Chess Visualization Course - training exercises for tactics and attack on the King to improve your chess!

This page describes the contents of the six sections and twenty-six chapters in the book.

Each of the sections and chapters in the book focuses on a particular theme. The main core of the book rests on three sections that stretch your vision from one sector (Section 1) to two sectors (Section 3) to three or more sectors of the board (Section 6). The other three sections of the book either serve as a transition between these sections or further amplify them.

SECTION 1 contains five chapters that feature a series of exchanges on a single square, which we call the “hot spot.” This section illustrate the basic skills of counting attackers and defenders on a given square, keeping track of the material balance during a series of exchanges, and visualizing the resulting position. Chapter 1 (20 exercises) feature exchanges involving the same number and types of pieces. Chapter 2 (20 exercises) feature exchanges in which one side has an extra attacker. Chapter 3* (28 exercises) involves exchanges with pieces of different value, such as a Rook for two minor pieces or a Queen for two Rooks. Click here to see some sample exercises from Chapter 3. Chapter 4 (20 exercises) features a series of exchanges that is triggered by the penetration of a piece deep into enemy territory. Chapter 5 (32 exercises) features a series of exchanges that is triggered by the penetration of a passed pawn onto the 8th rank.

SECTION 2 builds on the theme of a series of exchanges on a single square by considering what can happen either before and/or after the series of exchanges. Chapter 6 (36 exercises) show how to build-up a position prior to exchanging pieces. Chapter 7* (36 exercises) features positions that contain two sets of tactics in which the initial series of exchanges is followed by a second set of tactics, such as a Knight fork or Rook skewer. Click here to see some sample exercises from Chapter 7. Chapter 8 (36 exercises) features exercises in which a series of exchanges leads to a won ending. Chapter 9 (24 exercises) combines all of these themes and features exercises in which a preparatory build-up is followed by a series of exchanges on a single square, which is then followed by either a tactic or a transition to a won ending.

SECTION 3 contains general tactical exercises in which the play typically covers two sectors of the board. In Chapter 10 (36 exercises) it is White to play; in Chapter 11 (36 exercises) it is Black to play. Chapter 12 (36 exercises) shows positions in which the initial material balance in the starting position is uneven (perhaps White is down the exchange for a pawn or has a Rook for two minor pieces), but then a series of uneven exchanges occurs that further upsets the material balance. Chapter 13* (32 exercises) features positions in which a number of White pieces move up the board in concert, usually with tempo, to create or convert an advantage. Click here to see some sample exercises from Chapter 13.

SECTION 4 features exercises in which each player’s Queen is attacked by a piece of lesser value. In Chapter 14 (32 exercises) the first player to attack the opponent's Queen gains an advantage; in Chapter 15, (28 exercises) the second player to attack the opponent's Queen gains an advantage. Chapter 16* (28 exercises) features Queen desperados in which an attacked Queen voluntarily captures a enemy piece of lesser value in order to gain an advantage. Click here to see some sample exercises from Chapter 16. Chapter 17 (20 exercises) features double desperados in which both Queens are under attack and capture an enemy piece of lesser value. Chapter 18 (28 exercises) shows positions in which the opponent's Queen is captured by a piece of lesser value due to the breaking of a pin to one's own Queen.

SECTION 5 features exercises involving a rabid piece or pawn, that is, a piece or pawn that captures or threatens to capture an enemy piece or pawn on three or more moves in succession. Chapter 19 (36 exercises) features the raid of a rabid Knight. Typical manuevers include a) Nc3-b5-c7, threatening to take on a8, e8, or e6 and b) Nf3-g5-e6, threatening to take on d8, f8, or g7. Chapter 20 (32 exercises) features various raids of a rabid Bishop. Chapter 21 (28 exercises) features the raid of a rabid pawn. Typical maneuvers include a) Pe4-e5xf6xe7/g7, threatening to take on d8, f8, or h8 and b) Pb4-b5xc6xb7/d7, threatening to take on a8, c8, or e8. Chapter 22* (36 exercises) features rabid pawns, as in the previous chapter, but in this chapter they capture an enemy piece on the back rank, simultaneously promoting to (usually) a Queen. Click here to see some sample exercises from Chapter 22. Many of the exercises in this section feature two-way action in which each player is attacking in his opponent's half of the board, which can present a difficult visualization challenge at first!

SECTION 6 contains general tactical exercises in which the activity covers three or more sectors or more of the board. In Chapter 23 (36 exercises), it is White to play; in Chapter 24 (28 exercises), it is Black to play. Chapter 25* (32 exercises) features positions in which both players see the same variation up to a certain point, but White gains an advantage by sees further than his opponent. Click here to see some sample exercises from Chapter 25. Chapter 26 (44 exercises) features positions with longer variations that range from 12 to 19 half-moves and cover three or more sectors of the board.

An asterisk (*) next to Chapters 3, 7, 13, 16, 22 and 25 indicates that sample exercises from these chapters are available on this website. You can view these exercises by clicking on the links on the left or by clicking the links that appear in the description above.

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