International Master Timothy Taylor is an experienced tournament player who has enjoyed several notable successes, including winning the US Open. He is also a renowned chess writer; one of his previous books, How to Defeat the Smith-Morra Gambit, became a US Chess Federation bestseller, while his first book for Everyman Chess, Bird's Opening, provoked much positive interest. Outside of chess, he is the author of two published novels, Elaine the Fair and Amanda, and he also directed the film Wicked Pursuits.

It is obvious from Taylor's writing that he still has a sense of enthusiasm for chess that is both refreshing as well as inspiring. Michael Jeffreys reviewing Tim Taylor's Bird's Opening for Chessville.com.