Chess Tactics for the Tournament Player (Comprehensive Chess Course Series) (Vol. 3)

I was a bit skeptical at first of the "Comprehensive Chess Course", but I quickly realized that all the books in this course are well worth the money.Beyond an intermediate's players thoughts and views, I believe that this book is precisely what I need to reread, even after finishing the book once and studying Lev Alburt's other books in the series.It is not a very hard read in retrospect, encompassing most tactical positions you will commonly see on a chess board. It is not necessarily a beginner's book either, but kind of elementary for advanced or master level players.The "Comprehensive Chess Course" is designed to bridge the gap between "Beginner" and "Expert" and give you the information you need to become an "Expert." But like any chess book, it requires some degree of dedication and effort.I recommend this book.

It’s great. It’s not just pictures. It has good explanations, and is very well written. THIS IS A MUST HAVE. I’ve bought many chess books. So far, this is the best one.

Great!

I got this book a long time ago. At that time, I was probably 900-1100 Elo. When I read the first chapter, I could barely understand most of it.The problem is I also completed the previous book in this series at the time. So I thought I was ready for this book. I clearly wasn't. The second book claims it can get you to 1600-1800. However, I got to 1200 max after reading it twice.Because I did not achieve the rating the second book claimed I could get after THOROUGH completion of it, and then I read this book's first chapter and completely lost the thread of understanding, I gave up on this series.The fact is, there should have been a book in between books 2 and 3 ( this one) I will refer to it as book 2.5Book 2.5 should have been drills of all the material in each chapter of Book 2 that got progressively more difficult. It should have had around 800 puzzles and stretched the calculation abilities of the reader.When I strayed and read other books, that's essentially what happened. I read 1001 chess endgame exercises for beginners ( not an endgame book but a tactics book actually). That book was amazing. Every difficulty I had in breaking the 1200 barrier it clearly explained and taught how to think differently. When I was done with it twice, I reached 1400.Then I read 1001 chess exercises for beginners twice as well. That book brought me to 1600. Of course, everytime I made a mistake I figured out why and drilled it into my brain with emphasis on not making the same mistake. I wasn't memorizing the answers. It's the method of solving you are trying to improve as chess has too may positions to memorize anyway.My visualization, tactical awareness and calculation is several levels above what it used to be. I'm getting closer to 1700.Then by chance, I reopened this book and this book is PERFECT. it clearly explains how to put all that tactical and combinational knowledge together. It's way better (in my opinion) than understanding chess tactics by Weteschink and better than doing puzzles randomly online. It really is the best shortcut I found once a player is around the 1600 level. Looking at the material, I feel i can reach expert level analysis and tactical ability. Then all I have to do is work on strategic/ positional/ endgames to reach 2100.In summary, only go to this book if you can complete CT Art or 1001 chess tactics for beginners competently and repetitively. This book will then show you how to put these combinational skills to good use by showing historical examples of some of the greatest tacticians and the ideas they came up with over the board.If CT ART or 1001 chess exercises for beginners is too tough ( don't be fooled this book starts with mates in one and two but one third into it it's clearly 1600 level and above) then consider chess tactics for champions by Polgar or 1001 chess endgame exercises for beginners to get to that level first.Seriously, there should have been a book between books 2 and 3. For now, that in between book is CT ART.

This is my first personal chess book and it has not disappointed!!I will buy other copies to give as a gift

Even with the quotable diagrams of actual games - wherein you could point out a better move than taken- the "Instructional Diagrams" (complete Fantasy situations)- subjectively lead you in the move process. You'll be saying to yourself, "I wouldn't do that?!"...sighExamples (there are many and I'm only up to Page 52 of 240) and I'll talk about the last one that motivated me stop and write this:Diagram 53: They leave out the Black reply and move to a mate for White, when the Night can take the rook (NxR) on the next move prior (if the queen wants to venture down and get taken too- end of story.True, the games they quote, you can't change history- and maybe talk about the move made, and a better reply (like Bobby F. did in his books). Diagrams 4 & 7- just hurt your head.Don't recommend the book; it'll only make you bounce your head off the wall and wonder about the "GM" titles?Where is the next Bobby Fischer?

Libro sulla tattica discreto! Tutto sommato un buon acquisto!

The book is printed on thin paper so that the text on the reverse can be read through the page, add to that the diagrams towards the back of the book are "bleached" so the dark squares are barely cross-hatched and those that are are patchy. It says you can use this book without a board as a travel companion but trying to see 13 moves ahead (25 ply) is beyond most of us. This is the third in a series of three books so I am relieved I did not buy the other two.

Very good book

Thank you. Very fast delivery.