THE PAPER BACK BOOK BOBBY FISHER TEACHES CHESS IS BY FAR THE

EASIEST TO USE AND HAS BEEN HELPFUL TO ME TO SEE CHECKMATE IN 2 OR 3 MOVES AND I RECOMMEND IT TO ANY CHESS PLAYERS WANTING TO IMPROVE!!

It has been over 40 years since I saw that book.

As a novice, I apprecited what I gained from it, but even then felt the book overstressed back rank mates.

Maybe for good reason.

Glad to read that it was beneficial to others!

An excellent alternative is Chernev's and Reinfeld's "Winning Chess: How to See Three Moves Ahead."

While out of print, this oldie is divided into chapters covering pins, forks, double attack, discovered attack, double check, overworked piece, removing the guard, no retreat, skewer, queening combinations, back rank, breaking communication, surprise moves, combined operation, checkmate designs, self defense, followed by illustrative games.

The authors talk the reader through several examples in the chapters, then turns the reader loose on exercises.

Very readable, very instructive. (My copy was purchased many years ago for...$1.95.

The downside: descriptive notation.

I haven't read the book you posted about but Susan Polgar's Chess Tactics For Champions sounds very similar.

I have had bobby fisher book 25 + years and loaned it to a friend @ work we play at lunch he's gone through the book 3 or 4 times & is seeing better & making less mistakes ... thanks to all for replies and comments. hhrman

I use Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess also for my new learning chess friends. It has helped many a novice become better at chess. Highly recommended by me!

the susan polgar books rule

With the Fischer book, I too think it's great.  It gets you into the habit of looking for mate and leads to more intuitive play.

Personally, I can go for any book of problems.  You can use the patterns you learn, and nothing helps you learn rough and tumble tactics like problems.