SECRETS OF SPECTACULAR CHESS, 2nd Edition
Authors: Levitt & Friedgood
Everyman Chess (2008)
285 pages
$24.95

Reviewed by Jeremy Silman

Most chess books are about openings, endgames, tactics, positional play, and various kinds of instruction. Very few are about the most obvious and simplest thing of all: the pure enjoyment of the game. This is one of those books that remind us, page by page, why we love chess so much. In fact, grandmaster Jonathan Speelman said it best: “A joyous celebration of chess beauty.”

In general, SECRETS OF SPECTACULAR CHESS, 2nd Edition gives us a seemingly endless cascade of mindboggling studies, but it also shows these themes in use in real tournament games. Just as important though, are the explanations of these themes and various fascinating discussions about the “philosophy of beauty” (my own term). These include The Importance of Chess Aesthetics, Hedonism, Cultural and Artistic Value, Educational Value, Practical Value, Fantasy and Motivation, The Role of Fantasy, The Paradox of Material, and on and on it goes. As for specific composition ideas (again, these can also appear in real play), we are introduced to Switchback, Rundlauf, Loshinsky Magnet, Novotny, etc.

The Foreword to the first edition is included, which is a good thing since Nunn wrote it and, as usual, it’s excellent stuff.

This is one of those books that bring a smile to your face every time you open it. It quickly becomes clear that the authors are as excited as the reader will be. In fact, it’s almost as if they were in your living room – quivering with delight as they set up positions and show you the solutions – exclaiming, “Look! Look! Isn’t this just amazing?”

Yes, it is amazing. If you are someone that simply loves chess, SECRETS OF SPECTACULAR CHESS, 2nd Edition is a must buy. It’s as delightful a chess book as you’ll ever have the pleasure to read.

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