my latest books
"Re-Engineering the Chess Classics"
Nominated for the 2023 Chess.com Book of the Year
"The Silicon Road to Chess Improvement"
"Game Changer" won the ECF Book of the Year 2019 and the FIDE Book of the Year 2019
Engine Snacks! Conquering space with g4!
This super-quick article is in our Engine Snacks series! We see two power plays from Stoofvlees and Stockfish, expanding a queenside space advantage across the whole board with a powerful g4 kingside thrust! These are great examples of whole board play: a major theme I examine in “The Silicon Road to Chess Improvement” and it’s definitely something we should try and emulate in our own games!
Engine Snacks! An unforgettable queen trap!
This super-quick article is in our Engine Snacks series! Ethereal catches Stoofvlees with a combination of 2 tactical themes: diversion and trapping. The position is so full of drama, that once you’ve seen it, you’ll never forget these tactical ideas!
Engine Snacks! Now that’s what I call an IQP attack!
This super-quick article is in our Engine Snacks series!
Leela unveils an amazing attacking scheme in a typical IQP position that I cannot wait to use in my own games!
Once you’ve read this, you’ll be able to do the same!
Engine Snacks! Recapturing material with the optimal piece.
This super-quick article is in my Engine Snacks series! Stockfish avoids an obvious recapture – that would be played by 99/100 players – to realize optimal development and activate its pieces to the maximum right out of the opening. Simple, and so useful to learn for your own games
"The secret of my success: with every move I force the opponent to think for themselves!"
- Alexander Alekhine
about
I am a Chess Grandmaster and writer, and one of England's top players. When I am not doing my job as an IT Consultant, I fill my free time with as much chess as possible
my work
Writing and discussing chess has always been one of my passions. I review chess books in a regular column for New in Chess magazine and have written 8 books myself. I also contribute to chess videos regularly.
contact me
I hope that you enjoy the site. I will enrich its content over time and would love to hear what you think. Let me know whether there are any topics you would like me to cover in my blog.
"How many moves do I consider when analysing? Only one, but it's always the best one!"
- Emanuel Lasker
