One of the nicest themes we discuss in “Chess for Life” comes up in the chapter on Sergei Tiviakov. In this chapter we discuss one of Sergei’s most significant contributions to chess theory: the 3…Qd6 Scandinavian (1.e4 d5 2.ed Qd5 3.Nc3 Qd6). While writing the book, I played the opening a few times to get …

While playing through Alekhine’s “Collection of Best Games”, my attention was caught by this position from Alekhine-Reti Vienna 1922.   It’s a famous position of course, but I couldn’t escape from the feeling I’d seen this diagram in another old book: I had an image in my head of how it looked on the page …

Just through the door, the February 2016 edition of the new, glossy British Chess Magazine. Inside an article by Natasha and I about “Chess for Life”. To support our theory that rapid time controls are well-suited to experienced players, we each comment on a recent win from Rapidplay events! I discuss a win from the …

Saturday 27th February was a memorable day! A knock at the door of my parents’ house and a few moments later, I had a copy of “Chess for Life” in my hands for the first time – such a proud moment! Natasha and I first discussed the idea for the book during the Summer of …

One of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in the past couple of years is “Learn from the Legends – Chess Champions at their Best” by Mihail Marin (Quality Chess). Marin takes 9 great champions – Rubinstein, Alekhine, Botvinnik, Tal, Petrosian, Fischer, Karpov, Kortchnoi and Carlsen – and examines a particular facet of their play …