I've just taken this one out of the library. It promises much. Says the blurb: "No matter where your opponent lands his piece on the board, Chess Target Practice will teach you how to successfully attack his position. By analyzing each and every square, Bruce Pandolfini helps players learn the appropriate tactics to zero in on the target and move in for the kill. Because different positions necessitate different attack plans, this one-of-a-kind strategy book offers tactics for each of the squares on the board .... Whether it's used as a study guide before a match, or as a reference during the rigors of competition [its] offers users a unique perspective and a decided advantage against opponents."
Lofty ambitions indeed. Tactics? Cool, because I'm often guilty of not strategising and pushing pieces until opportunities arise. Maybe I can gain some more insight into strategies. Unfortunately it falls far short of its claim. This book should rather be titled Endgame Blunders and How to Take Advantage of Them. It comprises 192 positions where White or Black has just moved. Invariably these are all endgame positions and you have a win or gain a decided advantage in two or three moves. Most of them rely on your opponent's blunders and not some particular tactical acumen from your side. Here's an example:
Black has just played ... Q8xd4. Doh. Check the King and take the Queen. These are the kind of blunders I don't see from any player rated over 1400. So, if you're a beginner or intermediary player you'll probably find it useful seeing how to use pins, forks, discovered checks etc. But you won't find any strategies here.
ISBN: 0-671-79500-7
Yea, they set up positions with tactics, solve them, and try to tell the reader these will occur in your own games. Well, maybe, if your opponent is an idiot. If you want real drillwork on tactics, as realistic as possible, try http://chess.emrald.net/index.php. It's a free tactics server and it matches the tactic with your rating. So if you're an idiot like me you get easy ones, if you're more astute it'll give you something harder. But it's easy to see these are more practical positions. And because it's a drill and is timed, you can't eat a sandwich and do it at the same time. As close to a real game as I've seen. Sometimes you just have to get your king out of the way in the best possible square after a check. My only issue is with the time regimen, which favors people with good mouse skills. The site will keep track of your improvement and compare you to other tacticians. And best of all, it's free!
Originally posted by buddy2That is an excellent site and a brilliant idea for tactics training. Thanks for the link.
Yea, they set up positions with tactics, solve them, and try to tell the reader these will occur in your own games. Well, maybe, if your opponent is an idiot. If you want real drillwork on tactics, as realistic as possible, try http://chess.emrald.net/index.php. It's a free tactics server and it matches the tactic with your rating. So if you're an idiot ...[text shortened]... eep track of your improvement and compare you to other tacticians. And best of all, it's free!
