Endgame knowledge is absolutely crucial in chess. By understanding endgames, you can work backward to find the proper plans in the middlegames and even openings.
It is also the most boring part in chess to study. Therefore, I always try to teach my own children and students to understand endgame patterns instead of memorizing each position. It is impossible to memorize every endgame position!
That is why I came out with 3 volume endgame DVD:
– Essential Basic Endgames Part 1
– Essential Basic Endgames Part 2
– Essential Endgames: Intermediate
You can get more information about them on my website. 
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Ok, so…I see a lot of endgame videos and books…Romans, the new chessbase video series, and my absolute favorite – Dvorestky’s Endgame Manual. So, how does one go about choosing?
Too bad there is not an adult Endgame class…say a 10 week semester course w/ required lab that uses the best of these materials.
hmmm…or a semester course on the Nimzo etc…
The most borring part ?!?
I find study of endgames to be most interesting part of the chess!
Openings are borring.
It’s hard for beginners (like kids) to get motivated about the endgame because for most of their games are decided in the opening or middlegame due to serious blunders.
It’s only when one gets stung by the half-point (losing a drawn position or drawing a won position) that one really begins to realize the importance of endgames.
I’m over 2300 ELO and I still never reach the endgames. Either they mess up or I mess up.