Boost Your Chess 1: The Fundamentals

I was pushing 1700 USCF before lapsing, and for a time I thought about starting this nine book series at a later stage. Not sure why I went with the second book...maybe too proud to start at the very first book. It turns out, I could have started there. This book is challenging. I haven't failed any tests (not quite done yet), but haven't achieved all possible points for any test either. And this while taking more time than I likely would at the board. There isn't much instruction here, just a few examples. For the more tactical chapters (the windmill, the seventh rank), I didn't need any. For the more strategic topics (the semi-open file, outpost), I thought the examples were just what I needed. A less experienced player might disagree, and find the explanations lacking for the strategic topics. I found those chapters to be excellent. It's hard to deal with strategic issues through choose-the-move problems, but this book succeeds. I also really like the fortress chapter, which somewhat improbably teaches you an awful lot about minor piece endings. Yusupov also spends a chapter on N+B vs. K endings. I always assumed that was a waste (when am I ever going to see one?), but now I'm convinced that it's worthwhile nonetheless. A final point: I followed Y's suggestion to set up every position and move the pieces for all variations. I think this really helps, and shouldn't be limited to this book. What the author understands is that chess study is hard work, and it's easy to become passive while studying. This isn't a book where you just read words and nod your head ("Oh, I get it"). Chess isn't hard to get, it's hard to do.

Bene

Livro (e coleção) muito util para o aprendizado e evolução no jogo de xadrez. Pouca conversa e muito exercício prático.

Arthur Yusupov took his knowledge from the Moscow school of chess. Wrote it down and created the best chess education materal I have ever seen. 9 books in total + test&excem. Each book has 12 chapters. Focusing on one thing at the time. Build as course material shall be. Examples, excercises and test. Like any University course 3 hours minimum per chapter => 72 hours. 75-100 hours per book is what I estimate as "normal" effort. If you manage one book. You will improve. If you do all 9. Wow !!!

El libro llegó mucho antes de la fecha indicada. En excelentes condiciones. Totalmente 10/10.