EP 468- FM Carsten Hansen on Tactics Plateaus & The Best Recent Chess Books

Jan 20, 2026

FIDE Master Carsten Hansen, a prolific chess author and book reviewer, delves into tactics training and chess improvement. He addresses the common challenge of plateauing in tactical skills and provides insights on effective training strategies. Carsten also shares his top recent chess book recommendations, including intriguing biographies and improvement guides. Additionally, he discusses his collaboration on 'Chess Openings for Dummies', revealing his extensive writing process and upcoming projects, making for an enlightening conversation for chess enthusiasts.

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ADVICE

Practice Fewer, Harder Tactics

Do solve fewer but harder tactics and revisit ones you miss to force deeper calculation and idea recognition.
Review solutions and reattempt puzzles after weeks to convert mistakes into lasting pattern knowledge.

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ADVICE

Analyze Every Mistake Deliberately

Do analyze why you missed a puzzle and study that exact motif until you can recognize it reliably.
Use slow, deliberate solving rather than speed-chasing to build calculation and pattern recognition.

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ADVICE

Revisit Missed Puzzles After Delay

Do replay solutions and try them again after a delay to force active recall and pattern retention.
If the platform won't repeat puzzles, save or record them to revisit later offline.

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Carsten Hansen Returns and Background

01:13 • 1min

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Patreon Question: Tactics Plateau

02:32 • 58sec

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Carsten's Tactics Improvement Advice

03:30 • 3min

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Problem Solving: Studies and Invisible Moves

06:49 • 3min

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Carsten's Tournament Goals and IM Aspiration

09:24 • 2min

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Age, Performance, and Areas to Improve

11:14 • 3min

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Workflow: Puzzles and Book Reviewing

14:33 • 2min

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Best Recent Chess Books

More Book Recommendations and Endgame Picks

25:15 • 1min

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Chess Openings for Dummies Project

26:34 • 5min

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Audience and Approach for 'For Dummies'

31:12 • 5min

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Publishing Process and Writing Workflow

Carsten's Recent & Upcoming Books

42:17 • 6min

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How to Follow Carsten's Work

48:33 • 2min

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Writing Time Commitment and Final Thoughts

Korchnoi Year by Year

Volume IV (1992-2016)

Hans Renet

Thibaut Karolyi

Korchnoi: Year by Year, written by Hans Renet and Thibaut Karolyi, is a comprehensive account of the life and career of the legendary chess grandmaster Viktor Korchnoi. The book provides a detailed examination of Korchnoi's games, tournaments, and matches throughout his career. Readers will gain insights into his combative style, strategic brilliance, and unwavering determination. The authors delve into the historical context surrounding Korchnoi's career, including his defection from the Soviet Union and his famous matches against Anatoly Karpov. Korchnoi: Year by Year celebrates the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of one of chess's most iconic figures. This book gives readers the opportunity to explore the chess world through the eyes of a true chess warrior.

Converting an Extra Pawn in Chess

Samuel Shankland

Converting an Extra Pawn in Chess by Samuel Shankland is an instructional guide focused on teaching chess players how to convert an extra pawn into a winning advantage. The book provides a detailed analysis of various endgame scenarios and tactical techniques that can be used to exploit a pawn advantage. Readers will learn how to assess the strategic value of pawns, create imbalances, and navigate complex endgames to achieve victory. The author shares his expertise and insights, offering practical advice and examples to help chess players improve their endgame skills. Converting an Extra Pawn in Chess is an essential resource for chess players seeking to enhance their endgame proficiency and maximize their winning potential.

The Stories, Games and Intrigue of Capablanca and Alekhine

Luis Fernández Silas

Stories, Games, and Intrigues of Capablanca and Alekhine explores the intense rivalry and complex relationship between two of chess history's greatest champions. Luis Fernandez Silas provides an in-depth look into the lives, careers, and games of José Raúl Capablanca and Alexander Alekhine. The book delves into their individual styles, strategies, and personalities, highlighting the key moments of their epic encounters. Readers will gain insights into the historical context surrounding their matches and the intrigues that shaped their careers. The Stories, Games, and Intrigues of Capablanca and Alekhine offers chess enthusiasts a fascinating journey into the world of these chess giants, celebrating their brilliance and enduring legacy.

Becoming an IM

Cyrus Lakdawala

IM Cyrus Lakdawala: Becoming an IM is a candid and insightful account of Cyrus Lakdawala's journey to becoming an International Master in chess. The book chronicles Lakdawala's personal experiences, struggles, and triumphs as he pursued his chess ambitions. Readers will gain insights into his training methods, study habits, and the challenges he faced along the way. He was at one point rated nearly 2,600 in the USCF rating. Lakdawala offers practical advice and inspiration to aspiring chess players. It is also helpful to those looking to improve their game. This book will provide chess enthusiasts with a unique and engaging perspective on the world of competitive chess.

Hübner: Year by Year, authored by Thibaut Karolyi and Hans Renet, is an extensive study of the chess career of German grandmaster Robert Hübner. The book chronicles Hübner's chess journey, covering his tournaments, matches, and contributions to chess theory. Readers will gain insights into Hübner's intellectual approach, his deep understanding of chess strategy, and his complex personality. The authors explore Hübner's battles against top players like Bobby Fischer and Anatoly Karpov. They also discuss his academic pursuits in papyrology and his reclusive nature. Hübner: Year by Year celebrates the unique and multifaceted career of a chess genius, providing readers with a captivating glimpse into the life and mind of Robert Hübner.

Mazukevich's Madness

A repertoire for Black against the Four Knights

Karsten Hansen

Mazukiewicz's Madness: A Repertoire for Black Against the Four Knights is a chess opening book by Karsten Hansen. It presents a comprehensive and aggressive repertoire for black players seeking to challenge white in the Four Knights Game. The book is named after a Polish female chess player. Hansen's book provides detailed analysis, novel ideas, and practical examples. He offers readers a complete system to confidently face the Four Knights opening. This book caters to players who enjoy dynamic and tactical chess.

Gideon Stahlberg - An Epoch in Swedish Chess, Volume I

The Musketeer Years 1908–1939

Peter Holmgren

Gideon Stahlberg: An Epoch in Swedish Chess by Peter Holmgren chronicles the life and career of the renowned Swedish grandmaster Gideon Stahlberg. Stahlberg was a prominent figure in the chess world, known for his solid and positional style of play. The book provides an in-depth look at his key games, analyzing his strategies and tactics. Readers will gain insights into Stahlberg's contributions to chess theory and his impact on the game. The biography explores his participation in major tournaments and matches. It also gives the reader details about his personal life and the challenges he faced. Gideon Stahlberg: An Epoch in Swedish Chess celebrates the legacy of one of Sweden's greatest chess players.

Chess Openings For Dummies

James Ede

Chess Openings for Dummies is a comprehensive guide that demystifies the complex world of chess openings for beginners. It breaks down essential opening principles, strategies, and tactics into easy-to-understand terms. The book covers a wide range of popular chess openings, providing clear explanations and illustrative examples. Readers will learn how to develop their pieces effectively, control the center of the board, and create a solid foundation for the middlegame. The guide includes practical tips on avoiding common opening traps and mistakes. Chess Openings for Dummies is designed to help novice players gain confidence and improve their understanding of opening theory, setting them on the path to becoming skilled chess players.

Tiger's Chaos Theory

An inspirational journey

Tia Hiller Pearson

Tiger's Chaos Theory by Tiger Hillarp Persson delves into the realm of chess creativity and unconventional thinking. The book presents a collection of games and positions where the author explores complex and chaotic situations on the board. It emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty, taking calculated risks, and trusting one's intuition to find innovative solutions. Tiger's Chaos Theory challenges traditional chess principles and encourages readers to think outside the box. The author shares his personal experiences and insights, offering a unique perspective on how to approach chess as a dynamic and ever-evolving game. This book inspires chess players to unleash their creative potential and discover new possibilities in their own games.

The Real Paul Morphy

Biography

Charles Hurton

The Real Paul Morphy by Charles Hertan is a comprehensive exploration of the life, career, and legacy of Paul Morphy, the legendary American chess prodigy. The book delves into Morphy's early years, his meteoric rise to chess fame, and his abrupt retirement from competitive play. Hertan examines Morphy's games, strategies, and theoretical contributions. The book provides insights into his unique style. It also explores the reasons behind his retreat from chess and his later years. The Real Paul Morphy separates fact from fiction, presenting a nuanced portrait of a complex figure who remains one of the most enigmatic and celebrated figures in chess history. The author offers readers a balanced and well-researched account of Morphy's life and chess achievements.

Alexander Alekhine: The Russian Sphinx

Biography

Sergei Voronkov

Alexander Alekhine: The Russian Sphinx by Sergei Voronkov is a biographical exploration of the life and career of Alexander Alekhine, the fourth World Chess Champion. The book provides insights into Alekhine's chess genius, his complex personality, and the controversies that surrounded him. Readers will discover the factors that shaped Alekhine's chess career. They will also learn about the tumultuous historical events that influenced his life. The Russian Sphinx analyzes Alekhine's games, strategies, and theoretical contributions to chess. The book sheds light on the dark aspects of Alekhine's story. It reveals a picture of a chess legend who was also a man of contradictions and complexities. This is a book that will appeal to chess enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

The complete manual of positional chess

Konstantin Sakaev

The Complete Manual of Positional Chess is a guide to positional chess, a style of play focused on long-term advantages rather than immediate tactical gains. It is known for its systematic approach and comprehensive coverage of various positional elements. The book emphasizes understanding the underlying principles of chess strategy and planning. Readers will learn how to evaluate positions, identify key strategic factors, and make decisions that improve their long-term prospects. Positional chess involves maneuvering pieces to achieve favorable pawn structures, control key squares, and restrict the opponent's mobility. This approach is often employed by players seeking a solid and enduring advantage rather than relying on risky tactical combinations.

Invisible Chess Moves

Yochanan Afek

Emmanuel Neiman

Invisible Chess Moves by Emmanuel Neiman focuses on developing the ability to spot hidden and unexpected moves that can dramatically change the course of a game. It emphasizes the importance of broadening one's tactical vision and thinking outside the box to uncover these crucial moves. The book presents a variety of exercises and examples designed to challenge and expand the reader's understanding of chess tactics. Readers will learn to recognize subtle clues, anticipate opponent's responses, and calculate deeply to find moves that are not immediately obvious. Invisible Chess Moves aims to transform chess players from relying on standard patterns to becoming creative problem-solvers, enabling them to gain a decisive edge in their games.

Forcing Chess Moves

Charles Hertan

Forcing Chess Moves: The Key to Better Calculation by Charles Hertan is a guide focused on improving chess calculation skills by emphasizing the importance of considering forcing moves. Forcing moves, such as checks, captures, and threats, are essential for controlling the flow of the game and limiting the opponent's options. The book provides numerous exercises and examples that challenge readers to identify and evaluate forcing moves in various positions. Readers will learn how to calculate more accurately, anticipate opponent's responses, and develop a systematic approach to analyzing complex positions. Forcing Chess Moves aims to transform chess players into skilled tacticians, enabling them to make confident decisions and seize opportunities on the board.

Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual

Mark Dvoretsky

Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual by Mark Dvoretsky is an advanced guide to chess endgames, widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive and authoritative works on the subject. The book covers a vast range of endgame types, from basic pawn endgames to complex rook and minor piece endgames. It provides detailed analysis, practical examples, and challenging exercises designed to improve the reader's endgame skills. Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual is known for its rigorous approach. It presents readers with a deep understanding of endgame principles and techniques. It is an essential resource for serious chess players looking to master the intricacies of the endgame.

Prolific author and book reviewer FM Carsten Hansen returns to Perpetual Chess to talk chess improvement, chess publishing, and to provide a rundown of standout recent chess books. We start with a listener question about plateauing in tactics training. How do we know if we’re just hitting a speed bump, or if we’ve reached our ceiling? From there, we dive deep into chess books, sharing recommendations with both a biographical and improvement focus. Lastly, we discuss Chess Openings for Dummies and Carsten’s many other book projects. I still don’t know how Carsten puts out so much chess material, but it’s always fun to hear about it.

EP 468- FM Carsten Hansen on Tactics Plateaus & The Best Recent Chess Books

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2:00 – Welcome

Prior FM Carsten Hansen interviews: Episodes 84, 206, Book Recap #30

4:00 –Carsten joins: Patreon mailbag question: tactics plateaus and adult improvement

Mentioned: The Chess Wizardy of Wotowa

Invisible Chess moves

Forcing Chess Moves

12:00 – Carsten’s own chess goals and IM aspirations