Pawn play is a fundamental aspect of chess strategy, yet often neglected in chess literature. In this, his second book on pawn play, Super-GM Sam Shankland sheds light on the vital topic of Passed Pawns.

Passed pawns – whether connected, lone or protected – are common occurrences in middlegames and endgames, and your effectiveness in playing with or against them will make the difference between victory and defeat. Just like in his previous book, Shankland breaks down each topic into a series of crystal-clear guidelines to aid the reader.

Sam Shankland is a world-class Grandmaster and a mainstay of the US national team. He won the 2018 US Championship and is a double Olympiad gold medallist with a 2700+ rating.

360 pages - Published (hardcover) 20 November 2019

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-78483-090-8

Praise for the author’s previous work:

“A beautifully produced hardback... Shankland wins me over by illustrating these guidelines beautifully... an excellent, original book. 5/5 Stars”
GM Matthew Sadler, New in Chess

"The book accomplishes its goals very well and the discussions are enlightening... a self improvement manual well worth studying! 5/5 Stars"
Carsten Hansen, American Chess Magazine

“An intimate, unvarnished interrogation of a strong Grandmaster’s mind at work, and a clear articulation of the pragmatism at the heart of contemporary chess praxis. It is a fascinating first effort from the new US Champion, and I sincerely hope that the promised second volume soon sees the light of day.”
John Hartmann, Chess Life

Reviews

"Sam Shankland not only brings instructive examples but manages to draw the right conclusions from them leading to good guidelines. This is the way strategy books should be written!"

GM Karsten Müller

"Sam Shankland’s 'Small Steps 2 Success' is another book that should appeal to a wide audience. The 2018 U.S. Champion’s first book, 'Small Steps to Giant Improvement', received critical acclaim and his new work, packed with loads of instructional material, helpful tips and exercises, should as well."

IM John Donaldson