Introduction
Igor Khmelinitsky is the author of a series of workbooks published between 2004 and 2009. First book in the series, that is currently being reviewed Chess Exam And Training Guide: Rate Yourself And Learn How To Improve was followed by the workbook dedicated to tactics (Chess Exam and Training Guide: Tactics: Rate Yourself and Learn How to Improve) and a workbook in which the chess player is to take part playing vs Bobby Fischer (Chess Exam: You vs. Bobby Fischer: Matches Against Chess Legends: Play the Match, Rate Yourself, Improve Your Game!).
Workbooks style
Khmelnitsky’s workbook is written in a very interesting style. In the first book of the series, the one under review, the author gives the reader/student 10 tests, each containing 10 positions.
The author recommends spending up to 20 minutes per position. Test questions present a diagram followed by two multiple-choice questions. Khmelnitsky’s workbook is therefore very unique in the sense that the test taker is not only answering with what is the best move, but has to answer the questions such as “Which statement of the four is the most accurate”, “Evaluate the position”, “Does Black have immediate threats”, “If allowed, white would want to…” “White is to move – How should black respond in case of x move,” etc.
After each of the diagrams, the solutions and the scoring system are given. The reader can earn up to 5 points per question and can also get negative points, usually -1 or -2 if choosing the worst of 4 options. After each set of 10 diagrams, the reader should count the number of points that they earned and translate their score to a rating – a nice system that kind of gamifies the workbook. After finishing all the tests, the author gives several tables that group the positions on the basis of the type of position that was present in the diagram (such as opening position, middlegame position, endgame position) and by a type of exercise (such as attack, counterattack, strategy…).
Even though counting the results is interesting and fun by itself, I would give a high score to Khmelnitsky’s workbook, especially due to the positions that are given for tests. More than half of the exercises require calculation of only several moves and especially theoretical endgame positions are useful for players of relatively low rating (up to 1800 online rating). The unorthodox questions that are being asked are also a plus to the book. Positions can be solved only from the diagram, and the solutions are very simply written and clear-cut. So the readability of the book is good.
Once the test is finished, Khmelnitsky gives recommendations for further reading and training tips, which are also useful but not the main focus of the book.
The summary is that Igor Khmelnitsky’s workbook “Chess Exam And Training Guide: Rate Yourself And Learn How To Improve” is a very good material for training. Due to unorthodox questions, gamification of the score to rating system, and prevalence on the endgame positions, it is also a very enjoyable read and a must-read for all players rated U2000.
