Kasparyan (1910-1995) is considered to have been without doubt the greatest composer and analyst of chess endgame studies ever. He was so great that when a great new chess star named Kasparyan appeared on the scene, the Soviet authorities decided to change the name of the second Kasparyan to Kasparov to avoid confusion. In this book, his master work, Kasparyan first classifies endgame studies into the analytic as opposed to artistic. Analytic studies are those likely to arise in an actual game. Artistic are composed positions where some spectacular or unusual event occurs. Kasparyan then divides endgames into those where the win is achieved by promoting a pawn or checkmating the enemy king as opposed where white wins by trapping or dominating the enemy pieces. There are an amazing number or these dominating themes, including those by Kling, Horwitz, Berger, Troitzky, Rinck, the Platov brothers (Mikhail and Vladimir), Kubbel and so on. This book is devoted to those endgame studies where the win in achieved by trapping or "Dominating" the opponent's pieces, especially those where a weaker piece is able to trap a piece that is normally stronger.

    This guide to the tactics of the endgame is by a grandmaster, and is intended for players of all levels.

    As you work your way through this carefully graded series of tests, themes such as 'diversion', 'interference', 'X-Ray' and many more will become an integral part of your chess armoury, to be employed in your own games. Solving these positions will not only provide many hours of pleasure but will also enable you to test - and improve! - your chess IQ.