Solving in Style [Paperback]

John Nunn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2002

Chess positions for solving as as old as the game itself, and provide stimulating and beneficial exercise for chess-players. However, while there is an abundance of books on chess puzzles, and much specialist literature on studies and problems, there is an amazing dearth of guidance for solvers. In this reissue of a classic text, John Nunn, a top-class grandmaster who is also one of the world's finest solvers, explains the methods advocated, while targeted at the solving of composed positions, may also help players find startling tactical solutions in their games. "Solving in Style" also constitutes an entertaining and insightful introduction to the world of problems and studies. There are chapters on series problems and other unorthodox stipulations, and also a discussion of specific themes such as the Novotny interference.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Nunn is a grandmaster from England. He has won four individual gold medals (one of them for solving) 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, with two of his books receiving the prestigious British Chess Federation Book of the Year Award. He has won the British Problem Solving Championship three times, and took the gold medal for Chess Problem Solving at the 1999 Mind Sports Olympiad. He has on several occasions been a member of the British team in the World Chess Solving Championship.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Gambit Publications; 2nd edition (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1901983668
• ISBN-13: 978-1901983661
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,236,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar book!! -- wish I could give 6 stars., February 12, 2003

By 

Paul Epstein "Paul Epstein" (Kenilworth, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Solving in Style (Paperback)

This book seems primarily aimed at practical players, with the purpose of introducing such players to the problem-solving world. As my title indicates, I think Nunn succeeds admirably. Here are just some of the book's outstanding features: 1) Great balance between many different areas of problem-solving. Almost everything covered -- retrograde analysis, endgame studies, series-movers, helpmates, selfmates, direct mates etc. etc. (No fairy pieces, however, but I agree with this omission since if you change the pieces you don't really have a "chess problem".)
2) Perfect balance between problems to solve and problems analyzed. Solving problems are what the book's all about. On the other hand, reading through a solution is also enjoyable and often instructive. I very much like Nunn's balance between the two.
3) Unchanged since the original in 1985. Hats off again, since the common practice of making very minor changes, and then asking previous readers to waste their money on a new edition is an unfortunate one. This book admits up front that almost no changes were made.
4) An emphasis on original problems that are not likely to have been seen by many readers. I think Nunn was very wise not to bore us by further discussion of Reti's K and P v K and P study, Saavedra's ending etc. We've seen them too many times already!

You won't regret buying this book!