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School of Chess Excellence 2: Tactical Play Paperback – September 1, 2002

by Mark Dvoretsky (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 32 ratings
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The initial part of this book deals with combinations and tactical techniques, and suggests methods for developing a player’s calculating ability.
In the second part the author analyses a number of fascinating examples, in which he examines a wide variety of attacking and defensive means. Once again, the reader is encouraged to developing his understanding by tackling numerous tests. Join in and become one of Mark Dvoretsky’s pupils!
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    264 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Edition Olms
  4. Publication date
    September 1, 2002
  5. Dimensions
    6.67 x 1.33 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    328300417X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-3283004170
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark Dvoretsky is regarded as the leading chess coach in the world, and in this series of books he reveals the training methods that have transformed so many of his pupils into champions. This first title is devoted to the endgame and examines a wide range of positions, taken mainly from games of the author’s pupils. The comments are packed with practical advice and special test positions and frequent questions ensure that the reader’s participation in the book is an active one.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Edition Olms (September 1, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 328300417X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-3283004170
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.67 x 1.33 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 32 ratings

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Mark I. Dvoreckij

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
32 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

R. Tobias
5.0 out of 5 stars Take Your Tactics To the Next Level!
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2013
Verified Purchase
Russian IM Dvoretsky is considered by many to be the world's best chess trainer of advanced players. This volume is about as 'easy' a text as he has written, as some of his tomes can probably only be profitably used by titled players. But this is not a tactics primer, and you will probably want to master a couple thousand or more basic tactical problems before you tackle this work. Short of having a first rate coach, a book like this is about the best you can do to improve your tactics, as you are not just solving problems, you are absorbing the wisdom obtained from Dvoretsky's decades of exposure to Russian chess culture. You are also, of course, getting the benefit of learning from such a gifted and experienced trainer. Topics include choosing candidate moves, using logic vs. using intuition, the method of elimination (a very important technique to learn), traps, paying attention to your opponents' possibilities, defense, and positional exchange sacrifices. So as you can see, there is much to be learned here that you will not get from solving tactical puzzles. Once you are adept at solving a comprehensive range of basic tactics, you owe it to yourself to tackle this challenging but highly worthwhile work. Even better yet, have your chess coach guide you through it! Good hunting!
12 people found this helpful
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J. Moody
5.0 out of 5 stars Better than a typical tactics book.
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2014
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This is a great book for overall calculation skills such as calculating for a slight advantage, maintaining equality in tough positions, defense, positional sacrifices, etc. The difficulty of the problems varies, and you probably won't get all of them right. The important thing is working out calculation and visualization skills and where we're likely to err is in misevaluating the ends of the forcing variations. Other times still the best move might not even be a candidate! Most of the study comes from whole games so we know the entire context from beginning to end. In a practical game we aren't always winning so it's good to practice calculation for other situations as well.
7 people found this helpful
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Gadavis
5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent book by Mark Dvoretsky!
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2019
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Dvoretsky provides outstanding coverage of the process of finding, calculating and playing tactics and combinations in positions. In addition to explanations of this difficult process, he provides many exercises and their solutions to train your vision, calculation and play of tactics and combinations.
2 people found this helpful
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Laura
5.0 out of 5 stars extremely difficult book
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2013
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im > 1800 uscf and this book is very difficult. These are the types of exercises I was looking for. THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER TACTICS BOOK and is IDENTICAL to "secret of Chess Tactics" by Dvoretsky So if you own one there is no need to buy this one.
19 people found this helpful
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Michael Teat
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2018
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Excellent Thanks!
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J.R.S.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Highly Rewarding Study
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2003
As a player with a growing but still modest chess library, it was only recently that I discovered Dvoretsky's name recurring in the books and reviews of players in-the-know. School of Chess Excellence 2 was my first foray into his writings and I have found it tremendously rewarding, though difficult, to work through. Chief among the book's virtues is its willingness to approach the games of chess legends and relative unknowns with equal respect and equal care, and to strike an excellent balance between analysis and commentary in doing so. Dvoretsky's own games, as well as those of his leading pupils, figure prominently in the work, and contribute a host of insights into the differences between planning and playing, succeeding and failing.
The analysis itself is first-rate. As a player of average talent, I often find tactical analysis comes most easily in positions that are already themselves overtly tactical. By contrast, Dvoretsky excels at revealing the subtlety of tactical thought as it develops through the course of a game. As a result, he routinely shows a culminating tactical shot to be the punctuation mark to a rigorous process of continually seeking out the best move, rather than a stroke of brilliance arriving like a bolt from the blue.
As a stylist, Dvoretsky can tend towards the self-congratulatory from time to time, though this may be as much a result of the difficulties of translation as anything else. For the most part he is likeable and accessible. I agree with previous reviewers that the ideas presented are both difficult and dense, but they should not prevent any player beyond a beginner level from comprehending the book and benefiting greatly from it, provided one is patient. I recommend it.
46 people found this helpful
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Hasselgren Johan
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for advanced players
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2004
Dvoretsky's book is for advanced players. In order to get maximum benefit one should probably have a rating of at least 2000 FIDE (app. 2100 USCF). At that level basic tactical skills would be in place. However, in order to develop further one must work with more complicated material, basically well-annotated complex tactical games.
This is where Dvoretsky comes in. The book is packed with complex games and analysis of very high quality, with additional observations and succinct advice about decision-making and psychology in tactical situations. In this book chess is a very concrete game - the master-teacher is a firm believer in the power of the specific example more than in overall synthesis or general conclusions.
If you are looking for quick fixes or easily digested "lessons", look elsewhere. However, if you have reached a certain level of play and are willing to put in the work (answering the training questions, doing independent analysis) its instructional value is very high.
I am rated 2200 ICC standard and have gone through about half of the book. In some positions I have managed very well, but in many others I have missed some points or the main point. I know that I am relatively weak tactically so I have to remind myself that rewards will come from the very fact of trying to solve these problems.
In short: a excellent book for hard-working advanced players
40 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

G Cook
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 24, 2018
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ok
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Jeremy Gordon Flowers
1.0 out of 5 stars The book is sloppy.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2024
Verified Purchase
On P10, the very first scenario: Q 4-1 - What should white play? There is obviously something very awry because the moves 20 and 21 make absolutely no sense. You would advance the black pawn to threaten the white Bishop too. The Rook would still be there for the taking of the King - it's not check. This is a waste of money.
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