303 Tactical Chess Puzzles [Mensa]

There are 2 diagrams per page, so the diagrams are easy on the eyes... good for chess players over 40, or those who need to avoid eye strain. I read negative reviews about mistakes in this book... the few I saw are no big deal. In one case we find Queen to A5 as our solution, the answer shows Queen to H5. No big deal, my brain saw that instantly as a typo. The problem is still valid. The lesson learned is still a good one. In regard to another problem, one reviewer points out there is a mate in 1, so why show a mate in 2 for the answer? Interesting, I saw the mate in 2 in a flash... almost in the blink of an eye. So I didn't even look for a quicker mate. But does that mean my brain didn't get charged up for tactics? No, my brain worked fast enough to see a mate in two... it involved "removing a defender" which was a lesson being taught...it worked... it would have won the tournament or match game. Yes, the 1 move mate is better... in either case the game is over in a flash. I like this book a lot. The ocassional errors one might come across are no big deal. At least not to me. I've been going through problems every night and my brain feels tactically charged. A frequent user of this book is sure to be a worthy chess opponent. If it wasn't for the small printing mistakes that show up every once in a while I could easily give this book 5 stars.

This is a remake of the 303 tricky chess tactics (TCT). The puzzles are different a little (I think),but the format has mostly addressed the criticisms and problems with TCT. The puzzles are grouped by difficulty rather than theme, making it easier to study them cold. Mistakes are fewer . . . (computer checked this time? (except for the typo in #8's answer)). All in all a solid tactical training tool for 13-1400 (but I'm 1600 and enjoy it watching TV) A nice effort a la reinfeld, lein, hays, etc. I have them all, and this is no worse. In the tactical puzzle market, it's just about quantity, and a acceptable level of quality, and this delivers. Really a 3 star effort, but one extra star for improving on their really lame first attempt at a similar training tool. Little filler chapters in the style of Lev Alburt's fluff help round out the slicker work this time.