200 Brilliant Endgames

By Irving Chernev

Both an instruction book and an engaging meditation on the joys of chess, this is the final work by one of the most successful chess writers of all time. Irving Chernev blends anecdotes with his observations on inspiring moves and combinations by well- and lesser-known players, including Troitzky, Réti, Kasparyan, Benko, Kubbel, Rinck, Grigoriev, and many others.
Each example is introduced with a cue ("White to play and win") and includes the composer's name, the date of its original publication if available, a clear diagram with an algebraic grid, and the winning variation presented in algebraic notion. Chernev's sparkling text is complemented by introductions by national Master Bruce Pandolfini and Adam Hart-Davis, an editor who worked with Chernev and who helped assemble this posthumous publication.
Appropriate for players at every level, 200 Brilliant Endgames promises to assist chess enthusiasts in sharpening their endgame skills and to enhance their pleasure and satisfaction in the game.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Release date: Sep 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9780486147987

Irving Chernev

Irving Chernev (1900–1981) was a Russian–American chess author who wrote over 20 books, including the bestselling Invitation to Chess and Logical Chess: Move By Move (ISBN: 9780713484649).

Book preview

1989

ENDING 1

Afansiev, Duizov, 1967

White to play and win

The obvious first move, 1 g4+, winning the Rook, would be made by ninety-nine out of a hundred players. This powerful move fails! After 1 g4+ Kg6! 2 gxh5 + Kh7 3 Bc3 (or anywhere else) a1 = Q 4 Bxal, Black gets his draw by stalemate!

The right way:

Now the threat of 2 g4+ is acute.

Certainly not 1 ... Rg5 2e4 mate.

A brilliant ending.

ENDING 2

Afansiev, Duizov, 1969

White to play and draw

Quiet moves can be as forceful as moves that smite, as we see here.

Not 1 ... Ke7, when 2 Ng6+ wins the Queen.

Forced, since capturing with King or Queen loses to a Knight fork.

Quiet, but effective.

The only possible reply; the King may not move, the Knight dare not, since 4 Nc6 mate would follow, while the Queen has no other safe move.

White is content to wait or repeat moves.

The Queen (alas!) has no other safe square open.

White’s King quietly forces a draw by repetition of position.

Enduing 3

Afansiev, Duizov, 1970

White to play and draw

Despite his precarious situation—a Rook under attack, and an adverse Pawn rushing down to become a Queen—White draws by an enchanting little