Why is it that your brain so often refuses to consider winning chess tactics?
Every chess fan marvels at the wonderful combinations with which famous masters win games. How do they find those fantastic moves? Do they have a special vision? And why do computers outwit us tactically?
This rich book on chess tactics proposes a revolutionary method for finding winning moves. Charles Hertan has made an astonishing discovery: the failure to consider key moves is often due to human bias. Your brain tends to disregard many winning moves because they are counter-intuitive or look unnatural.
We can no longer deny it, computers outdo us humans when it comes to tactical vision and brute force calculation. So why not learn from them? Charles Hertan’s radically different approach is: use COMPUTER EYES and always look for the most forcing move first!
By studying forcing sequences according to Hertan’s method you will: -- develop analytical precision -- improve your tactical vision -- overcome human bias and staleness -- enjoy the calculation of difficult positions. In short: by recognizing moves that matter, you will win more games!
Endorsed by three-time US chess champion Joel Benjamin, a member of the Deep Blue Computer team that defeated world champion Garry Kasparov in 1997. Charles Hertan is a FIDE master from Massachusetts with several decades of experience as a chess coach. Instead of rehashing the usual classic examples he has unearthed hundreds of instructive combinations which appear here for the first time in print.
Joel Benjamin, from the Introduction: "By organizing and explaining the nature of great chess moves Hertan has brought us all closer to being able to find them."
Danny King, The Guardian: "Hertan encourages us to think with 'computer eyes', by first examining all the forcing moves (checks, captures, threats), no matter how daft they seem. Why? Not because forcing moves are always the best, but when they do work, they tend to work better and quicker than non-forcing options."
Marsh Towers Chess Reviews: "Hertan develops the reader's skills methodically, thus enabling each tactical lesson to be learned and absorbed properly."
Erik Bouwmans, Schaaknieuws: "Entertaining and instructive (..) you simply cannot stop looking."
Dr Erik Rausch, Rochade Europa: "An intensive training course for advanced players to improve their tactical vision and calculation (..) You will increase your tactical striking powers a lot."
Chess Horizons: "This book deserves the highest of recommendations."
Cor Jansen, Provinciaalse Zeeuwse Courant: "Thrilling, instructive and witty. Right on target."
Steve Goldberg, ChessCafe: "When the clock is ticking away, and you have too many viable candidate moves to choose from, remember Hertan's advice."
Francesco Benetti, Torre & Cavallo: "Complete and entertaining."
Carl Portman, FOCUS Magazine: "A super book."
Harold Dondis, The Boston Globe: "The categories in this book are quite unusual."
Mark Weeks, About.com: "Develops creative, little explored ideas about how to improve your tactical vision (..) with outstanding positions from master practice."
Stephen Dann, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "The price is low for a volume with so many pages and so much content."
