by Amatzia Avni. 160pp. (Batsford 2001)
Most chess books give you chapter and verse on how to understand chess better, but pay little attention to how your behavior and psychological outlook - before during and after a game - can affect your standard of play. The author addresses the latter issue head on, covering the setting of goals, handling of spectators, dealing with losses, motivational aspects, cause/effect analysis and the search for behavioral clues.
Drawing on research findings, strong players' descriptions, as wella s the views of the psychologist author, the book covers this much-neglected human aspect of chess. A better understanding of the psychology of chess playing as well as chess theory will assist players at club and tournament level to maximize their chess strengths.
