Attacking Chess: Aggressive Strategies and Inside Moves from the U.S. Junior Chess Champion (Fireside Chess Library) (Paperback)

by Josh Waitzkin (Author) "This is what it's all about..." (more)
Key Phrases: attacking chess, diagrammed position, pawn storm, New York, Garry Kasparov, Bruce Pandolfini (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Garry Kasparov World Champion Of Chess This book will help you enter the exciting world of the black and white jungle....Josh is not only a very good chess player but has learned from his father how to explain his ideas and feelings for the game....He has produced a lovely work. -- Review

Review
Garry KasparovWorld Champion Of ChessThis book will help you enter the exciting world of the black and white jungle....Josh is not only a very good chess player but has learned from his father how to explain his ideas and feelings for the game....He has produced a lovely work.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Fireside; Softcover Ed edition (August 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684802503
• ISBN-13: 978-0684802503
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #221,133 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

124 of 125 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars TACTICS come to life! ------ A different type of tactics book., September 20, 2006

A Kid's Review

This is a fun to read tactics book. Josh Waitzkin (the subject of the movie, "Seaching for Bobby Fisher") tells some interesting stories about his life in chess and uses tactics in a puzzle form to find the solution. This is not a "dry" book and Waitzkin is one of my favorite authors along with Snyder and Polgar who all have an entertaining style along with good solid teaching materials. This is a book for someone who maybe has read a beginning book (like Learn Chess or Chess Juniors) or has been playing for a little while but wants a fun next step in chess. I hope he writes more chess books like this one especially using traps and tactics.

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a modern classic, January 10, 2001

By	louis smith (U.S.) - See all my reviews

What a joy this book is to read! Not only does Josh give us the way chess is really played, but the book is full of instructions and tactical methods, including ways of opening lines for effective attack. I am a bit amazed that this book was given average reviews by a few people. They claim this book is only for beginners to intermediate. However, the author clearly states at the beginning of the book that the combination of methods he presents make for the highest forms of chess. No doubt. It is true that he starts with basic tactics but he works up very quickly to advanced concepts. I do not give high praise easily to books, but this one certainly deserves it. Mastery of the information Josh presents can put one very quickly on the road to chess mastery. He gives basic tactics, then works to sacrifices, opening lines and a ton of excellent information on breaking through the oppositions defense. This book is one of the few classics in chess. A truly great book.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An easy read. Light on Chess, July 14, 1999

By	Ray Salemi (Framingham, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a nice interesting book and an easy read. It is pretty light on chess. Waitzkin shows you about two games per chapter and asks you to figure out his next move based upon the theme of the chapter. So in the chapter on pins, you get to think through a couple of pin problems.

However, he doesn't really generalize to any rules to think about. You won't walk away really knowing anything well.

Given that, the book is kind of fun and light. Waitzkin (either Josh or Fred) is a good writer and the book is enjoyable.