I've been looking for Winning Chess Tactics - seems like a good book but it's hard to find in the usual places.

Anyway, I've started reading the Morphy book and following along the game play using a board (I can't visualize the notations). I can follow the game play and understand the explanations.

But this is a stupid question: what and how am I supposed to be learning? I read the book and replicate the moves on a board. I follow the action but I'm not sure I'm learning anything.

How does one become a better player by reading this book?

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
I've been looking for Winning Chess Tactics - seems like a good book but it's hard to find in the usual places.

Anyway, I've started reading the Morphy book and following along the game play using a board (I can't visualize the notations). I can follow the game play and understand the explanations.

But this is a stupid question: what and how am I supposed to be learning? I read the book and replicate the moves on a board. I follow the action but I'm not sure I'm learning anything.

How does one become a better player by reading this book?

I personally like books like 1001 Chess Sacrifices and Combinations by Fred Reinfeld.

As far as the Morphy book goes you should just try to get an idea as to what he is doing, if you can. You should at least try. Also, Morphy liked open games where his pieces get a lot of activity. I used to use one of his games as a teaching tool. The game was Morphy vs the Duke of Brunswick and Count Isouard in 1858. It was played in a private box at an opera house in Paris. Look it up! It is a very nice game. It demonstrates the power of rapid piece development and sacrifices to attain your goal.

Thanks. I'll look into the suggestion.

I can follow the move in the Morphy book. What I'm not getting is the general concepts, tactics and strategy. I understand a particular move when it's explained. But of all the moves available at a particular time, why that move? I'm missing the underlying concept - why one particular move over the other dozen choices (that aren't explained; explanation only given for the move from the game).

I'll look up the game suggested - perhaps it's in the book and I can follow along w/ a board. ETA: it's in Chapter Two, coming up next.

Also, I think I need to understand the concept of sacrificing / trading a piece more. I very hesitant / averse to do so in my games. I can see the utility if it leads to checkmate in 1-2 moves (ie - back rank mate). But in the middle of the game, it's very hard for me to trade or sacrifice (it's gut wrenching deciding whether to do or flee) but it seems like a critical concept for a winning endgame.

quote:

I can follow the move in the Morphy book. What I'm not getting is the general concepts, tactics and strategy. I understand a particular move when it's explained. But of all the moves available at a particular time, why that move? I'm missing the underlying concept - why one particular move over the other dozen choices (that aren't explained; explanation only given for the move from the game).

Welcome to the club! When you get to the Senior Master or Grandmaster level, then you will have a better appreciation for Morphy's moves as well as other GM player's moves. Nevertheless, Morphy's games are good learning tools!