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ChessBase Endgame specialist Karsten Mueller returns with the fifth volume in his impressive series. The video lectures are split into four sections, namely:
GM Mueller starts with a discussion based on the initial question: 'What is an endgame?' It turns out not to be such a simple one to answer, but once the presenter has talked through some important guidelines and principles that are specific to the final phase of the game - such as the generally safer territory for the King - it's time to move on to the main material.
The video lectures present the viewer with perfect bite-sized pieces of endgame wisdom. Sometimes just a few short minutes are all it takes a skilled presenter to show something really valuable and easy to remember.
Carlsen - Aronian
'The guideline that the King shall blockade enemy passed pawns is correct here. Kf2 draws. White's active Rook will save the day. Okay, the h-pawn is lost, but the Rook was not created to defend weak pawns anyway - it shall be free to give checks!'
84 Kf2! Rf6 85 Rh1 Kg4 86 Rg1+ Kxh4 87 Rh1+ Kg4 88 Rg1+ Kf4 89 Rg3 Ke4 90 Rg4+ Ke5 91 Rg5+ Ke6 92 Rg3 =
This leads to a much more difficult example on the same theme. I like the way that GM Mueller builds things up little steps.
Schlechter - Lasker
How on Earth could Lasker save this against such a strong player? It's all to do with the activity of the Rook.
54 ...Re4!! 55 Rc5 Kf6 56 Rxa5 Rc4 57 Ra6+ Ke5 58 Ra5+ Kf6 59 Ra6+ Ke5 60 Ra5+ Kf6 61 Ra2
...and Black can hold the draw. Compare the two Rooks now!
There's some fun lessons in the section on Mate. There is a strong temptation to forget about mating attacks with such reduced material, but taking the eye off the ball can lead to a sudden end, as the following example shows.
Djukic - Vavrak
51 c4 bxc4+ 52 Kxc4 Nd5! 53 Rf7 Ra3 0-1
The material is excellently chosen and the presentation is unhurried and very professional. I learned a lot from this DVD and in my opinion it is definitely the pick of this month's releases.
Karsten Mueller:
Endgame
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Sample video
Karsten Mueller:
Endgame
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Sample video
Karsten Mueller:
Endgame
3
Sample video
Karsten Mueller:
Endgame
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Sample video
