21 May 2024 | Grandmaster Tosic
As a Grandmaster who has taught chess to players of all skill levels—from absolute beginners to seasoned club players—one question I frequently get is: “What is the best chess strategy book out there?” Without hesitation, I always recommend How to Reassess Your Chess by Jeremy Silman. This book stands out as one of the most effective guides for players looking to improve their strategic understanding of the game. Whether you’re just starting to grasp strategic concepts or you’re an intermediate player looking to take your game to the next level, this book is a treasure trove of insights.
In this article, I’ll explain why How to Reassess Your Chess is the best chess strategy book ever written, dive into the various strategies covered in the book, and explore why Jeremy Silman’s unique approach makes these concepts easy to understand and apply. I’ll also provide examples of how to use these strategies during your games so you can see the practical value of what Silman teaches.
There are thousands of chess books out there, but few have the lasting impact and depth of How to Reassess Your Chess. I’ve studied and taught from countless books over the years, but what makes Silman’s work truly exceptional is his ability to break down complex strategic ideas into bite-sized, understandable lessons. The book is written with the aspiring player in mind—someone who understands the basics of tactics but needs to build their strategic foundation.
Here are a few reasons why this book is a must-have for any chess player serious about improving their strategic play:
The core concept of How to Reassess Your Chess revolves around what Silman calls “imbalances.” Simply put, an imbalance is any significant difference between two positions that you can exploit to your advantage. These imbalances could include factors like material, pawn structure, piece activity, control of key squares, and the presence of strong versus weak bishops. Silman teaches you how to recognize these imbalances and craft a plan around them, which is a critical part of playing effective chess strategy.
For many players, the idea of developing a plan can feel abstract or overwhelming. Silman demystifies this process by providing a clear roadmap for how to assess the position and develop a plan that exploits the existing imbalances. This makes it easier to come up with purposeful moves instead of just reacting to your opponent’s threats.
Example of Imbalances in Play: Let’s say you’re playing a game and you notice that your opponent has a weak pawn structure on the queenside. Maybe they’ve doubled pawns on the b-file. Silman’s book will teach you how to assess that as an imbalance and create a strategy around attacking that weakness, perhaps by maneuvering your rooks to the open files and targeting those pawns.
By learning to spot these imbalances and creating a strategy around them, you’ll avoid the common mistake of playing aimlessly, which can often lead to defeat against more experienced players.
One of the reasons I believe How to Reassess Your Chess is the best chess strategy book is because of its focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing specific lines or variations. Too many chess books force players to memorize opening lines or endgame scenarios without teaching the underlying ideas behind the moves. Silman takes a different approach. He encourages players to think for themselves, to develop their own plans based on the position at hand, and to learn how to play chess instead of just following patterns.
This approach is invaluable for improving at chess. You’re not always going to remember every opening or endgame position you study, but if you understand the strategic ideas behind them, you’ll be able to apply those concepts no matter what kind of game you find yourself in.
Example:
Rather than telling you to play a specific opening line, Silman might explain the strategic goals of a particular opening. For instance, if you’re playing the Ruy Lopez, he might explain that your goal is to develop quickly, challenge Black’s control of the center, and create imbalances in pawn structure and piece activity that you can use later in the game.
One of the things that makes How to Reassess Your Chess accessible and effective for players of all levels is Silman’s “ladder” approach. The book is structured in a way that speaks directly to players based on their rating or experience level, ranging from beginner to advanced. Silman provides examples and advice that are specifically tailored to the level you’re at, helping you progress at a pace that makes sense for you.
This is an incredibly valuable feature for anyone reading the book. Whether you’re rated 800 or 1800, you’ll find material that is applicable to your level of play. Silman’s explanations evolve in complexity as the book progresses, helping you gradually build on your strategic understanding without overwhelming you.
How to Use This in Your Learning: As you read through the book, focus on the sections that correspond to your current level. Don’t rush through the more basic concepts—take your time to internalize the strategies. Once you’ve mastered the beginner or intermediate sections, go back and reread the more advanced chapters to deepen your understanding.
The reason this book resonates with so many players, including myself, is that Silman’s advice is practical. The concepts and strategies he teaches aren’t just abstract ideas—they are things you can immediately apply to your games. Whether you’re playing in a tournament, a casual game, or online, the lessons from How to Reassess Your Chess will improve your play.
Many chess books get bogged down in theory that is difficult to apply, but Silman’s focus is on making sure you understand how to use the strategies in real-life games. This is what makes the book such a fantastic teaching tool for coaches and a self-study resource for ambitious players.
Now, let’s dive into some of the key strategies taught in the book and explore how Silman teaches them so effectively.
One of the foundational lessons in How to Reassess Your Chess is the importance of piece activity. Silman explains that an active piece is one that exerts influence over key squares, attacks weaknesses, and coordinates well with other pieces. Passive pieces, on the other hand, are relegated to defensive duties or have limited range.
Silman encourages players to prioritize piece activity over static factors like material advantage. A well-placed knight on an outpost or a rook on an open file can often be more valuable than an extra pawn if those pieces dominate the position.
Example:
Let’s say you have a knight planted on an outpost in the center of the board (perhaps on d5 or e5) where it cannot easily be attacked by enemy pawns. This knight controls important squares and restricts your opponent’s movement. Silman teaches you to recognize when a piece is well-placed like this and how to use it to control the game.
One of the standout features of Silman’s book is his detailed explanation of pawn structure. The way pawns are arranged on the board often determines the strategy for both sides, and Silman breaks down different types of pawn structures, such as:
Silman emphasizes how pawn structure can create imbalances in the game and explains how to use these weaknesses to your advantage.
Example:
If your opponent has a backward pawn on d6, Silman might suggest placing a rook on the open d-file to attack it, or maneuvering a knight to a square like c5, where it can pressure the backward pawn while controlling important central squares.
One of the most advanced and insightful strategies in How to Reassess Your Chess is the “principle of two weaknesses.” This principle suggests that when you’re in a superior position, it’s often not enough to attack one weakness—you need to create a second weakness to overwhelm your opponent. Silman explains that by attacking on two fronts or pressuring two weaknesses at once, your opponent’s position will eventually collapse.
Example:
Imagine you’ve created a weak pawn on your opponent’s queenside. Your rooks are bearing down on the pawn, but your opponent is holding on with careful defense. Silman might suggest shifting your attack to the kingside, where you could open a second front. Your opponent will be forced to split their attention, and eventually, one of the weaknesses will fall.
One of the best sections in How to Reassess Your Chess is Silman’s discussion of the relative value of bishops and knights. Many players mistakenly think that bishops and knights are always equal in value, but Silman explains that their effectiveness depends on the position. Bishops are generally stronger in open positions, where they can cover long diagonals, while knights thrive in closed positions with lots of outposts.
Silman goes beyond the simple “bishop vs. knight” debate by teaching players how to maximize the strength of their minor pieces. If you have a strong knight in the center, for example, he’ll show you how to build your strategy around that piece.
Example:
In a position where you have a bishop pair and the position is open, Silman teaches you to keep the position fluid and avoid closing it down. This allows your bishops to maintain their full range of activity, putting pressure on your opponent from a distance.
Another key concept in the book is transformations. Silman teaches that as you move through the different phases of the game (opening, middlegame, and endgame), it’s often necessary to transform one type of advantage into another. For example, you might have a space advantage in the middlegame, but Silman suggests looking for ways to transform that into a material advantage by opening lines and winning pawns.
This idea of transformation helps players think about the long-term value of their position rather than focusing solely on short-term tactics.
Example:
If you have a strong positional advantage in the middlegame—perhaps more space or better piece coordination—Silman might suggest preparing a pawn break that opens up the position, allowing you to transition from a positional advantage to a decisive material advantage.
The beauty of How to Reassess Your Chess is that the strategies Silman teaches are practical and can be applied to your games right away. Here are some tips for incorporating these ideas into your play:
One of the main takeaways from Silman’s book is the importance of assessing the position regularly. At each stage of the game, take stock of the imbalances—whether it’s material, pawn structure, piece activity, or king safety—and create a plan based on these imbalances.
Weaknesses in your opponent’s position—whether it’s an isolated pawn, a weak square, or a poorly placed piece—are golden opportunities for you to exploit. Silman teaches you how to recognize these weaknesses and build your strategy around pressuring them.
Many players, especially at the intermediate level, tend to rush into tactical combinations without a clear strategy. Silman encourages you to take your time, build a solid position, and then strike when the moment is right. The best chess strategies often involve patience and planning rather than rushing into attacks prematurely.
One of the best ways to continue learning from How to Reassess Your Chess is to return to the book at different stages of your chess journey. As you progress, you’ll gain new insights from the material, and strategies that may have seemed advanced when you first read them will become second nature as you improve.
If you’re serious about improving your chess and developing a deeper understanding of strategy, How to Reassess Your Chess is simply the best chess strategy book you can find. Jeremy Silman’s clear, approachable explanations make complex ideas easy to grasp, and the practical nature of his lessons ensures that you can apply these strategies to your games immediately.
Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate player looking to take your game to the next level, Silman’s imbalances approach, focus on practical understanding, and deep dive into strategic concepts will transform the way you think about chess. This book has helped countless players—including myself and my students—improve their chess strategy and achieve lasting success on the board.
So if you’re looking for the best chess strategy book to guide you on your chess journey, How to Reassess Your Chess by Jeremy Silman is the one you need in your collection. It will not only teach you how to play better chess but also help you develop the skills and mindset needed to progress toward mastery.
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