Book Recap #23- Discussing Shereshevsky's Endgame Strategy with Dr. Kevin Scull

Chess Books Recaptured is back to discuss one of my favorite chess books ever, Mikhail Shereshevsky’s Endgame Strategy. Unlike a technical manual, this book simply shows some of the greatest endgame conversions of all time, and pulls together themes from the play, such as “do not hurry,” and “the principal of two weaknesses.” It is an intermediate to advanced book, best suited to those rated over 1600 USCF/FIDE. Joining me to guest co-host is my fellow chess podcaster, Dr. Kevin Scull. Kevin is an avid chess enthusiast who returned to the game in recent years. He has been working through Endgame Strategy in recent months and believes it has “transformed his game." Please tune in to the pod to find out why, as well as to the usual historical context, favorite chapters and lessons, and more. Please read on for more details and timestamps. 

0:00- We dive right into Kevin’s history with the book, and discuss what chess experience level is best suited to this book. 

Mentioned: Silman’s Complete Endgame Course, Capablanca’s Best Chess Endings, 100 Endgames You Must Know

9:00- What is the “principle of two weaknesses?”

15:00- We discuss another key precept of the book- “do not hurry.”

18:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Aimchess.com! If you subscribe, be sure to use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%. Check out their yearly recap here: 

https://www.aimchess.com/recap

19:00- We share a bit about Mikhail Shereshevsky’s bio, the background of the book and its few minor flaws.

Mentioned: Lots of discussion of Endgame Strategy on The Facebook Chess Book Collectors Group 

32:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. Check out their latest offerings here:

New Chess Courses Online - For All Levels- Chessable.com

34:00- What are our favorite parts of the book? Least favorites? 

Mentioned: GM Fabiano Caruana, GM Magnus Carlsen, Episode 195 with GM Keith Arkell, Fred Wilson Books, GM Edmar Mednis Endgame Books here, Timeless Techniques by GM Sahaj Grover and FM Daniel Barrish, Small Steps to Giant Improvement, Smyslov-Aronin 1951, Episode 261, “Master to IM” 

58:00- Thanks so much to Kevin for helping out this month. As an honorarium I will make a donation to the Berkeley Chess School. 

Mentioned: Under the Surface, Episode 239 with GM Jan Markos 

Be sure to subscribe to Chess Journeys on your favored podcast app. Chess Journeys Episode 28 with Neal Bruce. Follow Kevin on Twitch 

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