Secrets of Chess Tactics by Mark Dvoretsky, published by Batsford Chess Books 275 pages 257 diagrams First published 1992, reprinted 1993, 1995, 1996
Mark Dvoretsky has the secret of turning talented players into champions. His students include two world title candidates, Sergei Dolmatov and Artur Yusupov. With the benefit of Dvoretsky's original training methods, Yusupov has qualified for the semi-finals on no less than three occasions. For those of us who aren't fortunate enough to have Dvoretsky as a personal coach, this book is the ideal substitute, containing the distillation of his great many years of teaching experience.
Secrets of Chess Tactics concentrates on practical themes which are likely to occur in your own games. It deals with the essential ideas of tactical combinations, and with attack and defence. At every stage there are questions and tests which enable the reader to discover their own tactical strengths and weaknesses.
International Master Mark Dvoretsky is the most highly respected trainer in Russia, and therefore enjoys the distinction of being regarded as the world's best chess trainer.
Dvoretsky's first book, Secrets of Chess Training, was awarded the British Chess Federation Book of the Year award and has been universally acclaimed by the chess press:
"… highly recommended … the best book I have seen in the past year." Grandmaster John Nunn
"A deep and authentic revelation of some of Russia's best-kept training secrets." GM Murray Chandler
"The acknowledged doyen of Soviet trainers, Mark Dvoretsky is the man for you!" The Daily Telegraph