Two skills are essential for a successful chess player: the ability to accurately assess a position and, based on that assessment, to develop an optimal plan for the continuation of the game. The two authors - long-time world champion Anatoly Karpov and master Anatoly Mazukevich - present an effective way for every chess enthusiast to acquire these two important skills. They identify seven fundamental criteria for position evaluation, which, when understood, allow for precise assessment of any position on the board. To deepen understanding, these seven characteristics - including the material balance, the position of the kings, and control of open files - and their respective roles in the chess struggle are clearly explained through numerous exercises, concise short games, and studies. This book is a true reference work for chess players.