Nick Plays Chess

Book Review: Inside the Mind of Bobby Fischer by John Donaldson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A collection of Fischer's thoughts and analyses worth studying 50+ years later

Feb 7 • Nick Visel

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January 2026

Most of us need to keep the chess opening simple

Calculation trumps principles, and other advice for beginners about opening a chess game.

Jan 6 • Nick Visel

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Book Review: Chess Openings for Dummies

An opening sampler course, back for its 2nd edition.

Jan 3 • Nick Visel

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December 2025

Why You Should Study Emanuel Lasker

The Second Official World Champion

Dec 17, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • Nick Visel

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October 2025

Why You Should Study Wilhelm Steinitz

The First Official World Champion

Oct 15, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • Nick Visel

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