Authors: Sergei Tiviakov and Yulia Gökbulut
Publisher: New In Chess (2023)
Pages: 263
What This Book Is About
This book is all about one of the most important parts of chess: pawn structures. It teaches you how different pawn positions affect the whole game. Instead of just teaching moves, it helps you understand why certain moves are strong or weak depending on the pawns.
The book uses real games to show how strong players think about pawn structures. The focus is not on flashy tactics, but on solid, smart thinking—what Tiviakov calls “rock solid” chess.
Who Wrote This Book?
Sergei Tiviakov is a grandmaster who once held a world record for 110 games without losing. He is known for playing safe but strong positions. His style is compared to famous players like Petrosian and Karpov. His co-author, Yulia Gökbulut, is a Women’s FIDE Master and a chess coach.
Together, they wrote this book to help all types of players—from beginners to experts—understand how to play better by looking at pawn structures.
What You’ll Learn
The book is divided into chapters that each talk about a special kind of pawn structure. Here are the main topics covered:
- Pawn majority on one flank – How to play when you have more pawns on one side of the board.
- Doubled pawns (Parts 1 and 2) – When you have two pawns on the same file and how to use or fight against that.
- Semi-open and open files in the center (Chapters 4–6) – What to do when there are files with no pawns and how to use them for your rooks and queen.
- Double fianchetto – A special way of developing your bishops to the sides (g7 and b7), and how that changes the strategy.
How the Book Teaches
- Whole games, not puzzles: The book uses full games instead of just short puzzles. This helps you learn how ideas build up over time.
- Lots of questions: The authors ask the reader questions during the games to make you think. This is great for learning because it feels like a lesson.
- Computer vs. human thinking: In the introduction, Tiviakov explains the difference between human and computer play. This helps players understand when to follow instincts versus exact calculations.
Strengths of the Book
- Clear Structure: Each chapter focuses on one idea. The examples build up your understanding step by step.
- Practical Advice: Tiviakov doesn’t just show great moves—he explains why they work. He also points out common mistakes.
- Real Games: All examples come from real games played by strong players, including Tiviakov himself.
- Classic Style: The teaching style is calm and careful, similar to older chess books. If you like clear, simple, and strong advice, this is great.
What Makes It Special
This book is different from most chess books today. It doesn’t rely on computers for every move. It teaches you how to think like a human grandmaster. Tiviakov says that openings are not everything. If you understand the position, especially the pawn structure, you can outplay anyone—even if you don’t know the opening well.
Also, this book teaches how to win with small advantages, not just tactics. It shows how a small edge can grow into a win through good planning.
Rating: 9/10
Strongly recommended for players who want to get better at chess in a smart and steady way.
You can buy this book directly from New in Chess Website by clicking here