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Secrets of Practical Chess (New Enlarged Edition) is a new expanded edition of a marvelous book by Grandmaster John Nunn (2602, FIDE ratings January 2009) originally written back in 1998. This new book contains approximately 45% new material than the previous edition. The section on chess computers or "using a computer" is broadened to include much more advice on using computers for opening preparation. In this edition, there is a new chapter on "chess literature", which includes two book reviews and a list of recommended reading. This book, like the previous edition, targets average players (perhaps 1600 FIDE), who want to improve their chess in an efficient way.
Secrets of Practical Chess (New Enlarged Edition) has 252 pages and looks a bit intimidating (especially if you look at some of the analysis), while The Survival Guide to Competitive Chess has 160 pages, although has larger pages than Nunn's book. Emms' book is probably easier to read without a chessboard (if you're lazy like me). Nunn's book covers a range of issues encountered in practical play. The chapters include "At the Board", the opening, the middlegame, the endgame, using a computer and chess literature. Emms looks at "In the Heat of Battle" (which is similar to "At the Board"), "Winning, Drawing and Losing", clock control and opening play. There is not too much overlap between the two books, except for over-the-board play, the opening and the use of computers. In the "over-the-board play" section of both books, the authors give some promising recommendations. Nunn reveals to the reader the DAUT (or "don't analyse unnecessary tactics") concept, while Emms introduces a CEM (or "check every move") principle when analysing tactics. Nunn also explores the concept of a "safety net", which is a sort of bailout variation in a sacrifice where the attacking player gives perpetual check or three-fold repetition. With regards to opening play, both authors recommend that the reader builds an opening repertoire that suits their style of play. Nunn stresses that a chess player should not choose some "really unusual openings" because they are "rare precisely because they have some defect". Instead, a better idea is to build a "repertoire based on main lines". Emms discusses some practical issues about preparation. Moving on to the endgame, Nunn gives a large section on the endgame which Emms seems to ignore. The endgame section is basically an encyclopedia of common endgames that occur in practice. Nunn guides the reader through king and pawn endgames, rook endgames, queen endgames, etc. Nunn continues on to the use of computers in chess, including a discussion of playing engines and how to use the computer for opening preparation. Emms also talks concisely about opening preparation in his "opening play" chapter. There is also a useful "using computers" section in Emms' book, hidden in the "opening play" chapter. In the chess literature section, Nunn gives a few book reviews and moves, and finally gives a list of books he recommends. The topics that Emms covers is quite a bit different. You could say that Nunn covers more technical aspects when Emms covers more psychological issues. Emms has a chapter on "Winning, Drawing and Losing". He mainly talks about winning and drawing because losing is quite easy. Emms also dedicates a chapter to clock control, which Nunn has a small heading on. Nunn gives advice on time trouble in a nutshell, while Emms goes into more detail, such as "exploiting your opponent's time trouble". So, which book should you buy? Both books have their advantages in different areas. Nunn's is more technical, while Emms' is more psychological. Nunn's book contains detailed advice on endgames, while Emms' book is much easier to read without a chess set. Emms' writing could also be considered more free-flowing. There are many more factors for both these books, so I cannot choose one. The best advice I can give is that the consumer should buy both these excellent books. John Nunn is historically the stronger player (highest rating 2630 compared to Emms' 2537; Source: ChessGames.com), although this is not an indication at all to find out who's writing is "better" (I think they're equal). One last question, should you buy Secrets of Practical Chess (New Enlarged Edition) if you already have the 1998 edition? I think that if you're ever planning to re-read the 1998 book, you might as well buy the 2007 (2008 reprinted) book. The new books reflects the developments throughout the nine years since the first edition. For example, the "using a computer" chapter in the 1998 book was eight pages; this has now been expanded to 52 pages! Secrets of Practical Chess (New Enlarged Edition) and The Survival Guide to Competitive Chess: Improve Your Results Now!, both published in 2007 (Nunn's reprinted 2008), are two excellent instruction books. Recommended, especially for players in the 1600-2400 FIDE rating range.
Download a pdf file with a sample from the book. For another view of this title, read Michael Jeffrey's review here.
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This
book has similar topics to GM John Emms' book
John
Nunn is a grandmaster from England. He has won four individual gold
medals and three team silver medals at Chess Olympiads. He is arguably the
most highly acclaimed chess writer in the world - he has twice won the
prestigious British Chess Federation Book of the Year Award. In 2004 he won
the World Chess Solving Championship, and repeated the feat in October 2007
with a record winning score of 89/90.
