In this entertaining and instructive book, an experienced player and trainer provides a wealth of common-sense guidance on all aspects of chess. The first step towards self-improvement is self-assessment, and so Baker starts off with advice on assessing your own strengths and weaknesses. He then discusses how to form and improve your opening repertoire, and how to prepare for competitive play. Next comes advice on how to think at the board, how to cope with time-pressure, and chessboard psychology. A welcome feature is a summary of the most important rules of chess that competitive players must know. Baker also discusses how to learn from your games and how to study chess using books and computers, or with the help of trainer. A complete self-improvement course, this title includes tips and guidance on preparation and study, as well as all phases of practical play, and was written by an International Master who is also an Arbiter and a National Coach. Chris Baker is an experience player, who recently achieved his International Master title after many years of hard work. He is the trainer of the Welsh junior team and a fully-qualified arbiter. His first book, A Startling Chess Opening Repertoire, has proved extremely popular. (5 11/16 X 8 3/16, 144 pages, illustrations)