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Solving in Style
First print edition of an updated and greatly expanded version of a modern A World Champion explains how to solve chess problems and studies
Chess positions for solving are as old as the game itself, and provide stimulating and beneficial exercise for chess-players. However, while there is an abundance of books on chess puzzles, and much specialist literature on studies and problems, there is an astonishing dearth of guidance for solvers. In recent years there has been an explosion of problem-solving competitions, both face-to-face and online, with many over-the-board players taking an interest in chess problems for the first time.
In this much expanded reissue of a classic text, John Nunn, a top-class grandmaster who is also one of the world’s finest solvers, explains the methods by which chess problems and studies are solved. There are new chapters on proof games and solving events, and extra problems for solving. All the problems have detailed explanations setting out the best solving strategies.
John Nunn is a grandmaster from England. He has won four individual gold medals (one of them for solving) and three team silver medals at Chess Olympiads. He has won the World Problem Solving Championship three times and the British Problem Solving Championship ten times. He is also still active in over-the-board chess, and in 2022 won the British 65+ Championship with a 100% score. He has also won the British Chess Federation’s Book of the Year Award on three occasions, most recently for his two-volume work Nunn’ s Chess Endings .
“the best introduction I know to an appreciation of the art of the chess problem and composed study.” – Phil Adams
“Nunn explains logically, step by step, the mental processes by which the solutions are reached ... It is a guide book rather than a stuffy text book. Not many chess books stand the test of time, but this is one exception” – Alan Sutton, En Passant
“Nunn does an excellent job of explaining the special rules of this parallel universe, but where he is likely to gain the most converts is in the field of chess studies ... Many of these studies look sufficiently ‘game-like’ that the over-the-board player will have no trouble appreciating the beauty and ingenuity involved. Highly recommended” – IM John Donaldson, USA Team Captain
“None of John Nunn’s books has ever disappointed me. If you want to study chess compositions, I really recommend this book.” – Helmut Conrady, Rochade
“It discusses and explains all sorts of problems and is an excellent introduction to problem and study solving. Highly recommended” – Paul Dunn, Australian Chess Forum
“Nunn pays a lot of attention to the theme of Interference – you’ll be amazed how many possibilities can be eliminated by offering a piece on a certain square...” – Bab Wilders, Nederlands Dagblad
“an excellent introduction for those players who have yet to discover problems” – Nigel Donovan, Weekend Chess
Chess positions for solving are as old as the game itself, and provide stimulating and beneficial exercise for chess-players. However, while there is an abundance of books on chess puzzles, and much specialist literature on studies and problems, there is an astonishing dearth of guidance for solvers. In recent years there has been an explosion of problem-solving competitions, both face-to-face and online, with many over-the-board players taking an interest in chess problems for the first time.
In this much expanded reissue of a classic text, John Nunn, a top-class grandmaster who is also one of the world’s finest solvers, explains the methods by which chess problems and studies are solved. There are new chapters on proof games and solving events, and extra problems for solving. All the problems have detailed explanations setting out the best solving strategies.
John Nunn is a grandmaster from England. He has won four individual gold medals (one of them for solving) and three team silver medals at Chess Olympiads. He has won the World Problem Solving Championship three times and the British Problem Solving Championship ten times. He is also still active in over-the-board chess, and in 2022 won the British 65+ Championship with a 100% score. He has also won the British Chess Federation’s Book of the Year Award on three occasions, most recently for his two-volume work Nunn’ s Chess Endings .
“the best introduction I know to an appreciation of the art of the chess problem and composed study.” – Phil Adams
“Nunn explains logically, step by step, the mental processes by which the solutions are reached ... It is a guide book rather than a stuffy text book. Not many chess books stand the test of time, but this is one exception” – Alan Sutton, En Passant
“Nunn does an excellent job of explaining the special rules of this parallel universe, but where he is likely to gain the most converts is in the field of chess studies ... Many of these studies look sufficiently ‘game-like’ that the over-the-board player will have no trouble appreciating the beauty and ingenuity involved. Highly recommended” – IM John Donaldson, USA Team Captain
“None of John Nunn’s books has ever disappointed me. If you want to study chess compositions, I really recommend this book.” – Helmut Conrady, Rochade
“It discusses and explains all sorts of problems and is an excellent introduction to problem and study solving. Highly recommended” – Paul Dunn, Australian Chess Forum
“Nunn pays a lot of attention to the theme of Interference – you’ll be amazed how many possibilities can be eliminated by offering a piece on a certain square...” – Bab Wilders, Nederlands Dagblad
“an excellent introduction for those players who have yet to discover problems” – Nigel Donovan, Weekend Chess
- GenresChess
272 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1985
4 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
John Nunn
135 books43 followersJohn Denis Martin Nunn is an English chess grandmaster, a three-time world champion in chess problem solving, a chess writer and publisher, and a mathematician. He is one of England's strongest chess players and once was in the world's top ten.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 19, 2020
As a chess player, this was a really great introduction to chess problems. Immensely beautiful positions, accompanied by thorough solutions and explanations.
Displaying 1 of 1 review