The first edition of this book ushered in a new era in chess publishing. It was the first book based on computer-generated position databases that are guaranteed to provide the actual result of a position.
However, this book is no computer print-out. It takes a human 'oracle' to extract the useful information from this mass of data and to identify new principles to help the rest of us appreciate the key practical points. Dr John Nunn, top-class grandmaster and renowned theoretician, performs this role admirably. He has identified where previous theory has been overturned, and where there are important new results. Dr Nunn was also the first to reveal the general importance of the many 'reciprocal zugzwang' positions.
* The complete truth about the ending Rook and Pawn vs Rook
* One of the most important and controversial chess books of the twentieth century
* An essential addition to every serious chess-player's library
* A new expanded edition

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.

"Excellent" - GM Mickey Adams, Daily Telegraph

“Nunn's excellent explanations and the huge amount of interesting material sustains the reader's interest. Rook and Pawn v Rook endings frequently occur, and so knowledge of them is quite invaluable. Excellent value for money... the complete truth about the ending of Rook and Pawn v Rook” - Richard Palliser, Hull Chess Club Magazine

“ I am delighted to recommend GM Dr John Nunn’s Secrets of Rook Endings. The superb new 352-page edition by GAMBIT Publications has 32 pages more than the first version in 1992, and it’s cheaper too at a bargain price of only £14.99!” - GM Paul Motwani, The Scotsman

"I am sure that in fifty years' time Secrets of Rook Endings will be regarded as one of the great classics of the twentieth century. It is as close as any book can ever realistically come to perfection on its subject." - GM Julian Hodgson, British Chess Magazine

"To learn and understand just the most important positions of this endgame will take a dedicated effort, an effort that is not that much different from working your way through, e.g., the Yugoslav attack in the Sicilian Dragon for the first time. For those who are willing to put in this effort, I in fact will go as far as to say that this is a truly fabulous book Some people may argue that with the endgame CD now widely available, it makes less sense now (in comparison to 1992) to publish a book like this, but Nunn's systematic approach as well his educational recaps, tips and generalisations help the reader to understand what is actually going on and make this book an essential tool for anyone who wants to improve his or her endgame skills. ...With Secrets of Rook Endings, John Nunn has once again produced an excellent book which I can wholeheartedly recommend for the serious student. It is worth every penny - and more." - Carsten Hansen, ChessCafe.com

Download a pdf file with a sample from the book.

Gambit books by John Nunn: 1001 Deadly Checkmates, Endgame Challenge, Grandmaster Chess Move by Move, Grandmaster Secrets: Winning Quickly at Chess, John Nunn’s Best Games, John Nunn’s Chess Course, John Nunn’s Chess Puzzle Book NEW EDITION, Learn Chess,Learn Chess Tactics, Nunn’s Chess Endings volume 1, Nunn’s Chess Endings volume 2, Secrets of Grandmaster Chess, Secrets of Pawnless Endings, Secrets of Practical Chess NEW EDITION, Secrets of Rook Endings, Solving in Style, Understanding Chess Endgames, Understanding Chess Middlegames,Understanding Chess Move by Move, Vishy Anand: World Chess Champion (with Vishy Anand).