---
product_id: 3576211
title: "How to Reassess Your Chess: Chess Mastery Through Chess Imbalances"
price: "B/.78"
currency: PAB
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.com.pa/products/3576211-how-to-reassess-your-chess-chess-mastery-through-chess-imbalances
store_origin: PA
region: Panama
---

# Comprehensive step-by-step course Annotated exercises with detailed answers Focus on positional imbalances & strategy How to Reassess Your Chess: Chess Mastery Through Chess Imbalances

**Price:** B/.78
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> ♟️ Elevate your chess IQ — don’t just play, dominate the board!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** How to Reassess Your Chess: Chess Mastery Through Chess Imbalances
- **How much does it cost?** B/.78 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.pa](https://www.desertcart.com.pa/products/3576211-how-to-reassess-your-chess-chess-mastery-through-chess-imbalances)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
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## Key Features

- • **Learn by Doing:** Interactive exercises with annotated solutions ensure you truly absorb and apply concepts.
- • **Trusted by Thousands:** Top-rated bestseller with 4.7 stars from over 1,500 chess enthusiasts.
- • **Master Chess Like a Pro:** Silman's proven system breaks down complex positions into clear, actionable insights.
- • **Positional Play Perfected:** Focuses on imbalances and strategic planning beyond tactics and checkmates.
- • **Premium Quality Experience:** High-quality paper and spacious layout designed for note-taking and deep study.

## Overview

How to Reassess Your Chess is a bestselling, highly-rated guide by Silman that teaches players aged 1400-2100 to master positional chess through understanding imbalances. Featuring clear explanations, strategic insights, and practical exercises with annotated answers, this premium-quality book transforms your approach to the middle game and helps you develop winning strategies.

## Description

How to Reassess Your Chess is the popular step-by-step course that will create a marked improvement in anyone's game. In clear, direct language, Silman shows how to dissect a position, recognize its individual parts and ultimately find the move that conforms to the needs of that particular situation. By explaining the thought processes that go into a master's choice of move, the author presents a system of thought that makes advanced strategies seem clear, logical and at times even obvious. How the Reassess Your Chess offers invaluable knowledge and insight that cannot be found in any other book.

Review: Fantastic! - I have owned some great things in my life: a plasma screen TV, a BMW, automatic watches. These are the kinds of items that satisfy every time I use them because their craftsmanship and quality is so good. Without hyperbole, this book is just like that. The first thing you'll notice about this book is that attention has been paid to every detail. The book is big and heavy. The paper is good quality (I have read many chess books that seem like they are printed on newsprint). And space abounds to write in the margins if you're so inclined. "So what?" you say, "I want to learn to be good at chess." My friends, apply this book's principles and your play will greatly improve. Mine did. I'd heard about Silman for years, but I always mentally shrugged and thought, "I'm happy Nimzowitsch's instruction, thank you very much." What a mistake! Silman gets it. This book helped me improve by leaps and bounds. Silman's ideas break down the game in a systematic way that makes it easier for you to formulate a plan and assess where the deficiencies in your game lie. I'm not just talking about the overall deficiencies in your game, though the book does richly address those areas, but also the deficiencies in any particular position in your games. REASSESS teaches you to look at what the board is telling you and to react accordingly to fundamental chess principles (i.e., imbalances). The instruction is terrific. And Silman's writing style is easy and entertaining, which will help you to enjoy and comprehend the information presented. Further, the book is written so that you will learn and remember the important points. REASSESS, unlike many chess books, doesn't merely present useful information, but it truly aims to help you absorb and retain what you read. For example, dear old Nimzowitsch presents great information. That information is given in the context of games and examples. So, if he talks about the importance of rooks on open files, for example, he shows what he means through an illustrative game, then moves on to the next topic. This is good, but I often find myself asking "what was the important point of those five pages of information?" Every chess book provides a lot context for the main point it's trying to make--the point that you must understand, remember and apply if it's to be of any use to you. If I study diligently, I underline the important points for later review. But as Ferris Bueller says of life, if you don't stop and look around [for the point of the lesson], you could miss it. Silman makes sure you won't miss it. REASSESS YOUR CHESS has clearly marked bullet points that give the themes and important points, which ensures that they don't get lost in the text. These bullet points are scattered throughout the chapters, but are also helpfully listed in summation at each chapter's end. This is tremendously useful, if you, like me, need to repeat information numerous times before it sinks in. This also saves me from sussing through and highlighting what I think is vitally important for later review. The author has done this work for me. As the final and crucial instruction point, Silman gives various exercises to try on your own to test what you have learned and identify what you need to work on. In the ANSWERS TO THE TEST section, Silman carefully annotates which move is correct and why. This is invaluable as it really makes sure that you have learned what has been taught. So often after reading chess material I think "got it," but in the game, I don't remember. These exercises safeguard against this kind of overconfident reading. This book's motto is "show me what you have learned, don't tell me." In conclusion, REASSESS (1) is asthetically pleasing, (2) is made of high quality materials, (3) is formatted with annotation in mind, (4) gives top notch instruction, (5) highlights and summarizes the salient points for you, and (6) gives exercises to train you to apply what you've learned. Wow! Silman has carefully and thoughtfully considered what will help you to best improve at chess. I cannot recommend it enough!
Review: The Positional Chess Bible - First a little about me: I'm in the 1400 to 1600 range. I haven't read the original HTRYC, so I can't make any comparisons. I've spent over 100 hours going over this book from cover to cover. Second a little about the book: The book is on positional chess (aka the middle game). It's not about tactics or checkmates. It's about how to recognize key differences in your position versus your opponent's position and how to develop a strategy to make your position dominate your opponents. The book is divided into sections of positional principles (example: recognizing targets and fixing them as permanent a weakness). For each principle, several games are given as an example that highlights the particular topic. Silman's commentary is excellent. Often he analyzes a position by talking only about ideas without even mentioning particular moves. This was the most helpful part of the book for me. He also gives a lot of variations many of which I quickly glossed over. As a reader, you will have to study the book based on your level. At my level, the ideas are the most important, and I shouldn't get sidetracked with variations. At the end of each chapter/positional idea, there are test questions. At first, I thought the problems were really hard, and I couldn't solve many of them. But going over the answers which are explained very well both with ideas and variations was really helpful. Towards the end of the book, I was able to at least partially solve almost every problem even the ones that were rated 2000+. I didn't always find the correct moves, or the correct move orders, but I was able to evaluate the position and understand the ideas behind the position (what should be white's strategy and what should be black's strategy and what moves make sense for both sides). Sometimes I picked the 2nd best move, etc but I was still picking good moves that addressed the positional battle! Style: The writing and style are excellent. Silman uses conversational English and a coaching tone that is pleasant. It's obvious that he's passionate about positional chess and really enjoys teaching it. The book is fun to read. The book itself is large with a nice amount of white space that makes it easy to study. Is it for you? Silman recommends this book for 1400 to 2100 range. I can't speak for the upper range, but the book was definitely challenging and beneficial for me. I'm going to completely re-read it in about six months and go over each lesson much more slowly and carefully (100hrs is sprinting through this book). If aren't already very comfortable with the basics, tactics, and checkmate patterns, pick up a few books on tactics and solve 1000 tactical problems first and then get this book. Like me, you won't get everything the first time through, but you will learn to properly think about chess and develop a strategy. Could it be better? I would have benefited from more analysis in English (instead of an explanation in algebriac notation) and discussion of ideas, and fewer variations, but realize this is coming from my level. Higher level readers will need the variations. Ideas must be tactically sound and if you are analyzing master games, you must demonstrate that the idea is tactically sound. As it stands, this book is a masterpiece which I will re-read many times.

## Features

- Used Book in Good Condition

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #14,193 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #5 in Chess (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,554 Reviews |

## Images

![How to Reassess Your Chess: Chess Mastery Through Chess Imbalances - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71WX-iG+ElL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Media Language, Media Format** options.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fantastic!
*by C***D on February 26, 2012*

I have owned some great things in my life: a plasma screen TV, a BMW, automatic watches. These are the kinds of items that satisfy every time I use them because their craftsmanship and quality is so good. Without hyperbole, this book is just like that. The first thing you'll notice about this book is that attention has been paid to every detail. The book is big and heavy. The paper is good quality (I have read many chess books that seem like they are printed on newsprint). And space abounds to write in the margins if you're so inclined. "So what?" you say, "I want to learn to be good at chess." My friends, apply this book's principles and your play will greatly improve. Mine did. I'd heard about Silman for years, but I always mentally shrugged and thought, "I'm happy Nimzowitsch's instruction, thank you very much." What a mistake! Silman gets it. This book helped me improve by leaps and bounds. Silman's ideas break down the game in a systematic way that makes it easier for you to formulate a plan and assess where the deficiencies in your game lie. I'm not just talking about the overall deficiencies in your game, though the book does richly address those areas, but also the deficiencies in any particular position in your games. REASSESS teaches you to look at what the board is telling you and to react accordingly to fundamental chess principles (i.e., imbalances). The instruction is terrific. And Silman's writing style is easy and entertaining, which will help you to enjoy and comprehend the information presented. Further, the book is written so that you will learn and remember the important points. REASSESS, unlike many chess books, doesn't merely present useful information, but it truly aims to help you absorb and retain what you read. For example, dear old Nimzowitsch presents great information. That information is given in the context of games and examples. So, if he talks about the importance of rooks on open files, for example, he shows what he means through an illustrative game, then moves on to the next topic. This is good, but I often find myself asking "what was the important point of those five pages of information?" Every chess book provides a lot context for the main point it's trying to make--the point that you must understand, remember and apply if it's to be of any use to you. If I study diligently, I underline the important points for later review. But as Ferris Bueller says of life, if you don't stop and look around [for the point of the lesson], you could miss it. Silman makes sure you won't miss it. REASSESS YOUR CHESS has clearly marked bullet points that give the themes and important points, which ensures that they don't get lost in the text. These bullet points are scattered throughout the chapters, but are also helpfully listed in summation at each chapter's end. This is tremendously useful, if you, like me, need to repeat information numerous times before it sinks in. This also saves me from sussing through and highlighting what I think is vitally important for later review. The author has done this work for me. As the final and crucial instruction point, Silman gives various exercises to try on your own to test what you have learned and identify what you need to work on. In the ANSWERS TO THE TEST section, Silman carefully annotates which move is correct and why. This is invaluable as it really makes sure that you have learned what has been taught. So often after reading chess material I think "got it," but in the game, I don't remember. These exercises safeguard against this kind of overconfident reading. This book's motto is "show me what you have learned, don't tell me." In conclusion, REASSESS (1) is asthetically pleasing, (2) is made of high quality materials, (3) is formatted with annotation in mind, (4) gives top notch instruction, (5) highlights and summarizes the salient points for you, and (6) gives exercises to train you to apply what you've learned. Wow! Silman has carefully and thoughtfully considered what will help you to best improve at chess. I cannot recommend it enough!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Positional Chess Bible
*by S***Y on December 31, 2010*

First a little about me: I'm in the 1400 to 1600 range. I haven't read the original HTRYC, so I can't make any comparisons. I've spent over 100 hours going over this book from cover to cover. Second a little about the book: The book is on positional chess (aka the middle game). It's not about tactics or checkmates. It's about how to recognize key differences in your position versus your opponent's position and how to develop a strategy to make your position dominate your opponents. The book is divided into sections of positional principles (example: recognizing targets and fixing them as permanent a weakness). For each principle, several games are given as an example that highlights the particular topic. Silman's commentary is excellent. Often he analyzes a position by talking only about ideas without even mentioning particular moves. This was the most helpful part of the book for me. He also gives a lot of variations many of which I quickly glossed over. As a reader, you will have to study the book based on your level. At my level, the ideas are the most important, and I shouldn't get sidetracked with variations. At the end of each chapter/positional idea, there are test questions. At first, I thought the problems were really hard, and I couldn't solve many of them. But going over the answers which are explained very well both with ideas and variations was really helpful. Towards the end of the book, I was able to at least partially solve almost every problem even the ones that were rated 2000+. I didn't always find the correct moves, or the correct move orders, but I was able to evaluate the position and understand the ideas behind the position (what should be white's strategy and what should be black's strategy and what moves make sense for both sides). Sometimes I picked the 2nd best move, etc but I was still picking good moves that addressed the positional battle! Style: The writing and style are excellent. Silman uses conversational English and a coaching tone that is pleasant. It's obvious that he's passionate about positional chess and really enjoys teaching it. The book is fun to read. The book itself is large with a nice amount of white space that makes it easy to study. Is it for you? Silman recommends this book for 1400 to 2100 range. I can't speak for the upper range, but the book was definitely challenging and beneficial for me. I'm going to completely re-read it in about six months and go over each lesson much more slowly and carefully (100hrs is sprinting through this book). If aren't already very comfortable with the basics, tactics, and checkmate patterns, pick up a few books on tactics and solve 1000 tactical problems first and then get this book. Like me, you won't get everything the first time through, but you will learn to properly think about chess and develop a strategy. Could it be better? I would have benefited from more analysis in English (instead of an explanation in algebriac notation) and discussion of ideas, and fewer variations, but realize this is coming from my level. Higher level readers will need the variations. Ideas must be tactically sound and if you are analyzing master games, you must demonstrate that the idea is tactically sound. As it stands, this book is a masterpiece which I will re-read many times.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exponential Improvement!
*by A***T on February 4, 2011*

I have always enjoyed chess, but always played casually. I always intended to get better and study more to improve my game. Like many chess students with good intentions I found my chess library growing around me but my game staying stagnant. As the chess book pile grew so did my intentions. I would open a book and work through the lessons never quite understanding why none of it would stick. I found some improvement through Mr. Silmans 3rd edition works and began trying to use his "thinking techniques." As I practiced the lessons on imbalances my game moved from move by move chess into the realm of seeing the board more clearly and understanding what was going on in a position. Fast forward to this year... I was asked to help out with a National level High School chess program who had won a championship in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2007. It was time for me to get serious. I noticed at this time that Mr. Silman had released a 4th edition of his work and saw on the cover that it stated that it was completely rewritten. I purchased the book and decided this was the moment I was going to work as hard as ever learning the game. Too much intro and too little review, yes I know, I know... *Cough* ok so away we go... What an amazing book!! Never in all my studies has chess been so clearly presented in a way that any student could find joy and advancement. Mr. Silman has taken his old "techniques" and found a way, not only to teach them, but to stick them solidly in your brain. During my games I can actually hear comments made in this book. Lessons are open in such a wonderful way. This rework is not only an improvement on his old information it is a teacher with years and years of implementing his lessons and over time finding just the way to make a student retain them. Since my studies began this year, I have joined a chess club as an unrated amature and beaten some solid players. Part 4 of the book Psychological Meanderings is worth the cost of this book alone. The week I studied this section I went into chess club with the lessons on stepping beyond fear, mental breakdown, macho chess, etc, fresh on my mind and found myself across the board from a 1927 rated player. Suddenly Mr. Silman was in my head saying, "Rating nothing... This guy is rubbish... Just play the board..." So off we went... I sit here looking down at the score sheet with this unrated amature winning in 25 moves. To hear the 1927 look up red faced and say, "That... That was just too much pressure... I... I just messed up." and to smile up and say, "Not bad for a beginner, huh?" was awesome. Throughout the game Mr. Silman's lessons were always coming to my mind. My mind was working through comments like, "Look if I can stop that pawn I can make that Bishop useless," His Knight would love that square I better take it away now and that would be two very useless pieces," and my favorite, "Wow if I sack that exchange look what it does for my position and look how active my pieces become!" Some other important aspects of this book are the following... Current examples for every lesson from every rating category, examples have the opening sequence of moves listed up to the important lesson for the position so you can actually see how the players arrived to the moment you are learning from, at the end of every chapter is a set of tests similar to what the workbook was to 3rd edition with answers fully explained in the back of the book (almost like having an additional book within a book), many examples per lesson to help get the material to stick, a well thought out order to the delivery of material. So much more... I guess the best way to sum this book up is, to me, "this one is it," the chess book every learning chess student should own. Mr. Silman is a fabulous teacher with a wonderful delivery. Thank you, Mr. Silman for taking the time to give us this work. With every good review should come a section of things wrong with the book I suppose, but as I sit here I struggle to find them. It is what it claims to be and nothing more. You will not get an opening repetoire, an endgame diatribe, or a brilliant tactical guide, but what you will get is an understanding of what a position is calling for and where your plan should be centered toward, where the weaknesses are on both sides of the board, a thinking method to know what advantages and disadvantages matter at this very moment, and a clear picture to help you see through what Josh Waitzkin calls the "black and white jungle." Enjoy!

## Frequently Bought Together

- How to Reassess Your Chess: Chess Mastery Through Chess Imbalances
- Silman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner to Master
- Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess

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*Product available on Desertcart Panama*
*Store origin: PA*
*Last updated: 2026-09-19*