Chess Endgame Training
Home
Chess Endgame Training Review
09/19/02
This teaching software from Convekta addresses an area of chess study
that has been somewhat neglected by many other tutorials. It does so
in a very instructive manner, which is fully up to the quality of
their other popular programs.
In the past, I have written at some length on the basic structure of
Convekta tutorials. In terms of a user interface, this CD is hardly
any different from the others, and all the time-tested elements that
made programs like CT-ART popular, are present as well (i.e. ELO
estimation, detailed statistics, multiple users, graphical hints). If
you need more information of this aspect of the program, then I would
suggest that you look at the Convekta website, or check out my
previous reviews of CT-ART, or Chess Tactics for Beginners.
Many of you are also aware that one of my pet topics is the
organization of teaching material. Good organization can make a
difference, since it does two things. First, it allows the user to
find material on a particular topic easily. And second, it helps users
when they are trying to put words to a position (which is part of the
internal dialog that goes on when one talks to oneself during the
game). This CD is very well organized, and it is clear that quite a
bit of time has gone into this aspect of the software. In fact, I was
going to include a list of all the different categories of material on
the CD in the review, but the list was simply too long.
One question that many of you might have is where this software fits
into your study program. I think that this particular CD is best for
those that already know basic endgames.
And while the examples on the CD are very instructive,
there is no English text explanation, and the user needs enough
familiarity with endgame concepts to be able to put words to the
variations that are shown on screen.
As an example of the kind of exercises that are on the CD, consider
the following screen shot of a position from Bogoljubow-Lasker
(NY,1924)
8/pbR1r1kp/6p1/1p6/4PB2/P2P4/6PP/6K1 b - -
Here we see that the black rook is pinned to the king. We also see
that once the rooks come off the board, we will be left with an
opposite-colored bishop endgame, in which case white's material
advantage will be harder to utilize. Thus, black comes up with a plan
to liquidate into a drawn endgame, and cement his control over the
light squares, with the construction of a drawing fortress. The
correct move is therefore ..Rxc7! (with the idea of ...b4 and ...Ba6),
rather than ..Kf7, which was played in the game.
Note how this example illustrates several concepts at once. By
carefully selecting examples like this, Convekta has ensured that
maximum benefit will be accrued when using the program. The example I
chose above is hardly unique.
I should also mention at this point that I looked up which category
this exercise was in on the CD. I found it in Bishop Endings ->
Both sides have Bishops -> Bishops of Opposite Colors -> Both
sides have pawns -> Constructing a positional fortress. So not only
is the material very instructive, but it is well organized too.
The other exercises on the CD are a mixture of endgame positions from
actual games, and studies. There are a few duplicated examples that
appear in some of the other tutorials from Convekta. I noticed some
from both Advanced Chess School, and Studies 2.0. However, there are
many differences between this CD, and Studies 2.0; such as the
inclusion of games from master praxis, the different organization of
the material, and the fact that you are not told whether win, draw or
loss is the objective.
In conclusion, this CD represents a very unique and worthwhile program
for the player that is seeking to improve his or her endgame. There are
a large number of exercises on the CD (about 2500), and coverage
of important techniques is very thorough, with many exercises that
teach multiple concepts at once. Organization of the material is also
very good, with both material and thematic means used.
Copy Protection
Must be installed from original CD, occasional refueling necessary.
Language
Language-less/Informant style annotations, no English skills needed.
