Chess Training for Budding Champions [Paperback]

Jesper Hall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2001

Many chessplayers find it difficult to improve their game beyond a certain level. They can see basic tactics, know a little about openings and can calculate a few moves ahead. However, so do their opponents. What is the next level, and how does one get there? This book is aimed at chess-players who have progressed well beyond beginner level and have acquired the basic skills required to play at club level, but need guidance to improve their understanding of chess. It is based on the training program that Hall himself followed when he was an up-and-coming player. The lessons are not based on 'quick fixes', but instead provide a well-rounded course in all aspects of chess that will equip the reader well for his or her chessboard battles, and provide a firm yet flexible basis for further improvement.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jesper Hall is a strong international master from Sweden. He is a member of the Swedish national team, was runner-up in the Swedish Championship in 1996 and plays regularly in the German Bundesliga. He trains the 30 best juniors in Sweden via the Internet and has been employed by the Swedish Chess Federation to develop Swedish chess.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Gambit Publications (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1901983471
• ISBN-13: 978-1901983470
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #306,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthusiastic Discussion of Middlegame and Endgame Strategies, December 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Chess Training for Budding Champions (Paperback)

What stands out about this book is the enthusiastic manner in which it is written. The author clearly loves chess and this is reflected in his writings. If you've ever been discouraged by the Informator style reams of variations in most chess books, Hall's emphasis on verbal explanations will be a refreshing change. As for contents, he limits his coverage to several key examples or games per section and then provides a set up essential chess endgame positions. Like Silman's Reassess your Chess, the book also contains suggestions for further reading. While the book may look basic, I doubt many people could complete the 'opening traps without a board' excercises. The variations in the games are quite advanced as well. As for me, I'm over 1900 and found this book helpful and, most importantly, fun. While this probably should not be the only chess book you purchase, I am sure that anyone who repeatedly reads it will become a very strong player (outside of Master standards of course). I also like Nunn's Understanding Chess Move by Move, Crouch's How to Defend in Chess, and the Tactical Targets in Chess Series by Pongo (hard to find).

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Chess Courses Around, May 29, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Chess Training for Budding Champions (Paperback)

This book will be equally useful for an individual ambitious to improve, or for a chess trainer looking for stimulating course material. There is a tremendous depth to the program of instruction here, with sections on openings, middlegame concepts (closed center, open center, isolated pawns) and endgames (queen endings, pawn endings, knight endings). Computers and databases are covered (2 pages), with the emphasis in that section (as indeed with the whole book) being as much on HOW to study as on the study itself.
A beginner might enjoy this book, but the most benefit will be obtained by players who have some experience but feel they have reached a plateau - a quite common situation in my experience. Gambit is well known for only publishing quality chess books, so this is a self-improvement work you can rely on to improve your game and rating.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Practical Approach to Improving, July 3, 2005

By 

Terry Hill, Elementary School Chess Teacher (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chess Training for Budding Champions (Paperback)

You will find this book outlines a wonderful program on how to study, and gives a deep insight into openings, middlegame strategy and endgames. As well as teaching chess I play in local tournaments, and I can say with confidence that this well-rounded approach is exactly what will benefit the intermediate level player most. The chapters on the middlegame will help every junior solve some of the most common problems, and there is a lot of great study material on strategic themes. The section on the endgame alone is worth five stars, as it extensively covers topics you rarely see mentioned in other books.
There is no doubt that after reading this book your general strength will improve, and there is so much material packed in, that it is like having the contents of several books put together. That is my one complaint - there is almost too much material, and it could take several months to do it justice.
The author is an experienced chess teacher, and he shares his methods with a passionate enthusiasm. I found his methods to be valid, and quite insightful in some cases. I would highly recommend this book for both kids and adults to study and enjoy.