Improving Chess Thinker

This Improving Chess Thinker is an English-language chess book by Dan Heisman that focuses on practical thinking at the board, helping players improve their results by making better decisions rather than by memorising more opening theory.

What the book covers

Many players spend most of their study time on openings, middlegames or endgames. Heisman argues that real progress often comes from organising the way you think during a game, and that is the central idea behind this book.

He compares how players of different strengths handle difficult positions, from beginners to an international master. On that basis, he identifies common thinking mistakes and shows how to reduce them so you can build stronger practical play.

A practical approach to tournament play

The book draws on more than forty years of Heisman’s coaching work and testing, so it stays close to the problems ambitious players actually face. It looks at questions such as how long to spend on a move, what to do while your opponent is thinking, and when to stop calculating and make a decision at the board.

It is a useful read for players who feel something is holding back their progress, as well as for coaches looking for clear material to use with students.

Edition information

• Language: English
• Binding: paperback
• Author: Dan Heisman
• Page count: 312
• Focus: practical thinking and decision-making in chess
• Approach: compares how players of different strengths analyse difficult positions
• Experience base: more than forty years of coaching work and testing

Key details

• Product type: chess book
• Author: Dan Heisman
• Language: English
• Binding: paperback
• Page count: 312
• Focus: practical thinking and decision-making in chess
• Approach: compares how players of different strengths analyse difficult positions