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How to Think Ahead in Chess: The Methods and Techniques of Planning Your Entire Game (Fireside Chess Library)

How to Think Ahead in Chess: The Methods and Techniques of Planning Your Entire Game (Fireside Chess Library)

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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Master imparts the KISS approach to teaching chess.
Review: Master Horowitz and enthusiast Reinfeld's _How to Think Ahead in Chess_ tackles the problem of the mediocre play of most of us chess players most pointedly: Know only 3 openings, a few positions, and several variations -- but know them well. Train your eye upon the image of key chess positions seen through the analytical eye of the master. And, masterly, your chess instinct will react. This is the most fun book of chess I ever read. I've had it for well over 10 years and, the book is true to its back cover blurb, "you will enjoy each game to the fullest." Improving chess demands work. And for those of us afficianados with pedagogical interests, this is a "must have." This is not a beginner book nor a complete treatment. It is just a unique yet effective vehicle which may give your chess games a quantum leap toward the rewards of their deeper understanding. Four stars because a book should solve the basic human dilemma (whatever that is) to earn 5, and I'm conservative with my praise upon others or myself. I don't know a lot about winning a lot of chess games, but I know a lot more about my own approach thanks to this book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A must read for the mediocre chess player!!!!!
Review: Most of us know how to open and then wait for something to develope, somtimes this goes well, other times not so well. After reading this book you will have a clear cut idea/strategy from the first move to the last!! I went from a mediocre player who usually finishes somewhere in the middle, in our chess tournaments at work, to the CHAMPION!! All from reading this book. Gives the reader a definite strategy whether he is playing white or black!! Makes the game interesting and more fun! This book is not for beginners but for those of us who have a grasp of the game but lack an overall system for consistent wins. A MUST READ!!! If you are looking for a chess book that is easy to read and understand, don't hesitate to purchase this work of art.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: It's OK
Review: The author(s) specifically comments (favorably) about three openings used in chess: The Stonewall, The Sicilian Dragon, & The Lasker Defense and the prospect of those openings evolves into a strong middle and ultimately a won game. A good book, but somewhat dull. I would hardly consider it to be a necessity in one's chess library.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: It's OK
Review: The author(s) specifically comments (favorably) about three openings used in chess: The Stonewall, The Sicilian Dragon, & The Lasker Defense and the prospect of those openings evolves into a strong middle and ultimately a won game. A good book, but somewhat dull. I would hardly consider it to be a necessity in one's chess library.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: It's OK
Review: The author(s) specifically comments (favorably) about three openings used in chess: The Stonewall, The Sicilian Dragon, & The Lasker Defense and the prospect of those openings evolves into a strong middle and ultimately a won game. A good book, but somewhat dull. I would hardly consider it to be a necessity in one's chess library.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: a curious niche book for those early in their chess career
Review: This book deals specifically with 3 and only 3 openings - the Stonewall Attack for White; the Sicilian Dragon and Lasker's Defense to the Queen's Gambit Declined for Black. It presents 4 to 6 example games for each opening with pretty good commentary and explanation for each. However, each example given is a highly successful adoption of the subject opening, which gives good illustrations of what they are capable of, but which might give the inexperienced player the impression that each is a sure-win bet. After all, 6 examples of the Dragon will barely scratch the surface of this line and 6 out of 6 wins might be a little misleading to the novice.

Part 4 of the book is titled, "How to Exploit Inferior Play by Your Opponent". It contains 4 examples of Morphy and Alekhine crushing no-name opponents who are offered up as cannon-fodder for former world champions. Hardly inspiring and not very good examples of play for beginners.

What this book does offer, however, is 3 solid choices of openings (1 for White; 2 for Black) for beginners who may have just joined a club or school team and need a limited opening repertoire to use against stronger players while they learn the game in more depth. It gives several very concrete plans to follow and they are presented in very clear fashion with the reasoning behind the moves. The authors occasionally use phrases such as "White intends..." or "Black plans...", but whether that justifies the title of the book, "How to Think Ahead in Chess" is debatable.

On the whole, if you are a beginner who needs some openings to play while you continue to develop, this may be just the book. But if you are rated over 1300 or so, you need to have a keen interest in the Stonewall or in Lasker's Defense to bother with this book.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A book for someone who knows how to play, but not well
Review: This book helped me when I was learning. This book gives 3 basic openings and encourages the user to focus on just these. This is good advise for someone who knows how to play, but not well. These openings will get you into a sound middle game, and if your opponent is not careful they will make a mistake you'll be ready to capitalize on. I now follow a similar line of reasoning but I now use a differnt opening, the King's Indian...partly because it can be used for white or black, and it is more difficult to disrrupt. My favorite book for that is "The Ultimate King's Indian Attack" by Angus Dunnington.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: helps you learn strategy and win
Review: This book is really great for the beginner (as I was) who usually just moves one move ahead and is reactive rather than proactive. This book teaches you to EASILY plan your entire game from the beginning. I enjoyed the game of Chess much more once I really understood having a Plan and watching it beat my opponents (who used to beat me)

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Don't waste your money
Review: This is just another useless book of chess notation. At the time of this review the book is out of print and it should stay that way. Reinfeld and Horowitz are awesome players but.....Reinfeld has a talent for filling pages with useless annotation and diagrams and Horowitz is a master at coming up with eye catching titles that don't reflect what is inside the book. Together they have managed to publish yet another second rate chess book. These two prove that chess talent does not make you a good author. Mr Reinfeld has written some great books like The Complete Chessplayer but his books published by Fireside Chess Library are not good at all. Anyone who has seen this book knows it doesn't even earn one star.

If you click on my name you will get my personal information and see a recommended study list. I put together this list of books and software with only one thing in mind...to improve your game without wasting your money. If you want to get better at chess this list will give you the most bang for your buck.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Don't waste your money
Review: This is just another useless book of chess notation. At the time of this review the book is out of print and it should stay that way. Reinfeld and Horowitz are awesome players but.....Reinfeld has a talent for filling pages with useless annotation and diagrams and Horowitz is a master at coming up with eye catching titles that don't reflect what is inside the book. Together they have managed to publish yet another second rate chess book. These two prove that chess talent does not make you a good author. Both of these players have written tons of books and they are not getting any better at it. Anyone who has seen this book knows it doesn't even earn one star.


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