The Chess Cafe Puzzle Book 2: A Review
If you are looking for a chess book that can help you improve your positional understanding and strategic thinking, you might want to check out The Chess Cafe Puzzle Book 2: Test and Improve Your Positional Intuition by German grandmaster Karsten Muller. This book is a sequel to the first volume of the Chess Cafe Puzzle Book series, which focused on tactical puzzles. In this book, Muller offers a large number of examples that illustrate various strategic concepts and themes, and challenges you to find the best moves for both sides.
Introduction: What is the book about and who is the author?
The Chess Cafe Puzzle Book 2 is a unique instructional chess book that aims to help intermediate and advanced players improve their command of one of the most difficult aspects of playing chess - strategy. It does so by offering a large number of examples carefully selected by the author, German grandmaster Karsten Muller.
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Muller is one of the world's leading experts on chess endgames, and has written several books on this topic, such as Fundamental Chess Endings, Secrets of Pawn Endings, and The Magic of Chess Tactics. He also writes a monthly column called Endgame Corner at ChessCafe.com, where he analyzes interesting endgame positions and provides useful tips and insights.
The main features of the book: How is it organized and what topics does it cover?
The book consists of 12 chapters, each focusing on a specific strategic theme or concept. Each chapter contains an introduction that explains the main ideas and principles behind the theme, followed by several exercises that test your understanding and application of the theme. The exercises are taken from real games played by strong players, such as world champions, grandmasters, and masters. The solutions are given at the end of each chapter, with detailed explanations and comments by Muller.
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The chess cafe puzzle book 2 foreword by Susan Polgar
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: learn from the world champions
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a unique training program for chess players
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: master the art of positional play
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a comprehensive guide to chess strategy
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: improve your chess skills with 300 exercises
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a must-have for serious chess enthusiasts
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: how to solve complex chess problems
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a modern approach to chess education
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a collection of instructive and challenging puzzles
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a practical and fun way to study chess
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a great resource for chess coaches and teachers
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: how to apply positional concepts in your games
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a classic work on chess strategy and tactics
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: how to think like a grandmaster
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a treasure trove of positional wisdom
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: how to develop your positional sense and intuition
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a perfect companion for your chess training
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: how to recognize and exploit positional motifs
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a step-by-step guide to positional mastery
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: how to enhance your strategic and positional understanding
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a valuable addition to your chess library
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: how to gain an edge in positional battles
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a source of inspiration and enjoyment for chess lovers
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: how to sharpen your positional skills and judgement
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a comprehensive and systematic course on positional play
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: how to handle different types of positions and pawn structures
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a reliable and effective method for improving your positional play
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: how to avoid positional mistakes and blunders
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a thorough and detailed analysis of positional themes and ideas
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: how to create and exploit positional weaknesses in your opponent's camp
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: a stimulating and entertaining way to improve your positional awareness and vision
The chess cafe puzzle book 2: how to use prophylaxis, simplification, exchange sacrifices, and other positional tools in your games
The topics covered in the book are:
Good and Bad Bishops
In this chapter, you will learn how to evaluate the strength and weakness of bishops in different pawn structures, such as open, closed, or semi-open positions. You will also learn how to exploit or neutralize your opponent's bishops, depending on whether they are good or bad.
Domination
In this chapter, you will learn how to restrict or immobilize your opponent's pieces, especially knights, rooks, and queens. You will also learn how to use your pieces to control key squares or zones in the board, preventing your opponent from activating their pieces or creating counterplay.
Outposts
In this chapter, you will learn how to create or occupy strong squares for your pieces, especially knights, where they cannot be attacked by enemy pawns. You will also learn how to prevent or eliminate your opponent's outposts, or exploit them for tactical purposes.
Undermining
In this chapter, you will learn how to weaken or destroy your opponent's pawn structure, especially their pawn chain or center. You will also learn how to use pawn breaks or sacrifices to open lines or create weaknesses in your opponent 's position.
Opening the Position
In this chapter, you will learn how to open the position when you have a space or development advantage, or when your opponent has a weak king or pawn structure. You will also learn how to close the position when you have a cramped or passive position, or when your opponent has a strong attack or initiative.
Blockade
In this chapter, you will learn how to block your opponent's passed pawns or isolated pawns, preventing them from advancing or creating threats. You will also learn how to use your blockading pieces to support your own pawn advances or attacks.
Improving Piece Placement
In this chapter, you will learn how to improve the placement of your pieces, especially your king, rooks, and knights. You will also learn how to exploit the poor placement of your opponent's pieces, creating tactical or positional problems for them.
Prophylaxis
In this chapter, you will learn how to prevent your opponent's plans or ideas, anticipating their moves and taking preventive measures. You will also learn how to recognize and avoid your own weaknesses or threats, improving your defensive skills.
A Second Front and The Principle of Two Weaknesses
In this chapter, you will learn how to create a second front or a second weakness in your opponent's position, diverting their attention or resources from the main battlefield. You will also learn how to apply the principle of two weaknesses, which states that it is easier to win a position with two weaknesses than with one.
Counterplay
In this chapter, you will learn how to create counterplay or active defense when you are under pressure or in a worse position. You will also learn how to prevent or reduce your opponent's counterplay, maintaining your advantage or initiative.
Positional Exchange Sacrifice
In this chapter, you will learn how to sacrifice a rook for a minor piece or a pawn in order to gain a positional compensation, such as better pawn structure, more space, better piece activity, or attack on the enemy king. You will also learn how to defend against or refute a positional exchange sacrifice by your opponent.
Simplification
In this chapter, you will learn how to simplify the position when you have a material or positional advantage, or when you want to reach a draw. You will also learn how to avoid simplification when you have a dynamic or attacking advantage, or when you want to win.
Weak Color Complex
In this chapter, you will learn how to exploit or create weaknesses on a specific color complex (light squares or dark squares) in your opponent's position. You will also learn how to defend against or eliminate weaknesses on your own color complex.
The benefits of the book: How can it help you improve your positional intuition and strategic skills?
The book is very beneficial for chess players who want to improve their positional intuition and strategic skills. By solving the exercises and studying the solutions, you can:
- Learn from the examples of strong players who applied the strategic themes in their games. - Train your eye to spot the key features and factors of a position. - Develop your ability to calculate and evaluate different moves and plans. - Enhance your creativity and imagination by finding original and surprising ideas. - Test your knowledge and understanding of the strategic concepts and principles. - Gain confidence and experience in handling different types of positions. The drawbacks of the book: What are some possible limitations or criticisms of the book?
The book is not perfect and has some possible limitations or criticisms. Some of them are:
- The book is not suitable for beginners who are not familiar with the basic rules and tactics of chess. - The book is not comprehensive and does not cover all the possible strategic themes and concepts that exist in chess. - The book is not easy and requires a lot of concentration and effort from the reader. - The book is not entertaining and does not contain any stories or anecdotes about the players or the games. Conclusion: A summary of the main points and a recommendation for the readers.
The Chess Cafe Puzzle Book 2 is a unique instructional chess book that aims to help intermediate and advanced players improve their positional understanding and strategic thinking. It does so by offering a large number of examples carefully selected by the author, German grandmaster Karsten Muller, who is one of the world's leading experts on chess endgames. The book consists of 12 chapters, each focusing on a specific strategic theme or concept. Each chapter contains an introduction that explains the main ideas and principles behind the theme, followed by several exercises that test your understanding and application of the theme. The solutions are given at the end of each chapter, with detailed explanations and comments by Muller. The book is very beneficial for chess players who want to improve their positional intuition and strategic skills, as they can learn from the examples of strong players, train their eye to spot the key features and factors of a position, develop their ability to calculate and evaluate different moves and plans, enhance their creativity and imagination by finding original and surprising ideas, test their knowledge and understanding of the strategic concepts and principles, and gain confidence and experience in handling different types of positions. The book is not perfect and has some possible limitations or criticisms, such as being not suitable for beginners, not comprehensive, not easy, and not entertaining. However, these drawbacks do not diminish the value and quality of the book, which is a great resource for anyone who wants to take their chess game to the next level. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about chess strategy and positional play.
FAQs: Five frequently asked questions about the book and their answers.
Here are some common questions that people might have about the book and their answers:
Question
Answer
Where can I get the book?
You can get the book from various online platforms, such as Amazon, ChessCafe.com, or ChessBase. You can also find it in some local bookstores or libraries.
How much does the book cost?
The book costs around $20-$25, depending on where you buy it from. It is a paperback edition with 240 pages.
Do I need to read the first volume of the Chess Cafe Puzzle Book series before reading this one?
No, you do not need to read the first volume before reading this one. The two books are independent and cover different topics. However, it might be helpful to read the first volume if you want to improve your tactical skills as well.
How can I check my answers to the exercises?
You can check your answers to the exercises by looking at the solutions given at the end of each chapter. You can also compare your answers with other readers or players online, such as on chess forums or websites.
Are there any other books similar to this one that I can read?
Yes, there are many other books that cover similar topics or themes as this one. Some examples are The Art of Positional Play by Samuel Reshevsky, Chess Strategy for Club Players by Herman Grooten, The Power of Pawns by Jorg Hickl, The Art of Defence in Chess by Lev Polugaevsky and Iakov Damsky, and The Art of Sacrifice in Chess by Rudolf Spielmann.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and found it useful. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your time and attention. 44f88ac181
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