Board games: Chess Books

Book SynopsisColin Crouch studies his favorite attacking players, and highlights all the important themes of one of the most crucial elements of the game.Trade Review"Great Attackers is a book that deserves to be in every chess player's library." John Donaldson "It is always a treat to read a book by Colin Crouch...A very enjoyable and instructive work." Lubomir Kavalek, Washington Post

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Book SynopsisFormer US Open Champion Timothy Taylor draws upon his wealth of personal experience to offer an instructive and entertaining account of how to improve your chess. This book is awash with invaluable advice on all stages of the game. Taylor emphasizes the practical aspects of chess: how to really make the most of your ability; how to win at all costs; and how to absorb the lessons of defeat to come back stronger. Grab every advantage over your opponents and be in the best possible shape for battle. True Combat Chess will show you the way.Trade Review'It is obvious from Taylor's writing that he still has a sense of enthusiasm for chess that is both refreshing as well as inspiring.' Michael Jeffreys reviewing Timothy Taylor's Bird's Opening for Chessville.com.

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Book SynopsisProminent opening specialists take a revolutionary look at a popular group of openings - the Anti-Sicilians - and select a wealth of 'dangerous' options for both Black and White.Trade Review'I feel that these books are the most refreshing of recent opening products, and wonderful for anyone wishing to get off of the main theoretical paths.' Award-winning author John Watson reviewing the Dangerous Weapons series for The Week in Chess. 'The book should be welcomed by all tournament players who like to see their pieces flying.' Grandmaster Lubomir Kavalek reviewing Dangerous Weapons: The Nimzo-Indian for Washington Post. 'Whoever absorbs this wealth of original analysis can expect exciting games and some quick wins, with both colours!' James Vigus, reviewing Dangerous Weapons: The Sicilian for British Chess Magazine.

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Book SynopsisThe Catalan is a sophisticated and wide-ranging opening system which is popular at all levels of chess. In recent years it has been catapulted into the limelight by Vladimir Kramnik, who has revitalized it with many new ideas and has utilized it with great success against the world's strongest players - on occasion making it look like a forced win for White! In this book, Grandmaster Nigel Davies presents a major study of this important opening. Drawing upon his wealth of personal experience with the Catalan, Davies provides a reliable and dynamic repertoire for White, covers the keys plans for both sides, and tackles crucial modern day issues such as move orders.

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Book SynopsisProminent opening specialists take a revolutionary look at the ever-popular King's Indian and select a wealth of 'dangerous' options for both White and Black.

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Book SynopsisLeading chess author Colin Crouch selects and explains over 30 sensational games, all from the new millennium. By studying battles between the world's best players, Crouch examines in detail all the key areas of modern chess. Powerful attacking and resourceful defending, bloodthirsty tactical battles, profound positional mastery, deep opening preparation and superb endgame play are all in evidence here, while Crouch also explores the ever-increasing role of computers and the way human imagination can work in harness with them. There is something for everyone in this book: aspiring players will benefit greatly from the clear explanations of the fundamentals, while stronger players will gain considerably from Crouch's deep insight and analysis in more complex positions. This book reflects the continuing changes in modern chess, and how you can use the lessons learned to great effect in your own games.

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Book SynopsisThis book teaches you how to attack the Sicilian Defence by using the 'Seven Deadly Sacrifices'.

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Book SynopsisIn August 2008 Andres D. Hortillosa entered the New England Masters. It was a brave choice for an unrated player to compete in such a tough event, but it proved to be an inspired decision; he exceeded all expectations and was rewarded with a FIDE international rating of 2199. This, however, was no overnight success; it was the result of systematic work. How did he achieve such outstanding improvement? The answer lies in this book. Hortillosa believes that a chessplayer can improve at any age as long as he or she is inspired with the right attitude and enabled with the right thinking processes. In this original and thought-provoking book, Hortillosa explains his ever-evolving system of chess improvement. He discusses in detail methods of preparation, how to get the best out of all the available sources, and numerous over-the-board techniques such as capitalizing on mistakes, eliminating blunders, sticking to plans and minimizing harmful bias. His system works and now he is divulging his secrets. You might be a young, teenage or adult player, but if you are serious about improving your chess this book is for you.

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Book SynopsisThe Ruy Lopez is incredibly common at all levels of chess, and everyone who plays 1 e4 e5 as Black needs to have a reliable antidote to this powerful opening. In this book, Milos Pavlovic provides the answer, devising a sound and yet ambitious repertoire for Black, the basis of which is provided by the legendary and ever-popular Marshall Attack. The Marshall is a perfect weapon for Black, as it avoids passive positions and the so-called 'Spanish torture' of many other variations. In contrast, with the Marshall Black's objectives are clear-cut and often involve a direct mating attack against the white king!

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Book SynopsisThe Rules of Winning Chess provides you with the key fundamentals of the game, principles that you can easily learn and remember, and that will help you to achieve both greater understanding and enjoyment of chess.Trade Review"Players returning to chess after a break (school, job, family, etc.) might find The Rules of Winning Chess a good way to get some guidance and focus as they ease back into the Royal Game (or start removing the "rust"). Beginning club players might find The Rules' direction (and inspiration) much less intimidating than, say, tackling Dvoretsky's manuals." - Rick Kennedy, Chessville.com

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Book SynopsisStarting Out: The Reti is a further addition to Everyman's best-selling Starting Out series. Grandmaster Neil McDonald revisits the fundamentals of the Reti, examining the key moves and plans for both sides.

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Book SynopsisAnyone who plays 1 e4 as White must be prepared not only for Black's main defences but also an assortment of less popular lines. These, when taken together, represent a significant percentage of the replies you can expect to meet when opening 1 e4. Dealing with these slightly offbeat variations is often a daunting task, especially since your opponents are likely to be specialists in these lines and therefore know them inside out. This book provides the perfect solution. International Master Andrew Greet gets to grips with each of these tricky openings. He identifies how to exploit their weaknesses whilst avoiding their strengths, thus constructing a practical and dependable repertoire for White. This book covers everything a 1 e4 player needs to know about facing these defences. Written by a renowned opening expert, this book features full of original ideas and analysis. It is ideal for improvers, club players and tournament players.

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Book SynopsisWhat separates the greatest chess players from mere mortals? Grandmaster Danny Gormally believes that understanding, preparation and will to win are three crucial factors. In Play Chess Like the Pros he examines these key aspects and attempts to bridge the gap between the best and the rest. He believes that a player's capacity to improve is limitless, and in this age of computer-assisted learning the opportunity to do so is greater than ever before. But are you prepared to stretch yourself, to take yourself out of the comfort zone? However, this is more than a self-improvement book. Nearly 15 years of experience as a chess professional makes the author ideally placed to tell the stories, not just behind the moves but also the characters who play them, giving the reader an insider's view of professional chess in the modern age.

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Book SynopsisProminent opening specialists take a revolutionary look at the ambitious Dutch Defence and select a wealth of 'dangerous' options for both White and Black.

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Book SynopsisHow can you improve at chess? This is the eternal question asked by players of all levels. Which part of the game should you focus on? How often should you play? Should you change your opening repertoire? What's the best way to learn from your defeats? So many questions ...and yet direct answers are hard to find. It's no wonder aspiring players are left bewildered and in need of direction. In this book grandmaster Nigel Davies provides that direction. He examines the methods used by a number of players who were looking to improve their game, and how they went about achieving their goal. He has drawn heavily on the games and thoughts of players who have been his students over the years and experienced a clear improvement in their play. Finding the path towards improvement can prove difficult without the right guidance. This book will demonstrate the route to take. *A major study of chess improvement *Written by a renowned chess trainer *Tackles all areas of the game

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Book SynopsisThe main reason why we lose at chess is no big secret: we all make unnecessary mistakes! But simply acknowledging this fact isn't enough to help us improve. The big question is, how can we eliminate these mistakes from our game, or at least keep them to an absolute minimum? Colin Crouch tackles this vital subject face-to-face. Drawing upon his considerable experience, he looks back at critical moments within games where mistakes are made, and examines how we can recognise the danger signs and avoid making impulsive decisions. The reader is constantly challenged by exercises, which provide perfect training for real over-the-board battles.

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Book SynopsisWe have all experienced nasty gambits and ultra-aggressive opening play. It's scary and it's always been difficult to find good, practical advice on how to react. Now, however, help is at hand. In this book, Sam Collins tackles the important subject of gambit play and gambit defence. He explores in depth the basic approaches, the typical mistakes made at all levels and explains how to avoid them. He also examines the techniques used by world-class players to defend and counterattack, and explains how you can learn from them. In addition, he covers some key theory of many popular gambits in modern chess. Be bold, be brave and grab those pawns! This book shows you how to: *Beat unsound gambits *Keep a cool head under pressure *Counterattack when the time is right *Make your extra material count

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Book SynopsisPicture a typical scenario in which both players are gunning for each other's kings. Whose attack will break through first? Often it's a case of 'who dares wins', but it's not enough to throw your pieces up the board and hope for the best! To succeed you need to acquire sophisticated attacking and defensive skills. The good news is that they can easily be learned, remembered and put into practice. In this book, Lorin D'Costa presents a comprehensive study of opposite-side castling and the crucial techniques needed both in attack and defence. Studying this book will allow you to approach these frequent situations with confidence.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a repertoire for Black with the ever-popular Queen's Gambit Declined. Opening expert John Cox covers not one but two key options for Black. The Tartakower Variation is a sophisticated defence used successfully by world champions such as Kasparov, Karpov and Kramnik. The Lasker Variation is an easy-to-learn and reliable option devised by one of the legends of the game. Cox also demonstrates how to play against White's other tries, including the Exchange Variation and Bf4 lines. He explains in detail the typical plans and tactics adopted by both sides, whilst also tackling the tricky subject of move-order possibilities. *A repertoire for Black against the Queen's Gambit *Provides answers to all of White's main options *Ideal for improvers, club players and tournament playersTrade Review...This all makes for a book that offers a Black repertoire that should be attractive to many players. After reading this book, I feel compelled to study the opening in more depth and try it out for myself. ****** (out of 6) - MAXIMUM rating! Carsten Hansen ChessCafe.com

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Book SynopsisI look one move ahead...the best!A", Siegbert Tarrasch Chess is a wonderfully rich and complex game, but ultimately the goal can be simply defined as finding the best move, time after time. If you are able to do this, you will win your games. However, the million dollar question is: how can we give ourselves the very best chance of doing so? Per Ostman is convinced that there are three key elements that we require: first and foremost, a structured move-by-move thinking process; second, the desired skills to execute this process; and finally, traditional chess knowledge we can build upon. Ostman examines these three vital building blocks which form the basis of what we need to master. He describes in detail a clear thinking process he has developed over several years as a chess teacher, a process to guide us in our ultimate search to find the best move. *Improve your chess by structured move selection *Numerous examples to illustrate clear thinking processes *Covers calculation, planning and attacking skills *Includes opening, middlegame and endgame playTrade ReviewThe book by Per Ostman is a wonderful study-book for every club-player who has troubles with choosing the best move in critical situations Bab en Truus Wilders Nederlands Dagblad

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Book SynopsisThe Sicilian Defence is by far the most popular chess opening. If you play 1 e4 as White, on average you are likely to meet the Sicilian in virtually every other game! You need to be prepared to face the Sicilian at all times, and a ready-to-use repertoire against it is an indispensible weapon. In this book, Gawain Jones confronts the challenge of meeting the Sicilian head on. He builds an Anti-Sicilian repertoire for White based on lines he has successfully employed at grandmaster level. These are sound, reliable options but they also contain more than a drop of poison. Variations covered include the highly popular King's Indian Attack and various Bb5 systems. *A Grandmaster's repertoire against the Sicilian *Highlights key tactical and positional ideas for both sides *Ideal for improvers, and club and tournament players

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Book Synopsis'Chess Secrets' is a series of books which uncover the mysteries of the most important aspects of chess, such as strategy, attack, defence, opening play, endgames, off-board preparation and mental attitude. In each book the author chooses and deeply studies a number of great players who have excelled in such aspects of the game, greatly influenced their peers and inspired all of us. In 'Giants of Innovation', Craig Pritchett selects five chess legends whose play exemplifies outstandingly innovative attributes. Wilhelm Steinitz established the essential ground-rules for modern positional chess. Emanuel Lasker pioneered a new kind of totalA", all-out battling chess. Mikhail Botvinnik taught us how to prepare and successfully play an entire range of complex modern opening systems. Viktor Korchnoi set particularly high standards in the art of defence and counter-attack. Vassily Ivanchuk, a modern byword for ingenuity and surprise, excels by constant creation. Read this book and enhance your own skills. Understand how to inject more innovation into your own games. *An entertaining and instructive guide to innovative chess *Learn from the greats of the game *Discover how famous chess minds work

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Book SynopsisFormer US Open Champion Timothy Taylor presents weapons for Black against the hugely popular Spanish Opening, basing his repertoire on the Modern Steinitz Defence. This opening can lead to razor-sharp lines, such as the Siesta Variation, where one slip by either player could prove to be fatal. But a major attraction of the Modern Steinitz is its flexibility, as Black can also choose to play in a more positional manner. Taylor studies in depth the critical main lines, and also what to do if White avoids these. Read this book and be ready to slay the Spanish!Trade Review"In all Timothy Taylor's new book is meaty, well organized and full of interesting ideas." Harvey Lerman Florida Chess

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Book SynopsisThe Old Indian Defence is considered to be a sound way for Black to meet 1 d4. Some might argue that it is steady rather than spectacular, but is this reputation totally deserved? Grandmaster Alexander Cherniaev strongly disagrees, and in this book he introduces ambitious and aggressive ways for Black to play in the main lines. He constructs an improved version of a repertoire he has himself utilized with great success against grandmaster opposition. Using illustrative games, he studies the fundamental tactical and positional ideas for both sides, and also covers what to do if White avoids the Old Indian. This book tells you everything you need to know about playing the New Old Indian. *A Grandmaster's repertoire against 1 d4 *Full of new ideas and critical analysis *Illustrative games highlight key ideasTrade ReviewThis is a fascinating book... ***** (out of 6) Carsten Hansen ChessCafe.com

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Book SynopsisDo you instinctively know what to do in every type of chess position or are you often uncertain about how to proceed? Wouldn't it be really useful to know the best chess strategies and to recognise when they should be used? In this book Sam Collins examines key games from both the classical and modern eras. He analyses the major strategic ideas that have stood the test of time and notes their considerable influence on his own games. Studying classic examples from great players allows us to create a personal library of standard ideas. This helps us recognize key positions, making it easier to determine the most effective ways to attack and defend. Crucially, it helps us find the right path much more quickly than we would by relying on calculation alone. * An essential guide to chess strategy * Covers opening, middlegame and endgame play * Ideal for players of all levelsTrade ReviewSo it's an eclectic and, as the author says, 'quirky', collection of mini-essays on various features of the middlegame, written with a lightness of touch and pleasing dash of self-deprecation. I liked it. - Chess Scotland This book was very readable and the author was able to convey his ideas in a method that should enable the reader to better his chess. The text and examples are clear and to the point. I highly recommend this book to players in the 1500-2000 range and feel that it will not only improve their game but increase their enjoyment of chess. - Chess Today

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Book SynopsisGive me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." - Abraham Lincoln There's no escaping the fact: if you want to win chess games, you have to attack at some point. Many players are happy solving combinations in winning positions, when the hard work is already done, but the key to a successful attack undoubtedly comes much earlier. No-one can attack effectively if they haven't prepared properly, and yet planning in chess can be a difficult technique to master, even for experienced players. This book provides a solution. Using an abundance of illustrative games and examples, Gary Lane answers the questions which constantly puzzle players of all levels. Where are my opponent's weaknesses? Do I have enough pieces in the attack? When should I strike? Do I need to sacrifice? Should I cash in or continue to attack? Read this book, discover the answers and attack with confidence! *An essential guide to attacking chess*Introduces easy-to-learn techniques*Focuses on planning and strategy

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Book SynopsisChess Developments provides state-of-the-art openings coverage. Chess Developments focuses on the current trends - concentrating on critical lines, theoretical novelties and powerful new ideas. It offers players of all levels the opportunity to keep up-to-date with current opening theory whilst also expanding and improving their repertoires. In this book, Bryan Paulsen examines key lines in the Semi-Slav Defence, which is hotly debated at both world championship and club level. Paulsen covers the fascinating Botvinnik Variation, the solid Moscow Variation, the razor-sharp Anti-Moscow Gambit, the popular Cambridge Springs Defence and the hybrid Queen's Gambit Declined. He studies the most theoretically important and instructive games in recent years, highlighting the main developments and novelties for both sides. Whether playing White or Black, this book provides you with vital knowledge of a popular opening. *Essential coverage and analysis of the Semi-Slav 5 Bg5 *Includes the Botvinnik, Moscow, Anti-Moscow and Cambridge Springs *Packed with key new ideas and critical lines

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Book SynopsisThis series provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of opening knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to study any chess opening and at the same time improve your general chess skills and knowledge. The Winawer is a very popular choice amongst French Defence players. It enjoys a sound reputation and reaches positions rich in possibilities for both players. It offers Black the opportunity to enter sharp, dynamic lines, such as the notorious Poisoned Pawn Variation, as well as lines which are more strategic in nature. In this book, FIDE Master Steve Giddins invites you to join him in studying the French Winawer, an opening which he has played for over 25 years, and its many variations. He examines instructive games, covers the most important lines and provides answers to all the key questions.Trade ReviewAs a startup book to ease you into the Winawer, this one is just about perfect. - New in Chess This is an excellent book and can be recommended to anyone thinking about taking up the Winawer, or to players who already play it and wish to improve their understanding of it. For those taking up the Winawer from new, they may subsequently find that they also need a traditional "variations" opening book (Giddins himself points the reader to John Watson's 'play the French' occasionally in the text), and it may well be that Giddins's book and a traditional book work best in combination (though I repeat that Steve's book is not skimpy on theory). Highly recommended. - British Chess Magazine

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Book SynopsisChess Developments is a brand new series providing state-of-the-art openings coverage. Chess Developments focuses on the current trends - concentrating on critical lines, theoretical novelties and powerful new ideas. It offers players of all levels the opportunity to keep up-to-date with current opening theory whilst also expanding and improving their repertoires. The Pirc is an ambitious counter-attacking weapon against 1 e4. Black allows White to build an imposing centre before striking back and attacking it with pieces and pawns. If Black's strategy is successful White's centre can be blown away, but if Black fails he runs the risk of being overrun. In this book, James Vigus examines the most theoretically important and instructive Pirc games since the publication of his highly acclaimed The Pirc in Black and White, highlighting the main developments and novelties for both sides. Studying this book will provide you with essential information on a popular opening. *Essential coverage of the Pirc Defence *Packed with key new ideas and critical analysis *User-friendly design to help readers absorb informationTrade ReviewFor serious Pirc players this book will constitute an excellent update on the theoretical status of the most topical lines. - ChessCafe.com The days when the Pirc was a second rate response to 1.e4 are over. While it may never replace 1...e5 or certain variations of the Sicilian as Black's most trusted answer to 1.e4, there can be no doubt the Pirc has entered the main stream and that the books by Vigus are the one's to get if you want to play this defense. - Chess Today

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Book SynopsisChess players are known to be obsessed by openings. However, world champions have recommended that up-and-coming players should actually begin by studying the endgame first. This is because only by studying simplified positions can one fully develop an understanding of how chess pieces work - both in isolation and with each other. It is also the endgame where the true depth and subtlety of chess is revealed. In this instructive and entertaining book, renowned endgame expert Steve Giddins selects 50 of the finest examples of endgame play in the history of chess. Giddins examines each example in great detail and uses them to demonstrate the essential principles of high-quality endgame play. This book is full of essential guidelines and tips which all players should follow if they want to become a successful endgame player.Trade ReviewGiddins has written an entertaining and instructive book that should find a wide audience from club players right up to 2400. John Donaldson, Jeremysilman.com/Chess Today

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Book SynopsisWhat separates the best chess players from the rest? What gives them the edge over their rivals? Chess legend Vladimir Kramnik believes it's their fighting skills and the ability to continuously find ways to keep a game alive. Colin Crouch agrees, and is fascinated that the world's strongest players seem almost unbeatable, even when games appear sharp and double-edged. In this book Crouch examines the tremendous fighting qualities of today's top grandmasters. Analysing key games from 2012, Crouch demonstrates how they give nothing away to opponents but are always alert to punish any slight errors, and crucially, how we can apply these lessons to help us in our own games. Move by Move provides an ideal platform to study chess. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to improve your chess skills and knowledge.Trade Review"It is always a treat to read a book by Colin Crouch." GM Lubomir Kavalek on Chess Secrets: Great Attackers

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Book SynopsisThis new series provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of opening knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to study any chess opening and at the same time improve your general chess skills and knowledge. The Four Knights is an opening with a long and distinguished history. Despite its deceptively quiet appearance, it can lead to extremely sharp play - for example in the Belgrade Gambit - as well as more strategic battles in the main lines. In this book, Cyrus Lakdawala invites you to join him in examining the many different variations of the Four Knights. He shares his experience and knowledge, studies the typical plans and tactics for both sides, offers repertoire options and provides answers to all the key questions. *Essential guidance and training in the Four Knights *Also covers Three Knights and Anti-Petroff lines *Utilizes an ideal approach to chess study

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Book SynopsisWant to improve at chess? Then you'll need to improve your understanding of chess strategy. You probably knew that already - but how to begin to study such a vast and seemingly complex subject? International Master Adam Hunt is a full-time chess teacher and is thus very familiar with this problem. His solution is to present an accessible and easy-to-read guide for club players and juniors. Hunt studies all the key components of chess strategy, including development, king safety, attack and defence, initiative, pawn play and much more. He examines not only grandmaster games but also those played by students, demonstrates model strategic play, identifies typical mistakes and explains how to avoid them. Move by Move provides an ideal platform to study chess. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to improve your chess skills and knowledge. *An essential guide to chess strategy *Important ideas absorbed by continued practice *Uses an ideal approach to chess studyTrade ReviewA friend with some basic chess experience asked me recently for a recommendation for a chess book that will assist him in grasping some of the essential chess elements. While there are a number of fine books and DVDs available, I am inclined to advise him to purchase Chess Strategy: Move by Move. This reviewer thoroughly enjoyed Chess Strategy: Move by Move. Adam Hunt covers most of the important positional topics for his target audience, and does so in an easy-to-read manner. - ChessCafe.com

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