EP 351- Steffen Nielsen: The author and award-winning endgame study composer on what makes a good chess puzzle, and whet

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This week’s guest, Steffen Slumstrump Nielsen is one of the most accomplished chess endgame study composers in the world. Steffen’s new book, Endgame Labyrinths (co-authored with GM Jacob Aagaard) compiles what they consider to be the most instructive endgame studies of all time. It is a beautiful book filled with challenging and instructive studies. In our conversation, we discuss how Steffen came to be interested in the “subgenre” of designing chess puzzles,  the components that make a good study, and who he believes to be the best endgame study composers of all time. Finally, Steffen shares some details on his creation process and offers recommendations if you would like to learn more about endgame studies. Links of the topics referenced can be found below. 
Thanks to our presenting chess education sponsor, Chessable.com. You can check our their new courses here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/And some of my favorites here: https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/
0:00- How did Steffen discover the art of composing endgame studies? 
0:04- How does Steffen work with engines when comprising a study? Mentioned: Chessbase India feature on Steffen Nielsen:https://www.chessbase.in/news/Giants-of-Modern-Studies-Part-I-The-Tactical-Thaumaturgy-of-Steffen-S-Nielsen-
11:30- What makes a good endgame study? 
15:30- How useful are endgame studies for chess improvement? (potential break)Mentioned: Episode 339 with WGM Anna Zatonskih 
19:00- As an study composer, is calculation a strength of Steffen’s? 
21:50- How much time per week does Steffen spend composing studies? What does his family think of it? Mentioned: Steffen’s YouTube talk
27:00- What, if anything, differentiates Steffen’s prize-winning studies from others? Mentioned: Tim Krabbe’s blog, Episode 226 with Tim Krabbe 
33:00- Which famous players has Steffen meant who enjoy endgame studies?Mentioned: GM Jan Timman 
35:30- What did Steffen observe from observing the approach to solving of people like GM Sam Shankland and GM Christopher Yoo? Mentioned: Free Preview of the Book here:https://www.qualitychess.co.uk/ebooks/EndgameLabyrinthsOnlineExcerpt.pdfAlso mentioned: GM Kasper Piorun
41:00- We discuss the invaluable endgame study database from Harold van der Heijden. More info here: https://www.hhdbvi.nl/
44:00- What endgame study books has Steffen studied:Mentioned: Kasparyan’s Domination in 2545 Studies, Oleg Pervakov’s Studies and Books, The Art of the Endgame 
46:00- What was Steffen’s approach to chess study? What authors did he like?Mentioned: Bent Larsen
48:30- How long has this book been in the works? 
49:00- Steffen’s closing thoughts!Mentioned: GM Wojciech Moranda 
51:00- Thanks to Steffen for joining the program!
Follow Steffen on Twitter here:https://twitter.com/SteffenNielsen8?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorYou can read more about composing studies on this blog:www.chessstudy.art 
Buy the book from Quality Chess:https://www.qualitychess.co.uk/products/3/443/endgame_labyrinths_hardcover_by_jacob_aagaard_and_steffen_nielsen/Or on Forward Chess:https://forwardchess.com/product/endgame-labyrinthsFree preview from Quality Chess:https://www.qualitychess.co.uk/ebooks/EndgameLabyrinthsOnlineExcerpt.pdf





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