Endgame Challenge (Nunn) - 2nd hand

John Nunn presents 250 challenging positions where your task is to find a cunning way to win or draw. In many cases the odds against success seem overwhelming, yet by using all the tactical resources in the position it is possible to achieve the goal.

The studies were subjected to a rigorous checking procedure, during which thousands of unsatisfactory positions were weeded out. The 250 studies finally selected represent some of the finest creations of composers such as Kasparian, Troitsky, Pogosiants, Mitrofanov, Chéron and Réti. Nunn's detailed solutions contain many points and clarifications that have hitherto gone unmentioned, so readers will rarely be left to wonder whether their intended solution really did work.

Solving endgame studies is a well-established and popular training method used, for instance, by the renowned Russian chess coach Mark Dvoretsky. In an over-the-board game, the ability to use the pieces in harmony is paramount, and those players who can exploit every resource in a position are those who become champions.

While the focus in this book is on tactics, readers will also develop a greater understanding of many important endgame topics, such as fortresses, stalemate defences, the opposition and zugzwang.

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 2004, 2007 and 2010 Nunn was crowned World Chess Solving Champion, ahead of many former champions.

"...This is a terrific if somewhat esoteric book for the lover of beauty in chess. It is also good mental exercise for the developing player if he or she can maintain the discipline that is required by such advanced material...." - John Watson, TWIC

"...the many beautiful studies here will delight and entertain you whatever your approach." Matthew Rose, OXFORD TIMES

"It was William Napier, I believe, who once described the play of the winner of a game as 'This is witch chess, heathen and beautiful.' To even begin to describe the contents of Endgame Challenge I have to resort to poetry, to hyperbole. This is magic stuff. I don't want to sound like a snake oil salesman, but the contents of this book may be just the cure for what ails you. ... This is a superb collection of endgames. If you feel your chess appreciation has grown a touch jaded, buy this book! You will not regret it!" - Alex Dunne, CORRESPONDENCE CHESS NEWS

"The first 50 pages contain 250 diagrams to solve, and then we get 250 pages of shocking solutions - shocking in the sense that even world class players might draw or even resign positions, when beautiful and unlikely possibilities still exist" - Bab Wilders, NEDERLANDS DAGBLAD

"...seeks to bring new converts to a long-time staple of Soviet chess training. Most over- the-board players look askance at chess problems, and despite the excellent book Solving in Style by the same author and publisher, I think they always will. The artificial nature of composed checkmates, where one side often possesses a preponderance of force, are too far removed from regular chess no matter how ingenious. Endgame studies are a different matter. Endgame studies, which typically feature just a handful of pieces, usually look very much like they might have been taken from an actual game. They offer the reader benefit in several ways. From a utilitarian standpoint solving such studies undoubtedly improves calculating ability as well as general endgame knowledge. It also stimulates fantasy and gives much aesthetic enjoyment. ... This book, which can be recommended without reservation, would be a good choice for the non-chess player looking for a Christmas present for a chess player." - John Donaldson

"This book represents Nunn's selection of the 250 greatest endgame studies. Naturally, when a person gives 'his selection' of anything, there will always be countless voices arguing to the contrary. ... Since Nunn's credentials in this rather esoteric field are extremely impressive, his choices must be looked at with the utmost respect. " - Jeremy Silman

"If there is one word to describe John Nunn it is 'thorough'. There is no skimping on the analysis, you get the truth, the whole truth and all the sub variations that lead to the truth... " - Chris Rice, WEEKEND CHESS

"An incredible work work where the Doc has personally selected, and meticulously checked, his 250 favourite endgame studies" - GM David Norwood, DAILY TELEGRAPH

"Endgame fanatics and serious tournament players at expert level and above should love this book" - Daniel Lucas, GEORGIA CHESS

"Endgame Challenge, then, is not really the book for the dabbler, although no doubt doing no more than setting up the board and playing through the solutions will provide some satisfaction. The best way to use a book like this is to take on one position at a time and find as much analysis as possible, writing down the various lines of play. When you think that you have exhausted all the likely possibilities, look again for the unlikely ones. That is the beauty of a good endgame study - but don't expect to do much more than to scratch the surface if you have spent less than half an hour on each diagram. In my view, to get the best out of chess problems and studies they should be approached as a social activity so that the participants can 'bounce ideas' off each other." - Peter Walker, 

• Casa editrice Gambit
• Code 4837us
• Anno 2002
• Pagine p. 256
• Isbn 9781901983838