🏆 Takes you back in time to explain what's at stake in the position.
🏆 Tests and improves your "eye" for brilliant winning moves.
🏆 And surveys the career-defining aftermath of the combination.
In a study funded by the National Institute Of Mental Health, world-famous memory researcher Gordon Bower from Stanford University found that narrative storytelling — which Alex delivers in spades — can improve memory and retention by 6 to 7 times.
🏆 How to magnify "minor" weaknesses in the enemy camp with a surprising quiet move. (Chapter 5, Exercise 1)
🏆 How to nip enemy counterplay in the bud. After which, the opponent can only wait until your attack reaches critical mass. (Chapter 6, Exercise 8)
🏆 How to outmaneuver and overpower a mass of defenders, even if you're at a "three on five" numerical disadvantage. (Chapter 7, Exercise 1)
🏆 How to "tenderize and season" the opponent's kingside with Harry the h-pawn...allowing the rest of your pieces to storm the castle with next-to-zero difficulty. (Chapter 9, Exercise 3)
🏆 How to turn enemy aggression on its head. The psychological shock alone might just compel the other side to "gift" you the full point. (Chapter 10, Exercise 8)
🏆 How to shut down potential escape routes for the enemy king on the run...giving you have enough time to bring in reinforcements and finish the game. (Chapter 13, Exercise 8)
🏆 Well-timed intermezzos which reignite your attack and keep the checks coming. The enemy king must dodge the bullets, while your pieces spring into action with the gain of time. (Chapter 13, Exercise 9)
🏆 The secret to staying in control and maintaining your winning advantage when running short on the clock. This simple trick gives you precious extra minutes — so you can bring the point home with almost zero risk of messing up. (Chapter 13, Exercise 12)
🏆 A Russian grandmaster strolled the tournament hall for 40 minutes, assured of a raw. When he came back to his board, he never stood up until the game ended. Why? How to outsmart draw-seekers in style. (Chapter 13, Exercise 15)
🏆 How to turn the tables on them: Transform that lone soldier trapped behind enemy lines into the hero, who dismantles the opponent's defenses from the inside. (Chapter 13, Exercise 18)
🏆 "Empty square" sacrifices which drag defenders away from their posts...allowing you to seize control of the critical squares around the enemy king. (Chapter 13, Exercise 37)
🏆 Backed against a wall by far advanced pawns? Stretch the opponent's proud structure to its breaking point with this simple move — so your cramped pieces spring into action with maximum efficiency. (Chapter 13, Exercise 39)
🏆 How to destroy the coordination of enemy pieces — while yours break through the defenses under a united front. (Chapter 14, Exercise 2)
🏆 Death on diagonals! How to drag the opposing king to your home turf with a barrage of bishop checks. From here, you only need to choose from a hundred different ways to deliver mate. (Chapter 14, Exercise 7)
🏆 How to win "pure" and drawish opposite-colored bishop endings. It's not a draw when you remove your bishop from the board. (Chapter 14, Exercise 1)
🏆 A simple strategy for breaking down a "double rook" fortress. So your queen can hit more high-value targets than the opponent can defend. (Chapter 14, Exercise 4)
