Alex Dunne – författare

Among the first books ever published was the 1474 translation of the Game and Playe of the Chesse. Over the next 400 years, significant chess books would appear, but the overwhelming number of titles on the subject appeared in the 20th century and continue unabated. By 2003, over 35,000 volumes on chess in a variety of languages had been published, with approximately 14,000 English language works published from 1960 onward.For the librarian, collector, or chess enthusiast, the immediate task comes in finding which of these many volumes are worthwhile. This work provides an objective and informative look at some of the best chess books published in the period 1901 through 2000--and gives numerous examples of the games, with diagrams that appear in them. Inclusion criteria were popularity, longevity, critical acclaim, influence, definitiveness, historical importance, authorship and reputation. All were published in English (or use figurine notation). Each entry includes bibliographic details followed by a description of the book, with information on the author or authors, why the book is important, and background information on the publication.

This collection of games, most of them annotated, features the United States Chess Federation's premiere invitational tournament--the Absolute Championship. Features include statistical results of participants from 1976 through 2010, results of many opening variations as played in the Absolutes, yearly crosstables, biographical details of all winners and information on all participants, and indexes of players, opening variations and ECO codes.

For 70 years the U.S. Chess Federation has held the U.S. Junior Open, featuring young players under 21. This book is the first to focus on the formative years of these juniors, many of whom became the outstanding masters of the United States. Each chapter contains an annotated game of the winner of the championship and brief identifications of the notable players. Crosstables are included where available.

Fred Reinfeld--his name used to be known to almost every chess player in the United States. Not so well known are his accomplishments. One of the strongest players of his time, he ranked just below Reuben Fine and Samuel Reshevsky (against whom he had a plus score). He was the accomplished author of some of the best chess books of the 1930s and 1940s, and a respected numismatist, recognized as a pioneer in the field. He was an editor or major contributor to almost every major chess magazine through the 1940s--Chess Review, Chess Correspondent and Chess Life.This first book on Renfield covers his remarkable contributions to the chess world, with many of his ideas and writings quoted in their original context and with many of his famous annotations preserved for the modern reader.

The door flew open, and Granny stared out at Cat with wild eyes. ‘So,’ she said, almost in a whisper, ‘they’re back.’ For the first time in over fifty years, the Trooping Fairies are in the small town of Clonbridge for their annual Revels. Their arrival awakens other creatures, who have mischief and chaos in mind. Eleven-year-old Cat is in more danger than most. She has the Sight, like her Granny before her, and that makes her a magnet for all things supernatural. But when the wild magic hurts her family, she needs to find a friend she can really trust. Together they face real danger and must use all their wits and bravery to save those they love, before the sun rises …

‘Cat didn’t notice a shadow slinking into the room and leaning in closer … as if it were listening.’When Cat finds out that her cool new neighbour, Dr Becca Ryan, is a witch, she’s fascinated. Cat already loves magic – she has The Sight – and she’s sure she can learn loads from Becca.But Cat has other things on her mind – her mum has a boyfriend and Cat’s not happy. When she turns to Becca for advice, she gets more than she bargained for. Cat and her friend Shane are sent off on a perilous quest for an ancient harp that, when played, can influence the thoughts of anyone who hears it – and it seems like Cat will go to any lengths to find it …As they face shape-shifting wolves, demons and magic on the island of Hy-Brasil, Cat and Shane learn many things about themselves – and prepare to battle an ancient and terrifying power …

‘Magic isn’t only found in old ancient forests or dusty old castles … it’s everywhere, all the time …’Molly Flynn never had a place to call home until she was sent to live above a mysterious antique shop with Pat, Priya and their foster kids, Wren and Lorcan. Her new family are anything but ordinary, though, and Molly is soon swept into their world of small magics.But things start to turn frightening: someone is attacking magical creatures. No one is safe …Can Molly and her newfound family defeat the dark magic before it’s too late?

Surprise yourself and reach higher! This book is based on real amateur games and shows you how an average club player can proceed through the ranks and reach Candidate Master level. Its a hard struggle, nothing comes for free and your path will be strewn with setbacks and disappointments. Just like in real life. Alex Dunne guides you in the more than 50 games that you will be playing and offers lots of practical, straightforward and effective advice. Slowly but surely, you will improve in all phases of the game: the opening, the middlegame and the endgame. Dunne explains when and how to activate your pieces and how to recognize and punish the errors your opponents are bound to make. At the end of the book, having absorbed these lessons, your experience, technique and confidence will have improved in such a way that your first win against a master will not come as a big surprise.