Secrets of Practical Chess by John Nunn

What is the best way to improve your chess results? Memorizing an opening encyclopedia, learning endgame theory, solving puzzle positions ... there must be an easier way. How about making the most of your existing talent?

In a new and enlarged edition of a highly popular work, John Nunn helps you to do precisely that. Drawing upon more than three decades of experience, he provides advice that will help players of all standards, playing styles and temperaments to achieve improved results. His methods take into account psychological factors and are firmly based on good common sense and the objectivity that has made John Nunn one of the world’s favourite writers on chess.

Topics include:
Defending difficult positions
How to study the openings
How to make decisions
Avoiding common mistakes
When to calculate
Coping with pressure
Avoiding time-trouble
Using chess books
Making the most of computers

Dr John Nunn is one of the best-respected figures in world chess. He was among the world’s leading grandmasters for nearly twenty years, winning four gold medals in chess Olympiads and finishing sixth overall in the World Cup in 1989. He is a much-acclaimed writer, whose works have won ‘Book of the Year’ awards in several countries. In 2004, 2007 and 2010 Nunn was crowned World Chess Solving Champion, ahead of many former champions.

“in its most perceptive section goes to the heart of the most fundamental question in chess: how to go about choosing the right move at the board.” – John Saunders, British Chess Magazine

“The most important part of the new book is the section on using computers, which made me feel like a complete Luddite. Nunn is obviously extremely familiar with the finer points of ChessBase and various analysis engines, and guides you towards making fuller use of them beyond basic opening work. However, the most compelling section is on ‘Limitations of Computer Analysis’ which is meticulous and compelling, and should be read by everybody who feels they are becoming over-reliant on Fritz and co, which probably means at least 90% of readers.” – GM Jonathan Rowson, New in Chess

“Grandmaster John Nunn offers practical advice on how to improve your chess results. It includes guidance on making decisions at the board, the study of opening, middlegame and endgame play, use of computers plus the selection and use of chess books.” – David Mills, Time Trouble

“The new material first surfaces in the chapter Using a Computer. When Nunn wrote the first edition, computers were not in standard use the way they are today and it’s not surprising that the chapter is greatly enlarged. Nunn offers a primer on how to use databases, showing how to do basic searches, and prepare for an opponent. He then shows how to use a computer to analyze positions, pointing out its strengths and limitations. To illustrate his instruction, he gives two case studies, the first on the Najdorf Poisoned Pawn and the second on the Rossolimo with 3...g6. ... Secrets of Practical Chess offers first-rate instruction for the amateur player. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” – IM John Donaldson, USA Team Captain