Practical Middlegame Techniques

This book is aimed at the player who wants to improve his or her understanding of the most important middlegame concepts. It starts (Chapter 1) with mating patterns, tactics and combinations. Chapter 2 covers all the important themes related to Pawn Structure play. Chapter 3 moves to an unusual and important theme -- how and when are the conditions ripe to attack the opposing king? What conditions are destined to lead to success, and which will result in failure. Overall the book covers the the topics often deemed the most important for success in the middlegame in chess. Numerous unusual, original examples. Beautiful tactical examples and themes. Examples from Fischer, Spassky, Tal, Kasparov, and many other great players, as well Dr. Kopec himself. All important tactical themes are illustrated in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 covers very important themes related to pawn structures, including good structures, bad structures, and pawn structure methods. Finally, Chapter 3 covers important themes from real play illustrating how and when the conditions suggest that an attack on the King is appropriate. Practical Middlegame Techniques also covers (in Chapters 1 and 2) the material in two of Dr. Kopec's most popular DVD's: "How to Visualize Combinations" and "Pawn Structures and How to Play Them." Chapter 3 is entirely original material. It includes two spectacular postal games by Dr. Kopec spanning two years each and including two and three piece sacrificies. It also includes a spectacular win by Gary Kasparov over Boris Gelfand.