The Moves That Matter: A Chess Grandmaster on the Game of Life

Rowson, Jonathan

Religion & Spirituality

Bloomsbury Publishing

Jonathan Rowson's competitive success as a chess Grandmaster and work as an applied philosopher have given him a unique perspective on why the great game is more important than ever for understanding the conflicts and uncertainties of the modern world. In sixty-four witty and addictive vignettes, Rowson takes us on an exhilarating tour of the game of life, from the psychology of gang violence, to the aesthetics of cyborgs, the beauty of technical details, and the endgame of death. Chess emerges as a singularly powerful metaphor for the thrills and set-backs that invest our daily lives with meaning and complexity.

The Moves that Matter: A Chess Grandmaster on the Game of Life

A chess grandmaster reveals the powerful teachings this ancient game offers for staying present, thriving in a complex world, and crafting a fulfilling life.
 Refined and perfected through 1,500 years of human history, chess has long been a touchstone for shrewd tacticians and master strategists. But the game is much more than just warfare in miniature. Chess is also an ever-shifting puzzle to be solved, a narrative to be written, and a task that demands players create their own motivation from moment to moment. In other words, as Grandmaster Jonathan Rowson argues in this kaleidoscopic and inspiring book, there are ways to see all of life reflected in those 64 black and white squares.
 Taking us inside the psychologically charged world of chess's global elite, Rowson mines the game for its insights into sustaining focus, quieting our inner saboteur, making tough decisions, overcoming failure, and more. He peels back the beguiling logic of chess to reveal the timeless wisdom underneath. This exhilarating tour ranges from learning how to love our mistakes to considering why people are like trees; from the mysteries of parenting to the beauty of technical details, to the endgame of death. Throughout, chess emerges as a powerful and accessible metaphor for the thrills and setbacks that fill our daily lives with meaning and beauty.

The Grunfeld Defense has always been a popular choice with players who aim to counterattack with the black pieces. World Champions Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov head a distinguished cast of grandmasters who swear by its solid yet dynamic nature. In this original book Jonathan Rowson delves deeply into the Grunfeld, steering the reader through the mysteries and intricacies of this complex opening. Now you too will be able to understand, play and win the Grunfeld!

Understanding the Grunfeld

Humor & Entertainment

Puzzles & Games

Gambit Publications

Everyone loses chess games occasionally, but all too often we lose a game due to moves that, deep down, we knew were flawed. Why do we commit these chess-board sins? Are they the result of general misconceptions about chess and how it should be played? And how can we recognize the warning signs better? In this thought-provoking and entertaining book, Jonathan Rowson investigates, in his inimitable style, the main reasons why chess-players sometimes go horribly astray, focusing on the underlying psychological pitfalls: * Thinking (unnecessary or erroneous) * Blinking (missing opportunities; lack of resolution) * Wanting (too much concern with the result of the game) * Materialism (lack of attention to non-material factors) * Egoism (insufficient awareness of the opponent and his ideas) * Perfectionism (running short of time; trying too hard) * Looseness (“losing the plot”; drifting; poor concentration)

The Seven Deadly Chess Sins (Scotland's Youngest Grandmaster Discusses the Most Common Ca)

Children's Books

Activities, Crafts & Games

Jonathan Rowson, author of the highly acclaimed Seven Deadly Chess Sins, investigates three questions important to all chess-players: 1) Why is it so difficult, especially for adult players, to improve? 2) What kinds of mental attitudes are needed to find good moves in different phases of the game? 3) Is White's alleged first-move advantage a myth, and does it make a difference whether you are playing Black or White? In a strikingly original work, Rowson makes use of his academic background in philosophy and psychology to answer these questions in an entertaining and instructive way. This book assists all players in their efforts to improve, and provides fresh insights into the opening and early middlegame. Rowson presents many new ideas on how Black should best combat White's early initiative, and make use of the extra information that he gains as a result of moving second. For instance, he shows that in some cases a situation he calls 'Zugzwang Lite' can arise, where White finds himself lacking any constructive moves. He also takes a close look at the theories of two players who, in differing styles, have specialized in championing Black's cause: Mihai Suba and Andras Adorjan. Readers are also equipped with a 'mental toolkit' that will enable them to handle many typical over-the-board situations with greater success, and avoid a variety of psychological pitfalls. Chess for Zebras offers fresh insights into human idiosyncrasies in all phases of the game. The depth and breadth of this book will therefore help players to appreciate chess at a more profound level, and make steps towards sustained and significant improvement.

Chess for Zebras: Thinking Differently about Black and White

Die Sieben Todsunden Des Schachspielers

Sports & Outdoors

Gambit Publications Ltd

Schach Fur Zebras (German Edition)

Jonathan Rowson, author of the highly acclaimed Seven Deadly Chess Sins, investigates three questions important to all chess-players: 
1) Why is it so difficult, especially for adult players, to improve? 
2) What kinds of mental attitudes are needed to find good moves in different phases of the game? 
3) Is White's alleged first-move advantage a myth, and does it make a difference whether you are playing Black or White?\nIn a strikingly original work, Rowson makes use of his academic background in philosophy and psychology to answer these questions in an entertaining and instructive way. This book assists all players in their efforts to improve, and provides fresh insights into the opening and early middlegame.\nRowson presents many new ideas on how Black should best combat White's early initiative, and make use of the extra information that he gains as a result of moving second. For instance, he shows that in some cases a situation he calls 'Zugzwang Lite' can arise, where White finds himself lacking any constructive moves. He also takes a close look at the theories of two players who, in differing styles, have specialized in championing Black's cause: Mihai Suba and Andras Adorjan. Readers are also equipped with a 'mental toolkit' that will enable them to handle many typical over-the-board situations with greater success, and avoid a variety of psychological pitfalls.\nChess for Zebras offers fresh insights into human idiosyncrasies in all phases of the game. The depth and breadth of this book will therefore help players to appreciate chess at a more profound level, and make steps towards sustained and significant improvement.\nJonathan Rowson is an accomplished Grandmaster and Scotland's strongest ever player. In 2002 he shared first at the World Open, in 2004 he won the Hastings Premier and the British Championship, and in 2005 he successfully defended his British title, and in 2006 won the British Championship for a third year in succession. He is also a prolific and successful chess writer and book reviewer for one of the world's foremost chess magazines, New in Chess. His previous books for Gambit, Understanding the Grünfeld and The Seven Deadly Chess Sins, have been widely praised in the chess press.\n"Rowson really does have something to say about thinking differently" - GM Ian Rogers, Canberra Times\n"Jonathan Rowson has done it again, treating us all to a fascinating book filled with seriously important instructive ideas, his own brand of mystical/philosophic/practical musings, and sheer page-turning fun." - IM Jeremy Silman\n"Jonathan Rowson, one of the premier chess thinkers, shows how to find good moves in different phases of the game, especially for black, in Chess for Zebras. One of the year's best reads." - GM Lubomir Kavalek, Washington Post\n"players of all strengths ought to benefit from the abundance of clearly-explained ideas." - GM Luke McShane, Sunday Express

Chess for Zebras (Chess Thinking)

The Grünfeld Defence has always been a popular choice with players who aim to counterattack with the black pieces. World Champions Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov head a distinguished cast of grandmasters who swear by its solid yet dynamic nature.\nIn this original book Jonathan Rowson delves deeply into the Grünfeld, steering the reader through the mysteries and intricacies of this complex opening, to help you understand, play and win with the Grünfeld!\nScotland’s Jonathan Rowson is one of the most talented young players on the world chess scene. A string of impressive recent results include a silver medal at the 1997 European Junior Championships and first place in the 1997 London International, where he earned his first grandmaster norm. His second grandmaster norm came in the British League the following year. He is already an experienced chess writer, but this work is Rowson’s first major book. He is currently studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University.\n"Rowson continually draws upon his own experiences (good and bad) with the Grünfeld to teach the reader important lessons ... I both like and recommend this book" - IM John Watson, Inside Chess\n"informative, energetic, humorous, and most amazingly, fun!" - IM Jeremy Silman\n"A next-generation opening book which will make the reader feel at home in the Grünfeld" - Munroe Morrison, Open File\n"An original and excellent debut. The most satisfying aspect of Rowson's book is the depth of explanation he provides. He does not talk down to his readers. On the contrary, he assumes you are his equal and a willing companion in a fascinating search for truth in the Grünfeld" - IM Craig Pritchett, The Herald (Glasgow)\n"a gem which blends vast knowledge and vital ideas, explained with such clarity, energy and enthusiasm that the readers understand of chess in general will surely be enhanced" - GM Paul Motwani, Scottish Chess

Understanding the Grünfeld (Gambit Guide)

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Rowson, Jonathan. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Rowson, Jonathan

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Rowson, Jonathan. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Moves That Matter: A Chess Grandmaster on the Game of Life

The Moves that Matter: A Chess Grandmaster on the Game of Life

The Moves That Matter: A Chess Grandmaster on the Game of Life

Understanding the Grunfeld

The Seven Deadly Chess Sins (Scotland's Youngest Grandmaster Discusses the Most Common Ca)

Chess for Zebras: Thinking Differently about Black and White

Die Sieben Todsunden Des Schachspielers

Schach Fur Zebras (German Edition)

Chess for Zebras (Chess Thinking)

Understanding the Grünfeld (Gambit Guide)