7 Steps to Better Chess

by Eric Schiller

Overview

Players of all levels learn how to improve their chess play by cutting down on tactical and strategic mistakes. Using examples from his own games, Eric Schiller illustrates the types of errors typically found at each stage of chess development, from early scholastic games to professional encounters with grandmasters. In each case, Schiller shows how such errors can be overcome while at the same time showing how professional players can fall prey to the same problems as amateurs. Learn from the author’s mistakes and you won’t suffer the terrible fate that awaits most blunders!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781580422406
Publisher:	Cardoza
Publication date:	04/13/2010
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Eric Schiller, author of more than 150 chess books, is widely considered one of the foremost chess analysts, writers and teachers.

Table of Contents

Introduction 7

Brief Notes on Chess Notation 10

Step 1 Lessons in the Opening 11

Forgetting About the Edges 11

Pins, Forks and Other Objects of Torture 13

The Analysis Ain't Done 'Till You Stick a Fork in it 15

Liberation and Revolution 16

The Opponent is No Dummy! 18

Know All the Mating Positions! 19

Step 2 Lessons in Basic Strategy 25

The Opening Revolves Around the Center 25

Don't Stop Analyzing When You Win Material! 31

Is it Time to Attack Yet? 36

Do Not Put Off Until Next Move That Which Can be Done Right Away! 39

Overly Optimistic Sacrifice 42

Step 3 Lessons in Basic Tactics 45

Castle! 46

Be Prepared! 47

Prepare Deeply 52

Don't Get Seduced by a Promising Line! 55

Garbage Stinks! 61

Don't Improvise Your Way into Opening Traps! 63

Don't Break Too Soon! 68

Step 4 Lessons in the Middlegame 71

Bad Timing 72

Lacking the Finishing Touch - A 73

Lacking the Finishing Touch - B 76

Too Clever by Half - A 77

Too Clever by Half - B 79

Too Clever by Half - C 81

Greed Kills 82

Confusionary Riffs - A 84

Confusionary Riffs - B 87

Survival is not a Temporary Occupation! 91

Yes, You can Sacrifice on an Empty Square! 93

Positional Weaknesses Undiagnosed 96

Nervous Moves 97

Step 5 Lessons in the Endgame 101

Know all the Basic King and Pawn Positions! 104

Bishops of Opposite Colors Don't Always Draw 107

Excessive Ambition 108

Forgetting to Play a Necessary Move 112

Eyes for the Wrong Square 114

Adjournment Analysis Debugged at the Board 116

Step 6 Lessons Learned 123

Opening Preparation 125

Prepare Deeply! 128

Inspiration as Preparation 131

The Roundabout Attack 138

Speculative Play Rewarded - A 142

Speculative Play Rewarded - B 150

Speculative Play Rewarded - C 155

Speculative Play Rewarded - D 161

Patience! - A 166

Patience! - B 169

Deeee-Fense! 172

An Unusual Stalemate 175

Endgame Technique - A 177

Endgame Technique - B 178

Endgame Technique - C 180

Endgame Technique - D 183

Endgame Technique - E 184

Step 7 Final Thoughts 189