Preliminary Reflection upon Yusupov Course and Steppenmethode

I've just done the first half dozen lessons in both the Dutch "Step Method" (i.e., Steppenmethode) series and the Artur Yusupov series (the set in which each level has a "build," "boost," and "evolve" book/stage).  I am finding that the reports I've heard are correct.  I decided to begin at the first level of Yusupov's books, because a couple of high-rated FIDE players told me that they think the first set of books is certainly beyond 1500 in strength.  I gave a couple problems (from Yusupov) to two active tournament players, one 1625 and one 1750 (since I have not played a tournament in a long time), and neither were able to solve half of the problems.  I think that's pretty interesting, since books are supposedly geared toward bring players up to 1500!

The Steppenmethode lessons seem to be much more on pace (or closer, anyways) to the intended audience.  However, I was surprised that there is a lesson on interference tactics in the early goings of the "Step 4" manual.  In my tournament experience --playing and watching/kibitzing--, I've found that players under 1900 consistently miss interference tactics, yet "Step 4" is geared toward bringing players from 1600 to 1750.  Maybe the international coaching scene expects a different knowledge content than what is exemplified by the players I've seen in the US between 1600 and 1750.

For whatever failures to accurately reach the intended audience, I think each series has great content.  I'll be more exhaustive later, when I complete the sets.

Wondering if you have any update? I am slowly working through each system.

I am done with the first Yusupove book in the first level, and I am closing out the second now.  (I've read a bunch of other books in the mean time, including Grooten, Keres's "Practical Endgings," Srokovski, de la Villa, and a couple of remedial books on openings, which is why it's taking me so long.)

I am not sure what to make of Yusupov's books, so far as the audience goes, because I don't know what my current USCF rating would be, and especially considering that players officially rated higher than myself have had some trouble with the exam problems.  The content is great, the organization is peculiar so far, and the difficulty seems to fluctuate a lot for me.  In general, the first set of books is pretty easy (i.e., I get "excellent" scores on most, and "good" scores on a couple), but there are occasional exam problems (i.e., exercises) that give me trouble.  I also think Yusupov has some difficulty in determining what will be easy or hard, because he puts 3 and 4 stars next to some of the problems I find easier, but I have been truly stumped by a couple of two-star problems. 

I am loving it.  If it keeps going this way, I think the courses are great.

I'm through Step 4 of the Steppenmethode.  I'm a bit surprised I haven't seen more strategy and position assessment than I have.  Ultimately, that's what encouraged me to slow my pace through that series.  I still think it has tremendous value, but my tactics are getting strong through the Seven Circles method, so I think the Steppenmethode, so far, is only helping me fill in my tactical holes, such as with tactical motifs I am not super proficient with yet.

I'll probably do thorough Amazon reviews and link them here when I finish all the books.  I hope to finish the second level of Yusupov's course before the World Open in a month, but we'll see.

• Any more updates? Especially now that your rating has improved. What did you think of the step books? Did you move to step 5?

I endorse the Steppenmethode. I completed all the books, but I haven't created FENs or PGNs out of the positions yet, for use in Chess Hero, but I was thinking of it. All of my tactical metrics improved while I was going through the Steps, but it is hard to say how much. Circling through the tactics and ensuring that they are in my mental pattern bank would likely yield even more benefit.