What it teaches
Reuben Fine, one of the world's best players of the late 1930s, produced in Basic Chess Endings the first comprehensive English-language endgame encyclopedia. Despite the title, it is anything but basic: it covers every major type of ending in great detail, from king-and-pawn endings through minor pieces, rooks and queens, with a vast number of analyzed positions.
For decades it was the standard reference. Computers and tablebases later revealed errors in some of the analysis, and a revised edition updated by grandmaster Pal Benko corrected many of them, making that edition the one to buy.
Who it's for
Advanced players, coaches and collectors, roughly 1800 and up. As a first endgame book it is overwhelming; as a historic reference, it is a landmark.
How to get the most from it
Use it as a reference rather than a course, and cross-check critical positions with an engine or tablebase. Its explanations of general principles at the start of each chapter are the most valuable parts for most readers.
Key takeaways
- Endgames follow principles that can be stated clearly and learned.
- Even great analysis benefits from modern computer checking.
- King activity and passed pawns are recurring themes in every type of ending.
- A classic reference is best read in its most up-to-date edition.
Read next
For a modern replacement, see Fundamental Chess Endings. For a more readable classic, try Practical Chess Endings.
