The Ultimate Chess Puzzle Book

by John Emms

It is generally agreed that one of the best ways for a chess-player to improve is by studying tactics – and the best way to do that is by practising. This book provides a wealth of puzzle positions to test just about every facet of your tactical skills.

The puzzles in this book have been selected by analysing games new and old in search of original puzzle positions (rather than simply trawling through previous puzzle books, as is all too often the case). It is therefore very unlikely that even seasoned solvers will recognize many of these positions. Emms, by allying his skills with those of powerful computers, has also made every effort to ensure that the solutions are sound, and that there are no unmentioned alternative solutions.

The book begins with 100 relatively easy positions suitable for novices, and ends with 100 extremely tough puzzles, which will provide a mind-bending challenge even for top-class players. The remainder of the book contains just about everything between these two extremes, including selections of puzzles based around particular tactical themes, and graded tests, where no clues are given as to the type of ideas involved. Every now and then, there are positions where the correct solution is a positional move, rather than a tempting but unsound combination.

John Emms is one of England’s strongest grandmasters, and an experienced trainer. He is also a skilful and versatile he has several opening monographs and general guides to his credit.

Genres: Chess, Games

240 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2000

Reviews

[Manny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check, he goes there, check... no, he escapes. Hm. Check, check... no, that doesn't work either. Oh, wait! It's check, queen over there, and now he can't prevent check, CHECK! Of course.

Rinse, repeat.
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Photo added on Paul's suggestion (see comment #7):

[zed · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am crap at chess. I spent a lot of money on books that I thought would at least make me competitive. Nothing worked. I think these chess books will all sit in a box gathering dust and one day I might get the urge to rejoin the local club and get butchered by 12 year olds so then may have a further look. (Generic review for all half finished chess books I will never finish)

[notgettingenough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moving on from this....

http://alittleteaalittlechat.wordpres...

[Voyt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the way it is presented. From elementary to most advanced/difficult puzzles. At the same time they represent different stages of the game. Major tactical ideas are at the beginning of the book, just short lessons. Some puzzels have comments. The drawback: I would like to see chess boards having marked squares coordinates (number and letters). This is why only 4*. I have only two chess books: one by Bobby Fischer, and this one.

[Vijay P · Rating 5 out of 5]

great set of puzzles.

Great set of puzzles and they are organized very intelligently! 👏
Very rarely I found some errors to speak of. Enjoyed very much going through them!

[Mike Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

good