I love to play the Marshall against the Ruy Lopez, but even at my level (USCF Expert), most players don't allow it. I find myself using the repertoire from this book in my games about ten times as often as what I use against the Ruy. I haven't found any junk in the book yet, although I prefer quieter lines against the Scotch. Another great thing about this book is that it is not just for players of the black pieces; I find the lines useful for White as well.

Dvoretsky's book is for advanced players. In order to get maximum benefit one should probably have a rating of at least 2000 FIDE (app. 2100 USCF). At that level basic tactical skills would be in place. However, in order to develop further one must work with more complicated material, basically well-annotated complex tactical games. This is where Dvoretsky comes in. The book is packed with complex games and analysis of very high quality, with additional observations and succinct advice about decision-making and psychology in tactical situations. In this book chess is a very concrete game - the master-teacher is a firm believer in the power of the specific example more than in overall synthesis or general conclusions.

Concisely written that slowly guides players who want to gain a better understanding of how to strategically play (or better yet, at least have a chance vs. more knowledgeable players). Well layed out. One can ease through the text as the information is presented at a liesurely yet practical pace. Refreshing and not overbearing.

Bring order to chaos.
·Step by step guide to maximize your mission scores
·Full weapon and tactical aid stats
·Suspect & Hostage details for every mission
·Multiplayer tactical tips and maps
·Official info on suspect AI and the new ballistics system

In the opening, each player tries to control the center, set up a flexible pawn structure, develop the pieces rapidly and harmoniously, sometimes even go for direct attack. But there are so many complicated variations -- how can you memorize them all? You can't -- and you don't have to! If you understand the basic goals of the opening you're playing, you will know which moves fit logically into its overall scheme. This classic, best-selling volume, now completely reset in modern algebraic notation, explains everything you need to know to play the opening sensibly and successfully. Reuben Fine, an International Grandmaster, is one of the world's top players and a leading theoretician of chess. He is the author of over half a dozen books, including the definitive Basic Chess Endings.

Off the Wall Chess Trivia is jammed with tons of little-known facts, historical gems, and amazing stories - all you could possibly think of that defines chess. Whether you are a chess enthusiast or just a dabbler, you will be delighted, amazed and amused by this resource.

Znosko was the Silman of our time and one of the strongest GMs of the early part of the 20th Century. In his day he was considered one of the best chess teachers and it's amazing his books have held up for over 50 years. This book is still standard reading by the Soviet school of chess and actually covers almost all of the key concepts covered by Silman in his Reassess your chess book. In fact it is recommended by the Dvoretsky school (Specifically mentioned in the Positional play book) why? Because the principles taught are still relevant, space, time, material balance, open lines and Tempo (Nowadays called development). The game examples are from the greats, Capa, Alekhine, Tarasch etc. Also some of the ideas have been forgotten and are now being revived. I think a newly minted International Master said it best " The reason I made the jump from Fide master to IM was mainly due to study of tactical variations and working through Znoskos's Middlegame book" Finally its written in Znosko's famous easy reading style.

The 1962 Candidates' Tournament in Curaçao was one of the fiercest chess battles of all time. At the height of the Cold War, eight players contested the right to challenge World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik. The format of the tournament was a gruelling quadruple round-robin. Twenty-eight games were to be played on the tropical island, in a contest that lasted two months. The air trembled with drama and intrigue. One of the favourites, the brilliant Mikhail Tal,was taken to hospital after 21 rounds and had to withdraw. Three other players from the Soviet Union, Keres, Petrosian, and Geller, were making suspiciously short draws when playing each other. The two American players came to blows over the services of the second they were supposed to share. Bella Kortchnoi, whose husband took an early lead in the tournament, was a puppet in the hands of the scheming Rona Petrosian, the wife of the later winner. And one of the favourites was a lanky 19-year-old boy from Brooklyn, Bobby Fischer, who openly accused the Soviets of collusion and was later proven right. In the end, Tigran Petrosian was the winner and went on to become the new World Champion the following year. But such was the impact of Fischer's accusations that this was the last time such a battle was organised. Henceforth the challenger to the highest crown was determined in a series of matches. Curaçao 1962 was the last Candidates' Tournament. In Curaçao 1962, Jan Timman returns to this clash of giants and takes a fresh look at the games. Timman describes the course of the tournament and annotates the most important games (including 16 of Fischer's!) in his usual lucid and instructive style. Curaçao 1962 revives a tradition of great tournament books, such as Alekhine's New York 1927 and Bronstein's Zurich 1953.

This book avoids both of these shortcomings. It gives a reasonably large number of variations - anything worthwhile/likely to be played by white, AND detailed explanations regarding the strategies behind the moves. The variations are all supported by games of leading players. The book is well written and easy to read.

I almost passed this one up but I'm sure glad I didn't. As a player rated in the 1600 - 1800 range, I'm often frustrated to see a "crushing" win swept away in one careless move. I get so wrapped up in my own plans that I often ignore those of my opponent. Ugh! Although it is easy to say "always try to understand what your opponent's move was threatening before making your move", I tend to play fast and impatiently (even when not in any time trouble). Heisman's book is great because it forces you to solve the problems in 2 stages - identify the threat, then figure out the remedy.

I think the 2-star reviewer misses the point of this book: it's supposed to be fun. And it is. The puzzles are pretty challenging, and it definitely helps if you play chess. You tend to notice positional abnormalities that are the bases of the problems. From there, it's just detective work. But the real treat to this book is the world the author creates. Smullyan's characters can't play chess for nuts. You should see the bizarre positions they come up with - it's as though they're making random moves. Yet this doesn't diminish their love of the game one bit. They're such gentlemen too. No one minds when Dr. Holmes interrupts to ask questions. His new friends are always polite and like nothing more than a good demonstration of deductive reasoning. I wish I lived in their world.

Great mind's strategies put in Everyman language. That pretty sums this book up.I have found this book to be easy to follow as well as very insightful. Capablanca was a world class chess champion, but his terminology for this work is far from aloof. It is down to earth and to the point.He goes over rules, opening moves, middle game and ending. His points on strategy are priceless. I highly recommend this book to any beginner; it will improve your game - fast!