300 Most Important Chess Positions

by Thomas Engqvist

An International Master's guide to the essential positions and strategies in chess.

A great little book of understanding the most important chess positions in the opening of a game, the middle game and the endgame. It cuts to the chase on the most useful positions at all those stages. Perfect for players who want to reach a higher level but don't have time to sit for hours and hours each week in less productive study.

Divided into three sections, it comprises section 1, The 50 Most Important Openings (covering 50 openings), section 2. The 150 Most important Middle Game Positions and section 3. The 100 Most important Endgame Positions. For example, the Endgame section has chapters on pawn endings, knightt endings, etc. The Middle game chapters are arranged by positional themes.

Each numbered position can be seen as a test yourself quiz (with answers given below the diagrams) to help cement positional understanding. Since it is advisable to repeat the positions from time to time this book can be your life-long companion, enabling you to dramatically increase your positional chess understanding.

An essential strategy book by a Swedish International Master.

Genres: Chess

302 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2018

Reviews

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been picking away at this since it arrived after Christmas, and really love the format. I was afraid it would just be a puzzle book, but instead it's a reasonably comprehensive strategic manual; the positions are well chosen ("most important" is obviously a marketing gimmick, though). The one position at a time format lends itself to deep engagement with a given position, and the key idea contained therein. At the same time, it is much more manageable to study this alongside one's professional obligations. For many players, this might actually make a more practical choice than the brick-like Reassess Your Chess, probably the most popular modern textbook on positional play. It presumes some foundational understanding of chess strategy, but otherwise this would be an outstanding selection for the core of a chess book collection.*

*As of time of writing, though I'm popping this into Goodreads as "read", should mention that I have only worked through about a portion of the positions. Taking a break to focus on Reti's Masters of the Chessboard, but will return later. Note to self...have completed the following as of Feb. 17/22:
Development of Material - All problems, 1-30
Exchange of Material - 31-40
Pawn Endings - 151-167

To be continued...

[James Stripes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author suggests spending 60 weeks going through this book. I made an effort to go through it in 60 days. Several roadblocks got in the way, including the difficulty of some positions. I made it in 74 days.

I’ll continue reviewing it in the near future. The positions are rich with positional ideas, and often call for individual judgement in positions with several objectively equal possibilities. Thomas Engqvist includes several of his own instructive losses, as well as many games of historic importance.

I particularly like both his emphasis on endgames (half of the positions) and his broad understanding of what constitutes an endgame, such as positions where both sides have a queen and rook along with several pawns.

[DW]

Another step in my chess journey. This one feels like a book you can go back to quite often.

Of the 300 moments in 300 separate games analyzed, I could only really say I absorbed a handful. The volume overwhelmed my level of play. However, a few of the games really sunk in. I also loved the commentary from the author, explaining the thrills and the strengths of the various moves made by the chess greats. This was probably the most eye-opening part of the read. My thanks to the author.