Arkell’s Endings – GM Keith Arkell

Overview

Arkell’s Endings – GM Keith Arkell

With chess booming online and time controls becoming ever faster, mastery of the endgame has never been so important. A few positions can be memorised; most rely on feel. How would you go about converting an extra pawn in a rook endgame and would you have any idea how to even try to win bishop and knight against knight and pawn? 

In Arkell’s Endings, acclaimed endgame expert Keith Arkell guides you through some of his finest games – and grinds. Making good use of clear explanation, not a wealth of variations, he should convince even the most ardent of opening theoreticians and attacking experts that endgames can be enjoyable, as well as beautiful on occasion.

Not only will you enhance your intuition in the final stages of the game, but you will also never again write off an endgame as dull or a draw. You will also learn plenty about the Minority Attack and Arkell’s Scale of Pawns, which may mean you will no longer look favourably on trading an e-pawn for a d-pawn.

There is so much more to Keith Arkell’s chess prowess than just his endgame mastery. Throughout, his creativity and sheer resourcefulness shine through, with the Ginger GM demonstrating that one should never allow Arkell to advance his g-pawn as Black, or even to attack.

About the Author:

Grandmaster Keith Arkell has been one of Britain’s most prolific players since turning professional in 1980. His rivalry on the weekend circuit with fellow GM Mark Hebden is the stuff of legend, but he has also thrived on the bigger stage.

He has finished first as many as 25 times at the Paignton International Congress and in 2008 tied for first in the British Championship at Liverpool’s iconic St George’s Hall.

2014 was another highly successful year, as Arkell became the European Over-50 Champion, following that up with the silver medal at the World Senior Championships.

What you will learn

1. Ilfeld vs Arkell – Lesson in minority attack and two weaknesses  
2. K.Arkell vs N.Bradbury – Carlsbad structure without queens  
3. K.Arkell vs a. Ledger – Converting with 4 vs 3 on the kingside  
4. K.Arkell vs Toma – Knight dominating bishop  
5. J.Sugden vs K.Arkell – Typical caro rook ending  
6. K.Arkell vs J.Holland – Assessing k+ 
7. K.Arkell vs M.Suba – Double rook endgame  
8. J.Houska vs K.Arkell – Two bishops  
9. K.Arkell vs M.Hebden – Old rivals  
10. K.Arkell vs S.Milliet – Double isolated dpawns  
11. K.Arkell vs J.Spreeuw – Don’t be afraid to swap pawns  
12. K.Arkell vs V.Kotronias – Good or bad bishop 
13. Certek vs Arkell – Patience whilst nurturing the two bishops  
14. K.Arkell vs S.Franklin – Knight endgame  
15. K.Arkell vs R.Byrne – Fortress question  
16. K.Arkell vs T.Kosten – Playing for mate in a pawnless endgame  
17. K.Arkell vs M.Wadsworth – 5 vs 4