Perhaps the greatest beauty in chess can be found in endgame studies. Delightful twists and turns on the board are combined into true works of art. In studies, chess is distilled into its purest form, with all pieces making only the most essential moves. Endgame studies are also useful exercises for practical chess players, as they show patterns, improve calculation, and inspire out-of-the-box thinking.

Grandmaster Jan Timman has been fascinated by endgame studies since his youth. The artistry and perfection have always appealed to him. In recent years his focus has shifted from practical chess to composing endgame studies, and many of his compositions have won awards. Timman wrote about composing in The Art of the Endgame (New In Chess, Revised Edition 2023).

In this new book Timman presents the one hundred greatest endgame studies. In five chapters he guides you through masterpieces of increasing difficulty, beginning with elementary endings such as the Réti and Lasker manoeuvres. The studies include themes such as minor) promotion, Zugzwang and domination, all beautifully illustrated and clearly explained. By the time you reach the final chapter with the most complicated examples, you will be amazed at the myriad possibilities of chess and inspired to add more finesse to your own endgame play.

Jan Timman, World Chess Champion finalist, is the author of many bestselling chess books. Timman's Titans won the 2017 ECF Book of the Year Award, and his recent books, The Longest Game, The Unstoppable American, Timman's Triumphs and Max Euwe's Best Games have all met with wide acclaim. He was awarded the title of FIDE Master of Chess Composition in 2022.

Reviews

GM David Howell (The Sunday Times)
“Endgame studies are synonymous with beauty. These studies are usually composed to resemble real-life games, with no superfluous pieces allowed, and the answers can be so instructive that the world’s top players practice solving them to hone their calculation skills and creativity. Dutch chess legend Jan Timman’s new book, 100 Endgame Studies You Must Know, is a wonderful introduction to the topic. Timman believes that the best studies feature two vital ingredients: cast-iron logic and a sprinkle of magic.”

Sean Marsh (CHESS magazine)
“As most readers are probably in the ‘practical player’ category rather than study specialists, the desire will be to find material of relevance to real life and Timman has certainly produced the goods in this fine book. Even the staunchest of over-the-board traditionalists will be hard-pushed to deny the transferable skills of studies such as these.”

GM Matthew Sadler (New In Chess magazine)
“Jan always writes very well about studies, with a keen eye for the points and details that will appeal to practical players: the ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahs’ come very easily when reading through this book.“
(full review)