Basic Chess Endings, Reuben Fine — 2nd Edition

£27.50

Basic Chess Endings, Reuben Fine — 2nd Edition

Name: Basic Chess Endings, Reuben Fine — 2nd Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4537
Price: 27.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, G. Bell and Sons, Limited, 1941

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xiv, 573.

Condition Report: Good. The original dark blue cloth binding remains structurally sound and tight, though it exhibits the expected signs of handling and shelf-wear for a study copy of this age. The boards present with moderate rubbing and scuffing, alongside bumping to the corners and noticeable fraying at the spine ends and joints. The gilt lettering to the front board remains distinctly bright, whereas the spine titling has naturally dulled slightly with age. Internally, the text block is securely bound with unbroken hinges and clean endpapers. The pages display uniform, moderate age-toning, most pronounced along the text-block edges, but are notably clean and entirely free from foxing, moisture damage, or internal tears. Lacks the original dust jacket.

Catalogue Note: This Second Edition was published for the British market by G. Bell and Sons, utilising sheets printed in the United States by the David McKay Company (Philadelphia). It stands as an early, wartime printing of the text, issued the same year as the true first edition.

The volume is unillustrated, relying instead on the traditional 600+ positional diagrams standard to early chess manuals. There are no bookplates, stamps, or ownership inscriptions present, leaving the provenance unestablished. While the later paperback reprints of this title are ubiquitous, these early 1940s hardcover printings are becoming increasingly uncommon on the open market.

Considered one of the most important instructional works in twentieth-century chess literature, Basic Chess Endings provides an exhaustive, systematic examination of endgame principles. Grandmaster Reuben Fine categorises the complexities of the endgame into digestible patterns, covering everything from fundamental pawn endings to intricate rook and minor piece battles. Despite the advent of modern computer engine analysis, Fine's brilliant conceptual explanations and logical structure continue to offer profound foundational value for serious students and chess historians alike.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Reuben Fine

Book Publisher: G. Bell and Sons, Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Sport & Games

Book edition: Second Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 587

Book Publication Year: 1941

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Philadelphia, United States

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.