In this book, the authors address two related questions: How should you evaluate a position? and How should you form and implement a plan?
The first chapter surveys the development of thinking on chess strategy and planning up until the contribution of Steinitz, yet no further. Although Steinitz s games and writings were clearly the key event, they were hardly the terminus. There are plenty of modern as well as classic games throughout the book, including a few from Nimzowitsch (e.g. on pages 226-229). Who was he?
Chapter two then gives seven reference points or touchstones crucial to evaluating any chess position, factors such as pawn structure, the presence of open lines, the centre and space, etc. The authors then apply these factors to about 10 positions, the two most recent taken from the Kramnik - Leko world championship match in 2004. This makes for some instructive examples of strategic thinking in action.
Later chapters examine each reference point in turn and in more detail, with the seventh and last chapter, The most important law of chess , being the most substantial (111 pages!) and the best. The law in question is an imperative: Restrict the mobility of your opponent s pieces. There are 72 studies for solving in this chapter, all based around the notions of domination and restriction: a tough and demanding but rewarding course.
Though lacking the depth of Dvoretsky's various works and indeed John Watson's SECRETS OF CHESS STRATEGY (2004), this book does achieve pretty much what it says on the cover: it will show you how to evaluate a position correctly and help you to decide on the right plan to follow. It is also an enjoyable and instructive read, if sometimes a little superficial.
