For the past couple of years I've been really into chess. I played several people online and all my friends when I can. I also bought a program called Chessmaster 10th edition to help me out. But anything pass Josh Waitzkin's Strategy Academy I find a little difficult to comprehend -- that is his end game courses. It's not that I don't understand why he makes the moves or logic behind it, but 9/10 times I can't spot them before he tells me the answer. I also have trouble beating any opponent in that game above 1400 (which is suggested to be 1250 by elo rating).

I also bought the book "How to Reassess Your Chess" by Jermy Silman. I found the first chapter very hard to visualize but bearable and the rest nearly impossible. I understand the concept of standard notation, but I can't visualize each square in my head and possibly think nine to twelve moves ahead.

I understand the fundaments of chess and the opening theories but when it comes down to visualization and calculation I'm not very... creative. Any help?

When you read a chess book, it is useful to have a board near so that you can play out the moves. I use winboard on my computer.

If you have trouble visualizing moves while reading a book. Try to analyze easier positions to visualize. As you make progress, gradually increase the difficulty. It's like in weigh lifting. If you have trouble lifting a 60 pounds barbel. You should build your strength, by trying first 20 or 30 pounds barbel.

The problem with the book is that it doesn't get too easy. It's first chapter is adequetely hard to visualize and then it's just too hard. There's no in between. As for other books I was hoping for some suggests. I have a hard time finding that 'in-between.' It's usually too hard or basic.

You shouldn't be trying to visualize 9-12 moves ahead. That's almost never relevant. Occasionally you might have to visualize a 10-move series of forcing moves, but very very rarely. Non-forcing moves? Grandmasters do that, maybe. Not mortals.

Play through Silman's book with a board in front of you, making the moves. You can use a computer program to keep track of variations, so long as you make yoruself a promise: when you're stuck, you don't turn on the analysis engine to tell you what's going on until you've spend some time pondering teh position.

Analysis is important - but less so than you think. (Seriously: set your computer to ply 4: it's move, your response, it's move, your response ... and watch it wipe the floor with you). Start up learning how to calculate forcing simple tactical variations. Basic tactics work is key here. Try to solve problems in you head, and write down all the crucial variations.

I must admit that I find almost all Silman's books to be hard reads but very helpful. If it takes you more than one 'readover' to grasp the information then do whatever is necessary. His books can improve your game if you stick to it. I would recommend reading with a chessboard handy or a pocket device.

Agree with the previous posters - using a board will allow you to grasp the information in the book more easily and is also better for developing your board vision until you gain more experience.

If you are interested in improving, then solving the 'drills' in ChessMaster and using Chess Tactics is a good start.

Marty I understand where you are coming from. You are following the common advice of grandmaster to read a chess book with out a board in order to improve once's visualization and calculation skills. Maybe the book of Siliman is better off to be study with a chess board, so you can learn more on his great books.

If you really want to read a chess book with out a board to improve your calculating and visualization skills. I suggest try the Practical Chess Analysis by Buckley and Analyze to Win by Jacob.

As suggested by others, also solve many tactical problems as pattern recognition is very important as well.

Some of the book seems to sometimes have typos with moves that don't seem legal. Has anyone here read the book with the same problem or is it just me?

Very wrong approach. Focusing on Strategy or Openings alone will not improve your rating.

If you want to beat all that way to the master level, you must know tactical & combination. You don't have to be calculator wizard. Spotting them is the main thing.

Buy the books with a lot of tactical and combination exercise so your eye will be trained to spot them.

I recommend this book Practical Chess Exercises 600 Lessons From Tactics To Strategy Deals on ChessR.us, Chessrus, ChessR, Blogs, Resources, Books, Ebooks, Software, Games, Forums, Social Networ

Do a lot of tactics and checkmates exercises.