Product Description

John Watson fleshes out the theory presented to enormous acclaim in Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy and extends it into new areas. He illustrates the modern practice of chess with many examples from imaginative players such as Kasparov, Kramnik, Anand, Ivanchuk and tempestuous innovators such as Shirov and Morozevich. In Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy, Watson broke new ground by describing the developments in chess strategy since the time of Nimzowitsch. He explained how modern players are more willing than their predecessors to favour dynamic considerations over static ones, and how they have increasingly transcended the limiting 'rules' which influenced play in earlier times. The dominant results of Garry Kasparov and the rise of a new generation of supergrandmasters testify to the effectiveness of this dynamic and open-minded philosophy which has enriched modern chess. Those who enjoyed Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy will welcome the clarification of important concepts. Chess Strategy in Action can also be read on its own as an outstanding collection of modern games with thoughtful and enlightening annotations.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #314427 in Books
• Published on: 2003-07-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 287 pages

From the Publisher
Gambit Publications specializes in chess and has an unrivalled reputation for originality and editorial excellence. The company is owned and staffed entirely by leading chess masters and grandmasters.

About the Author
International Master John Watson is one of the world's most respected writers on chess. His groundbreaking four-volume work on the English firmly established his reputation in the 1980s, and he has produced a string of top-quality works since. In 1999, Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy, Watson's first book for Gambit, won the British Chess Federation Book of the Year Award and the United States Chess Federation Fred Cramer Award for Best Book. His pupils include the 1997 World Junior Champion, Tal Shaked.

Customer Reviews

Another classic
Although I haven't completed this yet, and I'm probably not strong enough to fully grasp some of the concepts within it, I have to say that this bears all the hallmarks of another classic chess book. Following on from his Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy, a book I constantly refer to and constantly learn from, Watson appears to be more relaxed in his writing of this book, as though he has given us most of what he has to offer but is now triumphantly demonstrating to us that he really does understand this game extremely well, and is eager to share that understanding, indeed driven to, it seems, for his enthusiasm is obvious to the reader. A structural difference to this book is the large section at the end of it containing annotated games that show what Watson is trying to make us see; I prefer this to the game fragments that are a necessary device in the rest of this book and so many others, if only for the ease of use when following the game on a board, and not having to set up the position. It also seems to round out the book well; it feels as though you not only have a marvellously instructive book, you also have a great games collection too. I'm sure stronger players than I will do this book more justice in their own reviews of it, but I'm convinced that it's destined to become an important work that all 'serious' (club-level and above?) players could learn from. One caveat - it probably won't be too useful to players below, say, 1500, although as with all rules there will be exceptions to this. (And that pretty much is a cornerstone of what Watson is trying to teach us about rules and dogmatism in chess, too....). Read, learn & enjoy.