Chess Middlegames

by László Polgár

This is a superb book for the strong club player to near master. It is a compilation of 4158 positions from master play grouped into 77 different tactical or positional themes. For example, 168 positions of isolated queen pawn play, 108 hedgehog positions, 168 Sicilian sacrifice positions and so on. The examples given illustrate problem solving skills at the highest level, but because of the great number, the solutions (game continuations and commentary) are necessarily brief. Hence it is a book not for the average club player who needs explanations of the methods of play, but for the seasoned player who wants to analyse out for himself the best means of playing typical positions, and to be alert to tactical opportunities

Genres: Chess

1016 pages, Hardcover

Published July 3, 1998

About the author

László Polgár is a Hungarian chess teacher and educational psychologist. He is the father of the famous Polgár sisters: Zsuzsa, Zsófia, and Judit, whom he raised to be chess prodigies.

Reviews

[Heinz Brunthaler · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is difficult to read. Firstly because of his big weight, around 1,8 kg, secondly because the solutions are at the end without a diagram and it's difficult to leave forth and back. The positions are not computer proofed and not from recent time. That means also not everything is correct and the solutions are difficult to read and follow.
A nice collection. But unfortunately not very good for practical use.