1. I write about my work, knowledge and experience, so I hope it complies with the rules.
2. I have been playing chess since 1977 and I hold the titles: IM (International Master) and IA (International Arbiter).
3. I have the personality of a protagonist. This personality is characterized by the desire to seek new solutions. Especially when I don't like the old solutions.
4. I consider understanding to be one of the most important things in both life and chess. This is what I strive for and I present what I achieve to others.
5. I try to ensure that my work is of very high quality and competes with the best authors. Readers can judge to what extent I succeed in this.
6. I have sold over a thousand books in Poland and received many positive reviews. "Chess Strategy Explained" is a textbook recommended by the Polish Chess Federation. I came to the conclusion that the books should be translated and assessed by readers in other countries.
7. So far I have written "Chess Master's Strategy" and, together with GM Bartłomiej Macieja, an extended version of my book - "Chess Strategy Explained".
8. Fragments of these books in English, German and Polish can be found on my website witalis-sapis.com.
9. Two new books will be published soon:
-"Chess Master's Endgame Strategy"
-"Playing Techniques"
10. Book rules
a) The main advantage of books is the presentation of difficult issues in an easily understandable way
b) In my books I present my ideas, knowledge and experience using examples from my games.
c) I publish books myself because the conditions offered by publishers do not suit me.
d) I sell the books myself because the conditions offered by the sellers do not suit me.
e) I set the prices of books myself.
The exception is the experiment with the publication of the e-book “How I look at the chessboard in order not to leave my pieces hanging” where I suggested that the reader set the price himself.
f) Book covers are based on my ideas.
The basic character in them is a fox, which, through my name, is a reference to the fairy tale “The Mischiefs of Vitalis the Fox”
g) The books have hard covers and are sewn.
h) I publish books in the following languages: Polish, English and German.
i) Each book has approximately 200 pages.
11. The inspiration to write "Chess Master's Strategy" was the book "Strategic Motives" by Anatoly Terekhin. This book made a great impression on me. I decided to use the idea, but implement it according to my vision.
11.1. I have introduced a classification of motifs into sections:
- weakening of the opponent's position
a) restricting the opponent's pieces
b) weakening of the pawn structure
c) Hobit
d) disappering move
-improving your own position
a) opening files
b) peregrination of the king
c) improving the pieces
d) transfer of the queen
e) occuping the outpost
-prophylaxis
-exchanging pieses
11.2. I entered my names for the theme parts. I also used some of the names that already exist.
11.3. I used examples from my own games. The assessment of this action may vary. For some this will be a big plus, as the book gains in originality, and for some it will be heresy.
11.4. Because some parts appear several times in the book, using my passion for puzzles and logical riddles, I created a kind of system for marking them. Objectively, the benefits of this solution are not very great, but it was an interesting challenge, and that is what makes the book unique.
11.5. I have included records of all batches used.
11.6. I tried to post specific comments, avoiding "journalistics" and descriptions.
12. "Chess Strategy Explained"
An extended version of the book "Chess Master's Strategy" prepared with grandmaster Bartłomiej Macieja, mainly for the American market. Compared to the original, it contains twice as much material because we added Bartek's parts to mine. Moreover, it covers items created in a much larger number of debuts. Due to the amount of material, it is divided into two volumes.
Objectively, I must admit that the book is better than the original, because in my opinion Bartek is a chess genius who had the predispositions to become world champion. However, postponing the decision until the last minute (due to the search for the perfect solution) did not allow him to achieve it. This also became one of the main reasons for ending our cooperation.
Book review
"These strategic manuals by two experienced trainers are a must for any instructor! I recommend using them for students with USCF ratings ranging from 1300 to 2500.
I have read many instructional books since my junior years but never have I come across such an easy-to-digest way of presenting examples—only a few moves with simple, clear verbal explanations of the ideas from the players themselves! The examples used vary in level of difficulty and going through all of them will only solidify one’s strategic understanding. The exercise chapters (Chapter 3 for Vol 1 and Chapter 7 for Vol 2) add more instructive value as it can be used either as in-class group exercises or individual homework.
Any club leader, camp instructor or chess coach will be able to find the topical chapters useful when preparing for their regular lessons. And I won’t be surprised if they improve their strategic intuition as well in the process!”
GM Julio Sadorra
Coach of University of Texas Dallas Chess Team
2. I have been playing chess since 1977 and I hold the titles: IM (International Master) and IA (International Arbiter).
3. I have the personality of a protagonist. This personality is characterized by the desire to seek new solutions. Especially when I don't like the old solutions.
4. I consider understanding to be one of the most important things in both life and chess. This is what I strive for and I present what I achieve to others.
5. I try to ensure that my work is of very high quality and competes with the best authors. Readers can judge to what extent I succeed in this.
6. I have sold over a thousand books in Poland and received many positive reviews. "Chess Strategy Explained" is a textbook recommended by the Polish Chess Federation. I came to the conclusion that the books should be translated and assessed by readers in other countries.
7. So far I have written "Chess Master's Strategy" and, together with GM Bartłomiej Macieja, an extended version of my book - "Chess Strategy Explained".
8. Fragments of these books in English, German and Polish can be found on my website witalis-sapis.com.
9. Two new books will be published soon:
-"Chess Master's Endgame Strategy"
-"Playing Techniques"
10. Book rules
a) The main advantage of books is the presentation of difficult issues in an easily understandable way
b) In my books I present my ideas, knowledge and experience using examples from my games.
c) I publish books myself because the conditions offered by publishers do not suit me.
d) I sell the books myself because the conditions offered by the sellers do not suit me.
e) I set the prices of books myself.
The exception is the experiment with the publication of the e-book “How I look at the chessboard in order not to leave my pieces hanging” where I suggested that the reader set the price himself.
f) Book covers are based on my ideas.
The basic character in them is a fox, which, through my name, is a reference to the fairy tale “The Mischiefs of Vitalis the Fox”
g) The books have hard covers and are sewn.
h) I publish books in the following languages: Polish, English and German.
i) Each book has approximately 200 pages.
11. The inspiration to write "Chess Master's Strategy" was the book "Strategic Motives" by Anatoly Terekhin. This book made a great impression on me. I decided to use the idea, but implement it according to my vision.
11.1. I have introduced a classification of motifs into sections:
- weakening of the opponent's position
a) restricting the opponent's pieces
b) weakening of the pawn structure
c) Hobit
d) disappering move
-improving your own position
a) opening files
b) peregrination of the king
c) improving the pieces
d) transfer of the queen
e) occuping the outpost
-prophylaxis
-exchanging pieses
11.2. I entered my names for the theme parts. I also used some of the names that already exist.
11.3. I used examples from my own games. The assessment of this action may vary. For some this will be a big plus, as the book gains in originality, and for some it will be heresy.
11.4. Because some parts appear several times in the book, using my passion for puzzles and logical riddles, I created a kind of system for marking them. Objectively, the benefits of this solution are not very great, but it was an interesting challenge, and that is what makes the book unique.
11.5. I have included records of all batches used.
11.6. I tried to post specific comments, avoiding "journalistics" and descriptions.
12. "Chess Strategy Explained"
An extended version of the book "Chess Master's Strategy" prepared with grandmaster Bartłomiej Macieja, mainly for the American market. Compared to the original, it contains twice as much material because we added Bartek's parts to mine. Moreover, it covers items created in a much larger number of debuts. Due to the amount of material, it is divided into two volumes.
Objectively, I must admit that the book is better than the original, because in my opinion Bartek is a chess genius who had the predispositions to become world champion. However, postponing the decision until the last minute (due to the search for the perfect solution) did not allow him to achieve it. This also became one of the main reasons for ending our cooperation.
Book review
"These strategic manuals by two experienced trainers are a must for any instructor! I recommend using them for students with USCF ratings ranging from 1300 to 2500.
I have read many instructional books since my junior years but never have I come across such an easy-to-digest way of presenting examples—only a few moves with simple, clear verbal explanations of the ideas from the players themselves! The examples used vary in level of difficulty and going through all of them will only solidify one’s strategic understanding. The exercise chapters (Chapter 3 for Vol 1 and Chapter 7 for Vol 2) add more instructive value as it can be used either as in-class group exercises or individual homework.
Any club leader, camp instructor or chess coach will be able to find the topical chapters useful when preparing for their regular lessons. And I won’t be surprised if they improve their strategic intuition as well in the process!”
GM Julio Sadorra
Coach of University of Texas Dallas Chess Team