Omg RussBell, that's a lot of work, thank you very much! 
So the themes are basically the piece configurations, or batteries without which checkmate can't be generally delievered. This approach is indeed very instructive and similar to adopted by Mikhail Tal in his Tal's Winning Chess Combinations. However, as is clear from pages you posted, the positions taken in the book are new and I have not seen before. I'll definitely try to get this and other books of the series too. Thank you once again 
Yeah definitely, I wasn't ever aware of those. I wish I would have known about them. Thanks Russ. I have a decent book but I can't remember who did it, nor even its title. I would have to dig it out of all my other chess books. It covers numerous mates, and positional play. Starting off easy, with one to four movers, and progressively gets harder. It has some 14+ movers in there, which was mostly over my level, and mind comprehension. Where sometimes, you would only be considered a slight advantage. I never finished it.
The only reason I think it was a decent book, was because it covered over 4 move mates, and positional play. I don't believe it would be as instructive as the books Russ recommends, nor do I remember it actually covering all the mating themes, or at least such a large number of them. That is pure gold, especially for beginners.
Yeah definitely, I wasn't ever aware of those. I wish I would have known about them. Thanks Russ. I have a decent book but I can't remember who did it, nor even its title. I would have to dig it out of all my other chess books. It covers numerous mates, and positional play. Starting off easy, with one to four movers, and progressively gets harder. It has some 14+ movers in there, which was mostly over my level, and mind comprehension. Where sometimes, you would only be considered a slight advantage. I never finished it.
The only reason I think it was a decent book, was because it covered over 4 move mates, and positional play. I don't believe it would be as instructive as the books Russ recommends, nor do I remember it actually covering all the mating themes, or at least such a large number of them. That is pure gold, especially for beginners.
Too bad :P I can do 14+ movers with few pieces at my level 
I did a few, but it was mostly over my level. Some very difficult positions. I would study some for over an hour, and could still get the wrong answer, lol. I'll try to get the name of it, if your interested, but it won't be for a couple of weeks, before I can get the info. So you'll have to be patient.
I did a few, but it was mostly over my level. Some very difficult positions. I would study some for over an hour, and could still get the wrong answer, lol. I'll try to get the name of it, if your interested, but it won't be for a couple of weeks, before I can get the info. So you'll have to be patient.
It's alright if it's troublesome for you. I'm using now theme filter in v3 tactics trainer and doing mate in 3+ problems in desired rating range. This is quite helpful.
Furst's books are unique in the way the present the puzzles and the solutions. Very instructive. I think anyone interested in puzzle books would find them helpful.
Those books are good for people wanting to improve Russ, I would have loved to have been aware of those when I played in tournaments. That was exactly what type of books I would recommend for beginners as well. Knowing themes, are so important. They cover all the major areas as well.
I was recommended the Encyclopedia of chess openings, (by an expert) which wasn't what I really needed when I first started playing in tournaments. Plus I didn't have someone helping me go over all the lines, because I worked all the time. I had to study the ECO, late at night. After work, and family responsibilities.
Thanks for showing them.
You are welcome Crimson....yes, these books would be great for the amateur improving chess enthusiast...
Any ideas where we can get the Artistry series books apart from ebay? I can find only one of them on amazon. Thanks!
Front cover....