The Reassess Your Chess Workbook

About This Book

The Reassess Your Chess Workbook by International Master Jeremy Silman is the essential companion to his landmark book How to Reassess Your Chess. While the original book teaches the theory of imbalances and positional evaluation, this workbook provides the hands-on practice needed to internalize those concepts and apply them in actual games. With 131 carefully selected positions, it transforms theoretical knowledge into practical skill. Silman designed this workbook after years of teaching experience revealed a common problem: students could understand his imbalance concepts when explained but struggled to apply them independently. The workbook bridges this gap by presenting positions where readers must identify the imbalances, formulate plans, and find the best moves on their own before checking the detailed solutions. Each position in the workbook is drawn from real games and chosen to illustrate specific imbalance themes. Some positions focus on a single imbalance, such as a superior minor piece or a pawn structure advantage. Others present complex situations where multiple imbalances interact, requiring the reader to weigh competing factors and determine which imbalance is most important. The solutions are where the workbook truly shines. Silman doesn't just give the correct move; he provides a complete analysis of the position using his imbalance framework. He explains what imbalances exist, how they should influence the plan, and why the recommended move is the best way to exploit the position's characteristics. These detailed solutions serve as additional lessons that deepen understanding. Silman also includes common wrong answers and explains why they are incorrect. This is invaluable because it helps readers identify and correct flawed thinking patterns. Many improving players make the same types of strategic errors repeatedly, and seeing these mistakes analyzed and explained helps break bad habits. The positions are organized by difficulty, progressing from relatively straightforward imbalance assessments to complex positions that challenge even strong players. This graduated approach allows readers to build confidence with simpler positions before tackling more demanding material. The difficulty ratings help readers choose positions appropriate to their current level. One of the workbook's most valuable features is its emphasis on the thinking process. Silman encourages readers to spend significant time on each position before looking at the solution. He recommends writing down your analysis, including the imbalances you identify and the plan you formulate. This active engagement with the material accelerates learning far more than passive reading. The workbook can be used independently, but it is most effective when studied alongside How to Reassess Your Chess. Readers who have absorbed the theoretical framework from the main book will find the workbook positions perfectly designed to test and reinforce their understanding. Together, the two books form a comprehensive course in positional chess. For players who have read How to Reassess Your Chess but feel they haven't fully internalized the concepts, this workbook is the missing piece. It provides the deliberate practice needed to transform theoretical knowledge into intuitive understanding that manifests naturally during games.