Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
How to Reassess Your Chess summary
Brief summary
How to Reassess Your Chess by Jeremy Silman is a comprehensive guide to improving your chess skills. It provides valuable strategies and techniques for players of all levels, helping them reassess their thinking and approach to the game.
Topics
Table of Contents
How to Reassess Your Chess
Summary of key ideas
Understanding the Chessboard
In How to Reassess Your Chess, Jeremy Silman begins by introducing the concept of imbalances, the idea that every position has unique features that can be exploited. He urges players to move beyond the traditional evaluation of material balance and instead focus on the imbalances present in a position. These include pawn structure, piece mobility, king safety, control of key squares, and the initiative.
He also emphasizes the importance of understanding the different phases of the game: the opening, middlegame, and endgame. Silman suggests that players should approach each phase with a specific mindset and strategy, and he offers practical advice on how to transition smoothly between these phases.
The Middlegame and its Dynamics
As the book progresses, Silman delves deeper into the middlegame, explaining how to create and exploit imbalances. He provides illustrative examples to show how players can use their understanding of imbalances to develop a plan, assess positions, and make strategic decisions. He also discusses the concept of prophylaxis, or preventing the opponent's plans, as a crucial element of middlegame strategy.
Moreover, Silman introduces the concept of candidate moves, encouraging players to generate a list of potential moves before making a decision. He emphasizes the importance of considering all possibilities, even if some moves initially seem counterintuitive. By doing so, players can avoid tunnel vision and make more informed decisions.
Endgame Strategy and Techniques
Transitioning to the endgame, Silman continues to emphasize the importance of imbalances. He demonstrates how understanding the imbalances present in the position can help players evaluate the endgame, create a plan, and execute it effectively. He also discusses specific endgame techniques, such as pawn structures, king activity, and the opposition, providing clear explanations and illustrative examples.
Furthermore, Silman introduces the concept of the critical moments, identifying the key points in a game where players must make crucial decisions. He stresses the importance of recognizing these moments and using them to their advantage, whether it's transitioning to a favorable endgame or seizing an opportunity in the middlegame.
Putting Theory into Practice
In the final chapters of How to Reassess Your Chess, Silman provides practical advice on how to improve one's chess skills. He suggests analyzing one's own games, studying master games, and solving tactical puzzles as effective methods for improvement. He also discusses the importance of psychological factors, such as confidence and focus, in playing successful chess.
In conclusion, How to Reassess Your Chess offers a comprehensive framework for understanding and improving one's chess game. By focusing on imbalances, strategic planning, and critical decision points, Silman provides players with the tools they need to reassess their approach to the game and elevate their play to new levels.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is How to Reassess Your Chess about?
How to Reassess Your Chess by Jeremy Silman is a comprehensive guide to improving your chess game. It provides practical advice and strategies for players of all levels, helping them to reassess their thinking and approach to the game. With clear explanations and illustrative examples, the book offers valuable insights into chess theory and tactics.
How to Reassess Your Chess Review
How to Reassess Your Chess by Jeremy Silman (1993) is an insightful guide on improving one's chess skills through strategic thinking and game analysis. Here's why this book is a compelling read:
- Featuring clear explanations and practical exercises, it helps players of all levels enhance their understanding of the game.
- The book offers strategic insights and tips to help players reassess their approach, leading to better decision-making during matches.
- With its engaging examples and challenging puzzles, the book ensures a dynamic and stimulating learning experience for chess enthusiasts.
Who should read How to Reassess Your Chess?
Chess players looking to improve their strategic thinking and decision-making skills
Intermediate to advanced players who want to take their game to the next level
Those who enjoy studying and analyzing complex games and positions
Categories with How to Reassess Your Chess
Book summaries like How to Reassess Your Chess
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.8 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
36 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
How to Reassess Your Chess FAQs
What is the main message of How to Reassess Your Chess?
The main message of How to Reassess Your Chess is to improve your chess skills through strategic and tactical analysis.
How long does it take to read How to Reassess Your Chess?
Reading How to Reassess Your Chess takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just a few minutes.
Is How to Reassess Your Chess a good book? Is it worth reading?
How to Reassess Your Chess is worth reading for chess enthusiasts wanting to enhance their strategic thinking. It provides valuable insights in a concise format.
Who is the author of How to Reassess Your Chess?
The author of How to Reassess Your Chess is Jeremy Silman.
What to read after How to Reassess Your Chess?
If you're wondering what to read next after How to Reassess Your Chess, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
- Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
- Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
- Happiness by Richard Layard
- The Wisdom of Crowds by James Surowiecki
- The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
- Simply Complexity by Neil F. Johnson
- Trust Me, I’m Lying by Ryan Holiday
- The World Without Us by Alan Weisman
- The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz