Better Thinking, Better Chess

How a Grandmaster Finds his Moves

Published by New in Chess
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
LIST PRICE $29.95

About The Book

Winner of the CJA 2019 Best Instructional Book Award

Finding strong moves does not simply depend on how much you know about chess. In fact, greater knowledge often makes choosing a move more complex because it increases the number of directions your mind can take. It’s about the way you think.

His many years as a chess trainer have taught grandmaster Joel Benjamin how fundamental failings in their thought process cause his students to make mistakes. Pointing out the moves his students missed was just half the job. He needed to explain why they didn’t arrive at the right move. Analysing your game with a chess engine will not tell you where and why you went wrong. Chess engines represent a different reality: the top computer move isn’t always the right move to play.

This book teaches how you can improve the structure and effectiveness of your thinking when sitting at the board. How to look for the right things. If you take the wrong direction at the start of your deliberations, as club players often do, you may be losing before you know it.

Joel Benjamin concentrates on a wide array practical issues that players frequently have to deal with. By applying a grandmaster’s train of thought club players will more often arrive at strong moves and substantially improve their game.

About The Author

Joel Benjamin became the youngest U.S. chess master at age 13, surpassing a record held by Bobby Fischer. A three-time U.S. Champion, he is a grandmaster, a Yale-educated historian and the author of six books for New In Chess.

Product Details

  • Publisher: New in Chess (November 30, 2018)
  • Length: 224 pages
  • ISBN13: 9789056918071

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Raves and Reviews

"It is quite clear that Joel Benjamin has put a lot of time and effort into this book. I feel this could go on to become one of 2019's greatest hits."

– Sean Marsh, CHESS Magazine (UK)

"A solid mixture of instruction and training that will help players rated between 2000 and 2400 in thinking more effectively during their games. Highly Recommended."

– John Donaldson, International master, International Master

"Clear and accessible without sacrificing complexity, and funny. The explanations are exemplary. Insightful, well-structured and it fulfills the promise of its title."

– John Hartmann, Chess Life

"One of the most complete and reader-friendly guides to improve our chess thinking process. The book covers the subject of a more efficient thinking process from both the theoretical and practical angles. This book is a must for every chess player and coach."

– Miguel Ararat, Gainesville Chess Training

"Throughout the book, the reader is challenged to make decisions, come up with plausible moves to analyze, weigh up different factors for positional evaluations and so forth. For players rated up to at least 2200, there is much to be learned from this book and even stronger players will find a lot of valuable material."

– Carsten Hansen, American Chess Magazine 5-star review

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