How do you learn from chess books?
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I’m reading through Silman’s Reassess your Chess, and I play out all the examples on my board and take notes in a notepad, but when it comes to the tests, I find I often simply miss what he’s pointed out, but I can’t figure out how I can make such moves obvious to myself. So I’m really asking, how does everyone else learn from a middle game book?
Could be the book is too advanced. Pretty sure Silman wants you to read and be very familiar with his earlier work before tackling Reassess your Chess. Let me find a link...
This from Heisman's site...
Advanced Books (ratings above ~1700 USCF):
How To Reassess Your Chess and the How to Reassess Your Chess Workbook– Jeremy Silman – How to use imblances to figure out what to do. The books I would recommend after reading Amateur’s Mind. See Silman's recommendations on book order. The first 52 pages of HTRYC (3rd ed) is much more basic than the remainder. The 4th ed. of HTRYC is clearer and more focused. Recommended once you no longer play "Hope Chess" and lose material to unseen threats (USCF 1600+)
And from Silman's site:
A: What is the best order to read your books?
Q: The answer depends on your strength. However, let’s say you are 1800 or below. In that case read the 4th edition of How to Reassess Your Chess to page 28, next read all of The Amateur’s Mind, then go back to How to Reassess Your Chess and read the whole thing cover to cover. While reading those two books, spend some time going through Silman’s Complete Endgame Course (only reading as far as your rating level).
A: What about your Complete Book of Chess Strategy?
Q: It’s for players 1400 and below. It’s not necessarily a book to be read cover to cover (though one can gain a lot by doing so). It’s a reference work. Thus, if you have a question about isolated pawns, go to that section and it will give you a quick, easy to understand explanation. If you want to learn about mating patterns, go to that section and you will be given the keys to the universe. You can use this book whenever any chess question comes up and it will give you all the basic information you need in 2-4 pages.
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