WINNING CHESS EXPLAINED
Author: Zenon Franco
Gambit (2006)
192 pages
$25.95

Reviewed by John Donaldson

The Paraguayan GM Zenon Franco, who has made Spain his home for many years, is a frequent contributor to that country's chess magazines. An earlier work, CHESS SELF-IMPROVEMENT (Gambit 2005), was based on these journalistic efforts and his latest book, WINNING CHESS EXPLAINED, continues to draw from this rich source of periodical writings.
 
WINNING CHESS EXPLAINED draws upon this vast reserve to present fifty instructive games illustrating a wide variety of chess ideas. Key themes are illustrated by several games, enabling the student to gain a well-rounded appreciation of the relevant ideas. Topics include: Pawn Sacrifice, Exchange Sacrifice, The Art of Maneuvering, The Second Weakness, Permanent vs. Temporary Advantages, Regrouping, 'Strange' Exchanges, Denying the Opponent Squares, and The Central Breakthrough.
 
The games are well annotated, but what makes WINNING CHESS EXPLAINED especially useful are the exercises that appear throughout the book to engage the reader and test his or her understanding of the material. The forty-five training exercises come with detailed explanations that make this two books in one.
 
WINNING CHESS EXPLAINED, which emphasizes prose explanation over detailed analysis, is useful for a wide range of players from 1800 to 2400.
 
Recommended

Click to buy (or get more information about) WINNING CHESS EXPLAINED

Click to buy (or get more information about) CHESS SELF-IMPROVEMENT ($27.95)