Success! This little booklet is rapidly and easily helping players have more fun and win more. I just watched a student’s first tournament game with no blunders. He won his game and gave me a big smile. “It worked!” was all he had to say.

This short book is the ‘end run’ around detailed study, concentrating on methods and ideas for improvement both at the board and as you prepare.

'12 Tricks' is for 'club level' players of all strengths and tournament players below expert, though even higher rated players will benefit. This material is working for newcomers and long-time players alike.

There are no detailed opening, middle game or ending studies in this volume! This booklet is about how to play and how to prepare; it isn't about what to play or what to prepare. (Detailed study short-cuts are in Volume Two.)

If you want to study less and improve more, these proven techniques will help you reach your goals faster. The ‘memory palace’-style habit builders alone, adjusted specifically for chess, are worth the price of admission. This volume will help you quickly improve your competitive play with any study program or with no study at all!

If you want to win more consistently, the techniques in this book are essential!

About the Author

Tom Walker is the club lecturer for the Tacoma Chess Club and is currently the city co-champion (2015). He did reach a master level rating (many years ago) and still regularly plays competitive chess in city, county and club events. His lectures can be freely found online at tacomachess.org.

"I came back to chess after a long absence with no intention of competing but our club has regular tournaments, so I'm ‘back in it.’ I started over in class C and had to relearn and remember how to get better. I remembered - and rapidly tied for the city championship without studying. Whether you are returning to the game or struggling to get better, these techniques work.”

When you’re ready to stop pushing rocks uphill with hard studies, these habit-builders and techniques are your short-cuts. Change and grow to have more fun and get better results – fast!