First day conclusive of my blog post, basically no revision done today, I really need to get my act together, I will be doing part of a mathematics paper 2 later though, adios.
Monday, 31 March 2014
Sunday, 30 March 2014
On the Brink of Oblivion: Chess and the IGCSE's
I'm writing this late at night; currently, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, my IGCSE's (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) are in one month, and I've got the Olympiad Elimination Chess Tournament in the same time , frighteningly close to my exams. I want to succeed In both, the exams and Qualifying for the team, it will be a huge mountain to climb If I want to do well in both of them, and I'm not sure If I can make it. I started revising to some degree three days ago, mostly doing mathematics, and have made some headway in other subjects already, but I'm still nervous. I guess its normal, having conflicts with studies, but I can't afford to do bad in my IGCSE's, whilst the Olympiad... I'll always have a chance every two years, and two years from now I'll be busy applying for colleges... Oh, life... But I'll try my best, as Gloria Gaynor said: "I will Survive!" Conclusive with this blog post I'll be revising for the exams rigorously, and devoting a small amount of time to Chess. I'll be updating this blog continuously for the next month up until the exams, this is to give any possible readers an insight into a person with conflicting interests and for my own personal motivation.
As they say, when life gives you lemons, Qualify for the Olympiad and do well in your IGCSE's :)
As they say, when life gives you lemons, Qualify for the Olympiad and do well in your IGCSE's :)
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
Thursday, 6 March 2014
Recommended Chess Prose
Here I have listed excellent Chess literature that will bring you much delight and improvement if you read them, the list is based on my own personal experiences with the book and general reviews.
This list can act as your go to guide for what Chess books to buy, so that you can make good use of your money!
If I didn't write anything about the book, don't be put off, they're all good, I just don't know it as well :)
Since Chess Prose is churned out constantly every year I will offer recommendations for more recent books in other articles
The Art of Attack- Vladimir Vukovic
Groundbreaking piece of writing that illustrated the important of an attack in chess, the book is mostly concentrated on attacking the castled king, which it dedicates almost all of the 350 pages to, an amazing book which is enjoyed by all levels of players.
Understanding Chess Move by Move- John Nunn
Great book by former World Top 10, he selects 30 modern chess games and painstakingly analyses them, recommended for stronger players.
Lessons with a Grandmaster Volume I- Boris Gulko and Joel R. Sneed
Fantastic book where a psychology expert and amateur player (Sneed) analyses the chess games of GM Boris Gulko with the man himself, Sneed analyzes the moves and Gulko explains defects in Sneed's analysis and offers eye-opening information into what goes on in a Grandmasters mind.
How to Reassess Your Chess 4th Edition- Jeremy Silman
Amazing book which influenced a whole generation of players, Silman lays out the bricks for a players foundation in the nature and strategy of the game, Silman writes in a very approachable and easy-to-read manner, making it all the much easier for the reader.
Silman’s Complete Endgame Course- Jeremy Silman
Fantastic Endgame book for beginners all the way to masters, it contains Silman's wit and humanity which is present in many of his books and divides the endgames into the strength levels of the players.
The Amateurs Mind-Jeremy Silman
Fantastic book on how the thinking technique of the Chess Amateur is flawed, recommended for weaker players but strong players can also benefit.
1000 Checkmate Combinations-Victor Henkin
Not really what the title suggests but the book is wildly entertaining, and reading through it will guarantee improvement and happiness in the game.
Chess Tactics for Champions- Susan Polgar and Paul Truong
Great book by famous Chess trainer GM Susan Polgar and her husand Paul Truong on Chess Tactics, contains all the basic tactics to help a player improve in that area or solidify their foundation in tactics.
Chess for Dummies- James Eade
The must get book for Chess beginners, lays out the seeds for improvements right for the reader, great book for solidifying foundation and beginners.
Mastering the Chess Openings Volume 1- John Watson
Good book which goes through the main defenses against 1. e4, the first few chapters also dedicate themselves to explaining the purpose of the opening and the ideas behind it, which players will benefit from reading.
Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy- John Watson
My Great Predecessors Part 1- Garry Kasparov
Garry Kasparov painstakingly analyzes the former World Champions games such as Fischer, Lasker etc. Only Chess book I know which Top GM's read (Kramnik, Nakamura)
Life and Games of Mikhail Tal- Mikhail Tal
Amazing book by World Champion Mikhail Tal on his explosive, intense and electrifying games. Regarded as a classic game collection book.
Chess Strategy for Club Players- Herman Grooten
The Mammoth Book of the World's Greatest Chess Games- Graham Burgess, John Nunn and John Emms
Logical Chess: Move by Move- Irving Chernev
Recommended for moderately strong players, Chernev explains Chess games move by move to help the reader improve, similar to Understanding Chess: Move by Move
Play Winning Chess- Yasser Seirawan and Jeremy Silman
FCO: Fundamental Chess Openings- Paul Van Der Sterren
Probably the best opening encyclopedia you'll ever buy by the talented Dutch Chess Grandmaster Paul Van Der Sterren
Modern Chess Strategy- Ludek Pachman
Pawn Structure Chess- Andrew Soltis
This list can act as your go to guide for what Chess books to buy, so that you can make good use of your money!
If I didn't write anything about the book, don't be put off, they're all good, I just don't know it as well :)
Since Chess Prose is churned out constantly every year I will offer recommendations for more recent books in other articles
The Art of Attack- Vladimir Vukovic
Groundbreaking piece of writing that illustrated the important of an attack in chess, the book is mostly concentrated on attacking the castled king, which it dedicates almost all of the 350 pages to, an amazing book which is enjoyed by all levels of players.
Understanding Chess Move by Move- John Nunn
Great book by former World Top 10, he selects 30 modern chess games and painstakingly analyses them, recommended for stronger players.
Lessons with a Grandmaster Volume I- Boris Gulko and Joel R. Sneed
Fantastic book where a psychology expert and amateur player (Sneed) analyses the chess games of GM Boris Gulko with the man himself, Sneed analyzes the moves and Gulko explains defects in Sneed's analysis and offers eye-opening information into what goes on in a Grandmasters mind.
How to Reassess Your Chess 4th Edition- Jeremy Silman
Amazing book which influenced a whole generation of players, Silman lays out the bricks for a players foundation in the nature and strategy of the game, Silman writes in a very approachable and easy-to-read manner, making it all the much easier for the reader.
Silman’s Complete Endgame Course- Jeremy Silman
Fantastic Endgame book for beginners all the way to masters, it contains Silman's wit and humanity which is present in many of his books and divides the endgames into the strength levels of the players.
The Amateurs Mind-Jeremy Silman
Fantastic book on how the thinking technique of the Chess Amateur is flawed, recommended for weaker players but strong players can also benefit.
1000 Checkmate Combinations-Victor Henkin
Not really what the title suggests but the book is wildly entertaining, and reading through it will guarantee improvement and happiness in the game.
Chess Tactics for Champions- Susan Polgar and Paul Truong
Great book by famous Chess trainer GM Susan Polgar and her husand Paul Truong on Chess Tactics, contains all the basic tactics to help a player improve in that area or solidify their foundation in tactics.
Chess for Dummies- James Eade
The must get book for Chess beginners, lays out the seeds for improvements right for the reader, great book for solidifying foundation and beginners.
Mastering the Chess Openings Volume 1- John Watson
Good book which goes through the main defenses against 1. e4, the first few chapters also dedicate themselves to explaining the purpose of the opening and the ideas behind it, which players will benefit from reading.
Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy- John Watson
My Great Predecessors Part 1- Garry Kasparov
Garry Kasparov painstakingly analyzes the former World Champions games such as Fischer, Lasker etc. Only Chess book I know which Top GM's read (Kramnik, Nakamura)
Life and Games of Mikhail Tal- Mikhail Tal
Amazing book by World Champion Mikhail Tal on his explosive, intense and electrifying games. Regarded as a classic game collection book.
Chess Strategy for Club Players- Herman Grooten
The Mammoth Book of the World's Greatest Chess Games- Graham Burgess, John Nunn and John Emms
Logical Chess: Move by Move- Irving Chernev
Recommended for moderately strong players, Chernev explains Chess games move by move to help the reader improve, similar to Understanding Chess: Move by Move
Play Winning Chess- Yasser Seirawan and Jeremy Silman
FCO: Fundamental Chess Openings- Paul Van Der Sterren
Probably the best opening encyclopedia you'll ever buy by the talented Dutch Chess Grandmaster Paul Van Der Sterren
Modern Chess Strategy- Ludek Pachman
Pawn Structure Chess- Andrew Soltis
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