Play Like a Grandmaster

Play Like a Grandmaster is a chess instruction book written by Soviet chess grandmaster Alexander Kotov in 1971. The text was translated into English by Bernard Cafferty and serves as a guide for intermediate to advanced chess players who want to improve their strategic thinking. The book presents a structured method for analyzing chess positions and making decisions during gameplay. Kotov breaks down the thought processes of grandmasters through real game examples and demonstrates specific techniques for evaluating moves and combinations. The instruction focuses on practical aspects of chess improvement, including positional judgment, candidate moves selection, and time management during tournaments. Each concept is illustrated through annotated games from high-level chess competitions. The book's enduring influence stems from its systematic approach to chess thinking and its emphasis on the mental discipline required for master-level play. It remains a fundamental text for serious chess players seeking to understand the decision-making methods of top competitors.

Readers describe this as an instructive book for intermediate players rated 1600-2000. The clear explanations of positional concepts and practical advice on selecting candidate moves receive frequent mention in reviews. Likes: - Concrete examples from grandmaster games - Step-by-step thought process demonstrations - Focus on practical playing strength rather than theory - Quality of English translation Dislikes: - Some consider the advice too basic for advanced players - Several readers note the dated opening analysis - A few mention the writing style is dry - Multiple comments about confusing notation in some editions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (432 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (89 reviews) Chess.com Forum: Recommended in 85% of book suggestion threads "This book improved my calculation process more than any other" - Chess.com review "Great for understanding how GMs actually think during games" - Amazon review "The candidate moves chapter alone is worth the price" - Goodreads review

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🎮 The book was first published in Russian in 1969 and became one of the most influential chess training books of the 20th century. ♟️ Author Alexander Kotov was awarded the title of International Grandmaster by FIDE in 1950, making him among the first group of players to officially receive this prestigious title. 📚 The book introduced the concept of "candidate moves," a systematic approach to chess analysis that involves creating a shortlist of possible moves before calculating variations. 🏆 Kotov's famous "Think Like a Grandmaster" series, which includes this book, has been translated into over 17 languages and remains in print decades after its initial release. 🤔 The book's most famous concept is "Tree of Analysis" - a visualization technique that helps players organize their thoughts and avoid what Kotov termed "analysis paralysis."