if I were to study one or two endgame books, which ones would you suggest? My endgame is pretty strong (I have held my own against quite a few 2100+ players), but I have tried to read Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual, and everything past pawn endings is way over my head. What books can help me to keep improving?
if I were to study one or two endgame books, which ones would you suggest?
After scanning the endgames of your games on your home page I have the following suggestions:
(Pawn Power In Chess can be purchased on line for about $10 at amazon.com or barnes&noble.com)
1. "Pawn Power In Chess", by Hans Kmoch Begin reading this book on page 104. After reading and studying from pg.104 to the end of the book; only then begin reading and studying the book from the beginning. This book is the encyclopedia of pawn theory and rudimentary technical details about pawns that will make it much easier to understand endgame technique in any endgame involving pawns. It will also give you a much deeper understanding and insightful perspective of the pawn endings in "Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual".
2. Yuri Averbak's Endgame Series--Do not read this set of endgame books
until you have read and studied Pawn Power In Chess.
What books can help me to keep improving?
1. GM John Nunn's endgame books (Secrets of Rook Endings, Secrets of Pawnless Endings, Secrets of Minor-Piece Endings, Nunn's Chess Endings Vol. 1 & 2) In these books you will find concepts like "reciprocal zugswang" and others. GM Nunn explains quite well the concepts and ideas he introduces.
After reading the above set of books you will have the tools to understand the rest of Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual.
roi_g11 wrote:
Transpo -- interesting tip on the Kmoch book. I'll have to go back to it.
I agree Nunn's book on rook endings is very good (if not the best), but the layout was not very user friendly. I haven't read his other books yet.
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Can you give me some details on what you mean by not user friendly.
Oct 5, 2012
0
#12
Nunn's books might be worth a look. While Dvoretsky's theoretical approach is comprehensive, Nunn focuses upon practical endgames.When I fell to 1970 this summer, my opponent (2060) said that he was able to win the endgame we played because he had been studying it in Capablanca's Best Chess Endings, so that may be worth a look, too.
Oct 5, 2012
0
#14
Get a magnetic set, or use an iPad with the book. I try book analysis in my head, enter it into a chess program without looking at the book, and then verify the accuracy. One hopes this process will develop calculation skills--essential in many endgames.
roi_g11 wrote:
Transpo -- it is organized very logically, but most pages were just walls of variations. You really need to study it with a chess board, which for me is hard because most of my available study time is during my commute. Other books have more diagrams which is easier for me to use.
Strong players only need one diagram, the one in their head. Until you have that diagram. Ziryab has some good suggestions for the interim.
Steps to creating a diagram in your head:
1. Memorize the original position.
2. Set it up on a physical chess board from memory.
3. Set it up piece by piece in your head from memory.
4. Practice reading scoresheets on the diagram in your head as far as you can. Start again from the first move and try going one move further everytime until you can play the entire game on the diagram in your head.
5. Practice reading chess books using only the diagram in your head.
When I was first starting out in chess NM Mark Ryan told me when you can read a chess book without a physical chess board and pieces you are well on your way to being a strong player (a professional gunslinger)
roi_g11 wrote:
This is getting a bit off-topic. I have pretty solid visualization skills and I play blindfold chess regularly (see my other posts). I have no problem following middlegame variations in my head.
Have you actually studied Nunn's rook secrets book? Not just skim through it, but seriously study it? I have. I have studied all of the books I recommended. I couldn't finish Nunn's book because it is so dense.
For the OP who asked for recommendations, Nunn's book is simply not as user friendly as the others. The material in it is very good (the best). But before you commit yourself to Nunn's intense several hundred page deep-dive into the very specific rook+pawn vs rook endings, you would be better served to study the other authors first who cover a much broader landscape of endings. When you're at the point of wanting to absolutely master rook+pawn vs rook endings, roll up your sleeves, get out the excedrin, and get ready to suffer...
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Have you ever watched a blitz game between two GMs. They are punching the clock so fast that it sounds like machine gun fire. The reason they can do that is because their Endgame Technique visualization pattern memory bank is so extensive that the moves virtually jump up off the board and smack them on the forehead in a flash.
In order to build an extensive endgame technique visualization pattern memory bank, it is necessary to trudge thru those walls of variations in Nunn's R endgame book looking for endgame technique themes.
I don't know of any R+p endgame book that summarizes the endgame techniques. There are plenty of books and videos that summarize general rules:
1. Almost all R+p endgames are draws
2. One's Rs belong behind enemy pawns
3. When the enemy K is on the bank rank, control the 7th rank laterally and keep the enemy K hemmed in on the back rank.
4. You should know the forced win of the Lucena Position so well you can do it in your sleep.
5. You should know the Philidor Position so well you can do it in your sleep.
6. You should know the K+R v K+Q ending so well you can do it in your sleep.
There are few others having to do with how many pawn islands are in your pawn structure and you opponent's pawn structure, what file your and your opponent's passers are located on, critical K and R positions on the board, etc.
Oct 8, 2012
0
#17
transpo wrote:
6. You should know the K+R v K+Q ending so well you can do it in your sleep.
There are few others having to do with how many pawn islands are in your pawn structure and you opponent's pawn structure, what file your and your opponent's passers are located on, critical K and R positions on the board, etc.
That's where I need to work, but deeper work on pawn endings is more likely to get me over 2000.
Endgame chessbooks can be a hard slug to get into, but any 1970 with ambitions to advance will have to slug through an endgame book, Capablanca's Chess Endings book is great place to start, also it is a cheap, durable Dover reprint -- although Chernev's soppy praise for Capa' got on my nerves; Capa's games were the early training source for Smyslov & Karpov (who also both have recent endgame books available on Amazon). Be warned, Chernev's notes are cloying & syrupy, yet very thorough, instructive and seem to be error-free.
Mueller's books are the premium professional standard. An easier read is Secrets of Chess Endgame Strategy by L B Hansen- it is accessible for 1900's (also Nunn's works), Silman is great for 1500+, 101 Chess Endgame Tips by Giddens is accessibly written.
Of course, you could do like me and re-read Chernev-- nowadays I skip the starting moves & go straight to the endgame diagram.
Oct 9, 2012
0
#19
Have you tried some of the endgame dvd's that are out now. Prices are high but might be more to your taste.
Hello,
I am a USCF 1970 rated player, and if I were to study one or two endgame books, which ones would you suggest? My endgame is pretty strong (I have held my own against quite a few 2100+ players), but I have tried to read Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual, and everything past pawn endings is way over my head. What books can help me to keep improving?