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Secrets of Spectacular Chess, 2nd edition
In the modern classic Secrets of Spectacular Chess, Jonathan Levitt and David Friedgood shared their joy and appreciation of chess beauty, engulfing readers with a wealth of amazing and magnificent examples from the aesthetic side of the game. What is more, they also showed how this fascinating subject could actually be analysed, and how this could help players of all levels to improve the practical side of their game.
Now the authors have produced a much awaited and largely expanded second edition, in which they present further ideas and opinions, provide many new mesmerizing examples of games, studies and problems, and revisit previous material to explain how the theory has developed over recent years. This book really captures the imagination; read it and become hypnotized by the power and beauty of chess!
Now the authors have produced a much awaited and largely expanded second edition, in which they present further ideas and opinions, provide many new mesmerizing examples of games, studies and problems, and revisit previous material to explain how the theory has developed over recent years. This book really captures the imagination; read it and become hypnotized by the power and beauty of chess!
- GenresChess
287 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 1995
About the author
Jonathan Levitt
4 books1 followerNew to goodreads (2021)...Spent many years as a professional chess player/teacher/writer and my first books were in this field. Obtained the grandmaster title around 30 years ago. Due to health issues (an arthritic condition) i was forced to retire from the demanding life of travelling around the world and playing tournaments. The last two decades my only source of income has been from betting on live cricket.
In 2020 during lockdown, I wrote my first non-chess book: Contemplating Comedy. It is a compilation of humour and ideas and hopefully a lot of fun. You can read the start of the book (and see about ten reader reviews) here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Contemplatin...
Buffy the cockapoo is in charge of marketing and needs to sell more copies if she is going to get any more biscuits.
Happy reading...
In 2020 during lockdown, I wrote my first non-chess book: Contemplating Comedy. It is a compilation of humour and ideas and hopefully a lot of fun. You can read the start of the book (and see about ten reader reviews) here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Contemplatin...
Buffy the cockapoo is in charge of marketing and needs to sell more copies if she is going to get any more biscuits.
Happy reading...
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 30, 2026
Pages 38-39 my favorite,
Spoiler varning.
Topalov - Shirov (1998) amazing move- even stock fish does not find…. Bishop h3!!
Stockfish evaluation goes initially from -1,27 to -4,34 and when white gives up it’s -5,5. However in hindsight it adjust to preferring Bh3!
Averbakh - Spassky (1956) instead of the game knight c6!? Theoretically week e8 with the idea b5 and knight b6 would be double exclamation mark.
Spoiler varning.
Topalov - Shirov (1998) amazing move- even stock fish does not find…. Bishop h3!!
Stockfish evaluation goes initially from -1,27 to -4,34 and when white gives up it’s -5,5. However in hindsight it adjust to preferring Bh3!
Averbakh - Spassky (1956) instead of the game knight c6!? Theoretically week e8 with the idea b5 and knight b6 would be double exclamation mark.
October 2, 2015
My rating is based on the first edition. I haven't seen this edition. An amazing chess book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews