Chess Exam and Training Guide

Book excerpt: This book offers a unique approach to chess self-evaluation and training. It will answer the two most common questions that players ask an experienced coach - what is my true rating (or strengths and weaknesses)? How do I improve? The readers will find: 100 diagrams & 200 total questions of various difficulty. Comprehensive answers include diagrams for easy reading away from the chessboard. Distributions of answers, percentiles and other statistical reports by rating group from unrated to 2400+. Match yourself against players of all levels, up to grandmaster and see how you stock up. Results evaluated and Rating assigned overall & by 12 distinct categories: Opening, Middlegame, Endgame, Attack, Defense, Counterattack, Tactics, Strategy, Calculations, Standard Positions (Endgame), Sacrifices, Recognizing Threats. Comprehensive reports on each of the categories with examples, training recommendations and book/materials suggestions The book will be essential reading for everyone who plays chess because it will: a. help them to understand their current situation by identifying their strengths and weaknesses; b. give them clear explanations on how to improve, both in suggesting the appropriate training materials and in outlining the training methods; c. encourage players to establish and then follow a structured training plan; d. relieve player's anxiety by assuring that there is plenty of help available to those who are interested in understanding the game better and improve their skills; e. provide players with means of getting all their questions answered via timely advice from experienced coaches and also their peers.