Forcing Chess Moves: The Key to Better Calculation
by Charles Hertan
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Book Summary Information
Author: Charles HertanEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-04-07
ISBN: 9056912437
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: New In Chess,Csi
Book Reviews of Forcing Chess Moves: The Key to Better Calculation
Book Review: 2nd Edition Still in Desperate Need of Editing
Summary: 2 Stars
I currently own just under 30 chess books and this is one of the most disappointing books in my collection. My intuition from the cover and the discussion of "Computer Eyes" and "Stock Forcing Moves" was that this book was going to be a little hokey, that is to say corny and contrived. However, I bought this book based on the description and the stellar ratings. Boy was I wrong. This book was almost unreadable.
Expect to see the phrase COMPUTER EYES or a repeat of the chapter heading such as QUIET FORCING MOVES, in every paragraph in the book (hire an editor for heaven's sake). Also the organization of the material was not helpful. Most books I have on tactics divide the subject into how combinations of pieces produce tactical opportunities (e.g. coordinated actions of rook and knight). Other tactics books arrange material by methods such as x-ray attacks, or how weak files or diagonals lead to tactical opportunities by creating batteries. Forcing Chess Moves arranges the material into Brute Force Combinations, Surprise Forcing Moves, Equal or Stronger Threats, Quiet Forcing Moves, Etc. Now even as a Class A level player I don't find it helpful to be sitting over the board asking myself, "am I in a situation that calls for a brute force combination or a surprising forcing move?" These classifications have nothing to do with calculation over the board.
Further, almost every position gives away what you are supposed to look for before you even see the puzzle. Had he classified the material based on his comments before each example it would be a much more useful book. I found myself having to cover all the text on a page and then work the problem and finally see if I was seeing what Hertan was seeing.
Some things that were valuable. Analysis seems strong and descriptions are helpful even to aspiring class e-c players. Exercises are equally helpful. And the chapter on Forcing Retreats was one of the more unique and helpful chapters I have come across.
Finally, this is my first chess book I have ever reviewed and the first one I'm selling. Historically, I have been in general agreement with how others rate the books that I buy. I also recognize that people process the world differently and that not everyone will love the things that I love. That said, the consistently high ratings for this book are inexplicable and puzzling (Can you say "Friends and Family").
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