Thoughts on Seirawan's Winning Chess series
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i have all 4 books in Yasser's series. the 1st lays the groundwork for the books on strategy & the one on tactics. the series isn't to bad except for typos & a few bad diagrams. But all in all it's quite educational.
Aug 1, 2007
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#3
The series of books by Seirawan is very highly regarded, so would probably be a good choice for you.
From your description of wanting to know the "why of it", I think that the "Predator at the Chessboard" website would be something you would really appreciate. It explains all the tactical ideas in plain English, so that instead of just solving puzzles, you have a better idea how to create tactical opportunities in your own games. 
i have the collection, i've enjoyed them. they were the first chess books i bought as well.really simple and easy to follow.
Aug 1, 2007
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#5
i LOVED this series and still recommend it as the best set of books for someone getting into chess, or one who knows the rules but wants to learn the tactics and strategies that make the game beautiful and enjoyable!
Thanks guys for all of your imput!
I did pick up Play Winning Chess and I am enjoying it so far. I do like that it is more or less plain english, which makes it easy enough to read. I am only a couple of chapters into it so the real meat for me is jut coming up.
I do appreciate all the input and I will check out that site, Sonofpearl!
-Eric
I've just bought Winning Chess Openning this month. After that I will buy Winning Chess Combinations and then others...I want to buy and read all series as 6 books.
Ercan, wouldn't Winning Chess Tactics make sense before Winning Chess Combinations? Gotta learn the single motifs before you combine them! 
I think Yasser Seirawan is a good teacher after watching his pro chess tapes, I think his books would be really good.
Nov 22, 2007
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#10
I did not read his first book, "play winning chess." However, I give very high grades to his books on "Tactics" and "Strategy." His writing style is informal, yet professional at the same time. I've read many chess books but these are probably my favorites when it comes to explaining rather complicated ideas in a clear way.
I have 4 of the series, excellent- I have not read them but have gone through them each a little. I like his style simple and easy to understand- I recommend them.
I highly recommend them.
I have his "Winning Chess Strategies" and think it's a good book. It was at least partially co-authored by Jeremy Silman and his style is recognizable through most of the book. Silman's own "The Complete Book of Chess Strategy", which I also have, contains everything the Seirawan book contains as well as brief introductions to a number of openings and some psychological aspects of OTB play.
You wouldn't go wrong with either book.
Hi folks,
I am interested in getting your opinions on this series. More specifically, the first book, Play Winning Chess. I am not new to chess but I am new to understanding it as more than a parlor game.
The main source of knowledge for me right now is Chessmaster 10th. I do really like the program and it has begun to open my eyes to the strategy and tactics involved in playing winning chess. I frequently play through the drills on forks, pins, skewers discoveries etc... and I have finished the Josh Waitzkin academy in there as well.
So, now I am looking to expand my horizons. I plan to continue to work through online puzzles here and elsewhere but I would like to find a book that can help explain the fundamental strategies in a clear and concise way and not just "here's a puzzle solve it... here's another etc..." Although I can recognize the merit of practice, I would like to understand the why of it more clearly.
In researching some books on Amazon I came across this series. It seems to be what I am looking for. What are your thoughts on this book and the subsequent volumes?
If you don't like it can you perhaps suggest some books on this topic that you do think would be helpful and why you think so?
TIA for your thoughts!
Eric