PDF excerpt

Positional Decision Making in Chess offers a rare look into the mind of a top grandmaster. In his efforts to explain his way of thinking, Boris Gelfandfocuses on such topics as the squeeze, space advantage, the transformation of pawn structures and the transformation of advantages. Based on examples from his own games and those of his hero, Akiba Rubinstein, Gelfand explains how he thinks during the game.

Grandmaster Boris Gelfand won the European Junior Championship in 1987 and reached No. 3 in the World in 1990. He has led the Israeli team to numerous medals at both European and Olympiad level. Gelfand won the 2009 World Cup and has participated in six Candidates cycles, winning it in 2011. He lost the 2012 World Championship match in the play-off. At 46 he is still winning tournaments ahead of the best players in the world, in many cases men half his own age.

Grandmaster Jacob Aagaard is the only chess author to have won all the major awards for chess writing.

ISBN 978-1-78483-005-2 - 288 pages
Hardcover published 17 June 2015
Paperback published 3 February 2016

Reviews

"Gelfand's book is a revelation."

GM Lubomir Kavalek

"Gelfand is very good - and very honest - at explaining which decisions he could calculate and which decisions he needed to take on the basis of judgment, and how he did that... It adds up to the type of book I love... I think this book has masses to teach any strength of player.

***** (5/5)"

GM Matthew Sadler, New in Chess

Is there a chess book that has had a profound influence on you?

"Countless. But in recent times Positional Decision Making by Gelfand was very enjoyable."

GM Vidit Gujrathi, New in Chess

"This is an outstanding book, probably the best I’ve read this year.

I have to admit, from a personal perspective, that I found this book to be the most useful decision-making chess guide I have ever read. It’s jam-packed full of useful gems, little pieces of positional advice that probably just come naturally to Gelfand, but need to be dictated to and learned by the rest of us."

GM David Smerdon (full review)

"I like Rubinstein and Gelfand and found the book classy!"

GM Igor Stohl

"Positional Decision Making is the best chess book I have read."

GM Axel Smith

" This is a special book, which explains important concepts through wonderful games, annotated with wit and insight by a phenomenal player. The notes to Game 7 of the Anand – Gelfand World Championship match alone are worth the price of admission.

My assessment ***** (5/5)"

IM Sam Collins

"Five recent offerings from Quality Chess confirm that it is the unquestioned leader when it comes to consistently publishing chess books of the highest quality...

There are many original and perceptive observations sprinkled throughout this book... This is must reading for any serious chess player. My strongest recommendation without reservation"

IM John Donaldson, Chess Today

"Gelfand has given us a superlative book...

This might well be the book of the year, and serious students of modern chess practice should not miss out on its lessons."

John Hartmann, Chess Life (full review)

"The book is really powerful, with a lot in there. As a top player Gelfand has no problems recognising the most important things, while Aagaard explains them skilfully. I would count the book as required reading."

Alexander Hilverda, SCHACH

"When purchasing a Quality Chess product that is exactly what you get - a quality chess book not only in appearance and handling but also in content. At the moment I am deep into their latest product 'Positional Decision Making in Chess' and can confirm that the standard has been maintained and even (if this is possible) improved.

Gelfand has been on the chess scene for many years and can truly be called one of the elite. His experience shines through in the book... Not only is the book a pleasant and easy read, it is very instructive and is worthy of deep study."

Bill Frost, Chess Devon (full review)