Answers.Body: <p>I'm rated around 2150 Elo and I used the book two years ago, to solve exercises on the way to work. I could solve approximately 50%, which felt somewhat disheartening, though objectively, I guess, it's pretty ok for my level. I definitely profited from the training.</p>
  
  <p>I wouldn't recommend the book for players significantly weaker than me. Mostly because it's demotivating if you are always struggling to even think in the right direction. I have found that the final instalment of <a href="http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/products/13/195/yusupov_complete_series_in_hardcover/" rel="nofollow">the Yusupov series</a> fits my own level better (i.e. tough but solvable). </p>
  
  <p>But if you can keep your motivation up, even without much positive feedback, of course you can profit from thinking deeply about just about any position. </p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2015-11-15T15:41:48.490Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2015-11-15T15:41:48.490Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: BlindKungFuMaster
Answers.Body: <p>For a B-player, or any non-master for that matter, the problem with this book is that the examples and study positions are complex and will be difficult for an amateur to understand and analyze. Nevertheless, the concepts in the book and techniques are completely valid and useful for a B-player.</p>
  
  <p>To make best use of a book like this, I would recommend learning the ideas and concepts in the book and then applying them to easier examples which you can find in intermediate-level books. So, look at Aagard's examples, but when you actually go to train use easier positions.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2015-11-17T23:02:25.533Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2015-11-17T23:02:25.533Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Cecil De Vere
Answers.Body: <p>I've read 60 Memorable Games by Fischer, Art of Attack by Vukovic, Understanding Chess: Move by Move by Nunn, and My System by Nimzowitsch.</p>
  
  <p>These books got me to ~1800, but something was missing.</p>
  
  <p>Before the end of 2018, in December, IM Alejandro Moreno recommended Chess Praxis.</p>
  
  <p>"Another book?" I thought. Weary and withered, I reluctantly read the book. I really felt like a law student at this point (mind you, I was studying chess in a quiet area of the law library - with the rollable board and wooden pieces).</p>
  
  <p>I've read Chess Praxis. Here's where it's gotten me:<img src="https://i.sstatic.net/amllY.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>
  
  <p>(Note the highest rating in October - that was when I finished reading the three books listed at the beginning of this post, minus Nimzowitsch. I was playing sharp, but my positional play was unsound. So once I got bored of the lines, I dropped down to ~1700 (!) in a week).</p>
  
  <p>And in my last USCF Tournament (2/16/19), I scored 2.5/4.0 in the open, beat an expert, drew a National Master, and took a 1900 to the cleaners. My rating exploded from 1815 -> 1880.</p>
  
  <p>If there's one book you must read, it's Chess Praxis.</p>
  
  <p>Reading those five books only took three months, but those will be the three most critical months of your life.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-02-26T18:44:55.217Z
Answers.Text: Not sure why this is downvoted: It answers the question, "I'm looking for a book to improve my calculation and planning."
Answers.UserDisplayName: Jossie Calderon
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-06-05T23:19:34.957Z
Answers.Text: That was not the question; it was background for the question.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Brandon_J
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-02-25T15:57:31.517Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-02-25T15:57:31.517Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Jossie Calderon
Body: <p>I heard in most chess forums this book is for 2400+. Can this book also be useful for Class B players? I'm looking for a book to improve my calculation and planning. If so, in what ways? What would be the best way to self-study this book as a Class B?</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2015-11-15T14:31:12.163Z
Comments.Text: It is possible that you could get something out of it, but keep in mind that the target audience is people who have a 95+% expected score against you. If you do read it, you may even feel that you have learned something, but the chances that you will be able to effectively apply your knowledge are small. (I'm an expert and don't feel that I would get much out of it yet myself.)
Comments.UserDisplayName: dfan
Tags: <books><training>
Title: Can the book 'Grand master Preparation: Calulation' by Aagard be useful for a Class B chess players?
ThreadText: # Can the book 'Grand master Preparation: Calulation' by Aagard be useful for a Class B chess players?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2015-11-15)
  
  I heard in most chess forums this book is for 2400+. Can this book also be useful for Class B players? I'm looking for a book to improve my calculation and planning. If so, in what ways? What would be the best way to self-study this book as a Class B?
  
  **Tags:** books, training
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: It is possible that you could get something out of it, but keep in mind that the target audience is people who have a 95+% expected score against you. If you do read it, you may even feel that you have learned something, but the chances that you will be able to effectively apply your knowledge are small. (I'm an expert and don't feel that I would get much out of it yet myself.)  
  
  ---
  
  ## 3 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2015-11-15. Score: 3
  
  I'm rated around 2150 Elo and I used the book two years ago, to solve exercises on the way to work. I could solve approximately 50%, which felt somewhat disheartening, though objectively, I guess, it's pretty ok for my level. I definitely profited from the training.
  
  I wouldn't recommend the book for players significantly weaker than me. Mostly because it's demotivating if you are always struggling to even think in the right direction. I have found that the final instalment of [the Yusupov series](http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/products/13/195/yusupov_complete_series_in_hardcover/) fits my own level better (i.e. tough but solvable).
  
  But if you can keep your motivation up, even without much positive feedback, of course you can profit from thinking deeply about just about any position.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2015-11-17. Score: 1
  
  For a B-player, or any non-master for that matter, the problem with this book is that the examples and study positions are complex and will be difficult for an amateur to understand and analyze. Nevertheless, the concepts in the book and techniques are completely valid and useful for a B-player.
  
  To make best use of a book like this, I would recommend learning the ideas and concepts in the book and then applying them to easier examples which you can find in intermediate-level books. So, look at Aagard's examples, but when you actually go to train use easier positions.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2019-02-25. Score: -2
  
  I've read 60 Memorable Games by Fischer, Art of Attack by Vukovic, Understanding Chess: Move by Move by Nunn, and My System by Nimzowitsch.
  
  These books got me to ~1800, but something was missing.
  
  Before the end of 2018, in December, IM Alejandro Moreno recommended Chess Praxis.
  
  "Another book?" I thought. Weary and withered, I reluctantly read the book. I really felt like a law student at this point (mind you, I was studying chess in a quiet area of the law library - with the rollable board and wooden pieces).
  
  I've read Chess Praxis. Here's where it's gotten me:![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/amllY.jpg)
  
  (Note the highest rating in October - that was when I finished reading the three books listed at the beginning of this post, minus Nimzowitsch. I was playing sharp, but my positional play was unsound. So once I got bored of the lines, I dropped down to ~1700 (!) in a week).
  
  And in my last USCF Tournament (2/16/19), I scored 2.5/4.0 in the open, beat an expert, drew a National Master, and took a 1900 to the cleaners. My rating exploded from 1815 -> 1880.
  
  If there's one book you must read, it's Chess Praxis.
  
  Reading those five books only took three months, but those will be the three most critical months of your life.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_4**: Not sure why this is downvoted: It answers the question, "I'm looking for a book to improve my calculation and planning."  
  > **username_5**: That was not the question; it was background for the question.  
  
  ---
  
  