UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHESS by James Rizzitano is a games collection with the rare quality that each chapter directly addresses common problems in the context of actual games. Rizzitano is an International Master who was very successful in United States tournaments and then retired to join the world of software. Along with deep and remarkably instructive analysis of 84 games and associated positions, American readers will be delighted by a trip back to the exciting times of the late 1970s and 1980s on the U.S. chess circuit. There's even a game by Bill Goichberg, the best and most famous organizer/director of U.S. chess tournaments over the years (and certainly the world's leader in the number of Swiss System events that anyone has run).

The book consists of thoroughly annotated games, most of them played by Rizzitano himself. But there are also references to 19 other game fragments by leading players through which he learned lessons similar to those arising in his own games. In fact, an important feature of the book is that the material Rizzitano discusses is almost always relevant to things that at one time increased his own understanding of the game. A concluding set of 20 endgames that he contested covers nearly every common type of ending and shows both complex and simplified positions that could appear in our own games.

The author's main goal is to answer the question “What should I study to improve my game?” His first answer is the traditional one: study your own games, and in particular don't rest until you have discovered why you lost a game. The book's chapters are organized according to theme. For example, Chapter 1 has sections on “Opening Selection Against Stronger Opponents” and “Gambit Play.” Then there are chapters on “tactical skirmishes,” the initiative, small advantages, “runaway tactics,” and “endgame adventures.” Openings are given special attention, in particular how to develop an opening repertoire. Rizzitano tended to play cutting edge theory for his times, a practice that requires much more time and effort today.

Every game ends with “Game Lessons” that usually describe what alternatives existed at critical junctures and what concrete mistakes were made in terms of moves. Perhaps there could have been more general advice and guidance here. Elsewhere, quite a lot is said about decisions based upon the sporting elements of the game and situational thinking. Overall, I would say that Rizzitano's style reflects his tendency to embrace complications.

Regarding intuition he calls it the “weapon of last resort” or the “tiebreaker” when a position cannot be resolved by sheer calculation. He describes the various types and positive uses of intuition, but states nevertheless that “I have often seen an intuitive assessment refuted by a concrete variation, but I have never seen a concrete variation refuted by intuition.” [emphasis his]. This is in one sense true by definition, yet reflects the priorities inherent in Rizzitano's approach to the game. Thankfully, he explains where to find the variations that require calculation, and how to get the most out of positional factors. While the depth of analysis may turn some readers off, I don't think that one need follow it in order to understand the ideas and flow of the game.

In conclusion, this book is far more instructive than most of the games collections by grandmasters. The balance of material reflects what a student needs to know in the important aspects of the game. I wholeheartedly recommend UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHESS to all players of average strength and above. In particular this is an excellent book for players who are either stuck at one level or improving too slowly and want ideas about how to better their play.

Click to see reviews of this book by DONALDSON and BAUER.