Book Review: Chess Strategy - Edward Lasker

Finally I made time to read the book "Chess Strategy" by Edward Lasker.

The approach used is very different from other books I've read on the subject: rather than introduce individual strategic concepts/motives and let the reader weave them together, this book takes a holistic, common-sense approach to the opening, end-game and middle-game plans. Everything is reduced to common-sense, which makes understanding and remembering concepts that much easier (bye-bye to rote memorization of moves/variations).

That's about half the book. The other half includes around 50 annotated games bearing references to the concepts discussed earlier, explaining why a move was good/bad (again based on common-sense).

The book uses descriptive notation, but it is quite easy to follow. I found this work simply awesome!

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Many thanks.
Prady.
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/HungryForChess
Partner FB group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

NagaSkakiLevel3_vs_Pradeep_20131218_01

In this game, Edward Lasker's common-sense training has succeeded in keeping me on track and not making wasteful pawn moves, not attacking pieces that can freely move away and so on. It also helped me identify and ignore empty threats and illusions. I believe reading this was another sure step on the path of improvement.


Of course, I hope not only to keep this up, but also to do much better in days to come. So all comments and instructional discussions are welcome.


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Many thanks.
Prady.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/HungryForChess
Facebook partner group https://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

Hungry For Chess: Facebook Page

Now, Hungry For Chess has a dedicated community magazine page on Facebook! The goal is to have a common place to share thoughts and ideas related to chess, to share games and comments, to hold productive discussions, and to help each other improve. It is an open magazine, and people of all ages and playing strengths are welcome.

If you are hungry for chess, you are invited to like this page and participate actively:
https://www.facebook.com/HungryForChess

The magazine will also share some posts with a growing community group, "Are You Reti", and another community page "Chessconversations". The respective URLs are:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552
https://www.facebook.com/chessconversation

Together we hope we can have lot of fun on the path of improvement.

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Many thanks.
Prady.

Video on Attack by GM Damian Lemos

Loved this video by GM Damian Lemos where he explains the attacking ideas behind every move by white in this stunning encounter between Emanuel Lasker and Johann Bauer:

http://www.onlinechesslessons.net/2013/11/25/how-to-attack-grandmaster


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Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

After a Break Game 2

This is one of my recent games on chess.com. All was going well for me until move 29.

At this point my brain said, "Play 30.Rd7+ and pick up the Knight on e7". But my stupid hand played 30.Qc1 and I decided to resign.

Let me know what you think.


---
Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

After a Break

One of my recent games on chess.com

Let me know what you think.


---
Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

Positional Lesson 1

Okay, I've decided to help myself improve by asking more specific questions in this blog hoping that diverse players may help me with their answers. 

My first question is directed toward strategic players. It concerns the image below. I shall refrain from announcing whose move it is because I don't want a solution to a tactical puzzle. 

All I hope to learn is how a strategic player would analyze the position in this diagram. From both sides. What are the strategic thoughts that come into your mind when you look at this diagram?

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Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

English Opening - 5

Learning and practicing the English is one of my goals for 2013. I welcome all constructive criticism on the games I post here.



What could I have done better? What should I focus on to improve my understanding of the English?

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Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

English Opening - 4

Learning and practicing the English is one of my goals for 2013. I welcome all constructive criticism on the games I post here.



What could I have done better? What should I focus on to improve my understanding of the English?

---
Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

English Opening - 3

Learning and practicing the English is one of my goals for 2013. I welcome all constructive criticism on the games I post here.



What could I have done better? What should I focus on to improve my understanding of the English?

---
Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

English Opening - 2

Learning and practicing the English is one of my goals for 2013. I welcome all constructive criticism on the games I post here.



What could I have done better? What should I focus on to improve my understanding of the English?

---
Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

English Opening - 1

Learning and practicing the English is one of my goals for 2013. I welcome all constructive criticism on the games I post here.

Let's start with this game:



What could I have done better? What should I focus on to improve my understanding of the English?

---
Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/