An essential toolkit for navigating chess strategy"Tony Kosten answered those who say they only play for fun with the phrase 'winning is fun, and losing is not!' ... Kosten gives us the best tips and exercises to improve. So let's win!" – Luis Fernández Siles @capakhine
This is a simple guide to positional chess, aimed at club and social players.The most fundamental difference between professional players and casual players is in positional understanding. Readers who are frustrated that with a single slip they can condemn themselves to hours of defence will find this book invaluable. Author Tony Kosten does not simply say "don't arrange your pawns like this", or "in this type of position, try to exchange your bishop". Instead he explains the logic behind the ideas which are second nature to a top-class player, but have rarely before been properly explained. Now these concepts can be grasped by everyone.
- The Opening
- Pawns
- The Pieces
- Strategy and Tactics
- Attack and Defence
- The Endgame
- General
This classic instructional text, reissued for the first time by Gambit in 2024 (with analytical revisions and updates, in addition to a larger page format), devotes a full page and three diagrams to each tip. It is an ideal book to be read without a chess set.
Grandmaster
Tony Kosten comes from England, and lives in France. He is a regular and successful competitor in international tournaments, and so respected in his adopted country that he was appointed trainer for the French national team. Since 2002 he has been Managing Director of Chess Publishing Ltd, and in 2024 won a gold medal (playing for England) at the World Over-65 Team Championship.
"really useful for the student, with good tips and great examples" – Luis Fernández Siles @capakhine
"a mixture of memorable advice ... On each page there is a 'tip', along with explanations and usually three diagrams for illustration. ... the advice may seem trivial to advanced players, but the author is good at explaining the logic behind the advice in a short space of time, which makes some things appear in a different – and no longer so trivial – light. ... recommended to [less experienced club players] who are interested in improving their playing strength" – Dr. W. Schweizer,
Rochade Europa"Tony Kosten tells club and casual players who play 'just for fun' that he doesn't believe them. '
Winning is fun and losing is not!' ... The reader is taken on a journey through the various areas of the game of chess in 101 lessons. In each lesson, Kosten gives a rule, which he then supports with 1-3 practical examples. ... a highly recommended book for people who can get something out of a well-made crash course." – Bernd Hierholz,
SchachreportPraise for other books by Tony Kosten:The Dynamic English:
"I found the strategic descriptions readable and easy for intermediate players to understand." – Paul Dunn,
Australian Chess Forum"Grandmaster Tony Kosten conveys his understanding with great skill" - Craig Prichett,
The Herald"Logically and clearly presented" – Alan Sutton,
En Passant"you can't wish for a better book" –
Schach MarktEasy Guide to the Najdorf:
"clearly explains the variety of move-orders for both sides, something I haven’t seen elsewhere. ... the 6 Bc4 analysis is exceptional. Surely anyone playing or taking up the Najdorf will find plenty of value in this book." – IM John Watson,
The Week in Chess
