Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy: Advances since Nimzowitsch

by John L. Watson

It is now seventy years since Nimzowitsch wrote his monumental work My System . While it remains a fundamental work on chess strategy, the way chess positions are handled has changed greatly since Nimzowitsch’s time – both refinements to existing ideas, and completely new concepts. John Watson’s book fulfils the need for a thorough, profound work on the modern handling of chess positions, and how Nimzowitsch’s theories – still controversial and revolutionary at the time My System was written – have been refined and used alongside classical concepts.

The first section of the book investigates the development of classical themes, such as pawn majorities, the centre, and structural weaknesses. Watson then moves on to discuss new concepts, including the willingness of modern players to accept backward pawns in return for dynamic play, the idea of a good ‘bad’ bishop, knights finding useful roles at the edge of the board and the exchange sacrifice ideas that became prevalent with the post-war Soviet champions. This profound yet thoroughly practical work is rounded off with sections on prophylactic thinking, dynamism, modern concepts as they apply to the critical contemporary opening systems, and some thoughts on the future of chess.

International Master John Watson is one of the world’s most respected writers on chess. His ground-breaking four-volume work on the English and Play the French , often described as the French player’s bible, firmly established his reputation in the 1980s, and he has produced a string of top-quality works since. His pupils include 1997 World Junior Champion, Tal Shaked.

Genres: Chess, Nonfiction, Games

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

John Leonard Watson is an International chess Master and author.

Reviews

[Paul]

I've been flicking between Watson's update on chess thinking since Nimzowitch and Sammy Reshevsky's The Art of Positional Play and the difference between the two is a chess education in itself. While Reshevsky's opening premise is largely derived from the theories of Wilhelm Steinitz, the first world chess champion, Watson stresses the importance of actual analysis of actual positions over general rules, which he argues is what distinguishes today's top players from the rest. As always he writes in a clear yet erudite way that engages as it teaches.

[Sameer · Rating 4 out of 5]

FANTASTIC! If you have read My System by Nimzowich, then you'd love this. After finishing with the text part, you gotta sit with a chess board to go through the games in this book. Magic!

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The winner of both USCF and BCF Book of the year award. It has inspired many writers, most notably John Nunn (see his masterpiece Understanding Chess Move by Move). Although it covers the advances in strategy since Nimzowitsch, one doesn't need to read My System before dealing with this book. Actually, since Watson explains what was the state of knowledge of strategy in Nimzowitsch time, it is a perfect textbook on this subject, far better than My System (which should be avoided at any cost; see my review if you wonder why).
Together with its follow up (Chess Strategy in Action) this book deserves to be in every private chess library.
P.S. For chess players who never heard before (I was one of them, too) about "the immortal overprotection game" Nimzowitsch vs Systemsson, the pages 89-90 will bring them the laugh of their live.

[Mr_Toad · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than this (chess evolution), the book has forced me to re-evaluate my approach to the game - completely. It shows how a lot of reported chess wisdom is simply misleading. The rules that we absorbed as chess novices are called into question. John Watson "frees" us from our prejudices and may allow you to play "your own game". Frankly, I am now looking forward to a chess future where my own creativity can blossom and flourish - without worrying about the consequences of breaking the rules laid down in stone (which were actually millstones round my neck).

[Serge Pierro · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a reason why John Watson is considered to among the best chess writers, and this book is further proof. Watson shows the differences between the modern game and those from the days of Nimzovitch. Fascinating insight into the evolution of chess thinking.

[Alessandro Andrade da Fonseca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for the chess player who is too attached to general rules and principles. This book unveils these principles on the basis of a concrete analysis, case by case. I think reading this one is a great experience and it goes really well of you read also Hellsten book on similar topics

[Evan Seghers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book with some incredibly interesting examples of modern play, and the shift away from 'dogmatism' in chess rules. That being said, a lot of this book can be wrapped up with 'it depends', and while interesting there may be better bang for your book with another more 'pointed' book.

[Isaac Clemente ríos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desmitifica los principios generales enunciados por Nimzowitsch. Buena introducción a los conceptos del ajedrez moderno en el que priman las necesidades de la posición.

[Gareth Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that I recommend to anyone who's read Nimzowitsch's My System. If you're looking for a book that tells you how to play then this is not it, but it will give you more things to think about while playing.

[William Schill · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book, not a how to improve your play, rather an explanation of chess as a discipline and how it evolves. Fascinating!