Alexander Kotovs trilogy, of which this is the second volume and now available in digital format for the first time, marks a landmark in chess literature. For the first time, a leading player managed to tackle the important elements of chess mastery in a methodical way which all chess players could understand, spiced with insight and colourful observation. Furthermore, his ideas and approach are as relevant to players today as they were when the books were first published.Alexander Kotov was one of the strongest players of the immediate post-war period, twice reaching the Candidates stage of the World Championship. He was also one of the leading Soviet trainers but is primarily remembered for his trilogy of classic works on chess coaching, of which Think Like a Grandmaster, one of the best-selling chess books of all time, was the first volume, and Play Like a Grandmaster the second.
Always wanted to play backgammon but havent much time to learn? This handy little eBook will show you how in just 10 minutes Introduces how to arrange the checkers, how to move, scoring and notation, and explains simply and effectively how gameplay works Informative diagrams and quirky illustrations help the information stick The classic board game backgammon has been called the perfect combination of skill and luck. It may look complicated on first glance, but this absorbing, fun game really couldnt be simpler. This helpful, portable eBook gives you all the information you need to go off and play your first game. In clear, easy-to-follow text, backed up with helpful board diagrams and illustrations, the author shows you around the board, explains how to set up your checkers, the basics of running, blocking and hitting, and an impressive array of handy tips and hints to help you win the game. It also covers how backgammon notation works, how to score and the best places to play backgammon online. Armed with the information in this book, youll become an expert backgammon player - in super- quick time!
The Batsford Book of Chess is a landmark, full-colour chess instruction book, authoritatively written and beautifully designed. Arranged in the form of a course, it will take you all the way from tentative beginner to formidable chess player. Quick Start reference pages help you retain the information youve learned, and puzzle sections let you test yourself as you go. To illustrate more advanced strategy and tactics, the author uses world-class chess heroes such as Bobby Fischer and Mikhail Tal to bring the concepts to life.Essential topics include: Pieces and Moves: the very basics, covering the chessboard, notation, the names of the pieces and how they move, plus an overview of chess etiquette What Chess is All About: an exploration of chess culture and history Winning, Drawing and Losing: Covers the various ways of winning at chess, and how games are drawn Six Openings for Life: Coverage of six of the best chess openings, each illustrated by a different chess hero Tactical Weapons: An examination of forks, pins, skewers and other tactical devices, followed by illustrative games from Tactical Hero Mikhail Tal Positional Play: Looks at good and bad positions, plus the art of planning, seen through the games of Positional Hero Tigran Petrosian Human Factors: Typical mistakes and blunders youll need to steer clear ofEasy to follow, yet more thorough and more challenging than other chess instruction books on the market, this book is an essential companion for all budding chess champions.
Master chess psychologist Amatzia Avni outlines a new approach to playing chess be tricksy about your game, bend the rules where possible and always come out on top! Players of all abilities are urged, step-by-step, to unlearn everything theyve learned so far and adopt a fearless attitude to the game. Every tip for bending the rules is included here with comprehensive illustrated games.Includes: The Nature of Tricky Chess: Virgin land Raising the tension to boiling point Coffeehouse chess Not so elementary, my dear Watson Peculiar moves Principled Issues of Tricky Chess: Twists and turns The trap vs blunder dilemma Methods of conducting tricky chess Illustrative Games Assesment and Implementation: Evaluation of tricksy chess Transforming into a tricky chess player