Publisher: The Chess Press, 2010, Pages: 534, Paperback "The Principles, Methods and Essential Knowledge of Chess"
This is 534-page one-of-a-kind chess book belongs in every serious chess player's library. It contains all of the useful, practical, information from over 400 chess books (plus many other sources). As a result, it contains more helpful information than certainly any other chess book in history. By eliminating the diagrams, games, variations and excessive examples, the book is about 40,000 pages shorter, 8 feet thinner, 188 pounds lighter than it would be... and it saves you about $8,000! If you want examples, you can get them from many other books and games. However, if you want a single book that covers nearly all of the essential concepts in chess; this is definitely the book for you.
Being all text, you can take it with you wherever you go and read it (without a board). You can read it in your recliner, on a train, at the beach, in a restaurant, in the bathtub... almost anywhere (although probably not in the shower or while driving). You might be wondering if, without variations and examples, it can be easily comprehended. Well, isn't visualization and doing things in your head at the very core of playing chess (not to mention the learning process itself)? Actually, the information is more likely to be retained by conceptualizing it. To see if you can understand without examples, you can try a few sample pages (click on "Sample Pages" below). While you're at it, don't forget to look at the "Introduction" and "Contents" to get an idea just how comprehensive the book is.
Is this book for all chess players? Actually, it should be very beneficial for almost all chess players from beginner up to about the master level. This book is for serious students of the game. It is also ideal for chess teachers. It is not an entertaining book. If you want entertainment, this is not the book for you. It is a textbook designed for the purpose of dispensing chess knowledge and, at that, it is hard to beat.
Commentsabout this book:
"...it's definitely unique in its verbal approach, which is particularly useful especially to adults learning the game." (Jennifer Shahade, author, journalist, two-time American Women's Chess Champion and FIDE Woman Grandmaster)
"Your book addresses the teachable portion of chess wisdom. Very commendable! Your readers will be off to a good start, and the rest is up to them." (Jack Peters, International Master, Chess Columnist Los Angeles Times)
