POWER MATES : Essential Checkmating Strategies and Techniques [Paperback]

Bruce Pandolfini (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (December 5, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684801205
• ISBN-13: 978-0684801209
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's review the book Pandolfini DID write!, March 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: POWER MATES : Essential Checkmating Strategies and Techniques (Paperback)

I think that the negative reviews here are based on the assumption that Pandolfini tried to write a different kind of
book but somehow failed. It's not a book of "checkmate puzzles"
(although there are 70 of these)but, as its subtitle says, of elementary checkmating strategies. Its purpose is to show how a game develops from the opening to the point where one side is able to force mate. The 70 short games with light notes are not intended for the advanced player, but for those under USCF 1400 or so. For this purpose, it's an excellent book. Sure, more advanced players should look elsewhere, but so what?

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars opening/middle game/puzzle book all in one, October 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: POWER MATES : Essential Checkmating Strategies and Techniques (Paperback)

this book is great for beginners, but is probably best suited for midlevel players.Instruction is done by selected tournament games, many by former(and current) world champions,while these games are short, each has 4 diagrams, and plenty of analysis by the author. eahc game is categorized by the opening,which by the way,teaches good and bad opening moves, and how to pounce your opponent when he makes a mistake. in this way, this book is like an advanced form of traps and zaps, also by pandolfini.At the end of each game, a diagram is presented, for you to find forced mate, with all solutions at the back of the book. hence this book becomes good for puzzles, as well. But the most valued thing i personally got from this book was sacrificing pieces. i used o be somewhat timid at doing this, but thanks to this book, i now sacrifice to shatter king protection, deflection, ect. sorry for the long review, but this is really a very thorough, handy book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For my money, the perfect chess book, July 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: POWER MATES : Essential Checkmating Strategies and Techniques (Paperback)

I enjoy playing through short games, and games that end in checkmate. That is the kind of games this book has, with the added bonus that the author pauses to give the reader a chance to figure out how the checkmate is accomplished. I keep hoping there will be a "More Power Mates " soon!