The Amateur's Mind

by Silman, Jeremy

• ISBN13: 9781890085025
• ISBN10: 1890085022
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-07-01
• Publisher: Siles Pr

Summary

This book takes the student on a journey through his own mind and returns him to the chess board with a wealth of new-found knowledge and the promise of a significant gain in strength. Most amateurs possess erroneous thinking processes that remain with them throughout their chess lives. These flaws in their mental armour result in stinging defeats and painful reversals. Books can be bought and studied, lessons can be taken -- but in the end, these elusive problems always prove to be extremely difficult to eradicate. Seeking a solution to this dilemma, the author wrote down the thoughts of his students while they played actual games, analysed them, and catalogued the most common misconceptions that arose. This second edition greatly expands on the information contained in the popular first edition.

Author Biography

International Chess Master Jeremy Silman is a world-class teacher, writer and player who has won the American Open, the National Open and the U.S. Open. For the past several years Mr. Silman has been the coach of the United States delegation to the World Junior Championship, taking his team to Brazil, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary and Spain.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Introduction	p. xi
The Imbalances	p. 1
The Battle Between Bishops and Knights	p. 9
Acquisition of the Center, Territory, and Space	p. 61
The Confusing Subject of Pawn Structure	p. 107
Material	p. 145
Development and Initiative	p. 167
Many Imbalances, One Board	p. 203
How to Play the Opening	p. 229
Using the Rooks	p. 245
Curse of the Mindless King Hunter	p. 259
Which Side of the Board Should You Play On?	p. 277
Developing Mental Toughness	p. 299
Tests	p. 315
Test Solutions	p. 329
Glossary	p. 427
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