Chess for Zebras

Thinking differently about White and Black.

Think of a zebra, forget the conventions!

Jonathan Rowson, author of The Seven Deadly Sins of chess, investigating three vital questions for the player:

     Why is it so difficult to improve?
     What kind of mindset is needed to find good moves in different phases of the game?
     Is it a myth the advantage of the first move ?, differences between play black or white?

In a surprising and original work, Rowson uses his philosophical and psychological training to answer these questions in an informative and entertaining.

Chess for Zebras provides insights into the opening and early middle game and helps players in their efforts to improve.

Rowson presents new ideas on the best way for black to fight the initiative of white, using the extra information obtained by playing second. Introduces the concept of zugzwang light, which occurs when the white run out of constructive moves. It also discusses the theories of two players, differently, have defended the black cause: Mihai Suba and Andras Adorjan.

In Chess for Zebras reader will find a "game of mental tools" that allow you to manage more efficiently the board many typical situations avoiding psychological pitfalls. A set of tools that will force you to think of a zebra, to think differently and forget the conventions.

Grandmaster Jonathan Rowson is the strongest Scottish player of all time and a renowned author of chess. In 2002 he shared first place in the World Open in Philadelphia, and in 2004 won the Premier Hastings, becoming British champion for the first time, title renewed in 2005 His previous books, Understanding the Grünfeld and The Seven Deadly Sins of chess they were very well received by readers and critics.