In this blog post, I am going to share my chess endgame book suggestions. The recommendations are divided based on rating.
Rating is not the only metric for finding the right book. Unfortunately, we do not have any other clear metric for this, so it is better to use rating as a general guideline.
I am not going to include players below 1400 FIDE because I have very limited experience with that rating range. Most of my students are rated between 1400 and 2300. I will also mention a few books for 2300+ players.
1400 to 1700 Rating Range
Most players at this level lack fundamental chess knowledge. They often do not even reach the endgame because they make big mistakes in the opening or middlegame.
Because of this, detailed endgame study is not extremely relevant at this level. It is better to study only the most important positions.
Before starting any endgame book, you must be familiar with the following endgame patterns:
- Basic checkmates
- Advanced checkmates such as KBN vs K and KQ vs K
- Basic pawn endgames and different types of opposition
- Basic chess fortresses
- Basic rook endgame positions such as Lucena and Vancura
- Opposite coloured bishop fundamentals
Following are some recommendations:
1. Pandolfini Endgame Course
It is a great book that I recently discovered. It is an old book, but it is still very useful for every player.
This book is good enough and is my best recommendation for players up to the 1600 to 1700 level.
2. Basic Chess Endings by Reuben Fine
This is a very old book for learning chess endgame fundamentals. It is a great starting point for every player who wants to learn how to play basic endgames.
3. Silman Endgame Book, Up to the 1800 Section
There are multiple sections based on rating in Silman Endgame Book. The recommended section for this rating range is for 1400 to 1800 rated players.
It is a great book if you already have it.
Winner: Pandolfini Endgame Course
1700 to 2000 Rating Range
You must know the following endgames:
- Advanced rook endgames
- Advanced pawn endgames
- Different types of fortresses
- Basic practical endgames
1. 100 Endgames You Must Know
This is the clear winner in this category. There is no doubt why this is one of the bestselling endgame courses on Chessable.
I completed this book four or five times and got very good results from it. My suggestion is to take the test first and then start studying all the chapters.
I highly recommend buying it on Chessable. There is also a 100 Endgames You Must Know exercise book that you should check out. I have not mentioned it as a separate book.
2. Silman Endgame Book
I have seen that many players in America purchase this book. If you already have it, start with the 1600 section and continue until the 2000 section. You can also try to complete the entire book.
3. Exploiting Small Advantages by Eduard Gufeld, 1800+
It is a great book for practical endgames. Practical endgames become necessary once you are a strong 1800 to 1900 rated player.
You need to develop the skill to play equal positions. This will help you hold draws against higher rated players and outplay lower rated players.
4. Capablanca Best Chess Endings
I am not completely sure about its usefulness for direct endgame training, but it is a great chess book for understanding the playing style of a particular player.
It is also a great way to improve your overall understanding of the game.
Winners: 100 Endgames You Must Know and Exploiting Small Advantages
2000 to 2300 Rating Range
This is a wide rating range, so please check the rating suggestions given next to each book.
It is very important to complete 100 Endgames You Must Know if you have not already done so. It is an OG endgame book.
At this level, you need to work on:
- More practical endgames
- Analysis of games played by top players
- Advanced endgame positions, including all the positions from 100 Endgames You Must Know
1. Endgame Strategy by Mikhail Shereshevsky, 2000 to 2300
This is a 10 out of 10 book and is extremely useful. Study it twice because you will learn a lot from it.
It might be slightly boring for many chess players, but its practical value is excellent.
2. Mastering Complex Endgames By Adrian Mikhalchishin, 2000 to 2300
This is another great book. It is very similar to Endgame Strategy.
3. Aagaard Endgame Play, 2100 to 2300
Who does not know about Aagaard GM Preparation series? It is probably one of the greatest chess position book series ever written.
Endgame Play is a great solving book. I personally think that the puzzles are extremely useful for players at this level.
Winner: Endgame Strategy by Mikhail Shereshevsky
2300+ Rating Range
I am probably not the right person to recommend books for this rating range. However, the following are some books that I think are suitable for this level. I am also trying to study them.
1. Decision Making in Major Piece Endings
This is a very difficult book and slightly boring for me. However, I think it has very good practical value.
2. Dvoretsky Endgame Manual
I still think that half of this book is unnecessary to study and that it is too difficult even for this level.
However, it is still a good book, and you can study selected positions from it.
3. Associative Thinking by Shereshevsky
I am not completely sure about its usefulness, but I have included this book because I am currently studying it.
Other Notable Mentions for Different Rating Ranges
Following are some other books that are good enough to study. I own all of them either on Chessable or as hard copies.
1. Chess Calculation Training – Endgame – Romain Eduard
This is a great puzzle book for players rated between 1800 and 2300.
2. 1001 Chess Problems by Yakov Vladimirov
This book contains many interesting mate in two and mate in three positions. It is a fun book that players from almost any rating range can buy.
It is probably more suitable for players rated above 1700.
3. Endgame Labyrinth, 2000+
This is a great endgame studies book. After reaching a certain rating, solving studies becomes very useful for improving overall creativity and calculation.
Apart from these books, there are many video courses and online courses available on different websites. I have kept this list limited mainly to books that are available in hard copy.
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