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The purpose of this series is to introduce the reader to advanced training concepts, using the same methods of presentation and instruction that were taught to great players by famous trainers that they have worked with. The series will commence with the The Passed Pawn and we will examine how to handle such pawns.Every chess player who wishes to improvehis level in the difficult subject of chess is obliged to study methodicallyand understand the existing principles that govern the theory of the opening,middlegame and endgame. Most chess players focus more on the study of openingtheory than other aspects of the game. The reasons are probably clear: openingtheory is easier to learn and can provide immediate results, although this isbased more on the opponent's ignorance than our own abilities. Even for a chesstrainer, it is easier to teach some variations from this or that opening or aset of simple tactical motifs than to engross himself in the exposition ofmiddlegame and endgame theory. Yes, middlegame and endgame theory does exist.The great difficulty in approaching it lies in the fact that it does not followabsolute and clear-cut paths, but rather involves deep research in the ideasand logic by which specific types of positions are treated. Moreover, unlikeopening theory, the theory of the middlegame and the endgame does not changerapidly based on modern developments; it remains almost intact through theyears. In view of the above, any chess player who wishes to follow a chesscareer or simply become a better player must refrain from the commonplace andassume a different approach. He must develop a good understanding of middlegameand endgame theory, so as to be able in his games to proceed in a proper wayafter his chosen opening has reached its conclusion. The chess player candifferentiate himself only in the opening; there, each one of us brings forthhis own beliefs and convictions, and in general his own experiences andreferences. Objectively, no opening loses ? but also no opening wins. Theopening is just the beginning of the journey and serves to offer us acomfortable start. But to reach the end of this journey successfully we have tocount on our knowledge and experience, as regards middlegame and endgametheory. Endgame theory teaches us two fundamental issues. First, how to extractthe maximum from a basic theoretical position with little material, where theexperts, from practice comprising thousands of games, have reached definiteconclusions. Second, the way in which we can handle an endgame, depending onthe material remaining on the board, and the ideas and plans we should employ.This second issue is significantly more difficult to master because, apart frommaking full use of the first one (we must be aware of the possible outcomes ofthe endgame in question) it is greatly influenced by our experience andunderstanding, which are basically derived from the images and impressions wehave from related positions. A primary role is played here by the effort wehave invested in studying. In middlegame theory, things are even tougher. Weare obliged to study various types of positions with specific strategic andtactical attributes, so as to understand the underlying ideas and be able toemploy them ourselves in similar situations. While many chess players havestudied these topics and acquired knowledge, it is the application of thisknowledge in practice that helps differentiate between them. Chess is not asimple activity, but it becomes so much more attractive when we acquire thisknowledge.

Endgame theory teaches us two fundamental issues: First, how to extract themaximum from a basic theoretical position with little material, where the experts(from practice comprising thousands of games) have reached definite conclusions.Second, the way in which we can handle an endgame, depending on the materialremaining on the board, and the ideas and plans we should employ.This second issue is significantly more difficult to master because, apart frommaking full use of the first one (we must be aware of the possible outcomes of theendgame in question) it is greatly influenced by our experience and understanding,which are basically derived from the images and impressions we have from relatedpositions. A primary role is played here by the effort we have invested in studying.In middlegame theory, things are even tougher. We are obliged to study varioustypes of positions with specific strategic and tactical attributes, so as to understandthe underlying ideas and be able to employ them ourselves in similar situations.While players have studied these topics and acquired knowledge, it isthe application of this knowledge in practice that helps differentiate between them.Chess is not a simple game.The purpose of this series is to introduce the reader to advanced training concepts,using the same methods of presentation and instruction that were taught to greatplayers by famous trainers that they have worked with.The series will continue with the topic of “the Bishop Pair”, the first volume handled 'bishop endings' and we will examine how tohandle this “power of the sun” coupling.

The Sicilian Defense is an opening that commences with the moves 1.e4 c5. TheSicilian Defense is the most popular and best-scoring response to White’s firstmove 1.e4. For example, 1.d4, is a statistically more successful opening forWhite because of the high success rate of the Sicilian Defense against 1.e4.The Sicilian is Black’s most dynamic, asymmetrical reply to 1.P-K4. It produces thepsychological and tension factors which denote the best in modern play andgives notice of a fierce fight on the very first move.’ The Modernized Grivas Sicilian is an unique variation within the Sicilian developed by Grandmaster Grivas, the reason why it has his name.

To learn and to play endgames well the chess player must love endgames¿ - Lev Psakhis. Different kinds of endgames have specific characteristics and rules. Every serious player must know many typical positions and main principles of all types of endings. That knowledge should help us during the game, but it is not enough to become a good player, not yet. There just too many different endings, some of them with two or more pieces, some are very complex. To be comfortable and play well those complex endings require specific knowledge and specific ways of thinking. We will call it `endgame thinking¿.I chose to write a book on advanced rook endings as I simply did not wish to write another book that would be like the many already available. I have done my best to present analysis and articles I have written over the past 10-15 years. Th is work has been presented in my daily coaching sessions, seminars, workshops, etc. The material has helped a lot of trainees to develop into quite strong players gaining international titles and championships. Now, it is your turn to taste and enjoy it!

Grandmaster Grivas presents the reader an unique and massive amount of amazing puzzles including their historical background. All the most famous and rare tactical themes are covered, promising the read of the year!

Proper handling of Bishops in the Endgame is an important feature in today¿s chess and a must for every chess player who wants to climb the world¿s chess hierarchy. This book deals with all important themes and ideas on the world of Bishop endings.