• A unique exploration of those pivotal moments in which chess games are won or lost - if you know how to spot them
• Packed with invaluable tips and tricks on identifying critical moments, it is illustrated with examples from 280 chess games

This groundbreaking book, from the author of the best-selling Imagination in Chess , deals with a crucial aspect of chess that can be so easily overlooked: those fleeting moments in which you are given a chance to seize the initiative and turn the course of the game in your favour.

Inside you will find a rich selection of sample positions taken from practical play, helping you to recognize such moments in your own games, and how to exploit them to your advantage to create a devastating attack.

To conclude, the author challenges you to place yourself under tournament conditions and try to spot the critical moment in over 250 game positions - then delve a little deeper and decide how best to capitalize on your golden opportunity.

Paata Gaprindashvili is an International Correspondence Chess Master and past European CC Champion. He is a chess trainer with successes in the Youth European and World Championships. He is the author of Imagination in Chess, also published by Batsford.

Content:
005 From the Author

007 1 Critical moments

019 2 Critical moments: struggle and capture of the initiative

037 3 Critical moments: development of the initiative, creation of an attack

053 4 Critical moments: obtaining and retaining the advantage; creation of counterplay; taking over the initiative from the opponent, etc.

066 5 Critical moments: delivering the decisive blow

079 6 Exercises

099 Solutions to Exercises

267 Index of Players