Nick Plays Chess

Book Review: Tal-Botvinnik 1960 by Mikhail Tal

Maybe the greatest match book of all time?

Sep 6 • 

Nick Visel

13

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

10

8

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

Russell Enterprises reprints an old classic.

Aug 2 • 

Nick Visel

6

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

11

2

2025 Sacramento Chess Championship Recap

A slow but steady climb back into form

Jul 8 • 

Nick Visel

4

1

Book Review: Instructive Chess Miniatures by Alper Efe Ataman

Inspirational Chess Snacks

Jul 5 • 

Nick Visel

8

2

June 2025

Chessable Course Review: Chess Destiny: Lessons from an Adult Improver and his Coach by Omar Mills (aka ChessVonDoom)

Conversational Chess Therapy For Chess Players Stuck Below 1200.

Jun 7 • 

Nick Visel

7

You don't have to be a chess scientist to become a good player

Study less, play more.

Jun 2 • 

Nick Visel

12

4

May 2025

Book Review: Bobby Fischer and His World by John Donaldson

Chess Americana

May 3 • 

Nick Visel

10

1

April 2025

Book Review: Botvinnik: Move by Move, by Cyrus Lakdawala

A Move by Move book that shows its age more than others (but it's still good)

Apr 5 • 

Nick Visel

8

3

March 2025

One Small Case For Studying Chess Chronologically

What Morphy taught Fischer, and what Fischer can teach you

Mar 4 • 

Nick Visel

7

February 2025

Book Review: Chess Tactics from Scratch by Martin Weteschnik

A modern classic, and a shoo-in for intermediate-strength players.

Feb 15 • 

Nick Visel

16

1