Latvian/Soviet Endgame Composers. The Platov brothers started composing independently of each other but by 1905 they were working as a team. Vasily was the most creative in the composing duo but they both needed each other for their talent to flourish. Their compositions were of a high order. They built on earlier work but also made new discoveries in the field of endgame theory. They wrote together: 'Selection of Chess Studies' (Sbornik shakhmatnykh etyudov, 1928).

To the Platov brothers the study is a work of art which must have content and form. The content consists of an idea which finds expression in a combination or in positional play. Perfection in form is in the construction of the initial position combined with the principle of economy of means. Again we see their great composing gifts in operation in the following study.

White to play and WIN

Kling & Horwitz 1.Qh6+ Kd3; 2.Qd6+ Ke3; 3.Qc5+ Kd3; 4.Qc2+ Ke3; 5.Qc3+ Kf2; 6.Qxd2 Kf1; 7.Qf4+ Kg2; 8.Qe3 Kf1; 9.Qf3+ Ke1; 10.Qf4 Kd1; 11.Qc1 Mate.

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I would like to briefly summarise the type of endings found on the site. These are; (a) Basic endings. (b) Practical chess endings. (c) The Endgame study.

(a) Basic Endings. These are theoretical positions in which we know the correct result with optimum play by both sides. They may consist of three pawns or less and also include all the non-pawn and five piece endings which have now been extensively analysed by computer and of which we have tablebases. In the days when we had adjournments some of these endings could be looked up in text books to give us some idea how to play the position. As we no longer can do this, knowledge and memory of these endings has become important in practical play. Fundamental Chess Endings (2001) by Muller and Lamprecht and Basic Endings (1992) by Balashov and Prandstetter and the earlier A Pocket Guide to Chess Endgames (1970) by David Hooper are good introductions to these endings.

(b) Practical Endings. These occur in over-the-board play where usually more pawns are present. The above ending is an example of this type. Some of these endings are in the process of being transformed to basic endings but often they finish before this stage is reached. Endgame strategy is very different from the middlegame and has its own set of rules and exceptions. Fine's book Basic Chess Endings (1941,2003) recently revised by Pal Benko and Batsford Chess Endings (1993) by Speelman, Tisdall and Wade are about basic and practical endings and both can be recommended.

(c) Endgame Studies. These are positions which have been composed and will contain elements of one or both of the above types of endings. But there are important differences between these types and the study, such as artistic form and economy of construction. An endgame study has to follow strict rules of composition, especially if it is entered into a composing competition. One of these rules states there should only be one solution. If there is an unintended second solution then the study is unsound and said to be "cooked".