Gelfand: Positional Decision Making in Chess, 2nd Edition (paperback)

Autor: Gelfand, Boris
Verlag / Hersteller: Quality Chess
Erscheinungsjahr: 2015
Sprache: Englisch
Buchumschlag: paperback
Seiten: 288

Learn Positional Thinking from a World Champion

Positional Decision Making in Chess, 2nd Edition by Boris Gelfand offers advanced players direct access to the strategic reasoning of a top grandmaster. Rather than prescriptive rules, Gelfand explains the thought process behind his moves—how space, pawn structures, and incremental advantages shape concrete decisions over the board.

The book draws on Gelfand's own games alongside those of his strategic mentor, Akiba Rubinstein, to illustrate core positional concepts: the squeeze, space control, pawn transformation, and the conversion of small edges into decisive advantages. This approach bridges the gap between general chess principles and the practical judgment required at elite level.

Highlights

• Insight into a grandmaster's decision-making process during real games
• Analysis of positional themes including squeeze, space advantage, and pawn structure transformation
• Examples drawn from Gelfand's own matches and games by Akiba Rubinstein
• Focus on how small advantages accumulate and convert into winning positions
• Teaches the recognition and evaluation of positional imbalances

A rare window into the strategic thinking that separates elite players from the rest.

FAQ

What positional concepts does the book cover?
The book focuses on the squeeze, space advantage, pawn structure transformation, and the transformation of advantages. Gelfand explains how these ideas interact and how top players recognize and exploit positional imbalances in practical play.

Why does Gelfand use Akiba Rubinstein's games in the book?
Rubinstein was Gelfand's strategic hero and exemplified the positional mastery the author seeks to teach. Including Rubinstein's games alongside his own allows Gelfand to illustrate enduring principles of positional play across different eras.

Is this book suitable for club-level players?
The book is designed for advanced players already familiar with chess fundamentals. It assumes solid knowledge of openings and tactics; the focus is on the deeper strategic judgment expected at grandmaster level rather than introductory concepts.