What is the best way to improve your chess results? Memorizing an opening encyclopaedia, 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.
This new enlarged edition (published 2007) contains 45% more material than the first edition, published nine years ago. It includes a greatly expanded section on chess computers, and how their use can assist over-the-board players in opening preparation.
About the Author
John Nunn is a grandmaster from England. He has won four individual gold medals and three team silver medals at Chess Olympiads. In the Chess World Cup of 1988/9, he finished sixth overall, ahead of several former World Champions. He is arguably the most highly acclaimed chess writer in the world – his first two volumes covering his best games both won the prestigious British Chess Federation Book of the Year Award. In 2004 he won the World Chess Solving Championship, ahead of many former champions.
Reviews
“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. … I found the chapters on use of computers and the selection and use of chess books of particular interest” — David Mills, Time Trouble
“Secrets of Practical Chess is a useful and unique book for any tournament player and the new section on ‘Using a Computer’ makes this edition well worth purchasing. Highly recommended.” — IM David Vigorito, Chess Life
“… a training text aimed at players who are intent on improving their results. It covers a number of topics which aren’t covered well in other training books, but doesn’t cover some training topics which are well covered elsewhere. I have found that a number of topics in the book are very useful as a basis for coaching lessons for young players. … The section on Using a Computer in chess training has been significantly updated … a new section has been added on Chess Literature … These additions have improved an already excellent book. … Very highly recommended.” — Paul Dunn, Australian Chess
“…useful and perspicacious. … There is a substantial amount of new material, principally on chess literature and making best use of computers. … 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