This worldwide anthology of endgame studies is divided into tbematic sections in wbich White wi11S by trapping pieces. The stud ies were selected with a view to presenting a clear picture of the rise and development of different ideas and enabling the reader to appraise the past and present of endgame composition in the sphere of piece-trapping.
Problems relating to the creative development of endgame com position are examined her;'). Naturally, when generalising the crea tive chess process of the past cerJtury, one must consider, in addition to outstanding works, others that are far from the best. Only a com parison of endgame studies of dh-erse genres, styles, scale and qual ity can reveal the many different ways in which ideas have arisen and developed. This is the only means of tracing the progress of endgame composition and forecasting its future roads.
Composers will find the book helpful in copiTJg with some specific difficulties, such as the search fo:r precedents. It may also prove useful in the eternal quest for new ideas.
Rank-and-file players will find the analyf'.is of endgames helpful in improving their chess skills. They will see beautiful examples of creativity by endgame composers of all times. On the \vhole, the book may be of interest to a broad range of skilled chess players.
The systematisation and classification aim at tracing the develop ment of ideas. Accurate data on the initial rublication of endgames (time and source) are not always available, especially in the case of very old ones, and whenever the authenticity of such information is doubtful it has not been given.
The sequence of the endgames presented here was determined by the chronology and kinship of separate branches. It easily guides the reader through the vast material presented.
Work on the book entailed the inevitable difficulties connected with the examination of a tremendous amount of mate.rial. It is up to the reader to judge how successfully the author has coped with his main task, that of demonstrating the rise and development of positions and ideas in the sphere of trapping pieces.
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