HOW TO BE LUCKY IN CHESS (David LeMoir)
176 pages (226
mm by 174 mm).
£13.99/$17.95/€21,90
Some players seem to have an inexhaustible supply of
chessboard luck. No matter what trouble they find themselves in, they somehow
manage to escape. Among world champions, Lasker, Tal and Kasparov are famed for
peering into the abyss but somehow making sure it is their opponents who fall.
This book aims to help ordinary players, who may have little time for studying
chess, to make the most of their abilities. Unlike most previous literature on
chess psychology, this is no heavyweight theoretical treatise, but rather a
practical guide in how to lure opponents into error - and thus create what is
often called 'luck'.
David LeMoir is an experienced chess player and
writer. He twice won the championship of the West of England and was runner-up
on four occasions. In 2000, he was County Champion of Norfolk. In a successful
career as a business strategy consultant, he has made good use of the strategic
and decision-making skills that are developed by playing chess. See also Essential Chess Sacrifices and How to Become a Deadly Chess Tactician.
Ken LeMoir, who provided the numerous illustrations
for the book, is a retired technical illustrator whose work has appeared in a
wide range of magazines and other publications.
Download a pdf file with a
sample from the book.
"This excellent book is full of twists, turns, humorous
stories, and great examples of luck and how to get some for yourself." - Bob
Long, www.chessco.com
"...an enjoyable book - well laid-out, readable,
entertaining, enlightening, and very practical." - Rick Kennedy,
Chessville.com
"I actually enjoyed the book more than many that I have read
because I felt in tune with the author. I could actually understand what he was
saying!" - Alan Sutton, EN PASSANT
"A refreshingly easy read" - Alec Toll, OPEN FILE
"LeMoir offers both standard and sensible advice, such as
not rushing, as well as highlighting some less well known notions, such as that
it is ideal to play a considerable sacrifice in a bad position when the
opponent is very short of time" - Richard Palliser, CHESS MOVES
"You can read it from cover to cover or just dip into it;
either way you cannot fail to be entertained and instructed in some of the
murkier areas of chess that most other books don't touch" - Phil Adams,
CHECKPOINT
"Overall I found the examples informative and easy to
understand, perhaps because for the most part they were not played by
Grandmasters who think at a level beyond my understanding. I found the author's
explanations and thoughts readable and to the point." - Andy Ansel, GM
SQUARE and CHESS TODAY
"A delightful book! I like LeMoir's writing style a lot. It
is rare for an untitled player to publish a chess book, but this effort shows
that practical playing strength is not essential to good chess writing. LeMoir
communicates well, and has chosen his examples(a mixture of GM games and games
between club players) thoughtfully. I also think that he understands the real
life hussle and bussle of chess, and its complex psychology extremely well.
Chapter six: Why do defenders fail? Can't analyse, won't analyse is my
favourite chapter and resonates with my own experience of defending difficult
positions. Furthermore, the amusing illustrations and typical Gambit production
quality make this a pleasure to read and to recommend very strongly." - GM
Jonathan Rowson |
