I improved my chess greatly by reading and applying the imbalance theory in IM Jeremy Silman's book "The Amatuer's Mind". As a result, my strategic understanding of chess is way beyond the average player of the same rating.
Though my strategies win me many games, I often lose games due to tactical errors. These range from the one-move-hang-a-piece type, to attempts to win material that backfire badly and result in me losing material.
Silman is a great writer. He understands the amatuer's failings and writes in an easy-to-follow, friendly and humorous style. What I want to know is: has he written any books on chess tactics? If yes, may I know their titles? If no, can anyone recommend me a book similar to "The Amatuer's Mind", but that teaches me how to master chess tactics?
Originally posted by hildanknightLearn to scan the board thoroughly before you move. Look at every piece in turn and know where it can move. This will eliminate the one-move hanging-a-piece type blunders. It's a matter of discipline.
I improved my chess greatly by reading and applying the imbalance theory in IM Jeremy Silman's book "The Amatuer's Mind". As a result, my strategic understanding of chess is way beyond the average player of the same rating.
Though my strategies win me many games, I often lose games due to tactical errors. These range from the one-move-hang-a-piece ...[text shortened]... d me a book similar to "The Amatuer's Mind", but that teaches me how to master chess tactics?
For tactics, I like old Reinfeld books. One of them is "How to win Chess Games Quickly".
Originally posted by hildanknightAny strategy which denies tactical reality is going to suffer on the board.
I improved my chess greatly by reading and applying the imbalance theory in IM Jeremy Silman's book "The Amatuer's Mind". As a result, my strategic understanding of chess is way beyond the average player of the same rating.
Though my strategies win me many games, I often lose games due to tactical errors. These range from the one-move-hang-a-piece ...[text shortened]... d me a book similar to "The Amatuer's Mind", but that teaches me how to master chess tactics?
Think of strategy as a way of abstracting some of the labor involved with coming up with tactical ideas. It makes the problem of selecting which tactical combinations to calculate easier, but does not remove the need to calculate.
Once you see a possible exchange on the board, you HAVE to calculate the consequences of the exchange, and the differences between you initiating it and your opponent initiating it. Initiating an exchange without calculating the result beforehand is not a good policy.
I started with 1. e4 because:
1. Books recommend it for beginning players.
2. The openings seem to be less complicated - apart from the Sicilian.
3. I know a bit about a few openings starting with 1. e4 - I usually meet the Sicilian with the Grand Prix and after 1. e4 e5, I can play the King's Gambit, Scotch, Guicco Piano or Ruy Lopez
May I know a good range of openings to various Black responses to 1. d4? i.e. some candidate moves to play against 1...d5, 1...Nf6 and 1...f5 which are the main Black responses to 1. d4?
The REAL chess article was very informative. While I understand that study is imperative to chess improvement, I want to do practical study. I dodge theorotical lines because I seldom have the time to actually study chess openings. I rely on the principles and strategies learnt in The Amatuer's Mind - because it teaches very practical chess strategy. Due to other commitments, I would rather master 5 principles than memorize 50 key positions. I want to approach learning tactics in a practical way - I want to learn how to do so and get recommendations on books that will help me do so.
The Amatuer's Mind made me play much slower - I often stop to think 15 minutes over certain moves to determine the imbalances and form game plans at critical positions. This is despite having only 30 minutes a day to play correspondence chess. Over most moves I take 1-3 minutes - but I believe I am not using them effectively. The checklist idea is great and I would appreciate a tactical checklist which would take about 1-5 minutes to complete per move.
Please do not think I am lazy - I am a chess enthusiast, but due to school and other commitments, I can only spend 30 minutes a day on chess (actually more than most people), so I want to learn chess tactics and strategies in a very practical way.
What I would appreciate:
1. An opening guide for 1. d4 - a few openings that can arise from various Black replies and how to play them properly without going overly theoritical.
2. A book that teaches chess tactics in a practical way. I prefer concepts and guidelines to specific moves.
3. A checklist that would help me avoid tactical blunders, that tajkes about 1-5 minutes to go through (subconciously after sone time) per move.
Hope I made things clear.