Chess for Life - by Matthew Sadler & Natasha Regan (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In this thought-provoking, wide-ranging and often inspiring book, the authors examine how chess style and abilities vary with age. The conventional wisdom is that greater experience should compensate for a loss of youthful energy, but with so many of the world elite currently in their twenties, chess is increasingly looking like a young man's game. By making a number of case studies and interviewing players who have stayed strong into their forties, fifties and beyond, the authors show in detail how players can steer their games towards positions where their experience can shine through. Interviewees include:
- GM John Nunn
- GM Yasser Seirawan
- GM Nigel Short
- GM Judit Polgar
- GM Keith Arkell
- GM Pia Cramling
- FM Terry Chapman
- GM Jon Speelman
- GM Sergei Tiviakov
- WIM Ingrid Lauterbach

By examining so many aspects of chess, the authors have written a work that ends up transcending its subject-matter, and becomes a text on how and why we love chess, the means by which we can play successfully whatever our age and level of play, and how chess is truly a game for life.

Matthew Sadler is one of the strongest British players of recent decades. Having become a GM in his teens, he twice won the British Championship and was awarded an individual gold medal at the 1996 Olympiad. After concentrating on an IT career for more than a decade, he returned to high-level chess in 2010 and quickly regained a spot in the world top 100. Matthew's struggles to bring his game back up to speed after his long break were part of the inspiration for this book. Natasha Regan is a Women's International Master from England who achieved a degree in mathematics from Cambridge University. While pursuing a successful career as an actuary in the insurance industry, she has raised a family and maintained a strong interest in chess and other board games, including Go.

Review Quotes

"Chess for Life is unlike any other chess book I have seen. It addresses the subject of how to sustain, and seek to improve, one's chess strength throughout life, despite the inevitable diminution of calculation ability. Sadler and Regan have produced an insightful analysis of the way chess players of different styles adapted to age and the advancement of theory. From this, and candid interviews of several retired players, they unveil a tour de force of ideas to consider applying to one's own game. This is not a book for the aging - it is rather a testament to the value of experience with lessons for players of all ages" - Ross Jackson, New Zealand Chess

"Chess for Life, by a well-known Grandmaster and a Women's International Master with a strong background in statistics and gaming, has plenty to say about how veteran players can use their experience to compensate for a loss in youthful energy. A book that can be read with interest by many players (not only those over 40!)" - IM John Donaldson, USA Team Captain

"A very interesting book ... Chess for Life raises the question of how to be successful in chess even in old age. This was relevant in particular to Matthew Sadler, when he wanted to start in 2010 after 11 years of abstinence from chess. The British grandmaster, whose highest Elo before the break was 2667, did not want to embarrass himself, and as told in the book, he prepared for his comeback. This was obviously successful, because at the moment his Elo stands proudly at 2670. But the book is not just about him - 13 personalities of chess are examined to show there can still be celebrated successes in old age. Those living were interviewed and explain in their motivation and the basis of their success. In addition, there is also a chapter each on Jose Raul Capablanca and Tony Miles. A strong buy recommendation for anyone who wants to improve or get into the chess world again" - IM Dirk Schuh, Rochade Europa

About the Author

Matthew Sadler is one of the strongest British players of recent decades. Having become a GM in his teens, he twice won the British Championship and was awarded an individual gold medal at the 1996 Olympiad. After concentrating on an IT career for more than a decade, he returned to high-level chess in 2010 and quickly regained a spot in the world top 100. Matthew's struggles to bring his game back up to speed after his long break were part of the inspiration for this book. Natasha Regan is a Women's International Master from England who achieved a degree in mathematics from Cambridge University. While pursuing a successful career as an actuary in the insurance industry, she has raised a family and maintained a strong interest in chess and other board games, including Go.