Build Up Your Chess 3: Mastery (Yusupov's Chess School) Paperback – August 7, 2018

This is the 7th volume of 9 in GM Yusupov's epic series. This is the first of the 3 volumes at the highest level, designed to be studied by players of approximately 1800-2099 ELO strength. Like all the books in this series, it is divided into 24 lessons (chapters), with a series of exercises to be solved after each lesson. The verbal explanations are quite concise, but very pithy and focused. Lessons include widely varied topics such as combinations w/ promotions, pawn endings, Rook vs Bishop, Isolanis, a concise repertoire in the French Def for Black, Blockade, Hanging pawns, simple combinations, and Evaluation of positions. Yusupov insists that you play over every single move on a board, and write out your answers to exercises in detail. This is a great course, for serious players. The examples are chosen guided by Yuspov's great chess knowledge and copious experience as a trainer. There is no substitute for having a skilled, experienced coach for rapid progress, but if you can't afford such training, this course may be the next best thing. It could also be used a supplemenal material even if you do have a coach. Master this course, play lots of tournaments at slow controls, analyze your games in depth w/ a strong player, go over countless well annotated master games, and read supplemental materials, and you will be well on your way to mastery. Highly recommended.

This is the 3rd set in a series of books aimed at players from 1800 to 2100. If you have not gotten Artur's previous sets 1 and 2, I highly recommend that you buy and go through those first. They are simply the best books I have (and I have over 100 books) for learning chess fundamentals: strategy, tactics, endings, pawn structures, opening theory, middle game plans etc etc.I said it before in another review of Yusupov's books but I have to say it again here because I believe it so strongly, BUY THE ENTIRE SERIES, all sets of 9 books. You will instantly start playing better chess by going through and doing the work. He lays it out so easily. There is no reason you can't excel at chess. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Again another great book by Mr Yusupov dealing with various indifferences that most likely are showing up in your games everytime one plays this great game. Easily recognition of the matter at hand with dedication and hard work. It will be most satisfying ones one get to apply in real life that lessons taught in this book.