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ISBN (10 digits):
1-901983-53-6

ISBN (13 digits):
978-1-901983-53-1

BCF Book of the Year 2002

FUNDAMENTAL CHESS ENDINGS (Karsten Müller & Frank Lamprecht)
416 pages (248 mm by 172 mm).
£19.99/$29.95/€31,10

In a major event in chess publishing, two German endgame experts have produced a masterly one-volume encyclopaedia that covers all major endgames.

This is the first truly modern one-volume endgame encyclopaedia. It makes full use of endgame tablebases and analytical engines that access these tablebases; where previous authors could only make educated guesses, Müller and Lamprecht have often been able to state the definitive truth, or get much closer to it.

New time-controls involve competitive games being played to a finish in one session, so it is especially important that chess-players understand the key endgame principles. This book provides comprehensive assistance for any players wishing to study the endgame. In addition to a feast of detailed analysis, the authors emphasize the practical side of endgame play, describing rules of thumb, principles, and thinking methods.

Fundamental Chess Endings is both the ideal endgame reference work, and a book that can profitably and enjoyably be read from start to finish.

Karsten Müller is a young grandmaster from Germany, who competes regularly in the Bundesliga and in international events. He finished third in the German Championship in 1996, and was runner-up in 1997. He is a noted authority on both practical and theoretical endgames. See also How to Play Chess Endgames, with co-author Wolfgang Pajeken.

Frank Lamprecht is also from Germany, and is an international master. He has been a chess trainer since 1983 and was also co-author (with Karsten Müller) of the highly acclaimed Secrets of Pawn Endings.

Download a pdf file with a sample from the book.

"I have seen the future of endgame writing and research, and it is Fundamental Chess Endings. This huge book deftly serves as a reference work, a workbook, and a guide to database-driven further study on this all-too-often neglected part of the game. This book blew me away when I first started working with it - it should be required study for anybody wanting to improve his or her play. In conclusion, this is the best one volume endgame reference work available. It belongs in the library of every serious chess player. More than that, it deserves serious study; don't be sorry, your chess will be the better for it." - Randy Bauer, RANDY's REVIEWS

"...merticulously checked by computer program, correcting mistakes and some myths of the past. I wish the book had been around in the '60s, '70s or '80s when players could have learned endgames by adjourning them and consulting such a manual" - GM Lubosh Kavalek, WASHINGTON POST

"If you want to have more certainty about endgames in the future, this book is a good choice." - Stefan Bücker, Kaissiber

"...the authors have somehow managed to create that rare beast - a readable encyclopaedia. Although theoretical in nature and fairly comprehensive in scope, the authors have tried to keep the reader on side with verbal explanations where required, and exercises to keep the book interactive. Müller and Lamprecht give the impression of paying assiduous attention to detail over a long period of time, and with all the analysis computer checked, and proof-read and type set by John Nunn, you can be sure of a high degree of accuracy. I have found no mistakes so far, so there is not too much more to say. If you only have one endgame book, it should be this one." - GM Jonathan Rowson

"This book also serves as an excellent instructional text, with thorough and clear discussions of the principles, techniques, and ideas underlying the various endings. The text includes plenty of appropriate examples, and even has practice problems which help the reader assimilate the information. The book ends with a chapter of exercises for further practice, and another chapter summarizing the most important endgame strategies and principles. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend FCE." - S Evan Kreider, CHESSVILLE

"The explanations of concepts throughout the book are very good... the setout of the book is excellent quality, and all the positions have been checked using endgame databases. If you only want to buy one endgame book, make it this one. Very highly recommended." - Paul Dunn, AUSTRALIAN CHESS FORUM

"It is evident throughout that Müller and Lamprecht really want their readers to master their endings, and thus they constantly highlight key themes, and emphasise which positions simply have to be memorised. The coverage for each main different type of endgame concludes with puzzles, whilst there is a further chapter solely of puzzles at the end, which greatly helps readers to test their newly acquired knowledge. Overall this is an important one-volume endgame manual, which not only brings endgame theory up to date, but also provides all that the practical player needs to know about every type of ending." - Richard Palliser, CHESS MOVES, BCF WEBSITE

"A great book!" - GM Simen Agdestein, VERDENS GANG

"If you have serious aspirations in your chess career (or simply want to win a few more endings) you will find this an invaluable tool" - Alan Sutton, EN PASSANT

"...the one essential endgame acquisition for practical players in the foreseeable future" - David Gillespie, WEEKEND CHESS

"A splendid book if you wish to learn more about how to play the endgame. Highly recommended" - Soren Seagaard, SEAGAARD'S REVIEWS

"Covers all major endgames with well chosen examples... A fine comprehensive work with an excellent index which will simultaneously both inform and entertain" - J J Walsh, IRISH TIMES

"A book has emerged that looks to be the new standard for endgame evaluations... I recommend this book highly" - Cecil Rosner, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

"There have been some excellent endgame books published in recent years, but Fundamental Chess Endings is absolutely outstanding. It makes use of all the new knowledge generated by computer analysis, but is far from being a boring database printout. It is a reference work, of course, but it can also be used as a textbook, since there are ample verbal explanations and tips, and even exercises at the end of each section to help the reader practise and test his or her grasp of the previously presented material. As usual with GAMBIT books, the production values are very high: design, paper, cover, editing are all excellent. Verdict: this immediately becomes THE standard one-volume reference work on the endgame. It is outstanding in every way and should be in the library of every serious player. ***** - Phil Adams, CHECKPOINT

"The full range of endgames is covered together with the now customary exercises for the reader to solve. Most readers will use it as a textbook and I have referred to it on numerous occasions already in my correspondence games. As well as containing detailed analysis the book also sets out the basic principles of endings, and chapter 11, in which some general endgame principles are explained, is particularly valuable. Unlike many opening books this one will stand the test of time and will be as useful in 10 or 20 years as it is today. A valuable contribution to chess literature!" - John Pugh, CHESS POST

"Eminently readable, with a clear and attractive typeset, Fundamental Chess Endings is a magnificent achievement" - Jonathan Tait, BCCA

British Chess Federation PRESS RELEASE - Book of the Year 2002
Ray Edwards, Mike Fox, John Toothill, 29th September 2002

As far as the judges are aware a Book of the Year award has never gone to an endgame book before, but there is always a first time, particularly when the winner is as good as this year's winner, Fundamental Chess Endings, Karsten Müller and Frank Lamprecht, Gambit Publications.

The subtitle explains the contents: "A new endgame encyclopaedia for the 21st century".

The two authors are experienced writers and trainers and have used their experience to create a textbook, which is divided into 12 chapters with exercises. Indeed the exercises alone form an admirable book within the main text. They have also tried "to connect the best from the past with the most suitable recent examples and research". These objectives have been very successfully achieved. Most of the examples are from recent master practice, though a few of the classics have been retained. All the endings have been checked using modern computer techniques and databases. Whilst this has provided accuracy it should not be thought that the text has suffered as a result. The authors love the endgame phase of the game and this shows in the writing.

Above all the authors' aim is to help players achieve practical results and the book always keeps this in mind eg the selection of material is based on the frequency that a particular ending occurs and that endings are now commonly played with fast time limits and no adjournments.

The book is a substantial 416 pages. Printing and presentation is up to the usual high Gambit standards.

Fundamental Chess Endings is set to become the standard endgame encyclopaedia. Anyone reading it will seriously improve their game. At least one of the judges wishes he had studied the relevant section before a recent rook and pawn ending.