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How to Reassess Your Chess: Chess Mastery Through Chess Imbalances
 
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How to Reassess Your Chess: Chess Mastery Through Chess Imbalances [Paperback]

Jeremy Silman
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 658 pages
  • Publisher: Siles Press; 4 edition (15 Oct 2010)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1890085138
  • ISBN-13: 978-1890085131
  • Product Dimensions: 25.3 x 18 x 3.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 82,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
A personal review 16 Jan 2011
Format:Paperback
What my review is about:

This will not be a match review, where I will attempt to scientifically compare the different editions. I don't really find it relevant if I'll be honest.
I will not make claims like: "This is the best book ever", because what does that really entail?

This review is a personal feedback from someone who is not a proper amateur, someone who read numerous chess books and someone who enjoys chess reading too.

I have a few favorite chess books and none of them is considered to be on the top classical list. The reason for that is that I believe that the books that influenced you the most and affected your play did so, partly, because the timing was ripe! Sometimes it's not about the absolute soundness of the variation, sometimes it's about whether or not you appreciate the idea and understand the examples.

For instance, one of my favorites is "Winning with chess psychology" by Benko. Not a book most players even appreciate! However, Benko's explanations made me understand chess better and in return, I grew as a player. This is where Silman truly shines in style.

His language has been both criticized and praised, and I understand both claims. I found his "bad language" to be overly present at his Complete Endgame course but on the other hand, it does keep you fixed and soaks you into his examples. In this new Reassess, he seemed to evolve even in that area. His minor case of "Tourette" seemed to gain wisdom and intelligence. His humor is fantastic, I find myself giggling aloud and that makes the experience even more enjoyable and certainly more educating.

He is extremely creative, his "story" about Mr. Metallic and Mr.Pink VS. Mr. Orange was a blast to read. I found it both comic, educating and if I may say so poetic and deep.
His teaching methods are brilliant. His examples are probably the diamond of the King of Persia! I have never seen such a collection of perfect examples in my life. If you are looking for a position to prove a point. Mate, read this book and see how it is being done!
The subjects themselves are, as Nigel Short say "spot on". This is exactly what you need to hear in order to understand what you couldn't quite place throughout years of confusion. After all, as Korchnoi once said: "Chess you don't learn, chess you understand". Let me just add a "!!!" to that remark!

This is basically the best soup you will ever get to eat in a French restaurant! What? Okay let me explain myself...

Have you ever read a book and felt that it missed you? I mean, the examples are there right? The author is a GM right? This is the opening that you like right? Then what on earth is the problem?? Why, after reading the same chapter repeatedly you still don't have the faintest notion as to what the flying blue bird he wanted?

I'll tell you why. Because the truth is that quality is hard to find. If the examples are good but the annotation is lacking then in the end you'll end up feeling like you've missed something (and you have!!) but you can't quite place it right?
Alternatively, if the annotation was accurate and deep but the example wasn't very practical, then you can't help but wondering - that was interesting, hmmm, but what am I supposed to do with it?
Sometimes, the author is really good but his publisher doesn't allow him the length or space to fully and poetically express his knowledge. That's always sad and even leaves you with some annoyance.
Sometimes (no, I take it back. Most times!!) a book is really good but let's face it, the human design and over all print quality - Yawza!

For instance, I love John Watson. I find him to be impressively deep and thorough but his books (and I have most) are a mess of knowledge. I find it very hard to follow the lines that more or less look like computer generated code with the occasional "bold" move to keep you on target - as if! Quality books should take care of their readers like first class tickets on a plane! A good example to how it is being done is the GrandMaster Repertoire publication. Avrukh's 1.d4 is the best opening rep I've seen if only because you can follow the lines at ease and comfort!

Bookbinding is also important. Who wants to spend so much money and lose pages after one brief read? I mean, what is that !?!

How about general design, color and colours and diagrams and notes and hints and tips and so on? Dunno what about you but I like them pop ups!

To make it short, this book triumphs in all these areas! ( I wish I could underline this line)
It is funny, educational, well designed, well presented, user friendly, scientific, tutoring, detailed and a real fun all in all. It's like the best friend I ever had =D

What you'll learn in these pages is more than specific (and vague) "expertise" that only the very "special" among us seem to possess in real life. What you'll learn is how to play chess and that is something very rare these days. What?? Yes! I am serious!
People do not play chess, they play sub lines, they play memorization, they play other people's ideas, they "push wood", they play tricks and traps and oh, I'll just say it, they play Blitz!
No one plays chess like chess should be played. You know Perosian style of chess.
Anyway, here you will learn independence! This is the point for me. He covers areas like what Knights are so well that once you're through with the chapter you've been recharged by independent thinking because suddenly you don't care so much about the latest Carlsen game because you know what... you understand Knight techniques by yourself thank you very much!

Once you understand chess, you seem to play it better too. Ahh, wah? Yes! I know, almost heretic isn't it? You mean to tell me that understanding imbalances and knowing how to maneuver my pieces will improve my play for real? No, what I'm saying is much more brutal then that. Before you read this book, you played other people's chess. After you will read this book, you'll play chess as chess is and if you're lucky you'll even play your chess too!

IM Lakdawala said (and he was already an IM at that point) that he gained about 200 elo points after reading this book because he realized that it's not just about the best move it's also about a firm grip of what this move is. Sometimes it's not about the best move, sometimes it's about the best plan and how well you understand your chess.

I sometimes use his examples in my Blog ([...]) to prove or show an idea.
I think that Silman has a true genius and I always enjoyed listening to him as well. The guy is crazy =D

BTW, the reason I said I'm not a proper amateur is because I'm over 2200 and for what it's worth this is the best chess book I ever read and I read well over a hundred.

It's not just about the latest variation (because you need to understand that variation too)
It's not just about the latest trap or opening idea (because you need to be able to appreciate it too)
It's not just about technical study (because you need to enjoy it too!!!)

So do yourself a favor, read this book. It's a beauty, a true gem. Really, a masterpiece.

Well done J, indeed, well done!
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Amazon.com:  30 reviews
118 of 123 people found the following review helpful
The real deal difference between editions 22 Dec 2010
By Donald Carrelli - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is for the FOURTH AND FINAL EDITION of this book. I do have an older third edition as well, and I will compare the two. There are plenty of reviews written about the quality of this book (older editions included), and I rate the book 5 stars for its content. However, I am not here to go into detail about that, but rather focus on the differences between editions.

The book contents are made up of the following parts: The Concept of Imbalances. Minor Pieces, Rooks, Psychological Meanderings, Target Consciousness, Statics vs. Dynamics, Space, Passed Pawns, and Other Imbalances. Each part is further broken down into specifics and is concluded with a summary and test questions.

The big differences between editions...This is an oversized book, much larger and 250 pages longer than the 3rd edition. The layout and size is just like Silman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner To Master. Larger print and more white space - I find this makes it much easier to read. The graphic designer should be commended. The 4th edition goes much more in depth (!!) about the concept of imbalances and guiding you to the correct plan. The main theme is the same as the older editions, but Silman gives it a new feel with updated ideas and ALL NEW examples. Silman writes it himself, he "literally wrote this fourth edition from scratch". Another huge change is the addition of Chess Psychology, 90 pages long! Silman claims many of these ideas have never been seen in any chess book before. The 4th edition does not include a Basic Endgames section like his 3rd edition. I believe it has no place in this book anyway and is covered in more detail in the previously mentioned work! He chopped this section and other parts that "distracted from the book's main purpose: mastering the imbalances". The 4th edition is more humorous! From drunken knights to passed bananas, he will keep you interested with some laughs along the way. Again, similar to his endgame course!

In the rear....
Silman added 33 pages of instructive articles where he takes some important pieces of writing from his Q&A column on chess.com. Some articles are Creating a Study Program, Proper Tournament Diet, Offering a Draw, and Is Chess a Gentleman's Game? This is a little bit odd considering he wanted to cut out any distractions. Unnecessary, but interesting nevertheless. Perhaps Silman wanted to give his column a shout out. On the other hand, the Index of Concepts is a great addition. If one of your games has a Rook for Minor Piece or Isolated Pawn, you can look up this concept in the index and find the listed pages to learn more about it. Bibliography and Index of Players/Games are included as well.

Silman recommends this book for USCF rated 1400-2100. And I agree! Being about 1900 USCF rated, I am reviewing and learning plenty.

I listened to IM John Watson's interview with IM Jeremy Silman on the Internet Chess Club. Great interview! I won't take away too much from it but I will add that Silman says, "If I am going to be known for one book, I wanted something I was really pleased with, and I am pleased with this." I am too! If you don't have a copy of Reassess Your Chess, then this is a great buy. If you have an older edition, there is enough new material and ideas with fresh examples to reassess all over again.

---- I think it would be great if amazon let you read the introduction online. Silman sums up the differences there as well.
51 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Exponential Improvement! 4 Feb 2011
By Assyrianknight - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have always enjoyed chess, but always played casually. I always intended to get better and study more to improve my game. Like many chess students with good intentions I found my chess library growing around me but my game staying stagnant. As the chess book pile grew so did my intentions. I would open a book and work through the lessons never quite understanding why none of it would stick. I found some improvement through Mr. Silmans 3rd edition works and began trying to use his "thinking techniques." As I practiced the lessons on imbalances my game moved from move by move chess into the realm of seeing the board more clearly and understanding what was going on in a position. Fast forward to this year... I was asked to help out with a National level High School chess program who had won a championship in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2007. It was time for me to get serious. I noticed at this time that Mr. Silman had released a 4th edition of his work and saw on the cover that it stated that it was completely rewritten. I purchased the book and decided this was the moment I was going to work as hard as ever learning the game.

Too much intro and too little review, yes I know, I know... *Cough* ok so away we go...

What an amazing book!! Never in all my studies has chess been so clearly presented in a way that any student could find joy and advancement. Mr. Silman has taken his old "techniques" and found a way, not only to teach them, but to stick them solidly in your brain. During my games I can actually hear comments made in this book. Lessons are open in such a wonderful way. This rework is not only an improvement on his old information it is a teacher with years and years of implementing his lessons and over time finding just the way to make a student retain them. Since my studies began this year, I have joined a chess club as an unrated amature and beaten some solid players. Part 4 of the book Psychological Meanderings is worth the cost of this book alone. The week I studied this section I went into chess club with the lessons on stepping beyond fear, mental breakdown, macho chess, etc, fresh on my mind and found myself across the board from a 1927 rated player. Suddenly Mr. Silman was in my head saying, "Rating nothing... This guy is rubbish... Just play the board..." So off we went... I sit here looking down at the score sheet with this unrated amature winning in 25 moves. To hear the 1927 look up red faced and say, "That... That was just too much pressure... I... I just messed up." and to smile up and say, "Not bad for a beginner, huh?" was awesome. Throughout the game Mr. Silman's lessons were always coming to my mind. My mind was working through comments like, "Look if I can stop that pawn I can make that Bishop useless," His Knight would love that square I better take it away now and that would be two very useless pieces," and my favorite, "Wow if I sack that exchange look what it does for my position and look how active my pieces become!"

Some other important aspects of this book are the following... Current examples for every lesson from every rating category, examples have the opening sequence of moves listed up to the important lesson for the position so you can actually see how the players arrived to the moment you are learning from, at the end of every chapter is a set of tests similar to what the workbook was to 3rd edition with answers fully explained in the back of the book (almost like having an additional book within a book), many examples per lesson to help get the material to stick, a well thought out order to the delivery of material. So much more...

I guess the best way to sum this book up is, to me, "this one is it," the chess book every learning chess student should own. Mr. Silman is a fabulous teacher with a wonderful delivery. Thank you, Mr. Silman for taking the time to give us this work. With every good review should come a section of things wrong with the book I suppose, but as I sit here I struggle to find them. It is what it claims to be and nothing more. You will not get an opening repetoire, an endgame diatribe, or a brilliant tactical guide, but what you will get is an understanding of what a position is calling for and where your plan should be centered toward, where the weaknesses are on both sides of the board, a thinking method to know what advantages and disadvantages matter at this very moment, and a clear picture to help you see through what Josh Waitzkin calls the "black and white jungle." Enjoy!
76 of 87 people found the following review helpful
Best book for the 1400 to 2000 rated player 19 Nov 2003
By John Adamo - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Jeremy Silman is simply the best chess instructional writer I've ever read, and I've read about 70 chess books. Nimzovich's "My System" is the only other book in a class with this one, and this one is better (though it covers different material. Both are great.)

The problem with most chess instruction is that the writer has not taught many students, and so they tend to make statements that seem obvious to them, but are way over our heads. Silman has taught many private students, and he therefore understands what it is we are not "getting." There are several concepts he explains that I've heard before, but never understood until reading him.

Silman's concepts about imbalances in a position are absolute epiphanies to us poor patzers who have been playing chess for years, but never really understood how to analyze a position except to say, "If I go here, and he goes there ..." Silman shows that analysis of specific variations should be the last thing one does, and shows - step by step - the proper way to analyze. His chapters on attaining a superior minor piece are in themselves worth the price of the book.

If you're looking for one book to vastly improve your understanding of chess, I highly recommend this as the first, second and third choice. If this recommendation seems almost too glowing, I assure you, I have no relationship with Silman. I am a writer, who loves chess as a pastime, and have had some of my work published in chess life. I seldom get to play in tournaments, but I recently played a USCF Life Master (rated 2200) for the first time, and I drew with Black. I attribute much of my improved understanding of the game to Silman, and the rest to Nimzovich.

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