I'm divided on this book. One the one hand, it's the best and most readable book I've read that details exactly where the regular chess player's thought processes go wrong. I'm sure it's helped my play very much. On the other hand, Silman can be brutal when criticizing his students' play. ( )

Some people find Silman's style condescending because he primarily uses lower ranked players games to illustrate points, but I find that this makes the lessons more accessible. Watching Grandmasters slug it out can be instructive, but the simpler, linear approach of Silman's students, with his line by line dialog, make this book a great lesson on chess theories and changed the way I think about the game... ( )

Some people find Silman's style condescending because he primarily uses lower ranked players games to illustrate points, but I find that this makes the lessons more accessible. Watching Grandmasters slug it out can be instructive, but the simpler, linear approach of Silman's students, with his line by line dialog, make this book a great lesson on chess theories and changed the way I think about the game... ( )

One of Silman's best, I think. Too advanced for *total* beginners, everyone else who studies the game will find something of themselves in this book - and also start developing some tools to combat the 'amateur' within. ( )

Some people find Silman's style condescending because he primarily uses lower ranked players games to illustrate points, but I find that this makes the lessons more accessible. Watching Grandmasters slug it out can be instructive, but the simpler, linear approach of Silman's students, with his line by line dialog, make this book a great lesson on chess theories and changed the way I think about the game... ( )