Mastering Chess Middlegames: Lectures from the All-Russian School of Grandmasters Paperback – January 7, 2016

I'm not sure this book is for a beginning player. It is a very good book with great example games but if you're quite new to chess there are probably better options. The author focuses on a theme for a particular chapter and follows the chapter with a series of problems in which you must follow similar motifs to those corresponding with the specific games given throughout the section and with the chapter overall. This seems a viable way to learn, though a certain rating, I think, is taken for granted in understanding moves and the depth at which one must calculate. It often seemed the case that in order to rip open a position and take advantage of a given structure the examples called for a player to see 5, 6, 7, even more moves in advance. This required calculation, in conjunction with the necessary understanding of positions in order to recognize combinations makes the puzzles difficult for one who has not attained a certain level of play prior to studying this book. I do not know what the rating criteria I speak of would be for this book but I am quite new (approximately 1450 ELO) and I struggled to solve many of the puzzles. Another thing I thought could be improved is the layout out the puzzle solving portion. The author basically gives you a position and says "white to play, spend 45-90 minutes."I do not think this method is inherently bad and it probably cultivates a good deal of learning and positional understanding but if we have a motif or position which is expected to be solved by players of a skill rating of 1800 or higher and the reader is 1400 or 1500, or even lower, I believe there are other books which may be a bit more fruitful with respect to improving play.Overall, this was an excellent book. I am just not sure it is the best book for lower-rated, new players.I gave it five-stars because I felt it was unfair to judge the book on something it does not try to be. It probably isn't the best thing for a new player, and I don't think it is aimed at them. Other than that issue, the book is excellent

Invaluable topics that an improving player need to know. I love having this book where I can put positions in a chessboard. This is for the serious player.

As I am a chess aspirant with precious little time to devote to study of the King's game I am glad to have moved beyond the "simpler" books of this sport. In my attempt to transition to tougher learning material I thought this might be a reasonable stepping stone. After all, "Russian lectures" about mastering the middle game; what more could one ask for? Well, be prepared for an E ticket ride for sure, though it will be different than you might think. First, the "lectures" are actually rather sparse and too general to be considered much more than passing remarks. The heart of the book rests on the annotated games which have been carefully chosen and organized to emphasize particular points, and on the "Positions for Solving" and "Position for Playing" at the end of each chapter. And,with regards to these "Positions," it's worth mentioning that I have never liked chess puzzles, as I find them a bit artificial and too much like a "test." But, these "Positions" are not aimed toward those ends, but instead to demonstrate how a chess master would think and proceed in the given position. It is exciting and satisfying to gradually comprehend the underlying concepts in this book and put them to use in one's own games. All I can say about those Russians is that they may be short on the talk, but they are definitely long on the "doing."

WE HAVE A STRANGE HABIT OF PURCHASING CHESS BOOKS FROM 'THE RUSSIAN SCHOOL OF CHESS'.MAYBE THEY ARE JUST SUPERIOR IN THEIR IDEA'S ON CHESS.

This book is a must for a club chess player. Right before every strategy book. It explains in a clear way the importance of pawn structure and how they define most aspects of the strategy.

I know that this chess book is well advanced, perfect for learning in depth.

Studying the contents ongoing, very much like the format and presentation.

Very good book. teaches deep understanding on middle game.