Analyzes the moves of fifty chess matches and examines what can be learned from each game, discussing attacking the king, defense, piece power, pawn structure, and endgame themes.

In a sequel to the hugely successful 50 Essential Chess Lessons, Steve Giddins now presents 50 games that each illustrate an important winning method. This engaging and highly readable book is a painless way to build your personal arsenal of techniques and ideas. The games are mostly from the modern era, but with a few classic examples chosen to show key themes in as clear a way as possible. In these cases, the defender may have never seen the critical idea before, and fails to react appropriately. We then move on to more complex examples where the attacker needs to overcome stiffer resistance. Giddins repeatedly shows that despite the tactical complexity of many of these battles, the fundamental concepts can be grasped by all chess-players, and will help them navigate through apparently intimidating terrain. The many topics include: * Attacking weak colour complexes * The principle of two weaknesses * Choosing the right exchanges * Devastating opening preparation * Manoeuvring in 'restraint' structures * Handling must-win situations

Steve Giddins is an author acclaimed for his ability to write in down-to-earth style on fundamental chess topics. In this book he answers the questions that really matter to chess-players. His topics include many basic ideas, including some that have rarely been addressed so directly in chess literature, and thus are often misunderstood by club players. Where appropriate, the answers also address highly sophisticated concepts, providing insights gleaned from many years of experience and discussions with players and trainers of the highest level. Subjects include: * Playing Chess in General * The Opening * Tactics and Combinations * Planning and Strategy * Positional Play * The Endgame * Competitive Play * Training and Computers * Throughout, the ideas are backed up with examples from practical play and thought-provoking quotes from the great chess legends, thinkers and writers.

The upgraded 2024 edition of a modern classic

This is designed to take the beginner through all aspects of the game and bring him up to the standard of a strong club player. By means of 40 carefully selected lessons the author provides a course which can either form the curriculum for a school club or be used by adults for self-instruction.

Good planning is central to good chess. A plan gives meaning to maneuvers and tactical devices, forming a coherent whole that brings us closer to our goals. The modern understanding of chess planning has evolved considerably since the days of the grand plan, whereby a player might even try to map out the whole course of the game. Nowadays, top-class players appreciate that the opponent's ideas also deserve respect, and our own plans must take them into account too. Modern grandmasters plan with great purpose but also flexibly, ready to adjust or even change direction completely when the situation demands it. Grivas provides 75 superb practical examples where it is important to make the right plan. Once the critical position is reached, he guides you through the options and challenges you to find the right path. Detailed solutions are provided, with a full discussion of the pros and cons of the various options.

In Chess for Everyone, national chess master and coach Robert M. Snyder introduces chess to the beginner in twenty graduated lessons. Mr. Snyder teaches the basic principles and then builds the student's knowledge in a clear and consistent manner. The reader is given a solid foundation in: Basic rules(piece movements, checkmate, castling, en passant, drawn game and more). Opening principles, traps and a basic opening system. Middlegame strategy (checkmate patterns and tactics). Basic endgame strategy including basic checkmates and King and Pawn endings. Upon completing Chess for Everyone students can continue to expand their knowledge in all areas of the game by reading the other volumes in the Chess for Everyone series.

In this book, the first to focus on these issues, Steve Giddins provides common-sense guidance on one of the perennial problems facing chess-players. He tackles questions such as: whether to play main lines, offbeat openings or 'universal' systems; how to avoid being 'move-ordered'; how to use computers; if and when to depart from or change your repertoire. Giddins argues that from novice to grandmaster, a player's basic task when choosing a repertoire is the same: he needs to select openings that suit his playing style and that he can play with confidence. The repertoire should not require more memory work and study than he is capable of, or has time for. The book is rounded off with a look at the use of 'role models' and an investigation of the repertoires of leading players past and present.

This book features the very best of Dan Heisman's multi-award winning chess column Novice Nook and is full of valuable instruction, insight and practical advice on a wide range of key chess subjects.

"This book is a training and improvement program for amateur chess players"--Introduction.