The Genesis of Power Chess: Effective Winning Technique for Strategy and Tactics [Paperback]

Leslie Ault (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Thinkers Pr Inc / Chessco (April 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0938650505
• ISBN-13: 978-0938650508
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,125,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb guide to chess strategy and positional thinking, June 26, 2000

By 

E. Sullivan (Stone Ridge, Virginia (USA)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Genesis of Power Chess: Effective Winning Technique for Strategy and Tactics (Paperback)

This is a terrific book by a relatively little-known author. Ault is an experienced tournament chess player, and a recognized authority in psychology and training methods. His book should be better known, since it is one of the best approaches I have ever read (and I've read quite a few) to the complex and abstract subject of positional chess thinking. He has developed a very logical and systematic approach, building from simple concepts (basic mates, basic endgames) to more difficult ones (knight outposts, knights vs bishops, controlling key squares, etc). He wrote another, earlier chess book (The Chess Tutor: Elements of Combinations) addressing the basic tactical themes of chess (pins, skewers, forks, etc). This is another gem of a book. He also co-authored the classis book Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess, and developed the chess training method pioneered by that book. If you're looking to improve your understanding of positional chess, then The Genesis of Power Chess will be well worth your time. I'm working my way through it for the third time - each time I read it, my game gets a little better.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise and Informative, September 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Genesis of Power Chess: Effective Winning Technique for Strategy and Tactics (Paperback)

I studied my paper back copy of this book so much that I had to make my own hardcover binding to help preserve it from further destruction. No useless diagrams, overbearing alternate line analysis or complete game transcripts to sift through. The author has made sure that everything presented has a logical reason for being included. The author has also organized the material in a logical order starting with simple endgame positions and building from these into more complex positions and concepts throughout the book. This may be the only chess puzzle style book that doesn't contain only worthless mate-in-2, and similar, positions. Most positions focus on application of correct chess principles to obtain a winning advantage and not necessarily the flashiest mate-in-x combination. Buy this book if you want to study and learn effective ways to improve your game, as opposed to reading someone's post game analysis inserted into the listings of their favorite games.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Chess Strategy Tutorial, January 15, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Genesis of Power Chess: Effective Winning Technique for Strategy and Tactics (Paperback)

Unlike many chess books, this book leads you along as if the author is standing over your shoulder. Rather than provide just a set of positions for you in a random fashion, Ault presents each position along with a paragraph or two of commentary containing the lesson he is trying to push across. The positions proceed along systematic, progressive themes beginning with simple mates, through endgame play, then strategic considerations such as pawn play, piece play, and attacks. The last section has a variety of positions with themes randomly chosen from the preceding discussions. An very instructive and well-organized tutorial on chess strategy, that has certainly improved my chess understanding and actual play!