The Chessmaster Checklist - Andrew Soltis

An instructional book about the crucial questions that masters ask themselves before committing to a move – a checklist for all players to ask themselves before making their own moves.

Beginners learn to ask themselves the key questions. As they improve, they ask more sophisticated questions: 'What did my opponent's last move allow me to do?", 'Where is his position weakest?", 'Should I take an irrevocable step now or wait?', 'What does my opponent want me to do?'. For chess master players these are almost subconscious checklist. Andy Soltis runs through the checklist of things to ask before making a move with fascinating and illuminating examples of real chess games,  from Karpov to Judith Polgar, from Magnus Carlsen to Fabiano Caruana. 

A key to improving is to ask all of these questions and find the right answers, for players looking to improve. The advice of Chess Masters is good advice for all chess players and the best way to take your play to the next level.

Content:
 

005 Introduction

009 Chapter One: What Is He Threatening?

022 Chapter Two: What Are the Tactical Ideas?

049 Chapter Three: What Is Wrong With His Move?

087 Chapter Four: What Is the Principled Move?

116 Chapter Five: What Is His Weakest Point?

145 Chapter Six: What Does He Want?

164 Chapter Seven: How Can I Improve My Pieces?

187 Chapter Eight: Will My Position Get Better?

212 Chapter Nine: Finishing Up

234 Quiz Answers