How to Play Chess Endgames

Karsten Müller, Wolfgang Pajeken

• Difficulty: Intermediate, Advanced
• Category: Endgame
• Rating: 1800-2000

I would say that this is Shereshevsky’s Endgame Strategy 2.0. Müller and Pajeken have written an excellent book on endgame strategy that covers a vast number of themes, principles, and practical examples in a way that’s easy to follow regardless of your rating. Activity, pawn play, do not rush, exchanges, schematic thinking, initiative, prophylaxis, zugzwang, domination, converting advantages, bishop pair and defense, are how the book is divided, alongside, in my opinion, several less important sections. Each section covers numerous chapters that subdivide the underlying theme. In a sense it’s very similar to most endgame strategy books. Just done better. Much better. It’s well written, the examples are useful, the concepts explained well, and the structure helps the reader digest the material easily. If I had to choose one book on endgame strategy, I would choose this one.

• 2022
• Gambit Publications
• Karsten Müller, Wolfgang Pajeken
• Pages: 352
• Physical