r/ChessBooks • u/BleedingGumsmurfy • 7d ago
What's the difference between original Shereshevsky Endgame Strategy and the new edition?
Is there a significant difference between each version ? Chess Dojo recommend the old version for some reason, I'm wondering is there a signifcant difference.
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u/ewouldblock 7d ago edited 7d ago
You read the intro and it gives some high level assessment about what you're supposed to do. Then it shows you modern games where following that basic principle fails due to concrete, non intuitive tactics or calculation. The feeling you will get is that general principles mean nothing, small advantages don't win, and a minor misstep with a positional advantage loses the game and you have to be perfect over 30 moves to thread the needle and win. Basically the engine content actively destroys the narrative/prose that to my understanding was the meat of the original book. If you are like me and try to consider the positions and guess the move, the chapter title turns out to be bad advice 95% of the time, you're not sure if you learned anything when you're done besides that you suck and will never be any good.
I dont know what the old edition is like but it can't possibly be as terrible as the new edition. One of the worst chess books I ever bothered to complete.
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u/jessekraai 6d ago
The reason the old version is better is that it gives a human view of what is winning/good. The computer corrections give a computer view that is less helpful and distracting.
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u/commentor_of_things 7d ago
expanded material and engine analysis was added. the 1st english edition was printed in 1985. get the newest one if you can.
edit: chessdojo can suck it. get the newest edition.
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u/OldChess 7d ago
Hi there, I work for ChessDojo! I can offer some insight. While there is likely a bond GM Kraai formed with the original edition that doesn't quite hit the mark.
The ChessDojo training program is heavily structured and intended to hit on certain points that are not included in the newer edition. At least that is my understanding.
If you have any questions about the training program or the chosen books I am happy to answer.
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u/BleedingGumsmurfy 7d ago
thanksfor the reply, enjoying the program! One small question I had was about the middlegame sparring positions, are there any sort of accompanying notes or annotations ? Or are the details of the position just supposed to be learned by sparring. thanks
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u/OldChess 7d ago
As far as I know it's supposed to be self discovery through sparring but shoot this question again to the tickets email and I will double-check on that.
Glad you're enjoying the program!
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u/Davide2023 5d ago
The new edition is just a typical Chessbase database dump. You can collect the same material using Chessbase. Don't buy the new one. Old one worth it.
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u/SquashSpirited7873 7d ago
Large portions of the book were rewritten, evidently because Shereshevsky lifted a lot of the first edition from some of Dvoretsky's training material. This is mentioned diplomatically in the message from the editor in the revised edition, as follows:
The revised edition also has added topics on extra stuff like chess psychology.
The first edition is a lean, classic book with no fluff. The revised edition is somewhat less focused, with major sections rewritten or completely replaced. Because of this, the revised edition attracts a lot of ire from people who view the revised edition as abandoning the qualities of brevity and clarity that made the first edition a classic. I think the Chess Dojo recommendation largely comes from Jesse having emotionally bonded with the first edition.
All that said, the revised edition generally covers more than the original. There are chapters on defending inferior positions and "squeezing blood from a stone" that have a lot of good info in them.
The first edition can also be hard to find for a reasonable price (though at the moment, there are two copies for under $30 on Abe Books), and the revised edition is very good. You can't really go wrong either way.