Shortlisted for the English Chess Federation Book of the Year Award: “Fascinating discussions on various subjects, for example: opening choices over time and playing with a limited opening repertoire, feature throughout. A well written, valuable and original book.” - ECF Press Release

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.

“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!) for those rated 2000 on up” – IM John Donaldson, Gold-Medal Winning USA Team Captain

“Chess For Life is unlike any other chess book I have seen. It addresses the subject of how to sustain, and seek to improve, ones 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

“This is an excellent and original book that can be absorbed on several different levels, from adopting the role model’s methods to suit one’s own game to simply enjoying the new interviews. Highly recommended.” – Sean Marsh, Chess Magazine