Grandmaster Preparation: Calculation

About This Book

Grandmaster Preparation: Calculation by Jacob Aagaard is widely regarded as one of the most demanding and rewarding chess training books ever published. Released in 2012 as part of the acclaimed Grandmaster Preparation series by Quality Chess, this book has become the gold standard for serious players who want to push their calculation abilities to the absolute limit. Jacob Aagaard is a Scottish-Danish Grandmaster, acclaimed chess author, and one of the world's most respected chess trainers. He has coached multiple players to Grandmaster titles and has written over 20 chess books, many of which have won awards. His deep understanding of the training process and what separates strong players from elite ones is evident on every page of this book. The book is structured around a carefully curated collection of exercises drawn from modern grandmaster games. Unlike typical tactics books that present relatively straightforward combinations, the positions in Grandmaster Preparation: Calculation require deep, multi-layered analysis. Many exercises have no single forcing solution but instead demand that the reader evaluate complex positions with multiple candidate moves, each leading to intricate variations. Aagaard's approach to calculation training is rooted in his concept of the "Thinking Process." He emphasizes that strong calculation is not just about seeing many moves ahead but about organizing your thinking efficiently. The book teaches readers to identify candidate moves systematically, evaluate positions accurately at the end of variations, and maintain mental discipline during long calculations. The exercises are divided into chapters of increasing difficulty. Early chapters present positions where the key ideas are relatively clear, though the execution still requires precise calculation. Later chapters feature positions of extreme complexity where even strong grandmasters might struggle to find the correct continuation. This progressive structure allows readers to build their skills gradually while constantly being challenged. One of the book's most valuable features is the quality of the solutions. Aagaard provides detailed, honest analysis that doesn't shy away from showing the complexity of each position. He explains not just the correct moves but also why tempting alternatives fail, helping readers understand the subtle differences between winning and losing continuations. The annotations reveal the thought processes that strong players use when navigating complex positions. The book also addresses common calculation errors and psychological pitfalls. Aagaard discusses how fatigue, overconfidence, and pattern blindness can lead to mistakes even in positions where the correct move seems obvious. By making readers aware of these dangers, the book helps develop the mental toughness needed for tournament play. What sets this book apart from other calculation trainers is its uncompromising standard of difficulty. Aagaard makes no attempt to make the material easy or accessible to casual readers. This is a book for players who are willing to spend hours on a single position, who embrace the struggle of deep analysis, and who understand that genuine improvement requires genuine effort. The reward for this effort is a dramatic improvement in calculation ability that translates directly to better results in competitive play. The book has been praised by numerous titled players and coaches as an essential training tool for anyone aspiring to reach master level or beyond. It is particularly effective when used as part of a structured training program, with readers spending dedicated time each day working through exercises without moving pieces on the board.