Title: Chess Tactics: Books, Websites, Software Below is a list of books and other resources useful for tactical training. Most have been recommended by leading chess authors and/or contributors to the ChessPublishing Forum. 1 Books on Tactics, Combinations and Sacrifices (a) Beginner to intermediate Bain, J. (2002) Checkmate!: Ideas for students: an activity booklet for chess beginners (Corvallis, OR: Learning Plus). Bain, J. (1994) Chess Tactics for Students (?: ?), 10th ‘anniversary’ edn. Brunthaler, H. (2007) My Daily Exercise: 365 tactical tests to improve your chess, volume 1: from beginners to club players (?: New in Chess). Chandler, M. (1998) How To Beat Your Dad at Chess (London: Gambit). Chandler, M. (2003) Chess Tactics for Kids (London: Gambit). Hall, J. and Hays, L. (1991) Combination Challenge: Attaining the master-expert levels in chess through tactics: 1154 striking examples in a 1990’s format (?: Hays). [According to an Amazon review, ‘[m]ore than 900 of this book’s 1100+ problems appear in Reinfeld’s 1001 Winning Sacrifices and Combinations’.] Hays, L. (1994) Winning Chess Tactics for Juniors (Dallas, TX: Hays). [Not computer-checked – many mistakes?] Cheng, R. (xxxx) Practical Chess Exercises: 600 lessons from tactics to strategy (?: ?). [Highly recommended by Watson.] Chernev, I. (xxxx) Winning Chess Traps (?: ?). Chernev, I. and Reinfeld, F. (1964) Winning Chess: How to see three moves ahead (?: ?). Coakley, J. (2004) Winning Chess Exercises for Kids [‘The Blue Book’.] [Really an ‘intermediate’ book useful for adults also, acc. Heisman.] Coakley, J. (xxxx) Winning Chess Puzzles for Kids. [‘The Red Book’.] Coakley, J. (xxxx) Winning Chess Puzzles for Kids, Volume 2. [‘The Orange Book’.] Coakley, J. (xxxx) Winning Chess Strategy for Kids. [‘The Green Book’.] Farnsworth, W. (2007) Predator at the Chessboard: A field guide to chess tactics, Book I: Introduction, the double attack, the discovered attack (?: Lulu). Farnsworth, W. (2007) Predator at the Chessboard: A field guide to chess tactics, Book II: The pin and the skewer, removing the guard, mating patterns (?: Lulu). Fischer, R. and Margulies, S. (1972) Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess (?: ?). Gillam, A. (1978, repr. 1993) Simple Chess Tactics (London: Batsford). Heisman, D. (2011) Back to Basics: Tactics (?: Russell Enterprises). Ivashchenko, S. (2006) Chess School 1a: Manual of chess combinations (?: Russian Chess House). [Print version of Chess Tactics for Beginners.] Ivashchenko, S. (2006?) Chess School 1b: Manual of chess combinations (?: Russian Chess House). [Print version of Chess Tactics for Beginners.] Nunn, J. (2004) Learn Chess Tactics (London: Gambit). Plaskett, J. (2002) Can You Be a Tactical Chess Genius? (London: Everyman). Polgar, L. (xxxx) Chess: 5334 Problems, Combinations, and Games. [Has thousands of mating problems – more about calculation than tactics exclusively?] Polgar, J. and Truong, P. (xxxx) A World Champion’s Guide to Chess: Step-by-step instructions for winning chess the Polgar way. Polgar, J. and Truong, P. (2006) Chess Tactics for Champions. Reinfeld, F. (xxxx) 1001 Checkmates. [Not computer-checked – many mistakes?] Reinfeld, F. (xxxx) 1001 Chess Sacrifices. (Positions available online at: http://www.chessville.com/downloads/downloads_tactical_exercises.htm) [Not computer-checked – many mistakes?] Reinfeld, F. (xxxx) 1001 Combinations. [Not computer-checked – many mistakes?] Reinfeld, R. (1969 [1955]) 1001 Winning Chess Sacrifices and Combinations (Hollywood, LA: Wilshire). [Selected positions from the two items above. Presumably not computer-checked.] Reinfeld, F. (1976) Chess Tactics for Beginners (Hollywood, LA: Wilshire). [Very basic. The front cover gives Reinfeld as the editor, but he appears to be the (sole) author.] Reinfeld, F. (1961) Complete Book of Chess Tactics (Garden City: Doubleday). [Originally pub. as Complete Book of Chess Stratagems.] Seirawan, Y. (2006) Winning Chess Combinations (London: Everyman). Seirawan, Y., with Silman, J. (2003, rev. 2005) Winning Chess Tactics (London: Gloucester). [Some reviewers imply this is quite a basic book, but one says it’s more difficult than Alburt’s, Farnsworth’s, Heisman’s or the Polgars’ books!] Woolum, A. (xxxx) The Chess Tactics Workbook. Vámos, V. (2004) Chess Tactics for Beginners, Volume 1: A useful manual to the inexperienced chess player (Hungary: Caissa). Vámos, V. (2010) Chess Tactics for Beginners, Volume 2: Various types of mates, motifs and tactical possibilities (Hungary: Caissa). Vámos, V. (2010) Chess Tactics for Beginners, Volume 3: Various types of mates, motifs and tactical possibilities (Hungary: Caissa). Ward, C. (2006) Starting Out: Chess tactics and checkmates (London: Everyman). Wilson, F. and Albertson, B. (1999) 303 Tricky Checkmates (?: Cardoza). [This and the next volume have been recommended above Reinfeld’s books.] Wilson, F. and Albertson, B. (1999) 303 Tricky Chess Tactics (?: Cardoza). (b) General/intermediate Alburt, L., with Palatnik, X and Pelts, X. (2000) Chess Training Pocket Book: 300 most important positions & ideas (?: CIRC). Anderson, I. (2007) Chess Vizualization Course, Book 1: General tactics (?: Gelvert). [Recommended by Heisman. Also available as an e-book. Has an associated website: http://chessvisualization.com/index.htm] Anderson, I. (2007) Chess Vizualization Course, Book 2: Kingside sacrifices and combinations (with preparatory positions) (?: Gelvert). [See above.] Blokh, M. (1994) The Art of Combination (?: Chess Enterprises). [Sometimes referred to as Combination Art. Acc. to Mark Morss, a graded problem set on which Chess Tactics ART (3.0) is based.] Blokh, M. (2007) Combinational Motifs. [Print version of Chess Tactics ART 3.0. A later and larger book than the above.] Bojkov, D. and Georgiev, V. (xxxx) A Course in Chess Tactics (London: Gambit). Buckley, G. (2002) Multiple Choice Chess (London: Everyman). [A workbook containing annotated games where the reader selects a move from four suggested continuations.] Buckley, G. (2002) Multiple Choice Chess II (London: Everyman). [As above.] de la Maza M. (xxxx) Rapid Chess Improvement. [Controversial, as recommending study of nothing but tactics.] Dvoretsky M. (xxxx) School for Chess Excellence 2: Tactical. Dvoretsky, M. (trans. M. Gesthuysen) (1992, repr. 1993, 1995, 1996) Secrets of Chess Tactics (London: Batsford). Dvoretsky M. (xxxx) Dvoretsky’s Analytical Manual. Emms, J. (xxxx) Ultimate Chess Puzzle Book. Gaprindashvili, P. (2004) Imagination in Chess (London: Batsford). [On brain-training. Has acquired almost cult status, according to Silman.] Healy, J. (2010) Coffee House Chess Tactics (?: New in Chess). [Positions from the author’s games.] Heisman, D. (2009) The Guide to Chess Improvement: The best of Novice Nook (?: Gloucester/Everyman). [Has a big section on thought processes/analysis.] Heisman, D. (2003) Looking for Trouble: Recognizing and meeting threats in chess (?: Russell Enterprises). [200+ ‘avoid the tactical threat’ positions, with verbal explanations.] Heisman, D. (foreword by L. Alburt) (2009) The Improving Chess Thinker (?: Mongoose Press). [On thought/analytical processes rather than analysis per se.] Hort, V. and Jansa, V. (1980) The Best Move: Grade yourself: 230 test positions (Great Neck, NY: RHM). [Not directly concerned with tactics but nevertheless useful.] Informant (?) (xxxx) Encyclopedia of Chess Combinations (Belgrade: Informant). Informant (?) (xxxx) Encyclopedia of Chess Middlegames/Combinations (Belgrade: Informant). [Actually a general tactics encyclopedia.] Ivashchenko, S. (xxxx) Chess School 2: Manual of chess combinations (?: Russian Chess House). [Reissue in print format of Chess Tactics for Intermediate Players.] Kasparov, G. (2010) Checkmate Tactics (London: Everyman). Khmelnitsky, I. (2006) Chess Exam and Training Guide (?: IamCoach). Khmelnitsky, I. (2007) Chess Exam and Training Guide 2: Tactics (?: IamCoach). King, D. (2004) Test Your Chess with Daniel King (London: Batsford). [20 games where you’re invited to predict the winning player’s moves.] Lane, G. (2004) Find the Winning Move (London: Batsford). Lein, A. (1998) In the World of Tactics, Volume 1: 1997 (Wylie, TX: Pickard). [The best combinations played in 1997.] Lein, A. and Archangelsky, B. (1996) Sharpen Your Tactics: 1125 brilliant sacrifices, combinations, and studies (Park Hill, OK: Hays). [Hard to find?] LeMoir, D. (2003) Essential Chess Sacrifices (London: Gambit). LeMoir, D. (xxxx) How To Be Lucky in Chess (?: ?). [About the practical benefits of speculative sacrifices.] LeMoir, D. (2002) How To Become a Deadly Chess Tactician (London: Gambit). [Focuses on attitude and imagination as well as calculation/pattern recognition.] Littlewood, P. (2004 [1989]) Chess Tactics (London: Batsford), 2nd edn. Livshitz, A. (trans. and ed. K. P. Neat) (1991) Test Your Chess IQ: Book 1 (Oxford: Pergamon). [Not solely concerned with tactics but still useful.] Livshitz, A. (trans. and ed. K. P. Neat) (1990) Test Your Chess IQ: Book 2 (Oxford: Pergamon). [Not solely concerned with tactics but still useful.] McDonald, N. (2002) Mastering Chess Tactics (London: Batsford). Matanovic, A. (xxxx) Anthology of Chess Combinations [formerly, Encyclopedia of the Middlegame] (Belgrade: Informant). [This too called ‘The Orange Book’ in one internet forum.] Mazja, A. (xxxx) Chess School 3: Manual of chess combinations (?: Russian Chess House). Minev, N. (2000) Mastering Tactical Ideas (?: Inside Chess). [Gathering of 50 Inside Chess articles by Minev foregrounding tactical patterns.] Mullen, I. (xxxx) Blunders and Brilliancies. Négyesy, G. and Hegyi, J. (trans. J. Bochkor [rev. I. Fekete]) (1970) Combination in Chess (Budapest: Corvina). Neishtadt, Y. (2011) Improve Your Chess Tactics: 700 practical lessons & exercises (?: New in Chess). Neishtadt, Y. (1981) Test Your Tactical Ability (London: Batsford). [615 themed positions followed by exercises.] Ostman, P. (xxxx) Your Best Move. Palatnik, S. and Alburt, A. (1996) Chess Tactics for the Tournament Player (Comprehensive Chess Course, Third Level) (New York (?): Norton). [Positions arranged by diffficulty.] Palliser, R. (2007) The Complete Chess Workout: Train your brain with 1200 puzzles! (London: Everyman). Pongo, I. (1999) Tactical Targets in Chess, Volume 1: Getting a decisive material advantage (?: Caissa). [978 test positions grouped by topic. Rev. and expanded vs. of a work pub. in Hungary in the 1980s.] Pongo, I. (1999) Tactical Targets in Chess, Volume 2: Mate combinations (?: Caissa). [1,845 systematically presented test positions.] Ravikumar, V. (2004) Chess Tactics Quiz Book (?: Chess Check). Reitstein, L. (1991) Test Your Chess: 240 positions from South African games to test your skill (Cape Town (?): ?). [Author from Kenilworth, Cape Town.] Reitstein, L. (2005) Test Your Chess – 2: 240 more positions from South African games to test your skill (Cape Town: ?). Shamkovich, L. and Cartier, J. (1995) Tactical Chess Training: 300 brilliant tactical studies from events 1985–1995 (?: nn). Shaw, J. (xxxx) The Quality Chess Puzzlebook [Relatively advanced?] Silman, J. (xxxx) The Reassess Your Chess Workbook (?: ?). [Addresses problem-solving and analysis via 131 positions including ‘tactical and positional middlegames’.] Smith, R. (xxxx) Using Help from Computers: Modern chess analysis. Soltis, A. (1994) The Inner Game of Chess. [On thinking/psychology.] Sukhin, I. (2007) Chess Gems: 1,000 combinations you should know (London(?): Mongoose). Tangborn, E. (1994) Chess Combinations of the World Champions (?: Chess Digest). [363 test positions.] Ward, C. and Emms, J. (1998) Chess Choice Challenge: An entertaining quiz book to improve your chess (London: Batsford). [Eighty test positions each with five suggested answers. Positions (here and in the sequels) fairly challenging.] Ward, C. (2002) Chess Choice Challenge 2 (London: Batsford). Ward, C. (2004) Chess Choice Challenge 3 (London: Batsford). Weteschnik, M. (xxxx) Understanding Chess Tactics. Znosko-Borovsky, E. (trans. P. Sergeant) (2003) The Art of Chess Combination (New York: Dover). (c) Advanced Averbakh, Y (xxxx) Chess Tactics for Advanced Players. Beim, V. (2006) How To Calculate Chess Tactics (London: Gambit). [Fairly advanced.] Nunn, J. (xxxx) John Nunn’s Chess Puzzle Book. [Computer-checked, of course.] Vámos, V. (2004) Chess Tactics for Advanced Players (Hungary: Caissa). Volokitin, A. and Grabinsky, V. (2007) Perfect Your Chess (London: Gambit). [Fascinating positions from post-1999 games, graded in difficulty from FIDE Master to GM standard. Reportedly even tougher than Nunn’s book.] (d) Tactics in the opening Pandolfini, B. (1998) The Winning Way (?: Fireside). (e) Tactics in the Endgame Guliev, S. (xxxx) Chess School 4: The Manual of Chess Endings (?: Russian Chess House). Nunn, J. (xxxx) Tactical Chess Endings. (f) Tactics in attack Aagaard, J. (xxxx) The Attacking Manual, Volume 1. [Relatively advanced? Not centrally about tactics but useful for tactics training.] Aagaard, J. (xxxx) The Attacking Manual, Volume 2. [as above.] McDonald, N. (2003) Mastering Checkmates (London: Batsford). [On mating-net patterns.] Renaud, G. and Khan, V. (1953) The Art of the Checkmate. Vukovic, V. (rev. J. Nunn) (1998 [1965]) The Art of Attack (London: Cadogan/Everyman). [Widely commended. Given also as ‘1993, repr. 2008’.] Williams, S. (2004) Improve Your Attacking Chess (London: Gambit). 2 Websites Offering Test Positions (‘F’ = free access; ‘P’ = payment required) Chess Calisthenics (http://chesscalisthenics.com/) (F/P) Chess Eye (http://chesseye.alexander-fleischer.de/) (F) [An offline version – i.e. a download – of the Chess Vizualization Training material below.] Chess Tactics Server (http://chess.emrald.net/index.php) (F) [23,803 test positions as at 21.5.2011.] Chess Tactics Trainer (http://www.chess.com/tactics/) (F/P) Chess Tempo (http://chesstempo.com/) (F/P) [Has different membership levels. Considered the best tactics training site by quite a few commentators.] Chess Vizualization Training (http://chesseye.alexander-fleischer.de/o/) (F) Chessimo (http://www.chessimo.com/trainer/index.php?lang=en&val=en) (P) Improve Your Chess (http://www.improveyourchess.com/) (P) Predator at the Chessboard (Ward Farnsworth) (http://www.chesstactics.org/) (F) [An online version of the books cited above.] 1001 Chess Sacrifices (http://www.chessville.com/downloads/downloads_tactical_exercises.htm) [Online version of the Reinfeld book cited above. Presumably still not computer-checked.] 3 Other Websites Heisman, D., Novice Nook (Chess Café) (http://www.chesscafe.com/) Heisman, D., Novice Nook Archive (Chess Café) (http://www.chesscafe.com/archives/archives.htm#Novice%20Nook) Improve Your Tactical Play (Chess Corner) (http://www.chesscorner.com/tutorial/Intermediate/adtactics/improve.htm) Tactics & Problems (Chessville) (http://www.chessville.com/instruction/tactics.htm) [A huge collection of articles, links and downloads.] 4 Software Ivashchenko, S., Chess Tactics for Beginners 2.0 (CD-ROM). (Convekta.) Ivashchenko, S., Chess Tactics for Intermediate Players (CD-ROM). (Convekta.) Blokh, M., Chess Tactics Art 3.0 (CD-ROM). (Convekta.) [The third and most advanced in the series.] Blokh, M. (?), Chess Tactics Art 4.0 (CD-ROM). (Convekta.) [An update of CD-Art 3.0 (?)] King, D., Power Play 14: Test your tactics (DVD) (ChessBase Fritz Trainer). Renko, G., Deadly Threats (CD). (ChessBase.) Renko, G., Great ABC of Tactics (CD). (ChessBase.) Renko, G., Intensive Course Tactics I (CD). (ChessBase.) Renko, G., Intensive Course Tactics II (CD). (ChessBase.) Renko, G., Killer Moves (CD). (ChessBase.)