Calculation: Grandmaster Preparation

Not a beginner book! Assumes you know the foundation cognitive skills of calculation (especially board vision and mental animation) then throws you into the deep water with many very difficult tactical puzzles.Not a lot of intro to each puzzle, but a good deep analysis of each main turning point, which takes a LOT of effort to work through (but what worthwhile doesn't?).Now, this is a light 2020 edition of a 2012 book, why not save $20 and buy the earlier?1. Chapter 11 is new, but just adds even more difficult puzzles!2. Fritz 11-13 used back in '12 were 3088 and 3100, not 2023 Stockfish 3740, but checking the lines shows very little updates, and very little changes needed.The tone is fun, humble, and adds numerous gems in rules of thumb. eg: Don't use alcohol to fuel your creativity! Most importantly for your decision: the book TRAINS calculation with demanding puzzles, but doesn't TEACH how to calculate (those are covered in his previous and upcoming books). Memorization vs. different calculation techniques due to opening type or endgame etc. are not covered. Author assumes calculation means complex tactical lines, not busting out of a locked positional battle or choosing between two king squares, one which wins immediately and one which loses.Would be nice if it were organized more by ooening and more by difficulty level but for high quality, brilliant tactics and tough puzzles you'd probably expect more Sicilians and Ruys than Catalans and Italians.Best feature: though the lines are tough and deep, they are brief and relevant, not an exercise in exhaustive line theory to show off the author, definitely targeted as training puzzles, with analysis rather than "solutions."

Not for absolute beginners. Stick with the book and go through the analysis and it gradually increases your calculating abilities.