Practical Chess Exercises: 600 Lessons from Tactics to Strategy
by Ray Cheng
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Book Summary Information
Author: Ray ChengEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-05-15
ISBN: 1587368013
Number of pages: 216
Publisher: Wheatmark
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9781587368011
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of Practical Chess Exercises: 600 Lessons from Tactics to Strategy
Book Review: The Problem Book We All Didn't Know We Needed
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're a class level player, and are only going to buy one more chess book for the rest of your life, it simply has to be this one. Buy this book in any event and treasure it. It's the problem book we didn't know we needed.
Now, if you've read my other chess and checker book reviews you'll know that I'm not prone to empty praise and the type of hyperbola espoused in the paragraph above. But plain and simple, this book is every bit as good as I imply.
What is it? It's 600 problems, six to a page, with solutions sketched (not detailed) on the facing page (which you need to keep covered with a sheet of note paper sized to fit the book). The problems are not the usual themed and rated tactics collection; they are a completely randomized assortment of REAL LIFE positions, many drawn from amateur games. They range from easy to hard, tactical to positional, opening to endgame, and attack to defense. But what is so great about the collection is that you are given not a single hint as to type, theme, or difficulty (until you look at the solution, wherein all is revealed). This simulates tournament play conditions exactly.
Yes, with this book you are completely on your own and as the introduction points out, you are going to have to think for yourself, just as you do in real play. The intro also recommends taking about 30 minutes per page of six problems, but I'll suggest another way of using, and reusing, this book.
I am going through the book in several passes. On my first pass, I take as long as I want on each problem (within reason). I'm not using a clock, but I'm coming up with a plan and then a set of moves in 15 minutes or less; some of the easy problems with a tactical solution require little time; some of the complex ones require much more time. If convenient, I set up the problem on a board, with the side to move facing me (better, I think, than solving 'upside down' from a diagram), though the book's portable size lends itself to solving at odd moments in odd places as well. After I work out my solution I compare it with the book's solution, being careful not to reveal any other solutions on the facing page; I reconcile my answer with the "right" answer, if they are different. Then, at that point or later, I use the computer (Hiarcs in this case) to explore other avenues, if the problem so warrants.
On your first pass I do advise you to do the same and not skip this latter computer step; it adds immensely to your learning and to the value of the problem, even if it does require additional effort.
On my second pass, which is still to come, I plan to limit my time strictly to five minutes per problem. Hopefully the themes will "ring a bell" at that point. I also intend a third pass where I am hoping for sight recognition and will allow just one minute per problem.
How much improvement can you--- or I--- expect from study of 600 varied and realistic positions? While I don't have numbers to back it up yet, I suspect it will be in the region of 200 rating points, maybe even more, as truly learning this many practical positions has got to be of great value.
What other book can offer this much? Opening books will teach you some things, analysis books will teach you more; but learning to play positions corresponds in a one to one manner with actual tournament play. This unique collection is doing a lot for me and I bet it will for you too.
Summary of Practical Chess Exercises: 600 Lessons from Tactics to Strategy
Raise your chess to the next level with this program of 600 instructive and challenging exercises covering all aspects of the game. This book will sharpen your tactical vision, deepen your positional understanding, and enrich your knowledge of theoretical positions. It will also strengthen your analytical skills, and instill a sound move selection process. Win more games and increase your enjoyment of chess!
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