What it teaches
Boris Gelfand, the challenger in the 2012 World Championship match, wrote this book with Jacob Aagaard to explain how a world-class player actually decides what to do in positions without clear tactics. Through deeply annotated games from his own career, he shows how he weighs factors such as piece activity, pawn structure, the value of exchanges and long-term potential, and how he turns those judgments into moves.
Gelfand also traces his thinking back to the classical players who influenced him, especially Akiba Rubinstein, showing how old ideas remain alive at the highest level.
Who it's for
Strong club and tournament players, roughly 1900 and up. The analysis is deep and demanding, but few books let you sit this close to an elite player's decision-making.
How to get the most from it
Stop at the critical moments Gelfand highlights and decide what you would play and why before reading his explanation. Compare your reasoning with his, not just your move.
Key takeaways
- Positional decisions come from weighing many small factors at once.
- The right exchange at the right moment can decide a game.
- Classical principles still guide decisions at the highest level.
- Understanding why a move is good matters more than knowing that it is.
Read next
Build the calculation side with Think Like a Grandmaster, and see a modern teacher's approach in Excelling at Chess.
