Order both volumes of Nunn's Chess Endings and automatically save an exta $5.00!

 

by John Nunn, 352pp. (Gambit 2010)

Read an excerpt here

In this major two-volume work, renowned endgame theoretician John Nunn teaches the skills that are most important to success in practical endgames.

Going beyond standard texts, Dr Nunn shows how to apply knowledge of standard endgames to find the right methods in tricky real-life practical situations - even when they differ greatly from the idealized forms given by traditional endgame manuals.

• Identifies new and important motifs which occur repeatedly in over-the-board play
• Tactical elements are heavily featured
• In many examples, previous analysis is corrected
• Focuses on endgames that are susceptible to concrete analysis
• Geared to the over-the-board player - no composed or artificial positions
• Ideas underlying analysis - however complex - are richly explained in words

Nunn shows that lack of familiarity with key ideas can cause important ideas and themes to be missed even by very strong players. We discover that a staggering amount of previously published endgame analysis is simply wrong, and that many of the standard guidelines are at best partially true.

This second volume focuses on rook endgames - the most common and important category of practical endgames. Nunn also covers endings with rooks and minor pieces, a wide and rich area of strategic endgame play that is universally recognized as vital for chess mastery, but nevertheless neglected in chess literature.

Dr John Nunn is one of the best-respected figures in world chess. He was among the world's leading grandmasters for nearly twenty years, winning four gold medals in chess Olympiads and finishing sixth overall in the World Cup in 1989. He is a much-acclaimed writer, whose works have won 'Book of the Year' awards in several countries. In both 2004 and 2007 Nunn was crowned World Chess Solving Champion, ahead of many former champions.

"Characterized not only by fine expository writing but also first rate analytical work. Time and time again Dr. Nunn overturns old analysis and evaluations by the likes of such endgame giants as Smyslov and Dvoretsky. ...a first rate endgame book that is sure to improve the playing standard of players from 1800 on up. Highly Recommended" - IM John Donaldson

"John Nunn shows in his new book that magical twists and turns can be found in real games and does not include any endgame studies. He points out important ideas which occur often in practical play. As an excellent attacker in his prime, Nunn stresses the importance of precise play and tactics in the endgames. The first volume includes everything without the rooks. The all-rook volume two is scheduled to come out in the fall. Both volumes build on Nunn's previous book Understanding Chess Endgames, a wonderful presentation of 100 key endgame ideas. Nunn's trilogy is published by Gambit Publications and should be a perfect addition to the library of any tournament player." - GM Lubomir Kavalek, The Huffington Post