| Test Your Chess (Gambit Publications, 2000, 160 pp., paperback, figurine algebraic, $19.95) represents something new from Danish IM Steffen Pedersen who has written several opening books for Gambit. This book, which is designed to help the reader make a diagnosis of his or her chess strengths or weaknesses, reminds me of Bent Larsen�s Good Move Guide. Both books offer the reader plenty of useful training material. Pedersen has divided his book into two parts. The first section consists of analytical tests from positions arising from the opening, middlegame and endgame. The examples are well chosen and challenging. Pedersen�s explanations of the solutions are thorough. The second part of the book is entitled �How Good is Your Chess?.� Patterned after the popular series in the English magazine Chess, this part of the book offers the reader sixteen well annotated games in which the student is invited to try to predict the moves for one side. Points are awarded for each move based on accuracy and degree of difficulty. Test Your Chess is a useful training book for players from 2000 to 2400 that are serious about improving their chess. This book will improve the conscientious reader�s analytical skills and increase his understanding of the game. Pedersen has produced an interesting book and one hopes it sells as well as his opening books have. |