Originally Posted by Tommetje
I ordered, and just received, the books Chess Openings for White, Explained and Chess Openings for Black, Explained, both by GM Lev Alburt. I can't wait to start reading them. For the endgame, a dutch IM (Johan van Mil) told me Silman's Complete Endgame Course would be a good book for me, so I got that one too. But now you said Alburt has a great endgame book too, I might get that one after I finished these three beauties.
Thanks for the tip!
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I do not have a copy of Silman's endgame book (I might browse it in the bookstore that sponsors our chess club though): so, indeed, I cannot tell you if it's worth spending other money for Alburt's book.
"Just the fact" is quite suitable for coaching because: 1- it's VERY CLEAR; 2- it concentrates on the position that are high priority for practical play, those that are more likely to occur in OTB games. Hennce, you are not flooded with zillions of positions that are likely to scare or confuse you.
BUT, it is quite possible that Silman's book is good enough and that you do not need to get a copy of Alburt, if Silman's book is enough for your preparation
What really matters is that such books (Silman's, Alburt's and several Mednis booklets) on practical play are a much better choice - at least at first - than major endgame works (Dvoretsky, Muller/Lamprecht, or Levefish/Smyslov for rook endgames, etc etc)
The latter books are more comprehensive, and better for a professional. But the enormous number of positions is likely to hinder the study of an improving player. At first, it's better to learn fewer basic positions, but to learn them well, and memorize the ideas and the technical tools.