Comprehensive Chess Course, Volume Two: From Beginner to Tournament Player in 12 Lessons

I bought the first and second volumes of Lev Alburt's chess course. The first one, I ended up teaching my little brother, and he learned how to play chess up to the intermediate level. Oddly, I had learned most of volume I throughout playing 20 years of chess. At 34, I managed to buy volume II, and it took me a little over a month to complete the volume II. It taught me endgame knowledge I was not incorporating into my play. Something extremely important! It also taught me what I need to know to get to my desired 1800 strength. I now play with great insight into the endgame and know that opening is minor to the class player. I discover tactics work better. GM Alburt also autographed my first copy, as I remember. :) Plainly put, I do not see how anyone anywhere cannot reach at least a 1500 USCF playing strength if they truly live and study Alburt's two volumes of the Comprehensive Chess Course. And, if someone truly mastered all the materials in volumes I and II - incorporating them all into their play (including all the ideas in the 100 annotated games) - there would be no surprise if they reached an 1800 A-Class strength. I have noticed a difference in my chess already by 100 points, and I was rated in the 1400s. Now, my chess has climbed into the 1500s, and continues to grow! It would be in the 1600s if I played all my games at my full strength. Thank you Lev Alburt for such an outstanding set of books! I just recently purchased Tactics for the Tournament player - the third book which takes you beyond A & B class player. 1800 here I come! Bucky Adams

This book is a must for any aspiring player wanting to become better - and FAST! Lev Alburt takes you through the most important concepts of chess play, and in the process adds other concepts which no other book does. For example the emphasis on mastering the colour of the squares, although this may sound unimportant, but believe me it really is the key to chess visualisation and mastery.Each of the 12 lessons introduces a new theme, with each new lesson having a review on the previous and homework. Each lesson is also accompanied by a series of games, which familiarise the student with the theme, and how to apply it.This book, after practically reading it, will surely make you a stronger player, at least a B class ( 1600 + )Move on to "Tactics for the Tournament Player" to recieve more advanced material.

I have known the rules for about 20 years, and started tournament playing in Feb 2001. I thought I knew the basics and didn't need this. I read the introduction, and could not answer some very basic questions. While it took only a few weeks to run through the book, instead of the months recommened in the book, I definately learned what I was missing for the level I am at, which at the time is an 886 USCF rating.The lessons are just that, lessons. They have objectives, they have homework, they have themes in each lesson, and you review the the beginning of each lesson. While this sounds so very simple, why is the the only book I have seen laid out like this? Imagine, a book to teach chess that lays out a course in a manner that you would use to teach anything from math to history in a school. That is what sets this book above anything else.The oldest person to ever achieve a master rating was 53, I believe. That does give me hope. While this book is very basic, it relaid a very firm foundation for me: reinforcing basics, and showing the holes in my knowledge, then filling those holes.Highly recommended, even if you have read other beginner's books. Then move on to Volume 2.

I would like to begin by saying that about one year ago I didn't even know what chess was, and I now find myself with the rank of chess expert thanks to this excellent series. In order to improve in chess one must have a solid foundation. This is exactly what the whole Comprehensive Chess Course gives you. The concepts expounded in the series are the most important in chess. Any beginner regardless of age should begin their chess career with instruction from these books. I began with CCCV1 and CCCV2. Study form these books lasted about a month and a half. I then simply went on to the next book in the series: Chess Tactics for the Tournament Player. It must be noted that I supplemented this book with alot of diagram trianing which I still continue. The perfecct follow up is King in Jeopardy. Here you will apply your tactical abilities and become a very dangerous attacker. Chess Stategy for the Tournament Player should take some more time to work through (I recommend a chapter every two and a half weeks and always review)and I found supplementing it with playing through GM games to be very fruitful. Just the Facts is the perfect endgame book and with carefull study will make you playsuperb endings. Going through this whole series along with practise from your own games should make you at least a class A player.Good Luck!