Stigma wrote on 11/01/10 at 20:37:58:


The book, I have it in hardcover, is not at all thick. They are using a thin but sturdy paper. It is 24.5cm x 17.2 cm.

Thanks for all your suggestions!

I think I'll order both Chess School 2 and 3 (they're both reasonably priced at the ChessOK shop), and use the Aagaard and Nunn books, which I already have, in the meantime.

Edit: Also look at Gary Lane's 'Find the Checkmate' which starts off easy but gets very tricky by the end of the book. All examples given are exercises, but the disadvantage is that all the puzzles are checkmates, whereas in tournament games the tactics that occur almost always involve the win of material or transformation of an advantage/disadvantage.

If you're looking for problems in the 2000-2300 range, I'd go with Chess School 3 rather than 2. (They're both super.)

proustiskeen wrote on 10/31/10 at 17:56:19:


Here is a reivew of this book and two other new ones.   

http://www.chesscafe.com/Reviews/books.htm

In terms of difficulty and practicality, the best ones were always the ones at the back of the informant.  But you have to be strong to solve them without a board.  I used to make photocopies when I didn't want to lug the whole book.   

As far as actual tactics books go, I haven't looked at either in years, but recall liking Lein's Sharpen Your Tactics and Averbakh's Tactics for Advanced Players.
You might check the Aagaard "Excelling" series, which were slim and probably pegged at the level that you want, but I have a dim memory that the tactics one used examples drawn entirely from the Sicilian.

I would think the new tactics book by Quality Chess could be just what you're looking for.

http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/products/2/50/the_quality_chess_puzzle_book__by_jo...

Have you looked at The Masters Series by Everyman? A strong, attacking GM is highlighted in each book. Key points in their games are given in which the GM found a winning combination. You try to find the winning combo from a diagram. The solution is given at the back of the book along with the complete game score...if you wish to play out the game as well. Each position can be solved without a board if you are over 1800.

I have only found four in the series. For your purpose, traveling light, no board, it would be ideal, I would imagine. I would highly recommend the books that focus on Spassky and Alekhine (my favourite). Tal is good, but many of his combos had flaws and were played to create a messy position that increased his chances of winning the game, or at least putting pressure on his opponents. 

The Rudolph Spielmann book has more game scores, prose and fewer diagrams. Written by Neil McDonald, it is in a slightly different style. 

What I like about the series is by studying the tactics of only one strong player it is possible to see patterns and get a feel for how he approaches these positions and the types of positions he aims for in his games. This is one of the teaching strengths of the series. 

The books are under two hundred pages each and are very reasonably priced. I bought two on sale in Hastings 21 months ago for 5 pounds each.

An added bonus is that with a chess set and board you have a games collection of a great player thrown in as well.