Davies/McDonald: A Practical Guide to Chess Improvement

Autor: Davies, Nigel; McDonald, Neil
Verlag / Hersteller: Everyman Chess
Erscheinungsjahr: 2018
Sprache: Englisch
Buchumschlag: paperback
Seiten: 320

Two Complete Books on Chess Improvement and Strategic Mastery

Practical Guide to Chess Improvement by Nigel Davies and Neil McDonald combines two independent works into a single 320-page resource. The first book examines proven methods for advancing at chess, drawing on Davies's experience with students who achieved measurable improvement.

The second work explores how strong players deliberately break conventional strategic rules to gain an edge. Together, both books address a core problem: knowing which areas of the game to prioritize and when to depart from established principles.

This dual-volume approach suits players beyond the beginner stage who seek structured guidance on training methods, opening choices, learning from losses, and positional judgment.

Highlights

• Learn 10 practical approaches to chess improvement from Grandmaster Nigel Davies, rooted in real student experiences
• Discover how top players recognize when to break strategic rules and exploit positional imbalances
• Develop a stronger opening repertoire and improve your decision-making in the middlegame
• Understand effective training methods and how to extract lessons from defeats
• Build positional understanding by recognizing when conventional principles no longer apply
• Two complete books in one volume offering different perspectives on chess mastery

A practical resource for club players seeking both systematic improvement strategies and the strategic depth to compete at higher levels.

FAQ

What does the first book by Nigel Davies cover?
The first book, '10 Great Ways to Get Better at Chess', examines ten concrete methods for improving at chess. Davies draws on his experience coaching students to illustrate which training approaches work, how to manage your opening repertoire effectively, and how to learn productively from losses.

What is the focus of the second book by Neil McDonald?
The second book, 'Break the Rules! A Modern Look at Chess Strategy', analyzes when and how to deliberately deviate from standard strategic principles. McDonald argues that blindly following fixed rules limits progress, while knowing when to break them is the skill that separates strong players from weaker ones.

Is this book suitable for beginners?
No. The books are aimed at players beyond the beginner stage—from improving club players to those approaching advanced levels. The content assumes foundational chess knowledge and focuses on refinement and strategic depth.