Practical Endgames — Vol. 3

What this book teaches

541 positions, grouped by remaining pieces: lone pawn, horse and cannon, chariot + horse + cannon…

Not mate-pattern drills. These are practical endings by what is left on the board.

Ask: with these pieces, what is the job — force a win, hold a draw, or exchange down?

What you will get

• When the ending still has a chariot / horse / cannon, know what to do
• Not confusing this book with the Complete Book of Mates — you do not memorise check shapes here
• Pick chapters by the material you actually meet. Don’t grind all 541

Step 1 — Material decides the job

① What is left? A chariot still on the board is not a lone-horse ending. ② Is the stronger side forcing a win, or only trying not to lose? ③ Can you exchange down to a verdict you already know from Volumes 1–2?

The chapter is the piece set. The idea is the technique for that set.

Step 2 — Exchange into a known ending if you can

① Is there an exchange that reaches a verdict you already know? ② With a chariot: don’t turn the ending into a mate puzzle if they can still defend. ③ When done: remember the job of this set, not every line.

541 positions are not 541 mate shapes.

What order to study?

After Volumes 1–2. Study the sets you are weak at, not by number:

• Few pieces — lone pawn, horse, cannon, then with a pawn
• With a chariot — chariot and pawn, horse, cannon
• Chariot + horse + cannon is the bulk. Don’t rush it

A few positions per set. Leave “other mates” for later.

Three things when you solve

1. Play it yourself. Open the line only when stuck. 2. Ask: what is this set’s job — not “which square do I check?” 3. You need not finish 541. Study the material you actually meet.