How to Play Chess: 24 Lessons from an International Master

4: Must-Know Tactical Patterns in Chess

Build your arsenal of tactical skills by looking for winning patterns on the board. After covering three go-to punches-pins, skewers, and forks-Mr. Silman turns to decoys, double attacks, discovered attacks, and more. Armed with these patterns of play, you now have a major tactical advantage….

5: Chess Combinations and Kings in Check

Continue your study of patterns-this time with combination moves that require crafty calculations. Whether you’re wondering when (and why) to sacrifice a piece, or you’re looking to trap kings in tight corners, or you simply want to unleash a torrent of carnage on the board, the tactics from this lesson will help you become a more formidable player….

6: Checkmate! Back-Rank, Smothered, and More

Delve into the world of “piece collaboration” -using two or more pieces to win a checkmate. Mr. Silman shows you a number of classic mates that have delighted fans for generations. Not only are these mating patterns flashy and exciting, they will also give you a far deeper understanding of the game as a whole….

7: Checkmate against a Castled King

Castling is an excellent strategy, but a castled king is not invincible. Explore some of the patterns that can be used to checkmate a castled king-particularly using square h7. Look at when to sacrifice a bishop, how to use your queen to go on the hunt, and how pieces must work in partnership for success….

8: Legendary Attacking Greats of Chess

Famous chess players are some of the most fascinating figures in history. Enrich your understanding of tactics by learning about four of the most famous attacking players who ever lived: Paul Morphy, Alexander Alekhine, Mikhail Tal and Garry Kasparov. Examine several of their games to get a feel for their playing style….

9: A Cascade of Short, Brutal Chess Games!

Errors are common among players at all levels. We fall into traps, walk headfirst into an opponent’s tactic, or simply miss a good move or hidden vulnerability. Review several ways a game can go wrong, from the quick “fool’s mate” to many of the short, brutal takedowns from famous matches….

10: Chess Heroes of the Romantic Age

Step back to an era of gaslights and chess cafes in old Europe. The “romantic era of chess” of the 18th and 19th century was filled with raucous characters who employed swashbuckling tactics to please a crowd. Meet three famous players-Joseph Henry Blackburne, Adolph Anderssen, and Baron Ignatz von Kolisch-and learn what made their games so memorable….

11: Open Files and the Positional Rook

Almost everyone enjoys tactics, but tactics are not the most important element of the game. Begin the first of several lessons on positional play and chess strategy, starting with the rooks. Learn why and how to create an open file and employ your rooks to best advantage. See examples of these mighty pieces at work….

12: Pawns: The Positional Soul of Chess

In this lesson, you’ll find out why “pawns are the soul of chess.” Train your eye to see the pawn structures of a game and their strategic implications. After honing your ability to read a position and see patterns, study a few strategies for making the most out of the pawns-including pawn chains, the passed pawn, the Grünfeld Defense center, and more….

13: Positional Weaknesses and Targets in Chess

Continue your study of pawn movements by examining a number of potential weaknesses. Mr. Silman helps you notice and make use of vulnerabilities such as isolated pawns and doubled pawns. By sharpening your powers of observation, your chess game will take a giant leap forward….

14: Closed and Open Positions on the Chessboard

It’s always important to develop your pieces as quickly as possible, but once developed, open and closed board positions require very different strategic approaches. Study these differences and find out how to use your knights, bishops, or rooks for greatest success-and how best to get those pieces into play….

15: Chess Statics vs. Dynamics: An Eternal Battle

Much of chess boils down to the tension between static play versus dynamic play. Static play encompasses the long game and positional advantage, while dynamic play is all about tactics and aggressive attacks. Find out when to rely on each approach….