Depending on the position’s difficulty, I choose a maximum amount of time I’d want myself to spend on that type of position in a competitive game. Even if you use an online program, such as ’s Tactics Trainer or ChessTempo, I recommend setting up the positions. I try to make my study sessions as close to tournament conditions as possible. These are the training methods and materials that have helped me improve the most over the years-with an emphasis on the 1500-1900 level: 1) Study actively.Įvery time I study, I make the process interactive: the more I’m thinking, solving, and re-creating tournament conditions, the better I’ll remember, understand, and be able to use the knowledge in the future. How do you choose the books that will help you improve the most? And, is there an optimum way to study? While there is no shortage of chess books, many of which are excellently-written, remembering and using the knowledge consistently in your own games can be another story. If it’s a positional text, it becomes second nature to hunt down your opponent’s weak pawns.
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If it’s a tactics book, your pieces begin to come alive at the hint of a loose piece in the enemy position. If it’s a Tal book, suddenly, you find intriguing opportunities to sacrifice at every turn. Ideally, when you’re about midway through, you start to see its effect on your own games.
List of chess books full#
It’s hard to put down, full of entertaining prose and fascinating games. A good chess book holds an entire world of understanding within its pages.
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I can trace nearly every peak rating I’ve ever had to time spent studying a specific book. Which book and/or player made an impression on you? I’m more than halfway through Mikhail Tal’s autobiography and Python Strategy by Petrosian is on my wishlist!" In the comments for a previous article, a reader, Chris Farmer, asked: "I’m curious about the pre-tourney prep you do and any advice you might have for a player who has been stuck at the 2nd Category level for years despite blood, sweat and tears.