Chess Tactics for Champions: A step-by-step guide to using tactics and combinations the Polgar way [Paperback]

Susan Polgar (Author), Paul Truong (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 11, 2006 | Series: Chess

Susan Polgar became the first female Grandmaster at age 15—and it wasn't luck that got her there. Her use of tactics, combinations, and strategy during her games gave her the critical advantage she needed against her opponents. In Chess Tactics for Champions, Polgar gives insight into the kind of thinking that chess champions rely on while playing the game, specifically the ability to recognize patterns and combinations. With coauthor Paul Truong, Susan Polgar teaches the tactics she learned from her father, Laszlo Polgar, one of the world's best chess coaches.

• Teaches players how to calculate the effect of a move in order to gain an edge over an opponent

• For intermediate to advanced chess players of all ages

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan Polgar was a gold medalist at the 2004 Chess Olympiad. She is the current World Champion in Women's Chess and the top ranked female chess player in the United States.

Paul Truong is an eleven-time National Champion and was the captain and business manager of the 2004 U.S. Women's Olympiad Team.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Random House Puzzles & Games (April 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081293671X
• ISBN-13: 978-0812936711
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Chess

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

227 of 233 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Tactics Book: Good Balance between Explanation and Number of Examples, July 31, 2006

By 

Jason Fisher - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chess Tactics for Champions: A step-by-step guide to using tactics and combinations the Polgar way (Paperback)

This is an excellent tactics book for the "advanced beginner" or even low-end "intermediate" chess player who wants a good general book on important tactical themes. In my personal opinion I fee tactics books and opening chess trap books are the two best ways to improve your tactical abilities all around. Improve pattern recognition! The key to doing well from beginner to intermediate ability!

This book has excellent clarity and the example positions are carefully selected which is why this is a 5 star book for it's intended audience.

283 of 297 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks for the referral - this is the other good book!, August 14, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Chess Tactics for Champions: A step-by-step guide to using tactics and combinations the Polgar way (Paperback)

Amazon.com shows a suggested book with the one you are looking at. This has helped me get my dad to buy several good books on chess. After getting and really liking "Winning Chess Traps for Juniors" (five stars and great) it had this book suggested and I got it (five stars and great). I want to thank thes authors for writing such great books on tactics and chess traps (actually books along the same line in many ways) and amazon.com for making good referrals!!!!

78 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Learn by doing, June 14, 2006

By 

Anthony Ragan (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chess Tactics for Champions: A step-by-step guide to using tactics and combinations the Polgar way (Paperback)

This is an excellent book on tactics by Susan Polgar. The teaching method is simple: after giving a few examples of the particular tactic in question, including one from her own games, Susan then tells the student to complete 25-50 exercises of varying difficulty. Each revolves around the tactic highlghted in the chapter. It's the same teaching method an old Latin instructor used to drill verb conjugations into our heads: repetition and practice. Eventually, the subject (whether the third conjugation or chess tactics) becomes almost a reflex action. With that goal in mind, I think she has succeeded marvellously.

The only drawback to the book in my opinion is the shortness of the prose sections; I would have preferred a bit more explanation. But, perhaps that's the point: after some quick examples, what you need is practice and training, not more lecture. Still, I would pair this book with Seirawan's "Winning Chess Tactics," which has more explanations, as a perfect 1-2 combination for learning tactics.