Secrets of Grandmaster Chess (New American Batsford Chess Library) [Paperback]

John Nunn (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1879479540 | ISBN-13: 978-1879479548 | Publication Date: August 1, 1997 | Edition: 2

This is a revised edition of an established chess book which serves as a manual of strategy and tactics, with advice on how to think at the board, and also offers insights into the world of professional chess. Twenty-four of the author's best and most instructive games are included. The revised edition incorporates many discoveries from the Dvoretsky/Yusupov School, new diagrams, and updated analysis and anecdotes.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Intl Chess Enterprises; 2 edition (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879479540
• ISBN-13: 978-1879479548
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,129,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very strong effort, May 22, 2000

By 

A. Ali "Harkonnen" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets of Grandmaster Chess (New American Batsford Chess Library) (Paperback)

I have both 'Secrets of Grandmaster Chess' and the earlier 'Secrets of Grandmaster Play' that Nunn co-authored with Griffiths. SGC has about 120 pages more than SGP. Much of this difference is spent in narrating Nunn's autobiographical and tournament details, which is itself quite readable. Some extra games and snippets of games are also given. Some of the analysis has been corrected and amplified, on the basis of flaws found by Dvoretsky and Yusupov, and also by checking the analysis using Fritz4. The book has been designed as a prequel to 'John Nunn's Best Games'. It is a more professional effort than SGP. However, it has to be said that SGP has a more pedagogic slant, and is more likely to be useful to the bumbling club player trying to improve his play (i.e. myself). This is because of the input of Griffiths, a worthy chess pedagogue whose every book I've bought.

But coming back to SGC. This book can be unequivocally recommended as a top-flight book. These are the games and notes of a strong, modern Grandmaster who plays mainline openings, and has a preference for complex, tactical chess. Nunn has to be considered the strongest, most professional chess writer currently around.

The book is most likely to be useful to players who are rated at least 1800 or 1900. The earlier SGP could be used with profit by players at least 1700, or perhaps even 1600.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have book for the diligent player, April 2, 2000

By 

John Kato (Honolulu, Hawaii USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets of Grandmaster Chess (New American Batsford Chess Library) (Paperback)

I thought my opinion on this book, although favorable, would not change. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and quality the changes that were made from the earlier edition. I feel that chess books ideally should have the following characteristics; honesty, quality anotations, good explanations in prose, usefull topics and a well thought out layout. This book has all of these qualities and more. This book is most useful for those player who already study a lot and love to study. What John Nunn gives you is how Grandmasters look at positions and the amount they calculate before making their moves. It takes an ambious and diligent player to go over even one game. This book is very rare indeed.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Best Chessbook, February 11, 2000

By 

Caj Zell (Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secrets of Grandmaster Chess (New American Batsford Chess Library) (Paperback)

I understand that this is a book for the more serious player. Nevertheless, I (being a 1500-1600 player) enjoys it very much and, at least imagines, that I get playing beneits from reading it.

Of course, it is very detailed, but I think I can follow the discussions quite well. And, you don't have to go through every detail if you don't have the time. Sometimes, I also read it in bed before I go to sleep.

The anecdotes placed between the games are also worth reading.

I highly recommend this book!