Positional Chess: Russian School 2.0 - Chess Forums

AutisticCath

May 28, 2018

0

#1

Would any one happen to recommend The Complete Manual of Positional Chess: The Russian School 2.0. As many of you know, I am desperately trying to learn the game of chess so I can be a good player.

I was at the book store last week and may go again this week but I only saw volume 2 of that particular book there.

Thanks!

NE7

kindaspongey

May 29, 2018

0

#2

"The book is aimed at players who are already around first category strength [Translator's note: Approximately 2000-2200 Elo] but some examples will also be useful to players of a higher standard."

https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9040.pdf

https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9049.pdf

kindaspongey

May 29, 2018

0

#3

[COMMENT DELETED]

kindaspongey

May 29, 2018

0

#4

newengland7 wrote:

... I am desperately trying to learn the game of chess so I can be a good player. …

"... In order to maximize the benefits of [theory and practice], these two should be approached in a balanced manner. ... Play as many slow games (60 5 or preferably slower) as possible, ... The other side of improvement is theory. ... This can be reading books, taking lessons, watching videos, doing problems on software, etc. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2002)

https://web.archive.org/web/20140627084053/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman19.pdf

RussBell

May 29, 2018

0

#5

newengland7 wrote:

Would any one happen to recommend The Complete Manual of Positional Chess: The Russian School 2.0. As many of you know, I am desperately trying to learn the game of chess so I can be a good player.

I was at the book store last week and may go again this week but I only saw volume 2 of that particular book there.

Thanks!

NE7

While certainly a good book (2 volumes), it is very advanced and likely of little value to (i.e., over the head of) the average beginner-intermediate improving player. For these players it might be better to consider first studying some of the books I suggest here....

Good Positional Chess, Planning & Strategy Books for Beginners and Beyond...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/introduction-to-positional-chess-planning-strategy

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell

AutisticCath

May 30, 2018

0

#6

kindaspongey wrote:

"The book is aimed at players who are already around first category strength [Translator's note: Approximately 2000-2200 Elo] but some examples will also be useful to players of a higher standard."

https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9040.pdf

https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9049.pdf

Perfect!

AutisticCath

May 31, 2018

0

#7

RussBell wrote:

newengland7 wrote:

Would any one happen to recommend The Complete Manual of Positional Chess: The Russian School 2.0. As many of you know, I am desperately trying to learn the game of chess so I can be a good player.

I was at the book store last week and may go again this week but I only saw volume 2 of that particular book there.

Thanks!

NE7

While certainly a good book (2 volumes), it is very advanced and likely of little value to (i.e., over the head of) the average beginner-intermediate improving player. For these players it might be better to consider first studying some of the books I suggest here....

Good Positional Chess, Planning & Strategy Books for Beginners and Beyond...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/introduction-to-positional-chess-planning-strategy

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell

My own personal opinion that has worked for me over the years is that the only way to improve is to do things that are difficult for you to do as opposed to the things that come simple for you. If you keep doing the easy things, you stay on the easy things.

They only have volume 2 at the book store so I am ordering volume 1 online.

OldPatzerMike

May 31, 2018

0

#8

newengland7 wrote:

My own personal opinion that has worked for me over the years is that the only way to improve is to do things that are difficult for you to do as opposed to the things that come simple for you. If you keep doing the easy things, you stay on the easy things.

This is undoubtedly true. I too have been contemplating the Russian School volumes, which are on my Amazon wish list. My thinking is that if one tries to grasp something that is too far beyond their current capabilities, a lot of time can be spent with little gained. For that reason, I am working through the Yusupov series, which is quite challenging. Only after finishing that will I move on to the Russian School.

It's similar to trying to learn calculus. If you don't have a firm grasp of algebra, you'll be able to understand some of calculus but even a great effort will take you only so far. Thus, it's better to study algebra first. As I see it, rightly or wrongly, Yusupov is algebra and the Russian School is calculus.

Whichever way you go, good luck with your studies.

kindaspongey

May 31, 2018

0

#9

OldPatzerMike wrote:

… I am working through the Yusupov series, which is quite challenging. Only after finishing that will I ...

Are you the one on the left or the one on the right? Anyway, in case anyone is interested, here is some information:

OldPatzerMike

May 31, 2018

0

#10

kindaspongey wrote:

Are you the one on the left or the one on the right?

The smart, good looking one is on the left. I'm on the right. (And I do mean smart: it's unsettling how quick Jack Russell terriers are to solve problems. He'd beat me at chess if he could sit still long enough to move the pieces instead of knocking them all over.)

It strikes me that you might consider, in your posts about the Yusupov books, advising readers of the correct order of the series. There seems to be a bit of confusion about that. The level 1 books are first: Build Up 1, Boost 1, Evolution 1. Then the level 2 books: Build Up 2, Boost 2, Evolution 2. And so on with level 3.

For the record, I'm about 1/4 of the way through the second book and it's extraordinary. Lots of work and quite challenging, but putting in the effort has definitely yielded results.