Chess Secrets: The Giants of Strategy

by Neil McDonald

The chess world has been blessed by a number of wonderful strategists, and in Chess The Giants of Strategy , Neil McDonald decides upon his selection of the most prominent ones, highlighting the major contributions they have made. McDonald examines their differing approaches and styles, and from Nimzowitsch to Kramnik, how they followed in each other's footsteps.

Throughout history there have been many famous players who have dazzled the chess world with their swashbuckling approach to opening play. In Chess The Great Gambiteers , John Cox picks out his selection of famous gambiteers and studies the mark they made in the sphere of attacking play in the opening. Themes include attacking the opponent's king, exploiting a lead in development, controlling the centre, as well as the significant enhancement of opening theory through the invention of numerous dangerous gambits.

*Learn from the greats of the game
*Discover how famous chess minds work
*Written in an easy-to-read format
*Ideal for improvers, club players and tournament players*

Genres: Chess

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2007

Reviews

[Alberto · Rating 3 out of 5]

The selection of players is excellent, and most of the games are entertaining and instructive. However, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The annotations are sub-par, and there are many non-analytical errors (White when he means Black, etc.).

[Bill Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

he writes well, and in a manner understandable and relatable to the reader.

[Mark Moorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is often difficult for the improving recreational player with an interest in opening theory and chess history to find books geared to this level of play. The "Starting Out" series published by Everyman Chess is an exception as is the "Chess Secrets"series. I have to admit in advance to liking Mr McDonald's style---I very much enjoyed his books on the English and Dutch in the "Starting Out" series, and his "Play the Dutch." "Chess Secrets: The Giants of Strategy" is thematically organized around fundamental elements of chess strategy (e.g., the seventh rank, outposts, etc.), and it gives one a good feeling for some of the great players from the past. For those of us who may not want to plow through the entirety of Nimzowitsch'S "My System" this is a perfect way to get a broad brush feel for these figures. Another review suggested that these principles are so basic as to be for the absolute debutante. I do not feel that this is the case. Of course, I was aware of these strategic themes long ago, but McDonald deepens and enriches their meaning by walking you through instantiations of the precepts in great Grandmaster games.For example, his analysis of Karpov-Kasperov (1990) in the chapter on "Outposts" was a perfect elucidation of strategic thinking, move by move. I agree that players stronger than 1600-ish might not find the book beneficial. An excellent, instructive, and engaging book---thank you, GM McDonald, again!

[Kinetic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decently written book on basic strategic principles of chess - but if the reader's strength is above USCF 1600 or equivalent, this book doesn't have much to offer other than a portion of the chapter on rook on the 7th rank. Also, since the principles are cumulative, the reader can simply skip the earlier super GMs, proceeding straight to Kramnik and Karpov. In a concurring note, both Tatiana and her sister lamented to me, after quickly browsing through the book, that the book could have been useful for them between the age of 7 to 8.