Small Steps to Giant Improvement by Sam Shankland (hardcover)

This Small Steps to Giant Improvement by Sam Shankland is an English-language hardcover chess book that focuses on one of the hardest parts of the game: pawn play. It shows how to judge pawn moves more clearly and make practical decisions based on their long-term consequences.

What this book covers

In chess, a misplaced piece can often be improved later, even if it costs a tempo. Pawns are different: they cannot move backwards, so every pawn move permanently changes the position. That is what makes pawn decisions such a critical part of strategy.

Sam Shankland presents the subject in a structured, easy-to-follow way. He starts with simple examples and gradually builds up to positions where the same principles apply at grandmaster level. The result is a book that helps you understand the ideas behind pawn play and make better decisions during analysis and over the board.

Why it is worth reading

This is a strong choice for players who want to improve their understanding of pawn structure, planning and the long-term consequences of pawn moves. Rather than relying on obscure theory, the book focuses on practical principles that can be used in study, game analysis and tournament preparation.

Author and edition

Sam Shankland is the author of this first book. The edition is in English and comes in hardcover format.

Key details

• Product type: hardcover chess book
• Author: Sam Shankland
• Language: English
• Subject: pawn play and pawn structure
• Approach: practical principles rather than obscure theory
• Page count: 336
• ISBN: 978-1-78483-051-9
• Publication date: 28 March 2018