The Chess Tactics Detection Workbook, Paperback

Experts agree that regularly solving tactical exercises is a vital component of chess training. However, it's also widely acknowledged that there is one major drawback to traditional chess puzzles - students know for sure that there is a genuine tactic in the position waiting to be found, whereas during a real game there is no such guarantee In this workbook, Volker Schlep tz and Grandmaster John Emms offer a unique framework to practise chess tactics independent of themes, difficulty and - most crucially - even the definite existence of an actual tactic in a given position. Analysing carefully selected games, from beginner through to club and tournament level, the reader assumes the role of a tactics detective, searching for mistakes and missed opportunities by both sides without the help of a chess engine. This training method resembles actual over-the-board play far more realistically than solving traditional puzzles, because on each move you won't know whether or not a tactical possibility really exists - you have to work it out, just as you would in a real game The same thinking processes practised during the training can then be easily applied in your games.

Dr. Volker Schlepütz is a highly ambitious amateur chess player and a member of the Sportfreunde Katernberg chess club in Essen, Germany. He holds a school chess license and has gained experience in chess coaching. He has a PhD in economics from the University of Distance Learning Hagen and at present he is an instructor for economics at the University of Applied Science, Hamburg. Grandmaster John Emms has played for England in two Chess Olympiads and was captain of the team at the 2002 Olympiad in Bled. He's an experienced coach who has worked with World Championship finalist Michael Adams and some of the UK's top junior players. He's also a highly respected chess writer, with many outstanding works to his name.