Opening preparation is essential, but for aspiring players understanding the middlegame is even more important. Techniques of Positional Play, an improved edition of a Russian classic, teaches amateur chess players 45 extremely effective skills in a crystal-clear manner.

Quite a few of these techniques will be revelations for club players, as they offer solutions for problems amateurs are often only subconsciously aware of. For example:

• How do you restrict the efficacy of your opponent’s pieces?
• What is the best way to exchange a piece?
• How do you prevent your opponent from opening a file?
• Which rook belongs on the c-, d- or e-file?
• How do you castle artificially?

The techniques are easy to understand and memorize. The authors present a wealth of practical examples and do not burden the reader with unnecessary deep analysis. There is a special training section at the end of the book where you can test your newly acquired skills.

Ukrainian International Master Valeri Bronznik lives and works in Germany. He has written a number of highly acclaimed books on chess, such as '1.d4-Beating the Guerillas'.
Anatoli Terekhin is a well-known Russian chess trainer. He leads a chess academy in Perm.