School of Chess Excellence 1 to 4 - Mark Dvoretsky (4 books)

School of Chess Excellence 1 to 4 by Mark Dvoretsky (4 books)

Mark Dvoretsky is regarded as the leading chess coach in the world, and in this series of books he reveals the training methods that have transformed so many of his pupils into champions.

School of Chess Excellence 1: Endgame Analysis
This first title is devoted to the endgame and examines a wide range of positions, taken mainly from games of the author’s pupils. The comments are packed with practical advice and special test positions and frequent questions ensure that the reader’s participation in the book is an active one. 

School of Chess Excellence 2: Tactical Play
The initial part of volume 2 deals with combinations and tactical techniques, and suggests methods for developing a player’s calculating ability. In the second part the author analyses a number of fascinating examples, in which he examines a wide variety of attacking and defensive means. Once again, the reader is encouraged to developing his understanding by tackling numerous tests. Join in and become one of Mark Dvoretsky’s pupils!

School of Chess Excellence 3: Strategic Play
This third volume in Mark Dvoretsky’s course is devoted to questions of strategy, and is aimed at improving the reader’s positional understanding. The author also examines a number of positions that lie on the boundary between the middlegame and endgame. As in the other books of the series, he uses examples from his own games and those of his pupils, together with original analyses of episodes from other player’s games.

School of Chess Excellence 4: Opening Developments
Compared with the other books in this series, substantially more space is given to the analysis of the opening problems that confront a player in a particular game. The first half of the book is altogether devoted to opening preparation (although, as you will see, not only to this), and also in the second half nearly every game is accompanied by detailed opening information. The main attraction of chess is its thematic content.

This series will provide a guide for you through the rich and diverse world of chess ideas, will help you to perceive the depth and beauty of schemes generated at the board, in tournament or match play, to disclose the causes of mistakes and to be aware of the hidden forces that determine the plans of chess encounters. As a result you will significantly improve your understanding of chess, and your practical playing strength will rise.

Edited by Ken Neat, Paperbacks, 966 pages combined

*please note the cover of part 1 is not white and is actually coloured like the other volumes. The design is as shown.