Calculation Techniques

Description

This new work by Grandmaster and renowned coach Jacob Aagaard is, ultimately, a training method aimed at improving combinational vision, thinking, and calculation skills.

In a previous book, Calculation Mastery, the Danish author introduced theoretical concepts that readers should become familiar with, such as assumptions, non-forced thinking, desperados, domination, move inversion, taking a second look, visualization, “steps,” and knowing when it’s time to calculate. Although Calculation Mastery stands on its own, reading it is highly beneficial.

In this new book from the “Grandmaster Preparation” series, Aagaard presents eight calculation techniques he considers fundamental (all but one of which were addressed in Calculation Mastery):

1. Candidate moves

2. Combinational vision

3. Prophylaxis

4. Comparison

5. Elimination

6. Zwischenzug (intermediate moves)

7. Imagination

8. Traps

Aagaard explores these techniques across eight chapters. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction and examples (similar to the exercises) focusing on the technique the reader is meant to train. This is followed by a series of exercises.

The Spanish edition corresponds to a revised and expanded English edition (February 2020), correcting some analysis errors, adding new exercises, and including an additional chapter.

As Gelfand notes in the foreword, this is a book of calculation exercises with a certain level of difficulty. But remember: improvement comes from exercises that push you to your maximum. The exercises—over 400 in total—increase in difficulty throughout each chapter.

In his foreword, Aagaard concludes with solid advice: “If you do your work, you will see significant improvement—guaranteed!”