Copyright (c) 2013 John L. Jerz

Excelling at Positional Chess (Aagaard, 2003)

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Book Description
Positional chess remains a mystery to many and yet an understanding of the finer points of the game so often makes the difference between two equally matched players. Improve your positional play and you will see chess in a totally new dimension!

In this unique book, International Master Jacob Aagaard selects many original examples of positional chess, the cr�me de la cr�me of those that he uses for training and study. Aagaard also delves deeply into the ideas of positional evaluation and analysis.

* Teaches how to mix calculation with evaluation
* Contains many original exercises
* Written by a battle-hardened expert

p.24 there is a rule called the 90% rule, which states that in 90% of all situations the move which is correct for positional reasons works out tactically.
 
p.30 I have often noticed that a piece is best improved to the point where it is just one move away from its ideal square. Only when our pieces occupy this position are they ready to be transformed into their perfect state.
 
p.35-36 All positional chess is in some respect related to the existence of weaknesses in either your or the opponent's position... A weakness is only weak if it can be exploited/ attacked... Weaknesses are always defined according to the pieces that remain on the board.
 
p.40 An important part of positional play is to create permanent weaknesses in the opponent's camp.
 
p.42 The idea of the rule of two weaknesses is that, in order to win in the endgame your opponent needs to have two weaknesses... Of course one weakness is occasionally enough
 
p.50 The fewer pieces there are on the board the more squares will become available for the heavy pieces and, consequently, their strength increases for every exchange.
 
p.65 Material is another positional factor. It is as simple as that.

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