This is a wonderful book. Actually, not all the positions in it are typical chess endings; some are middlegames, and some are very improbable (page 115.) The tactics in it are quite useful (see my preface below.) I have re-compiled, and re-organized the whole book for personal reference. If all the legal issues are covered, a re-publication is quite possible. Following is the first part of my preface:
"Chess is a form of war theory. To win war the military operation must succeed. The operation is the coordination of many different armed forces. In chess, even the simplest checkmate (R+K vs K) requires the proper arrangement of the checking force and the restricting force on the opposite force.
I read Chernev's chessboard magic about 15 years ago, and was amazed by many checkmate or game-saving patterns. For example: the ladder theme of problem 131 and the criss-cross pattern of problem 15. I felt that they were only compositions for entering contests; not having any pratical sense. Yes, some of them are way outside the chess reality; however some are sensible enough.
We all know a well posted knight may decide a game. But a knight alone can't do much; some other piece must join in the campaign to bring it to a conclusion. Capablanca wrote, student must learn the coordination between the queen and knight because it would be extremely helpful in tactical chess. In my very recent game, after a wild opening the position looked rather bad for me. If I decided to play defensively, I would lose a pawn for sure and the game eventually becuase I had only 5 minutes on the clock versus 15 minutes on my opponent's. I saw that I could force trade my rook pair for his queen and pawn. With the initiative was still at hand; if I could strategically post the knight, I would be able to force a draw by perpectually checking his K by my Q. His rook pair and black square bishop could not help much; because I planned to play on the white sqaures only. The diffence in the number of pawns did not contribute much to the outcome. By trying to hard to win with the extra pawn, he let me checkmate him. The draw was properly the better result. So, the experience in the coordinate of pieces could win or draw games; especially when the clock is running down. At this stage the tactics are the main weapons.
Like Chernev's The Most Intructive Games of Chess Ever Played, this Chessboard Magic! is fantactic, very intertaining and has some pratical use. The only complain, I have, is, like The Most Intructive, this book was not arranged in any particular theme. It is very hard to recollect what the student learns. Mr. Chernev and readers have very good reasons to like his arrangement. I failed to understand the logic. They are right when they think that if the readers like to see the theme; they can easily use chess endgame books.
I would like to re-arrangement this a little bit differently. First it is used as a tutorial note for me. I could look up the theme when I need to; or when I know my opponents prefer some specific pieces I can watch out for those tactics and use some tactics when I have those pieces. Second, if the book can be useful for some chess players to prepare for his/her match well, I feel that I have paid my due to the chess community.
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