About the Author

Vladimir Barsky (1969) is an International Master, an experienced chess coach and a well-known journalist and author. He lives in Moscow.

Reviews

Essential reading for every chess player that aspires to improve. A really important book, set out very clearly, extremely well organized. These mating patterns just vital, you need to be able to spit them quickly.--Daniel King, Grandmaster

I like it that Barsky has made the effort to select games where the answer is not obvious, so it is not always the outrageous queen sacrifice that leads to checkmate. Each chapter has a discussion on mating patterns with titles such as Rook and Bishop, Queen and Knight and The Queen it is all very straightforward. The modern examples mean that there are lots of familiar names compared to the popular but old Fred Reinfeld books. Another difference compared to the old puzzle classics is that these examples have been computer checked to make sure there is only one solution. A fun way to instantly improve.--Gary Lane, International Master "English Chess Federation Newsletter"

Vladimir Barsky explores 1000 positions. He does that instructively by starting at the basics, the bare model, and then adding more pieces. The structure is: an introduction explaining the pattern, some practical examples and then lots of exercises. An instructive book.--Hans Bohm, International Master "De Telegraaf"