Solving in Style is an unabridged reprint of the book of the same name published in 1985. This re-issue gives a new generation of readers the chance to become acquainted with chess problems and studies. Probably no one is more qualified to do this than GM Nunn, who is not only one of England's top players but also of the world's best solvers.

If terms like Novotny, Grimhaw and Plachutta don't ring a bell, don't feel bad. Chess problems are a world of their own. Nunn does an excellent job of explaining the special rules of this parallel universe, but where he is likely to gain the most converts is in the field of chess studies. The two chapters on this bridge the gap between competitive play and problems. They cover the gamut of themes from mate and stalemate avoidance to positional draws, domination and underpromotion. Many of these studies look sufficiently "game-like" that the over-the-board player will have no trouble appreciating the beauty and ingenuity involved.

One of the featured composers is the Latvian Mattison, who was also a fine tournament player, claiming Alekhine and Rubinstein among his scalps. Today his studies are considered a little simplistic by the giants of study composition, but for tournament players, they make excellent study material. I can still remember sitting down with Belarus GM Yury Shulman and trying to solve some of Mattison's studies. At Yury's suggestion, we sat down at the board, taking turns being black and white, with a clock set at five minutes a piece. Try this some time! It makes for very good training.

I ended up with about the same batting average as an extremely borderline Major League baseball player (about .200).

Highly recommended.

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