Acclaimed chess teacher Dan Heisman equips the not-quite-novice with the practical tools and knowledge needed to get started in competitive play: how to develop board vision; what to do when you’re way ahead in material; how to avoid common mistakes in thinking; when to “believe” your opponent; even how to act properly at the chessboard. The author uses examples from inexperienced players to provide a wealth of common-sense advice, topping it off with a collection of illustrative games and practice puzzles.
A full-time chess instructor since 1996 and Howard Stern’s coach for five years, Dan Heisman has received numerous annual awards for Best Instruction from the Chess Journalists of America for his “Novice Nook” column on Chess Cafe. Dan’s video series, “Improve Your Chess,” appears weekly on the Internet Chess Club, while the “Chess Tip of the Day” has featured on his Twitter feed since 2011. The 1973 Philadelphia Invitational Champion, Dan played on Penn State’s winning team at the 1972 U.S. Amateur Team Championship.