Since its first publication in 2003, Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual has been universally recognized as one of the greatest chess books ever written, and the newly updated Sixth Edition (2025) brings it to the modern era once again.
If you’ve ever heard strong players say, “Study Dvoretsky,” this is why. This book isn’t just a reference. It’s a training system. A philosophy. A complete course in how grandmasters think in the endgame.
And in 2025, with updates by GM Karsten Müller and GM Alex Fishbein, it’s even sharper, cleaner, and more instructive.
Quick Summary
Author: Mark Dvoretsky
Publisher: Russell Enterprises
Edition: Sixth Edition (2025)
Pages: 504
Difficulty: Advanced
Ideal for: Ambitious tournament players, titled players, coaches
Not ideal for: Beginners
Why read it: Still the most complete, accurate, and practical endgame manual available
What Makes This Edition Special?
The Sixth Edition is not just a reprint. It includes:
- Updated analysis by GM Karsten Müller
- Additional corrections and refinements by GM Alex Fishbein
- Cleaner structure, more polished diagrams, and improved explanations
- Modern engine-checked positions without losing Dvoretsky’s human clarity
- A fresh introduction by Magnus Carlsen
Carlsen writes:
“This book occupies a very special place in chess literature… It will fill you with the joy and knowledge that will improve your endgame skills and your understanding of our royal game.”
When the greatest endgame player of the modern era says that, it matters.
Why This Book Is Considered a Masterpiece
Dvoretsky was famous for two things:
- He taught future elite grandmasters (including Artur Yusupov and Sergey Dolmatov).
- He insisted that endgame knowledge builds overall chess strength.
His book is built on the same philosophy. It doesn’t just give you key positions. It teaches you how to think in the endgame:
- How to build fortresses
- How to see zugzwang coming ten moves earlier
- How to evaluate pawn structures almost instantly
- How to guide your king toward winning zones
- How to simplify into favorable endings
- How to avoid losing drawn positions
John Watson wrote:
“Dvoretsky’s analysis is staggering in its depth and accuracy.”
Lubomir Kavalek added:
“This comes close to an ultimate one-volume manual on the endgame.”
And that’s exactly what it is.
Detailed Review
Below is a breakdown of the book’s strengths, layout, standout chapters, and what type of player will benefit most.
Training Philosophy
Unlike typical endgame books that list positions and solutions, Dvoretsky’s Manual builds skill through:
- Model positions
- Theoretical must-know endings
- Practical exercises
- Precise but accessible commentary
- Clear signs, symbols, and color-coding (one of the best features)
Each concept is shown through:
- A simple example
- A harder example
- A real-game practical example
This progression accelerates learning.
What You’ll Learn
Here are the most valuable skills the book teaches:
1. Deep Pawn Endgame Understanding
This is widely considered the strongest chapter of any endgame textbook ever written.
Concepts include:
- Opposition
- Key squares
- Corresponding squares
- The Rule of the Square
- Triangulation
- Reserve tempi
- Breakthrough
- Mined squares
- The outside passed pawn
This chapter alone could raise many tournament players’ ratings.
2. Knight and Bishop Practical Mastery
You’ll learn:
- How knights defend against rook pawns
- Botvinnik’s formula
- Fortresses
- Domination patterns
- Good bishop vs bad bishop structures
- Knight vs bishop transitions
Dvoretsky doesn’t just tell you who is better, he shows you precise plans.
3. The Most Complete Rook Endgame Course Available
Rook endings are notoriously difficult, but here you’ll master:
- Philidor, Lucena, Vancura… but also
- Shouldering
- The umbrella
- Domination ideas
- Multi-pawn endings
- Rook activity principles
- Cutting the king off
- Rubinstein’s masterpieces
If you study only this section thoroughly, your practical results will improve immediately.
4. Queen Endgames That Actually Happen
The queen chapters shine because they teach:
- Perpetual checking techniques
- When to trade queens
- How to push passed pawns with tempo
- The geometry of queen moves
- Defensive resources that engines find but humans can understand
5. Fortresses, Zugzwang, and General Endgame Ideas
The final chapters, especially General Endgame Ideas, are worth reading repeatedly.
They explain the “philosophy” behind the endgame:
- Active king
- Pawn power
- Barriers
- Imprisoned pieces
- Stalemate patterns
- Fortified camps
- Binding situations
This isn’t just content — it’s endgame thinking at the highest level.
Best Chapters
If you want a focused study plan, these are the standout chapters:
1. Pawn Endgames (Chapter 1)
A monumental chapter.
Essential for every competitive player.
2. Rook Endgames (Chapter 9)
Clear, systematic, practical.
You’ll learn techniques grandmasters use automatically.
3. Opposite-Colored Bishops (Chapter 5)
Dvoretsky’s explanations here completely reshape how players approach drawing or winning these tricky endings.
4. Fortress Construction (Chapter 15)
Rarely explained so clearly anywhere else.
Reader Experience
Most players on Reddit and online forums say the same thing:
- It’s the best endgame book ever written.
- It’s also the hardest endgame book they’ve ever tried to study.
Some representative sentiments:
“I finally understood opposition thanks to Dvoretsky.”
“You don’t just read this book. You train with it.”
“Every time I open it, I learn something new.”
“Strict, demanding, but incredibly rewarding.”
Players often say they use the book as a long-term project — something to return to every few months for deeper insight.
Who This Book Is For
Highly Recommended For:
- 1800+ tournament players
- Ambitious club players
- Candidate Masters and FMs
- Coaches teaching structured endgame training
- Study-oriented players willing to put in real effort
Not Ideal For:
- Beginners
- Casual players
- Anyone looking for quick tips
- Players who dislike dense, analytical books
Some people might find the manual overwhelming.
That’s not a flaw — it’s the price of excellence.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The most complete one-volume endgame manual
- Updated with modern analysis
- Very clear examples
- Color-coded study levels
- Immense depth
- Endorsed by Carlsen and Kramnik
- Practical exercises sharpen calculation
Cons
- Demanding
- Best used for slow, long-term study
- Not suited for players under ~1600
- Some dense sections require patience
Final Verdict
Rating: 9.8/10
Difficulty: Challenging but life-changing for serious players
The Sixth Edition of Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual remains the gold standard of endgame literature. It’s one of the rare chess books that can stay with you for a lifetime — the kind of manual you’ll keep returning to as you get stronger.
It teaches clarity.
It teaches precision.
It teaches real grandmaster technique.
If you’re serious about improving your endgame understanding — truly serious — then this is one of the very best investments you can make in your chess journey. Grab the book on Amazon or get the Forward Chess ebook. Buying through these links supports this site at no extra cost to you.
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I’m Xuan Binh, the founder of Attacking Chess, and the Deputy Head of Communications at the Vietnam Chess Federation (VCF). My chess.com and lichess rating is above 2300. Send me a challenge or message via Lichess. Follow me on Twitter (X) or Facebook.