[Looking for Trouble: Recognizing and Meeting Threats in Chess] [By: Heisman, Dan] [March, 2014]

by Dan Heisman, Unknown Author

This book is written to address an underemphasized area of chess training and study, the identification of and reaction to--threats. For beginner and intermediate-level players, the study of tactics is paramount. Almost all tactics books take the approach of providing a position where there is a forced win, checkmate or draw. However, Looking for Trouble takes a different tack. This book helps players to recognize threats by providing over 200 problems in which players can focus on identifying and meeting threats ranging from extremely easy to fiendishly difficult. The identification of difficult threats û and how to meet them û is discussed in a manner that accommodates players of all levels.

Genres: Chess, Reference

Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Ernest Cadorin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of over 200 problems that focus on recognizing the threats that your opponent is making and responding with the best preventative actions before it is too late. The format is simple: A position is presented, and the threat and its prevention are described below. The reader must identify the threat (i.e. cover up the answer and figure it out), and then determine the best preventative move. The solutions in the book describe why certain responses are better than others.

This edition has a few mistakes in the notation, but is pretty clean overall. I learned a couple of things I didn’t know about the Ruy Lopez opening. It was at an appropriate level for me.

It confirmed a few principles that I play by:

- Playing an inferior move just to set a trap is never justified unless you are losing anyway and desperately need a chance to get back in the game. [pg. 83 M64]
- If you want to improve, always consider a draw offer as an offer to remain ignorant of what you would have learned if the game had continued. [pg. 106, M105]