The Amateur's Mind Padlet by NICHOLAS BUDKA

Quote

bud07677 — 2016-11-16 18:03:45 UTC

"Create a plan right away or you may float without a plan for the rest of the game." (Silman, 56)

The Amateur's Mind

bud07677 — 2016-11-16 18:04:23 UTC

By IM Jeremy Silman

Review

bud07677 — 2016-11-16 18:09:34 UTC

I often receive emails asking for chess book recommendations. I have decided to review books I have found useful over the last few years in order to help chess players.

One of the books I recommend to most of my chess students is Amateur’s Mind by International Master Jeremy Silman. This is a unique book developed as a result of Silman’s chess coaching session with his students. Silman is able to uncover the deeply rooted misconceptions his students possess; in Amateur’s Mind, he addresses these misconceptions and provides great tips and advice. In addition to the great instructive content, Silman provides 26 tests with full solutions to help students practice and test their newly acquired skills and knowledge.

Who should read this book?

As I tell my students, Amateur’s Mind, is the best 2nd book to have. This book is not for total beginners. Before picking up this book, the reader must know all the chess rules and basics of all phases of the game.

Ideally, you should read an introductory chess book like Chess for Dummies or The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Chess before going through Silman’s book.

In my opinion, reading Amateur’s Mind is a highly beneficial for those in the 1200 – 1700 USCF/FIDE rating range.

Response to Quote

bud07677 — 2016-11-16 18:13:08 UTC

This quote means take the initiative. If you don't, you will lose the game. I have won games against stronger players simply by making a plan before my opponent.

Works Cited

bud07677 — 2016-11-18 17:37:01 UTC

(GeniusKJ), Kairav Joshi. "Review: The Amateur's Mind." Chess.com. N/A, 22 June 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2016.
Silman, Jeremy. The Amateur's Mind: Turning Chess Misconceptions into Chess Mastery. Los Angeles: Siles, 1999. Print.
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My Opinion on the Review

bud07677 — 2016-11-18 17:44:39 UTC

This review is spot on. This book is very beneficial for less experienced players. The book was very useful and probably directly caused my rating to increase by 200 elo. This book is definitely not for the absolute beginner. Reading chess notation is very difficult for the average Joe to visualize without a chess board, especially in the complex positions shown at the end of each chapter.

My Favorite Chess Game

bud07677 — 2016-11-18 17:55:31 UTC

Adams vs Torre New Orlenes
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 ed4 4. Qd4 Nc6 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. Bc6Bc6 7. Nc3 Nf6 8. O-O Be7 9. Nd5 Bd5 10. ed5 O-O 11. Bg5c6 12. c4 cd5 13. cd5 Re8 14. Rfe1 a5 15. Re2 Rc8 16. Rae1Qd7 17. Bf6 Bf6 18. Qg4 Qb5 19. Qc4 Qd7 20. Qc7 Qb521. a4 Qa4 22. Re4 Qb5 23. Qb7 Black Resigns because there is nothing he can do to stop checkmate.

bud07677 — 2016-11-22 12:29:03 UTC