The Amateur’s Mind by Jeremy Silman

The Amateur's Mind by Jeremy Silman is a classic chess book aimed at intermediate players who struggle to understand the game's key strategic and psychological elements. 
It focuses on correcting the common misconceptions that amateur players carry throughout their chess journey. Silman approaches the material by exploring the thought process of amateur players and contrasts it with how more experienced players evaluate the same positions.

Through practical advice and detailed analysis, the book guides readers on breaking bad habits and adopting better thinking patterns. It benefits players looking to improve their over-the-board performance by shifting their mindset and understanding core principles such as imbalances, planning, and proper evaluation.

The book also offers a blend of chess strategy and psychology, making it a comprehensive manual for players aiming to elevate their game to the next level.

• This book is typically suitable for intermediate beginners and intermediate players, around Elo 1000 to 1800
• Silman will help you understand the typical errors you make and provide clear explanations of why they occur
• Delve into the psychological aspects of chess to help you understand how your mindset affects your game
• Actionable strategies and practical rules will help you transform your chess
• A valuable resource for amateurs seeing to refine their thinking processes and elevate their game

Reader’s Reviews:

This book focuses on the mental aspects of chess, helping you refine your mindset and decision-making skills. Assuming basic chess knowledge, it addresses common psychological hurdles like nervousness, anxiety and lost momentum. Key takeaways include maintaining a mental edge, timing strategic pushes, and knowing when to hold back. I highly recommend this book, which the Long Island, New York chess club's podcast suggested – Maidstone.

This book isn't intended for beginners; however, if you have a solid understanding of tactics and a basic knowledge of openings, it is an excellent introduction to strategy. I played chess as a teenager but never engaged in serious study. While reasonably competent tactically, I often struggled after the opening against solid opponents, unsure how to proceed effectively – Ohno.

About the Author:

Jeremy Silman is an International Master and a world-class teacher, writer, and player who has won the American Open, the National Open, and the U.S. Open. Considered by many to be the game's preeminent instructive writer, he is the author of over thirty-six popular books, including How to Reassess Your Chess (universally accepted as a modern classic), The Amateur's Mind, The Complete Book of Chess Strategy, and The Reassess Your Chess Workbook. Jeremy also created the chess scene in the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone movie.

Other details:

Paperback
443 pages
Dimensions: 15.34cm × 2.84cm × 23.27cm
ISBN-13: 9781890085025