Sounds good, flakefly. I haven't read "Under the Surface" but I've read his "The Secret Ingredient" and it was excellent, I've no doubt another book of his would also be quality. It's interesting reading about how some of the role models in "Chess for Life" returned to the game after a break, like you, and thought of about how to approach it. Good luck with your training goals, either book sounds good to me.
Yeah, it's dangerous when I start looking at chess books. Now I've added another candidate, "Think Like a Super-GM" by Michael Adams. Do you know that one? It might be a slightly better fit, in terms of having some practical training value, but these are all great books it seems.
Hahaha yes, I'm going through that book now! It's excellent (though I've been a bit lazy with the exercises and after a few months, I'm only halfway...). Will definitely write a review of it once I've completed it. Fascinating to read how players of various levels think about positions and moves right after you've tackled the same exercise.
Indeed, the choices for books are quite a bit better than when my chess obsession blossomed in the 90s. Though I will doubtless change my mind several times, pretty sure it's going to be the Adams/Hurtado book, in tandem with the Romain Edouard calculation book - those should keep me busy and focussed for a while.
I really loved this book. I think it's a very original piece and it adresses a topic which is generally left aside. I haven't read the full book yet, but I like the structure which is easy to navigate and some of the insights are really eye-opening. For example, I found the chapter on the Carlsbad structure one of best on this topic despite having already read a lot of them, including Sadler's own work in his QGD book. The way the GMs make their repertoire evolve over time is also very interesting, and shows that various approaches are possible, as long as they suit your skills and personality.
Yes I also really enjoyed the chapter on Arkell! I actually read that chapter first in the book, because I was intrigued by the introduction mentioning he 'had built an opening repertoire which tied into his love of rook endgames.'
Knowing your own style and sticking to it is recommended by a few of the role models. Glad to hear from another reader who loved the book!
I'm planning on rewarding myself with a chess book in a few weeks, if I meet some training goals, and I'm waffling between this book and "Under the Surface" by Jan Markos (do you know it?). "Chess for Life" sounds really interesting as someone who's returning to OTB after a 20-year hiatus.
Sounds good, flakefly. I haven't read "Under the Surface" but I've read his "The Secret Ingredient" and it was excellent, I've no doubt another book of his would also be quality. It's interesting reading about how some of the role models in "Chess for Life" returned to the game after a break, like you, and thought of about how to approach it. Good luck with your training goals, either book sounds good to me.
Yeah, it's dangerous when I start looking at chess books. Now I've added another candidate, "Think Like a Super-GM" by Michael Adams. Do you know that one? It might be a slightly better fit, in terms of having some practical training value, but these are all great books it seems.
Hahaha yes, I'm going through that book now! It's excellent (though I've been a bit lazy with the exercises and after a few months, I'm only halfway...). Will definitely write a review of it once I've completed it. Fascinating to read how players of various levels think about positions and moves right after you've tackled the same exercise.
You're spoilt for choice for good books!
Indeed, the choices for books are quite a bit better than when my chess obsession blossomed in the 90s. Though I will doubtless change my mind several times, pretty sure it's going to be the Adams/Hurtado book, in tandem with the Romain Edouard calculation book - those should keep me busy and focussed for a while.
I really loved this book. I think it's a very original piece and it adresses a topic which is generally left aside. I haven't read the full book yet, but I like the structure which is easy to navigate and some of the insights are really eye-opening. For example, I found the chapter on the Carlsbad structure one of best on this topic despite having already read a lot of them, including Sadler's own work in his QGD book. The way the GMs make their repertoire evolve over time is also very interesting, and shows that various approaches are possible, as long as they suit your skills and personality.
Yes I also really enjoyed the chapter on Arkell! I actually read that chapter first in the book, because I was intrigued by the introduction mentioning he 'had built an opening repertoire which tied into his love of rook endgames.'
Knowing your own style and sticking to it is recommended by a few of the role models. Glad to hear from another reader who loved the book!
I'm planning on rewarding myself with a chess book in a few weeks, if I meet some training goals, and I'm waffling between this book and "Under the Surface" by Jan Markos (do you know it?). "Chess for Life" sounds really interesting as someone who's returning to OTB after a 20-year hiatus.