Artikelnummer
LEPERCES
Autor
An Introduction to Chess Endgame Studies
The Fine Art of the Royal Game
240 Seiten, gebunden, Russell Enterprises, 1. Auflage 2025
The Fine Art of the Endgame Study
The chess endgame study has a long and storied history and occupies a unique place in chess because of its similarity to practical play. Many studies contain beautiful ideas and combinations. Solving or even simply playing through endgame studies is an effective method of studying the strategic and tactical elements of play and contributes to the growth of the number of fans of this chess art.
However, many chessplayers are unaware or apprehensive of endgame studies. The studies seem to be almost other-worldly. But now, for the first time, a world-class endgame composer explains the basics of studies, from the basic terms and themes, to solving and even composing endgame studies!
If you have always wanted to explore endgame studies but thought they were too abstract or difficult, this book is for you. The author breaks down all the basic themes, with examples and clear explanations.
The book you are holding a first of its kind is a complete practical guide to the wonderland of our fine art aimed at leading you to your upcoming solving and composing adventures by a world class expert - From the Foreword by Yochanan Afek
Whether you are seeking to improve your tactical and strategic endgame skills or just wish to enjoy the beauty and aesthetic appeal of endgame studies, let Oleg Pervakov open the door to the fine art of the endgame study.
About the Author
Oleg Pervakov is one of the most distinguished endgame study composers in the world today. In 2005 he was awarded the coveted title of International Grandmaster in Chess Composition.
The chess endgame study has a long and storied history and occupies a unique place in chess because of its similarity to practical play. Many studies contain beautiful ideas and combinations. Solving or even simply playing through endgame studies is an effective method of studying the strategic and tactical elements of play and contributes to the growth of the number of fans of this chess art.
However, many chessplayers are unaware or apprehensive of endgame studies. The studies seem to be almost other-worldly. But now, for the first time, a world-class endgame composer explains the basics of studies, from the basic terms and themes, to solving and even composing endgame studies!
If you have always wanted to explore endgame studies but thought they were too abstract or difficult, this book is for you. The author breaks down all the basic themes, with examples and clear explanations.
The book you are holding a first of its kind is a complete practical guide to the wonderland of our fine art aimed at leading you to your upcoming solving and composing adventures by a world class expert - From the Foreword by Yochanan Afek
Whether you are seeking to improve your tactical and strategic endgame skills or just wish to enjoy the beauty and aesthetic appeal of endgame studies, let Oleg Pervakov open the door to the fine art of the endgame study.
About the Author
Oleg Pervakov is one of the most distinguished endgame study composers in the world today. In 2005 he was awarded the coveted title of International Grandmaster in Chess Composition.
| EAN | 9781963885088 |
|---|---|
| Gewicht | 440 g |
| Hersteller | Russell Enterprises |
| Breite | 15,7 cm |
| Höhe | 23,5 cm |
| Medium | Buch |
| Erscheinungsjahr | 2025 |
| Autor | Oleg Pervakov |
| Sprache | Englisch |
| Auflage | 1 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1-963885-08-8 |
| Seiten | 240 |
| Einband | gebunden |
| Name | Russell Enterprises |
|---|---|
| Adresse | 234 Depot Road Milford, CT 06460 USA |
| Internet | www.Russell-Enterprises.com |
| hwr@russell-enterprises.com |
Verantwortlicher Importeur:
| Name | Schachversand Niggemann |
|---|---|
| Adresse | Schadowstraße 5 48163 Münster Deutschland |
| info@schachversand.de | |
| Internet | www.schachversand.de |
005 From the Author
007 Foreword by Yochanan Afek
009 Chapter 1) Study Terms and Themes
121 Chapter 2) How to Solve Endgame Studies
130 Chapter 3) How to Compose Endgame Studies
145 Chapter 4) Training Exercises
158 Joint Study (front cover)
159 Chapter 5) Solutions to Training Exercises
238 List of Study Composers and Game Fragments
240 About the Author
007 Foreword by Yochanan Afek
009 Chapter 1) Study Terms and Themes
121 Chapter 2) How to Solve Endgame Studies
130 Chapter 3) How to Compose Endgame Studies
145 Chapter 4) Training Exercises
158 Joint Study (front cover)
159 Chapter 5) Solutions to Training Exercises
238 List of Study Composers and Game Fragments
240 About the Author
A plethora of enchanting studies.
An endgame study is a composed position that follows the rules of chess, including the convention that white moves first. It has a definite outcome: white will either establish a winning advantage or be able to demonstrate a draw. And unlike a game, where there may be one or more winning moves, there is one (and only one) unique solution. Also, there are no artificial constraints with studies, such as a limit on the number of moves required (as exists in direct mate problems, say, where you may be required to checkmate in two moves).
In his Foreword, Yochanan Afek makes the point that endgame studies are an enjoyable training method for practical chess players: to solve them requires precise calculation and a high degree of imagination, since the ideas are often well hidden. The path to victory, or the route to a draw, is much narrower than in an actuak game. To this, I’d add that you often learn a lot: it is a fact that many study composers have made significant contributions to endgame theory.
Oleg Pervakov’s book is intended for chess players primarily, though I suspect he harbours an aim to convert them into composers and solvers. The first chapter is the most substantial and consists of a comprehensive survey of terms and themes. These are arranged alphabetically, from Ambush to Zugzwang. Among the themes we have tactical devices, such as the fork, attraction and the desperado, which will be familiar to almost every player. Some terms (battery, interference) are used in problems as well. But most of them, the likes of Carousel, Loyd-Turton doubling and the Maltese Cross (cross-pin), are specific to the study. Where a simple explanation does not suffice, which is usually the case, the term or theme is illustrated with at least one study. So, as you learn, you are shown very many beautiful and fascinating studies along the way.
The second chapter is intended for those players who may want to become solvers, rather than simply using studies as a training tool. There are tips galore. Pervakov sets out Dvoretsky’s ‘process of elimination’ method, Kuznetsov’s three guidelines (amounting almost to a ‘solver’s drill’) and Evseev’s distinction between subtle and vivid studies. Evseev takes the view that there are basically two kinds of study: vivid studies, where the solution veers toward the spectacular, and subtle studies which are more nuanced. The latter require judgement, calculation and finesse, whereas the former demand imagination. All these are helpful, and you can even adapt and apply them to practical play.
Indeed, I think that Dvoretsky’s method actually comes from his coaching practice with elite players. In Chess Tactics he writes about ‘The Method of Exclusion’ as a way of streamlining decision-making in competitive play where there is a time limit and a need for efficiency in thinking. Of course, when applying this method you need to have first enumerated various candidate moves and have some appreciation of your opponents resources. Analysis, and that in some depth, must already have taken place.
There is some advice with regard to actually composing endgame studies in chapter 3. One method, which stood out for me, involves taking an interesting endgame or tactical position from an actual game and eliminating all unnecessary pieces. This echoes Lasker’s guidance in his manual about how combinations work and what they depend upon. Another method is to take inspiration from classic endgame studies, to come up with your own variations on a great composer’s theme.
Chapters 4 and 5 are interrelated. Chapter 4 has 72 training exercises (all studies, naturally) arranged by various themes (domination, zugzwang, checkmate, stalemate and others). There are 12 themes in total and 6 studies to a theme, varying in order of difficulty. Chapter 5 contains solutions to the exercises in given in chapter 4, with very detailed and clear explanations of the play.
I loved pretty much everything about this book. However, I would take issue with Afek’s claim, in the Foreword, that this book is ‘a first of its kind’. That’s not quite the case. Test Tube Chess by A.J. Roycroft (1972) discusses study themes and terms and has chapters tailored to solvers and composers (etc.), while Endgame Magic by John D. Beasley and T. G. Whitworth (1996) covers similar territory, having chapters on corresponding squares, fortress and blockade, stalemate as a defence and so on. And, in fact, the Kuznetsov and Pervakov study that appears on page 74 of this book, to illustrate the Pinwheel theme, also makes an appearance on page 135 of Endgame Magic. There Beasley and Whitworth plumb for the less picturesque term ‘echoes and repetitions’, but anyway the study remains a pithy, vigorous masterpiece.
Oleg Pervakov’s fine book contains a plethora of enchanting studies from such greats as Rinck, Reti, Troitsky, Grigoriev, Wotawa, Kasparyan and not least Pervakov himself, and it is an ideal introduction to the world of endgame studies. Let’s hope we don’t wait another quarter of a century (1972, 1996 and now 2025) before another one comes along!
Paul Kane
https://thecaissakid.wordpress.com/2025/10/10/an-introduction-to-chess-endgame-studies/
An endgame study is a composed position that follows the rules of chess, including the convention that white moves first. It has a definite outcome: white will either establish a winning advantage or be able to demonstrate a draw. And unlike a game, where there may be one or more winning moves, there is one (and only one) unique solution. Also, there are no artificial constraints with studies, such as a limit on the number of moves required (as exists in direct mate problems, say, where you may be required to checkmate in two moves).
In his Foreword, Yochanan Afek makes the point that endgame studies are an enjoyable training method for practical chess players: to solve them requires precise calculation and a high degree of imagination, since the ideas are often well hidden. The path to victory, or the route to a draw, is much narrower than in an actuak game. To this, I’d add that you often learn a lot: it is a fact that many study composers have made significant contributions to endgame theory.
Oleg Pervakov’s book is intended for chess players primarily, though I suspect he harbours an aim to convert them into composers and solvers. The first chapter is the most substantial and consists of a comprehensive survey of terms and themes. These are arranged alphabetically, from Ambush to Zugzwang. Among the themes we have tactical devices, such as the fork, attraction and the desperado, which will be familiar to almost every player. Some terms (battery, interference) are used in problems as well. But most of them, the likes of Carousel, Loyd-Turton doubling and the Maltese Cross (cross-pin), are specific to the study. Where a simple explanation does not suffice, which is usually the case, the term or theme is illustrated with at least one study. So, as you learn, you are shown very many beautiful and fascinating studies along the way.
The second chapter is intended for those players who may want to become solvers, rather than simply using studies as a training tool. There are tips galore. Pervakov sets out Dvoretsky’s ‘process of elimination’ method, Kuznetsov’s three guidelines (amounting almost to a ‘solver’s drill’) and Evseev’s distinction between subtle and vivid studies. Evseev takes the view that there are basically two kinds of study: vivid studies, where the solution veers toward the spectacular, and subtle studies which are more nuanced. The latter require judgement, calculation and finesse, whereas the former demand imagination. All these are helpful, and you can even adapt and apply them to practical play.
Indeed, I think that Dvoretsky’s method actually comes from his coaching practice with elite players. In Chess Tactics he writes about ‘The Method of Exclusion’ as a way of streamlining decision-making in competitive play where there is a time limit and a need for efficiency in thinking. Of course, when applying this method you need to have first enumerated various candidate moves and have some appreciation of your opponents resources. Analysis, and that in some depth, must already have taken place.
There is some advice with regard to actually composing endgame studies in chapter 3. One method, which stood out for me, involves taking an interesting endgame or tactical position from an actual game and eliminating all unnecessary pieces. This echoes Lasker’s guidance in his manual about how combinations work and what they depend upon. Another method is to take inspiration from classic endgame studies, to come up with your own variations on a great composer’s theme.
Chapters 4 and 5 are interrelated. Chapter 4 has 72 training exercises (all studies, naturally) arranged by various themes (domination, zugzwang, checkmate, stalemate and others). There are 12 themes in total and 6 studies to a theme, varying in order of difficulty. Chapter 5 contains solutions to the exercises in given in chapter 4, with very detailed and clear explanations of the play.
I loved pretty much everything about this book. However, I would take issue with Afek’s claim, in the Foreword, that this book is ‘a first of its kind’. That’s not quite the case. Test Tube Chess by A.J. Roycroft (1972) discusses study themes and terms and has chapters tailored to solvers and composers (etc.), while Endgame Magic by John D. Beasley and T. G. Whitworth (1996) covers similar territory, having chapters on corresponding squares, fortress and blockade, stalemate as a defence and so on. And, in fact, the Kuznetsov and Pervakov study that appears on page 74 of this book, to illustrate the Pinwheel theme, also makes an appearance on page 135 of Endgame Magic. There Beasley and Whitworth plumb for the less picturesque term ‘echoes and repetitions’, but anyway the study remains a pithy, vigorous masterpiece.
Oleg Pervakov’s fine book contains a plethora of enchanting studies from such greats as Rinck, Reti, Troitsky, Grigoriev, Wotawa, Kasparyan and not least Pervakov himself, and it is an ideal introduction to the world of endgame studies. Let’s hope we don’t wait another quarter of a century (1972, 1996 and now 2025) before another one comes along!
Paul Kane
https://thecaissakid.wordpress.com/2025/10/10/an-introduction-to-chess-endgame-studies/
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