There are many differing opinions among the top players in the world of chess, but there is one thing upon which World Champions, Grandmasters, and other experts all agree: the art of chess calculation is the absolute key to the success of a player. Master this discipline and chess players can surely expect their results to improve dramatically. And yet there have been very few serious attempts in the past by chess authors to delve into this delicate topic, perhaps not surprisingly given its complexity and difficulty. In Excelling at Chess Calculation, Jacob Aagaard tackles the subject matter head on, unravelling the many secrets behind chess calculation and arming readers with the necessary tools to be able to calculate effectively at the chessboard. Aagaard pays particular attention to the searching practical questions like 'when should players calculate?', 'how can players discover candidate moves?', and 'how long should players spend on critical moves?'. A thorough study of this book will enable them to calculate with confidence in future games.

Highlights include:
*A crucial guide to the skill of chess calculation
*Ideal for both club and tournament players
*Written by a renowned chess coach and author

'And the rest is a matter of technique' is an annoyingly common phrase used in chess literature. The implication from the author is that the task of converting a typically winning position into a full point or converting a drawing position into half-a-point is relatively straightforward. However, as all of us practical players realize, it's not always a simple as this, and many hard-earned points are wasted through 'a lack of technique'.

In this valuable book Jacob Aagaard aims to solve this perennial problem. He arms readers with several endgame weapons that every strong technical player has in his toolbox. These include important skills such as schematic thinking, domination, preventing counterplay, building fortresses, and utilizing zugzwang. These tools are illustrated in deeply analyzed games containing numerous different themes. A serious study of this book will ensure that readers need no longer need fear the word 'technique'!

*Ideal for club and tournament players
*Includes all the principal tools of technique
*Written by an experienced endgames expert

Being able to solve puzzles and combinations is one of the principal components of a successful chess player. But how can one improve on such an important skill? How can one acquire combinational vision? The answer lies within the pages of this book! Experienced chess writer Jacob Aagaard explains how tactical intuition and ability develops and uses pattern recognition to improve the reader's tactical ammunition. It's also no secret that the continued practice of puzzles and combinations helps to sharpen the chess brain, and here there is a wealth of exercises and problems to solve accompanied by the full solutions and explanations. This book is a must for the serious competitive player.

*Improves tactical vision
*Ideal for club and tournament players
*Written by a battle-hardened expert

Positional chess remains a mystery to many and yet an understanding of the finer points of the game so often makes the difference between two equally matched players. Improve your positional play and you will see chess in a totally new dimension!
In this unique book, International Master Jacob Aagaard selects many original examples of positional chess, the crème de la crème of those that he uses for training and study. Aagaard also delves deeply into the ideas of positional evaluation and analysis.

* Teaches how to mix calculation with evaluation
* Contains many original exercises
* Written by a battle-hardened expert

The Queen¿s Indian Defence is one of Black¿s toughest and most respectable choices against queen¿s pawn openings and is a favorite among world class players such as Vladimir Kramnik, Vishy Anand, Michael Adams, and Judit Polgar. From the outset Black uses the dynamic principle of controlling the center with pieces rather than pawns, and this can lead to rich and complicated chess. The Queen¿s Indian is a multi-dimensional opening which appeals to aggressive and positional players alike. In this book, openings expert Jacob Aagaard delves into the many positional and tactical ideas available for both White and Black. Using illustrative games, Aagaard guides the reader through both the fashionable main lines and the tricky offbeat variations.

*Up-to-date coverage of one of Black¿s most important defences
*Strategies and tactics revealed for both sides
*Written by a renowned openings theoretician

International Master Jacob Aagaard provides an all-in-one solution to the popular opening move 1 d4 and other White systems that do not involve 1 e4. Throughout this work, Aagaard delves into the strategies, ideas and tactics for Black, while also showing the possible traps and pitfalls.

This book identifies the key factors that separate the very strong players from the rest. Anyone who follows the advice in this book cannot fail to improve their feel for the game.

A chess book on the openings, aimed at a club audience.

A chess book on the openings, aimed at a club audience.