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Basic Chess Endings
Basic Chess Endings , written by International Grandmaster Reuben Fine, is the most authoritative reference on the endgame. Serious students of the game find the work unmatched in its depth and range. Now, Grandmaster Pal Benko has revised this classic with the latest innovations in the endgame and adapted the book to algebraic notation. The result is what chess aficionados have been eagerly waiting for--a thoroughly modern bible on basic chess endings.
A handy guide for the practical player, Basic Chess Endings focuses on the aspects of the ending that occur most frequently in the course of play. With clear language, it reinforces knowledge of the standard position and tried-and-tested rules. Hundreds of diagrams make examples easy to follow. An indispensable reference for every chess player.
A handy guide for the practical player, Basic Chess Endings focuses on the aspects of the ending that occur most frequently in the course of play. With clear language, it reinforces knowledge of the standard position and tried-and-tested rules. Hundreds of diagrams make examples easy to follow. An indispensable reference for every chess player.
586 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 1941
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240 people want to read
About the author
Reuben Fine
92 books6 followersReuben C. Fine (1914 – 1993) was an American chess player, psychologist, university professor, and author of many books on both chess and psychology. He was one of the strongest chess players in the world from the mid 1930s until his retirement from chess in 1951. He was granted the title of International Grandmaster by FIDE in 1950, when titles were introduced.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 17, 2020
What is chess? A game? A sport? Perhaps. I would posit that there's something more like art in the game, certainly there is great beauty. Nothing is more beautiful in chess than chess endings, which are little miracles. Reuben Fine's great classic, warts and all, is best in the original edition, with the old awkward, confusing and difficult notation that was used, in and of itself like reading old English.
Fine's book is worth reading for its instruction, light touch and humor. He is excited by the idiosyncracies of the endgame, the "Lucerne Position", discovered by a 15th century Spanish monk. Washing through it again and the various positions is like uncovering layers of meaning in a great work of art.
The most astonishing thing about chess in my view is that the rules haven't changed in over 150 years, and it's worldwide popularity, still, is stronger than ever. Right now the internet chess servers can't keep up with the volume.
One other thing, as an old guy developing some aphasia, playing chess has sharpened my mind and I can even remember my own name again.
Plus my rating hasn't gone down since those high school days. It was in fact like riding a bicycle.
Fine's book is worth reading for its instruction, light touch and humor. He is excited by the idiosyncracies of the endgame, the "Lucerne Position", discovered by a 15th century Spanish monk. Washing through it again and the various positions is like uncovering layers of meaning in a great work of art.
The most astonishing thing about chess in my view is that the rules haven't changed in over 150 years, and it's worldwide popularity, still, is stronger than ever. Right now the internet chess servers can't keep up with the volume.
One other thing, as an old guy developing some aphasia, playing chess has sharpened my mind and I can even remember my own name again.
Plus my rating hasn't gone down since those high school days. It was in fact like riding a bicycle.
May 24, 2012
A few Tweaks needed but Still Amazing
Openings are the realm of the beginner understanding basic Chess theory.
Middle games are the realm of the intermediate player mastering strategy and tactics.
End Games are the realm of the Chess Master. It's not enough to have a theoretically won game. You have to actually be able to finish your opponent off and translate it into a victory.
Once you begin to understand the end game, your view of Chess in the openings and middle games will change because you will begin to see the small advantages that accrue from seemingly innocuous moves. Chess will begin to come alive and your enjoyment will increase.
Of course, to reach that point is not easy and for all but the few who are seemingly born chess prodigies, you have to learn.
Fine's book has been the standard work for Chess end-games ever since he wrote it in the 1960's. Since that time there is no question that there have been many innovations and corrections found. That is the reason for the 4 stars instead 5. But those issues are well documented in many sources and when you are ready for them you will be able to find them and supplement your knowledge.
This still remains an outstanding work to begin to work through the different types of endings. The book is encyclopedic, very well organized and the "errors" that are there are such that if you were to master the material in this book you would still be an extraordinary player and able to "fix" the issues that are there.
This is not a book for the lightweight chess player. If you are not at least an 1700 level player with the USCF or FIDE, there are more profitable ways to spend your time than with this book. As you begin to approach Class A and Expert level, however, you will need what this book has to offer. This is very much a major part of the pathway to Chess-Master.
Openings are the realm of the beginner understanding basic Chess theory.
Middle games are the realm of the intermediate player mastering strategy and tactics.
End Games are the realm of the Chess Master. It's not enough to have a theoretically won game. You have to actually be able to finish your opponent off and translate it into a victory.
Once you begin to understand the end game, your view of Chess in the openings and middle games will change because you will begin to see the small advantages that accrue from seemingly innocuous moves. Chess will begin to come alive and your enjoyment will increase.
Of course, to reach that point is not easy and for all but the few who are seemingly born chess prodigies, you have to learn.
Fine's book has been the standard work for Chess end-games ever since he wrote it in the 1960's. Since that time there is no question that there have been many innovations and corrections found. That is the reason for the 4 stars instead 5. But those issues are well documented in many sources and when you are ready for them you will be able to find them and supplement your knowledge.
This still remains an outstanding work to begin to work through the different types of endings. The book is encyclopedic, very well organized and the "errors" that are there are such that if you were to master the material in this book you would still be an extraordinary player and able to "fix" the issues that are there.
This is not a book for the lightweight chess player. If you are not at least an 1700 level player with the USCF or FIDE, there are more profitable ways to spend your time than with this book. As you begin to approach Class A and Expert level, however, you will need what this book has to offer. This is very much a major part of the pathway to Chess-Master.
March 29, 2017
When I was young and there were not many books available about the endgame, this book was a must read. As GM John Nunn has pointed out: "Fine is at his best when he gives general descriptions and the book has been rightly praised for its instructional value."
However, Nunn also says: "...there are many errors in the concrete analysis of positions." Because of that I avoid to use that book when I work with my students.
These days, when I need a book with very well written general explanations and superb analysis I use Dvoretsky's "Endgame Manual" or Nunn's three books about the basic and practical endings.
Still, I hope that in the XXI century someone (like, for instance, GM Karsten Mueller) will clean this classical masterpiece from all the analytical errors so that I can put this title back on the list of "must-read-books".
However, Nunn also says: "...there are many errors in the concrete analysis of positions." Because of that I avoid to use that book when I work with my students.
These days, when I need a book with very well written general explanations and superb analysis I use Dvoretsky's "Endgame Manual" or Nunn's three books about the basic and practical endings.
Still, I hope that in the XXI century someone (like, for instance, GM Karsten Mueller) will clean this classical masterpiece from all the analytical errors so that I can put this title back on the list of "must-read-books".
December 15, 2014
The Bible of Chess Endings for decades it's a great book I have the corrected version and Fine's original version he wrote in the 1940's that I bought for 0.01 from a Canadian book dealer brand new just had to pay for the shipping $6 both are great!
People complain about the remaining mistakes in the revised book but we must remember this is a classic any GM who tinkers with the content in the future must be extremely careful not to mess with the book and change Fine's work to the point that it's not the same book that came from Fine's hands.
That's why Pal Benko said he revised it with the intent of doing no harm once you start changing things where do you stop? this that and a whole section here and there and it goes on and on.
Some GM's have done that to other classic books and it's been a disaster.
May 21, 2010
Another bible gone west.
May 23, 2023
A while back in my youth, I was a rabid Chess fan. I was a member of the Chess Club back in High School. I was not the best player. I bought a lot of Chess related books to improve my play, and they worked somewhat. I tend to play too fast, and I make mistakes. I don't see the potential moves.
Chess is a game of war. Two opposing armies face off on a 64-square board. A game of Chess has three parts; the Opening, the Middlegame, and the Endgame.
The Opening of a Chess game follows something called a book. That means it's a series of accepted moves to achieve a desired position. The Middlegame is where the pieces get exchanged. It has more of a focus on tactics. Finally, the Endgame is where you try to use the remaining units to Checkmate the enemy King. A Checkmate is a position where the King cannot avoid capture on the next move. Since the King is the most valuable piece, Checkmate means you win the game.
This book is by International Grandmaster Reuben Fine and revised by Pal Benko. It focuses on the Endgame. The original copyright of the book is from 1941. Thankfully, I have a later edition.
First, I like the fact that the book is in Algebraic Notation. Redoing the entire book in that format cannot have been easy. Algebraic notation is the standard notation used. The Chessboard has 64 squares, and each square has an address. The columns have letters, and the rows have numbers. So at the game's starting position, the White King is placed on square E1, and the Black Queen is on square D8. Before Algebraic notation, people used Descriptive notation. It's a system where the moves are relative to the player. Although there are advantages to the notation, I had to look them up since I don't use it.
Second, I like how comprehensive the book is. It covers the Endgame with all the various piece combinations.
The book is not perfect, but it's pretty good. My issue with the book is that there aren't more images of the game boards. The long strings of text make reading the book difficult. Without a physical Chessboard, it may be impossible to follow the moves. Furthermore, although the notation is updated, the analysis is not. Some other reviewers commented on this fact. I am not nearly good enough to figure that out. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
Chess is a game of war. Two opposing armies face off on a 64-square board. A game of Chess has three parts; the Opening, the Middlegame, and the Endgame.
The Opening of a Chess game follows something called a book. That means it's a series of accepted moves to achieve a desired position. The Middlegame is where the pieces get exchanged. It has more of a focus on tactics. Finally, the Endgame is where you try to use the remaining units to Checkmate the enemy King. A Checkmate is a position where the King cannot avoid capture on the next move. Since the King is the most valuable piece, Checkmate means you win the game.
This book is by International Grandmaster Reuben Fine and revised by Pal Benko. It focuses on the Endgame. The original copyright of the book is from 1941. Thankfully, I have a later edition.
First, I like the fact that the book is in Algebraic Notation. Redoing the entire book in that format cannot have been easy. Algebraic notation is the standard notation used. The Chessboard has 64 squares, and each square has an address. The columns have letters, and the rows have numbers. So at the game's starting position, the White King is placed on square E1, and the Black Queen is on square D8. Before Algebraic notation, people used Descriptive notation. It's a system where the moves are relative to the player. Although there are advantages to the notation, I had to look them up since I don't use it.
Second, I like how comprehensive the book is. It covers the Endgame with all the various piece combinations.
The book is not perfect, but it's pretty good. My issue with the book is that there aren't more images of the game boards. The long strings of text make reading the book difficult. Without a physical Chessboard, it may be impossible to follow the moves. Furthermore, although the notation is updated, the analysis is not. Some other reviewers commented on this fact. I am not nearly good enough to figure that out. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
July 16, 2011
I've read many many chess books and this book comes with rave reviews. In some respects that is true. The in-depth coverage of each and every possible piece position. For example Opposite colored bishops draws with one pawn draws with two pawns ect. is almost encyclopedic in nature.
On the other hand the book was written some time ago. Before algebraic notation and even though the book has algebraic notation incorporated into the text you still get the feel that its a fairly old book.
In summary: Extensively researched and comprehensive yet the explanations are hard to understand because it was written in English a few years back.
On the other hand the book was written some time ago. Before algebraic notation and even though the book has algebraic notation incorporated into the text you still get the feel that its a fairly old book.
In summary: Extensively researched and comprehensive yet the explanations are hard to understand because it was written in English a few years back.
October 14, 2012
For many years this was considered the bible of chess endgame study. Fine covers a wide range of endgames, and provides the serious student with a means to strengthen their endgame play.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews