Back to Basics: Tactics (ChessCafe Back to Basics Chess)
by Dan Heisman
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Book Summary Information
Author: Dan HeismanEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-09-15
ISBN: 1888690348
Number of pages: 192
Publisher: Russell Enterprises, Inc.
Book Reviews of Back to Basics: Tactics (ChessCafe Back to Basics Chess)
Book Review: Original, Thorough, and Entertaining
Summary: 5 Stars
Dan Heisman has succeeded in writing a tactics primer for the beginner to intermediate chess student, which is original, thorough, and entertaining. Even advanced players, who need a refresher course, could learn a thing or two from Back to Basics: Tactics (ChessCafe Back to Basics Chess), because Heisman briefly enters the world of tactics theory, with his explanation of counting (Chapter 1). This makes this book much more than just a collection of tactics puzzles.
The most original section of the book is Chapter 1, which focuses on "counting." This is a concept taken for granted even by advanced beginners. But most players, no matter how strong, never fully cover all aspects of this art. Counting refers to "counting" how many offensive pieces attack a square, compared to how many pieces defend that square. This "count" may move up or down, depending on which pieces get captures, moved, threatened, etc. It's not good enough to simply think "two pieces attack my pawn and two pieces defend my pawn, therefor my pawn must be safe." Other factors, like the sequence of captures, may be important too. Heisman starts with simple examples like this, but quickly develops the chapter to cover more complex counting ideas.
Chapter 2 is the longest chapter, and covers the basic tactical motifs like pins, skewers, forks, etc. Each motif is included with a sample set of puzzles to be solved by the student. This part of the book is like a more traditional tactics puzzle book.
Other sections include "72 problems on 64 squares," "Is there a win?," and "Checkmates," (collections of more advanced puzzles). Then Heisman reprints his excellent Novice Nook column titled "Seeds of Tactical Destruction," which outlines how to spot tactical devices in games, under practical game conditions. This section is related to the area of "tactics theory" mentioned above.
The best parts of the book are the little light blue "advice boxes," which highlight practical advice for the improving player. These little boxes are peppered throughout the book like pull-quotes in magazine articles. From these boxes, much of Heisman's practical knowledge is imparted, and much of this advice has nothing even to do with tactics. Much of it has to do with thought process, time management, and other practical matters.
All in all, a fine tactics primer that introduces the beginning chess player to the area of tactics theory, by a fine chess teacher. Study this book first, before moving on to a book of pure puzzles( say, Chess Tactics for Champions: A step-by-step guide to using tactics and combinations the Polgar way).
A less advanced puzzle book (compared to this book) would be Chess Tactics for Students.
A slightly more advanced book on tactics theory would be Chess Tactics For Advanced Players 2008
Summary of Back to Basics: Tactics (ChessCafe Back to Basics Chess)
Tactics are usually why most people find chess fun! This book will greatly enhance your enjoyment learning about - and benefiting from - the recurring patterns of tactics. In chess, if you lose all your pieces you can't win! And if you capture each of your opponent's pieces, winning should be easy. Even if you just get ahead by a small amount of material, your chances of winning soar. The way to win your opponent's pieces is through the use of tactics. This book is about all types of beginning tactics. The author covers comprehensively the subject with basic instructional material, examples, and problems of all types - about 500 examples and problems ranging from too easy to very difficult! Back to Basics: Tactics - the first in the ChessCafe Back to Basics Chess Series - should enhance your enjoyment in learning about - and benefiting from - the recurring patterns of tactics. It does not matter who gets the advantage out of the opening if one of the players is likely to lose a piece to a simple tactic in the middlegame. Losing a piece from an advantageous position will almost always result in a lost position. So study tactics, not openings, until you almost never lose pieces to simple tactical motifs. This book is an introduction to the various kinds of basic chess tactics. With instructional material, examples, and problems of all types, the subject of chess tactics is covered comprehensively. There are approximately 500 examples ranging from easy to challenging!Chess Books
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