Chess Secrets is a series of books which uncover the mysteries of the most important aspects of chess: strategy, attack, opening play and gambits, classical play, endgames and preparation. In each book the author studies a number of great players from chess history who have excelled in a particular field of the game and who have undeniably influenced those who have followed.

In The Giants of Power Play , Neil McDonald selects five players who have excelled in the field of 'power play' - the art of putting opponents under constant pressure. The methods of doing so are numerous, including gaining rapid development in return for material to build up an initiative, preparing powerful opening ideas in advance, or even developing completely new opening systems. McDonald examines the contributions made by each player, their differences in approach and style, and from Morphy to Topalov, how they followed in each other's footsteps. A study of this book will help you to enhance your skills in one of the most crucial elements of the game.

• An entertaining and instructive guide to power play
• Learn from the greats of the game
• Discover how famous chess minds work

English Grandmaster Neil McDonald is an experienced and successful player on the international chess circuit. He is a respected chess coach, who has trained many of the UK's strongest junior players. McDonald is also a talented chess writer and has many outstanding works to his name.

Content:
005 Introduction

011 1 The Dynamic Element

035 2 Catching the King in the Centre

056 3 Opening Old (and New) Wounds

083 4 The Life History of a Knight

107 5 The Goldilocks Queen

129 6 Energizing the Pawns

153 7 A Battering Ram on the f-file

272 8 Backward Pawns and Indian Bishops

292 9 The Psychology of Preparation

215 10 The Art of Surprise

235 Index of Openings

237 Index of Players