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Many chessplayers find it difficult to improve their game beyond a certain level. They can see basic tactics, know a little about openings and can calculate a few moves ahead. However, so do their opponents. What is the next level, and how does one get there? This book is aimed at chess-players who have progressed well beyond beginner level and have acquired the basic skills required to play at club level, but need guidance to improve their understanding of chess. It is based on the training program that Hall himself followed when he was an up-and-coming player. The lessons are not based on 'quick fixes', but instead provide a well-rounded course in all aspects of chess that will equip the reader well for his or her chessboard battles, and provide a firm yet flexible basis for further improvement.

Jesper Hall is a strong international master from Sweden. He is a member of the Swedish national team, was runner-up in the Swedish Championship in 1996 and plays regularly in the German Bundesliga. He trains the 30 best juniors in Sweden via the Internet and has been employed by the Swedish Chess Federation to develop Swedish chess.

"The examples are great, the pieces of advice even better and the presentation is logical and easy to follow" - BIBLIOTEKSTJÄNST

"Hits the spot!" - GM Simen Agdestein, VERDENS GANG

"A good solid training book, sound advice presented in a way that is structured, organised and easy to follow" - A Avni, KINGPIN

"...suitable for both juniors and adults, being written in an easy to understand manner. Overall those who teach and/or want to improve cannot fail to learn from - or be inpired by - Hall" - Richard Palliser, CHESS MOVES

"Jam-packed with advice and tips... This isn't just a book for worthy juniors, it is a well produced selection of training methods for all club players wanting to put the work in and improve" - Alec Toll, OPEN FILE

"I could recommend this book to anyone who feels that he/she has reached a plateau as an average player and wants to try to advance to the next rung of the ladder" - Alan Sutton, EN PASSANT

"IM Hall offers very useful synopsis' at the end of each chapter highlighting the key points covered. He also offers the student exercises and perhaps, most importantly, suggestions for further reading. This book is highly recommended to aspiring students (1600-2400) , as well as chess trainers" - John Donaldson, on Jeremy Silman's website, www.jeremysilman.com

"offers lots of commonsense, practical advice... a worthy resource for trainers as well" - Mark Donlan, CHESS HORIZONS

"Features games and game fragments...a lot of work has gone into this book. It is written especially for the well-read club player who is seeking to raise his game to above average, and onto the next level.. " - Bab Wilders, Nederlands Dagblad

"Hall's program is designed for players who have progressed beyond the novice stage but still require guidnce to improve their skills...altogether a most useful production with many helpful features" - J J Walsh, IRISH TIMES

"A very readable book and full of relevant information that players need to address in order to improve...An excellent text for intemediate players or juniors wanting to improve. This book would also be useful for for coaches to use" - Paul Dunn, AUSTRALIAN CHESS FORUM

"Hall draws greatly on his own experiences and his own love for and fascination with the game is obvious. I particularly agree with his basic approach to coaching which is that chess should be fun, and that particularly for young players, playing lots of chess games is more important than studying and being coached. I also strongly agree with this (p166): Verdict: a fine addition to the literature of chess coaching that can also be used as a self-improvement course." - Phil Adams, CHECKPOINT

"...a book which can be read for benefit by players covering a wide range of playing strength from 1600 to 2400. ... Hall's experiences as a trainer show through in this work which covers not only topics like how to analyze your games and how to study position-types, but also the importance of psychology in chess. - John Donaldson, INSIDE CHESS ONLINE

"It has some of the best practical advice I've seen... a marvellous primer in the essentials of chess that is of value both to casual and experienced players" - Cecil Rosner, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

"It is rare to find a chess improvement book that strays from the ordinary, but this book provides a lot of useful insight with a fresh perspective. This book is crammed with excellent ideas and methods for improvement, and it is obvious that the author has a passion for chess both as a player and as an instructor." - Randy Bauer, RANDY'S REVIEWS

Download a pdf file with a sample from the book.