In this thought-provoking, wide-ranging and often inspiring book, the
authors examine how chess style and abilities vary with age. The
conventional wisdom is that greater experience should compensate for a
loss of youthful energy, but with so many of the world elite currently
in their twenties, chess is increasingly looking like a young man's
game. By making a number of case studies and interviewing players who
have stayed strong into their forties, fifties and beyond, the authors
show in detail how players can steer their games towards positions where
their experience can shine through. Interviewees include:
- GM John Nunn
- GM Yasser Seirawan
- GM Nigel Short
- GM Judit Polgar
- GM Keith Arkell
- GM Pia Cramling
- FM Terry Chapman
- GM Jon Speelman
- GM Sergei Tiviakov
- WIM Ingrid Lauterbach
By examining so many aspects of chess, the authors have written a work
that ends up transcending its subject-matter, and becomes a text on how
and why we love chess, the means by which we can play successfully
whatever our age and level of play, and how chess is truly a game for
life.
Matthew Sadler is one of the strongest British players of recent
decades. Having become a GM in his teens, he twice won the British
Championship and was awarded an individual gold medal at the 1996
Olympiad. After concentrating on an IT career for more than a decade, he
returned to high-level chess in 2010 and quickly regained a spot in the
world top 100. Matthew's struggles to bring his game back up to speed
after his long break were part of the inspiration for this book.
Natasha Regan is a Women's International Master from England who
achieved a degree in mathematics from Cambridge University. While
pursuing a successful career as an actuary in the insurance industry,
she has raised a family and maintained a strong interest in chess and
other board games, including Go.
