Neil McDonald

Chess Secrets is a series of books which uncover the mysteries of the most important aspects of strategy, attack, opening play and gambits, classical play, endgames and preparation. In each book the author studies a number of great players from chess history who have excelled in a particular field of the game and who have undeniably influenced those who have followed. In The Giants of Power Play , Neil McDonald selects five players who have excelled in the field of ‘power play' – the art of putting opponents under constant pressure. The methods of doing so are numerous, including gaining rapid development in return for material to build up an initiative, preparing powerful opening ideas in advance, or even developing completely new opening systems. McDonald examines the contributions made by each player, their differences in approach and style, and from Morphy to Topalov, how they followed in each other's footsteps. A study of this book will help you to enhance your skills in one of the most crucial elements of the game. *An entertaining and instructive guide to power play *Learn from the greats of the game *Discover how famous chess minds work

The chess world has been blessed by a number of wonderful strategists, and in Chess The Giants of Strategy , Neil McDonald decides upon his selection of the most prominent ones, highlighting the major contributions they have made. McDonald examines their differing approaches and styles, and from Nimzowitsch to Kramnik, how they followed in each other's footsteps.Throughout history there have been many famous players who have dazzled the chess world with their swashbuckling approach to opening play. In Chess The Great Gambiteers , John Cox picks out his selection of famous gambiteers and studies the mark they made in the sphere of attacking play in the opening. Themes include attacking the opponent's king, exploiting a lead in development, controlling the centre, as well as the significant enhancement of opening theory through the invention of numerous dangerous gambits.*Learn from the greats of the game*Discover how famous chess minds work*Written in an easy-to-read format*Ideal for improvers, club players and tournament players*

It’s a fact that you can win some chess games just by playing one solid-looking move after another. But at the higher levels of competition, it’s not enough to play move by move: you need a plan. Chess Success is about making that plan. It shows, with fascinating examples taken from actual grandmaster games, why the solid-looking move—the “natural” move—can often be a subtle blunder. Learn to make a better move by first looking at the pawn structure of the game and understand how it’s “warped” by the positions of the pieces. Apart from this powerful new way of looking at chess strategy, the games with their unexpected twists are tremendously entertaining to replay.

Chess is the art that expresses the science of logic . Mikhail BotvinnikGrandmaster Neil McDonald explains every single move made by White and Black in 30 striking tactical or strategical games played over the last quarter century.These games have been carefully chosen for their consistent logical thread, thereby providing the reader with prime instruction in the art of conceiving appropriate plans and attacks and carrying them out to their natural conclusion. Watching games unfold in this way will be both an education and inspiration to readers who can then try to play in the same purposeful way in their own games – with a corresponding increase in their playing strength.

The difference between a Grandmaster and an ordinary chess player isn’t just sheer brainpower. It’s the creative ability to develop a far-reaching plan. In this indispensable follow-up to his incredibly successful The Art of Logical Thinking, International Grandmaster Neil McDonald takes a penetrating look at more than 40 of the most outstanding games of the last 25 years, offering detailed, in-depth analysis of the strategic concepts behind each move. By showing how the players develop their plans many moves ahead, he gives the reader a unique opportunity to virtually get inside the Grandmasters’ heads as they play.

The battle for the World Chess Championship has witnessed numerous titanic struggles which have engaged the interest not only of chess enthusiasts but also of the public at large. The chessboard is the ultimate mental battleground and the world champions themselves are supreme intellectual gladiators.These magnificent compilations of chess form the basis of the first two parts of Garry Kasparov's definitive history of the World Chess Championship. Garry Kasparov, who is universally acclaimed as the greatest chessplayer ever, subjects the play of his predecessors to a rigorous analysis.Part one features the play of champions Wilhelm Steinitz (1886-1894), Emanuel Lasker (1894-1921), Jose Capablanca (1921-1927) and Alexander Alekhine (1927-1935 and 1937-1946).Part two features the play of champions Max Euwe (1935-1937) Mikhail Botvinnik (1946-1957, 1958-1961 and 1961-1963), Vassily Smyslov (1957-1958) and Mikhail Tal (1960-1961).These books are more than just a compilation of the games of these champions. Kasparov's biographies place them in a fascinating historical, political and cultural context. Kasparov explains how each champion brought his own distinctive style to the chessboard and enriched the theory of the game with new ideas.All these games have been thoroughly reassessed with the aid of modern software technology and the new light this sheds on these classic masterpieces is fascinating.

Grandmaster Neil McDonald examines one of the most important openings of all, the Ruy Lopez. He shares his experience and knowledge, and continually challenges the reader to answer probing questions, thereby encouraging the learning and practising of vital opening skills.

In this user-friendly book, Grandmaster Neil McDonald goes back to basics, studying the fundamental principles of the Dutch Defence and its many variations. Throughout the book there are an abundance of notes, tips, warnings, and exercises to help improvi

This series provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of opening knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to study any chess opening and at the same time improve your general chess skills and knowledge. The King's Indian Attack is a very popular system of development for White, which can be used against many defences. It’s easy to learn and play, and is based on understanding ideas rather than move memorization. The King's Indian Attack usually involves a deliberate and sustained attack on the black king, which often proves to be highly effective and difficult to defend against. In this book Grandmaster Neil McDonald examines in depth the many variations of the King's Indian Attack. He outlines White's most promising options and Black’s best defences, and provides answers to all the key questions. * Essential guidance and training in the King’s Indian Attack * Provides repertoire options for White * Utilizes an ideal approach to chess study

In Starting Out with 1 e4! Grandmaster Neil McDonald provides the reader with a strong and trustworthy repertoire with the white pieces based on the opening move 1 e4. The recommended lines given here have stood the test of time and are regularly employed

Everyman Chess continues its original and best-selling Starting Out series with detailed coverage of the Queen’s Gambit Declined, an opening that is very much at the forefront of contemporary chess. The Queen’s Gambit Declined is Black’s fundamental answer to 1 d4 and an opening of great historical importance.

Ideal for those wanting to understand the basics of the English Opening.The English is a sophisticated and popular opening system that is suitable for all types of players and can lead to both positional and tactical middlegames. Many of the world¿s top players, including Kasparov and Kramnik, include the English in their openings weaponry. In this groundbreaking book, Grandmaster Neil McDonald revisits the basic principles behind the English and its many variations. Throughout this easy-to-read guide the reader is aided by a wealth of notes, tips and warnings from the author, while key strategies, ideas and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated. This book is ideal for the improving player.* Written by an openings expert* All the important lines are covered* A back-to-basics look at one of the most important openings

A chessplayer must continually be alert to tactics, which effectively decide the outcome of all chess games. Part one of this book introduces you to the various tactical themes such as forks, double attacks, pins, skewers, line opening and clearing, deflections, and destroying the guard, explaining them with practical examples from modern chess play. Part two goes one step further, showing you how to discover combinations and also how to instigate them - guided by the specific features of the position. Tests are then given to enable you to practise your new-found tactical awareness. A self-instructor that will not only enable you to deliver telling tactical blows but also to side-step threats coming your way. For Club and tournament players.

The French Defense is a tremendously popular opening for both club players and grandmasters. It leads to tense strategic battles with winning chances for both sides. This book provides a deep understanding of the themes that underpin the French, giving the reader a firm foundation for a lifetime of success.

It’s not easy finding a good opening to play against 1 e4, especially if you don’t have endless time available to study the latest theoretical developments. If you choose fashionable openings, it’s often a necessity to keep pace with modern theory if you want to succeed with Black. This book provides a solution. Neil McDonald advocates his favourite opening – the very popular French Defence – but chooses a repertoire for Black that requires only the minimum amount of move memorization. The lines he selects are very easy to learn and play – perfect for those who are unwilling to be slaves to opening theory. But there’s also something here for more experienced players, as McDonald goes on to offer a second repertoire based on counter-attacking lines against 3 Nc3 and 3 Nd2. *An easy-to-learn defence against 1 e4*Provides solutions to all of White’s options*Written by a world-renowned expert on the French*Ideal for improvers, club players and tournament players

The Dutch Defence is one of Black's most enterprising answers to 1 d4. Black strives to unbalance the position by creating an asymmetrical pawn structure on the very first move, giving himself every opportunity to fight for the initiative from the outset. In this book, Neil McDonald tells you everything you need to know in order to play this opening successfully. He provides the reader with a comprehensive repertoire against 1 d4, with the dynamic Leningrad Variation as Black's main weapon. Read this book and play the Dutch with confidence!

Most competitive players are very familiar with the idea of a sacrificial checkmating attack, but the positional sacrifice has been strangely neglected. By means of a subtle positional sacrifice, a player can sometimes fundamentally alter the course of a game in his or her favor. In this instructive and entertaining book International Master Neil McDonald demonstrates just how effective well-executed positional sacrifices are. Topics covered include sacrifices to open lines for the pieces, sacrifices as a defensive weapon, the exchange sacrifice, the psychology of sacrifice and much more.

The extraordinary wealth of ancient and historical sites on the Welsh island of Anglesey represents a microcosm of British history, from the deep Neolithic past to the Roman occupation, through the rise of the Welsh princes to the heyday of the Victorian resort of Beaumaris. It was on Anglesey that the ancient Druids took their last stand against the Roman invaders. Neil McDonald is an expert on the mythic and historical geography of Anglesey. In this fascinating book, he explores the island's heritage and countryside, providing vivid descriptions and rich historical backgrounds for its landmarks and culture. Anglesey, A Megalithic Journey combines clear writing with excellent historical understanding, the perfect guide to your own tour of the island.

A modern look at the highly fashionable French Winawer, which remains the sharpest variation of the French Defence. It leads to the kind of dynamic positions in which the better prepared and more aggressive player will invariably prevail. Leading expert Neil McDonald explains the strategy and tactics of this exciting opening in a clear and concise manner.

Learn what goes into beer....Learn how to go from grain to glass....Learn how to make any kind of beer you want, cheaper than you can get it in any shop....There are so many craft breweries in the UK, it seems there is a new one opening every week. The sheer variety of beers available to the Consumer has never been better. Why then would you want to brew your own beer?It’s not an easy question to answer. You really must give brewing a go before you realise just how compelling it can be. I know from personal experience that brewing beer can become an obsession. I started making beer when I was around19 years old and now I’m 30, ever since that very first batch I’ve been hooked.Using the information laid out in this book, you'll have a firm foundation to be able to brew whatever beer you want. How to craft beers that are second to none and always have a beer in the fridge you'll be able to give to your friends when they come over.Enjoy the book, and please contact me if you have any questions before buying!

Many players are serious about their chess but become stuck at a certain playing strength. It’s rarely a lack of talent or practice or opening knowledge that holds them back. Usually they get left behind because they don’t know how to make best use of the time they have available to study chess. This book addresses this problem and is your self-improvement plan. It shows you how to work on your own games to root out mistakes. It will sharpen your calculation of variations. You will be challenged to find the best middlegame strategy. Endgame technique is also covered in detail. All topics are discussed with numerous examples and puzzles from the games of modern players such as Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana and Viswanathan Anand. If you want your chess to leap forward it’s time to Coach Yourself! A complete self-improvement programme. All aspects of the game included. Utilizes a structured approach, making the most of your study time.

Bringing one of Australia's most gripping war campaigns to life, this photography collection highlights the work of two great World War II photographers and presents an historical analysis of each shot, the photographers' reactions to their subjects, and look at the very nature of the fighting in what was one of the Australian army's greatest tests.

Rudolph Spielmann was one of the most fearsome attacking players in the history of chess. He was very much from the so-called "Romantic School," where gambits were always accepted and checkmating the king was the only real thought of the players. His love of the King's Gambit and similar aggressive openings earned him the respect of his peers early in his career and he went on to become one of the strongest Grandmasters of his time. His philosophy on chess could be summed up by his "A good sacrifice is one that is not necessarily sound but leaves your opponent dazed and confused."In this book, Neil McDonald takes a look back at how Spielmann overcame his opponents in dazzling style, carefully choosing and analyzing some of Spielmann's most glorious attacks and famous combinations. A deep study of his games cannot fail to entertain and inspire any true chess enthusiast.>Includes Spielmann's most brilliant sacrificial games>Ideal for the attacking-minded chess players>Perfect for sharpening tactical ability

As we progress as chess players we quickly learn a set of guidelines which help us to formulate plans, develop typical strategies and recognize key tactics. However, chess is not an easy game, with fixed ‘rules’ that can be applied to every single position. In fact, blindly following such rules proves to be counterproductive and prevents a player from moving on to the next level, whereas knowing when to ‘break’ these rules is precisely the skill which separates the best from the rest. In this instructive and entertaining book, Grandmaster Neil McDonald studies in depth the key components of successful rule-breaking in chess. Drawing upon his own experience and using examples from modern grandmaster chess, McDonald examines how to avoid stereotypical thinking, how to exploit typical thinking patterns, and how to confuse and beat opponents with surprising ideas. *Improve your chess strategy and creativity*Recognize and exploit typical thinking processes*Check your progress with rule-breaking exercises

Starting The Réti is a further addition to Everyman's best-selling Starting Out series. Grandmaster Neil McDonald revisits the fundamentals of the Réti, examining the key moves and plans for both sides.

Some might say that it is impossible to learn middlegames in the same manner as the more structured parts of the opening and the endgame. However, although it's true to say that middlegame play is generally more difficult to categorize, there are still many aspects that can be taught and studied in an effective way. In this easy-to-read pocket-sized guide, Grandmaster Neil McDonald concentrates on the fundamentals of middlegame play, including attacking and defending the king, good and bad pieces, and strong and weak pawn formations. At the same time, McDonald is careful not to swamp readers with too much information. He provides simply enough material so that they can enter this part of the game with the knowledge and confidence they require. Concise Chess Middlegames is a perfect addition to McDonald's other two books in this Concise Chess Endings and the best-selling Concise Chess Openings .*Written by a renowned middlegames expert*Includes all critical topics of the middlegame*Pocket book ideal for club and tournament players

The King's Gambit is the most daring and dangerous opening in the game of chess, as white throws caution tot he wind, and black must know what he is doing if he wants to avoid an early defeat. The rage in the 19th century, the King's Gambit has once again become the focus of some of the top grandmasters.

These days the move 1 d4 is often used as the precursor to quieter opening choices such as the London System, the Colle System or the Trompovsky. In this book the highly experienced chess author and coach Cyrus Lakdawala goes back to basics, outlining an aggressive repertoire for White based on 1 d4, following up with the traditional 2 c4. The emphasis of the repertoire is to gain space as quickly as possible and set Black the task of finding quick counterplay or face the risk of being overrun. Lakdawala recommends lines with f2-f3 against the Nimzo-Indian, the Petrosian System against the King's Indian and the Flick Knife (f4 with Bb5+) against the Benoni. With thorough explanations on pawn structures and piece placement, this book provides insight to both strong masters and less experienced players alike. The format is ideal for the chessplayer keen to improve their game. While reading you are continually challenged to answer probing questions - a method that greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of chess knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. * Presents a powerful, aggressive repertoire starting at move one. * Thorough explanations of typical pawn structures and piece manoeuvres. * Utilizes an ideal approach to chess study.

Damien Parer was without doubt Australia's greatest war photographer. He helped create the Anzac legend and many, many of our iconic war images are his photographs. He served his apprenticeship as a stills photographer on the famous Chauvel film, 'Forty Thousand Horsemen', and was appointed Official Photographer covering the Australian fighting in the early days of World War II in Greece and Syria, and Tobruk. His most famous documentary is 'Kokoda Front Line!', made during the darkest days of the campaign in mid-1942 (it went on to win Australia's first Academy Award). His photographs and films brought the war home to Australians ? and are now an integral part of our military history. He died in action ? shot by Japanese machine gun fire, as he filmed an American advance on Peleliu. Originally published as WAR CAMERAMAN: THE STORY OF DAMIEN PARER, and later in an expanded form as DAMIEN PARER'S WAR, this colourful and authoritative story of a great Australian includes many of his most iconic photographs.

Confident about endgames? Even many experienced players would admit to a serious lack of knowledge in this department, and yet it¿s in this section of the game where many points are won and lost over the chessboard. This pocket-sized book can be the answer to all the players' problems! Grandmaster Neil McDonald studies the fundamental endings and provides the reader with all the crucial knowledge, tactics, and plans. At the same time, he is careful not to swamp readers with superfluous information; there is simply enough wisdom here to make them feel confident in all types of practical endings.*Written by an renowned endgames expert*Every major endgame is examined*A pocket book ideal for club and tournament players

This series provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of opening knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to study any chess opening and at the same time improve your general chess skills and knowledge.The Catalan is a solid opening system in which White combines the Queen’s Gambit with a kingside fianchetto. In recent years it has become an increasingly popular choice at all levels of chess, and elite grandmasters such as Vladimir Kramnik have developed major new ideas for both White and Black. The Catalan can lead to a wide variety of positions, open or closed, tactical or strategic, that will suit players of all styles. In this book, Grandmaster Neil McDonald invites you to join him in studying the Catalan and its many variations. McDonald shares his experience and knowledge of the Catalan, examines the main plans for both sides and provides answers to the key questions.