Nick Plays Chess

Why You Should Study Emanuel Lasker

The Second Official World Champion

3 hrs ago • Nick Visel

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Book Review: 100 Tactical Patterns You Must Know

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A good, prose-filled tactics book for intermediate-level players.

Dec 6 • Nick Visel

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November 2025

Book Review: The Stories, Games, and Intrigues of Capablanca and Alekhine by FM Luis Fernandez Siles

An accessible, club player-friendly recapitulation of the Capablanca-Alekhine rivalry

Nov 25 • Nick Visel

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Book Review: Dark Squares, by Danny Rensch

An important modern figure in chess charts his journey spiritually and over the board.

Nov 1 • Nick Visel

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October 2025

Why You Should Study Wilhelm Steinitz

The First Official World Champion

Oct 15 • Nick Visel

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Book Review: The Philosopher and the Housewife by Willy Hendriks

A thought-provoking critical look at the Nimzowitsch-Tarrasch debate

Oct 4 • Nick Visel

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September 2025

Book Review: Tal-Botvinnik 1960 by Mikhail Tal

Maybe the greatest match book of all time?

Sep 6 • Nick Visel

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August 2025

Why You Should Study Paul Morphy

The first in a new series of posts, focusing on individual players. First up: Paul Morphy.

Aug 13 • Nick Visel

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Book Review: How Not To Play Chess by Eugene Znosko-Borovsky

Russell Enterprises reprints an old classic.

Aug 2 • Nick Visel

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July 2025

What stronger chess players see that ChatGPT does not.

ChatGPT's output is words without thought, especially when it comes to chess.

Jul 24 • Nick Visel

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2025 Sacramento Chess Championship Recap

A slow but steady climb back into form

Jul 8 • Nick Visel

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Book Review: Instructive Chess Miniatures by Alper Efe Ataman

Inspirational Chess Snacks

Jul 5 • Nick Visel

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