I topped out as a USCF A player. And like may i went with Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual, which was way over my head. Human nature. We don't like to admit we aren't as good as we want to think we are :-)
I have the Mueller book. It was still more than i wanted, or needed.
Silmans book was perfect for me!
I would also suggest De laVilla's 100 end games you must know.
I have the Mueller book. It was still more than i wanted, or needed.
Silmans book was perfect for me!
How would you compare Silman's book with Muller's book in terms of accuracy. I like that Muller's book seems to be covering almost all eventualities with lot's of examples. On the other hand sometimes find their conclusions a bit vague and the material is not very engaging.
I found this review of Silman's book. At this point in my endgame studies I think I would appreciate a bit of humor like this:
https://youtu.be/YP4ykU5bV0M?t=294
Both Dvoresky's Endgame Manual and Fundamental Chess Endings are both considered reference manuals, rather than being set up for easy study. Not that you can't do that.
And Dvoreskey's Endgame Manual was edited by Muller.
Your far better off getting Siman's Endgame Course. It's set up to teach endgames by level.
Class E first, Class D 2nd section, all the way up to a section on endgames that are close to master level.
I have the Mueller book. It was still more than i wanted, or needed.
Silmans book was perfect for me!
How would you compare Silman's book with Muller's book in terms of accuracy. I like that Muller's book seems to be covering almost all eventualities with lot's of examples. On the other hand sometimes find their conclusions a bit vague and the material is not very engaging.
Silmans book is written to be engaging, fun, and still able to learn from.
Dvoresky's Endgame Manual and Fundamental Chess Endings are way more in depth, and will need much more study/concentration to benefit from it.
Honestly I would go with de la Villa's book. Its not as "funny" as Silmans, but i do think it is more in depth, but still more on par with Silmans book.
@NotYourAveragePlayer -
At your level, and the fact that you have been studying Muller & Lamprecht, I would agree with IMBacon that de la Villa's book would be appropriate.....as, of course, would be Silman's Complete Endgame Course.
One Hundred Endgames You Must Know...
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=jesus+de+la+villa&i=stripbooks&crid=31TUS5X97JNAH&sprefix=jesus+de+la%2Caps%2C214&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_11
Note that in comparison to Silman's endgame book, all other endgame books will probably be perceived as "dry"....it's simply the nature of the subject. Silman has a talent which is rare in chess book authors, the ability to effectively engage and connect with his readers. As a writer of chess books that are targeted to the amateur player, he is one of the best.
… Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual ...
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
http://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/the-end-game-comes-before-we-know-it
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/2703.pdf
… Silmam's Complete Endgame Course ...
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708103149/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review594.pdf
https://www.silmanjamespress.com/shop/chess/silmans-complete-endgame-course/
http://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/theres-an-end-to-it-all
<snip>...</snip>
I would also suggest De laVilla's 100 end games you must know.
This is a very good book, in particular didactically.
... De laVilla's 100 end games you must know.
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708105702/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review645.pdf
http://www.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/100-Endgames-You-Must-Know-78p3863.htm
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9026.pdf
Silman's book is great as it is ordered by rating. DEM is complex, but pretty much essential reading if you are 2000+
Van Perlo's Endgame Tactics is also great
I have both the Dvoretsky and the Silman book. I have several Silman books and I have to say that, in general, I am not overly pleased with them. His endgame book is the exception, I think it's a very good book. It doesn't have the depth nor reaches the level of Dvoretsky but it covers what almost all of us need and is much easier to understand and use. I did find a problem with one of his bishop examples in the version I have. I posted about it here: https://www.chess.com/forum/view/endgames/bishop-endgame-analysis
There was a titled player, whose posts are now gone, who basically agreed with my analysis. It was a minor point and like most of the others here I recommend the Silman book.
if u have a lot of money john bartholomew put the 100 endgames u must know in a video series on chessable
if u have a lot of money john bartholomew put the 100 endgames u must know in a video series on chessable
You can order that without video. The pricing for the video seems obscene.
if u have a lot of money john bartholomew put the 100 endgames u must know in a video series on chessable
You can order that without video. The pricing for the video seems obscene.
Agreed. I enjoy the site. The chessable books are great. But what they charge for the video lessons??? Stupid outrageous.
if u have a lot of money john bartholomew put the 100 endgames u must know in a video series on chessable
You can order that without video. The pricing for the video seems obscene.
Agreed. I enjoy the site. The chessable books are great. But what they charge for the video lessons??? Stupid outrageous.
Every now and then they sell it for something like 50% and call it a sale :/
if u have a lot of money john bartholomew put the 100 endgames u must know in a video series on chessable
You can order that without video. The pricing for the video seems obscene.
Agreed. I enjoy the site. The chessable books are great. But what they charge for the video lessons??? Stupid outrageous.
Every now and then they sell it for something like 50% and call it a sale :/
About 100 years ago when i was in high school. There was a local car stereo place that had a 90% off sale every weekend. They would mark everything up 200%, and then have a 90% off sale. And every weekend the place would be packed.
It's not just the quality of the book, but how appropriate it is for YOU, at THIS POINT in you chess journey. Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual is pretty explicitly aimed at Strong masters and IMs who want to get to the next level, and GMs who feel the need to strengthen that aspect of their play. If you're a 1500-payer right now, this great book will probably be a poor choice NOW.
I borrowed a copy from a friend, and it's an amazing book--and amazingly hard. I don't believe it's the best book for me, at least not yet. When I've studied the Silman book through the expert chapter and feel confident that I am the master of that material, I'll give Dvorestsky another try.
"How to Supercharge Your Ferrari" might not be the best book to read while you're learning to drive
It's not just the quality of the book, but how appropriate it is for YOU, at THIS POINT in you chess journey. Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual is pretty explicitly aimed at Strong masters and IMs who want to get to the next level, and GMs who feel the need to strengthen that aspect of their play. If you're a 1500-payer right now, this great book will probably be a poor choice NOW.
I borrowed a copy from a friend, and it's an amazing book--and amazingly hard. I don't believe it's the best book for me, at least not yet. When I've studied the Silman book through the expert chapter and feel confident that I am the master of that material, I'll give Dvorestsky another try.
"How to Supercharge Your Ferrari" might not be the best book to read while you're learning to drive
Good advice and yet how many posts do we see on a daily basis from people that barely know how the piece move and they are asking:
"What is an aggressive opening to play?"
"Im rated 1000 OTB. Im studying Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual"
"I know the <insert opening here> 20 moves deep. How come i keep losing?"
I know its not just this site, but i have never seen so many people over estimate their abilities.
Which endgame manual do you recommend and why?
I am currently reading Frank Lamprecht and Karsten Muller's fundamental chess endgames.
Thus far I have completed the chapters on Pawn-Endgames, Knight Endgames, Bishop Endgames, Knight & Bishop Endgames. However, I find the material quite dry and I difficult to remember, especially the chapters on bishops and knights.