Master Checkmate Strategy

As chess players develop their skills and their courage, they undoubtedly encounter games and lessons incorporating a risky tactic called sacrifices. Robertie's ideas provide alternatives to the conventional ways of playing that require more risk than some, but the rewards are expected to be greater in less time. It is up to each player to practice, learn and choose the type of player they want to be. It is over time that they will discover their strengths and weaknesses. This book gives them another opportunity to do that. If, over time, they don't find these techniques appropriate for them, they can choose another method. I personally find this book and these ideas refreshing. When I play, I am always frustrated because I am anxious to get my rooks out and into the game quickly so they can help me formulate a checkmate solution. It may be risky, but that is, after all part of this game and any game. It's reasonable to caution players on these risks, but I feel it is foolish to totally discard something because it is not the traditional way. Because it doesn't follow the "This is not how we do it, and this is how it's always been done" philosophy. If you aren't willing to take some risks, why play at all? To play the same way as everyone else would be boring. I personally recommend this book and others like as an opportunity to open your mind and explore new ideas. The reason I gave a 4 rating rather than a 5 is there are too many times where his diagrams don't seem to match up with his comments or he doesn't reference a specific diagram in the comment at all, and I find myself wasting too much time trying to sort this out.